Virginia Golfer September / October 2015 | Page 17

One
Wild
Ride

Don Ryder recaps a
remarkable 40-year career
at the Omni Homestead
By DAVE POND

On July 24, Don Ryder officially punched his last
timecard at the Omni Homestead Resort, ending
a decades-long professional career that included
everything from washing cars to teaching golf and
sharing rounds with internationally known pros,
celebrities and high-profile politicians. Shortly after
his retirement, we had the chance to sit down with
Don to reflect on his 40 years at one of Virginia’s—and
perhaps America’s—most-treasured landmarks.
VIRGINIA GOLFER: How’s retirement going?
DON RYDER: Well, two days after my last day at the

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE OMNI HOMETEAD

OPPOSITE: PHOTO COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES/DAVID CANNON; THIS PAGE: USGA PHOTO ARCHIVES

Don Ryder recaps a remarkable 40-year
career at the Omni Homestead by DAVE POND

resort, I took a vacation with my entire family. Then,
I went to play in a golf tournament at The Olde Farm
(Bristol, Va.) with one of our members, so settling in
at home really hasn’t happened yet.
In all seriousness, they’ve asked me to do some
consulting work and help out around the resort.
Over the years, I helped with a lot of major USGA
championships hosted here so, if something comes
up with some of the big tournaments, I’ve offered
my assistance since I have a lot of experience. I’d
love to help out again, if the Homestead wanted me
on the team.
Left: From doorman to the director
of golf, Don Ryder’s character
and work ethic led to a legendary
tenure at the Omni Homestead.
Above right: Don hits out of a
bunker in his earlier days at the
Omni Homestead.

vsga.org

VG: You’ve had a long,
storied history at the Omni
Homestead. How’d you
get started there?
DR: My first job, in 1965,
was at the old Homestead

Garage downtown. It was a
Gulf service station, but we also
took care of our guests’ cars
there. We’d pick the cars up
at the front of the hotel, bring
them down, gas them up, and
then wash them for the guests
before checkout.
We had 66 garage stalls, and
saw just about every kind of car
that had been made to that point.
The neatest were the Jaguars and,
of course, the Cadillacs that were so b