THE SCGA MEMBER'S CLUB - HEAD PROFESSIONAL

THE LESSONS OF YOUTH:
Scott Mallory puts his customer relations legacy to ideal use as new head professional at The SCGA Members' Club

Scott Mallory's dad always made it a point to greet his customers anytime they came into his market in Topeka, Kansas. It rubbed off.

"I've learned since, that making people feel comfortable goes a long way toward a successful operation," says the new head professional at The SCGA Members' Club at Rancho California.

"Lou was invaluable in our making the transition after we acquired the course," noted general manager Tom Pinch in making the announcement. "His long tenure here before was vital to knowing what was in place and he helped us through the formative months.

"We're really pleased to retain Scott. He's got a proven track record at highly successful places." Pinch added. "He's already put many ideas in place that say a lot about where we're going. It's been a pleasure to have had Scott and the rest of the team here on the same page from Day One."

Mallory arrived at The SCGA Members' Club after four years at JC Resorts' Rancho Bernardo Inn, where he was head golf professional. An award as San Diego Chapter PGA Resort Merchandiser of the Year was followed quickly by a like award at the Southern California Section level.

"Like most people in the industry, I appreciate nearly all the facets of being a golf professional," Mallory says, "but I always have really enjoyed making the merchandising aspect as good as it can be. I learned that philosophy growing up."

His education at the University of Kansas followed a business administration track. Studying in Lawrence also afforded him an opportunity to meet Lisa, his future wife.

Mallory has played the game since he was 7, but rarely in highly competitive pro events. His best score has been a sparkling 64 at Mt. Woodson in Ramona.

Scott's first job in golf was at the Lawerence (Kansas) Country Club. There, he not only was involved in several of the standard duties of an assistant pro, but had course maintenance responsibilities. Like many golf professionals who had that kind of grass roots (pun sort of intended) opportunity, he appreciates all sides of the golf facility experience.

He moved west to Sun City, Arizona, for a short while, then landed a position with Marriott's Camelback Golf Club in Scottsdale, AZ, in the fall of 1987, where he cut his resort course teeth, so to speak.

By the time he left Rancho Bernardo Inn, the 287-room resort, with 700 resident members, was averaging 45,000 rounds a year, the staff numbered 22 and the sales were $2.5 million annually.

Understandably, he's excited by the opportunity and challenge The SCGA Members' Club offers. As the initial head professional to come aboard with the SCGA's ownership in place, he's already identified the potential at the Robert Trent Jones, Sr.-designed course.

As physical improvements at the club continue all around him, he's working to strengthen the golf shop's appearance and offerings to make it "readily recognizable as THE SCGA Members' Club shop."

"Teamwork is so important in this business," Mallory observes, "and with everybody here working as a unit, we'll be able to make every guest every day feel as though it's his or her own private club."

Not much different than mid-century life in a Topeka market -- greet 'em, smile, keep 'em feeling at ease...make it comfortable and they'll keep coming back.