Jim Kepler's name is well-known around golfing circles in Northern Nevada for his work at Dayton Valley and Eagle Valley golf courses.
That hard work was rewarded recently when Kepler, the general manager at Eagle Valley, was named the 2009 Northern California PGA Golf Professional of the Year.
The award is bestowed on members for their exhibition of spirit, determination, business acumen, professionalism, promotion of the game and service to the PGA.
"It's a pretty exciting deal," said Kepler. "Somebody has to nominate you then it goes to committee. To be picked by your peers is special."
Bob Young, president of the Northern California Section of the PGA, said the committee looked at Kepler's body of work, not just the few years he's been at Eagle Valley.
"When the committee looked at Mr. Kepler's outstanding accomplishments
and his determination to be successful in all his endeavors he was by
far the leading candidate for this award," Young said. "Not only is Jim's current
achievements at Eagle Valley unbelievable, but his entire record over
the past five to 10 years was taken into consideration to earn him this
honor.
"Not only has Jim been a astute business man and given back to his community
but he also has mentored, trained and inspired many PGA professionals
who have advanced in their careers and are now holding key positions
at PGA facilities."
Kepler said his 15-year run at Dayton really helped him a great deal.
"It gave me an opportunity to run a top-notch golf facility," said Kepler, who still owns a house on the 12th hole at Dayton. "I learned more about the industry. I learned how to do things on a very lean budget and learned how to maintain a golf course."
In the last three years, Kepler has made Eagle Valley into a viable option for golfers around the entire region. From better fairways on both courses, to lights on the putting green, to adding more tees and to taking out the hated sagebrush on the West course, Eagle Valley offers a good challenge to all range of abilities. Eagle Valley gets around 60,000 rounds a year on its two courses, and Eagle Valley showed a double-digit profit last year.
Carson City's Larry Windsor of High Sierra Golf recently played a round on the West course and said the layout is in the best shape it's ever been.
"We're one of the courses that is up, and we're up 18 percent," Kepler said. "We've made it affordable and convenient. We've kept it affordable for seniors and give it away to the kids."
Kepler's strong suit may be his promotional skills. He started the 50-mile Club which enables any golfer living within 50 miles of Carson City the opportunity to play the East course for $25 (plus lunch in the winter) and the West course for $35 (plus lunch in the winter). You get a free round of golf upon signing up as well as a free lunch. Four drinks and four range tokens also are included. Not a bad deal to be sure.
"It's a lot of work," Kepler said, pointing to a list of specials on his computer screen. "I spend some part of everyday working on promotions."
The only course that comes close to promotions like Eagle Valley is Empire Ranch. If the other courses are offering deals other than twilight rates, it's a well-kept secret, because they aren't advertising.
Kepler is real big on customer service, too. He wants to make sure golfers have had a pleasant experience, especially the out-of-towners, because he wants their repeat business and he wants them to spread the word. Locals already know that Eagle Valley will give locals the most bang for their buck.
"I replaced the entire staff," Kepler said. "We've created a better atmosphere for golfers. When you play golf you're supposed to have a good time."
In my several visits to the course since Kepler took over, I've found his new staff to be attentive and courteous.
As an avid golfer, I'd like to se more courses in Northern Nevada follow Kepler's lead and make golf affordable again. There is just way too much competition for that not to happen.
What I'd really love to see is once a week courses like Wolf Run, Genoa Lakes, Lakeridge, Red Hawk, D'Andrea and Silver Oak offer a $30 round of golf. Very few people can really afford to pay $60 or more on a regular basis these days.