Saddleback Golf Club owner named president of national owner’s group

Whitey O’Malley begins term as president of the National Golf Course Owners Association

By Jim Bebbington

Whitey O’Malley, the owner of Saddleback Golf Club in Firestone, has been named president of the National Golf Course Owners Association.

O’Malley built and opened the 18-hole Saddleback in 2001 and his course has been named one of the ‘Friendliest’ in the U.S. by Golf Digest. For many years O’Malley used quirky marketing to bring players out. They’ve hosted ‘Old-Turd Tuesdays’ to attract more senior players and briefly used Titleist Pro V1s on their driving range, anticipating a high theft rate by having each ball stamped ‘Stolen from Saddleback Golf Club.’

More recently O’Malley has been active on golf-industry water conservation panels who are seeking to help courses in the U.S. Southwest prepare for a drier future.

“I have known Whitey for over 20 years and am thrilled he is taking the helm at the association,” says Jay Karen, CEO of NGCOA. “Whitey is a creative and successful business owner, and he has great intuition and a depth of experience that make him fully prepared for this leadership role. It’s going to be a fun and productive two years.”

“I’m looking forward to guiding the association on its continued journey to grow membership and better represent golf facility leadership,” said O’Malley. “The business of golf has come a long way, and we will keep that momentum going with legislative support, and by working closely with allied associations.”

For more information visit ngcoa.org.

Colorado AvidGolfer Magazine is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com.

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