It was going to take something special for Jesse Crowe to leave the Salmon Arm Golf Club after seven years as the club鈥檚 head professional.
That something special came along in the town where he parks his commuter vehicle and his hat.
Crowe has been named the director of golf operations at the Royal York Golf Course in Armstrong, where he鈥檚 lived the past 15 years with his wife and three kids.
鈥淚t鈥檚 (Royal York) a two-minute drive from my house or a 14-minute walk,鈥� laughed Crowe, 40, who began golfing at age 12 at the Vernon Golf and Country Club and turned pro in 2002. He has also been head pro at the Mabel Lake (near Kingfisher), Canoe Creek (now Shuswap National) and Salmon Arm clubs.
鈥淭his is a really, really special chance for me and I鈥檓 very excited.鈥�
Crowe will oversee everything to do with golf and will take over the course鈥檚 social media platforms. He鈥檚 hoping to create some new teaching programs and institute the return of a junior night program to go along with the course鈥檚 men鈥檚 and ladies鈥� night events.
鈥淚 love people whether they鈥檙e golfers or not,鈥� said Crowe.
Teaching will be the main focus for Crowe, especially as potential changes to the course are in the works.
The York family is in the midst of selling the course they鈥檝e operated on their property for the past 30 years, and potential changes to zoning and the official community plan for the property are slated to come before Armstrong council likely in March.
New plans for the property, if approved, include adding housing and reducing the nine-hole layout to an executive-style course. A new putting green is part of the new plan as is a new name for the course.
Todd York said the course will remain the same for 2021 with no changes to the nine holes.
鈥淲e will operate as usual for 2021,鈥� said York, adding he鈥檚 thrilled to have Crowe on board. 鈥淛esse will handle all the golf operations and he brings a lot to the position. He鈥檒l focus on families, juniors as well as lessons.鈥�
READ MORE: Crowe soars to golf honour
READ MORE: Owner shares future vision for Armstrong鈥檚 only golf course
roger@vernonmorningstar.com
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