Getting comfortable: New pro feels at home
EDEN -- As a skier and snowboarding enthusiast, Chad Stoddard's heart skipped a beat when he heard about an opening to become the head professional at Wolf Creek Resort.
 Chad Stoddard |
The 38-year-old, 13-year golf pro was first told about Wolf Creek by former Utah PGA Section executive director Jeff Beaudry, who told Stoddard, "Here's a great spot with a job opening."
A little bit of investigation later, Stoddard found Beaudry's comments to be a huge understatement.
"The beauty of this valley, the layout of this golf course ..." Stoddard exclaimed, "I am thrilled to be here."
A Spokane, Wash., native, Stoddard turned professional in 1992, shortly after graduating from Whitworth College. His first job was as an assistant pro at McCormick Woods, an upscale public golf course near Seattle.
He later accepted a head pro job at Hayden Lake Country Club in Hayden Lake, Idaho. Stoddard enjoyed his duties at the beautiful, tree-lined course near Couer d'Alene for more than a decade.
But Stoddard admitted he was ready for a change.
"I was excited about the direction (Wolf Creek) wanted to go," Stoddard said.
The Resort recently purchased the Nordic Valley ski area, has plans for at least another nine holes -- and potentially 18 -- of golf, and has undergone reconstruction of the turnabout immediately in front of the clubhouse and around the putting green.
"For a while I thought I'd never be able to see out of these (pro shop) windows," Stoddard said.
Stoddard, who started in April, said it has also rained or snowed seemingly every day for his first two months on the job. That's left him little time play the course he's fallen head-over-heels for.
Stoddard is also scrambling to prepare Wolf Creek for Wednesday's start of the Utah State Amateur golf championship.
"This is obviously a very important event for us and we are thrilled to host the State Am," he said. "We are excited to get things in top condition for these players."
Stoddard resides in Ogden with his wife Teresa and three sons Camden, 9, Connor, 4, and Creighton, 1.
