Western Golf Properties Inc., the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based management company for Oak Creek Golf Club, named Steven C. Thomas superintendent of the Irvine club. Thomas comes to Oak Creek from Riviera Country Club, an 18-hole private course in Pacific Palisades, which hosted the 1999 and 2000 Nissan Open.
In addition, the company promoted Ken Graves from golf course superintendent at Oak Creek to director of agronomy at Pelican Hill Golf Club, Newport Coast. Other appointments at Pelican Hill included Paul M. Cunningham, manager of the Ocean South course and Paul A. Taylor, manager of the Ocean North course.
Cunningham was previously superintendent at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage for both the Arnold Palmer and Dinah Shore courses; Taylor was superintendent for the Pete Dye Challenge course at Mission Hills.
Last month, Pelican Hill began offering special starting times for women, seniors and juniors, the first time the club has offered preferential times to groups. Seniors age 55 or older can book tee times Monday through Thursday before 8 a.m. for $99, including a cart. Junior golfers 16 and younger can play every day for two hours after twilight for free when accompanied by an adult. Women can play for $99 on Tuesdays, with tee times based on availability.
