Chris Piano instructing a student at the Putting Green believe that when I mentioned I had met her father the day he died, it was the key to being hired. A blessing, but a sad note,” says Chris. It was a great seven years that Chris spent in the quaint village of Ruidoso in the Sierra Blanca Mountains of New Mexico. He learned more about golf and course management and had opportunities to fly in a private jet to the Florida Keys for PGA shows, and to meet many top-notch professional golfers. But Gallup beckoned Chris back home in 2009 to help with the family business. His return to Gallup also changed his life tremendously, as he met and married Miss Sarah Luginbuhl. The family business closed at the end of 2017, and that turn of events provided an opportunity for Chris to return to the business of golf. In early 2018, Chris was hired as the Pro Shop Manager and Golf Pro for the Fox Run Golf Course in Gallup. “I am really excited about the changes being made on the Gallup course. We are going to have a very playable course later this year,” Chris states. “I know there are a lot of people who are anxious and ready (champing at the bit!) for us to open the course right now and start play. But with the amount of money the City has put into this project, it is important that we get it right,” Chris states emphatically. “I want the seasoned players to have a great course and I want to grow interest in the game for new players – especially the youth,” he states. “I have started stocking
the Pro Shop with clothing and supplies. I am looking forward to teaching golf and watching the Gallup game grow,” Chris states excitedly. “I love the game of golf and remember how much fun I had learning and playing when I was a kid. I want to instill that love for the game in the youth of Gallup.” “They are not only improving the lay of the course, the conditions of the greens, but we will be adding new tee markers with great New Mexico flair of sandstone and wrought-iron,” Chris states. “We have a new POS system geared to the game of golf. You will be able to check in on-line, pay in advance, purchase gift certificates, along with other bells and whistles. It will all be safe and fast. We will be able to run specials, such as an e-mail blast to all members that, for example: we will have a reduced fee for a certain time-frame.” All interested players can sign up with their name, email, and birthdate. “We don’t have an exact date for opening as yet, but we are already planning an opening day with an 8:00am shotgun start, a free cookout, and a ‘play-while-touringthe-greens day. We can promise that day is coming soon,” Chris says with a smile. “The putting green is currently open and the driving range will be open the beginning of July,” Chris adds Chris is giving his commitment to: - Grow the game of golf for Gallup - Generate League play for men and women golfers
Men, you can look sharp on the greens with a colorful shirt from the Pro Shop
Need a new club? The Pro Shop has you covered. - Provide lessons to teach anyone interested in learning the game - Share major rule changes coming in 2019 which will simplify the rules and that will affect our course - Solve problems and make the game fun - Make plans for future growth
of the course: Possible restaurant serving beer and wine - Make the Golf Course a destination in Gallup As a closing statement, Chris offers, “You should only go away from a game of golf mad because you played bad, not because of issues or treatment at the course!”
- ONE GREAT COMPANY - YOUR ONLY LOCALLY OWNED BROADCAST SERVICE - RELY ON US FOR LOCAL NEWS, SPORTS, PERSONALITIES AND GREAT MUSIC
505.863.6851
300 WEST AZTEC, SUITE 200
GALLUP, NM 87301 July 2018
39