There is a new manager at Emerald Valley Golf Course as of the first of this year. His name is Laine Wortman, a gentleman that has expressed a true desire to be an active participant in Creswell activities. I am truly impressed by Laine’s plans and forecast for the golf course and other properties of the Emerald Valley Resort and the Motel, which he oversees.
Mr. Wortman was born and raised in Roswell, New Mexico. He graduated from the New Mexico Military Institute where he first became interested in golf. Then he attended the Oregon Institute of Technology, where he was a star basketball player, receiving a degree in Business Management and Accounting.
From 1991 to 1995 he was employed at Shield Crest Golf Course in management, then moved to Riverside Country Club in NE Portland from 1995 to 1998, then to Pendleton as the ”head pro” at Wildhorse Golf Club from 1998 to 2007. Next, he was employed at Klamath Falls as ”head pro” for 10 years before coming to Creswell to manage the Pliska properties.
Laine has three children, two daughters and a son. His son is a redshirt sophomore on the golf team at San Jose State University.
Laine has plans for continued improvements of the Emerald Valley Course, growing the local market and improving the covered driving range. He naturally desires to get more local activity, improve the amenities of the pro shop and the restaurant. These are things that a good manager strives to do. His desires include getting a caddy scholarship program going and working on Fulbright scholarships. He hopes to work with the high school on getting more young players playing golf.
Two really grand golf professionals who have been here for several years, Bob Duncan and Debby King are returning this spring to continue teaching. I believe that Laine is a welcome person to our community and he will make many improvements to an already world-class resort.
CORRECTION/ CLARIFICATION
The “Through the Eyes of the Colonel” column published on Jan. 25 inaccurately identified Laine Wortman as the manager at Comfort Inn and Suites Hotel. As of June 2017, the new manager at the hotel is Amanda Brooks. The Chronicle apologizes for the error and strives for accuracy.
