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37 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, November 6, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 18, 2004 Lusk becomes head pro at Stone Ridge By TIM TROWER Mail Tribune Scott Lusk admits he’s not a man of great change or wide travels. "I love this area, I always have," said the 47-year-old golf professional. "I get nose bleeds when I get out of the valley. I’ve never been east of Boise, Idaho." Yet, he’s making a move now. The man whose face has been so familiar at Cedar Links Golf Course for roughly 30 years, has left the east Medford course to become the head pro at Stone Ridge Golf Club in Eagle Point. Lusk, who began in the golf business as an 18-year-old working behind the Cedar Links counter, spent his last day there Sunday. He starts at Stone Ridge on Tuesday. Advertisement Lusk jokingly characterized his decision to change jobs as a "midlife crisis." In truth, however, it simply was a matter of accepting an opportunity. Stone Ridge owner Jim Cochran was in the market for a head pro after he and Pat Akins, who held the position for five years, parted ways in August. Cochran, having played Cedar Links over the years, has known the personable Lusk a long time and approached the latter about the position. There were a couple of applicants from outside the area under consideration, said the owner, but having Lusk in his pro shop was most appealing. "Everybody in the valley admires Scott and likes him," said Cochran. "I haven’t talked to a single person who doesn’t like Scott. I thought he was the kind of guy I’d like to have help me run my golf course." He lauded Lusk for his vast knowledge of the area’s golf demographics, his ability as a merchandiser, his integrity and, most importantly, the model way in which he interacts with the public. The job change does not come without a price for Lusk. He’s severing deep-rooted working relationships at Cedar Links. "Cedar Links is my extended family, and in a lot of cases, not even extended," he said, noting that two sons work at the course. Giving notice was among the hardest things he’s faced, he said, "but the timing was right. And he’s (Cochran) got a beautiful course. It’s an awesome golf course. I’d put it against anybody’s." Cedar Links, meanwhile, with the off-season at hand, will not make any immediate personnel moves, said general manager Jason Jantzer. Any changes would likely occur internally, he said, adding, "Everybody we have on staff is very capable of handling what we do. "We hate to lose Scott. He’s been a great asset to us but, obviously, we understand it’s a great opportunity for him. He’s part of our family. You see the opportunity for him and you’re happy for him." Lusk, born and raised here and a 1975 Medford High graduate, was not an accomplished golfer as a youngster. He tried out for and failed to make the Black Tornado team as a junior. But he played a lot, buying huge buckets of old balls from Cedar Links and hitting them with his father on their Griffin Creek property. His first taste of the golf business came when, at age 18, he went to work for Cedar Links head pro Cal Morris while still working in a mill. "It was absolutely a labor of love," said Lusk. "Nothing against millwork, but it (golf) was half-agin more hours and less pay, and at the end of the day, I didn’t want to go home. It was great." He left Cedar Links for a couple years for a club-making venture, then returned to the course more than a quarter-century ago with the idea of becoming a pro. After 5½ years of tests, he earned his Class A credential. The hardest part, he said, was the playing test. "I’m an OK player, but not great," said Lusk. "Never have been and never will be." He’s good at other aspects of the business, however. For instance, he wrote summary sheets on every Cedar Links tournament and had them and his merchandising lined up a year in advance. He’ll take those organizational skills and other talents to this new venture he called both "exciting and scary." "But I’m looking forward to the challenge," said Lusk. Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 776-4479, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities