Manley grabs Shady reins

Bryce Alderton

Kirk Manley might have been raised in California, but his ties to

Scotland run just as deep.

They also played a significant role in landing him his new job --

head golf professional at the posh Shady Canyon Golf Club in Irvine.

Manley, 36, became the club’s second professional in its

almost-three-year existence on Sept. 28 after spending the previous

nine months as an assistant pro at Candlewood Country Club in

Whittier.

Manley, who now lives in Newport Beach, replaced Joe Rawlins, who

resigned.

Brian Gunson, Shady Canyon’s director of golf and a Scotland

native, phoned Manley about the vacant position during the summer.

The two met two years earlier when Gunson arrived at Shady Canyon

from Scotland, where he was the director of golf at Turnberry Golf

Club.

Gunson and Alistair Philip, the head pro at the prestigious San

Gabriel Country Club, became close friends while working together at

Turnberry.

Manley worked for two years (2001-’03) as an assistant at San

Gabriel Country Club under Philip.

After four months of “grueling interviews,” the former Burroughs

of Ridgecrest High golf standout secured his first official head pro

job in six stops.

“[The interview process] was well worth it,” Manley said. “The

members and staff are wonderful. It’s one of the best, if not the

best course in Southern California. It’s growing day by day.”

Manley said one of he and Gunson’s goals is to increase membership

to 400.

But he also hopes to maintain the club’s top-notch standards of

customer service to its members.

It has only been a little more than two months, but Manley already

feels a part of the Shady Canyon team.

Gunson and he scheduled a retreat in October, when Shady Canyon’s

outside services department employees played a round at San Gabriel

Country Club.

The reason for the retreat, Manley said, was to show appreciation

to the employees for a job well done.

Similar concerns, then, seep down to the members.

When he plays the course -- usually once or twice a week at most

-- Manley tries to invite a member along.

“[Gunson] and I share the common goal of meeting and exceeding

each member’s need,” Manley said. “I want to walk into the building

and blow away the members with service.”