GENOA -- John Fleming, long considered among golf's finest
course superintendents, has joined The Golf Club at Genoa Lakes
following a brilliant 30-year career with The Olympic Club in San
Francisco.
At Genoa Lakes, Fleming has the responsibility to produce immaculate course conditions that provide an enjoyable golfing experience for all players, while furthering the national reputation of one of Nevada's top rated courses.
"I've admired this course for years," Fleming said. "I found it didn't take long to miss my lifelong profession, plus my wife wanted me out of the house."
Fleming, 60, recently relocated to the Carson Valley area, where he was coaxed out of retirement by Genoa Lakes owner, Mario Antoci.
He also rejoins long-time friend, Lou Eiguren, Genoa's Director of Golf and former Olympic Club Head Golf Professional from 1971 to 1981.
Fleming plans to make the course more playable by widening fairways, keeping the rough cut in line, returning the greens back to their original contour outlines, as well as fine tuning overall grooming efforts.
"My goal is to have the course conditions match the support facilities as A-1," Fleming. "There's an unlimited potential here, starting with the awesome natural beauty."
Fleming, a San Francisco native was born into the profession and weaned on the job by his father, famous golf course architect, Jack Fleming. The senior Fleming spent 60 years in golf design, construction and maintenance -- working for years with the legendary Alister MacKenzie -- and has 50 California courses and 20 others worldwide to his credit.
Fleming started at The Olympic Club in 1971, rebuilding tees and
remodeling bunkers. He was soon promoted to Assistant Superintendent and a year later became Superintendent. His 30 years on the job were highlighted by two U.S. Opens, two PGA Tour Championships, and a U.S. Amateur Championship. The spectacular course conditions at those major events, as well as the high level of year-in and year-out maintenance, advanced Fleming's considerable reputation.
Since its opening on July 4, 1993, Genoa Lakes has attained high regard among golfers, receiving a Golf Digest's rating of fourth best new public course in the United States and a top-three ranking in Nevada. The Peter Jacobsen/John Harbottle III design boasts a links-style layout amidst a natural setting with water on 14 holes, and a Sierra Nevada mountain backdrop. The championship layout stretches to 7,263 yards and boasts a 73.7 rating. Four sets of tees provide a test for every level of play.
Since their purchase of Genoa Lakes in November 2000, Mario and Diane Antoci have invested more than $12 million in facilities and on-course improvements. With the addition of Fleming as Course Superintendent, the Antoci's goal is to offer the best golf experience.
For more information, call The Golf Club at Genoa Lakes at (775) 782-4653, or visit the Web site at www.genoalakes.com.
