Source: The Houston Chronicle
About a year ago, Walden on Lake Conroe golf course underwent a change in ownership. Now it has changed head professionals.
Ron Coville, who served as head pro at the private club since April of 1978, officially resigned his position on Jan. 17. He was replaced by long-time assistant Danny Jones, who has been with Coville for the past 13 years.
"I think I will miss the golf members the most," said the 57-year-old Coville, who is searching for other jobs in the golf industry. "We had a great group of members. Each year, there was the challenge to improve. But the golf business is all about people.
"We have been fortunate to have such an exceptional golf course, which is consistently ranked among the top courses in Texas. It has been a thrill to work alongside superintendent Larry Finke. He is right at the top my ladder.
"The employees and the golf members are who I will miss the most. We have had a strong, solid team. I have met just a lot of wonderful people."
Coville was the head pro and manager at Palm Beach Lakes Golf Club in West Palm Beach before taking the job as head pro at Walden.
"I had started looking for a better opportunity about a year before (coming to Walden)," Coville said. "My association with Bruce Devlin really brought me to this area. I was looking at Crown Colony. Bruce had tabbed me to go there.
"In the meantime, the pro here at the time (Jim Deeden) was going to move to another club. Bruce called me, I came out and took a look, and two weeks later I was here. I couldn't imagine a better place."
Coville, who played football, basketball, baseball and golf in high school, said he has many wonderful memories during his almost three decades of service.
"One of the things I will remember the most is the Devlin Trophy, which we hold every August," Coville said. "It has turned into one of the premier amateur events in the area, maybe the state. It started with 50, 60 players. Now, we have 200 of the top amateurs who usually participate.
"I also will remember the Los Compadres Tournament (held each November). That started in 1989. It started as the Glenn Wilson Hit & Run Celebrity golf tournament. The association with all those people has been fantastic."
Coville was hired by Walden developers Jerry Duetser and Conrad Weil. The developers sold the property shortly thereafter, but retained ownership of the golf club until April of 2004, when it was sold to Dan McIntyre. McIntyre was a regional officer with Club Corps.
"I have been asked a lot of questions (why he was leaving)," Coville said. "I am not going to get into that. It came down to personal reasons. I think that is the wisest place to leave it."
Coville said when he first arrived at Walden, there were 1,100 golf members and dues were $ 1,750 per month.
Now, he said Walden has about 680 members and dues are $ 259 per month.
"There are a lot of good people, this is a wonderful area and a good golf course," Coville said. "That is a tough combination to beat."
Coville's best rounds include a 63 at Palm Beach Lakes and a 68 at Walden.