North Carolina State University Athletics
Yanovitch Named Lonnie Poole Golf Course Head Pro
4/2/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
RALEIGH, N.C. Rob Yanovitch, a veteran assistant golf pro in the Triangle, has been named the head golf professional at the Lonnie Poole Golf Course, NC State’s Arnold Palmer-designed course that will open later this spring.
Yanovitch, 39, has been an assistant pro since he graduated with a degree in business management from Oral Roberts University in 1993, except for a five-year period in the late 1990s when he was a film producer. He was the executive producer of the film “Chillicothe,” which debuted at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival.
A PGA-certified professional in instruction and golf operations and a second generation golf pro, Yanovitch spent eight years at Twin Creek Country Club in Oklahoma City, Okla, 18 months at Chapel Ridge Country Club in Chapel Hill and two years at The Hasentree Club in Wake Forest.
“Rob Yanovitch is a great addition to our team,” said Chip Watson, vice president of Carolinas Golf Group and the general manager of the Lonnie Poole Golf Course. “His talents are a blessing for NC State University and I am thrilled to be able to work with him again. The search committee did an excellent job.”
Yanovitch is eager to shepherd the opening of the challenging public facility on NC State’s Centennial Campus, a par-71 that will measure approximately 7,250 yards from the back tees. He anticipates the course will begin limited play in May, beginning with the 250 Charter Partners and followed by the general public.
Yanovitch is the second full-time staff member at the Lonnie Poole Course, joining NC State graduate Ron Gilmore, who has been in place as the golf course superintendent for more than a year. In coming weeks, Yanovitch will hire two assistant pros and three interns from the NC State Professional Golf Management program to fill out his staff.
“The great thing that we have access to here, with NC State’s top-rated turfgrass program and the PGM program, is excellent front-line people for the golf course,” Yanovitch said. “I expect our level of service here to be superior to anything, private or public, in the Triangle.
“This is a public course and we want to serve a large customer base. But I want everyone who plays here to fee like a member for the day. Customer service is extremely important to me.”
Watson, who serves as the general manager of the Lonnie Poole Golf Course and an assistant coach for the NC State men’s golf team, said that the course is getting the final touches in preparation for its opening. Final amenities, such as paved parking lots and a temporary clubhouse, are among the last major projects to be completed.
“We anticipate that our customers will find the Lonnie Poole Golf Course to be one of the finest in the area,” Watson said. “As we wait for the fairway grass to grow in on the last few holes, we are preparing for our opening in the late spring by finishing our landscaping, bunker edging, and general clean-up.
“This course is really a special one that golfers of all skill levels will enjoy.”
