Media Contact: Tom Isaak
Phone: (707) 763-0335
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: (707) 763-0335
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Fresno, CA – CourseCo, Inc has named Robert A. Tillema General Manager at Riverside Golf Course. Tillema has served as the course's Superintendent since May of 1995.
Tillema will oversee the entire property, including 50 employees. He will continue to serve as the course's superintendent, with additional duties in oversight of golf operations, food and beverage management, administration, marketing, and liason with the City of Fresno, CourseCo's landlord at Riverside.
In a coordinated personnel move, Ed Luethke, PGA, Riverside's Director of Instruction has been promoted to Head Golf Professional at Riverside under Tillema. He will retain the Director of Instruction position. Luethke is a leading teacher in the region and a former All-American player at California State University, Fresno.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge of learning the GM position," said Tillema, remarking that CourseCo is structuring the transition to support his growth into the new responsibilities.
CourseCo's corporate staff and network of General Managers in Northern California will help Tillema learn the aspects of the GM job that are new to him.
"Making a superintendent a GM doesn't happen everyday, but Riverside has always been innovative. Bob Tillema knows our customers, the community and this property well. He knows golf, and has a good business head. He's got a great staff in place. That is a pretty good starting point for any GM," said Tom Isaak, founder of CourseCo.
Tillema is a 24-year veteran of the golf industry, and has been primarily on the "turf" side of the business until now. He received his B.S. degree in Plant Science with an option in Ornamental Horticulture from Fresno State in 1993.
Tillema's interest in golf courses didn't begin in college, however. He began playing golf at age 7, and at 12, began work for his father who was superintendent of Sherwood Forest Golf Course in Sanger, Calif. Throughout his 14 years working at Sherwood, he received training in all aspects of golf course maintenance.
Tillema grew up in Fresno, as did Luethke. Tillema graduated from Reedley High School in 1985 and attended Kings River Community College, earning an Associates of Arts Degree in general education in 1988.
Luethke is a 21-year veteran of the golf business and has provided golf instruction at all ability levels for 17 years in the Fresno/Clovis area. As co-host on ESPN Fresno affiliate "Teed Off" radio show, Luethke is well-acquainted with regional and national golf trends.
Luethke has developed local junior golf programs including junior and high school club instructional programs at Riverside, and worked with the San Juaquin Junior Golf Foundation to help develop a golf center in West Fresno. For more information about Riverside Golf Course, 7672 N. Josephine Ave., call (559) 275-5900, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.playriverside.com.
CourseCo, Inc is a Petaluma, California-based management company that operates 12 daily-fee courses, primarily in Nothern California. For more information, contact CourseCo, Inc, P.O. Box 1019, Petaluma, California 94953-1019; (707) 763-0335; or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..