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Richard E. Forney, Jr., General Manager for La Rinconada Country Club since January of 2002.
Rick was born in Youngstown, Ohio and was raised as a military “brat”. Settling in Sacramento, Rick attended college at California State University, Sacramento and receive his BS in Public Administration in 1980.
A career in the Club business has always been a passion for Rick. His experiences began in 1970 at The Sutter Club in downtown Sacramento and then in 1975 he took the helm at Del Paso Country Club. Founded in 1916, Del Paso is one of the oldest private country clubs in Northern California. Looking for a new challenge in 1993 Rick took on the General Manager’s position at Pasatiempo Golf Club.
An active member of the Club Manager’s Association, Rick served as President of the Northern California Chapter in 1998, served on the 1999 Club Manager’s World Conference Committee and President of the Club Manager’s Memorial Scholarship & Education Foundation since 2002. In his spare time Rick enjoys golf, collecting wine and golf memorabilia and especially walking his yellow lab – Callaway.
Rick brings a broad-based range of talents as a “hands on” executive that will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Club and for leading La Rinconada into the future as one of the finest country clubs in Northern California.
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Andy was born and raised on the Peninsula. He received his B.S. degree in Political Science from Santa Clara University while he playing for the Men's Golf Team. Twice Andy received the Academic Achievement Award at Santa Clara.
Andy brings twelve years of experience in Golf Shop operations management, seven of which were with the The Peninsula Golf & Country Club, the eighth with Castlewood Country Club in Pleasanton. Andy has been with us at La Rinconada as the Head Golf Professional for the past four years.
Andy and his wife, Poppy, reside in Redwood Shores and have two young children. Poppy graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and played on the Women’s Golf Team.
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John R. Pina, Golf Course Superintendent for La Rinconada Country Club since 1999.
John was born and raised in the heart of the Napa Valley in the town of St. Helena. His family has had deep ties in the wine business since his great-grandfather came over from Spain in the early 1900s.
With plans of a career in Viticulture, John attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo studying Agricultural Business Management. As often happens in college, John’s career goal shifted and he set his eye on the golf course management profession. Upon graduation John accepted a job at Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club. While working at Sharon Heights, John spent his winters at Rutgers University where he earned a two-year Turfgrass Science Degree.
John is an avid golfer where he works to maintain a single-digit handicap. When away from the course John enjoys spending time with his family, fly-fishing and off-road motorcycling.
John married Tracy in the spring of 2002. Tracy enjoys being a Realtor in Los Gatos. In the fall of 2006 John and Tracy had fraternal twin boys, Mays and Dallas.
John feels at home here in Los Gatos and looks forward to continually improving the golf course at La Rinconada Country Club.
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Richelle Skillicorn, Catering Director for La Rinconada Country Club since July of 1997.
Richelle was born in Sunnyvale, California and raised in San Jose. Richelle graduated from Central Independent High School and West Valley College.
Richelle started at La Rinconada Country Club as a receptionist in 1994. In the summer of July 1997 was promoted to Catering Director. Richelle has enjoyed many wonderful and eventful years at the club planning weddings, golf tournaments and will continue to assist the Club to move forward in the future. Richelle is a member of the Association of Certified Wedding Consultants and has acquired her professional title through the Association. Richelle would like to continue a challenging career in the club industry.
In her spare time Richelle enjoys water skiing, boating, Astrology,her four cats and spending time with her husband Brian. |
Brad was born in Chicago, IL. He grew up in Bloomington, IN and moved to Cleveland, OH where his family has lived since 1992. He graduated from college with a B.S. in Accountancy & Finance from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1995. He was a Two-Time All Mid-American Conference Athlete for Miami University (OH) in Cross Country and Track-and-Field while in college.
Brad got his start in the golf business following college working at private clubs in Cleveland and Baltimore while spending three of four winters at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Brad brings a great deal of experience with him from traditional private clubs in Ohio at Aurora Country Club and Beechmont Country Club. Brad moved to California in May of 2005 and has been the First PGA Assistant Professional/Merchandiser at Silver Creek Valley Country Club in San Jose.
Brad completed his PGA Apprenticeship in March of 2005 whereby becoming an active ‘Class A’ Member of the PGA of America.
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Kelly has been a member of the LPGA Teaching and Club Division since 1991, achieving “Class A” status in 1998. After a very successful junior career, while growing up in Nevada, Kelly attended the University of Hawaii on a full scholarship award. In 1991 she began her professional apprentice career at Haggin Oaks Golf Club, in Sacramento California, working with well know PGA Professional, Ken Morton Sr.
Kelly then expanded her knowledge and experience abroad, after moving with her husband Tom to the United Kingdom. While instructing at a top British Teaching Academy (with wonderful exposure to many top European touring professionals), along with being a Director of Instruction at a private members club, she added significantly to her deep teaching and cultural understanding of students and the game. Upon moving back to the bay area from Europe in 2000, Kelly assumed the role of Head Teaching Professional at Silver Creek Valley Country Club. Recently, Kelly was recently nominated as one of the Top 50 Golf Instructors in the USA for 2006, by Golf for Women Magazine.
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Manny Carrillo Jr. Controller La Rinconada Country Club since April 2009.
Manny was born and raised in San Jose. Manny brings over 25 years of accounting experience with the last 12 years being dedicated to the hospitality industry. For the past 10 years Manny has held the position of Controller at Almaden Country Club and San Jose Country Club respectively.
Manny is an active member of the international organization, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals. He helped create a local chapter called the “HFTP - Bay Area Club Chapter” which is made up of over 30 local private Clubs. Manny is currently holds the title of Chapter President. Manny has continued his education through HFTP to stay abreast of all current issues pertaining to Private Clubs.
Manny resides in Cupertino with his wife, Ming-Li and they have two children. Their son Johnny graduated from UCLA and has stayed in the LA area. Their daughter, Monica will graduate from Lynbrook High School this year and will attend college next year.
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Michael Jochner has been a proud member of the La Rinconada culinary team since November of 2005.
A California native, Michael grew up in the diverse San Francisco Bay Area. He has been professionally cooking since 1993. 231 Ellsworth in San Mateo gave him his first fine-dining culinary start. Michael helped open The Dining Room in 1998, from there he moved to Bistro Elan in Palo Alto where he remained until 2005.
A graduate of the San Francisco City College’s Hotel & Restaurant Management program, Michael has traveled the culinary world including France, Spain, Mexico, and England. Michael attributes his dreams of becoming a chef to his mother. At 5 years old, he was helping her make chocolate chip cookies, a continued passion of his. He also enjoys cycling, distance running, backpacking in the Sierras, and fly-fishing.
As a hands-on Chef, Michael works toward creating exceptional dining experiences through quality cuisine.
Bon Appétit,
Michael Jochner
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Raised in Pleasanton and now reside in San Jose were I have lived for the past 8 years. My career in the hospitality field started in high school; little did I know that this sparked a passion for my career path. After I graduated from high school I went on to pursue the culinary arts at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. Although a culinary graduate I found my forte in the front of the house working directly with guests. My first opportunity to become a manager was with the California Café and Blackhawk Grille where I worked for 8 years. During my tenure there I achieved my Sommelier Certification. Although I do not cook for my profession I still enjoy working with our Executive Chef to create new and interesting dishes. Outside of the Club I enjoy cooking for family and friends and of course playing golf. |
Nicolas Villalobos, Class A member of the PGA of America since 2007, serves as the 2nd Assistant Golf Professional for La Rinconada Country Club.
In this capacity, he acts as the Outside Services Manager, assists with tournament operation, co-directs the junior golf program, and assists members with club-fitting and repair.
Prior to his affiliation with La Rinconada Country Club, Nick held various internships throughout the country; including The Denver Country Club, The Club at Cordillera, Indiana National Golf Club & United States Golf Academy and Angel Fire Resort Country Club.
After graduating from New Mexico Military Institute in 2002, Nick completed the Professional Golf Management Program and obtained his bachelor’s degree in marketing from New Mexico State University in 2006.
To increase his aptitude in management and improve his strengths as a PGA Golf Professional, Nick is currently pursing his MBA at San Jose State University’s Lucas Graduate School of Business.
He continues to attend educational seminars and instructional courses as well as participate in Northern California professional tournament events on a limited basis.
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James David Ross was born in Honolulu Hawaii and lived on Oahu until the age 4 before moving to the Bay Area. While growing up in Los Gatos it was Soccer not Golf that was his passion. Although he was introduced to the game by his grandfather at a young age it wasn’t until his late teens that J.D found his passion out on the links. It was playing with friends late in afternoons that fueled the fire. “We would just pick any course on the map we had not played and go…no matter how far away it was.”
J.D. began working at La Rinconada in 1998 cleaning clubs, and washing carts. Enjoying the job so much he has stayed aboard and over the years and worked his way up to the Pro shop. There is still much to learn as J.D. will admit as he peruses his career in the Golf Business. Teaching and designing are the areas J.D. seems to have the most interest in. He looks forward to playing out of what ever lies ahead as he continues to move into the world of golf.
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Kellen graduated with a 3.32 GPA from Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce-Marketing. He was a four year member of the Santa Clara University Men’s Golf Team where he captained the team his senior year. Kellen was named to West Coast Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll all four years. Prior to attending SCU, Kellen was raised in Yuba City, CA where he was introduced to golf at the age of two by his father, Sid Moss, and was a four time member of the All Sacramento Area golf team. Kellen’s primary golf coach has been his father and has seen great improvement of his game with La Rinconada’s own George Bruno for the past three years.
Since turning pro in 2009 Kellen has competed in Dakota’s, Pepsi, Gateway and Golden State Tour tournaments where he has finished fourth, fifth (twice) and seventh in US Open Local Qualifying (alternate for Section Qualifying). Course lows include a Course Record 63 at River Oaks Golf Course in Rio Linda, California, 64 (3 times) at his home course, Peach Tree Country Club, in Marysville, CA and 64 at La Rinconada Country Club.
Personal Data: Born in Chico, CA to parents Sid and Jaima Moss, has a younger brother, Kyle, who has helped La Rinconada teach junior golf in the summer. Kellen’s hobbies include hunting, fly fishing, reading and studying the history of golf.
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