PGA Head Golf Professional
Expert in the Business, Hospitality & Game of Golf
Building Relationships and Providing Exceptional Experiences for Lifetime Memories
Walnut Creek Golf Preserve
1999 – Current
Respected PGA Head Golf Professional with extensive experience leading operations, projects, and teams in golf operations. Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams in property start up, development, and hospitality operations of a minimalist public golf course operation, driving greater stewardship, exceptional overall experiences, and revenue success. Expert golf business and hospitality leader able to forge strong relationships with strategic partners and build consensus across multiple organizational levels.
EXPERTISE & COMPETENCIES
Golf Operations
Operations Start Up, Grow-In & Renovation
Project Management
Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability
Collaboration & Teamwork
Branding & Rebranding
Hospitality & Experience Management
Golf Shop Merchandising
Recruiting & Selection
Team Building & Leadership
Operational Effectiveness
Strategic Business Planning
Budget Development & Management
Problem Solving & Decision Making
Crisis Management
Governance
Mentorship & Career Development
Team Performance
Culture Management
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS & SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS
Played an integral role in the opening golf operational plan of The Heritage Golf Course at Westmoor the 41st Audubon Certified Signature Sanctuary golf property in the World.
Leading the administrative oversight, operational planning, team collaboration as the host property for 53 national, state, regional, and local Championship golf events.
Successfully developed and implemented the rebrand of The Heritage Golf Course at Westmoor to Walnut Creek Golf Preserve in 2017 with a $90,000 rebrand budget.
Recognized as the 2018 PGA Public Golf Merchandiser of the Year by the members of the Colorado Section Professional Golfers Association.
Successfully led Walnut Creek Golf Preserve golf operations team through the Covid-19 pandemic, including daily crisis management and the implementation of all new operation standards, procedures and policy.
Successfully managed daily golf operations and collaborated with cross-functional teams with the Walnut Creek Golf Preserve irrigation system renovation project.
Mentored and helped develop several Assistant Golf Professionals to advance their careers and achieve goals in the golf industry.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Administrative oversight, management, and supervision of golf operations including three direct report full-time Assistant Professionals and their hourly teams, daily play, golf shop merchandise operations, outside player guest services, car fleet operations, practice facility operations, tournament/league and special event operations, pace of play programs, lessons and player development programs, food & beverage concession, collection, deposit and accounting of fees and charges in accordance with policies and procedure, assuring all daily golf operations are conducted with team workplace safety as a priority.
Develop and manage annual golf operation budgets with accountability for annual enterprise fund revenue generation ROI of +/- $3.2 million.
Hospitality management and service delivery oversight providing memorable experiences and service standards with a focus on delivering excellence across all touchpoint’s.
Design and implement annual and long-term strategies to meet the organizations vision, mission, goals, objectives, and budget resulting in excess of $60M of revenue generation since 1999.
Foster sustainability, stewardship, and culture that maintains the standards of The Audubon International Signature Program including environmental education, sustainable resource management principles, integrated wildlife conservation, habitat restoration and enhancement, water conservation, environmental protection and land management. Walnut Creek Golf Preserve proudly became certified as the second of only two certified projects in Colorado on October 30, 2002.
MORE ABOUT ME
~ Colorado Native with residence within 38 miles of Rodeo Dunes
~ Born on Saint Patrick’s Day
~ Married to Stephanie with daughters Amanda and Madi plus our Pug dog Roo
~ Passionate about the game of golf, minimalist golf experiences, and fly-fishing
~ What I’m Reading: The Creative Act - A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
~ What I’m Listening To: George Strait, Defining Hospitality Podcast, Fried Egg Golf Podcast
~ Colorado Section PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Public Golf Operations 2018)
~ Association of Golf Merchandisers Member
~ Commerce City Police Citizens Advisory Board Member (City Council appointed 2016)
~ Colorado PGA Governance Committee Co-Chair (2021-current)
~ City of Westminster Emerging Leaders Program Mentor
~ National PGA Merchandiser of the Year Conference Participant (2019)
~ Colorado Open Championship Player (1987-99, 2004, 2007, 2010)
~ Denver Open Player (1992-95)
~ PGA Tour Qualifying School (1996)
~ Colorado Senior Open Championship (2020, 2021)
~ PGA Tour Champions Qualifying School (2019, 2021)
53 Championships and Counting!
Colorado Senior Open - 2000, 2001, 2003
Colorado Golf Association Senior Stroke Play Championship - 2006
USGA Senior Amateur Qualifier - 2002
CGA Senior State Match Play Championship - 2003, 2011
USGA Mid-Amateur Qualifier - 2004
CGA Senior State Stroke Play Championship - 2005, 2006
Colorado Women's Open Qualifier - 2007
CGA State Match Play Championship - 2014
CGA State Four-Ball Championship - 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
CGA Ladies Niblick Championship - 2022
USGA U.S. Open Local Qualifier - 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
USGA Senior U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier - 2012
USGA Women's U.S. Open Qualifier - 2014, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2024, 2025
USGA Women's Amateur Qualifier - 2015, 2018, 2021
USGA Junior Amateur Qualifier - 2016
AJGA Colorado Junior - 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Westminster Open - 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
The Ascendant Championship Korn Ferry Tour Qualifier - 2025
CGA State Amateur Championship - 2025
Brian J Carlson, PGA
10228 Norfolk Street, Commerce City, Colorado 80022
303-585-0579