Great Places In The Game: Stadium Golf Center

I usually like to file these on my own based on a visit, but I just so enjoyed Tod Leonard's summary of a place I've always heard is a community gem, that we'll entrust the San Diego Union-Tribune golf writer to tell us the Stadium Golf Center story.

From Leonard's piece on this range, home to a whole lot of lessons and characters and a passion for the game that has introduced so many San Diegoans to golf.

Nearly all of the staff and instructors go back to those Stardust days, and most have been at Stadium for all of the time it’s been open. The instruction stable of Barry’s brother, Scott Mahlberg, Ron Reiss, Mike Nokes, Gary Griggs, Justin Hicks, Bill Barrett, Tom Wischmeyer, Chris Smeal and Lori Brock are among the most respected in the county. Barry Mahlberg estimates they give about 10,000 golf lessons a year.

They are highly regarded players, too. There was a time during the long-running Century Club Matches that Stadium teachers comprised at least half the pro team.

In the golf shop, general manager Monty Leong, an area native who played at San Diego State, has been the Stadium manager since it opened. Coleman Mullin has been the club fitter from the start.

In a business in which some pros change home courses like they change golf shirts, it’s unique to have kept so many people together for so long.

“I don’t think there’s a lot of energy like this at many other places,” Leong said. “We want people to feel comfortable when they’re here. We’re all a bunch of friendly guys who love golf. We want to grow the game, so the relationships mean everything.”