Meet Our Team

Kelly Smith General Manager

Phone: (209) 571-5123
Kellysmith@kempersports.com

Kelly has 33 years in the golf business.  He has worked his way up through the ranks of the City of Modesto Golf Program.  Starting out as a Range/Cart Attendant, he was shortly promoted to Range/Cart Supervisor.  One year later he was promoted to Shop Assistant where he proved himself and after just a year was promoted to Pro Shop Manager at Dryden Park.  A few years later he was promoted to General Manager of all three Modesto Properties.  Kelly joined the KemperSports family in October, 2013 as the Interim General Manager of Creekside and Dryden Park.  In May of 2014 he was promoted to General Manager.  Kelly is very excited about the direction the Modesto Golf Program is headed.  He feels that the resources available as part of the KemperSports family will allow Modesto to continue providing “Best in Class” customer service that will set us apart from competitors.

Larry Alvarado, PGA | Head Golf Professional

Phone: (209) 571-5123
Lalvarado@kempersports.com

Larry came to Modesto in May of 1991 as an Assistant Golf Professional.  In April 1997 Larry received his Class A from the PGA of America and has been a member in good standing ever since.  Shortly after receiving his Class A, Larry was promoted to Head Golf Professional at Creekside Golf Course and has held that position ever since.

Vincent Suarez | Tournament Director

Phone: (209) 577-5359
vsuarez@kempersports.com

Vincent has been at the courses for nearly 25 years.  He began in June of 2000 as a Range/Cart Attendant at Dryden Park.  In July of 2002 he was promoted to Pro Shop Assistant.  In October 2013 he joined the KemperSports family and was promoted to Tournament Director.  He has been married for 14 years and has two sons, ages 13 and 10.  In his free time he enjoys golfing, coaching his son’s baseball team.

Chris Mendes, PGA | Head Golf Professional

Phone: (209) 577-5359
cmendes@kempersports.com

Chris has been working in the golf industry since 1993 and earned his PGA membership in 1998.  He is currently a Class A Member in good standing serving as the Head Golf Professional at Dryden Park Golf Course.  He has an extensive background working with junior golfers and continues to grow the game through all levels of instruction.  He has been married for 33 years and has two daughters, ages 29 and 22, both of which grew up playing golf.

Julie McCleskey | Food & Beverage Manager

Phone: (209) 571-5123
Jmccleskey@kempersports.com

Julie started in February of 2007 at Dryden Park Golf Course in the restaraunt.  In October 2013 she joined the KemperSports family and continued to work in the restaraunt at both Creekside and Dryden.  In October of 2015 she was promoted to Food and Beverage Manager of both Creekside and Dryden, where she strives to provide “Best in Class” service everyday.  During her free time she enjoys gardening and fishing.

Scott Dickson | Course Superintendent, Class A Valley Crest

Scott.Dickson@brightview.com