MEET THE TEAM
MEET THE RAINDANCE NATIONAL GOLF PROFESSIONALS & STAFF
Ed Provow, a seasoned PGA golf professional, was hired in December of 2023 as the head golf professional at RainDance National.
The Illinois native’s golf career spans over 30 years and most recently served as the general manager and head professional at the Greeley Country Club. He has extensive experience in managing a pro shop, teaching, and developing relationships with guests and members. Provow is also a Quarter Century Class “A” Member of the PGA of America.
I'm just thrilled for the opportunity to be a part of the team, as well as the development and future success at RainDance National,” said Provow. “This is an amazing opportunity and am excited to get started.
Provow replaces Chris Williamson as the head golf professional at RainDance National. Williamson has transitioned into the Director of Instruction for The Water Valley Company and will lead a player development team servicing both golf courses.
Ed has an excellent reputation within the golf business, not only with those he’s worked alongside, but with golf members and guests,” said The Water Valley Company’s recently promoted Director of Golf, Kurt Hinkle. “He is the ideal person to be put in place at RainDance National because of his business acumen, his experience operating high-end facilities and his ability to develop his staff.
Prior to his stint at the Greeley Country Club, Provow worked in various capacities at two courses in Naperville, IL - Springbrook Golf Course and Naperbrook Golf Course.
Provow climbed up the administrative ladder at both courses from 1983-2015, serving as a head golf professional, director of golf and general manager.
Justin is no stranger to Northern Colorado.
A 2013 graduate of Windsor High School, Justin participated in the Class 4A state golf tournament as a senior and has made golf his life.
Nearly 10 years later he was hired as an assistant golf professional at his hometown's newest golf course, RainDance National Resort & Golf.
"I am very fortunate for my life to come full circle back to where I started," Justin said. "You never seem to realize how much home really means to you until you leave and make your way back. It's such a blessing to help make an impact and a difference in the same community that gave me so much growing up."
After high school, Justin played golf at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, CO and Trinidad (CO) State College. Justin shined at Trinidad State as he twice was named the Region IX Player of the Year.
Justin turned professional after college and moved to Arizona to compete in mini tours. While in Arizona, he qualified for the 2021 Arizona Open and worked at the We-Ko-Pa Golf Club in Fort McDowell and Wildfire Golf Club in Phoenix.
Justin accepted the position at RainDance National after a brief stint at Eaton Country Club, and is currently enrolled in the PGA PGM program on his way to become a Class A professional.
When he's not working on his golf game, Justin is an accomplished bowler and spends time with his fiancé Karlee and her son Gunner.
Four months before RainDance National Resort & Golf opened to the public, The Water Valley Company introduced Chris Williamson as its Head PGA Golf Professional.
Chris took over operations at RainDance National after serving in the same capacity at the Eaton Country Club in Eaton, Colorado.
"I feel fortunate to have worked in a variety of contexts in the golf industry and am honored to join this family and bring those experiences to RainDance National and help introduce the world to this unbelievable property," said Williamson.
Prior to holding the role as the head pro at the Eaton Country Club, Chris was an assistant at two Fort Collins country clubs - Ptarmigan Country Club and Fort Collins Country Club - and also spent many years with Ping Golf. He arrives at RainDance National with a vast knowledge of teaching, merchandising, tournament/league operations, and management skills. "I am thrilled to have Chris be the first Head Golf Professional at RainDance National," said Matt Kantor, The Water Valley Company Director of Golf. "His skills, talents, and passion for the game as a PGA Professional will contribute immensely to the success of the new golf course."
Chris has been a PGA Member for nine years and in 2020 became PGA Specialized in Teaching and Coaching, putting him in the top 5% of PGA Professionals in those fields. He has worked with hundreds of students the last few years from across Northern Colorado.
"Golf is supposed to be fun and enjoyable. I work hard to try and keep things simple and personalized for all types of players, helping everyone take their next step in this great game of golf."
Originally from Iowa, Chris and his wife Rachel have come to love Northern Colorado over the last decade. When free time allows, they can be found outdoors and usually are headed to explore the beauty of this region with their two children.
Max initially started playing the game of golf as a competitive outlet, but he soon found that the sport turned into a passion.
“Golf is such a fantastic game because you can enjoy it for your entire life with people of all different backgrounds and abilities,” he said. “The best part of our jobs as golf professionals is introducing someone new and watching them fall in love with the game that has given us so much.”
Max’s golf journey began in northern Michigan at Shanty Creek Resorts in Bellaire, MI when he spent summers working in the golf shop of one of the property’s five golf courses. During the winter months, Max worked in the resort’s ski rental and tuning shops.
In 2016, Max moved to Fort Collins to finish his degree at Colorado State University. During that time, he worked in the Mariana Butte Golf Course in Loveland. Three years later he took over the Outside Services Supervisor role at Ptarmigan Country Club before being promoted to First Assistant Golf Professional while pursing Class A PGA status.
Max is a native of St. Louis, MO and after high school attended Northwest Missouri State for two years on a baseball scholarship.
“If I am not on the golf course, you can find me on the river catching fish, or in the mountains on my snowboard,” he said.
Kaelen began his career with The Water Valley Company in 2012 as a seasonal golf maintenance worker at RainDance National's sister course, Pelican Lakes Resort & Golf. He worked while also attending college at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.
After upon receiving his degree in Sports Medicine in 2015, Kaelen was promoted to irrigation technician for all 27 holes at Pelican Lakes. In the fall of 2020, Kaelen transitioned to the assistant golf course superintendent position for the grow-in period at RainDance National.
"What makes RainDance stand out, aside from its length, is the turf variety being 50/50 fine fescue to Kentucky bluegrass," said Waters. "This variety provides for drier and faster playable conditions versus the usual 100 percent Kentucky bluegrass variety. This can help the course feel like it doesn't play as dauntingly long."
Following the year-and-a-half grow-in, Kaelen was named the RainDance National Golf Course Superintendent in January 2022. A native of Durango, Colorado, Kaelen and wife Jordan have two daughters, Cameron and Azalea.
When he's not maintaining the lush RainDance National property, he spends his time with family or hunting.
Jeff Orr is no stranger to Pelican Lakes, or RainDance National.
The Director of Agronomy of Pelican Lakes and RainDance National Golf Club has worked for the company since 2003 when he first joined the maintenance staff as a spray tech. Jeff was fresh out of Colorado State University having completed his Bachelor's Degree in Landscape & Horticulture Technologies with an emphasis in Turf when he was hired at Pelican Lakes.
Jeff was born in Austin, Texas, and moved to Fort Collins in 1996 from Boca Raton, Florida to attend Fort Collins High School and CSU. While in college Jeff worked on the maintenance staff at Boomerang Links in Greeley.
Jeff and his wife Cinda have two daughters, Allie and Collins, and when he's not working he enjoys playing golf, touring breweries and hanging out with the family.
Kurt Hinkle moved to Windsor in 1998 after he received a bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Colorado in news-editorial journalism.
The native of Sterling, Colorado enjoyed a 10-year career as a reporter and editor of the Windsor Beacon newspaper and another five years serving as the general manager of the student-operated The Mirror newspaper at UNC before joining The Water Valley Company in 2014 as its Director of Marketing and Public Relations, and later as its Director of Communications.
In December of 2023, Kurt accepted the role as Director Golf and oversees the day-to-day operations of the pro shops and agronomy teams at RainDance National and Pelican Lakes. He will also assist in the strategic planning of golf events and maintenance projects. Kurt and wife Jill raised their college-aged son Carter in Water Valley and spend their leisure time playing golf, attending live music, skiing, traveling, and spending most weekends with friends and family.
Matt Stephens, the former Director of Memberships for the company who has golf management and leadership experience, was named the Assistant Director of Golf in December of 2023.
Prior to joining The Water Valley Company, Stephens spent eight years as a general manager with Arcis Golf, a company that owns and operates over 70 courses throughout the United States.
While with Arcis, Stephens oversaw operations at a variety of clubs including Park Hill Golf Course, White Bluff Resort, Onion Creek Club and LPGA International.
He also served on the Aurora Golf Advisory Board that assists with the vision and operation of the city’s 90 holes of golf.
It's a privilege to be part of such a wonderful company that has such a great vison,” said Stephens, who is also the founder and partner of Pyramid Putters, a successful golf equipment company. “We’re assembling a strong team and I’m confident that we will be able to help elevate the golf experience here at The Water Valley Company.”
Harrison Minchew (left) is a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects and has designed over 150 courses around the world. Previously Minchew worked with the Arnold Palmer Design Company for more than 25 years and credits Palmer as a great influence and mentor. His design at the K Club in Kildare, Ireland played host to the world’s best at the 2006 Ryder Cup.
After playing college golf for the University of Maryland, Fred Funk (right) turned professional in 1981 and then worked as the UM golf coach from 1982 to 1988. He joined the PGA TOUR in 1989 and picked up 8 wins including the 2005 Players Championship in his hometown of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. In 2006 he joined the Champions Tour and has won 9 times including three major championships. Throughout his career he has collected 29 professional wins and was a member of the US Ryder Cup Team in 2004.
