The Rancho Murieta Country Club has selected its new general manager, the club announced Monday.  He's Stan Korich, general manager of Santa Rosa Golf and Country Club for the last five years.

"We believe Stan will not only bring experience but a passion for this position," club President Vince Lepera wrote in an e-mail to members.   "Your board wanted to make sure that we brought in a general manager who would take charge, be creative, and work with the staff in a manner where they could grow; we also wanted a person who would listen and communicate with membership, be fiscally responsible, and grow and maintain the charm of Rancho Murieta Country Club."

The Santa Rosa club announced Korich's resignation in July and thanked him for his service.  His contract expires in September.  That club, 50 years old, has one 18-hole course.

Stan Korich has worked at a number of Northern California country clubs. (Photo: Rancho Murieta Country Club)

In addition to Santa Rosa, Korich's 32 years of experience include Northern California clubs like Diablo, Moraga and Discovery Bay and six years at Bend Golf and Country Club in Bend, Or., Lepera said.  He'll take over the job on Oct. 7.

The previous general manager, Bob Johnson, served from 2000 until February, when the board voted to dismiss him.

Lepera served as general manager during the search for Johnson's replacement, and Course Superintendent Ward Walters handled the courses and maintenance, reporting directly to the Country Club board.

Lepera said the board reviewed 42 resumes, narrowing the list with meetings, phone calls and interviews.

Korich will meet members at a club open house Oct. 5, Lepera said.

Lepera's note to members follows:

To all Members,

Our General Manager search is over! We are very pleased and excited to announce that Stan Korich, General Manager at the Santa Rosa Country Club has accepted our offer to become our General Manager effective October 7th, 2008.

Stan's current position of General Manager at Santa Rosa Country Club expires on September 15th.

Stan brings over 32 years experience including the past 5 years at Santa Rosa, 6 years at Bend Golf and Country Club in Bend, Or., and a total of 18 years at clubs like Diablo Country Club, Moraga Country Club, Discovery Bay Country Club, and Highlands Country Club.

We believe Stan will not only bring experience but a passion for this position.   Your Board wanted to make sure that we brought in a General Manager who would take charge, be creative, and work with the staff in a manner where they could grow; we also wanted a person who would listen and communicate with membership, be fiscally responsible, and grow and maintain the charm of Rancho Murieta Country Club.

We began this search in March with Tom Lewandowski heading up the search committee.  Tom asked fellow members, John Brock, Lyle Fowler, John Mehigan, and Bob Wright to join him as 42 resumes came in to us within a 45 day period The list was shortened after a series of screening meetings, telephone calls, and interviews. 

While the process may have taken longer than some members expected it should, this committee and your Board wanted to make sure we were thorough and selected the right person for the position. 

However, without the Management Team and the staff in general stepping up and keeping the club going in the right direction, this process would have been harder and we could easily have overlooked something.

When Stan came in for an all day Club visit, I asked that our Management Team meet with him one on one; I remember a couple of them asked, "how long do we meet with him?" and "what kind of questions should I ask?".  My answers were simple, "as long as you need to" and "any question that you feel you need to have answered".  I also asked that each Board member meet with him one on one as well.  After about 14 hours of interviews from Saturday evening through Sunday evening, the reaction I received from staff and the Board was amazing. Everyone said in one way or another, "let's get this guy in here as he will continue keeping us on the right track".

We will have an informal introduction of Stan at our upcoming Open House on October the 5th.

Again I would like to thank the committee for their hard work, the management and staff for keeping us moving forward and, most importantly, the membership for having the patience to allow the Board to find the right person at the right time.

Sincerely,

Vince C. Lepera
President
RMCC Board of Directors