Q&A: Will Manning, First Assistant Golf Professional at The California Golf Club of San Francisco
Alex Elias
Courtesy of The California Golf Club of San Francisco
Designed in 1926 by A. Vernon Macan, The California Golf Club of San Francisco (better known as "Cal Club") was restored by Kyle Phillips in 2008. How would you describe Phillips’ restoration?
Cal Club, like many older golf clubs, had become heavily tree-lined, leaving the golf course feeling claustrophobic and wet. When the club made the decision to restore the golf course to its Golden Age design, not only did the character return, but it once again felt connected throughout.
Now in your fifth year at Cal Club, what aspect of the golf course have you come to appreciate most?
First, this phrase gets tossed around a little bit, but it couldn’t be more true of Cal Club: Cal Club is what it is. There are no gimmicks. No member or guest can play this golf course and say, “That was a bad break.” From tee to green, everything is fair.
Secondly, when we’re in peak condition, I don’t think I’ve played a more difficult golf course around the greens. It builds every member’s short game. With fine fescue fairways, firm and fast conditions, and undulating greens, if you can play well here, you can play well anywhere.
Beyond the golf course, what aspect of your job have you come to appreciate most?
I am very fortunate to be where I am today. As a First Assistant at Cal Club, it’s the best situation I could ever ask for. The support from the staff and membership is unmatched. I have the opportunity to touch so many different aspects of the club, and each is rewarding: teaching, tournaments, merchandise, playing with members—I even poured two drinks behind the bar the other day.
Yes, I’m behind the counter in the Golf Shop, but when people say Cal Club is a family, that includes the staff. I feel part of that family because the membership cares about me, and vice versa—I care about them. It’s a true anomaly in this industry.
Consistently ranked among the Top-30 courses in numerous publications, what is an aspect of Cal Club that goes beyond the rankings?
Cal Club is the epitome of a golf club. The golf course is what you want in a golf course—fantastic shape all the time, the camaraderie is what you want around golf, and the service is what you want around golf. It’s not over the top; it’s not cliquey. It’s home for our members, and when they’re here, they’re going to have a great time on the course. After that, they’re going to go into the bar—one of, if not the best bars and hangs in the country—and have another great time.
