Jeff Ninnemann Ascends to Top Post at SCGA

Twenty-one years is how long it took Jeff Ninnemann to work his way up from an SCGA intern to the Association’s Executive Director. Throughout his SCGA career, Ninnemann directed numerous championships, qualifiers and other initiatives while building a strong base of working relationships within the golf industry. He has, rightfully, earned the full support of the Board and SCGA’s leadership team to guide the organization into its next chapter.

What influenced you to pursue a career in the golf industry?
I grew up working summers at Minneapolis GC and played on my high school and college golf teams. I met my wife-to-be there, and she was from Southern California, where she planned to return after graduation. I decided to follow her, and with my passion for golf, I applied for the SCGA’s P.J. Boatwright Jr Internship Program and landed it in 2003. Coincidently, my lead reference was the newly appointed Director of Golf at Bel-Air CC, Dave Podas, who I worked for at Minneapolis GC all those years. We came to California at the same time.

Given your 20-year tenure with the SCGA, rising through the ranks to Executive Director, what do you consider some of your notable achievements?
When I started, the SCGA had a much smaller slate of championships and events. I am proud of more than doubling the size of our program and all the opportunities we offer to golfers of all ages and skill levels, including a full slate of women’s championships. Certainly being selected by the USGA to serve on the U.S. Open golf course set-up team and rules committee has been another highlight.

Having been engaged in a variety of key areas of the SCGA, including 10 years (2013-2023) as Director of Championships and Golf Operations, what are some of your priorities and goals as Executive Director to further support and promote the game of golf?
This being the 125th anniversary of the SCGA, I want to keep the organization on its successful growth trajectory. It’s my vision that we’re best-in-class with everything we do, whether it’s our internal culture, services we provide our members and community or our reputation on the national stage. I also think there’s an opportunity for us to better collaborate as an industry by working with the USGA and Allied Golf Associations to identify best practices and be thought leaders for others to follow. Our advocacy efforts in support of golf throughout the state and the work of our SCGA Junior Golf Foundation are also incredibly important.

What would you consider the most rewarding part of running an amateur golf organization?
The relationships. We’re fortunate to work in a unique facet of the industry where you’re exposed to so many different elements of the game, whether it’s the golf facilities, our member clubs or the people that do what we do around the country. It’s a vast network and an honor to be part of such a broad element of the game.

Ninnemann interviews PGA Tour pro and Valencia native, Max Homa, at the 2022 California Amateur Championship.

What’s your proudest moment playing golf?
I made a double-eagle on the par-5 15th hole at the Valley Club of Montecito. It was a round I played with former Executive Director Kevin Heaney and former board members, Bob Fischer and Bob Livingstone – all of whom played an important role in my career. To hit that shot on that hole, on that course is something I’ll never forget.▪