.bodytext {float: left; } .floatimg-left-hort { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right: 10px; width:300px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-caption-hort { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:300px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-vert { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right:15px; width:200px;} .floatimg-left-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; font-size: 10px; width:200px;} .floatimg-right-hort { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px;} .floatimg-right-caption-hort { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px; font-size: 10px; } .floatimg-right-vert { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px;} .floatimg-right-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; font-size: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; border-top-style: double; border-top-color: black; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-color: black;} .floatimgright-sidebar p { line-height: 115%; text-indent: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar h4 { font-variant:small-caps; } .pullquote { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 150px; background: url(http://www.dmbusinessdaily.com/DAILY/editorial/extras/closequote.gif) no-repeat bottom right !important ; line-height: 150%; font-size: 125%; border-top: 1px solid; border-bottom: 1px solid;} .floatvidleft { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatvidright { float:right; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} Jeff Principato was the general manager of Glen Oaks Country Club for less than a month before several thousand people showed up for the Principal Charity Golf Classic this year. “It was kind of like drinking from the fire hose,” he said. “Like a baptism by fire.” But now that it’s behind him, Principato has high hopes for the club and the community that has sprung up around it.

How did you end up in West Des Moines?

I’ve been in the golf business for almost 20 years. It started as a summer job working maintenance on carts, and I just really fell in love with the game and the atmosphere. So, I worked my way up to managerial roles, up to managing multiple venues. Then I managed a private club in Denver called Red Rocks Country Club for almost five years. Then an opportunity became available here at Glen Oaks, and through some connections, I submitted my resume, we hit it off and I started about a month ago.

How does Glen Oaks’ course compare with others you’ve played on?

It is such a hidden gem. It is something very special. The slope of the greens always has your attention. The fairways give you a great lie along with the aesthetics of the rolling hills in West Des Moines; it’s just a great golf course.

Have you gotten to play any golf since you’ve been here?

I’ve played the course twice in the first month, which is important to me. When our members are talking about that bunker on 12, I want to be able to know what they are talking about. And being an avid golfer myself, I want to experience it. It’s a great way to spend time with the members and get to know the property and the culture better.

How’d you do on the course?

Not too bad, actually. I shot 82 the first time, and it could have been about a 78 if I’d have known the course a little better. The second round was in a tournament format, so there really weren’t any scores.

What was your first day like

My first true day was Mother’s Day. I walked in and we had 505 people in the club for brunch. We did another 155 that night for dinner. I couldn’t have scripted it any better because I got to stand at the host stand and shake hands and meet just about everybody. Instead of having to meet 505 people over six weeks or maybe even the whole summer, I got to do it that day, which was really important to me.

Then a couple of weeks later was the Principal Charity Golf Classic.

I kind of just watched that blow into town. There was so much pre-planning and the team was so organized and prepared that I just kind of came in and rode the crest of a tasty wave. All I did was help with details and finishing touches.

How does your wife feel about all this golfing you get to do?

She actually played on the tour in 1986. She only played for one year before she started teaching. She really got into that part of the game and is an excellent instructor. She was the director of instruction at Eagle Ridge in Galena.

Her folks moved to Colorado and I was hiring a golf professional at the place I was running. She applied, and as they say, the rest is history.

So, who wins when the two of you play?

We play match play, because if it was stroke play, she’d kill me. She’s a really good player.

Do you have any children?

I have a 9-year-old and a 3-year-old. They were another big piece of the puzzle for me: To be able to move my family to Iowa and know they are going to get a great education and be a part of a great culture where people care about each other and the community.

Any future golfers?

The oldest one is finally at the age where I feel comfortable bringing him out on the course. We’ll see.

Do you remember your best hole of golf?

It was at Pole Creek Golf Course in Winter Park, Colo. I had what they call an “albatross,” where you hole out on a par five in two shots. So, I hit driver six iron and it rolled right in the cup. I don’t have a hole-in-one, though.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

Hire people that are smarter than you and stay out of their way.