We created the experience
Nature created the views
Linville Ridge
Linville Ridge
Meet the Pros

Meet the Pros

Kurt Thompson – Director of Golf

Kurt Thompson, who joined Linville Ridge Country Club in 2005, brings more than a decade of golf experience and a wealth of knowledge to his role. Kurt claims that his big break in the golf industry came when he was invited to join the golf staff at Bighorn Country Club (Palm Desert, CA) and work under Bill Harmon. Mr. Harmon, a son of Masters Champion Claude Harmon, is consistently ranked as a Top 100 Instructor in Golf Digest.With Bighorn being a seasonal club, he started spending his summer months in the North Carolina Mountains working at Grandfather Golf and Country Club. There he worked under two of the most respected names in the golf industry, John McNeely and John Buczek. 

Both McNeely and Buczek were former Golf Assistants of Claude Harmon at Winged Foot Golf Club.  Following two Winter Seasons at Bighorn, Kurt was invited to rejoin John McNeely at the Floridian. Located in South Florida, the Floridian is one of the countries most prestigious clubs. Here he has spent his past seven winters serving on the golf staff and has been privileged to work with recent winners on both the PGA and Senior PGA Tours.An Ohio native, Kurt is a graduate from Morehead State University in Kentucky. 

 

Mike Downing – Head Golf Professional

Mike Downing has represented the Golf Professional Staff at Linville Ridge since the 2001 season.  As a member of the PGA, Mike was named the Head Golf Professional of Linville Ridge Country Club in 2008. Growing up as the son of a Golf Professional, Mike carries a tremendous passion for the game and the business.  His junior golf experience led him to the Western Illinois University golf team where he was the medalist of four different tournaments.

Mike’s previous golf experience includes the Old Collier Golf Club located in Naples, Florida and Blue Ridge Golf Club where he began his pursuit of the golf industry.This Iowa native now resides in North Carolina with his wife Keri. Kurt Thompson, Director of Golf, mentioned that he has “watched Mike grow into the quintessential golf professional.  He is an asset to our club, our membership, the community and the future of Linville Ridge.”