MEET THE TEAM
MEET THE RAINDANCE NATIONAL GOLF PROFESSIONALS & STAFF
Ed Provow, a seasoned PGA golf professional, was hired in December of 2023 as the head golf professional at RainDance National.
The Illinois native’s golf career spans over 30 years and most recently served as the general manager and head professional at the Greeley Country Club. He has extensive experience in managing a pro shop, teaching, and developing relationships with guests and members. Provow is also a Quarter Century Class “A” Member of the PGA of America.
I'm just thrilled for the opportunity to be a part of the team, as well as the development and future success at RainDance National,” said Provow. “This is an amazing opportunity and am excited to get started.
Provow replaces Chris Williamson as the head golf professional at RainDance National. Williamson has transitioned into the Director of Instruction for The Water Valley Company and will lead a player development team servicing both golf courses.
Ed has an excellent reputation within the golf business, not only with those he’s worked alongside, but with golf members and guests,” said The Water Valley Company’s recently promoted Director of Golf, Kurt Hinkle. “He is the ideal person to be put in place at RainDance National because of his business acumen, his experience operating high-end facilities and his ability to develop his staff.
Prior to his stint at the Greeley Country Club, Provow worked in various capacities at two courses in Naperville, IL - Springbrook Golf Course and Naperbrook Golf Course.
Provow climbed up the administrative ladder at both courses from 1983-2015, serving as a head golf professional, director of golf and general manager.
Four months before RainDance National Resort & Golf opened to the public, The Water Valley Company introduced Chris Williamson as its Head PGA Golf Professional.
Nearly two years later, Chris was promoted to the Director of Instruction for The Water Valley Company. Then in August 2024, he accepted the role as director of golf. He leads golf instruction across both golf courses - RainDance National and Pelican Lakes - and works alongside fellow teaching professionals in elevating the play of members and guests, as well as directing pro shop operations for both courses.
Chris took over operations at RainDance National after serving in the same capacity at the Eaton Country Club in Eaton, Colorado.
"I feel fortunate to have worked in a variety of contexts in the golf industry and am honored to join this family and bring those experiences to RainDance National and help introduce the world to this unbelievable property," said Williamson.
Prior to arriving to The Water Valley Company, he was the head pro at the Eaton Country Club, and was an assistant at two Fort Collins country clubs - Ptarmigan Country Club and Fort Collins Country Club. He also spent many years with Ping Golf.
Chris has been a PGA Member for over a decade and in 2020 became PGA Specialized in Teaching and Coaching, putting him in the top 5% of PGA Professionals in those fields. He has worked with hundreds of students the last few years from across Northern Colorado.
"Golf is supposed to be fun and enjoyable. I work hard to try and keep things simple and personalized for all types of players, helping everyone take their next step in this great game of golf."
Originally from Iowa, Chris and his wife Rachel have come to love Northern Colorado over the last decade. When free time allows, they can be found outdoors and usually are headed to explore the beauty of this region with their two children.
Jeff Orr is no stranger to Pelican Lakes, or RainDance National.
The Director of Agronomy of Pelican Lakes and RainDance National Golf Club has worked for the company since 2003 when he first joined the maintenance staff as a spray tech. Jeff was fresh out of Colorado State University having completed his Bachelor's Degree in Landscape & Horticulture Technologies with an emphasis in Turf when he was hired at Pelican Lakes.
Jeff was born in Austin, Texas, and moved to Fort Collins in 1996 from Boca Raton, Florida to attend Fort Collins High School and CSU. While in college Jeff worked on the maintenance staff at Boomerang Links in Greeley.
Jeff and his wife Cinda have two daughters, Allie and Collins, and when he's not working he enjoys playing golf, touring breweries and hanging out with the family.
Paul joined The Water Valley Company in 2021 working at Pelican Lakes as an assistant superintendent.
In 2024 Paul became the Superintendent at RainDance National.
Paul grew up in Greeley and started his career in the golf industry at Highland Hills Golf Course in 2004.
After a couple years there he decided to go to Colorado State University where he got his degree is horticulture with an emphasis in turf management.
While at CSU Paul helped grow in the Harmony Club in Timnath.
After graduating Paul got the opportunity to work at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, OK and The Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs, where he was apart of 3 USGA Major Championships.
Before joining Water Valley, Paul was also at Lone Tree Golf Club and Green Valley Ranch in Denver.
Outside of work Paul enjoys spending time with his wife Ashley and daughter Avery.
Paul loves to play golf and spend time with family and friends.
Kurt Hinkle moved to Windsor in 1998 after he received a bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Colorado in news-editorial journalism.
His ties to Windsor date back to 1912 when his great-great-grandparents moved into the area from Grimm, Russia.
The native of Sterling, Colorado enjoyed a 10-year career as a reporter and editor of the Windsor Beacon newspaper and another five years serving as the general manager of the student-operated The Mirror newspaper at UNC before joining The Water Valley Company in 2014 as its Director of Marketing and Public Relations, and later as its Director of Communications.
In December of 2023, Kurt accepted the role as Director Golf and managed the day-to-day operations of the pro shops and agronomy teams at RainDance National and Pelican Lakes. He also assisted in the strategic planning of golf events and maintenance projects. In August 2024 he accepted the role as Director of Memberships & Tournament Sales.
Kurt and wife Jill raised their college-aged son Carter in Water Valley and spend their leisure time playing golf, attending live music, skiing, traveling, and hanging out with friends and family.
"Since moving to Windsor in 1998, it's always felt like home," said Hinkle. "I've been immersed in The Water Valley Company's culture and vision for decades, which only enhances my desire to live, work and play in the Windsor area."
Harrison Minchew (left) is a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects and has designed over 150 courses around the world. Previously Minchew worked with the Arnold Palmer Design Company for more than 25 years and credits Palmer as a great influence and mentor. His design at the K Club in Kildare, Ireland played host to the world’s best at the 2006 Ryder Cup.
After playing college golf for the University of Maryland, Fred Funk (right) turned professional in 1981 and then worked as the UM golf coach from 1982 to 1988. He joined the PGA TOUR in 1989 and picked up 8 wins including the 2005 Players Championship in his hometown of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. In 2006 he joined the Champions Tour and has won 9 times including three major championships. Throughout his career he has collected 29 professional wins and was a member of the US Ryder Cup Team in 2004.
