Former sportswriter for the Anaconda Leader takes up post as the Old Works Golf Course's head golf pro

Paul Johns got his start at the Old Works Golf Course at the tender age of 8, when he like many others in the community at the time got their first up-close look at how the Superfund site had been transformed into one of the truly unique golf courses in the country – a public golf course at that. He and his dad were among the crowds that followed none other than Jack Nicklaus, the course's designer, as "the Golden Bear" played the course for the first time.

"I wasn't able to make it the whole way, but it was pretty cool," said Johns. 

He's come a long way since those days when he practically grew up playing the Old Works, working at the course while in high school and then, about a year ago, taking on the role of assistant golf pro all while also working in advertising for the Anaconda Leader – and from 2021 to 2023 as the Leader's sportswriter as well. 

And now, he's the Old Works' new full-time head golf professional. 

"It's pretty special to me to hold this position, because this course is near and dear to me," Johns said. "I spent most of my childhood playing on this course. I started playing the practice holes at 10 or 11. I worked here in high school as outside services. To be able to come back and be the head pro is pretty special because of my history with the course. I'm happy to be carrying on the course's legacy and being part of its success. We've been on a good path and I want to be part of continuing its growth." 

While it all happened quicker than he'd expected, becoming a golf pro isn't something that happens overnight. The first step is enrolling as an associate with the PGA, which he did last winter. 

"You have to do a lot of book work. You have to go through that," he explained. "But the big thing with the PGA is passing the player's ability test: One day, 36 holes." 

There's a set number you have to shoot in order to pass, one that varies from course to course and is adjusted for the weather. His test was at the Village Greens Golf Course in Kalispell, and while there weren't many who passed that day, Johns got through on his first try. It wasn't easy though.

"In every other tournament, you're competing against other people. In this, you're competing against a number," he said. "The guy you're paired up with, it doesn't matter if he's playing well or poorly. I'm happy that I got through on the first time. We got lucky as far as the weather goes." 

Johns credited Danny Johnson, who caddied for him that day, for helping him get through. 

"His main job was to keep me level. He talked me out of some dumb things," Johns said. "He helped me out a lot." 

It all couldn't have been better timed, either, as Johns' predecessor left suddenly earlier this spring to take a position out of state, so a couple interviews later and the job was his. 

Todd Lupkes, general manager and superintendent at Old Works, is thrilled to have him aboard. 

"The things that Paul brings to the table are things that we value deeply at CourseCo. His demeanor, his work ethic, his experience is going to be invaluable. I'm really excited to have such a great personality on staff," Lupkes said. "He's so well known in town. He helps tremendously. The joke around the office is if we need to find someone to do something, we ask Paul because he knows everyone." 

Lupkes spoke of the advantage of having a head golf pro that grew up playing the course.

"When you bring in someone from the outside it takes them months to acclimate. With Paul it took two hours," Lupkes said. "He knew the course as a kid. He's a family man. The opportunity is his and he has the experience to run it as the business that I know it can be. That's what I'm looking forward to the most. As successful as we've been in the last four seasons – and this is season five for me – there's still opportunities. We haven't reached the peak. I'm really glad he was on staff last summer as the assistant pro because that helped everything. He needed to be trained on nothing. He knew how to do everything. It's a tremendous hire for us. I couldn't be happier." 

"I'm loving it. It's been busy with us opening the course on April 10. That's the earliest we've done it in a while," Johns said. "Since Todd and CourseCo came in, that's been when the turnaround started. The rounds have been increasing every year. A lot of the new players have stayed with it. We've got a lot of stuff in the works. We're putting in pickleball courts. We're in the process of having a mobile stage for live music. We want to do a lot more of the outdoor stuff where if you're not a golfer, you can still come down and enjoy some food and live music."

The Old Works Golf Course, a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, is 1205 Pizzini Way in Anaconda. For more information, call (406) 563-5989 or visit www.playoldworks.com.