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| Splash photo by Craig Howard |
Kit DeAndre has been the head golf professional at Liberty Lake Golf Course since 1997 and has worked at the Spokane County-owned site since 1988. The 1978 Central Valley High School graduate also spent time at nearby MeadowWood Golf Course.
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A Cup of Joe: Guru of greens
5/28/2015 9:56:01 AM
DeAndre a fixture of LL golf for nearly a quarter century
By Craig Howard
Splash Contributor
Kit DeAndre wants to make one thing clear: He has not been working as the head golf professional at the Liberty Lake Golf Course since the venue opened in 1958. It only seems that way.
The native of Spokane has called the greens and fairways at Liberty Lake's oldest course his home for the past 23 years, going back to 1988 when he split time between the site and the newly opened MeadowWood Golf Course next door. He learned his trade from the late Kaye Walker, a local golfing legend who qualified for the U.S. Open in 1963 and also worked at both Liberty Lake locations for a time.
DeAndre oversees a staff of around 20 at the Spokane County-owned site and is responsible for all golf operations as well as a myriad of other aspects, including the driving range, concessions and an abundant fleet of golf carts.
When the county began a multi-million dollar renovation of the course in September 2008, DeAndre was given a stipend and often found himself on the construction site as dirt, sand and turf shifted extensively into refurbished links spanning over 6,600 yards. By the time the course reopened in May 2010, DeAndre and his team had a new irrigation system, dramatic grade changes, expanded greens and upgraded water and sand features.
The oldest of five siblings, DeAndre was raised in the Spokane Valley area and graduated from Central Valley High School in 1978. Growing up, golf was among a variety of outdoor interests that included hiking, cycling, fishing and the unique hobby of falconry. As a kid, DeAndre can recall venturing out to the county course with his parents, both avid golfers.
DeAndre was working at Walla Walla Memorial Golf Course in 1988 when he heard about an opportunity in Liberty Lake. He was part of a crew that helped open MeadowWood while also working at LLGC, a mere nine-iron to the south. When Bob Scott replaced Walker as head pro at LLGC in 1991, DeAndre shifted exclusively to Liberty Lake. He then took the reins at LLGC when Scott was named head pro at Meadowwood in 1997.
DeAndre and his wife, Janet, have been married 26 years and have two grown children. The Splash caught up with DeAndre on the fairway recently to chat about a career that spans nearly a quarter century in a community recognized as one of the region's most popular golf destinations.
Q: Of the three golf courses in Liberty Lake, Liberty Lake Golf Course was established first. Do you think most golfers you see there have a grasp of the course's history and significance?
A: I would hope most of the folks would know the roots of the Liberty Lake Golf Course, although the city of Liberty Lake is somewhat new and still growing and some of the population may not know the golf course's history.
Q: Do you think Liberty Lake would have become the golfing hub it is today if the land had not been purchased by the Liberty Lake Country Club in the late 1950s and eventually transferred to Spokane County for development of the course?
A: Certainly the land gift got things started, but the Liberty Lake area has a long, rich history of the families who called Liberty Lake home over all the decades and built and grew the community. With city incorporation and the vision of Mr. (Bill) Main (Sr.), I think the golf courses play one part of what makes the city a great community. It's clear that without the land to start Liberty Lake Golf Course, the city would probably not be the golf hub it is today.
Q: You began working at LLGC under the tutelage of the late Kaye Walker. What sort of influence did Kaye have on your career and approach as a golf pro?
A: Kaye Walker not only influenced me but many other golf professionals in our area. Kaye was a great mentor as I matured in my career and learned what it might take to be a head golf professional one day. Mr. Walker had a great rapport with people, and it showed in the day-to-day operation of the golf course.
Q: How would you describe the dynamics between Liberty Lake, MeadowWood and Trailhead? Does everyone get along or is there a certain degree of competition there?
A: Both Liberty Lake and MeadowWood are owned by Spokane County, so while we don't compete among one another we are supported by the rounds of golf we produce in a given season. I can say that I have great respect for Bob Scott at MeadowWood and Chris Johnston at Trailhead. They both are great golf professionals.
Q: LLGC underwent a major overhaul with a project that began in 2008. What were some of the challenges of that project from your standpoint and how do you feel the upgrades have impacted the course in the long run?
A: The transformation that was created by the remodel of Liberty Lake Golf Course in 2008 and 2009 has turned the golf course into a fun and challenging experience. Some of the challenges we dealt with were construction deadlines, which were important when it came to our reopen date. The impact the remodel has had in the long run I think may be too early to tell. We still enjoy listening to customer feedback, likes and dislikes and what would give the golfer their best experience.
Q: There have been a few Inland Northwest golfers like Kirk Triplett and Alex Prugh who have had success on the PGA Tour. How much does our region's weather - and the limitations it puts on golf - affect the ability of local golfers to pursue the game on an elite level?
A: I think talent like the players you mentioned can be limited by geography somewhat, but hard work, practice, good coaching and a commitment to strive to an elite level is what makes these players the best in the world.
Q: One of the trademark features of LLGC is your uniquely designed pro shop that seems to be a throwback to the classic age of golf. What sort of feedback have you heard over the years about that building?
A: The clubhouse at Liberty Lake is definitely unique. We do get several comments on its design. Most patrons enjoy the retro 1950s look. The inside of the clubhouse itself functions very well, the golf shop and bistro area are tied together so both operations work together well. I would say over the years the clubhouse has served as a fun trademark, of course.
Q: With all the golf courses in the area, what do you think distinguishes LLGC as one of the best options?
A: Our golf course is maintained to the highest degree thanks to our golf course superintendent, Todd Harper, so conditioning is an attraction that I think rates very high. Also because of the new layout, many patrons who had played the "old" Liberty Lake Golf Course layout will enjoy seeing the attributes of our new design. There are many golf facilities in the greater Spokane/Coeur d'Alene area, so I'm proud to be able to offer one of the great facilities to the golfing public.
Q: Finally, what do you enjoy most about being a golf pro in Liberty Lake?
A: What makes being the golf professional so great has to be the camaraderie between our patrons and staff. Over the years, many friendships have been built on the game of golf and our association to the Liberty Lake Golf Course, something I will always cherish. It's important to us that everyone has an enjoyable, fun day at Liberty Lake Golf Course, and our goal is to make that happen.
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