By Vinnie Manginelli, PGA
Valley Golf Center, a five-time Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) Top 50 Stand Alone facility, opened for business in Fresno, California in January of 2018. The location, however, has supported the game of golf since 1998 when it was known as River Park Golf Center. With a 300-yard driving range, a nine-hole Par 3 golf course that challenged golfers with bunkers and water hazards, a golf instruction area, lighting night play, a golf shop and food & beverage, River Park Golf Center became the home practice facility for many high school and middle school golf teams, as well as those from Fresno State University. The facility developed a reputation as a great place for recreational golfers to have some fun and forever hone their skills.
After almost two decades in business, the owners of River Park Golf Center decided to close their doors. That’s when LPGA Teaching Professional Cindy Vining stepped in. Vining had been teaching at River Park Golf Center since 2002 and was one of the busiest teaching professionals in the area. She spent a lot of time there and knew the location still had the potential to impact the lives of many golfers in the region. When she and her business partner Leila Lujan approached the new landowner, they negotiated a new lease, closed the facility for two weeks and reopened it as Valley Golf Center on January 12, 2018.
Vining and Lujan are active participants in the operation of Valley Golf Center to help make the golf facility a safe, friendly and fun place to play and practice golf. They’re also active in the community, involved with The First Tee – Fresno, The Len Ross Memorial Golf Tournament and many other community activities.
“We’re definitely enjoying our involvement in the community,” Vining says. “As the practice facility for the Fresno State University golf teams, The First Tee – Fresno and hosting fundraisers for Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, we enjoy the contributions we can make to our community.”
Today, Valley Golf Center has 38 driving range bays and additional grass hitting space that is limited to irons only for highly skilled golfers working on that aspect of their game. In fact, there’s a highway adjacent to the grass area, so golfers must be careful to keep it straight and away from traffic.
With Toptracer Range ball-tracking technology added a few years ago, golfers can focus on their numbers for a pro-level practice session or compete against Toptracer users on the mat next to them or at any other Toptracer Range.
Off the range, Valley Golf Center’s Par 3 course helps beginners transition from practicing on the mats to playing the game on the course, while also providing hours of entertainment for families, friends and golfers with limited time to spend on a larger track.
“COVID has improved the sport of golf and helped introduce many people to the game who would likely never have experienced it,” Lujan explains.
Vining shares her LPGA expertise with beginners and seasoned golfers on the lesson tee, helping players of all abilities improve their skills and enjoy the game more. Originally from Toronto, Vining spent time on the LPGA Futures Tour, where she played with such lady legends as Meg Mallon and Laura Davies. Since her early days on Tour, Vining has earned a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology and Sports Psychology from Fresno State. With expertise in the alleviation of back pain during the golf swing, Vining helps students play more often and longer in life, both vitally more important than simply helping someone play better.
Customers visit Valley Golf Center for its clinics, golf camps, leagues and tournaments, as well as for a custom fitting session with Director of Golf Gary Green, who provides expert club fitting that ensures golfers are playing properly fitted clubs.
Finally, when the learning and competing and practicing and improving and fun and camaraderie are winding down, patrons can stop into Birdies and Brew for a bite to eat or a refreshing beverage. It seems this facility has everything, just what we’d expect from a GRAA Top 50 Facility!
For more information on Valley Golf Center, log on to its website today!
