Our Staff - Fairgrounds Golf Course

Robert Braun
Golf Course Manager
With 20 years experience in the golf industry, Robert brings a wealth of operational skills to the Fairgrounds Golf Course and Learning Center! He started in as a "gofer" at Orange County's Tustin Ranch Golf Course when it opened in 1989. After moving to Sonoma County Robert worked at Adobe Creek Golf Course. Subsequently he was offered a job at The Fairgrounds Golf Center, eventually becoming the facility's manager, responsible for day to day operations.

From the Fairgrounds Golf Center Robert moved to Oakmont Golf Courses, a 36 hole facility located within a retirement community. He became pro shop manager, responsible for the day to day golf operations including merchandising, marketing and scheduling of personnel.

When the decision was made to rebuild the Fairgrounds Golf Course Robert was contacted by the Fair Manager and asked to return as Director of Golf Operations. Under his guidance, the course has established a reputation as the area's premier family oriented short course and learning center.

James Hemphill
Golf Instructor
With over 10 years experience teaching golf, James has established a solid reputation as one of the area's leading instructors! His emphasis focuses on a mental approach to the game, based on the simple theory of "one tempo - one swing." His patient teaching style enables students to not only build their golf game, but understand it as well. In addition to private and playing lessons for individuals, James offers clinics, group and couples lessons, and is very involved in all aspects of junior golf.

Helena Shin
Learning Center Golf Instructor
A member of the United States Golf Teachers Federation, Helena brings a wealth of instructional ability to the Learning Center. Her unique approach begins with the basics, focusing on the "A. B. C's." of golf - Alignment, Balance and Concentration. She is very involved with junior golf, having worked with The First Tee of the North Bay.  She offers a Saturday drop in golf clinic for Juniors every Saturday for only $10.  This runs Spring - Fall. Helena is available for both individual and group lessons as well as playing ones.

Jason Cavanaugh
Course Superintendent
While still in high school Jason fell in love with golf and started to work at the Fairgrounds Golf Center as a range attendant. His enthusiasm and desire to learn the golf industry resulted in his joining the grounds crew where he mowed fairways and greens, learned about fertilization and irrigation, as well as other aspects of golf course maintenance.

When the course closed to install the turf track he moved to the Oakmont Golf Courses as a pro shop assistant, which gave him the opportunity to both experience and learn how the interaction between operations and maintenance will have a positive impact on a golf course.

Upon reopening of the Fairgrounds Jason was contacted about returning and working on the grounds crew. His prior experience at The Fairgrounds coupled with the knowledge gained while at Oakmont and his desire to learn as much as possible resulted in his being given the duties of course superintendent.