MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS — During Masters Week, Kelly O’Donnell, a well-known PGA pro who has worked in all areas of the golf industry, has been hired as the General Manager of Quail Valley Golf Course and City Centre.
O’Donnell is a lifelong Texan who returns to his home state after a two-year stint as Director of Golf at Nemacolin Resorts in Farmington, Pennsylvania. He also occupies a place in golf history, having worked under legendary golfer Ben Hogan.
“In Quail Valley, I saw a great opportunity, not only due to the history of the course, but the City’s involvement also is huge for me,” says O’Donnell. “You come in and immediately get the great sense of community. There’s a love for the course, there’s love for the City, and the City has embraced the game of golf so greatly. I wanted to be a part of that.”
Kelly O’Donnell
O’Donnell credits his grandfather and father for his love of the game. He began working at his local municipal golf course while playing on his high school team in Richardson, Texas.
After graduating from Texas Christian University, O’Donnell chose a career in golf to meet people who share his passion and appreciation for the challenge of the game he loves. Unlike many of his peers in golf, he says he’s had the unique opportunity to work in all areas of the industry, from sales to marketing to manufacturing. “But I truly love the day-to-day operations of managing a golf facility and interacting with the golfing community,” says O’Donnell.
In 2016, he won the PGA’s national award for Merchandiser of the Year in the resort category. He has won the PGA section Merchandiser award seven times from three different areas of the country.
O’Donnell and his wife, Jan, have two daughters: Leanne, a lawyer in Austin, and Linnea, who is in the film industry in Los Angeles. He also has a son, Ian, and daughter-in-law Callie, who welcomed their son, Owen, into the world in June of 2022. Kelly enjoys golf history, architecture, bike riding, music and reading detective novels.
ABOUT QUAIL VALLEY GOLF COURSE & CITY CENTRE
Located in the first master-planned community in Fort Bend County, Quail Valley first opened as a private Country Club in 1970. It is in the geographic center of Missouri City and is the social center of this tight-knit town and community on the SW side of Houston. Many residents and long-time golfers are often surprised to discover that the former Quail Valley Country Club once hosted the Houston Open in 1973 and 1974. Though it was a different route (combination of holes) than what is available for public play today, the City and Quail Valley are proud of this legacy.
The hub at Quail Valley Golf Course and City Centre is a building that features 25,000 square feet of event space plus a covered patio, porticos and massive green lawn, serving as a place for weddings, special events or company outings. The modern building includes a golf shop, The Bluebonnet Grille restaurant and many options for parties or special occasions. It continues to be a welcoming center for golf, dining and events.
Play 36 holes of golf on two celebrated and distinct golf courses. Renovated in 2009, the El Dorado golf course features a modern layout with rolling terrain that is unexpected for a course in the Houston area. La Quinta is a classic, tree-lined course that features generous fairways and elevated greens for a target-style golf experience. Both courses host several local and regional tournaments.
