This article originally appeared in the January issue of NCGA Golf Magazine
By James Raia
Michelle Latini played golf in high school, junior college and college. But her career in golf began about ten years ago and it's advanced from receptionist to head professional.
"It was my first job out of college," said Latini of her position at the front desk and answering the phone at Palo Alto Country Club. "I knew I loved golf. I knew I loved the country club and I understood what it was like.
"I started getting this little taste of what it was like in the golf shop. At any moment, I could find my way to the golf shop I was there. If you couldn't find me at my desk, I was in the golf shop."
Much happened quickly. A fourth assistant job became available, leading to advancing assistant roles. When the Bay Area country club's general manager, Josh Rumsey, accepted a position at Serrano Country Club, Latini transitioned with him in 2022, becoming the first assistant pro.
Last October, Latini, 31, was named head pro at the private Robert Trent Jones II-designed course in El Dorado Hills, joining a small corps of women nationally with the same title.
"It's pretty rare and it's pretty special at the same time," she said. "When someone asks and I say I am the head professional, it's like, 'Whoa, I have never heard of that before. It's so cool.' It's a great conversation starter, that's for sure."
Michael Brienzo, who met Latini when they both worked in Palo Alto, was also offered a position at Serrano Country Club. The couple, who married in October 2024, live in Folsom. They play golf together and have a home "golfice" filled with golf flags, photography and books.
Latini doesn't play as often as she'd prefer, but she was part of a team's recent regional win. She also competed in the past two U.S. Open first-round qualifiers but didn't advance.
"It's a very humbling experience," Latini said."In your mind, you remember how good you were then (in college). You're not as sharp as you were."
With plastic clubs in tow, Latini first played at age 2.She watched her parents play at Timber Creek in Roseville, where the 17th hole was near the family's home. She became enamored with the sport and excelled. She competed for four years at Whitney High School in Rocklin, followed by two years at Sierra College. Latini then accepted a two-year scholarship to Holy Names University, the small private Catholic institution in Oakland that closed in 2023.
"Golf came naturally to me; I never felt like I had to super grind and do all these crazy things," she said. "I was able to play golf to enjoy it and never had a wanting for advancement to go play on tour or anything like that. For me, I just loved the game. I wanted to share the fun it brings to all types of golfers.
"I knew I loved it. I knew I wanted to do it. But as I got older, I was super thankful and super fortunate that my parents never pushed me too hard into golf. They always wanted to make sure I always enjoyed it and didn't get burned out on it."
Latini's new job encompasses skills she learned in her advancing assistant pro positions. She also has a personal touch. She wants golfers to believe the country club is their alternate residence.
"We are trying to create a culture for the club that wants the members to be here every day," she said. "We are their second home. It's creating that membership experience that makes them feel happy and want to be here with us at the club."
Latini cites The Claim Jumper Invitational, the nearly30-year-old yearly multi-day tournament, as the country club's signature event.
"We have 216 players, half of those are members we know and see day after day," she said. "The other half are members we may see once a year because they only play in this event.
"So when they show up, and we know their name, they're like, 'How do you remember me?' Of course, we know your name. You spent five days with us last year. We are all friends here. We want you to feel welcomed, whether it's our members or their guests."
Serrano Country Club, which opened in 1996, hosts numerous additional tournaments, all also among Latini's responsibilities.
"It's starting from ground zero, it's day-to-day operations," she said of her few-month-old position. "Whether it's answering the phone, helping with tee times, group events, Monday tournaments or guiding other professionals. I think that's probably one of my favorite things I get to do as the head professional is to mentor our staff."
Merchandising, junior golf and clinics for other types of golfers are also in Latini's job responsibility bandwidth.
"Growing the game; that's what we are here for," she said. "That's what we love and that's why we got into the game. There are a lot of people who want to be on tour and play competitively and do all these things beyond college.
"For me, I wanted to still enjoy it, but I wanted to share my upbringing and how it was simple for me, and I never had to overthink anything to enjoy it and get into a career I love."