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University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina Names Cake Director of Golf
August 24, 1999 | Men's Golf
Aug. 24, 1999
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Johnny Cake, a 29-year head golf professional in Durham, N.C., has been named the new director of golf at the University of North Carolina.
The announcement was made today by Dick Baddour, Carolina's director of athletics.
Since 1981 Cake has served as the head professional at Hope Valley Country Club. Prior to that he had worked as the assistant golf professional at Hillandale Golf Course.
At Carolina, Cake will be responsible for the administration of all phases of operations at Finley Golf Course. Originally designed in 1949, the course is in the final stages of being completely rebuilt by Tom Fazio. Fazio is recognized as one of the top golf course designers in the world.
Finley has seen extensive use by University students, faculty and staff, as well as the Tar Heel men's and women's golf teams and the general public, over the years with 45,000-47,000 rounds being played there annually. It was closed in August of 1998 for the new facelift. The $8.4 million dollar project is nearing completion. Hopes are for the 7,119-yard championship course with an expanded driving range to open in November.
"In Johnny Cake, we have hired one of the area's most experienced professionals to manage our golf operations," said Baddour. "He has tremendous knowledge of all facets of golf course management and will be a great asset in the reopening of Finley and planning for its future development."
At Hope Valley, Cake managed the year-round golf operations for the 850-member country club. In that role he oversaw all facets of golf operations for the Donald Ross-designed course. He was responsible for financial management of the golf shop and recently worked closely as the course underwent a $2 million renovation.
He also conducted approximately 500 to 600 private lessons a year and is experienced with instruction for all levels of players--from beginners to members of the PGA and LPGA Tour. Cake also planned, scheduled and directed approximately 25 annual tournaments at Hope Volley for club members. He has also planned and coordinated a number of USGA and Carolina Golf Association events, including the N.C. Amateur Championship, U.S. Amateur Qualifying, U.S. Senior Open Qualifying, N.C. Amateur Qualifying and the Women's N.C. Amateur Qualifying.
"I'm looking forward to getting back into the public sector of course management," said Cake about his selection. "Finley is going to be a special venue. Tom Fazio, who I consider the best golf designer in the United States, has done a magnificent job with the course. "This is the type of course that would be a great site for the NCAA Championships and I hope we can eventually host tournaments such as that."
Cake added he also was excited about working at Carolina.
"Working in athletics in this state, it's only natural to think about someday being connected with Carolina," he said. "John Inman and Sally Austin are outstanding young coaches who are in the process of building great teams. Part of my job will be to help them as much as possible. Plus, I have tremendous respect for Ross Fowler (Director of Golf Course Maintenance at Finley). He's one of the best in the area at what he does."
Once Finley is back up and running, Cake also will oversee the Pro Shop and be in charge of managing the budget for the course.
