Tuscany Falls Golf Course Superintendent Joe Miller
Sue Wilson
Joe Miller has joined the PebbleCreek Golf Resort team as the Tuscany Falls Golf Course Superintendent. Miller is part of the new golf organization structure that was announced this past May by the PCHOA Board of Directors and management team. The new organization, designed to be more streamlined and efficient, is focused on improving the quality of maintenance on our courses. Miller and Eagle’s Nest Superintendent Jeff Lebo are each responsible and accountable for their respective golf course and report directly to Jason Whitehill, Director of Golf.
“Joe comes from a high-end facility and has great experience in dealing with similar (salt) water conditions that we have here at PebbleCreek,” noted Whitehill. “I feel that Joe’s experiences as a superintendent, along with his work ethic, are going to serve PebbleCreek very well over the years. The interview team felt Joe was a progressive thinker and always looking at ways to provide golfers with the best quality turf as possible.”
Born and raised in Bettendorf, Iowa in a house adjoining a golf course, Miller began playing golf at a very early age. In his high school years, Miller spent his summers working at the golf course and became intrigued with the art and science of making the course beautiful. The course superintendent was an Iowa State grad and steered Miller “in the right direction school wise.” Miller worked at the University’s turfgrass research farm while earning his B.S. in Horticulture and “appreciated the science behind how research work was done.”
After college, Miller spent two years as Assistant Superintendent at Eagle Mountain Golf Course in Fountain Hills, Arizona, followed by two years as Assistant Superintendent, building and opening a Tom Fazio course in Del Mar, California. Miller returned to Eagle Mountain Golf Course in 2001, accepting the Superintendent position and where he has been the last 15 years. During that time the course won several awards from local publications and Miller was a national finalist for Superintendent of the Year in 2003.
Miller is also a full time husband and father to his wife Denise of 12 years and daughter Ryder (10) and son Cole (7). When not at the golf course, he can be found taxiing Ryder to dance classes or Cole to soccer and tennis. To relax, Miller enjoys cooking for friends and family, fly fishing and exploring new activities. And it seems being in the golf course business runs in the family — Miller’s younger brother followed the same path and is a superintendent at a course south of Flagstaff.