June 18, 2019
Lupe Orozco Named Poppy Hills GC Superintendent
Former Poppy Hills GC First Assistant Golf Course Superintendent Lupe Orozco was promoted to Golf Course Superintendent as of June 1.
Orozco has been a Poppy Hills employee for 21 years, having started in 1998 as a busboy in the restaurant. The now 39-year-old earned his turf degree in 2016 after successfully completing The Professional Golf Turf Management Program at Rutgers University in New Jersey.
“My goal is to have the course at championship conditions on a daily basis,” Orozco said. “My heart is here at Poppy Hills.”
After just four months of bussing tables in the restaurant, Orozco was transferred to the Poppy Hills maintenance staff, when then-Poppy Hills Superintendent Manny Sousa required additional personnel for a drainage project. He’s been a part of the Poppy Hills maintenance staff ever since.
Orozco has been an integral figure in among other things Robert Trent Jones, Jr.’s 2014 renovation and the course conditions during the 2018 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, which received rave reviews from the USGA.
“Lupe has demonstrated the requisite skills, passion and hands-on management approach to maintain the golf course in consistently top condition,” said Poppy Holding COO Steve Schroeder. “With his enthusiasm and commitment to the property, Poppy Hills should be in excellent shape for the enjoyment of our golfing patrons.”
-NCGA Staff
