By Brian Hurlburt
Barbara Rainey is one of those people who make a deep, positive impact without being the “face of the franchise.” Rainey has been a part of the Northern Nevada golf scene since the 1980s, first running major casino golf events and tournaments at Reno-area courses, then in her current role directing Member Services for Nevada Golf.
Rainey stood out so much in her roles with the casino tournaments, Hot August Nights and other Reno events, that the leaders of the Northern Nevada Golf Association took notice and enticed her to join the team.
Her organizational skills and dedication to the member experience have been on full display since 2006, even without her ever playing the grand old game.
“When I think about the journey, I first think about the people,” Rainey said. “It has always been about bringing people together. Golfers are a group of people who I call ‘optimistic masochists.’ They’re constantly striving to do better and improve their games even when it can be frustrating. It’s a culture of people that I really enjoy helping and working with, and I love being outdoors and out on the golf course. After 40 years in the industry, I still don’t play golf. I don’t want to ruin my love for the game by taking it up.”
In the early 2000s, the Golden Nugget created a major amateur tournament with 1,000 golfers, and Rainey helped with logistics. At that event, Rainey met NNGA executives Steve Rydell and Pam Whalen. When Whalen took over Northern Nevada Junior Golf Association operations full-time, Rydell asked Rainey to come to work for the NNGA.
“Member services have always been important to me, and I take great pride that we answer the phone and help people with a personal connection,” Rainey said. “The personal service that we give to our members is something I take great pride in. When Steve first asked me what I wanted my title to be, I just said ‘Member Services’ because I never want to forget that. That’s why we’re here. That’s why I’m here. I also really like organizing things, and back in the beginning, all of the tournament entries came in by check, so there was a lot of data entry and sorting. I like creating organization out of chaos, or better yet, avoiding chaos through organization.”
That attention to detail has been appreciated at all levels within the organization.
“Barbara has been a long-time exemplary employee for Northern Nevada Golf,” said Cameron MacGregor, Northern Region, Executive Director. “She has contributed greatly to the success of the orginization, and has earned the trust and respect of our members statewide. For me, she has been a great support and wealth of knowledge that enabled me in my new role.”
Rainey understands the impact the NNGA, and now Nevada Golf, have made and will continue to make. It has been an honor for her to be part of a larger goal and mission.
“I give a lot of credit to Pam Whalen and her late husband, John, for founding the NNGA and bringing continuity, respect, and notoriety to amateur golf in Northern Nevada,” Rainey said. “It’s validated the game since 1972. That’s incredible. That’s 50-plus years of aligning Northern Nevada with the USGA and amateur golf across the country. The NNGA/Nevada Golf is the source for all things amateur golf in Northern Nevada.
“The new Nevada Golf is a great thing for golf in Northern Nevada and Nevada as a whole. Members will not see any difference other than an increase in their benefits. It just helps build our presence. There are some great things in the works for marketing and promoting the great game of golf across the Silver State.”
Like MacGregor, Ann Sunstrum, Nevada Golf CEO, has also witnessed Rainey’s impact on Nevada Golf.
“Barbara Rainey has been the behind-the-scenes steadying influence for Northern Nevada amateur golf—and even the Nevada State Golf Association—for two decades,” Sunstrum said. “Her dedication and passion for customer and member service, and her drive to make Nevada Golf the best it can be, are appreciated by everyone. She always puts the member first in her thoughts, planning, and actions.”
As Rainey reflected upon her time with the NNGA and Nevada Golf, one memory stood out.
“I’ve had the opportunity to help support a Boys Junior America’s Cup and a Girls’ Junior America’s Cup, and they were amazing experiences,” Rainey said. “I urge everyone to get involved and support those events however they can when the opportunity presents itself.”
