Budler to expand programs at city courses; Allen hired at Indian Springs
By Ken MacLeod
Mark Budler will be the Director of Golf for the City of Tulsa municipal courses Page Belcher and Mohawk Park, it was announced by new course operator Nick Sidorakis.
Budler 36, recently resigned from the same position at Indian Springs Country Club in Broken Arrow, where he had been since 2019. In an interesting twist, Indian Springs has hired former Forest Ridge Director of Golf and General Manager Lance Allen, who has been the general manager at Twin Hills Country Club in Joplin, Mo., since 2022.
Sidorakis said Budler will be installing a raft of programs and improvements at the city courses.
“Mark is a good teacher, good golfer and a golf geek like us,” said Sidorakis, referring to himself and partner Randy Heckenkemper who take over management of the city courses from Troon Golf on April 1. “We want to create something special and unique and Mark is going to help us do that. “
Budler will be tasked with bringing in merchandise to the pro shops which have had very little, starting lessons, leagues, tournaments, junior programs and other operations.
“This is an opportunity to turn those operations into something they haven’t been in a long time,” Budler said. “We will be looking to enhance player development, tournament operations, merchandising and giving the city something they can take pride in. We hope to be able to leave a legacy out there of returning these courses to what they once were.”
Budler, a native of southwest Missouri who attended Evangel College in Springfield, began his career as an assistant in 2011 at Duncan Golf & Country Club, where he met his wife Shapauni.. The couple have two boys, Isaiah, 8, and Elijah, 4.
He went to Muskogee Golf Club in 2016 as head professional and general manager and then after a quick stop working for the Oklahoma Golf Association became the director of golf at Indian Springs in 2019.
“I like Mark’s private club background because part of what we want to do is bring a private club service level to these facilities,” said Sidorakis, the recently retired former general manager of Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa.
Allen, 57, whose career includes stops at Golf Club of Oklahoma, Karsten Creek, Clary Fields and Forest Ridge, was looking to move back to Tulsa and concentrate more on the golf side of operations, and the timing worked out perfectly.
“Indian Springs is sad to see Mark go,” said Indian Springs President Tyler Yoak. “He has been a huge part of our success in recent years, implementing many programs and being instrumental in the career advancement of many in the industry who worked under him. We are happy for him and his family to get this opportunity. We’re also thankful that he’s staying in this amazing market so we can all benefit from what he does with the City of Tulsa in the years to come.
“That said, Indian Springs’ owners and members alike are thrilled for what the future has in store. Being able to hire Lance Allen is a windfall for our club. This was one of those stars-aligned moments when we just so happened to have an opening, and he just so happened to be looking. His pedigree with world class clubs and courses in our area is sure to elevate the experience for ISCC members. We’re happy to welcome him back to the market that he calls home and we’re looking forward to the next chapter in our club’s storied history.”
Allen told Golf Oklahoma that he is thrilled to be back in the Tulsa market and looking forward to the opportunity at Indian Springs, a club he believes has tremendous potential to continue to grow its membership and programs.