Chaney is new pro at Dornick Hills, resigns post with state parks

Wesley Chaney has resigned his position as director of the Oklahoma State Park Golf Courses to become Director of Golf at Dornick Hills Country Club in Ardmore.

Chaney, who starts his new post Friday, has been with the state park courses for his entire working career, including 22 years full time. He was the head professional at Lake Murray Golf Course from 2006 to 2022 when he was appointed to be director of all seven of the state park courses, most of which he had some experience working at previously, including Chickasaw Pointe, Roman Nose, Fort Cobb and the since closed Lake Texoma course.

Dornick Hills has been without a head professional since Derek Claborn resigned in early July to take a post with Winstar Resort in Thackerville.

Taking over at Dornick Hills is “a dream job” for Chaney, who grew up in Ardmore and played the course on occasion. He has great reverence for Perry Maxwell’s first design and wants to help it build membership and capitalize on the 2022 restoration by Tom Doak.

“Dornick Hills is a historic place with a ton of tradition,” Chaney said. “It’s always been a dream job for me being raised in this part of the state. I loved it growing up and it was always special when I got to play there.

“My goals for Dornick Hills are to let everyone know how special of a place it is. We’re going to work hard at providing great service and growing the membership. We going to continue to host great events and have the OGA, WOGA, high school and hopefully USGA events out here.”

Chaney won’t have to move for his new job. He said Lake Murray was seven miles from his house in one direction and Dornick Hills is seven miles in another direction. Chaney has two children who are also talented golfers. Daughter Reagan plays for the University of Oklahoma while son Jace is a junior at Plainview High School.