>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Sometimes life truly is a giant circle. Traipsing through a  William Diddle-designed golf course built in 1948, a 3-year-old Cody Goodan had no idea where his circle would begin or take him.

Goodan tagged along with his parents and grandparents along the nine-hole 3,273-yard terrain weekend after weekend.

“That’s just what the family did,” Goodan said. “We lived out at the golf course.”

Soon, that long walk turned into a love affair.

As a junior golfer in Lewistown, Mont., Goodan won his first golf tournament at the age of nine.

He continued around the links in high school.

But the funny thing about life is the unexpected turns.

Goodan also played baseball. The summer after his senior year his American Legion coaches told him about Eastern Oregon University — they thought he could make the team.

Goodan packed up and moved the 1,680 miles away from home, and the circle began.

He pitched for four years for the Mountaineers while earning his BA.

Goodan met his soon-to-be bride, Toby, while obtaining his degree.

She was born and raised in La Grande.

In 1997-98, Goodan worked at La Grande Country Club as assistant pro.

After a brief stint as a player service manager, Goodan received his first break.

He moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he was first assistant pro at the Sanctuary Golf Course at Westworld in Scottsdale.

In 2000, he went to Palm Valley Golf Club as head pro over a 36-hole layout.

Then life happened.

Goodan and his wife started a family.

They now have two girls.

Being so far from family and friends weighed on the young couple.

Cody bit the bullet to come back to the Grande Ronde Valley in 2005.

To maintain an income, he sold cars at a local car dealership.

“I did what I had to do,” Goodan said. “We wanted to be back here. But there weren’t any openings at the two local courses. It was worth it to be back in the area.”

After the LGCC decided not to renew its contract with PGA professional Bill Rosholt, the door opened for Goodan.

Without missing a beat Goodan ended his days as a car salesman.

Now, he sells local people on the beauty of La Grande’s nine-hole country club.

“It’s a great place,” Goodan said. “The atmosphere is amazing. You can call it a working man’s club. Everyone is so relaxed and friendly.”

Goodan is available for lessons to all players of any playing ability.

But, Goodan plans to play to his strengths — teaching the junior golfers.

“They’re the future membership of the club,” Goodan said. “You can teach a lot of things out here besides golf. I learned integrity and honesty in my junior’s experience. That’s what I hope to give back.”