Oakmont golf manager suspected of $100,000 theft

The golf manager at the Oakmont Golf Club is suspected of stealing more than $100,000 worth of goods from the club's shop to sell for a profit, Santa Rosa police officials said.

Ryan Drucker Andress, 30, who was recently promoted to interim golf operations manager according to a club newsletter, worked for the club for about five years before his arrest July 11 on suspicion of grand theft, Sgt. Mike Lazzarini said.

Andress was led out of a club building in handcuffs. The east Santa Rosa golf complex off Highway 12 is semi-private, owned by members and run by Empire Golf, according to its website.

Andress, a former Press Democrat advertising department employee, said Wednesday he intends to prove his innocence in court.

"The slander that has gone on is frankly appalling," Andress said. "I have made money for the club. My heart is in Oakmont."

Detectives suspect Andress voided club transactions and putting the refunds onto gift cards, Lazzarini said.

"He would then buy things: golf gear, all nice things. He had an eBay store where he would sell them," Lazzarini said.

The transactions occurred over at least a year, Lazzarini said.

A club staff member discovered the pattern of voided transactions and noted they occurred when Andress was on duty, he said. Club staff contacted police July 11.

At the time Andress had a warrant out for his arrest for a prior case on a charge of being intoxicated on a narcotic, Lazzarini said.

Detectives found goods in his Morningside Circle home and car that they believe were stolen from the golf club, Lazzarini said. He was booked into Sonoma County Jail and released on bail. Police gave their report to Sonoma County District Attorney's Office prosecutors, who have yet to file charges, Lazzarini said.

"The accusations are harmful and hurtful, it is just bad," said Andress. "I feel like I'm being blamed for many years of mismanagement. I feel like I'm a scapegoat."

Oakmont Golf Club board president Linda Frediani did not return a call for comment.