Pease Golf Course Tees Off New Season with Veteran PGA GM Tim Riese

Riese takes over as general manager after predecessor Scott DeVito's retirement, with plans to upgrade course infrastructure.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 9:06am

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Portsmouth's Pease Golf Course is entering a new season with Tim Riese, a 29-year veteran of the course, promoted to PGA general manager after the retirement of Scott DeVito. Riese plans to oversee infrastructure upgrades like a new irrigation system for the front nine holes, as the course continues to see increased play and revenue since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why it matters

The Pease Golf Course is an important revenue generator for the Pease Development Authority, which oversees the Pease International Tradeport and Portsmouth International Airport. Riese's leadership and planned improvements will help ensure the course remains a popular and profitable asset for the local community.

The details

Tim Riese started at Pease Golf Course in 1997 as a summer job after college, and worked his way up to become a PGA professional and eventually the new general manager, succeeding Scott DeVito who retired in December 2025 after 18 years in the role. Riese's immediate plans include installing a new irrigation system for the front nine holes, as well as repairing some tee boxes, particularly on the course's 'Blue' nine-hole addition.

  • Pease Golf Course will open for the 2026 season on Monday, April 6.
  • The new irrigation system work is expected to be completed by Memorial Day 2026.

The players

Tim Riese

The new PGA general manager of Pease Golf Course, who has worked at the course for 29 years since starting as a summer employee in 1997.

Scott DeVito

The previous PGA general manager of Pease Golf Course, who retired in December 2025 after 18 years in the role.

Paul Brean

The executive director of the Pease Development Authority, which oversees the Pease International Tradeport and the Pease Golf Course.

E.J. Chea

The course superintendent at Pease Golf Course, who has worked there since 1997 and is described as 'so valuable to this facility' by Riese.

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What they’re saying

“I feel very fortunate that I get to go to a golf course every day for work.”

— Tim Riese, PGA General Manager, Pease Golf Course

“When you visit Pease Golf Course, it is easy to recognize Scott's commitment to customer service and witness the magnificent improvements since the course transitioned from the Air Force in 1991.”

— Paul Brean, Executive Director, Pease Development Authority

“Before COVID, I remember Scott was always: The goal was $300,000 to make sure we were able to put money into capital, pay all our bills and all that kind of stuff. And since COVID, that number has definitely gone up.”

— Tim Riese, PGA General Manager, Pease Golf Course

What’s next

Riese plans to complete the new irrigation system work on the front nine holes by Memorial Day 2026, as the course prepares to welcome golfers for the full 2026 season.

The takeaway

Pease Golf Course's transition to new leadership under PGA veteran Tim Riese comes at a time of growth and increased profitability for the course, which has become an important revenue generator for the broader Pease International Tradeport development. Riese's infrastructure upgrades aim to build on this momentum and ensure the course remains a top-notch public golf facility for the Portsmouth community.