Mike Cole, General Manager of Golf at Stone Mountain (Ga.) Golf Club, was named Marriott’s Golf Professional of the Year and Mark Salisbury, Superintendent of Starr Pass Golf Club in Tucson, Ariz., was recognized as Golf Grounds Manager of the Year. The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Grand Cayman was named Golf Property of the Year.
Bobby Jones GC, Smoke Rise CC to be Managed by Mosaic Clubs & Resorts
The Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation is planning millions of dollars in improvements to the Atlanta golf facility in the next few years, including a new Bob Cupp-designed golf course. Smoke Rise CC in Stone Mountain, Ga., recently invested more than $5 million in its aquatic, tennis and fitness center amenities.
Marriott Golf Debuts College Links ’16 Program
As part of the year-round program, student golfers with a valid college ID can take advantage of discounted twilight green fees and carts at 17 golf courses in the Marriott Golf portfolio. The program is available after 3 p.m. any day of the week at participating courses, and tee times can be made up to three days in advance.
Smoke Rise CC Completes $1.1M Renovation
The project began in February and includes upgrades to the Stone Mountain, Ga., club’s 25,000-sq. ft. clubhouse, with an expanded fitness room, climate-controlled patio, and card room enhancements.
Groundskeeper Killed in Smoke Rise CC Tractor Accident
An unidentified groundskeeper in his 20s was found dead underneath a tractor at the Stone Mountain, Ga., golf course after it had apparently rolled onto him as he went down a hill.
Marriott International Family Golf Festival Schedule Announced
The one-day family golf-themed events will take place at 28 Marriott Golf-managed destinations throughout the world, and teed off domestically at Falcon’s Fire Golf Club in Kissimmee, Fla., on March 15. Families are invited to an afternoon of free golf instruction, clinics, activities, interactive golf games, family golf programs, and chances to win a variety of prizes.
Stone Mountain (Ga.) GC’s Williams to Receive GCSAA Government Relations Award
The Marriott property’s Director of Grounds will be honored at the Opening Session of the Golf Industry Show in Orlando on February 5, to recognize his leadership role in helping to forge strong working relationships between the golf industry and government officials in Georgia during a prolonged period of severe drought.
Coming Up Fast
As management firms of all types and sizes continue to drive industry innovation and investment, an emerging group of key players bears special watching.