McMahon Group, Inc., the St. Louis-based consulting firm, has announced the 2006 recipients of its Excellence in Club Management Award program. The program, established in 1997, is being co-sponsored again this year by Club & Resort Business.
This year’s winners will be presented with their awards in ceremonies at their clubs over the next few months, and an annual Awards breakfast will be held in conjunction with the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) World Conference, Feb. 22-24 in Anaheim, Calif.
In-depth articles detailing the achievements that led to the selections of this year’s honorees will appear in upcoming issues of Club & Resort Business.
The annual awards are selected through nominations submitted on behalf of qualified candidates by other parties. Award recipients are selected solely on the basis of their achievements at the club they currently manage; lifetime achievements are not considered. Judging is conducted by a Selection Committee comprised of a peer group of club managers. McMahon Group, and Club & Resort Business, are not involved in the selection of award recipients, confining their roles to sponsorship, administrative assistance, and publicity.
The list of judges, complete winner bios and more details about the Awards, can be found at www.mcmahongroup.com or clubandresortbusiness.com
WINNER RISING STAR
Frank H. Benzakour, CCM
Clubhouse Manager
Bonnie Briar Country Club
Larchmont, N.Y.
Frank H. Benzakour, CCM served as the Clubhouse Manager at Bonnie Briar Country in Larchmont, NY since 2002. During this time, Bonnie Briar has gone through a complete metamorphosis. The membership has increased from 142 to 338. Frank takes control by holding daily and weekly meetings to review all events. The rapport with the staff is wonderful as well as with the membership. Also during the past four years, the Food & Beverage sales have increased by more than 45%. Bonnie Briar's wine club, under Frank's influence, has gone from a small tasting to a lavish five course dinner that sells out monthly. Over the past three years member events have shown a large increase and the deficit in Food & Beverage has decreased from $325,000 to $19,000. Frank H. Benzakour, CCM is Certified Sommelier and is working diligently towards his Master's of Wine Certification. He also writes articles for industry magazines including The Board Room about wines, wine service and cigars. Frank is also involved in local charities including Hale House, AABR and Rotary Club.
From 1999 to 2002, Frank H Benzakour, CCM served as the Director of Food & Beverage at the prestigious Union Club of New York where he was responsible for one of the best wine lists in the country. From 1996 to 1999, Frank served as the Assistant Director of Food & Beverage at the Princeton Club of New York with annual F&B Sales of over 4 million dollars.
Winner
Country/Golf Clubs with 600 or More Full-Privilege Members
Michael J. McCarthy, COO
COO/General Manager
BallenIsles Country Club, Inc.
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Michael J. McCarthy was born and raised in Secaucus, New Jersey. He began his club career in 1987 at Lake Mohawk Country Club. In 1994, he became the General Manager at Green Brook Country Club in northern New Jersey. Michael and his family relocated to Florida in 1999 where he joined BallenIsles Country Club and now serves as its Chief Operating Officer/General Manager.
BallenIsles Country Club is a 1,300 acre private community with many amenities including three legendary golf courses, 1,579 homes, a 72,000 sq. ft. Clubhouse. The nationally-recognized Tennis Center at BallenIsles boasts 23 tennis courts, and a Fitness and Spa Center.
Club Leaders Forum just recently ranked BallenIsles Country Club as the #17 club in the country in its Platinum Clubs of America list, as well as the #5 Top Residential Community in America for its excellence in services to membership, quality of club facilities, heritage, and enlightened leadership from Management.
In September of this year, Michael was elected as the President of the Florida Chapter of the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA). This is the largest chapter in the country. During his tenure in the organization, Michael has served as Secretary/Treasurer and Vice President and currently serves on the Premier Club Services Committee for the national association. He is also the Vice-Chairman of the Club Manager's Association Seminole Region Charity Golf Tournament, which has raised millions of dollars for Special Olympics, SOS Children's Village, and Toys for Tots.
Michael also serves on the Southern Regional Council of the National Club Association, as well as The Club Foundation's Corporate & Foundations Committee and the Foundation's Allocation & Scholarship Committee. He is a Board Member of the U.S. Marines Welfare Fund Committee.
Among his many accomplishments throughout the years, Michael was named the United States Tennis Association Facility Manager of the Year in 2003 and, in 2005, he was honored by the Club Leaders Forum as a "Top Gun in Club Management."
Most importantly to Michael is the family support he receives from his girls; his wife, Irene, and daughters, Molly and Emma.
Winner
Country/Golf Clubs with Less than 600 Full-Privilege Members
Rick Sussman, CCM
General Manager
Sharon Heights G&CC
Menlo Park, Calif.
Rick has served as the General Manager of Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club, located in Menlo Park, California since February of 2004 when the club retained him after an extensive search was conducted by Dick Kopplin. Rick came to Sharon Heights after 7 years as the General Manager of Mission Viejo Country Club in Mission Viejo, California. Prior to his tenure at Mission Viejo, Rick was a Vice President for Club Corp whom he spent 16 years with while based in Phoenix, Arizona and Houston, Texas. Rick began his career working in fine restaurants and resorts while attending Rider College in New Jersey and Arizona State University.
Rick has been very active in CMAA after leaving Club Corp in 1996 and has served as the President of the Club Managers Association of Southern California and on 3 different CMAA National Committees. Sharon Heights was named as a Platinum Club of America for the first time in 2006 and Rick has just been nominated for the board of directors of the San Francisco & Northern California Chapter of CMAA.
Rick pursues his passion for food & wine as a member of La Chaine des Rotisseurs and his enjoyment of soccer as a State Referee in the United States Soccer Federation. He shares his passion for life with his lovely wife Jodee, his children Lori & David and his stepson James.
Winner
City, Athletic or Specialty (Non-Golf) Club of All Types
Brian G. Walshe, CCM, CHA
General Manager
Metropolitan Club
San Francisco, Calif.
Brian G. Walshe, CCM, CHA has served as the General Manager of the Metropolitan Club since 2000. He was previously employed by the Burlingame Country Club in Hillsborough, California as their Clubhouse Manager from 1994-2000.
Mr. Walshe received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Assumption College. He is a Certified Club Manager and a Certified Hotel Administrator. A past chapter treasurer of CMAA, he currently serves as a director of Northern California's Club Managers Scholarship Foundation and the University of San Francisco's Hospitality Advisory Board.
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