Recent industry hires and promotions include new General Managers at Laughlin Ranch GC in Bullhead City, Ariz. and Marietta CC in Kennesaw, Ga.; new Head Golf Professionals at Sterling Grove G&CC in Surprise, Ariz. and Napa Valley CC in Napa, Calif.; and the first graduating class of Certified Racquet Sports Executives from McMahon | 10s.
Here are some of the recent new hires and promotions announced by club and resort properties and other companies in the club industry. Announcements and photos for this regular People on the Move report can be submitted at https://clubandresortbusiness.com/submit-industry-news/.
Laughlin Ranch Golf Club in Bullhead City, Ariz. named Erick Womack as General Manager. Womack was most recently General Manager at The Architects Golf Club in Lopatcong, N.J. Womack also served as Head Golf Professional at El Conquistador Golf and Tennis in Oro Valley, Ariz. for four years, was an Assistant Golf Professional at Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler, Ariz., and began his career in golf at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Ariz. Womack replaces JC Wright, who was recently named Director of Club Operations at the Boulders Resort & Spa in Carefree, Ariz.
The Lodge of Four Seasons and The Club at Porto Cima in Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. appointed Robin Graf as Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. Graf most recently served as the Regional Director of Operations for Provident Hotels and Resorts. Before Provident, he was the Vice President of Operations Hawaii, New Zealand, Saipan for Castle Resort & Hotels.
Marietta Country Club in Kennesaw, Ga. named Daniel Laterza, CCM as General Manager. Laterza was most recently at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Ga. and has spent time at Dunwoody CC (Dunwoody, Ga.), Green Island CC (Columbus, Ga), and Ansley Golf Club (Atlanta, Ga.).
Sterling Grove Golf and Country Club, a new semi-private club currently under development in Surprise, Ariz., named Brenton Caruthers as Head Golf Professional and Hanna Atkins as Membership Director. The 18-hole Nicklaus Design golf course is scheduled to open for member and daily-fee play in January 2021. Caruthers joins Sterling Grove from Troon North Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz. where he served as an Assistant Golf Professional. Prior to her new position at Sterling Grove, Atkins served as a guest services platinum host at Topgolf in Glendale, Ariz. She is currently in the midst of obtaining her LPGA certification and has three-plus years of golf and hospitality experience.
The City of Monroe, La. named Don Walters as Director of Golf. Walters, a native of Ouachita Parish, spent years as a golf director in St. Louis, Mo. and in Orlando, Fla. before returning to Louisiana.
Napa (Calif.) Valley Country Club named Lewis Pattullo as Head PGA Golf Professional. Pattullo spent one year, in 2012, working as the First Assistant at Purley Downs Golf Club, located at South Croydon, Surrey, South East England. He moved to the United States and worked at Meadow Club in Fairfax, Calif. for six years, from 2014-2020, as an Assistant Professional and Lead Instructor.
Jason Kuiper, Director of Instruction at Bobby Jones Golf Course in Atlanta, Ga., has been awarded the title of 2020 Georgia PGA Teacher of the Year. Kuiper teaches through Bobby Jones Golf Course’s Grand Slam Academy, a state-of-the-art instructional program that offers indoor and outdoor lessons and clinics and teaches golfers of all ages and skill levels and abilities.
Ken Raynor, the Head Golf Professional at Coral Creek Club in Placida, Fla., has retired. Raynor joined the Coral Creek Club staff in 2000, the year it opened. In recognition of his distinguished service, the club named him Head Pro Emeritus through April 2021. The popular instructor was a close friend of former President George H.W. Bush and he wrote a book about their relationship in 2017 entitled,”I Call Him ‘Mr. President’: Stories of Golf, Fishing, and Life with My Friend George H.W. Bush.” Raynor had a distinguished career and was inducted into the Maine Golf Hall of Fame in 2005. He was named the New England PGA Professional of the Year in 2003. Jim Lohbauer was appointed to succeed Raynor as Coral Creek Club’s new Head Golf Professional.
The Northern California Section of the PGA of America (NCPGA), has announced its 2020 Section Awards, honoring PGA Professionals and golf industry executives who have excelled in the game and business of golf. The 2020 award recipients include:
– Golf Professional of the Year: Mike Galli, PGA, Head Golf Professional, North Ridge Country Club, Fair Oaks, Calif.
– Teacher of the Year: Matt Flenniken, PGA, Director of Instruction, Los Lagos Golf Course, San Jose, Calif.
– Assistant Golf Professional of the Year: Owen Miller, PGA, Assistant Golf Professional, Montreux Golf and Country Club, Reno, Nev.
– Merchandiser of the Year – Resort: Ronnie Theobald, PGA, Head Golf Professional, Bailey Creek Golf Course, Westwood, Calif.
– Merchandiser of the Year – Private: David Pfisterer, PGA, Head Golf Professional, Clear Creek Tahoe, Carson City, Nev.
– Merchandiser of the Year – Public: Tom Morton, PGA Master Professional, Director of Coaching & Instruction, Haggin Oaks Golf Complex, Sacramento, Calif.
– Golf Course Superintendent of the Year Award: Jim Ferrin, CGCS, Superintendent, Timber Creek Golf Course, Roseville, Calif.
– Player of the Year: Kenny Pigman, PGA, Assistant Golf Professional, Goose Creek Golf Club, Mira Loma, Calif.
– Senior Player of the Year: Dave Carr, PGA, Director of Instruction, Teal Bend Golf Club, Sacramento, Calif.
– Super Senior Player of the Year: Jim Hosley, PGA, Green Valley Country Club, Vacaville, Calif.
– Assistant-Associate Player of the Year: Kyle Hansen, PGA, Assistant Golf Professional, Bidwell Park Golf Course, Chico, Calif.
McMahon | 10s, the private club industry’s only Executive Search and Consulting firm focused solely on Racquet Sports, announces its first graduating class of Certified Racquet Sports Executives.
The CRSE Program is a 10-month invitation-only intensive study and experiential continuing education program designed for certified tennis and racquet sports professionals who aspire to manage, administer, and direct a private club program more effectively, professionally, and confidently. Upon successful completion of the course work and 100-point exam, graduates receive the respected CRSE designation. Graduates who are also USPTA Members are awarded 22.5 USPTA Continuing Education Credits.
The inaugural class of CRSE Graduates are as follows:
Aldo Burga, CRSE, USPTA, Director of Tennis, The Legacy Golf and Tennis Club & The Ausible Club
Anton Bobytskyi, CRSE, USPTA, Director of Racquets, Edgewood Country Club
Bill Anderson, CRSE, USPTA, Director of Tennis, Capital City Club
Billy Uelze, CRSE, USPTA, Director of Athletics, The River Club
Boris Fetbroyt, CRSE, USPTA, Director of Racquets, Philadelphia Cricket Club
Charl Van Der Merwe, CRSE, PTR, Director of Tennis and Paddle, The Field Club of Greenwich
Charlie Hardman, CRSE, USPTA, PTR, General Manager, Westchester Tennis Center
Dave Dvorak, CRSE, USPTA Master Professional, PTR, Director of Tennis, Dunwoody Country Club
Dominique Lemperle, CRSE, USPTA, Head Court Sports Professional, Esplanade Golf and Country Club
Geoff LoConte, CRSE, USPTA, PTR, Head Racquet Sports Professional, Bonnie Briar Club
Justin Campbell, CRSE, PTR Master Professional, Director of Racquets, The Bedens Brook Club
Kevin Jackson, CRSE, USPTA, PTR Director of Racquet Sports, Bentwater Yacht & Country Club
Kris Elien, CRSE, USPTA, PTR, Head Professional, York Golf & Country Club
Lennart Jonason, CRSE, USPTA, Director of Racquets & Mallets, Johns Island Club
Matt Bacon, CRSE, USPTA, Director of Tennis, Timuquanan Country Club
Michael Jordan, CRSE, USPTA, Director of Racquets, Lancaster Country Club
Philip Matthews, CRSE, USPTA, Tennis Professional, The River Club of New York
Timo Siebert, CRSE, PTR, Director of Tennis Charter Oak Country Club
Vernon Gettone, CRSE, USPTA, Director of Tennis Mizner Country Club
Victor Vidal, CRSE, USPTA, Director of Racquets, Navesink Country Club
GSI Executive Search appointed J. Mark Black as Associate. As a GCSAA Certified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS) with more than 40 years in the golf course and landscape management industry, Black will specialize in golf course superintendent searches.
KemperSports promoted Erica Espe to Regional Sales and Marketing Director. Espe has been with KemperSports for more than 12 years, most recently serving as the sales and marketing director at KemperSports-managed Heron Glen Golf Course in Ringoes, N.J. In 2016, she received the James S. Kemper Staffer of the Year award, which recognizes a KemperSports staffer who has made outstanding contributions to the company and the community while exemplifying the company’s cultural principles. Prior to working at KemperSports, Espe was the Sales and Marketing Coordinator at Cannon Ridge Golf Club in Fredericksburg, Va.
Tom Colceri, Executive Director of Business Development for KemperSports’ west region, has been elected to the California Golf Course Owners Association (CGCOA) Board. A 25-year golf industry veteran, Colceri supports KemperSports’ new management and lease agreements in the western half of the United States, Mexico and western Canada, including popular California courses, Desert Willow and Buenaventura.
SUPPLIER NEWS
Alto-Shaam has promoted Bill Rodgers to Manager of Regional Key Accounts, East, and Ryan Hansen has been promoted to manage the Central region. Rodgers previously worked as Alto-Shaam’s Government Sales Manager and Business Development Manager – Northeast. He will continue to support government accounts in his new role. Hansen also served as Business Development Manager, having joined the company in 2018.
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