Colin Burns: A Lifetime of Hospitality

More than three decades at Winged Foot Golf Club serves as a career highlight for Colin Burns, but introducing a new club to the world and placing tomorrow’s leaders will only add to his legacy.

Colin Burns has spent a lifetime in the club industry, dedicating himself to the advancement of the General
Manager’s role and enhancing the lives of countless
members and guests. 

Early Exposure to Hospitality

As the child of a successful restaurateur, Burns says he was fortunate to experience firsthand the profound impact of hospitality on guests. 

“Our family restaurant served as a beloved community hub where people gathered to celebrate special occasions and enjoy exceptional food and service,” he recalls. “Witnessing the joy on guests’ faces as they were warmly welcomed and treated to memorable dining experiences left a lasting impression on me.”

When the opportunity arose for him to manage a club, it was a path Burns hadn’t previously considered. However, drawn by the prospect of continuing to create meaningful connections through hospitality while embracing the challenges of administrative and managerial duties, he eagerly seized the chance. 

“I consider myself truly blessed to have found a career that allows me to pursue my passion for hospitality while embracing the diverse responsibilities of leadership and management,” he says.

While he may be best known for his time at the storied Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y., his legendary journey began at Plandome (N.Y.) Country Club in 1987 when, at the age of 28, he was named General Manager.

“No one could ever ask for a more perfect first club,” Burns says. “The members of Plandome Country Club embraced me from the very first day … they were supportive, kind, and genuinely caring. At Plandome I witnessed a love of club and of each other – a true club community. I do not know of many clubs where members would anonymously pay the delinquent accounts of their fellow members … this is Plancome CC.”

Storied Start

Following a 4 ½-year stint at Plandome, Burns was tapped to be the General Manager of Winged Foot Golf Club. He says he had to pinch himself.

“How was it possible that a 32-year-old who interviewed against some much more senior and experienced club managers could be selected as their first choice?” he asks. “Funny enough, I said no when I was called. But, after more thought and some deeper insights, I agreed to take the position. And I am so glad that I made the decision to accept the position.”

There was added pressure taking over a property such as Winged Foot, but Burns loved it.

“I put a great deal of pressure on myself and the staff to continually perform at the very highest level,” he explains. “Every day I expected the club to look its best, and the staff to look and act their very best. I was meticulous about the cleanliness of the club, the clubhouse, the grounds, and the staff.

“The pressure provided a focus and challenge,” Burns continues. “I wanted every element and every day to be the very best. We worked tirelessly to enhance the club, build its brand, to be much more than just a famous local club, but a world-renowned club, as good or better than any of its peers.”

There was the pressure of maintaining very high standards, but it was also exciting to be part of such a prestigious and historic club, he says. The expectations were high, but so were the rewards. 

Lily Braswell, General Manager at Trump National Golf Club Westchester (N.Y.), is one of many club professionals Burns has mentored over his career. She worked with him at Winged Foot for 11 years starting in 2010, being hired as Clubhouse Manager and finishing as Director of Operations.

“CB is known for his hands-on collaborative management style,” she says of Colin. “He fostered open communication, encouraged teamwork and empowered his team to take initiative. A big focus was always building strong relationships with both members and staff.”

As for what she took from Colin and now uses at her club … “Adaptability [the only constant is change!] and innovation to stay ahead of the competitive golf club industry,” she says. “No matter how great an event/tournament was, we always looked forward to raising the bar even higher.”

Capital Gains

During his tenure at Winged Foot, Burns oversaw significant capital projects that encompassed both the clubhouse and golf courses. 

“Each undertaking posed distinct challenges stemming from the historical significance of the premises,” he explains. “Few clubs worldwide boast a pedigree comparable to Winged Foot, designed and constructed by luminaries like AW Tillinghast and C. Charles Wendehack. The foresight of the club’s founders in engaging these architectural titans is truly remarkable.”

The golf course restoration, spearheaded by Gil Hanse and his team, showcased meticulous craftsmanship. 

“We were fortunate to have a committed cadre of members, notably Neil Regan, the club’s historian and Tillinghast expert,” Burns says. “Balancing this restoration work with the club’s bustling schedule proved to be our greatest challenge.”

The clubhouse renovations presented their own set of hurdles due to its age and previous modifications, according to Burns. 

“Uncovering complications became a recurrent theme whenever walls or ceilings were opened, revealing the fortress-like construction featuring three-foot stone walls, the absence of drop ceilings, and plaster interior finishes,” he explains. “Much of the clubhouse restoration efforts were focused on maintaining the original elements of the clubhouse. As part of this process, we sourced, for example, the foundry that created and installed all the metal work in the clubhouse– doorknobs, escutcheons, door stops. The property manager, Doug Fiedler, and I drove to Manhattan to track down the firm that we believed to be the original manufacturer of the clubhouse hardware. Still in business since the 1920’s, the firm in fact had produced the original hardware for the clubhouse. What a find!”

On another occasion, Burns and the Winged Foot team engaged a masonry forensic expert to help them understand the construction of the dormers on the clubhouse that were failing. 

“One of the dormers was disassembled, laid out like a CSI investigation, and examined in detail,” he says. “We learned about the construction of the dormers, how they were anchored to the building, and the composition of the mortar that was used. All of it was so fascinating.”

New Beginnings

When Burns decided it was time to end his career at Winged Foot, he was contacted by Michael Pascucci, the co-owner of APOGEE and the founder of Sebonack Golf Club. 

“Mr. P” [as I still call him] and I have known each other for many years,” Burns says. “I have an abiding affection for him both as a remarkably successful businessman and, most importantly, as a caring, honorable person. 

“The opportunity to be part of a groundbreaking project like APOGEE was incredibly enticing,” he continues. “Transitioning from a centennial club to a new, ultra-exclusive venture allowed me to bring my expertise to a different stage of development in the club industry.”

Burns’ primary role has been in membership introductions. 

“The foundation of the club’s culture resides in these early Members,” he explains. “APOGEE has been very strategic and discerning in the selection of members. 

“The biggest thrill was witnessing the vision for APOGEE come to life,” Burns adds. “From planning and construction to membership recruitment, seeing the club evolve into a reality was incredibly fulfilling.”

The Next Generation

Once Burns had completed his career as a club manager, he wanted to remain active in the industry without having to work the countless hours he had for the past 30+ years. He admits that his real passion is in mentoring and coaching.

“I am hoping that as we develop the Executive Search business line [at GGA Partners], I will have opportunities to spend time ‘on the ground’ with club managers and their teams,” he shares. “Being with club managers, working with them, providing them guidance, and strategizing with them brings me a great deal of joy.”

Michael Gregory, Managing Director and Partner of GGA Partners, had Burns in mind as the company evolved.  

“When we embarked on expanding the firm’s Executive Search services, the first person we thought of was Colin,” Gregory says. “He is a hands-on leader with a wealth of experience and a vast network of contacts. With Colin on board, we were confident our clients would benefit from his ability to strategically find and place C-level talent. Then once on board, these new club leaders would be able to tap into Colin’s more than 30 years of experience in strategy, operations and management to ensure success for themselves and their club.” 

Today, as a Director at GGA Partners, Burns brings decades of experience and insights as he works with clubs looking to secure members of their senior management team.

“In a very real way, this next stage of my career is about giving,” he says. “My extensive experience in club management has provided me with a deep understanding of the industry’s nuances, challenges, and opportunities. This knowledge base allows me to offer valuable insights and solutions to clubs seeking to improve their performance and elevate the member experience.”

Michael Leemhuis, a Partner at GGA Partners, has known Burns for many years and has the utmost respect for his leadership abilities.

“The knowledge and skill set he brings to GGA Partners from being on the ‘other’ side of the table will elevate the level of strategy and insight available to our clients,” Leemhuis says. “I suspect he will also serve as a go-to source to share his experiences and solutions with the next generation of club leaders. We are excited about the possibilities.”  

Burns has volumes of advice for young club professionals, but one key piece is to “never forget you are an employee,” he offers. “Never get so comfortable that you forget that you are an employee who is being paid [often very well] to do a job and to do it well. Yes, we are in ‘the fun’ business, and we want our members, guests, and colleagues all to have a good time, but never forget that we are charged with running a business and this requires discipline and focus.”

Burns’ influence on the club industry is vast, and it’s a certainty that those he has worked with have taken a great deal from him … assuredly not forgetting the leadership and guidance he’s provided. C+RB