Over the past three years, Hunters Run Country Club (Boynton Beach, Fla.) has been on a fast track to modernize its facilities, successfully transforming key areas to enhance the member experience, and revitalize the club’s recognition as a leader in the industry.
“We’ve revitalized the community’s main entrance, creating an inviting first impression with stunning landscaping, hardscaping, and lighting, as well as new signs and a refresh of our guardhouse,” says Larry Savvides, CCM, CCE, CAM, General Manager & COO. “We have completed extensive clubhouse renovations, including updates to the lobby, lounge bar, main dining room, and an intimate 60-person restaurant.”
Additionally, the club transformed an outdated driving range with a state-of-the-art upgrade, incorporating advanced ball-tracking technology, interactive monitors, and a permanent pergola with teaching studio suites.
Larry Savvides (inset) says fostering a sense of pride and encouraging word-of-mouth
advocacy strengthens the club’s brand recognition nationwide, ensuring that Hunters Run remains a must-see club.
“To accommodate our thriving pickleball community of more than 300 players, we expanded our offerings to 12 courts,” Savvides explains, adding that the club’s 24-hour fitness center underwent cutting-edge upgrades, featuring high-performance strength and cardio equipment from top industry brands.
As part of the club’s “Progress in Motion” initiatives, Hunters Run continuously enhances its offerings with cosmetic refreshes, amenity renovations, and expanded services—such as proposed convenient “pick-up-and-go” lock boxes at the turn on the golf course—to maintain a competitive edge.
“Our member recruitment strategy leverages a blend of social media, a wide range of public relations tools, digital ad campaigns, an updated interactive website, and e-mail outreach,” Savvides explains. “However, our most powerful tool remains our members. By fostering a sense of pride and encouraging word-of-mouth advocacy, we strengthen our brand recognition nationwide, ensuring that Hunters Run remains a must-see club.”
Golf and Racquets
The golf program is led by a dedicated team of five PGA Professionals and one LPGA Professional, each specializing in different aspects of the game. They oversee key areas such as the men’s and ladies weekly leagues and the beginners’ program while collaborating on tournaments and events to ensure a seamless experience for all participants.
“To further enhance player development, we have introduced a variety of instructional programs designed for beginners, juniors, and golfers of all skill levels,” says Ben Bauer, Director of Golf. “This structured approach ensures that each program—and every golf member—receives the focused attention needed to improve and enjoy the game to the fullest.”
In January 2025, Hunters Run completed a $9.8 million renovation of one of its three 18-hole golf courses with golf course architect Kipp Schulties.
In January 2025, Hunters Run completed a $9.8 million renovation of one of its three 18-hole golf courses with golf course architect Kipp Schulties.
“After the successful renovation of our East Course, we are proposing a renovation of our South Course,” Bauer says. “In collaboration with Beau Welling and his team, we have already conducted focus groups with members of various demographics and skill levels to ensure the project meets the needs of our diverse membership. Ultimately, it will be up to our members to vote on whether to proceed with the renovation.
“This proposal aligns with our master plan,” he continues. “If approved by the membership, a vote last year by the members that eliminated equity transfers during home resales would fund the golf course renovation entirely without imposing assessments on our members.”
Amy Volk, Director of Golf Course Maintenance, is charged with the upkeep of the courses.
“Maintaining Hunters Run’s three courses comes with unique challenges, from managing different turf types and course ages to coordinating operations from a single maintenance facility,” she explains. “Each course requires a customized agronomic approach to balance turf needs, cultural practices, and renovations while ensuring consistent playability. A key advantage is our flexible, cross-trained team, who can seamlessly adapt and assist across all courses as needed.”
The driving range renovation maximized tee space for improved member access while integrating advanced technology for efficiency.
“Robotic mowers now maintain the turf, reducing closures and ensuring consistent conditions, while robotic ball pickers prevent wear patterns and preserve turf quality,” Volk says. “Additionally, we introduced … synthetic technology for target bunkers, eliminating traditional sand maintenance challenges while ensuring durability.”
Hunters Run transformed its driving range with a state-of-the-art renovation, adding advanced ball-tracking technology, interactive monitors, and a permanent pergola with teaching studio suites.
Racquets are increasingly popular across the country, and Hunters Run is no exception.
“Our members are currently voting on a proposal to build a racquet sports complex, adding four bocci ball courts, a casual restaurant and bar, outdoor soft seating areas, covered pickleball courts, a covered stadium pickleball court as well as a stadium tennis court,” Savvides says.
Managing Members
Marie Mitchalk, Director of Marketing, uses a variety of strategies to attract new members while retaining the existing ones.
“We leverage a multifaceted marketing approach to engage our members and strengthen our community,” Mitchalk explains. “Our marketing efforts to attract new members rely on effective social media, a wide range of public relations tools, targeted digital advertising campaigns, updates to our interactive website, directed e-mail outreach to agents and potential buyers, and enhancing our relationships with the realtor community.
“Although digital platforms, public relations, and social media play a crucial role in our strategy, our members are our most powerful ambassadors,” she adds. “They share their positive experiences and support a welcoming atmosphere.”
Member input is invaluable in shaping the club’s offerings and amenities, as well.
“We believe in a proactive and responsive approach that ensures feedback refines the experiences, services, and amenities that make Hunters Run exceptional,” Mitchalk says. “Our goal is to provide a lifestyle that satisfies the majority—if not all—of our members.”
As part of its “Progress in Motion” initiative, Hunters Run has completed extensive clubhouse renovations, including updates to the lobby, lounge bar, main dining room, and an intimate, 60-person restaurant.
Over the past three years, the club has noticed a shift in its new member demographic, with the average joining age now in the low 60s, compared to the previous mid-70s range.
“Fortunately, our club has always embraced a diverse array of activities, ensuring we cater to all generations,” Mitchalk says. “From fitness programs and social events to fine dining and cultural experiences, we continuously adapt to meet the changing interests of our members.”
From enhancements to the clubhouse and grounds, to renovating the golf and racquets facilities, Hunters Run is the epitome of progress, but it all comes down to people.
“The most important investment we make is in our human capital, our team,” Savvides says. “We need to provide them the best tools and resources to deliver exceptional experiences to our membership. The ladies and gentlemen on our team are the reason we are an industry leader in member service.
The recent renewal can also be attributed to the strategic capital investments to elevate facilities.
“A reserve study helped position us to plan financially to replace our assets in a timely manner,” Savvides explains. “A master facilities plan ensures that we plan to design the highest quality facilities to position Hunters Run as a leader in our industry.
“We are fortunate that our Board of Directors understands the importance of strategic financial planning,” he continues. “The board supports a thorough board and committee orientation to properly educate and onboard our members to understand the club business model and make informed decisions.”
Hunters Run’s success stems from a combination of strategic investments in both its facilities and, most importantly, its dedicated team, whose exceptional service drives the club’s Progress in
Motion. C+RB
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