Fountaine succeeds Doug Steffen, PGA, under whom he was an Assistant Professional at the Springfield, N.J. club from 2010 to 2014. Most recently Fountaine was the Head Golf Professional at Arcola CC, and he has also worked in golf-pro positions at Old Sandwich GC, The Dye Preserve, Red Tail GC and Binghamton CC.

 

Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J., has selected Ryan P. Fountaine, PGA to be its next Director of Golf. Fountaine succeeds Doug Steffen, PGA, under whom he previously served as an Assistant Professional at Baltusrol from 2010 to 2014.

“Returning to Baltusrol as the next Director of Golf is an incredible honor and amazing opportunity for me and my family,” said Fountaine. “I have been fortunate to work for some exceptional PGA Professionals during my career who have helped to shape my career and contribute to my success.

“Working for Doug and Gina Steffen as an Assistant Professional at Baltusrol was a life-changing experience for which I will be forever grateful,” Fountaine added. “I fully understand the big shoes I have to fill.”

Fountaine returns to Baltusrol, which has hosted several U.S. major championships, including most recently the 98th PGA Championship last July, from Arcola Country Club, a private, member-owned golf club in Paramus, N.J., where he had been the Head Golf Professional since 2014. Earlier in his career, Fountaine served as Assistant Golf Professional for Old Sandwich Golf Club in Plymouth, Mass.; The Dye Preserve in Jupiter, Fla.; Red Tail Golf Club in Devens, Mass. and Binghamton Country Club in Endwell, N.Y.

Fountaine earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Professional Golf Management from Methodist College in Fayetteville, N.C. in 2002, and earned his PGA Class A certification in 2007. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for the New Jersey PGA Section and has served on the New Jersey Golf Foundation Board since 2015.

“We are thrilled Ryan is returning to Baltusrol to become our fourth Director of Golf in 70 years,” said Kevin Vitale, the club’s General Manager/COO. “He left a terrific impression here with the members and staff during his prior tenure as a First Assistant, and then again throughout the interview process with the Selection Committee. To see how he has grown into a fully-rounded golf professional made him the perfect choice to lead our golf operation into this next important chapter for the club.”

C&RB featured Baltusrol in its September 2016 cover story (http://clubandresortbusiness.com/2016/09/extending-legend-baltusrol-gc/).

“We are delighted to welcome Ryan Fountaine back to Baltusrol,” said Richard W. Shea Jr., Chair of the club’s Men’s Golf Committee. “The reaction from our members, staff and the broader golf community has been phenomenal.”

The national search that led to Fountaine’s selection was led by a selection committee comprised of dedicated and vested Baltusrol members, and conducted by DENEHY Club Thinking Partners. More than 100 talented PGA Professionals were considered in the search, the club reported, with Fountaine ultimately being hired for his passion for the game and business of golf, as well as his experience and deep understanding of Baltusrol’s unique culture and traditions.