The Troy, Mich. club took the top property honors in the management firm’s second annual “Buffy Awards.” Nick Rash of Highland Woods Golf Course in Highland Park, Ill. was named General Manager of the Year and Pat Franklin of The Meadows Country Club in Sarasota, Fla. was named Superintendent of the Year. Facility awards also went to Quarry Pines GC in Tucson, Ariz. and Lester Park GC in Duluth, Minn.
Billy Casper Golf (BCG) has announced the winners of the management firm’s second annual “Buffy Awards.”The national awards recognize the “best of the best” from within the BCG portfolio of nearly 150 properties in 29 states in six award categories, including “General Manager of the Year,” “Superintendent of the Year” and “Facility of the Year.”
Sanctuary Lake Golf Course in Troy, Mich., earned the coveted Buffy Award for “Facility of the Year.” Last year, Sanctuary Lake took home the inaugural Buffy Award for “Top Performer of the Year.” Situated a half-hour north of Detroit, the links-style layout offers one of the most unique golf experiences in the region. The par-71 course is built on 190 acres of rolling landscape with 80 strategically placed bunkers and small, undulating bentgrass greens.
In addition to a memorable course, Sanctuary Lakes also boasts an impressive practice area featuring 70 hitting stations with both natural and artificial hitting surfaces, and two practice greens.
This year’s Buffy Award for “Top Performer of the Year” went to Quarry Pines Golf Club in Tucson, Ariz. One of southern Arizona’s premier public courses, Quarry Pines offers a mix of dramatic elevation changes and stunning mountain views over 18 enjoyable holes.
Lester Park Golf Course in Duluth, Minn., earned the national “ACE Award,” presented to the facility that embodied the best overall employee, guest and member experience. Every BCG employee–from general manager to starter, golf shop clerk to maintenance crew member–is trained in ACE the GUEST Experience, the firm’s proprietary employee training and coaching program.
Three BCG individuals were also recognized for their outstanding work.
Nick Rash was named “General Manager of the Year” for his work at Highland Woods Golf Course in Hoffman Estates, Ill. “Nick committed himself and his team to a vision of quality in 2017 and then provided the resources, training and process to see the vision through to execution,” says Bill Rehanek, BCG’s Senior Vice President of Operations. “Both of Nick’s properties showed significant improvements last year—first in the quality and consistency of the experience, then in the quality of the sales and marketing effort and finally in the financial performance. Nick and his team got the details right, and in our business, that makes all the difference”
Pat Franklin of The Meadows Country Club in Sarasota, Fla., took home the Buffy Award for “Superintendent of the Year.” A three-year veteran of BCG, he has been a superintendent for more than twenty-eight years, and his expertise in agronomy has been integral to BCG’s success at multiple facilities.
Hans Mahler, Accounts Payable Supervisor at BCG’s Virginia Support Office (VSO) earned the title of “VSO Employee of the Year.” “Hans leads by example,” says Anthony Scala, BCG’s Chief Financial Officer. “I’m fortunate to see his hard work, dedication and unprecedented positive attitude, despite constantly being pulled in a million directions, every day.”
The winners were announced on the company’s May all-staff call, a monthly meeting that brings together employees from BCG- and Billy Casper Signature-managed courses across the country.
Regional award winners were also announced and posted on the firm’s website at https://www.billycaspergolf.com/people/our-people
“The Buffy Awards recognize the hard work, dedication and passion of our employees,” said Joel Gohlmann, BCG’s Executive Vice President of Operations. “We’re thrilled to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of our exceptional teammates.”
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.