Club and Resort Talks: Recent Episodes
Club and Resort Talks
Club and Resort Talks is a bi-weekly podcast discussing everything that happens within the club and resort industry. These topics can range from running a golf course and managing the property to growing the game and even eating/drinking at the club. If it happens at a club, on a golf course or in a resort, we'll talk about it.
Matt Lambert, General Manager/COO of The Country Club at Mirasol, and Tim Rayman, CEO of Greenleaf Hospitality Group and General Manager of Kalamazoo (Mich.) Country Club, join Rob Thomas on the Club + Resort Talks podcast.Lambert was named the 2025 Facility Manager of the Year by the Racquet Sports Professional Association (RSPA), Florida Division. This prestigious award recognizes facility leaders who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the advancement of racquet sports within their facilities and the professionals who support them.Tim Rayman discusses the extensive renovations at the Kalamazoo Country Club. The club, founded in 1909, is undergoing significant changes, including a new 11-hole short course designed by Andrew Green, set to open in Q1 2026. The new clubhouse will feature two restaurants, a 34-seat movie theater, a six-lane bowling alley, and multiple pools. Additionally, a new 18-hole championship course will be built on the existing 145 acres. The project aims to enhance member retention and recruitment by offering a wide range of amenities, including a golf Performance Center with advanced teaching technology.Also in the news ... A full remodel is underway at Desert Highlands to include enhanced lighting and expansive entrance in the golf shop, as well as self-serve comfort stations in the locker room.The Country Club of Whispering Pines and Foxfire Golf Club in the Sandhills of North Carolina have been acquired by Rolling Pines LLC, a newly formed management concern with the parent company of Mid Pines Development Group. KemperSports acquired Fire Pit Productions and named Matt Ginella Chief Storyteller, while also launching Youth Golf Week to inspire young players and grow the game through stories and community.And, Scarecrow, designed by David McLay Kidd, will open for public play on August 1. The course plays to a par of 71, stretches to 6,900 yards and is turfed with traditional fine fescue, which provides for firm and fast surfaces.
Rob Thomas and Mark Klinger, PGA General Manager of Barton Hills Country Club, discuss the club's renovations and future plans. Barton Hills, an 18-hole private club built by Donald Ross in 1919, is undergoing extensive renovations, including a golf course renovation by Andrew Green, lower level clubhouse renovations, and updates to tennis courts and HVAC systems. The club aims to enhance the member experience, making it a year-round destination. They are also preparing for the 2026 US Senior Women's Open. Klinger emphasizes communication with members and long-term strategic planning to maintain and improve the club's facilities and amenities.Also in the news ... This Texas Resort just launched a new dining yacht. The 85-foot Lady Bird II Dining Yacht at Horseshoe Bay Resort accommodates 30 to 85 guests and features customizable gourmet catering and entertainment choices.A Las Vegas Club tested a new bunker liner. PTI and Spanish Trail Country Club used a bunker renovation project as a test lab for a bunker-liner product. The waterless technology transforms natural crushed stone into a unique natural bunker liner.Lastly … The Silos GC launched a bold revival at the former Trussville CC. Six local investors set out to restore and reimagine the nearly 60-year-old Alabama club, with a focus on modern amenities, elevated course conditions, and renewed community engagement.
Kelley Brooke, CEO of Brooke Management Group, joins the Club + Resort Talks podcast to discuss the implementation of robot delivery at Harbor Links golf course. The course, which has 27 holes, aims to attract a younger demographic by modernizing its services. Brooke partnered with Robot.com to introduce food delivery robots, which have significantly increased food and beverage service, accounting for 35-40% of daily sales.The robots, which are GPS-guided and can handle various items, have attracted attention, including a visitor from California. Brooke emphasized the need for additional staff to support the new technology and plans to explore further technological advancements, such as advertising on the robots and using robots for maintenance tasks.Also in the news … Privé Padel has officially launched a high-end padel destination at the historic Montauk Yacht Club, marking the first-ever padel courts in Montauk and a major milestone for the sport’s presence in the Hamptons.Zinkand Golf Design is building a new 12-hole golf course at Chechessee Creek Club. Clever routing combines the opening five-hole loop geared toward higher handicap players with the final seven holes requiring greater strategic thought.Lastly, Evergreen Golf Course hits the market for $4.8M after sinkhole closure ends a 60-year run. After nearly six decades of operation and several months of closure, Evergreen Golf Course in East Hempfield Township has officially been listed for sale. The 70-acre property is being offered at $4.84 million by Iron Valley Real Estate of York County.The longtime family-owned course shuttered on April 30, after battling extensive and persistent sinkhole damage that made continued operations unsustainable.
Rob Thomas and Mike Poe, General Manager of Quintero Golf Club, discuss the club's renovation plans. Quintero, originally designed by Rees Jones, has seen a significant increase in rounds played from 10,000 to 40,000 annually. The renovation, expected to be completed in October, includes a full bunker and green renovation, focusing on maintaining the course's signature bent grass while improving playability. The project aims to enhance the course's ranking and customer experience. Poe emphasized a drip marketing strategy to build anticipation and highlighted future of possible development plans, including additional golf courses and facilities.Also in the news ... Club + Resort Business is launching an Engagement Summit to advance membership strategy and connection. The new event, set for October 5–6, 2025 at St. Andrews CC in Boca Raton, Fla., will bring together club professionals for focused education around attracting, retaining, and engaging members.A new short course is joining this Hawaiian golf experience. The new three-hole short course – “The Three Pearls” – offers fun and challenging play for golfers of all skill levels at Pearl at Kalauao on Oahu. With hole distances ranging from 40 to 60 yards, Nā Momi ʻEkolu is ideal for beginners, juniors, casual players and advanced golfers looking to sharpen their short games.The Club at New Seabury in Mashpee, Mass., is now part of the Concert Golf Partners family. Storied U.S. Open Champion Francis Ouimet once described the 300-acre oceanfront property as the “Pebble Beach of the East.” The Club at New Seabury on Cape Cod spans 300 acres, with nine holes alongside the ocean.And, the Mizner ‘A’ team kicks off a clubhouse renovation. The Delray Beach, Fla., club enlisted its junior construction team, who received a fun and educational lesson on the steps involved in upgrading life at Mizner Country Club.
Bryan Danehy, General Manager of the Country Club of York (CCY), discussed the club’s extensive renovations, including a $4 million pool complex and $2 million clubhouse upgrades. The pool, built in 1958, was leaking 13,000 gallons of water daily. The project, costing over $6 million, included a ballroom renovation, new lounge, and comprehensive pool facilities.Danehy highlighted the positive member feedback and the strategic planning process that began 10 years ago. He also addressed challenges in communication and construction, emphasizing the importance of regular updates and member engagement.Future plans include year-round programming, potential golf simulators, and continued community involvement.In other news … During the renovation at Quintero Golf Club in Peoria, Ariz., crews will rebuild all 18 green complexes and resurface them with 007XL Bent grass. All tee boxes will be laser-leveled and resurfaced with a new 419 Bermuda grass. All 65 bunkers will be renovated, as well.The Toro Company released its 2024 Sustainability Impact Report. The report highlights progress in innovation, efficiency, and workforce development, showcasing advancements in clean technology, waste reduction, and global partnerships to drive lasting environmental and social impact.And BallenIsles Country Club members complete a 1-in-17 million feat! Lori Garon and Lisa Hoberman each aced the 97-yard, par-3, second hole while playing in the same group. Longtime BallenIsles Country Club maintenance crew associate, Estequer Renoit, who had set the hole location earlier that morning, witnessed both of the holes-in-one.
Welcome to Club + Resort Talks, the podcast where we dive into the minds of industry leaders shaping the future of private clubs and luxury resorts. Today, we’re joined by Rob McNamara, General Manager and Director of Golf at Keswick Hall—former LSU All-American, U.S. Open competitor at just 17, and one of the game’s great storytellers. We’ll talk about hosting U.S. Open qualifiers, honoring Pete Dye’s legacy, and what it takes to deliver elite golf experiences in a resort setting.In the news … Michigan’s Harbor Shores breaks ground on its Wee Course with Colin Montgomerie. The five-acre, nine-hole pitch-and-putt course will open in 2026. The design will consist of holes measuring 60 yards or less modeled after the nine most iconic holes of the current Jack Nicklaus layout.In the sunshine state, the Florida Yacht Club charts a bold course with its FYC150 renovation. The multi-year initiative was timed to align with the Jacksonville club’s upcoming 150th anniversary and focused on preserving tradition while introducing modern amenities.Lastly, an industry coalition visited Capitol Hill to discuss Chinese low-speed vehicle imports. The meetings come at a critical time in the trade case, with the U.S. International Trade Commission’s final decision on tariffs expected within a couple of weeks.
Rob Thomas and James Symons, Director of Agronomy at Anthem Country Club, discuss the challenges and achievements of water conservation at the Las Vegas facility. Symons highlights the club’s efforts to reduce water usage by 25% by converting fairways from perennial ryegrass to Bermuda grass, saving nearly 50 million gallons in 2024. Despite member concerns, the transition was successful, with Bermuda grass providing better playability and water efficiency. Symons also mentions the use of advanced irrigation systems, soil sensors, and turf radar to optimize water usage. Looking ahead, Symons expresses concerns about future water scarcity and the need for continued proactive measures to sustain the club’s operations.Also in the news … Reynolds Lake Oconee announces its eighth golf course. Golf course architect Steve Smyers will design a new private course at the Central Georgia property. Fenmoor Golf Club is slated to open in Fall 2026.This Florida club completed a remarkable comeback after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Carrollwood Country Club’s three nine-hole golf courses were fully restored by early 2025. The Tampa, Fla., club has now returned to full operational excellence, making it difficult to detect that any severe weather events occurred last year. “We were prepared to recover fast,” says Brian Thornbury, Carrollwood’s General Manager. Now is the time to prepare.Lastly, Pebble Beach Golf Links will pursue a first-in-nation permit. California Coastkeeper Alliance, The Otter Project, Monterey Waterkeeper, and Pebble Beach Company announce a landmark initiative underscoring joint commitment to water quality in the Carmel Bay.
Rob Thomas interviews Michael Attara, President of Spirit Golf Management, about the company’s growth and initiatives. Spirit Golf, founded in 2009, focuses on customer service and player development in the Northeast. Attara highlights their involvement in National Golf Day, advocating for three key bills: the Farm Bill, the FIT Act, and the PAR Bill. They recently added Fairways Golf Club and are expanding services at Five Ponds Golf Club. Attara discusses their PGA Junior League, which connects kids with golf professionals, and their efforts to adapt to changing demographics and staffing challenges. He also mentions his role as Treasurer Secretary of Pennsylvania.Also in the news …Florida Club Undergoes $12M Transformation to Inspire the Next GenerationThe Miami Lakes (Fla.) Golf Club is revitalizing the golf experience while also introducing new amenities such as shopping, dining, entertainment, and residential components. Several new putting greens have been integrated into the layout specifically for youth practice, offering designated spaces where children can learn and play without interfering with regular course activity.Arizona Club Completes Desert Restoration ProjectThe Club at Starr Pass in Tucson, Ariz., removed invasive species such as Salt Cedar, African Sumac, and Buffel Grass, opening the door for native plants to flourish and local wildlife to thrive. The invasive species removal was carried out by a team of environmental specialists in partnership with local conservation experts, ensuring minimal disruption to the natural habitat.And lastly, McConnell Golf files a lawsuit against The Cincinnati Insurance Company in the Wake County (N.C.) Superior Court for its refusal to fully cover extensive damages suffered by three McConnell Golf properties during Hurricane Helene in September of last year.
Rob Thomas interviews Chase Wilson, Director of Instruction at Columbus Country Club, about his experience at the PGA Professional Championship. Chase describes his daily responsibilities, including teaching, fittings, and junior programs. He details his preparation for the tournament, including playing rounds and using simulators. Despite missing the cut, Chase enjoyed competing at a high level and playing with top professionals. He emphasizes the importance of playing clean rounds and plans to improve for future events. Chase also discusses the support from his club and peers.Also in the news … Rome Country Club in New York partnered with Drone City to test drone and robotic dog deliveries of food and drinks to golfers mid-round. The trial showed promise, aiming to boost convenience, speed up play, and modernize on-course service.A North Carolina golf course plans a $1M upgrade to expand youth programs and community impact. The proposed upgrades at Hillandale Golf Course, pending approval by the Durham City Council, are centered around expanding access and resources for youth-focused initiatives.And last … GCSAA’s Rounds 4 Research again raises a record amount. Rounds 4 Research helps address a critical shortage of funding for ongoing, university-based agronomic research, education, advocacy programs and course operations. The national campaign is presented in partnership with The Toro Co.
Rob Thomas and Colin Burns, CCM discuss the evolution of the club industry, highlighting Burns’ 31-year tenure at Winged Foot Golf Club. Burns emphasizes the rising member expectations, driven by younger, wealthier demographics, and the importance of maintaining high standards. He notes the impact of technology, such as AI and integrated systems, on club operations. Burns also discusses the challenges of managing finances, labor, and member behavior. He advocates for inclusivity, particularly in hiring women and minorities, and stresses the need for strategic planning and communication. Burns concludes by predicting future opportunities and challenges, including the integration of women into leadership roles and the ongoing struggle with labor shortages.In the news this week …Wisconsin Course Moves Forward with Clubhouse Expansion, Simulator AdditionThe proposed project at Washington County Golf Course in West Bend, Wis., includes a remodel of the existing clubhouse along with a new addition that will feature indoor golf simulators. With the concept now approved, the plan moves into the final design phase.True Blue Golf Club Acquires Golf AcademyThe Pawleys Island, S.C., club acquired the Steve Dresser Golf Academy, a renowned instructional facility that has been a staple at the course for decades. “It’s business as usual when it comes to day-to-day operations,” says Bob Seganti, General Manager of True Blue and Caledonia. “What we’re focused on now is leveraging True Blue’s brand and marketing reach to bring greater visibility to the academy and its offerings.”NCA Names 2025-2026 Board of Directors, Executive CommitteeMichael McCarthy of Addison Reserve Country Club will lead as Chair. “NCA is privileged to have such knowledge, innovation and dedication on its Board of Directors,” says Joe Trauger, president and CEO.
Soren and Matthew Spiers, founding and senior partners of Visions Alliance, discuss their fractional CFO services for clubs. They help clubs manage financial systems, recruit and train controllers, and provide interim financial oversight. They emphasize the importance of internal controls, accurate budgeting, and key performance indicators (KPIs) like daily labor costs and cover counts. They share strategies for balancing member experience with financial stability, such as pay-as-you-go financing for capital projects. Looking ahead, they predict a focus on wellness and lifestyle amenities to attract younger members. Visions Alliance aims to enhance club operations through efficient financial management and best practices.Insights– Labor cost management is a critical concern for clubs, especially during busy seasons.– Financial blind spots include lack of internal controls and not following best practices.– Human resource regulatory obligations pose significant risks if not properly managed.– Aging membership can be reluctant to invest in long-term club improvements.Also on this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast … Baker City, Ore., is upgrading its Quail Ridge Golf Course with a $1.3M irrigation system to conserve water and support tourism. Despite adding 450 sprinkler heads, the new system at Quail Ridge significantly improves efficiency by allowing individual control of each of the 650 heads.Troon will provide development services at Three Bridges, a new luxury residential-resort community in Salem, Utah. In addition, when community amenities begin to open in 2026, Troon Privé, the private club operating division of Troon, will manage club operations, agronomy, food & beverage, and membership sales and marketing. Three Bridges will feature multiple lifestyle amenities including an 18-hole Robert Trent Jones II designed golf course and an all-season pickleball and indoor golf facility, hiking and biking trails.Last, but not least, Erie County, N.Y., plans to convert the former Westwood Country Club into Willowdale Park, featuring a restored nine-hole golf course, trails, and inclusive amenities, with funding secured and public opening set for 2026.
Joe Roediger, COO, discussed Woodmont Country Club’s extensive sustainability initiatives across two 18-hole golf courses, six indoor tennis courts, and a 100,000 sq. ft. clubhouse. The club has eliminated single-use plastic bottles, implemented autonomous gas-free mowers, and battery-powered maintenance equipment, reducing operational costs. They’ve also introduced native grasses for water conservation and GPS-guided sprayers for a 15% reduction in fertilizer use. LED lighting and a water recycling system have significantly cut energy and water consumption. Future goals include more autonomous mowers and solar panel implementation. Roediger emphasized empowering leaders to identify and capitalize on sustainability opportunities.Also in this episode … A short course readies for debut at an Indiana resort. The Sand Creek Course at French Lick, which features nine holes ranging between 40 and 90 yards, is set for opening day on May 1. This brings French Lick Resort to a total of 54 holes of golf resort-wide, complementing the 18-hole championship Pete Dye and Donald Ross courses and the 9-hole Valley Links.A Florida course is adding a state-of-the-art driving range and golf learning center. The new facility at Dubsdread Golf Course in Orlando, Fla., will feature 40 total bays, 36 outfitted with advanced golf technology for an interactive experience and four traditional bays. The learning center includes two private teaching bays featuring full Trackman technology for precision training and custom fitting.And a New York club wins an injured-golfer case in Court of Appeals. The New York State Court of Appeals issued a unanimous decision stating that the Cazenovia (N.Y.) Golf Club is not liable for injuries sustained by a golfer who was struck by an errant golf ball while playing the course. The victory sets a precedent that will help protect golf course businesses.
Rob Thomas, Editor-in-Chief of Club + Resort Business chats with Steve Skinner, CEO of KemperSports, about the company’s new partnership with Touchstone Golf. KemperSports, a 45-year-old golf management company with more than 200 properties in 35 states, has partnered with Touchstone Golf, which manages 41 properties primarily in the western U.S. The partnership aims to leverage each other’s expertise, particularly in third-party management and local market knowledge. Skinner highlights the importance of technology and innovation in enhancing the golf experience and discusses future growth plans, including potential acquisitions and expanding into new markets. He also expresses optimism about the industry’s future, driven by a new generation of golfers.Also in the news, the six-month golf course renovation project at the Okatie Creek Golf Course at Sun City Hilton Head in Bluffton, S.C., focuses on enhancing turf conditions and playability. As part of the course renovation, all greens will be hulled out and re-grassed with Tif Eagle turf, while fairways and tee boxes will be re-grassed with Celebration turf.Read about four ways clubs can leverage technology for workforce efficiency. Joe Morrison, Director of Business Development at Adams Keegan, says technology is revolutionizing many aspects of our lives, and country clubs are no exception. These institutions are increasingly adopting solutions to enhance efficiency. When integrated thoughtfully, technology can streamline operations, improve member experiences, and enhance workforce productivity, all while maintaining the personal touch that members value most.Lastly, a Florida Club hosts its annual ‘Celebration of Creativity’ member art show. The annual art show at Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club in Vero Beach, Fla., included an artwork pop-up featuring 24 paintings for sale benefiting The Learning Alliance. “Supporting the community through philanthropic efforts is so important to our members,” says General Manager Rob Tench.
Steve Birdwell, President of Sea Pines Resort, joins the Club + Resort Podcast to discuss the resort’s 70-year history and recent transformations with host Rob Thomas. Key investments include rebuilding three golf courses, constructing two clubhouses, and renovating the Sea Pines Beach Club. The Harbor Town course will close for six months starting early May for green replacement and other improvements. Riverstone Group’s long-term ownership and commitment to the community are highlighted. Future plans include expanding the spa, adding retail, and enhancing parking. The resort, consistently ranked among top resorts, emphasizes guest service and employee housing through the Palmetto Village project. The RBC Heritage event, featuring 46 of the top 50 players, is also discussed.Also on this episode … Diamond Run Golf Club in Sewickley, Pa., opened its new restaurant, Steel & Oak, which celebrates Pittsburgh’s reputation as “Steel City” through intentional design features throughout the dining room that combine steel with wood.Through a collaboration with Chicago School of Golf, Vernon Hills (Ill.) Golf Course will offer comprehensive instructional programs, including junior golf, beginner-friendly adult clinics, and competitive development opportunities.Lastly, Pelican Isle Yacht Club in Naples, Fla., hosted a fleet review and blessing of the fleet. The brand-new facility includes in-water floating slips as well as lifts accommodating vessels up to 55 feet. The event featured 16 PIYC member vessels, along with appearances from the North Naples Fire Department.
Jonathan Moulton, the Superintendent at Martis Camp in Truckee, Calif., discussed the challenges of managing a golf course in a climate that experiences extreme weather conditions, including significant snowfall and temperature fluctuations. He highlighted the impact of climate change on their region, noting less monsoonal rain and more record-breaking weather events. Moulton detailed their strategies for transitioning the course from winter dormancy to playable conditions, including the use of black sand and compost for snow melt and the monitoring of ice damage. He also mentioned their efforts to balance sustainability with efficiency and the importance of planning and flexibility in their operations.Also in the news … A Colorado club completes a multi-million-dollar transformation. The Pinery Country Club in Parker, Colo., created an open clubhouse flow that fosters a warm, social club culture. The fireplace lounge flows to the bar, allowing members to gather spontaneously, while the outdoor patio has been renovated as an extension of the main dining room, with seating for 100 guests.Indigo Sports, a Troon company, will oversee golf operations, agronomy, food and beverage, and sales and marketing at The Salt Pond Golf Club, a daily-fee course in Bethany Beach, Del.Lastly, Pebble Beach Resorts and the USGA unveiled the championship logo to kick off the 2027 U.S. Open. The official logo for the 127th U.S. Open incorporates enduring symbols of Pebble Beach and the championship’s legacy, such as the lone Cypress—a defining symbol of Pebble Beach since its founding in 1919—and seven stars commemorating the seventh U.S. Open contested at Pebble Beach Golf Links.
Trey Bayliss, General Manager/CEO of Pinehurst Country Club in Denver, Colo., and Christina Wynn, the club’s Director of Communications, joined Rob Thomas on the Club + Resort Talks podcast to discuss a $21.5 million capital plan for the club. Key projects include golf course repairs, a new pool with a resort-style snack bar, and upgraded cart paths. The golf course renovations will address erosion and degradation, with work starting in 2027. The new pool, expected to cost $9 million, will feature a zero-entry area, a kiddie pool, and a splash pad. The club also plans to install lights at the racquet sports facility to extend play into shoulder seasons. Also in the news, the extensive renovation project at Monterey Peninsula Country Club is nearing completion. The current project by Zinkand Golf Design, the third phase of the master plan, touches all of the Shore Course’s bunkers and waste areas; each is receiving new drainage and capillary flow liners.The extensive upgrades at Boca Royale Golf & Country Club in Wellen Park, Fla., include reimagined pools, restaurants, a bar, and a pro shop, along with the addition of a spacious outdoor dining pavilion. The community’s 18-hole semi-private championship golf course underwent significant improvements, as well.Lastly, Arcis Golf continues its partnership with Els for Autism. Purchases—including merchandise, food and beverage, and golf—made by Arcis Golf club members and guests are “rounded up” to the nearest dollar with the round-up amounts donated to Els for Autism.
Mark Rummings, General Manager of Soleta Golf Club in Myakka City, Fla., joined the Club + Resort Talks podcast to discuss the club's progress and future plans. The golf course, designed by Nick Price, opened four months ago and features 93 homes, a swimming pool, a restaurant, and a Performance Center. The club has 200 members and aims for 275 local and 75 national members. Upcoming amenities include a six-hole short course, a putting course, and a driving range with TopTracer technology. The club also plans to develop a 20-acre fishing lake and 200 acres of trails. Rummings emphasized the club's focus on member experience and high-quality golf.In other news, Hunters Run Country Club in Boynton Beach, Fla., introduced its New Year Fitness Challenge: an eight-week initiative designed to encourage employees to adopt healthier habits, build strength, and improve their overall vitality.The Wilds Golf Club in Prior Lake, Minn., and Geneva Golf Club in Alexandria, Minn., will be Troon-affiliated facilities, with the golf management company supporting regional and national sales and marketing efforts for these properties.Lastly, the USGA released its Water Conservation Playbook. The free publication is structured in three sections: fundamental irrigation stewardship (basic maintenance best practices that every golf course could employ); advanced irrigation techniques and conservation strategies (including sensor and irrigation technology) and water sourcing and stewardship (including irrigating with reclaimed or recycled water).
On this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Rob Thomas and Shane Labuschagne discuss the evolution of wellness at The Oaks Club in Osprey, Fla., where Shane serves as the Director of Wellness and Fitness. Shane highlights the club’s focus on integrating wellness into various activities, such as golf and racket sports, through initiatives like the “wellfit zone.” He notes a 100% growth in Pilates sessions among members aged 62-65. The club is planning a small expansion and a larger master plan to accommodate growing demand. Shane also introduces Execufy, a networking platform for private club professionals, aiming to foster collaboration and idea sharing across the hospitality industry.In other news around the club industry, the greenside bunker renovation project at Tidewater Golf Club in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., included the renovation of all greenside bunkers, repaired drainage, reshaped bunkers for increased playability and aesthetic benefits, and renovated several fairway bunkers to improve sight lines and reduce hidden hazards.The Cowlitz Tribe decided not to move forward with purchasing the Tri-Mountain Golf Course in Ridgefield, Wash. While no clear explanation was given, the county’s requirement that the course continue to operate as a public facility may have been a contributing factor.Lastly, Donald P. Emery, CCM, CCE, General Manager/COO at Grey Oaks Country Club in Naples, Fla., initiated the Emery Family Fund with a desire to make a difference in the club industry and encourage others to contribute to support all those who benefit from The Club Foundation’s work.
Rob Thomas, Editor-in-Chief of Club + Resort Business, and Ryan Pensy, VP of Strategic Partnerships at Troon, discuss Troon’s expansive golf management operations, managing more than 900 properties in 35 countries and employing 35,000 associates. Troon’s unique marketing assets include insights on core golf consumers, which attract non-endemic brands like Fubo TV and Visa. Troon’s digital evolution enhances consumer understanding through data-driven strategies. Troon’s rewards program, with more than 850,000 members, integrates brands to drive loyalty. Experiential events, like the Cobra Puma Pro-Am at Pebble Beach, deepen brand connections. Future trends focus on reaching new golf demographics and adapting marketing strategies to evolving consumer preferences.Also in this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast:Golf course architect Scot Sherman, a longtime disciple of Pete Dye, will enhance Keswick Hall’s Full Cry golf course in Charlottesville, Va. The property is hosting a 2025 U.S. Open Championship local qualifier in May and the 100th playing of the Virginia State Golf Association Women’s Amateur Championship in July.The Toftrees Golf Resort in State College, Pa., is undergoing a major renovation project at the hands of Jim Nagle of Nagle Design Works. Design planning is starting immediately, but no date has yet been set for construction to begin.And lastly, Audubon International green-lights a development to pursue Signature Platinum Certification. Once complete, Esencia in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico will feature signature amenities and experiences for leisure, wellness, culture, and everyday living, including two golf courses (one of which is designed by Rees Jones), hiking and biking trails, spa and wellness offerings, sports and racquet clubs, an equestrian center, and more.
Jay Karen, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), joined Rob Thomas on the Club + Resort Talks podcast to discuss the organization’s role in advocacy, education, and trade association services for golf course owners. He highlighted Google’s entry into the tee time market, emphasizing the need for direct booking links to avoid third-party aggregators.Karen also addressed the impact of AI on golf operations, predicting widespread adoption of gamified driving ranges and simulators. He noted the rising golf prices due to inflation and the importance of municipal golf courses for affordability. Legal issues, such as liability for errant golf balls, were also discussed, with Karen emphasizing the need for connective tissue between green grass and off-course digital golf experiences.Also in the news, which was sponsored by KE Camps, Sarasota National in Venice, Fla., enlisted Fry/Straka Global Golf Course Design to enhance the course’s playability for all skill levels and improve sustainability, while seamlessly tying-in the natural beauty of the Audubon International Certified Signature Sanctuary.Wayzata (Minn.) Country Club will close its golf course in summer 2025 to complete a comprehensive $15M renovation, with plans to reopen by June 2026. In addition to regrassing the entire course with 007 bent grass, updates feature new tee boxes, including forward tees on every hole, reshaped greens, and a modernized irrigation system. An 18-hole putting course will also be added as part of the enhancements.And … U.S. tennis participation has surged to a new high of 25.7 million players! The nearly two million player increase from 2023 marks a significant acceleration in excess of eight percent growth. Retained and returning players are on the rise with a 5 percent increase in retention rates over 2023 reaching a five-year high, while those who returned to the game after a break of at least one year rose 9 percent.
Rob Thomas, Editor-in-Chief of Club + Resort Business interviews Mike Johnston, Director of Golf at Cabot Citrus Farms, on the Club + Resort Talks podcast about the new golf resort in Brooksville, Fla. Cabot Citrus Farms features two 18-hole championship courses, Karoo and Roost, designed by Kyle Franz and Mike Nuzzo, respectively. The resort also includes a 10-hole course called The Squeeze and a 11-hole par-3 course called The Wedge. The courses emphasize sustainability, with practices like reduced water usage and natural grasses. The resort offers additional amenities such as a health and wellness program, bass fishing, and a sporting club. Future plans include more real estate development and golf instruction programs.Also in the news, the redesigned interior of the Marco Island Yacht Club maximizes space efficiency, expanding both dining and gathering areas. Outside, motorized weather shades were integrated into the exterior seating areas, providing protection from the elements and enhancing usability. The first-floor outdoor bar was also expanded.Blackstone Country Club in Peoria, Ariz., enlisted PTI Golf to install SOX Erosion Solutions on the irrigation lake bordering the fourth hole during an eight-day process. The local chapter of the Arizona Golf Course Superintendents Association – Cactus & Pine – gathered on site to watch the installation.According to the Association of Golf Merchandisers, the Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, Ga., club earned recognition for “outstanding retail performance and dedication to enhancing the member and guest experience.”
Megan Johnston, Head Golf Instructor at Big Cedar Lodge, joined Rob Thomas on the Club + Resort Talks podcast to talk about her career and teaching philosophy. Megan, who grew up in Northern Ireland and played Division I golf at Missouri State, has been teaching for eight years. She emphasizes personalized instruction, leveraging new technologies while maintaining core fundamentals. Megan discusses the importance of engaging junior golfers and developing a strong girls’ golf program. She highlights challenges like social media comparison and the need for realistic goal-setting. Megan envisions Big Cedar Lodge as a world-class golf academy, attracting both local and traveling students. She aims to provide an exceptional, personalized experience for all levels of golfers.Also in the news … A Georgia Resort Adds Falconry and Aerial Adventure Course. Reynolds Lake Oconee members and resort guests can interact with and experience the thrill of handling trained birds of prey, including an Aplomado Falcon, two Harris Hawks, and a Eurasian Eagle Owl, at the Greensboro, Ga., property.A Study Reveals a Surge in Golf Travel Confidence and Spending for 2025. The Buffalo Groupe Golf Travel Study analyzes the state of golf travel among U.S. golfers, comparing year-over-year trends and focusing on travel behaviors, future intentions, and golfer demographics.And lastly, the Club Managers Association of America Announces its 2025 Board of Directors. The CMAA Board of Directors consists of 13 club management professionals who work together with the Association’s 8,100 members, 38 Chapters, and professional staff to advance the profession.
Casey Brozek, PGA Director of Golf at Medinah Country Club, joined the Club + Resort Talks podcast to discuss the renovation of Medinah’s #3 course, completed in July 2024. The project, led by OCM Design, included significant changes like repositioning holes 17 and 18, adding 50 acres of fescue grass, and removing trees to improve turf conditions. The course now offers more playable options for members and hosts the 2026 President’s Cup. Challenges included educating members about the changes and maintaining the course’s natural features. The renovation also included 40 miles of drainage and Better Billy Bunkers, enhancing playability and maintenance efficiency.Rob Thomas, Editor-in-Chief of Club + Resort Business, also covered current news from across the industry, including Forest Dunes announcing a new private golf club. The award-winning golf facility in Roscommon, Mich., is poised to add a fourth course—SkyFall, a new private club designed by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner that will also allow limited resort guest play.Henderson Park has completed the acquisition of PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., from a Brookfield Asset Management private real estate fund. The 807-acre property was purchased in a joint venture partnership with Salamander and South Street Partners.Lastly, Taylor Morrison’s new resort lifestyle community, Esplanade at St. Marys on the Georgia coast, will include an 18-hole championship golf course from C.W. Golf Architecture, a wellness center featuring a full-service salon and spa, a resort pool and spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis/pickleball/bocce sports courts, a culinary center featuring multiple food and beverage outlets, and more.
Kevin Imes, Founder and CEO of ReelGOLF, joined Rob Thomas on the Club + Resort Talks podcast to discuss the revolutionary technology. ReelGOLF, an on-course video system that captures player shots on signature par 3 holes for easy social sharing using AI technology, is now available to all players in beta mode with tee times on The Hay at Pebble Beach.While Pebble is one of the latest course to adopt the technology, ReelGOLF installations are up and running or scheduled at several other properties, including Old Corkscrew Golf Club in Florida (Jack Nicklaus); Carter Plantation Golf Course in Louisiana; Seascape Golf Club in California; Druids Glen in Ireland; and soon to be several courses throughout Scotland (with many more to come in 2025).Other news from across the industry:In a significant milestone for Hunters Run Country Club, the Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Larry Savvides officially cut the ribbon, marking the completion of the Boynton Beach, Fla., club’s $9.58 million East Golf Course renovation. Designed by Kipp Schulties Golf Designs, the updated 18-hole course, one of three at Hunters Run, is currently in its grow-in phase following construction, which began in March 2024.Jonathan’s Landing Golf Club, nestled among the intracoastal waterways of Jupiter, Fla., completed a comprehensive renovation project led by golf course designer Beau Welling and his firm, Beau Welling Design (BWD).The multi-faceted renovation includes significant infrastructure updates and design alterations to the Village Course at Jonathan’s Landing, as well as new and improved practice facilities to enhance the experience for current members and future generations. As part of the renovation, Welling, along with BWD Vice President Scott Benson and Senior Design Associates Amanda Barbee and Hunter Rigsby, revitalized the championship layout to increase playability, address course strategy and encourage thought-provoking and enjoyable rounds for golfers of all skill levels.The Club Foundation announced the 11 2024 Willmoore H. Kendall Scholars. This highly competitive scholarship provides funding for club management professionals to complete all the professional development programs needed to obtain their Certified Club Manager designation.The Willmoore H. Kendall Scholarship was established in memory of 1998 Club Management Association of America President Willmoore “Bill” Kendall. Kendall was well-known for his heartfelt openness to mentoring aspiring professionals in the industry. He was a strong supporter of CMAA and dedicated countless hours as a Chapter and National volunteer.
Spencer Potter, Founder/CEO of ClubGrub joined Rob Thomas on the Club + Resort Talks podcast to discuss the evolution and benefits of ClubGrub, a mobile ordering platform tailored for golf courses. ClubGrub, which integrates with existing POS systems, allows golfers to order from the clubhouse or snack bar via a user-friendly app, enhancing convenience and profitability for clubs. Potter highlighted that more than 95% of orders no longer include hot dogs, with golfers opting for fresher, more elevated menu items. The platform has led to a 30-45% revenue increase for many clubs. Potter emphasized the importance of user-friendly technology and the potential for future advancements like autonomous delivery.Thomas also covered some recent news from across the club and resort industry, including:Starmount Forest Country Club in Greensboro, N.C., enlisted golf course architect Kris Spence to redesign the course in a manner that brings it stylistically closer to a course from 1931. In addition to a new state-of-the-art irrigation system and upgraded drainage, environmental sustainability is a top focus.Winnetka (Ill.) Golf Club earned designation as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, highlighting the club’s commitment to wildlife conservation, sustainable maintenance practices, and environmental education. “Our team has worked tirelessly to enhance natural habitats, support pollinators, and implement eco-friendly practices across the course,” says Andrew Garner, Director of Agronomy at Winnetka Golf Club.Desert Dunes Golf Course in Desert Hot Springs, Calif., closed. It struggled with environmental and structural hurdles throughout its history, while the course’s infrastructure required significant and costly maintenance.
Matt Welter, Founder of Dormy House, joins Rob Thomas on the Club + Resort Talks podcast to discuss the introduction of a housing solution. Dormy House is a unique business that’s focused on creating affordable housing solutions for club and resort employees, especially those in rural and remote areas where inventory is low and people may be priced out of the market.The founder is a real estate developer and former caddie and it was his experience as a caddie, with lengthy commutes and limited housing options near the courses where he worked, that inspired him to find a solution for workforce housing. He works with the team at Bandon Dunes and has already developed two buildings onsite for its employees.Also on this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast … The Saddlebrook Resort in Pasco County, Fla., is set for a sweeping transformation, thanks to a $72.5 million loan secured by its developers, Mast Capital and Amzak Capital Management. The loan was provided by Beach Point Capital Management to fund a portion of the $92 million redevelopment of the 480-acre Wesley Chapel property, which Mast Capital purchased in 2022.The redevelopment plan will encompass a complete redesign of the resort’s guestroom suites, lobby, meeting spaces, pool and outdoor areas, golf courses, and food and beverage facilities. Additional upgrades include significant enhancements to the resort’s landscaping, sports facilities, and lifestyle amenities.Meadowbrook Golf Course in Lubbock, Texas, is preparing for a new chapter in its nearly century-long history. Established in the 1930s, the course has been a cornerstone of the local golfing community. Now under the management of Orion Golf, Meadowbrook is set to receive comprehensive upgrades aimed at revitalizing its facilities and programs.The new management plans to enhance the course’s playability, amenities, and overall accessibility for the Lubbock community. Improvements will include new kitchen equipment, an expanded food menu, clubhouse renovations, and the introduction of golf leagues and clinics. These upgrades are designed to create a consistent, high-quality experience that caters to a broad range of golfers and visitors.Lastly, Bobby Jones Links is now managing two well-known daily-fee golf courses in the Detroit, Mich. area, Sugarbush Golf Club and The Captain’s Club Golf and Event Center.Operated by private ownership, sister courses Sugarbush and The Captain’s Club have become popular community attractions in their respective enclaves within Michigan’s Genesee County.Both courses have thriving junior golf programs and event calendars and have become beloved destinations for golfers, restaurant patrons and the community overall.
Christine Kane, CEO of Audubon International, joined Rob Thomas, Editor-in-Chief of Club + Resort Business, on The Club Resort Talks Podcast to discuss the organization’s mission, recent growth, and the increasing importance of sustainability across industries.Audubon International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping property managers and owners implement sustainable practices. “We use education, technical assistance, and voluntary certifications to help people start their sustainability journey and keep moving forward,” Kane explained. The organization’s programs span golf courses, hotels, resorts, and even municipalities, offering a range of certifications tailored to the unique needs of each sector.Also on this episode of the podcast … Thomas shares news about Vineyards Country Club completing a renovation of its North Course. Led by architect Kipp Schulties, the Naples, Fla., club expanded yardage from the professional tees to bring the course up to championship level, re-turfed with Bimini Bermudagrass on tees, fairways and roughs, complemented by TifEagle greens for optimal playability and resilience, and more.A Florida resort marked its first milestone in an expansive $92 million revitalization. Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel, Fla., unveiled its new 13-acre driving range. The facility features a double-sided driving range, two TifEagle bermudagrass putting greens, and three short game areas complete with greenside bunkers.Lastly, Kawonu Golf Club appointed a clubhouse architect. Joel Newman, a partner in Thomas and Denzinger Architects, has been named to design the clubhouse, lodging, training center, and comfort stations. Kawonu Golf Club is the first private golf course to be built in Greenville, S.C., in more than 30 years.
Shawn Cox, PGA Director of Golf at Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club joined Rob Thomas on the Club + Resort Talks podcast to discuss the recent golf course renovation, as well as an upcoming addition to the club.The club reopened with a refreshed and enhanced golf experience after a $23 million renovation by Todd Eckenrode and Origins Golf Design. Approved by the club in 2019, this comprehensive redesign spanned all 18 holes and was crafted to create a more engaging layout, elevate aesthetics, and support the club’s sustainability goals.The club also secured the green light for a 15,000-sq.-ft., state-of-the-art facility which will serve as a maintenance and operations center. It is seen as a landmark in sustainable renovation and environmental stewardship.Also in the news … After more than a century of serving its members and the Wheeling, W.Va., community, the Wheeling Country Club has announced plans to close on Dec. 31. The decision comes after years of significant challenges, as shared in a letter sent to members. The club has pledged to continue providing exceptional service and experiences for all guests and events until its final day of operation. Meanwhile, discussions are underway to explore future uses for the property. Collaborations with Oglebay and other local stakeholders are being considered as part of this process.Heritage Golf Group, an owner and operator of private country clubs and high-end daily-fee courses across the U.S., acquired its 39th club, Ptarmigan Country Club in Fort Collins, Colo. The Flack family, who owned the club for more than 20 years, selected Heritage as the purchaser. This acquisition marks Heritage’s fourth property in the Greater Denver area, further strengthening its presence in Colorado. The other three properties in the area are award-winning daily fee courses: The Golf Club at Bear Dance, Plum Creek Golf Club, and Colorado National Golf Club.Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel has unveiled a state-of-the-art indoor golf and entertainment venue, Circling Raven Golf Suites, where golfers and non-golfers can immerse themselves in interactive fun, choosing from a variety of games. With access to more than 80 iconic courses like The Old Course at St. Andrews and Pebble Beach, the simulators bring every slope, tree, and green to life with breathtaking detail. Between games, guests can relax in style with plush lounge seating, HDTVs, and music, while savoring food and drinks delivered from select casino eateries.
Frank Weed, CEO of Panther National, joined Rob Thomas on the Club + Resort Talks podcast to discuss everything from the Jack Nicklaus/Justin Thomas-designed golf course to the spectacular clubhouse that’s planned for the community. Swiss skiing legend Dominik Senn is creating a world-class experience in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.Also on the podcast:Palmetto Bluff announced plans for a new Coore & Crenshaw golf course. Sited on approximately 500 acres in South Carolina Lowcountry and estimated to open Winter 2025-26, the yet-to-be-named course’s first phase of construction will include the golf course, a maintenance facility and temporary amenities, with a clubhouse planned for a second phase.A bunker renovation is elevating the golf experience at this Tennessee club. Holston Hills Country Club in Knoxville, Tenn. enlisted Kris Spence and his team to improve bunker playability and drainage across the course. Spence and Superintendent Ryan Blair relied on a careful study of old aerial photos, course maps, and Donald Ross’ original drawings to preserve the integrity of the original design.And last, but not least … Happy 25th Birthday to Mizner Country Club! The Grande Clubhouse, a two-story hub designed in old-world style, will soon undergo extensive renovations beginning in June 2025. This update will bring a fresh look and enhanced functionality to Mizner’s gathering spaces, including: Lobby, Men’s & Ladies’ Bathrooms, One Mile Bar & Grill, The Dining Room, New Outside Covered Terrace, and Kitchen Upgrades.
Wes Forester, PGA Director of Golf at Reynolds Lake Oconee joined Rob Thomas on the Club + Resort Talks podcast to discuss Richland—the seventh golf course at the Greensboro, Ga. property. The new 18-hole layout was created by acclaimed course architect Tom Fazio by combining nine holes from his existing National course with nine all-new holes.This gives Reynolds Lake Oconee two Fazio designs (Richland and The National) along with courses from Jack Nicklaus (Great Waters), Rees Jones (The Oconee), Jim Engh (Creek Club), and two by Bob Cupp (The Preserve and The Landing).The new Richland turns the Bluff nine from the original, Fazio-designed National—with some recent modifications—into holes 1 through 5 and 15 through 18. The new holes, 6 through 14, traverse the peninsula of Reynolds and tumbles down to the Richland side of Lake Oconee. The resulting layout provides plenty of challenge with fescue-lined fairways, numerous bunkers, and dramatic elevation changes.Among the changes to the nine Bluff holes were removing or repositioning bunkers, adding new ones, and combining smaller bunkers to create larger ones. Some greens have been reshaped and/or moved, often bringing the lake more into play. New fescue native areas and low-mow chipping areas were also added on some holes.The new nine utilizes significant elevation change to put an emphasis on club selection and angle of attack. Players will encounter doglegs, a deep valley and big ravine, plus sloping greens and strategically placed bunkering. They’ll also have the chance to refresh themselves at a new halfway house – The Turn – between holes 9 and 10. The Turn is a mobile food truck that will serve burgers, sandwiches, wraps and a full array of beverages.Also on this podcast …In the world of golf clubs, resorts, and hospitality venues, delivering unforgettable player experiences is paramount, and effective team communication plays a central role in achieving this. Elle Ferebee, Senior Account Executive at Relay, highlights how the right communication tools not only streamline team interactions but also help transform member experiences into something truly memorable.The Glen Ridge (N.J.) Country Club’s planned expansion includes constructing a children’s pool and removing 56 trees, raising concerns among neighboring residents. The proposed pool placement—just 13 feet from the property line—requires a variance, as local law typically mandates a 100-foot setback. The Zoning Board of Adjustment was scheduled to review these variance requests Nov. 14. Findings have yet to be announced. One local resident expressed concerns about the impact of the expansion on noise levels in the area.Two years into a significant restoration effort, Asheville, N.C.’s historic Municipal Golf Course, known affectionately as “Muni,” is facing severe setbacks after Tropical Storm Helene. The city was close to completing multimillion-dollar improvements across the course’s 18 holes, including upgrades to fairways, bunkers, cart paths, and greens, along with extensive stormwater system repairs. However, after Helene swept through on Sept. 27, the Swannanoa River, which runs beside the course, overflowed to more than 26 feet, submerging the surrounding areas. The resulting floodwaters inundated Muni’s front nine holes, with water and debris gushing from drainage inlets, undermining the turf and reversing much of the recent improvement work.
Matt Adamski, General Manager of Sweetens Cove Golf Club, joins Rob Thomas on the Club + Resort Talks podcast to discuss big plans for America’s Sweetheart. Sweetens Cove, a 9-hole course in South Pittsburg, Tenn. known for its cult following and distinctive approach to golf, is set to expand. While the main course will remain at nine holes, the club is adding a par-3 short course along with a range of new amenities aimed at enhancing its appeal to traveling golfers.The expansion includes stay-and-play cabins, a restaurant, a distillery, a putting green, a fishing dock, and a skeet shooting range, designed to create a comprehensive destination experience. The original architects of Sweetens Cove, Rob Collins and Tad King, will return to design the new short course. Known for their work at Landmand in Nebraska, their new design will emphasize creativity and flexibility, allowing golfers to experience the course in multiple ways.Also on this podcast, Thomas shares news out of PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club in Menlo Park, Calif.; and Contra Costa Country Club in Pleasant Hill, Calif.PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., is poised for a significant ownership change, with reports indicating a potential sale to Henderson Park, a London-based private equity real estate firm, for $425 million. This price reflects approximately $1.3 million per room, positioning the resort as a high-value property in the competitive luxury golf market.The 800-acre resort has seen multiple ownership changes over the years. Its current owner, Toronto-based Brookfield Asset Management, acquired PGA National in 2018 for $218 million. Since then, Brookfield invested more than $100 million in comprehensive renovations, enhancing the hotel, spa, restaurants, lobby, and its six golf courses.Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club in Menlo Park, Calif., has reopened with a refreshed and enhanced golf experience after a $23 million renovation by Todd Eckenrode and Origins Golf Design. Approved by the club in 2019, this comprehensive redesign spanned all 18 holes and was crafted to create a more engaging layout, elevate aesthetics, and support the club’s sustainability goals.The extensive renovation, which began in April 2023, revamped all tees, fairways, bunkers, and greens. The design incorporated strategic widths that add variety to each play, unveiling new layers of challenge and enjoyment for golfers. Eckenrode’s vision resulted in what members now enjoy as a transformed course with a unique, engaging experience.Lastly, members of Contra Costa Country Club in Pleasant Hill, Calif. recently raised $54,000 for PLAY for P.I.N.K., a national charity funding breast cancer research, with more donations still coming in. Funds were raised through a Sept. 13 golf tournament, dinner and silent auction for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In the last two years the club has raised $99,000 for breast cancer research and awareness, and since 2012 more than $192,000.
B.K. Browne, CEO and Founder of SpeakSport, introduces the cutting-edge technology on the Club + Resort Talks podcast. With this innovative A.I. technology, clubs can free up hours of time every day from answering the phone for tee time bookings and miscellaneous questions—allowing them to drive revenue, and divert valuable human resources elsewhere, such as providing personalized service to guests/members on-site.Also on this podcast:Canyon Springs Golf Course, nestled along the Snake River in Twin Falls, Idaho, is on the market, with an $18.5 million price tag. The expansive listing includes direct access to the Snake River, Centennial Park, and views of the impressive Perrine Coulee waterfall, along with amenities like a geothermal artesian well, a full-service bar, restaurant, and pro shop overlooking the Snake River and Perrine Bridge. Water rights, springs, and Idaho’s highly coveted liquor license add to the property’s appeal, making it an attractive recreational destination in Idaho’s scenic heart.Baltimore County, Md. has announced a substantial $6.5 million investment to overhaul the Rocky Point Golf Course clubhouse, marking a significant shift from the usual self-funding approach managed by the Baltimore County Revenue Authority. County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jr. introduced the initiative, which will transform the decades-old clubhouse with a “grill room,” updated kitchen, patio seating, a pro shop, and expanded banquet space. The project is a complete renovation, a move Olszewski says aligns with the county’s broader recreational investment priorities.Lastly, the 41st annual Play Golf Myrtle Beach World Amateur Championship continues to be one of the Grand Strand’s most significant events, driving economic impact and exposure for “The Golf Capital of the World.” Based on Destinations International (DI) calculations, the standard for measuring the effect events have on communities, the World Amateur Championship generated a total economic impact of $17.1 million for the local economy, with $11.1 million in direct impact and $6 million in non-direct and induced spending
Mark Bado, General Manager/COO of Mizner Country Club in Delray Beach, Fla. joins the Club + Resort Talks podcast to discuss plans for a comprehensive renovation of its main clubhouse, with construction slated to begin in June 2025. The renovation will encompass key areas of the clubhouse, enhancing the facility’s aesthetic appeal and functionality. It will be designed to ensure members enjoy an elevated experience.The renovation will focus on several areas, including:– Lobby: A refreshed, modern design to create a welcoming first impression for all members and guests.– Men’s & ladies’ bathrooms: Upgraded amenities designed to provide increased comfort and style.– One Mile Bar & Grill: A reimagined space with updates to elevate both dining and social experiences.– Dining room: Enhancements that will further enrich culinary offerings and the overall dining experience.– New outside covered terrace: Adjacent to the One Mile Bar & Grill, this outdoor addition will provide new opportunities for alfresco dining and social gatherings.– Kitchen upgrades: New state-of-the-art kitchen equipment will better support both banquet and à la carte services. The walk-in cooler/freezer relocation will streamline the kitchen layout, improving efficiency and accommodating the increased demand for expanded services.Bado noted, “This marks another milestone in our ever-expanding commitment to offering our members services that exceed expectations. The main clubhouse has long served as a place for comfort, socialization, and the enjoyment offered by our superior culinary staff. We are confident these updates will elevate the quality and functionality of our facilities. These upgrades will also solidify Mizner Country Club’s position as a premier country club for its members and guests, offering both enhanced amenities and a luxurious atmosphere.”Also on the podcast:The development of a proposed Sports Illustrated Resort in Tuscaloosa, Ala. has been put on hold after the city council opted to delay the project during their latest meeting. This decision comes in response to strong opposition from residents, which was voiced during a recent public hearing.Concerns raised by the community primarily centered around the design of the resort, infrastructure issues, and the potential increase in traffic. The development faced significant pushback from locals who felt the current proposal did not adequately address these concerns. Residents highlighted the need for additional due diligence on various aspects of the project, including the hotel’s design and the anticipated traffic impact.Lastly, Sweetens Cove Golf Club, a 9-hole course in South Pittsburg, Tenn. known for its cult following and distinctive approach to golf, is set to expand. While the main course will remain at nine holes, the club is adding a par-3 short course along with a range of new amenities aimed at enhancing its appeal to traveling golfers.The expansion includes stay-and-play cabins, a restaurant, a distillery, a putting green, a fishing dock, and a skeet shooting range, designed to create a comprehensive destination experience. The original architects of Sweetens Cove, Rob Collins and Tad King, will return to design the new short course. Known for their work at Landmand in Nebraska, their new design will emphasize creativity and flexibility, allowing golfers to experience the course in multiple ways.Construction on the par-3 course is scheduled to begin in spring 2025, with an expected opening in 2026.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which hit Asheville, N.C. harder than expected, Aaron James, General Manager of the Country Club of Asheville, opened up about the challenges the club and its surrounding community have faced during recovery. In an interview with Rob Thomas on the Club Resort Talks podcast, James shared the harrowing experience and the ongoing efforts to rebuild.In other news from across the country, the Omni Tucson (Ariz.) National Resort now utilizes 225-acre feet of wastewater annually, fulfilling its obligations to Pima County. In today’s regulatory environment, new golf courses are typically expected to incorporate reclaimed water from the outset. However, the Omni, which opened in 1962, predates these requirements, as do many other courses in the region.The Club at Lost Lake, a semi-private club in Hobe Sound, Fla., partnered with our friends at Capstone Hospitality to make the move from public to private. The transition will aim to elevate the overall member experience through personalized services, exclusive events, and improved amenities.King’s North at Myrtle Beach (S.C.) National reopened Oct. 3 following a comprehensive project on its Front Nine. Architect Brandon Johnson reimagined the opening nine at King’s North, expanding the greens to their original size and specifications and in some cases beyond. Phase 2, which focuses on the back nine, will take place in the summer of 2025.Lastly, are you looking to get into the glamping business? The Sequoia High Sierra Camp, a 40-acre property set within the heart of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, includes a central dining lodge, a bathhouse, and 35 platform sites for furnished tent cabins. Approvals are in place to add up to 50 tent cabin sites.
Joe Smith, General Manager/COO of Countryside Golf and Country Club in Naples, Fla. joined the podcast to talk about everything happening at the club. Countryside celebrated the groundbreaking of its $14 million club renovation project, aptly named “Countryside 2.0,” in January. This project marks a significant milestone for the community, further enhancing the exceptional lifestyle residents and members have enjoyed for more than 35 years.Rob Thomas, Editor-in-Chief of Club + Resort Business, also touched upon some recent news from across the industry, including:Las Vegas, Nev.-based Siena Golf Holdings LLC purchased Siena Golf Club in Summerlin, Nev. for $17M. The club, which is part of a 2,100-home, 55-plus community, was originally constructed in 2000.Pivotal Group acquired the Hilton Phoenix (Ariz.) Resort at the Peak for $100M with plans to add new amenities, including a spa, fitness center, and an adult pool to complement the existing family pool and lazy river. A full renovation of the resort’s 432 rooms is also planned, likely to begin in the summer when tourism in Phoenix slows due to the heat.Lastly, it’s getting to be award season and a pair of courses have been named ‘Course of the Year!’ The Michigan Golf Course Association bestowed the honor upon Harbor Shores Resort in Benton Harbor, Mich. The award honors a member course that meets four criteria: Unique characteristics of the course; exceptional quality of ownership and management; outstanding contribution to its community; and significant contribution to the game.Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club in Pawley’s Island, S.C., succeeds Rivers Edge as the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association’s 2024 Course of the Year. Founders Group International contracted with Nicklaus Design Group and its Design Associate Troy Vincent to lead a 2023 renovation that modernized the facility.
Rob Thomas, Editor-in-Chief of Club + Resort Business and host of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, sat down with Gilles Gangon, Director of Sales at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic. A close personal friend of Pete Dye, Gilles was the longtime Director of Golf Operations at the acclaimed resort before taking on his new role. He has some VERY entertaining stories to share … as well as news on the upcoming renovation of Teeth of the Dog.Also in the news … After a two-and-a-half-year intensive course renovation, San Juan Oaks Golf Club in Hollister, Calif., has reopened for daily-fee play. Developer Third Millennium Partners has overseen the project from start to finish, with insights from golf architect Gene Bates—designer of the original course in 1996, along with PGA TOUR golfer and World Golf Hall of Fame member Fred Couples—who returned to modernize the layout in January 2022.The comprehensive restoration involved regrassing the entire course, including tees and fairways with perennial ryegrass, 007XL bentgrass on the greens and new drought-resistant Bermuda grass on the practice range. Installation of a new pump station and irrigation system reduces overwatering and achieves better playing conditions.A sinkhole at Bunker Hill Golf Course in Dubuque, Iowa, first appearing in May 2023, has raised concerns among local residents and golfers.The sinkhole, located near the 17th hole, measures 11 feet deep and exposes a limestone shelf, indicating a collapse into an underlying mineshaft. The golf course is situated above an old limestone mine, a common feature in the area, and sinkholes are not uncommon in the region due to the topography and historical mining activity.The City of Dubuque’s Leisure Services Department, in collaboration with the engineering department, is actively working on a solution. Officials have confirmed that the depth of the sinkhole has remained stable, and the city is preparing to hire an outside company to repair it. The area has been fenced off and covered with plywood to ensure safety, and the city advises people to avoid the site.The Club at Olde Cypress in Naples, Fla. has enlisted Clive Daniel Hospitality for a renovation project. In partnership with Stock Development and Humphrey & Rosal Architects, Clive Daniel Hospitality is revitalizing the clubhouse to provide a refreshed, modernized experience for its members and guests.The renovation, which includes the expansion of both the bar and dining areas, will open the back of the dining space to panoramic views of the lake and golf course. The exterior will also see a transformation, with the addition of ample seating on the upper and lower terraces, and a newly constructed, covered exterior bar.
On this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Will Young, PGA Head Golf Professional at Hartford Golf Club in Wisconsin talks about the rise of his presence on TikTok and gives some advice to other club professionals considering the platform.Rob Thomas, Editor-in-Chief of Club + Resort Business, also takes a look at the latest news from across the industry.The new short game practice area at Indian Hills Country Club in Bowling Green, Ky. allows golfers to practice their putting on a dedicated green, with additional fairway space to hone their chipping and pitching skills. The short game area is dedicated to Bob McLean, a long-time superintendent at the club and one of the key figures behind its design.PTI Golf removed a total of 12 acres of turf at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas, Nev. and replaced it with natural desert vegetation. The Southern Nevada Water Authority recently lowered the water budget in the Las Vegas Valley with a 33 percent reduction in allotted water. The most efficient way to meet that threshold is to remove turf.The Club at Eaglebrooke in Lakeland, Fla. will kick off a golf course renovation in April 2025. During the project, crews will rebuild all 18 greens to their original size/shape and resurface with Tifeagle Bermuda grass. The agronomy team at the facility will make select drainage, irrigation, tee box, and bunker improvements, as well.Concert Golf Partners has upgraded the wells, pumps, irrigation, clubhouse roof, windows, doors, kitchen equipment, and HVAC at The Club at Pasadera in Monterey, Calif. The upcoming second phase of upgrades will include $1 million of renovations planned for the hacienda-style clubhouse, including an expanded outdoor seating area, wine lockers, and more.A five-month, $2.5 million dollar restoration of the King & Bear Golf Course at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla. involved resurfacing all 18 greens, as well as the putting and chipping areas, with TifEagle Bermuda grass. Improvements also included significant upgrades to the irrigation and drainage systems to promote water conservation, enhance turf health, and provide optimal playing conditions throughout the year.
On this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Editor-in-Chief Rob Thomas speaks with Mike Karnath, CCM, CCE, General Manager / COO of Wanakah Country Club in Hamburg, N.Y. Wanakah Country Club is celebrating its 125th Anniversary this year and recently had a Gala, Family BBQ, and donor appreciation party. Earlier in the year the club hosted a kickoff event, “A Taste Through Time,” held the New York State Men’s Amateur Championship, approved a $5.6 million irrigation and bunker project to ensure the club’s long-term viability, and invested in the club this year with a major pool renovation, and the addition of three new pickleball courts.Thomas also discussed some recent news taking place across the industry, including the reopened Estates Course at the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club, an overhaul of King’s North at Myrtle Beach National, and the sales of Plantation Palms Golf Club and Salem Glen Country Club.The Arizona Biltmore Golf Club in Phoenix, Ariz. reopened its Estates Course after close to 6,000 trees, hedges and bushes were added and numerous playability improvements were made in the last 60 days.Architect Brandon Johnson is overseeing a two-year, two-part project (the back nine will enjoy an overhaul in the summer of 2025) on King’s North at Myrtle Beach (S.C.) National. Owners target an early October reopening.Leisure Investment Properties Group facilitated the sales of Plantation Palms Golf Club in Land O’ Lakes, Fla., and Salem Glen Country Club in Clemmons, N.C. Both new ownership groups plan substantial renovations to enhance their offerings and community appeal.
On the latest episode of Club + Resort Talks, Senior Editor Phil Keren visited with Eric Peterson, General Manager of Cragun’s Resort, Golf & Conference and Cragun’s Legacy Golf Courses in Brainerd, Minn. Peterson talked about his facility recently hosting the CRMC Championship, a PGA Tour Americas event. The four-day tournament in late August and early September was won by Denmark native Frederik Kjettrup with a score of 24-under par. This was the third consecutive year that Cragun’s served as host of the CRMC Championship, which happened on the resort’s Dutch course. Peterson gave an overview of the work that he and his staff did to prepare the golf course and other areas of the property for the professional tournament. As of now, Cragun’s will host the CRMC Championship for at least the next three years.Phil and Editor-In-Chief Rob Thomas also talked about industry news stories happening in Nebraska, Washington D.C. and Illinois.GrayBull Club in Maxwell, Neb. has opened to its members and their guests. Course construction began in June 2022 with strategic play in mind. The course was completed in August and measures up to 7,181 yards. The club offers a unique selling point: tee times are spaced at least 15 minutes apart to ensure a relaxed pace of play and excellent turf conditions.The stay-and-play experience at GrayBull includes luxury on-site lodging with 60 beds on-site. There are 13 Executive Cottages and two Owners Cottages, all of which include four master suites and common spaces for entertainment. A limited number of cottages opened in August, and the remaining cottage construction will be finished in early 2025.Rock Creek Park Golf Course in Washington, D.C. is undergoing a major rehabilitation project that is being led by the National Park Service (NPS) and the nonprofit National Links Trust (NLT). The work aims to enhance the course while also improving the park’s natural resources. While the project intends to remove more than 1,000 trees, including both invasive and unhealthy species, the NPS and NLT emphasize that the plan will replant more trees than are removed, focusing on native species to ensure the health of the park’s ecosystem. Efforts are also being made to reduce the golf course’s carbon footprint. The project awaits approval from the National Capital Planning Commission, which will hold a public hearing to address concerns and consider the plan’s future.Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa in Galena, Ill., recently launched its Integrative Group Wellness Programming to transform corporate meetings, retreats, and team-building activities into rejuvenating wellness experiences. At the heart of these new offerings is the award-winning Stonedrift Spa, a 12,000 sq. ft. wellness destination that anchors the resort’s extensive group wellness activities. The activities offered at the resort include: guided walking, hiking, and nature tours; group yoga, fitness, and stretch sessions; and mindfulness and meditation workshops.
On this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Senior Editor Phil Keren interviews Rich Wade, Director of Squash and Padel at The Philadelphia Cricket Club, about the club’s padel offerings. Wade gives a primer on padel, discusses why the club decided to offer the sport, and reviews the padel programs and leagues that are available.Phil and Editor-In-Chief Rob Thomas also reviewed news stories happening with clubs in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Georgia, North Carolina, and New York.The market for golf courses is experiencing a significant upswing, as seen in the recent listings and sales of properties that are in different stages of development and ownership. Rob and Phil examined two examples that highlight this trend: the Hershey’s Mill Golf Club in Chester County, Pa., listed for $9.9 million, and the Candlewood Valley Country Club in New Milford, Conn., sold for $2.5 million.Phil and Rob also highlighted the improvements to the fairways, greens and bunkers at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Ga. in a restoration that was led by designer Andrew Green. The reopening of the course coincided with the club hosting the TOUR Championship.Rob and Phil also looked at two new amenities being offered at Lake Toxaway Country Club, a private club in western North Carolina — a stand-alone Golf Academy (in addition to their Tom Fazio Learning Center) and The Nest, which includes a climbing wall. The all-new Golf Academy, located at the Tom Fazio Learning Center, opened in May and is a full-service, comprehensive player development program with swing analysis, custom golf club fitting services, training programs, and golf instruction with the club’s PGA professionals.Phil and Rob spotlighted Glens Falls Country Club’s plans to add two outdoor paddleball courts to their existing three. The club in Queensbury, N.Y. earlier this year added six pickleball courts and is renovating the tee boxes, fairways, and greens on the golf course.
On this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Editor-in-Chief Rob Thomas speaks with Monique “Mo” Gesualdi, PGA and LPGA Director of Instruction at St. John’s Golf & Country Club in St. Augustine, Fla. Coach Mo was recently awarded the 2024 Troon Coach of the Year. She talks about her journey to becoming a golf coach and the health challenges she had to overcome in her 20s. Coach Mo emphasizes the importance of a holistic coaching approach that considers the physical, mental, emotional and nutritional aspects of a player. As a former high-level junior golfer herself, she believes she can relate to her students and guide them through the challenges they face. She also talks about her podcast, The Coach Mo Podcast, which features interviews with people from the golf industry. Coach Mo concludes the interview by expressing her excitement about the future of golf, with more girls and women getting involved in the sport.Rob and Senior Editor Phil Keren also discussed Phil’s just-concluded trip to Cragun’s Resort and Cragun’s Legacy Courses in Brainerd, Minn. The 84-year-old destination offers two golf courses — the Lehman 18 and the Dutch 27 — and a Par 3 course, as well as opportunities to enjoy fishing, kayaking, boating and other water sports, as well as land pursuits such as tennis, pickleball, beach volleyball, biking and hiking. Phil and a group of golf writers visited Cragun’s and accompanied groups that played both courses. Each course was designed by the Lehman Design Group, headed by former World No.1 PGA Tour player Tom Lehman, a Minnesota native. The Dutch 27 has a pair of 9-hole layouts (Blue and White) that can be played today, and a third 9 (Red) that is expected to open for play in May 2025.The resort has a staff of more than 300 employees, offers 300 rooms, suites, cabins and homes to rent, and 62,000 sq. ft. of multi-function conference and exhibit space. On an annual basis, Cragun’s records 100,000 guest nights, which equates to 40,000 unique guests. The resort hosts about 200 corporate or association groups and anywhere from 25 to 40 weddings each year. Phil will have a story about Cragun’s for the September issue of Club + Resort Business.Phil and Rob also discussed projects happening at resorts in Arizona and California.The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch is nearing the completion of its $115 million renovation and will soon be rebranded as the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort. This project, expected to conclude in the coming weeks, will mark the debut of the first Grand Hyatt hotel in Arizona. The resort will feature six new restaurants, all developed in partnership with celebrity chef Richard Blais. These will include a modern Italian chophouse, a Southwestern grill, and two different poolside concepts.In addition to the new dining options, the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort will unveil its fully renovated meeting space in October. This includes the 14,000-sq.-ft. Vaquero Ballroom and 52,000 sq. ft. of existing indoor and outdoor function space. By January 2025, the resort will open its expanded Arizona Ballroom, nearly tripling its size to 25,000 sq. ft., aiming to become a premier venue for meetings and events in the region.Silverado Resort in Napa, Calif. will once again host the PGA Tour’s Napa tournament, now renamed the Procore Championship Sept. 12-15. During the last couple of years, a lot of infrastructure improvement has happened at the site, including the introduction of 130 new golf carts, a $1.5 million investment in turf maintenance equipment, the conversion of 9.8 miles of asphalt cart paths into concrete paths, and the expansion of the driving range by 9,000 sq. ft.
On this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Senior Editor Phil Keren speaks with Andy Hughett, General Manager of Whitmoor Country Club in Weldon Spring, Mo., and Chrisitan Dunn, Director of Corporate Development at Concert Golf Partners, about Whitmoor leaders’ efforts to offer a family-friendly venue. Concert Golf Partners acquired Whitmoor CC from the Whitaker family in late 2022.Hughett shared an overview of the club’s amenities, talked about the steps the club has taken to provide a family-friendly environment, and discussed the feedback he’s received from members. He also cast a spotlight on how Concert Golf Partners has supported the club’s efforts. Dunn talked about how his company helps clubs like Whitmoor meet its goals.Phil and Editor-In-Chief Rob Thomas also discussed the unfortunate news of a couple golf courses closing, but also highlighted major projects happening in both Texas and Pennsylvania.Blue Fox Run, a 27-hole course in Avon, Conn., and Primm Valley Golf Course, just outside of Las Vegas, have both closed and are for sale. Blue Fox Run’s future is precarious, with the auction listing highlighting potential alternative uses such as agriculture, sparking fears that the land could be repurposed. Primm Valley, opened in 1998 and designed by renowned golf architect Tom Fazio, was once a popular destination for golfers. Its closure and sale reflect larger economic and developmental pressures in that geographic area.Jeffersonville Golf Club, owned by West Norriton Township, Pa. (a Philadelphia suburb), is undergoing significant changes. The club invested $11 million-plus in new facilities, including an 18,000-sq.-ft. clubhouse, which has a pro shop, banquet hall, bar, golf simulators, and a restaurant named The Burgess Restaurant and Bar.Several significant reinvestment initiatives are beginning at TPC-Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, where a redesign effort will be led by golf legend Lanny Wadkins. The course’s fairways, tees and rough will now feature TifTuf, which is a sturdier grass that stays green deep into the winter months and re-greens earlier than other varieties. The greens will be converted to ultradwarf Bermuda, which will deliver consistent speeds throughout the year and reduce varying fluctuations in play. The existing 20-year-old irrigation system will be replaced with 2,000 new sprinkler heads and a more efficient pump station that will maximize the amount of water distributed in a shorter period of time.
On this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Rob Thomas speaks with Robin Shelton, PGA Master Professional and General Manager of Newport Beach Country Club, and Bianca Gillett, the club’s Director of Fitness and Recreation. The trio discuss the celebrated club’s newest edition—an outdoor fitness center called “The Cove.”Gillett shares the space’s unique features and amenities, how it integrates with the existing facilities at Newport Beach Country Club, and what types of fitness programs and classes will be offered. Shelton touches upon construction costs, the expected return on investment, and how “The Cove” will contribute to the club’s member retention rates.Rob and Senior Editor Phil Keren opened the podcast by talking about Phil’s recent visit to Glenmoor Country Club in Canton, Ohio to cover the Northern Ohio PGA HOPE Cup. PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is a program that provides free golf lessons to veterans and active duty military service members. In the Glenmoor event, 15 teams, each consisting of four veterans and a PGA Professional, competed in a 9-hole scramble. The winning team was led by PGA Professional Kevin Sullivan and consisted of veterans Tom Brown, Rob Sutton, Jason Wallingford, and Jim Morrison. Special guests at the event were former Ohio State University Head Football Coach Jim Tressel and PGA Professional and TV host Jimmy Hanlin.Phil and Rob also discussed an enhancement project happening at Brown Deer Park Golf Course in Milwaukee, Wis. Money from the American Rescue Plan Act is being used to fund the construction of a new practice facility that will include a 23,500-sq.-ft. putting green, a 1,500-sq.-ft. practice bunker, and 5,300 sq. ft. of asphalt cart paths. The facility will be located just west of the current driving range near the clubhouse. The project will replace a small practice bunker and a concrete pad from previous years with the new putting green and practice bunker. The existing putting green between the clubhouse and the driving range will remain.Rob and Phil also highlighted an interesting discovery made by golf course workers at Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Va. The resort features two classic courses, one being the Old Course, established in 1892 and lined with mature oaks and maples. Throughout the year, workers clear dead and fallen trees, which they chop into firewood for the resort. This routine task took an unexpected turn when a thick piece of oak was split open, revealing two golf balls embedded in the wood. While both balls were encrusted with dirt and sap, one exhibited distinctive characteristics of an antique golf ball, including a square dimple pattern that was popular around a century ago. Further examination by an expert will be needed to learn more. Victoria Nenno, Senior Historian at the USGA Golf Museum and Library, suggested the diamond or mesh (square) pattern most likely dates between 1910 and 1930, indicating it is probably a rubber-core ball.
On this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Club + Resort Business Editor-in-Chief Rob Thomas speaks with Erik Whitehead, Membership Director at Myakka Golf Club in Myakka City, Fla. Miakka Golf Club, a private club currently being built by Dana Fry and Jason Straka with consultation from PGA veteran Paul Azinger, is located near Sarasota, construction is well under way and preview play is expected to begin the fall of 2025.The course is being built on more than 1,100 acres of land and will feature an Australian Sandbelt design (Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, etc). They also have created a 600 acre sod farm to grow their own zoysia grasses.Rob and Senior Editor Phil Keren also discussed projects happening in Florida, Arizona and California.Boca West Country Club in Boca Raton, Fla. this past week officially unveiled its 110,000-sq.-ft., fully renovated, two-story Lifestyle Center. The facility includes a 96,000 sq.-ft. Aquatic Complex, 20,000 sq. ft. of fitness studios, with state-of-the-art technology for spin, aerobics, Pilates and core training. The expansion includes a fully renovated spa, cabana shop, poker room, card room, game lounge, locker rooms/lounge, and business center.Rob and Phil shared thoughts about the renovation of the Mountainview Golf Course that was completed at SaddleBrooke Two, a master-planned community located north of Tucson, Ariz. The project focused on replacing the old irrigation system, improved drainage, bunkers complexes, turf reduction and improvements as well as adding new tees to the 27-year-old course.Phil and Rob also reviewed the ongoing reconstruction of the original 18 holes of the 27-hole golf course at the private North Ranch Country Club in Westlake Village, Calif. Every feature and component of the Valley and Oaks courses has been reimagined by Jackson Kahn Design. Enhancements include: tee-to-green layout changes with fair challenges for all levels of play; new greens ranging from 3,400 to 11,000-plus sq. ft.; and Sand-soil mixtures optimizing moisture characteristics and drainage.Rob and Phil highlighted a groundbreaking ceremony for a new golf clubhouse being constructed as part of a new, master-planned resort-style new home community located on Lake Anna in Louisa County, Va. The fully-built development is expected to contribute significantly to Louisa County’s economy, with an estimated annual impact of $6.5 million. This figure includes $5 million from property taxes and more than $1.5 million from transient occupancy taxes. Additionally, the project will generate more than 200 full-time jobs and 150 construction and skilled trade positions during the development phase.
The new clubhouse at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. is taking shape, marked by a recent “topping off” ceremony celebrating the completion of the steel structure for the 110,000-sq.-ft. building. This milestone is part of a $104 million project, nearly two-and-a-half years after the original clubhouse was destroyed by a fire caused by a contractor mishap with a blowtorch. During the “topping out” ceremony, members and staff signed the final steel beam before placing it, following the tradition of placing an evergreen tree on top. The new clubhouse is scheduled for completion by spring 2026. The timing of the ceremony coincided with the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship and a visit from Tiger Woods, who supported his son Charlie in the tournament.The Ridgewood Golf Course in Parma, Ohio is poised for a significant upgrade with the construction of a new clubhouse and event center, set to begin in August. Representatives from Albert M. Higley Co., the construction manager-at-risk, announced at a Planning Commission meeting that they anticipate breaking ground on the $12.3 million project in the first or second week of the month. The new 11,400-sq.-ft. structure will offer both indoor and outdoor seating, an expanded bar and lounge area, and more than 160 parking spaces.The World Handicap System, governed by the USGA and the R&A, recently lowered the minimum length requirement. Now, courses measuring at least 1,500 yards for 18 holes or 750 yards for nine holes are eligible for rating. This adjustment allows golfers to post their scores in the World Handicap System.Previously, around 600 par-3 and short courses did not qualify for score submission to the World Handicap. Short courses represent a growing market, and the aim is to be more inclusive and attract as many scores and players as possible.Chris Byrd, Director of Golf at Cape Fear Country Club, mentioned that the par-3 course offers beginners and juniors a comfortable space to learn before progressing to larger courses. The new handicap rules enable them to post scores and track their improvement.And more!
On this edition of Club + Resort Talks, Senior Editor Phil Keren speaks with Phil Anderson, General Manager of Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn., about the club’s preparations to host the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship Aug. 12-18. The club is planning to donate all tournament profits to The Loop Community Experience for accessible golf. The goal of this initiative is to unite Minnesota communities by growing the game and making it more accessible to anyone who wants to play. It champions organizations that honor diversity and encourage those with disabilities, as well as veterans, juniors, women, and beginners of all ages to enjoy the game of golf. Anderson talked about The Loop at Chaska, a 9-hole golf course located a block from Hazeltine that was redesigned to make it easier for beginners and playable for those with some disabilities. Anderson talked about some of the other organizations that will benefit from next month’s U.S. Amateur Championship, as well as upcoming improvement plans at the club.Phil and Editor-In-Chief Rob Thomas also highlighted an upgrade project happening at Island Resort & Casino in Harris, Mich., the selection of the Riviera Country Club in Palisades, Calif. as the host site for the men’s and women’s golf competitions at the 2028 Olympic Games, and an amenity improvement plan that will soon begin at the Colonial Country Club in Fort Myers, Fla.
On the latest episode of Club + Resort Talks, Editor-In-Chief Rob Thomas and Senior Editor Phil Keren reviewed a variety of projects happening in multiple spots across the country. Plus, what could go wrong with the name Buchholz in Closed Captioning?Rob and Phil discussed a yacht club reopening after being destroyed by a hurricane, an $82 million renovation project at a Florida club, an effort to restore the oldest public golf course in Wisconsin and the reopening of a California golf club that was once the site of Skins Game tournaments in the 2000s.Gulf Harbour Yacht & Country Club in Fort Myers, Fla. has reopened after being destroyed by Hurricane Ian in late 2022. Golden Marine Systems recently completed Phase 1 of Gulf Harbour’s renovation project, 18 months after the devastating storm. This project includes 101 new slips to accommodate vessels up to 88 feet long.The Country Club at Mirasol in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. is undergoing an $82 million multi-year enhancement project. The upgrade work, which was recently approved by the club’s membership, is part of the second phase of the Mirasol Master Plan, a long-term, strategic vision for the advancement of the 20-year-old facility.Work is happening to restore the Tuscumbia Golf Course in Green Lake, Wis., the oldest public golf course in the state. In the spring of 2023, Rusty Grimm and Eric Buchholz acquired Tuscumbia Golf Course from John Geils and the Tuscumbia Land Corp., who had owned the property for 14 years. Significant improvements have been made under Buchholz’s guidance, including greens restoration, overall landscaping, and the reopening of the course’s pro shop. However, the restoration process is ongoing. The goal is to have 18 smooth and fast putting surfaces by the end of the season, alongside numerous smaller projects to enhance the clubhouse’s appearance and efficiency.Coral Mountain Golf Club in La Quinta, Calif. Closed in 2022. Earlier this year, the residents of Trilogy at La Quinta voted overwhelmingly to purchase the golf course, clubhouse and restaurant. Those members reverted the club back to its original name, Trilogy Golf Club at La Quinta, and have invested in a multi-million-dollar renovation to modernize the facilities. The homeowners have even brought back the original management team from BlueStar Resort & Golf to oversee the renovation and manage the club.Lastly, Horseshoe Bay (Texas) Resort added new lighting, and food and drink options to its Whitewater Putting Course to make the engaging, par-72 loop more fun for all ages. The sand in the bunkers has been replaced with a vibrant crushed marble sand, as well, that contrasts beautifully with the smooth-rolling Zoysia grass.
On this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Rob Thomas, Editor-in-Chief of Club + Resort Business, speaks with Mike Dowd, General Manager/COO of Oakdale Golf and Country Club in California. The club just finished building eight new pickleball courts and is adding an event pavilion and outdoor patio bar, as well as a bocce area within the next couple of months. This comes on the heels of a clubhouse refresh, bunker renovation, and expansion to six sets of tee boxes on the golf course. With Senior Editor Phil Keren on vacation and Rob missing his weekly Thursday Three due to the Fourth of July holiday, we shared the latest news in a Thursday Three format. No. 1 … We continue to post articles from our 18th annual Ideas issue. Read about the Heartfelt Greetings Initiative at The Club at Admirals Cove in Jupiter, Fla. The club introduced personalized video holiday greetings in an effort to deepen connections during the holiday season.What is your club doing to enhance the members and employee experience? Shoot Rob an e-mail at rthomas@wtwhmedia.com.No. 2 — Scroll down to the What’s New section ... Our most read article this week is about The Shoe, designed by Rees Jones, a nine-hole golf course at Colonial Williamsburg Resorts. The new course’s smaller footprint will make it easier to maintain and more enjoyable for guests seeking a quick round of golf. Construction is set to begin this month, with the course expected to open in the summer of 2025.Last, but not least ... No. 3. Did you watch our last episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast? On that episode, Rob spoke with John Woodeshick, SVP and General Manager of The Hills Country Club in Austin, Texas. Woodeshick discussed the comprehensive renovations at the club’s Live Oak Golf Course. These efforts are part of an ongoing reinvestment project at the club focused on creating a refined yet inviting environment that best serves today’s members.
On this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Rob Thomas, Editor-in-Chief of Club + Resort Business, chats with John Woodeshick, SVP and General Manager of The Hills Country Club in Austin, Texas.Woodeshick discussed the comprehensive renovations at the club's Live Oak Golf Course. These efforts are part of an ongoing reinvestment project at the club focused on creating a refined yet inviting environment that best serves today’s members.The Hills is one of several properties identified by Invited to be included in its multi-year, multi-million-dollar reinvestment strategy aimed at enhancing the company’s diverse portfolio of clubs. Work at The Hills began in 2021 with a renovation project at The Signature Course at the club, as well as the opening of The Chophouse, a new, elevated dining experience in 2023.Nearby, Westlake Country Club, a sister property, is going through three phases of renovation. Phase 1 started in November 2022 with enhancements to the racquet sports facilities, aquatics and Icehouse Bar and Restaurant. The second phase will transform the golf course and practice facilities into a well-rounded, challenging, and beautifully maintained layout. The course will be completed and unveiled in November.The final phase will include the renovation of the main clubhouse and will touch everything from dining, private events, locker rooms, audio-visual equipment, family areas, parking lots, and landscape.Rob and Senior Editor Phil Keren also discussed projects and initiatives happening in Michigan, Washington, Texas and Pennsylvania.The Highlands in Harbor Springs, Mich. will host a new event on the Epson Tour in 2025. The inaugural Great Lakes Championship will be contested on The Highlands’ Heather Course from June 9-15, 2025. “Hosting this prominent event underscores our commitment to golf and further highlights northern Michigan as a premier destination for exceptional golf,” says Mike Chumbler, President and General Manager of The Highlands.The dining experience at Canterwood Golf & Country Club in Gig Harbor, Wash. has been reimagined through the opening of The Stablehouse. The new name pays homage to Canterwood’s rich equestrian roots as the club’s name originated from the community’s beginnings as a private equestrian community. The dining area has been renovated, the menu overhauled, and the space restructured to better serve members. A private dining area was built to accommodate private gatherings, while the bar space was doubled in size from the previous one to provide a more spacious and comfortable setting for guests.A second big name in golf is now connected with the Cobbs Creek Golf Course in West Philadelphia, Pa. The Cobbs Creek Foundation received a grant award from the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation to construct a junior putting green on the revitalized Cobbs Creek Campus. The $250,000 grant will provide all funding for a 20,000 sq.-ft. Jordan Spieth Family Foundation Junior Putting Green for young players to be introduced to the game of golf.The junior putting green will be built outside of the TGR Learning Lab, the educational center under construction on the campus. The TGR Learning Lab will provide year-round education programs for local youth and is being developed through the Cobbs Creek Foundation’s partnership with TGR Foundation, a Tiger Woods charity. The Cobbs Creek Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization created in 2018 to restore the Cobbs Creek Golf Course and to return the site to its status as one of Philadelphia’s historical landmarks.
On this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Rob Thomas, Editor-in-Chief of Club + Resort Business, chats with Brock Orlowski, MBA, CDORS, USPTA Elite, PPR, Director of Racquet Sports at Fort Wayne (Ind.) Country Club. The two talk about everything from growing the racquets industry through The Directors’ Club of America and the inaugural Directors’ Club Retreat, to cultivating the rapidly growing interest in racquet sports—pickleball, tennis, padel, and more. Rob and Senior Editor Phil Keren also discussed some innovative projects and events happening at golf courses around the country.Canal Shores golf course in Evanston, Ill. will now be known as The Evans at Canal Shores, offering a connection to the namesake of the Evans Scholars Foundation, Chick Evans. The new golf course will re-open in 2025 with an upgraded par-60, 18-hole golf course, youth development training center and Western Golf Association Caddie Academy. Evans attended high school in Evanston and became a great amateur golfer. Instead of turning professional, Evans worked with the Western Golf Association to use the earnings from his golf career to establish the Evans Scholars Foundation in 1930.Wanakah Country Club in Hamburg, N.Y. recently hosted its ninth annual golf marathon. This year’s event teed off at 5:20 a.m. and included 28 players who played and walked 100 holes of golf in the one-day tournament. The event, known as “The Walk Fore Luca & Carly,” benefits Roswell Park’s Courage of Carly Fund for programs supporting pediatric cancer patients and their families, and Live Like Luca, the Luca S. Calanni Foundation.A proposed short course at the Stanwich Club in Greenwich, Conn. and The Loop Golf Course in Chaska, Minn., showcase innovations that cater to diverse golfing needs and abilities. Stanwich Club’s short course, named “The Cauldron,” offers a quicker game with about half the number of holes of a standard 18-hole course. This format is designed for those looking to improve their skills or enjoy a faster round of golf.The Loop Golf Course in Chaska, Minn. has emerged as a groundbreaking facility designed with wheelchair users in mind. This 9-hole, par-28 course, created through a partnership between the city of Chaska and Barrier Free Golf, eliminates traditional barriers such as sand traps and rough terrain to ensure accessibility for all players.
On this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Senior Editor Phil Keren speaks with Jennifer Bermingham, Director of Golf Programming for Invited, and a PGA/LPGA member.June is Women’s Golf Month. Invited, the leading owner-operator of private golf and country clubs, and city clubs in North America, has partnered with the LPGA Foundation to celebrate Women’s Golf Month. Invited has launched numerous women’s golf programs at 120 of its clubs in North America. Bermingham discusses the programs that Invited and the LPGA offer to bring more women to golf. The golf boom during the COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to many positive trends in the game, including the fact that more women than ever are playing golf. Today, according to the 2024 National Golf Foundation report, females account for 26% of on-course participants – the highest proportion on record.Phil and Editor-In-Chief Rob Thomas also talked about large-scale projects happening at three different clubs around the country. Members of Great Hills Country Club in Austin, Texas recently approved a $22.3 million golf course and clubhouse enhancement project. This plan includes replacing the 50-year-old irrigation system and establishing a Task Force on Golf Course Sustainability and Playability to develop a long-term plan for the golf course. Greens, bunkers and the practice facility will be upgraded. Conceptual plans are also in place to create a quiet dining space, a casual family bistro, a new outdoor bar and a children’s playscape area.Rob and Phil also highlighted plans for a $35 million renovation of the 46,000-sq.-ft. clubhouse at Glenmoor Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colo. The expansion will increase the clubhouse footprint by approximately 10,000 sq. ft. Glenmoor will build a new pro shop, expand its fitness center, add pickleball courts and include structural upgrades. This project is part of a broader trend at Glenmoor, such as a $4 million pool and patio remodel in 2019 and an $8 million golf course renovation, that included a new irrigation system and updated greens, in 2023.King’s North at Myrtle Beach (S.C.) National closed earlier this month to begin a comprehensive, two-part, two-year renovation project. Phase one, which will focus entirely on the front nine, includes renovating and restoring the greens, and installing Capillary Concrete bunker liners throughout the layout.
On this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Rob Thomas speaks with Patricio Misitrano, Co-Founder of The Sports Haus in Norwalk, Conn. The Sports Haus is an indoor club with padel, pickleball and golf sims—the first club to have these three sports under one roof IN THE WORLD! Misitrano, who formerly directed three platinum clubs, talks about padel and how most clubs are not getting ready for what’s coming. It happened to a lot of clubs with pickleball and it will happen again with padel if GMs, Boards and Directors don’t act proactively. He also peers into his crystal ball, looking 5-10 years in the future to forecast what’s on the horizon.Rob and Club + Resort Business Senior Editor Phil Keren discussed projects happening at three different resorts, as well as a club paying tribute to a legendary golfer.Here is an overview of the three projects Rob and Phil reviewed:• Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, Wisc., is marking its 30th anniversary with the opening of fully renovated banquet space and meeting rooms. Overall, the resort offers five large ballrooms, four boardrooms, the ballroom foyer, and public restrooms. The rooms are equipped with modern technology and contemporary designs, while all meeting and event spaces are now open and available for meetings and events.• Canyon Ranch Austin, in Spicewood, Texas, will begin construction this summer on a 223,739-sq.-ft. resort. The new resort will have guest lodging, a spa, fitness and dining facilities, a medical clinic, and various administrative and support functions. The Spicewood location will be the fifth Canyon Ranch location to open in the U.S.• Later this year, Horseshoe Bay (Texas) Resort will open a new 3,000 sq. ft. instructional facility called Cap Rock Golf Academy. It will have two indoor bays with Trackman and Toptracer technology, club-fitting services, a club repair room, and a demonstration area with shafts, grips and clubheads.Phil and Rob concluded their conversation by spotlighting an article written by PMQ Pizza magazine Senior Editor Charlie Pogacar (PMQ is owned by the same company as CRB, WTWH Media). Charlie’s piece shared the story of how Mill Creek Golf Course, a semi-private club in Mebane, N.C., pays tribute to legendary golfer and two-time U.S. Open champion, Payne Stewart.Stewart died in an airplane accident in October 1999, four months after sinking a par putt on the final hole to win his second U.S. Open title. Pogacar’s piece talks about an event that happened shortly after Stewart’s victory, which connects the late golfer with Mill Creek.Rob and Phil shared their memories of Stewart, who was known for his unique attire, a brash personality and a fluid swing. Stewart’s bravado softened over time and culminated with him congratulating a young Phil Mickelson on becoming a new father just moments after Stewart sank his winning putt at the 1999 U.S. Open.
On this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Rob Thomas speaks with Keith Scioli, Founder of GOLF LIVE. After the loss of a family member, Scioli developed a deep connection to the game of golf that led to the creation of an innovative solution for instructors and students alike. In 2019, Scioli was getting ready to go play in a tournament and developed a case of “the shanks.” Naturally, on a Friday night, at a public driving range, there was not an instructor to be found. Then it hit him; “Why can’t I take a virtual golf lesson, now?”Scioli researched “golf instruction” and discovered that 4 million golfers in the United States take an estimated 22 million in-person golf lessons each year. That data turned out to be the lightbulb moment for him and he began to map out his “virtual solution.”Keith sent out 200 cold e-mails to PGA Members about his idea. Out of the 200 e-mails, Keith received two responses. One was from a PGA Instructor in Boston, Allan Belden. His comment? “I have no idea what you are really talking about, but it sounds interesting. If you want a guinea pig, here I am.”COVID-19 hit, and the world of golf instruction shut down. After months, Scioli started getting e-mails from these same PGA pros that had ignored him, “Hey, did you ever build that internet instruction thing?” COVID proved Keith’s assumption was correct. Conducting live, remote golf lessons was no longer a crazy idea.In time, GOLF LIVE took form to what it is today; a patented, global solution that has been recognized as a Top Tech Golf Startup to Watch in 2024.· Live, Virtual Video Capture & Replay with Analysis· Customized Multi-Tier Memberships· Automatic Lesson Storage· Video Exchange· One-to-Many Live Stream Capability· A Comprehensive Communication and Business PlatformRob and Senior Editor Phil Keren also discussed a country club starting to use autonomous mowers, a resort that upgraded its food and beverage operations, and a golf course constructing a driving range with Power Tee boxes and Toptracer technology.Kings Creek Country Club in Rehoboth Beach, Del. has rolled out Husqvarna 550H Epos autonomous mowers for their golf course maintenance. The robotic mowers’ advanced GPS technology and sensors allow them to navigate the golf course with precision and ensure that every inch of the course is perfectly manicured. There are also environmental benefits: By using robotic mowers, the club will lower carbon emissions and reduce noise pollution. The mowers operate on electric power, offering an eco-friendly contribution to a greener future.Fairfield (Tenn.) Glade Resort in March 2023 hired Bobby Jones Links to manage food and beverage operations. The goal was to improve financial performance and member engagement at Stonehenge Grille and four snack bars. After Bobby Jones Links took over, visitors and revenue increased at Stonehenge, and the member experience improved. “People recognize that the quality of food is better, and the menu offerings are better. It’s been a very positive impact,” says Bruce Cox, one of the board members at Fairfield Glade.Windham Golf Course in North Windham, Conn. is reopening with a newly upgraded practice range that’s teched out on 16 bays with Power Tee automatic tee boxes, as well as Toptracer’s gamified technology. The golf course routing was modified to accommodate the new range, a process that lasted 20 months. “I’m hoping that with Power Tee, golfers go through the buckets quicker and then want to buy another one and also enjoy some of the new food and beverage offerings we’ve added,” says Tim DeVivo, the course’s owner.
On this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Club + Resort Business Editor-in-Chief Rob Thomas and Senior Phil Keren discuss a recently completed project, one that is nearly finished and two more that are just beginning.The 18-month revitalization project at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort in Naples, Fla. encompassed 189 of the resort’s guest rooms, the complete rebuild and elevated design enhancements of the famed Beach House, and the restoration of its four beachside pools. Improvements were made to the resort’s beachfront restaurant, beachside lounge, and poolside lounging area. “The completion of this extensive restoration marks a significant milestone for LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort,” says Martin Greenwood, Area Managing Director for the resort.Previously known as America’s longest golf course, the Pines Course at The International in Bolton, Mass. is on schedule to welcome limited member play this fall. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw are wrapping up the project they began in 2022. It is believed The Pines will be the first new 18-hole course to open in Massachusetts in more than a decade. The Pines will be one of the region’s few courses to feature fescue grass on tees, fairways and in the rough. Fescue grass courses are typically found in Scotland and Ireland, places where the game was first played.Other final project tasks include installing new bunker sand, edging perimeters of bunkers, trimming and clearing trees, and establishing fairway/rough lines.After a century of operation, the Swope Memorial golf course in Kansas City plans to close for a year to undergo a $7 million renovation.There is a proposal before Kansas City’s City Council for the project. If approved, plans include rebuilding the tee boxes, cart paths, and greens, installing a new drainage system, and filling the bunkers with firmer sand. Some greens will be less steep, and others will be wider. They will also renumber certain holes to improve the pace of play. A significant number of trees will be removed to improve playability and turf health by increasing sunlight and airflow.Burning Tree Country Club in Greenwich, Conn. intends to revamp its infrastructure by replacing the old pool building with a modern facility dubbed the Aquatics and Recreation Center. The current paddle tennis building will make way for a new structure and additional features outlined in the proposal include an open-air poolside bar.
On this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Editor-in-Chief Rob Thomas speaks with Jarrett Chirico, Director of Racquets at Royal Oaks Country Club in Dallas, Texas and Founder/President of The Directors Club. In addition to the importance of certifications (he has many (DCA, CRSE, PTR, PPR, PCR, PPTR, SCR, USPTA, PPTA)), Chirico discusses the vision behind The Directors Club and the booming racquets industry as it enjoys its Golden Age. He also looks into his crystal ball and shares what the industry may look like in 5-10 years.Phil Keren, Senior Editor of Club + Resort Business, joined the podcast to discuss the latest news from across the industry, such as a pair of stories related to the 106th PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky. There are 21 PGA of America Professionals from clubs in states across the country playing in the tournament. The Corebridge Financial Team includes Ben Polland, Director of Golf at Shooting Star in Jackson Hole, Wyo., — the winner of the 2024 PGA Professional Championship — and Michael Block, PGA Golf Professional at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, Calif. Block was one of the biggest stories in golf last year when he finished tied for 15th place at the 2023 PGA Championship. Rob and Phil also talked about a special career-exploration event called PGA WORKS Beyond the Green that took place near the 17th hole at Valhalla Golf Club. At this program, students had the chance to hear industry leaders discuss the wide range of employment opportunities available within the game of golf. In addition, Phil and Rob highlighted the completion of a $10 million renovation project at The Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego, Calif. These improvements encompassed a revamp of the clubhouse, pool areas, and the addition of a new outdoor activity center to replace a temporary one established during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Senior Editor Phil Keren speaks with Evan Summa, General Manager of Hyperion Field Club in Johnston, Iowa, about the club’s completion of a refurbished clubhouse and an adult-only dining area, the start of a luxury home project, and a comprehensive digital marketing campaign. The finished projects were initiated in response to answers given by club members in a survey conducted in fall of 2022. Summa, who has worked at Hyperion for 12 years and became its leader last year, also highlights the efforts undertaken to make the club more family-friendly.Phil and Editor-In-Chief Rob Thomas also discussed a golf course in northern Michigan that renovated some of its holes as an homage to legendary golf course architect Donald Ross, a walk-through military exhibit opening next to a Par-3 golf course in Oklahoma, and ownership changing hands at a golf course in Minnesota.
On this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Senior Editor Phil Keren speaks with Eric Brey, one of the Directors at GGA Partners, about his firm’s Club Members Perspective Report. GGA surveyed more than 3,500 club members throughout North America to find out what members value at their clubs. The report offers a lot of great information to help general managers understand what members like about their club and what aspects they feel could be improved.Phil and Club + Resort Business Editor-In-Chief Rob Thomas also discussed how Travis Pointe Country Club in Ann Arbor, Mich. kicked off a new master planning process for its golf course. With the club planning to celebrate its 50th anniversary in three years, leaders felt the time was right to do a full-scale upgrade of the course.Rob and Phil also highlighted the new 12-hole short course called The Clutch which opened at South Seas on Captiva Island along Florida’s Gulf Coast, and a $25.4 million renovation at the historic Desert Horizons Country Club in Indian Wells, Calif.
Editor-in-Chief Rob Thomas speaks with Jason Becker, PGA, CEO and Co-Founder of Golf Life Navigators, about a new trend — millennials flocking to golf communities. Among other topics, Becker addresses how the perception of private golf communities has shifted among millennials in recent years, as well as some common misconceptions or stereotypes about millennials in private golf communities, and how these communities are addressing or challenging them.Rob and Senior Editor Phil Keren also discussed a trio of major projects and the opening of an indoor golf instructional facility.They touched on the start of a $22.5 million amenity update at The Ford Field and River Club in Richmond Hill, Ga. The project will focus on enhancing and expanding key amenities, including the clubhouse, Lake Dye Grill, Sports Barn, and golf practice facility.Rob and Phil highlighted the groundbreaking ceremony for a new golf course being constructed at Travis Club Austin (Texas), Austin’s newest 1,500-acre master-planned community west of Austin on Lake Travis. The championship course at the Travis Club is scheduled to debut in late 2025 along with the accompanying practice facility, comfort stations and initial social outlet, the Golf House.Jack’s Bay, the 1,200-acre private club community nestled along the southern coast of Eleuthera (UH-LOOTH-RA) Island, Bahamas, initiated construction for the world’s inaugural Jack Nicklaus Heritage championship golf course. This historic collaboration with Nicklaus Design marks a significant milestone for golf enthusiasts worldwide, with the course scheduled to open for play in 2025.Moving indoors, Phil and Rob shared some thoughts about Golfzon Range by Leadbetter opening its second facility, this time in Westbury, Long Island, N.Y. The recent opening ceremony was attended by renowned golf instructor David Leadbetter, the company’s namesake. Among other things, the site offers golf simulators, Puttview interactive slopped putting green, and personal instruction from Leadbetter-accredited instructors.
On this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Club + Resort Business Senior Editor Phil Keren visited with PGA Golf Professional Jimmy Hanlin, who hosts or co-hosts four golf programs on television — “Blaster’s 18 Holes,” “Swing Clinic,” “Pin Shot,” and “Links to the Game.” He also hosts a radio show called “Tee It Up with Jimmy Hanlin and Tony Grossi” on ESPN Cleveland Radio. In the country club world, Hanlin is the Owner and Director of Golf at both Little Mountain Country Club in Painesville, Ohio, and StoneWater Golf Club in Highland Heights, Ohio.Phil and Jimmy discussed the TV programs, the two golf courses, and the teaching academy that was established at StoneWater. Jimmy shared his thoughts on efforts to grow the game, as well as his approach to instructing beginning golfers.On his show, “Links to the Game,” Hanlin plays a round of golf with well-known Cleveland and Ohio State University athletes, former athletes and coaches. Listen to the Club + Resort Talks podcast to find out which sports figure Hanlin called the “most competitive” and which one he considered the “most fun.”Phil and Club + Resort Business Editor-in-Chief Rob Thomas talked about some of the major news stories happening in the club industry, including a $10 million irrigation upgrade project at Mesa (Ariz.) Country Club, a clubhouse renovation and expansion at Kensington Golf & Country Club in Naples, Fla., and space overhaul work at The University Club in Cincinnati, Ohio.
On this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Editor-in-Chief Rob Thomas chats with Danny Klein, Editorial Director of QSR and FSR Magazines, about the confluence of golf, dining and entertainment (think Topgolf). Rob and Senior Editor Phil Keren also discussed a clubhouse renovation project that happened at Atlanta National Golf Club. The upgrade included an overhaul of the design and menu at Pete’s Restaurant, as well as the construction of both a golf performance center and a simulator lounge. The two highlighted the beginning of an improvement happening at the Ocean Point golf course at the Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort in South Carolina. The project, which is being overseen by Dye Designs Group, will include reconstruction and reshaping of bunkers, and replacement of cement cart paths with crushed limestone that will tie in with the natural elements of the area.Phil and Rob noted the opening of a 102-bay, three-level Topgolf site in Durham, N.C. The site is expected to employ about 500 people, and is the third Topgolf venue in North Carolina and the 89th to open in the U.S.Lastly, they noted this past week’s kick-off of the Club + Resort Business Model Club Webinar series. On April 9, Phil moderated a program with three leaders from Atlanta Athletic Club discussing the unique products and services that can be found inside the pro shop of the 21st century.
The upcoming solar eclipse, another night golf course in Arizona, and a potential new labor rule that would affect country clubs were some of the topics discussed by Club + Resort Business Editor-in-Chief Rob Thomas and Senior Editor Phil Keren during the latest episode of Club + Resort Talks.There are multiple clubs and resorts in the solar eclipse’s path of totality that are hosting parties and watch parties with food, beverages, music and other activities. Arrowhead Golf Club in Minster, Ohio, Heritage Ranch Golf & Country Club in McKinney, Texas, and Byrncliff Golf Resort & Banquets in Varysburg, N.Y. are hosting special events. Any clubs that host eclipse gatherings are encouraged to send photos and videos to Phil at pkeren@wtwhmedia.com.Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Ariz. will use its six-hole short course, #miniDunes, for night play starting April 26. The #miniDunes golf course originally opened for play in 2014 and has holes that range from 60 to 115 yards. Fifteen poles with 88 LED light fixtures shine down and illuminate the golf course while up-lighting will allow golfers to track ball flight through the night sky. They will have tee times, but walk-ins are available, too.The Department of Labor (DOL) is proposing to increase the exempt salary threshold for certain white-collar exemptions, potentially raising it from about $35,000 to about $55,000 annually. This change is expected to impact around 3.6 million workers. Rob and Phil discussed the fact that, if the rule was implemented, it would compel club general managers to make some important decisions regarding budgeting and payroll.Rob and Phil also discussed two projects happening at clubs in Florida: The Club at Ibis in West Palm Beach, Fla. is collaborating with Peacock + Lewis Architects and Planners to develop a comprehensive amenities master plan; and Vineyards Country Club in Naples, Florida recently began construction work for the redesign and renovation of its 18-hole, Mark McCumber-designed championship North golf course.Rob and Phil also briefly reviewed the plans for the upcoming stories and webinars in the Club + Resort Business Model Club program.
In this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Senior Editor Phil Keren speaks with Jason Pearsall, Managing Partner with Revive Golf Management, about Pearsall’s decision to open the Warren Valley Golf Course in Dearborn Heights, Mich. earlier than usual.Revive Golf Management is operating the golf course in a lease agreement with the city of Dearborn Heights. Due to the mild weather conditions and a high level of interest from some regular players, Pearsall determined that it was a good idea to open the course during the first half of March.Pearsall discusses the challenges associated with opening a golf course for the season earlier than usual, and offers advice to other golf course managers who might be thinking about making a similar move.Phil and Editor-in-Chief Rob Thomas also talked about The Seagate Golf Club in Delray Beach, Fla. re-opening its course following a $14.5 million renovation project. The club closed its course in April 2023 for the upgrade work, re-opened the back 9 in December 2023 and recently re-opened the front 9. The revamped course has improvements to the greens, fairways, tees, bunkers, irrigation, drainage, turfgrasses, landscaping, as well as the driving range and practice facilities.Phil and Rob discussed a Texas golf course that is slated to re-open after being closed for several years. The former Cape Royale Golf Course in Coldspring, Texas, which closed six years ago and has since laid abandoned, is scheduled to re-open in spring-summer 2026 and will be renamed TRA Lake Livingston Regional Public Golf Course. Landscapes Unlimited has been selected by the Trinity River Authority to direct the re-development.Heading northwest, the C+RB editors looked at a joint venture partnership that was recently established between The Wilderness Club in Eureka, Mont., and Escalante Golf. Escalante will oversee more than $15 million worth of expansion and improvements, while managing golf operations, hospitality, food & beverage, and real estate development and sales. Escalante’s plans also involve transitioning Wilderness Club from a semi-private club model back to a fully private club, in honor of its founder’s original vision.
In this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Editor-in-Chief Rob Thomas chats with Scott Lambert, Atlanta Country Club Superintendent, and David Birdwell, a member and former Club President, to talk about a major renovation project. The multi-faceted renovation included significant infrastructure updates and design alterations to the golf course as well as new and improved practice facilities and additional off-course amenities to enhance the experience for current members and future generations. The project was led by golf course designer Beau Welling and his firm, Beau Welling Design. Rob and Senior Editor Phil Keren also touched upon a New York town that's considering slicing into one of its golf course for a residential development. The 18-hole layout at Brighton Park Golf Course in Tonawanda, N.Y. may be converted into 12 holes if a plan comes to fruition. Town officials are eyeing this property because the town has limited land available for new, larger-scale residential development. “There will be a revolt,” warns Paul Wzontek, Vice President of the Brighton Park Golf Club Board of Directors, about the proposal.Lastly, Dobson Ranch Golf Course in Mesa, Ariz. has increased its tech usage by 30% in the first three months after partnering with Inrange on its driving range. Dobson Ranch has already utilized the gamification of practice to host Long Drive, Nearest to Pin and Shrinking Target (a skills challenge unique to Inrange) contests. “Numbers don’t lie – we are killing it right now,” said Matt Stark, VP of Partnerships for Dobson Ranch.
On this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Rob Thomas speaks with Jonathan Fralick, VP, Racquet Sports for Invited Clubs. Fralick discusses a number of programs across the Invited portfolio, including two grow-the-game initiatives — First Serve and Right Start. First Serve is a comprehensive junior pathway to ensure organization, player development and member enjoyment with clear goals and proven developmental success. The Right Start program is designed for entry-level adults interested in learning or returning to tennis and pickleball, successfully building a community of players who learn and develop together in a social setting.Fralick also talked about inclusivity, technology and speculated on what the future may hold for racquet sports across the club space.Thomas was also joined by Senior Editor Phil Keren. The two discussed some of the latest news from Club + Resort Business, such as three new short courses.Officials at Streamsong Golf Resort in Bowling Green, Fla. say all 19 holes on its fourth golf course, The Chain, will open for preview play March 31. The short course, which was designed by the world-renowned duo of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, brings a new concept to the golf offerings at the resort with options for six and 13-hole loops or a 19-hole round. “When you take strength and length out of the equation, golf becomes much more fun for a vastly expanded group of players,” Coore says.Work is continuing on the construction of the nine-hole Clover golf course at Killearn Club in Tallahassee, Fla. The course will be walking-only and will offer five par-3 holes of varying lengths and four short par-4 holes. MacCurrach Golf Construction of Jacksonville, Fla. continues to execute construction with Aqua Turf International, responsible for the redesigned irrigation system. Construction is expected to conclude in May.Also, golf course architect Tom Clark goes behind the scenes of The Battlefield at Oklahoma’s Shangri-La Resort—a 3,000-yard, par-54 layout with more than 100 feet of elevation change. Each hole on The Battlefield is named in honor of an Oklahoma veteran of World War II.
On this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Rob Thomas speaks with Elsbeth Hurry, Co-Founder and CEO of ZIGIT. ZIGIT’s new proprietary technology allows golf course owners and operators to sell canned and bottled alcohol through attractive, stand-alone ZIGIT-enabled machines (boxes) at locations along golfers’ journeys. Purchase eligibility is validated through ID verification / authentication and facial recognition, and drinks are dispensed typically within 30 seconds.Poised to transform convenience in conformance with regulations, ZIGIT meaningfully increases golfer satisfaction and alcohol sales at golf courses, country clubs and resorts. ZIGIT impressed at the 2023 PGA TOUR Wells Fargo Championship and is enjoying success at the American Airlines Arena, home to the NBA Dallas Mavericks and NHL Dallas Stars, as well at other sports and entertainment venues.Rob and Senior Editor Phil Keren also discussed some of the latest news from across the industry. Swing Racquet + Paddle in Raleigh, N.C., which is being called the “Disney World for Racquet Sports,” will include 80 indoor and outdoor courts for tennis, pickleball, padel, ping pong and more. The center will have a restaurant, bar, training facility, and walking trails that will connect to a local system. It is expected to create more than 300 new jobs, and a total economic impact of $360 million in just the first three years.An upcoming vote at the Detroit (Mich.) Golf Club will determine whether a full renovation will be put into motion. The estimated cost is expected to be $16.1 million and would be paid for largely through a one-time assessment for members. The club also would allocate $2.2 million from Rocket Mortgage Classic funds for the project and voting by members will begin March 6 and close March 16. An approval rate of more than 60% is being required by the prospective lenders working with Detroit Golf Club.Lastly, Omni Amelia Island (Fla.) Resort enlisted architect Beau Welling to renovate its Oak Marsh Golf Course. One of the chief goals of the project, which has a projected reopening date of Oct. 1, is to protect the architectural feel of Pete Dye’s original 1972 creation. The new renovation of Oak Marsh will join Little Sandy—the resort’s unique and entertaining 10-hole, par-3 course—and accompanying 18-hole putting course, both also the creation of Beau Welling Design.
In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Phil Keren speaks with R.J. Hottovy, Head of Analytical Research at Placer.ai, about the company’s recent examination of location intelligence metrics at country clubs.Placer.ai is a location analytics company that examines mobile data to create foot traffic estimates for any physical location in the U.S. Placer.ai recently conducted an examination of visit rates at 50 country clubs around the country. The company also looked at some demographic information for 12 of the sites. One of the more intriguing findings was that the median age of country club visitors has declined from 2019 to 2023. Phil spoke with Hottovy about this finding and some other data points that merit country club leaders’ attention.Phil also talks with Rob Thomas about: Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach Nick Nurse purchasing his childhood country club, Carroll Country Club in Carroll, Iowa: an analysis of a large government database that finds pickleball-related injuries are rising; and two clubs—Quail Ridge Golf Club in Grove, Okla. and Pomona Golf Course and Country Club in Egg Harbor City, N.J.— that are seeking new owners.
On this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Rob Thomas spoke with Jake Gordon, CEO & Co-Founder of Noteefy, about how golf courses can drive more revenue with less effort. KemperSports, Landscapes Golf Management, Streamsong, and Sand Valley, to name a few, have already partnered with Noteefy.A few of the highlights: - Drive incremental revenue: Noteefy gives every golfer their own personal assistant to help find tee times at your course. This enables golfers to play more, with less effort - delivering increased revenue;- Decrease unfilled cancellations: By some estimates, over 20% of online tee times get canceled and go unfilled for busy daily fee courses. This is leaving up to $50,000 in revenue on the table for operators; and - Improve customer experience: The process of endlessly calling and refreshing to find tee times is frustrating and archaic. With Noteefy, tee times are seamlessly delivered to the customers.Rob and Senior Editor Phil Keren also discussed what the Robert T. Lynch Municipal Golf Course is planning to engage residents during the winter season. Also, The Club at Olde Cypress is readying for a grand transformation. A multi-million-dollar clubhouse renaissance at the Naples, Fla. club will redefine luxury living in Southwest Florida. Among the many highlights of the project are the addition of a 2,500-sq.-ft. covered bar and dining area on the first floor and anew 2,000 sq. ft. kitchen to support the casual and fine dining options Executive Chef Caesar Fernandez and his team serve daily.Cobblestone Creek Country Club in Victor, N.Y. unveils golf course transformations, clubhouse upgrades, and a new pickleball facility. Recent endeavors at the club have centered around a new vision that encapsulates their core values—remain a family-focused, golf-first club that offers a member experience unparalleled in the marketplace.Last, but not least, Rob and Phil discussed the exciting Model Club initiative and encouraged viewers to visit www.clubandresortbusiness.com to learn more about the honored Pro Shops.
Here is the intro: In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Phil Keren speaks with Pete Wilson, Co-Founder of Grass Clippings, about his company opening a lighted golf course at Rolling Hills Golf Course in Tempe, Ariz. The course began operations on Dec. 1 and has been well-received in the Tempe community. Phil first spoke with Wilson in September about the plans and now seemed like a great time to catch up on how the night golf operation is going in the southwest.Phil and Rob Thomas also discuss a new racquet club called Padel + Pickle opening in Olivette, Mo. later in February; Mineola (Texas) Country Club’s plan to rebuild its clubhouse on the same site where the previous structure burned down last August; and the recent completion of a major renovation of the golf course at Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club in Vero Beach, Fla.
In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Rob Thomas speaks with Santiago Gomez, Founder and CEO of Padel Haus. Santiago shares the origins of padel, a sport invented in Mexico in 1969, combining elements of tennis, racquetball, platform tennis, and squash. Padel involves playing with walls, adding a unique dimension to the game. Santiago discusses the rapid global growth of padel, noting that the demand for their locations has significantly increased.Santiago’s journey into Padel started in Mexico as a teenager, playing with his parents. After a career in finance and running restaurants, he decided to open the first padel club in New York, seizing the opportunity during the COVID pandemic. Despite initial uncertainties, the success of the first club in Miami encouraged him to introduce padel to New York, considering the city’s openness to new experiences and its diverse population.The interview covers the expansion of Padel Haus, with locations in Williamsburg, Domino Park, and Dumbo neighborhoods in Brooklyn. The facilities include indoor and outdoor courts, steam rooms, showers, juice bars, lounges, and social areas. Santiago announces the opening of a fourth location in Nashville, highlighting the city’s potential and growth.Looking ahead, Santiago envisions Padel Haus expanding to around 50 locations within five years. He predicts that Padel will reach 30 million participants in the U.S. and become an Olympic sport, possibly by the Los Angeles or Brisbane Olympics. Santiago expresses confidence in Padel becoming the most-played racquet sport globally, citing its unexpected growth in various countries worldwide.Rob and Senior Editor Phil Keren also discussed a project at Raven Golf Club in Phoenix, Ariz. where tee complexes were revitalized, the course’s 60 sand bunkers were restored, and playing corridors were opened to showcase panoramic views. Arcis Golf’s Construction Division led the project using the Better Billy Bunker liner system and a specialty blend of sand from Gillibrand Materials in Simi Valley, Calif.In addition, Rob and Phil talked about Concert Golf Partners finishing a multi-year, multi-million-dollar capital improvement project at MacGregor Downs Country Club in Cary, N.C. LED lighting was installed in the Lakeside Room and the upstairs conference room for a more updated look, and new carpet and paint were added throughout the facility.The C+RB duo also shared thoughts on a fun story out of Hobe Sound, Fla.: Ted Crocker, 85, on Jan. 15 recorded a hole-in-one for the second time at Heritage Ridge Golf Club in Hobe Sound. Here’s the remarkable thing: He made the ace 23 years to the day after notching his first hole-in-one at the same course. Perhaps he should use the numbers “1” and “5” on a lottery ticket.
On this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Rob Thomas speaks with Alicia Nissel, General Manager of The Downtown Clubs in Houston, Texas. Nissel discusses what the club does to attract and retain members, as well as looking into her crystal ball to see what the industry can expect five or 10 years down the road.Rob and Senior Editor Phil Keren also discussed two golf industry conferences that are happening in January: The 2024 PGA Show is Jan. 23-26 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Conference and Trade Show is slated for Jan. 29-Feb. 1 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Ariz.The operative word for this year’s PGA Show — the largest global gathering for the business of golf — is “more.” The event will offer a packed show floor with more participating companies, more exhibit space, pavilion enhancements and a new concert lounge in Hall E of the convention center.The GCSAA Conference and Trade Show is the biggest annual event covering the design, construction and management of the course. It is designed for golf course superintendents, architects, builders and the companies that support them.Rob and Phil also talked about a company CEO and his friends teaming up to open a new racquet facility in Minnesota. The Heights Racquet & Social Club in Mendota Heights, Minn., features pickleball courts and Minnesota’s first padel court.An additional item of discussion was the opening of ‘Crossroads,’ Palmetto Bluff, S.C.’s new reversible nine-hole course from the golf architecture firm, King-Collins Golf Course Design.
On this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Club + Resort Business Senior Editor Phil Keren speaks with Kevin Clarke and Nick Markel from The Country Club of Buffalo about their club hosting its second annual Sporting Clays Invitational on Nov. 3 and 4.Clarke, who chaired the event and served as captain of The Country Club of Buffalo’s sporting clays team, talks about the details of the competition, while Markel, the club’s General Manager, discusses the work that his staff performed behind the scenes.This year, The Country Club of Buffalo welcomed teams from six other clubs to the shooting tournament: Long Vue Club and Golf Course in Verona, Pa., The Country Club (Pepper Pike, Ohio), Medinah (Ill.) Country Club, The Country Club (Brookline, Mass.), Country Club of Rochester (N.Y.), and Kirtland Country Club in Willoughby, Ohio.The club is planning to welcome an expanded field in 2024.Phil and C+RB Editor Rob Thomas also talk about a man named Paul Mast helping Cedar Crest Country Club in Quincy, Ill. replenish one of its irrigation ponds. They also detail the plans for the construction of a Topgolf venue in Greensboro, N.C., and discuss Tanglewood National Golf Club in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, now operating under new ownership.
In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Club + Resort Business Senior Phil Keren speaks with the leaders at BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach, Fla., about the club garnering the No. 1 ranking in the 2023 Club + Resort Business Top Ranked Clubhouses program.Ryan Walls, CEO and General Manager at BallenIsles Country Club, Laura Young Cray, Clubhouse Director, and Becky Collison, Director of Marketing and Communications, discuss the $35 million renovation of the grand clubhouse in 2018. They also talk about what it means for the club employees and members to receive the Top Ranked distinction, as well as what makes their clubhouse unique.The listing of Top Ranked Clubhouses for 2023 appears in the December issue of Club + Resort Business and can also be viewed online at clubandresortbusiness.com.Phil and Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas also discuss a member purchasing a club in Oklahoma, the progress occurring with a golf course in Utah that is being designed by Tiger Woods’ TGR Design firm, and a Connecticut club’s withdrawal of a plan to build pickleball courts due to concerns from neighbors about noise.
In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Editor Rob Thomas speaks with Tom Everett, President of Landscapes Golf Management. Landscapes Golf Management has been in a news a lot lately, with new projects in both Traphill, N.C. (Contentment Golf Club) and Sioux Falls, N.D. (Mapleton Golf Club). Everett also penned a popular column for Club + Resort Business—How Do You Cultivate Culture That Produces High Performers?—in September 2023.Senior Editor Phil Keren joined the conversation to discuss the latest news from across the club and resort industry. Topics included T36 at Baytown (Texas)—a double-loop track that makes the most out of limited acreage. The innovation is similar to the amazing work being done by Agustin Pizá and Pizá Golf.Phil and Rob also talked about work at Mesa (Ariz.) Country Club being done with climate change in mind. The project includes modernizing its irrigation system to help save an estimated 21 million gallons of water a year – or more than 10 percent of its current water use. The club is also aiming to eliminate 20 to 35 acres of the course’s 125 acres of irrigated grass.Also, the much-anticipated opening of Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills in Tempe, Ariz. is upon us! The club introduces night golf to the area.Lastly, there are even more alternative entries to golf with Putts and Pins and Club Regatas. Putts & Pins in West Des Moines, Iowa features gamified mini golf, duckpin bowling and arcade games with an electric pop vibe inspired by ’80s and ’90s rock culture, while Club Regatas in lima, Peru has introduced a certified Pitch and Putt layout designed by Agustin (Augie) Pizá, Founder of Pizá Golf.
Club + Resort Business Senior Editor Phil Keren spoke with Danita Osborn, Director of Membership and Marketing at Shadow Wood Country Club in Estero, Fla., about the club earning the No. 1 spot on the 2023 C+RB Top Ranked Patios listing. This listing can be viewed at clubandresortbusiness.com and appears in the August issue of C+RB. Osborn discussed what the honor meant for the club, as well as the two patio projects that occurred in 2022, and the organization’s efforts to create a strong connection between its members and employees.Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas also checked in with Phil to hear about Phil’s recent visit to Warren Valley Golf Course in Dearborn Heights, Mich. The course was designed by the legendary Donald Ross in 1922 and opened as a 36-hole layout in 1923. Both courses closed in 2022, but the West Course was re-opened in April 2023. Warren Valley officials said work was done to upgrade the greens and bunkers, and those improvements have garnered a lot of positive feedback from golfers. A steakhouse, lounge, cigar bar and banquet hall are being constructed on the property, and those sites are eyed for completion in spring of 2024.Rob and Phil also discussed the planned opening of Pickle of Penn, a pickleball-focused country club in Carmel, Ind., and the recent completion of Waynesville (N.C.) Inn & Golf Club’s 18-hole resort facility.
On this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Joe Conforti, Director of Golf at the Club at Olde Cypress sits down with Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas to talk about taking members on golf trips. Conforti and Thomas recently participated in the Annie’s Revenge Jamaica Pro-Am—a first for Rob, but Joe’s fifth trip to the Caribbean for the event. Presented by the Jamaica Tourist Board and The Golf Connection, Annie’s Revenge was sponsored by COBRA PUMA Golf, IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts, Appleton Estate Rum, and Jamaica Tours Limited. The 54-hole event was played on the championship courses at the Tryall Club, Cinnamon Hill and Half Moon.C+RB Senior Editor joined the podcast to discuss some recent news from around the industry, such as a development proposal that may consolidate two Florida courses (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/dev.... A large-scale redevelopment proposal would create a hybrid 18-hole layout between Lake Wales Country Club and the adjacent Oakwood golf course community in Lake Wales, Fla. If approved, the project would add up to 1,424 new homes, townhomes, cottages and apartments.Also, Grey Oaks Country Club recently completed a renovation of its Pine Course (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/gre.... The Naples, Fla. club enlisted renowned golf course restoration specialist Andrew Green for the project. The renovation now offers enhanced aesthetics with strategic bunker placement, challenging green surrounds and larger greens for a variety of pin placements. “The course design reflects the latest trends to give a lot more open space around the green, and that means golfers will have a lot of variety to approach the shot,” said Marty DeAngelo, Senior Director of Golf at Grey Oaks.Lastly, Keren and Thomas talked about Streamsong readying to unveil The Chain (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/str.... The non-traditional 19-hole short course by renowned designers Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, meanders through the Central Florida resort’s rugged terrain. Preview play on around half of the holes is currently open for resort guests, with the remainder planned for opening on Dec. 1.Read deeper into these articles (and more) at www.clubandresortbusiness.com.
Club + Resort Business Senior Editor Phil Keren spoke with two leaders from The Landings Golf & Athletic Club in Savannah, Ga., about the club earning the No. 1 spot in the 2023 Club + Resort Business Top Ranked Pro Shops Program.Haley Pickering, the club’s Golf Shop Retail Manager, and Steve Justman, Director of Golf at the club, talked about what meant to earn the top ranking, as well as the unique offerings of each of the club’s four soft goods shops and the services provided by its golf performance center.The Top Ranked Pro Shops listing appears in the November issue of Club + Resort Business.Phil also spoke with Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas about The Territory Golf & Country Club near Duncan, Okla. experiencing an increasing number of new memberships and member inquiries from nearby drive markets including Oklahoma City and Dallas/Fort Worth. The uptick is due to growing waitlists at neighborhood golf and country clubs across the U.S., leaving would-be members searching outside their hometowns for destination clubs.Another topic of conversation was Grass Clippings’ plan to offer night time golf on a regular basis at Rolling Hills Golf Course in Tucson, Ariz. On Dec. 1, Grass Clippings will become Arizona’s first fully lighted golf course as crews are currently finalizing the installation of LED lighting.Rob and Phil also discussed how KemperSports and its facilities recently surpassed the $2 million milestone in fundraising efforts for its longtime partner Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the families of fallen or disabled military men and women and first responders.
In this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, editor Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas chats with chats with Rob Goodhue, Director of Culinary Operations and Executive Chef at Hunters Run Country Club in Boynton Beach, Fla. Chef Rob has started a podcast of his own, named "Rare Talk." In his first episode, available on Spotify and iTunes, he talks about Restaurant Picks When Traveling: Vacation Dos and Don'ts of Dining. Example ... Don't expect a great steak at a place that serves a wide variety of other foods.In additional episodes, Chef Rob will cover BBQ, Country Club Dining vs. Public Restaurants, and the "Skinny on Steaks." Check it out and subscribe for interesting culinary topics. Thomas and C+RB Senior Editor Phil Keren also discussed the recent news from across the industry. From club openings at the Arizona Biltmore, Alabama's Pines Crossings and the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in Ponte Vedra, Fla., to a brand new private club breaking ground in Traphill, N.C., there was a lot to cover.Also, be sure to read Kevin Daniel Lalumiere's most recent column—Create the ‘Something’ They Will Return To (Tactics for Retaining Seasonal Workforces). The golf and tennis seasons are almost over across much of the country. What can these clubs do to ensure their valuable staff will return in 2024? The boss at The Country Club of New Canaan has some great ideas to share.
In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Club + Resort Business Senior Editor Phil Keren speaks with Mark Lewicki, Director of Sales and Marketing, and Lance Lauer, Acting Director of Grounds, at The Country Club of Castle Pines. In 2020, the Castle Rock, Colo. club opened its most unique golf amenity called The Crags—a massive, one-acre putting course built on a series of rocky crags on the western cliff directly behind the clubhouse. Learn more about the process and how this amenity has been received by members and guests.Keren and Editor Rob Thomas also discussed recent news posted on www.clubandresortbusiness.com, such as the work being done by PGA HOPE, charitable initiatives by Troon-affiliated properties and the upcoming Top Ranked Pro Shops initiative.
Club + Resort Business Senior Editor Phil Keren spoke with Pete Wilson, a co-founder of Grass Clippings, about his company’s effort to bring night golf to Arizona.Wilson founded the company with some of his longtime friends in an effort to honor the work of greenskeepers. While it started as a firm that offered a clothing line that represents greenskeepers, Grass Clippings recently added a golf course to its portfolio when it assumed operations of Rolling Hills Golf Course in Tempe, Arizona. The company signed a 50-year lease with the city of Tempe to take over operations at the golf course and assume responsibility for capital improvements. They have a lot of work planned, including renovating the clubhouse and driving range, and building an outdoor entertainment/concert venue. Another feature that they will soon unveil is offering night time golf on a regular basis. Night golf is expected to begin at Rolling Hills Golf Course in early November.Wilson talked about why he and a group of friends started the company, as well as why they decided to operate a golf course and offer night time golf. He also reviewed what he thought country club GMs should consider if they’re thinking about offering night time golf on a regular basis.Phil spoke with Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas about reopenings that are happening at different golf courses across the country following closures due to fires and a critical mistake by an employee. Both the Bay Course and the Plantation Course in West Maui, Hawaii, will reopen after being closed following the Maui wildfires in early August. The courses and facilities were spared, but about one-third of the courses’ employees lost their homes and possessions. Construction of a new clubhouse at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. will start in November and is expected to be finished in either late 2025 or during the first quarter of 2026. The original clubhouse caught fire and burned down in February 2022. Ross Bridge in Hoover, Ala. has been closed for about a year after a mistake by an employee caused permanent damage to 14 of the 18 greens. A member of the maintenance staff at Ross Bridge mistook a bag of herbicide for green sand, and then spread it on almost every green on the property, effectively poisoning the sensitive bent grass. Work has been done to convert the greens from bent grass to a more heat-tolerant TifEagle Bermuda grass. The course is scheduled to reopen in mid-October.Rob and Phil also discussed the planned opening of the Estates Course at the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club in Phoenix, Ariz., and the kick-off of construction of a new 18-hole golf course at Windsong Farm Golf Club in Independence, Minn.
Club + Resort Business Senior Editor Phil Keren recently had a conversation with Kevin Clarke and Nick Markel from the Country Club of Buffalo (CCB), which hosted its inaugural Sporting Clays Invitational in 2022. CCB had a team and three other clubs brought teams to the invitational: The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., the Longue Vue Club located near Pittsburgh, Pa. and The Country Club of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y.
Last year’s competition went very well. They had great weather. After the shooting competition was done, many of the participants took advantage of the beautiful weather to play golf on CCB’s course.
This year’s competition is Nov. 2-4. Nov. 2 is a practice day. The 3rd and 4th are competition days.
The team from CCB won last year's team competition and will be trying to defend their crown this year. There will again be an opportunity for competitors to play golf on the course after the competition is over.
There will be eight teams participating this year. Each team can bring six team members instead of five.
Kevin Clarke, who is the event chairman, and Nick Markel, who is the General Manager/COO of Country Club of Buffalo, spoke with Phil about the upcoming competition.
Editor Rob Thomas also touched upon recent news appearing on www.clubandresortbusiness.com, such as Boca West's beach clean-up initiative, multiple events at Mizner Country Club, and new technology on Grey Oaks Country Club's practice range.
Rob Thomas and Phil Keren chat about the latest news, including Swingers Vegas—a new "golfertainment" venue on the Vegas Strip. Located in the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, the spot boasts five mini golf courses and serves beer, wine and food.
Night golf is also coming to BOYNE Golf in Michigan and Lozano Golf Course in Corpus Christi, Texas. The BOYNE short course will be joined by a Himalayas-style putting course.
Phil also discusses his visit to Firestone Country Club for the Kaulig Companies Championship and an upcoming webinar presented by Relay. In that webinar, he and a pair of industry experts will talk about curing the pace-of-play issues so many clubs deal with.
Stick around for some videos of Rob at Maketewah Country Club in Cincinnati, Ohio. Feel free to roast his swing (Max Homa style) The club recently capped a $6.5 million restoration of its Donald Ross course and will be featured in our August issue.
Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas spoke with Greg Devino, General Manager/COO of Broken Sound Club in Boca Raton, Fla., about the club's $40 million renovation of its expansive clubhouse in late March. The impressively appointed, 130,000-sq.-ft. main clubhouse boasts choices of indoor and outdoor dining, a two-acre poolscape and bistro, and a lifestyle-centric signature retail shop. The renovated space welcomes an additional 30,000 sq. ft. housing the expanded men’s and ladies card rooms and elevated entry design to enhance members’ experience from the moment they arrive on the grounds.
Senior Editor Phil Keren joins the conversation to chat about recent news across the industry, such as a trio of golfers at Alderbrook Golf & Yacht Club in Union, Wash. accomplishing something with odds in the neighborhood of 27 trillion to 1. Rob and Phil also discussed plans for a new club in Sioux Falls, S.D.; the $9 million renovation at Detroit Golf Club; and an alarming case study on how clubs respond to membership inquiries.
The Watersound Club in Florida's Panhandle has experienced a lot of recent growth (both in terms of membership and about $50+ million worth of new amenities built, with a new golf course designed by Davis Love III on the horizon. Club + Resort Talks chats with Vicki Burris, Director of Membership speaks to the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly growing membership, how the club saw that trend play out across the pandemic, and the expansion they’re seeing come to fruition as a result of that growth.
Editor Rob Thomas and Senior Editor Phil Keren also touch upon some recent news across the industry, from a new course planned at St. John's Resort in Plymouth, Mich. and the revival of The Preserve At Beacon Hill near Leesburg, Va., to Anthem Country Club saving nearly 60 million gallons of water through maintenance practices and vandals striking a course with MAGA propaganda.
Thank you to 2Hemispheres for sponsoring the podcast.
In its June issue, Club + Resort Business released its annual rankings of the top racquet facilities. The racquet facilities at The Philadelphia Cricket Club in Philadelphia, Pa. earned the No. 1 ranking in C+RB’s recognition program. In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, C+RB Senior Editor Phil Keren spoke with Boris Fetbroyt, the club’s Director of Racquets, Rich Wade, the club’s Director of Squash and Padel, and Lila Smith, the club’s Director of Communications, to learn more about The Philadelphia Cricket Club. The trio discussed what it meant to them to receive the honor, how important the member experience is to the club, and what they do to keep members engaged and interacting with one another.
In addition to an informative discussion with Fetbroyt, Wade and Smith, Phil also spoke with Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas about some of the latest news stories happening in the industry.
Phil and Rob discussed the story which grabbed headlines throughout the world this week: the PGA Tour, LIV Golf Tour and DP World Tour are planning to join forces in a partnership under a separate commercial entity. Phil and Rob shared their thoughts about this new deal and touched on how it might affect the club industry. They also talked about C+RB’s recently completed Ideas issue, which can now be viewed at clubandresortbusiness.com and is now available in print. Some of the stories in the 17th Annual Ideas Issue include: Champions Run in Omaha, Neb. hosting a variety of games and activities at its pool every day under the title “The Show”; and employees at the Club at Admirals Cove in Jupiter, Fla. performing service projects such as a beach clean-up, school supply drive and food sorting at a food bank.
In its May issue, Club + Resort Business released its annual rankings of the top aquatics and pools programs. The aquatics and pools program at The Clubs of Kingwood in Kingwood, Texas, earned the No. 1 ranking in C+RB’s recognition program. In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, C+RB Senior Editor Phil Keren spoke with Patrick Pettit, the club’s General Manager, and Katie Stowers, Director of the club’s Fitness and Sports Center, to learn more about The Clubs of Kingwood.Pettit and Stowers talked about the club receiving the honor, the club’s history, as well as what they offer that differentiates them from other clubs. They also discussed a change they made with their lifeguard staff that led to a lot of positive feedback from their membership.In addition to an informative discussion with Pettit and Stowers, Phil also spoke with Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas about some of the latest news stories happening in the industry.They discussed the Wellman Golf Club’s plans to reopen its course in Johnsonville, S.C. after it was closed for 13 years, as well as Cat Island Club’s reopening of its course that was shut down in 2019. Phil shared some of the insights he received from head golf pros offering advice to beginning golfers who want to learn the game. Rob discussed the column from Nashawtuc Country Club Racquets Director George Laffey, who writes about the large amount of growth that is expected in the racquets industry during the next few years.
Editor Rob Thomas and Senior Editor Phil Keren discuss several Top Ranked initiatives in this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast. First off ... the Top 5 clubs in the Top Ranked Fitness and Wellness category have been featured on the website (www.clubandresortbusiness.com), as well as the complete rankings.Speaking of rankings ... the Top Ranked Aquatics and Pools rankings are now live, too. Keep an eye out on the website for featured articles.Last, but certainly not least, the deadline for Top Ranked Racquet Facilities is quickly approaching. Get your submissions in by May 19, 2023.Our featured guest is Robin Shelton, CCM, PGA Master Professional, General Manager of Huntington Beach (Calif.) Country Club. Shelton touches upon the $6-million renovation of the golf course and driving range, as well as expanding on several columns he has penned for Club + Resort Business over the years.This episode is sponsored by The H. Chambers Company.
In its April issue, Club + Resort Business released its annual rankings of the top fitness and wellness centers. The fitness and wellness facility at Addison Reserve Country Club in Delray Beach, Fla. earned the No. 1 ranking in C+RB’s recognition program. In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, C+RB Senior Editor Phil Keren spoke with Anthony Biondolillo, the club’s Assistant General Manager, and Grant Worthington, the facility’s Director Sports Operations, to learn more about Addison Reserve Country Club.Biondolillo and Worthington expressed their appreciation for receiving this honor, discussed what their fitness and wellness center offers that makes it stand out from similar facilities, and shared information about upcoming improvements at the club.In addition to an informative conversation with Biondolillo and Worthington, Phil also spoke with Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas about some of the latest news stories happening in the industry.Phil and Rob discussed two stories showcasing golf courses’ increasing efforts to be more environmentally conscious: Greenway Golf Associates this past week announced they entered a partnership with with master architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr., and his golf course design company, Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects (RTJII), to renovate the North Course at Corica Park in Alameda, Calif. Greenway selected Robert Jones Golf Course Architects because of the company’s world-renowned expertise and environmental leadership in golf course design.Leisure World Golf Course in Silver Spring, Md. this week achieved Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses (ACSP for Golf) certification. Christine Kane, CEO at Audubon International, says that to earn this certification, golf courses must “demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas.”Leisure World’s accomplishments included: expanding native vegetation; removing invasive plant species; providing quality wildlife habitat; and conducting water quality testing. Frank McLaughlin, Golf Superintendent, and Alan Nelson, Golf and Greens Committee Certification Project Manager, led the effort.Meanwhile, a course in California is still working to recover from a major weather event last month. In March, there were a couple of heavy storms that wiped out six holes at River Island Country Club in Porterville, Calif. Holes 10, 16, 17 and 18 are severely damaged and 11 and 12 are beyond repair and need to be completely rebuilt. Terry Treece, the club’s General Manager, said he is going to be meeting with an architect and a construction company on the course. He says he thinks the total damages will cost a few million dollars, but he hopes his estimate is on the high side.Read more at www.clubandresortbusiness.com.
Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas chats with Agustin Pizá, Founder of Pizá Golf—internationally recognized as a world-class architecture and golf course design firm. Among the topics discussed are sustainability, his partnership with Golf Channel Analyst Brandel Chamblee and the future of golf course architecture.The first Pizá Chamblee signature design (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/gol...) pushes the creative boundaries of multi-purpose golf. The duo is collaborating on a 24-hole golf resort with four distinct six-hole golf loops. The project is referred to as the “Butterfly Effect.” It is in Cuatro Cíenegas, Desertica described as an oasis in the desert with abundant springs that create marshes. In addition to the energetic conversation with Piza, Thomas also discussed the latest news from across the industry with Senior Editor Phil Keren. The West Palm Beach Municipal Golf Course (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/wes...) will be operated on a nonprofit basis by the PGA of America. The enhanced property will include an 18-hole course, a 9-hole course, a driving range and putting practice greens, as well as a clubhouse. The PGA of America is leasing the city-owned site for up to 70 years for $1 per year.Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/aug...) and the Masters Tournament, announced April 5 that the club will partner with Augusta Technical College, the First Tee of Augusta and Augusta Municipal Golf Course to introduce “a new era for public golf in [the] city.” As part of this new announcement, Augusta Tech will relocate its golf course management program to The Patch, creating a living classroom environment.Also, the Broken Sound Club unveiled its contemporary reimagination (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/bro...) of the Boca Raton, Fla. property’s clubhouse, which added dining options and increased amenities, all designed to reflect and enhance the distinctive member experience of “enjoying a life well-lived.” The club also advanced the objective of sustainability and improved the overall playing conditions and replaced infrastructure on its renowned Old Course (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/bro.... At the forefront of sustainability initiatives, the course is the first golf facility in Florida (second in the United States and 14th in the world) to be GEO Certified.
On the latest installment of Club + Resort Talks, Club + Resort Business Senior Editor Phil Keren welcomed Mason Jones, Vice President of Marketing for TruGolf, a company that specializes in indoor golf services.Phil spoke with Mason about the National Golf Foundation’s recent State-of-the Industry report showing that the number of off-course participants in golf was higher than the amount of on-course participants in 2022. Phil and Mason discussed this trend and why it’s happening, as well as the opportunities that are available to country clubs and resorts.Mason talked about how TruGolf works with country clubs and resorts to set up simulators and other forms of indoor golf technology.
Editor Rob Thomas and Senior Editor Phil Keren discuss the latest news from across the industry and then Rob chats with Grey Raines from Raines Hospitality. Founded in 1988, Raines Hospitality manages 21 hotels across the southeastern U.S. In April 2021, more than three decades after their founding, the company purchased the historic Waynesville Inn & Golf Club (45 min. west of Asheville, N.C.). Overnight, Managing Director Grey Raines became a first-time golf course owner!The course was originally built on a former dairy farm with three nines: Carolina (1926), Dogwood (1929) and Blue Ridge (1986). Donald Ross built the original "Carolina 9." In the coming months, Waynesville's renovated front nine ("Ross Nine") and new back nine ("Weed Nine") will debut. This reimagined 18-hole, par-71 will stretch 6,515 yards.A new short course, Himalayan-style putting green and practice facilities are also being constructed.Learn more at www.waynesvilleinnandgolf.com or www.rainesco.com.
On the newest installment of Club + Resort Talks, Club + Resort Business Senior Editor Phil Keren welcomed Dr. Bern Bernacki, President of The Golf Heritage Society. Founded in 1970, The Golf Heritage Society is a global nonprofit organization that honors and promotes golf history. Bern spoke with Phil about the society’s history, member events and activities, as well as how to become a member of the organization. Learn more about The Golf Heritage Society by visiting golfheritage.org.
Club + Resort Talks chatted with Greg Gilg, General Manager of Field Club of Omaha, about his club offering complimentary golf lessons to its golf members.
Club + Resort Talks chatted with Jarred Gomez about what KemperSports is doing to get young adults into the game of golf — YA! Golf PDX.
YA! Golf PDX is a social golf community for young adults, between the ages of 19 and 29, based in Portland, Ore. Whether you’ve never played before, or you’ve been playing for awhile, YA! Golf has something to offer for everyone. Join for social events, discounted golf, and an awesome community of people just like you.
The health and wellbeing of private clubs is a vital part of the golf industry in the United States. C+RB talks with the experts to better understand the current state-of-affairs and provide some best practices that private clubs can use to navigate their own membership growth.
Capstone Hospitality was founded in 2009 by former professional golfer Brian Friederichs. The firm’s talented team works with private clubs across North America to drive membership sales by delivering a customized sales plan, renewed energy and competitive spirit. Capstone Hospitality has gained valuable industry knowledge in a diverse range of markets while working with clubs in golf, boating and beyond.
We asked Friederichs about what he felt were the top things private clubs need to be thinking about when it comes to attracting members. Here’s what he told us …
Private barrel selections have been around for decades—but the bourbon boom paired with the pandemic has made programs like these increasingly difficult to manage. At Cherokee Town and Country Club (Atlanta, Ga.), Executive Chef Todd Kelly has had a lot of success with the club’s Private Barrel Selections program. He introduced it about four years ago and has purchased 15 barrels to date. In this podcast, Kelly talks about the selection process, what he wishes he knew when he started and why this program is important to the club’s culture.
In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, sponsored by Fire Within, C+RC's Editor, Joanna DeChellis, interviews Chrissie Bennet, the newly appointed Executive Chef of Winged Foot Golf Club. Together, the two discuss her career path, what’s she’s looking for in a new exec sous chef as well as the legacy she hopes to leave behind as first female to hold the Executive Chef position at Winged Foot.
Corey Chow, Executive Chef of Stanwich Club, discusses his decision to leave a Michelin 3-star restaurant to enter the club world.
Tom Hall, Executive Chef of Green Spring Valley Hunt Club in Owings Mills, Maryland, offers a series of ideas for how club chefs might retain staff with better pay and a better work-life balance.
In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, sponsored by Libbey, Executive Sous Chef Mike Stetka, CEC, discusses the importance of mentors and shares some of the best advice he's ever been given.
In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, sponsored by ClubBuy, Executive Chef Michael Lannon discusses his plans for developing a strong team of culinarians at Midlothian Country Club.
In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, sponsored by True Aussie Lamb, Winged Foot's Executive Chef, Rhy Waddington, explains the inspiration behind the two dishes that made him the winner of the 2021 Club + Resort Chef Australian Lamb Competition.
In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, sponsored by Montague, Executive Chef Jeremy DiStefano, CEC, explains the vision and purpose behind the new beer garden at Dedham Country & Polo Club in Massachusetts.
In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, sponsored by Bush's Best, Colin Burns, General Manager of Winged Foot Golf Club (Mamaroneck, N.Y.), discusses his leadership style, which focuses on encouraging the club's culinary team to take the lead in decision making and capitalizes on Executive Chef Rhy Waddington's own expertise and judgment.
In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, sponsored by Barilla, Lawrence McFadden, CMC, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of The Union Club in Cleveland, discusses how the club will grow in 2021 with the return of banquets and a new outdoor dining concept.
Executive Chef Mike Lamping, CEC, came to the Dallas Athletic Club about 90 days ago which means he launched his job search at a fairly inconvenient time in history. Even so, the process taught him a lot about himself and what he wants to achieve both professionally and personally.
Rich Hoffman, CEC, CCA, AAC, is the Executive Chef at the Country Club of Maryland. After a challenging 2020, Chef Hoffman is cautiously optimistic about the year ahead and what it might hold for outdoor dining, menus and banquets. In this episode, sponsored by TABASCO, he discusses lessons learned and future plans.
In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, sponsored by Montague, Michael Smith, Executive Chef of Corpus Christi Yacht Club in Texas discusses the value of certification both for himself as a chef and for the industry at large. Chef Smith is aCertified Executive Chef, a Certified Executive Pastry Chef, a Certified Culinary Administrator and a Worldchefs Certified Executive Chef. In this episode, he explains some of the reasons why he's earned these certification and how the process has helped him to become not only a better chef, but a better leader.
It’s no secret that COVID has caused massive disruptions across the foodservice industry—but the oft-quoted line about not letting a crisis go to waste has never been more relevant—especially for our guest on this episode of Club + Resort Talks, sponsored by Minor’s.
James Allen, CEC, is the Executive Chef of Blackthorn Club at The Ridges in Jonesborough, Tenn. He was actually the first person in his county to test positive for the virus, which lead to closing the club for a weeks. As Chef recovered, he put his creative brain to work, reshaping the club’s culinary program for the better over the long term.
Jeff Perez is the Executive Chef of Fairview Country Club in Greenwich, Connecticut. Fairvew CC has had an outstanding a la carte season this year thanks in large part to a well-timed patio renovation and a quick pivot by the club's culinary team. Being able to offer members plenty of socially distanced outdoor seating—paired with well executed and modern menus—has kept the club at the forefront of its members’ minds. As the pandemic wears on, the club will continue to be agile and engage members through programs that are both safe and exciting.
Orlin Mclendon in the Director of Culinary Operations at Mizner Country Club in Delray Beach, Fla. Mizner CC just completed a $22 million renovation and expansion of its poolside complex, transforming it into a lifestyle center with plenty of new indoor and outdoor dining options. Chef Mclendon was instrumental in the project and continues to lead and inspire the team. He has magnetic personality and his passion is palpable. He is focused on lifting up those around him and supporting them in every capacity. In fact, Chef’s favorite response to any question asked by a member of his team is: “The answer is yes, now what is the question.”
In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, sponsored by Nestle Minor’s, Club + Resort Chef‘s Editor, Joanna DeChellis, chats with Seth Shipley, CEC, CCA, Executive Chef of Belle Meade Country Club in Nashville, Tenn. For years, Belle Meade has been a to-go powerhouse. Over the past few months, the club's to-go volume has continued to grow. Fortunately for Belle Meade, Chef Shipley and his team are well prepared for the increase. Chef shares tips on to-go packaging and programming as well as his wishlist for cap ex spending.
In this episode of Club and Resort Talks, sponsored by Hoshizaki, Club + Resort Chef‘s Editor, Joanna DeChellis, chats with Executive Chef Melinda Burrows, who has run the kitchen at Hickory Hills Country Club in Springfield, Missouri for the past six years. In an earlier part of her career, Chef Burrows was a traveling personal chef for A-list celebrities and legendary rock stars including Sir Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, and Guns & Roses. Now, as a club chef, she appreciates being able to touch tables and get to know her members while creating memories through food. Chef Burrows is passionate about mentoring, certification, authenticity and ingredients. In fact, many of the items she uses in specials are grown at her very own hobby farm.
In this episode of Club and Resort Talks, sponsored by IsoKlean Carolinas, Club + Resort Chef‘s Editor, Joanna DeChellis, chats with Adam Dietrich, ServSafe Certified Instructor and Food Safety Expert, who offers updated guidance on food safety for club and resort chefs. He clearly defines the difference between sanitize and disinfect while offering suggestions on chemical usage and overall strategies.
In this episode, sponsored by Cres Cor, Jason Nordsletten, Executive Chef of The Royal Ottawa Golf Club in Canada, discusses his preference for working in clubs compared to restaurants. He also shares a bit about how he and the club have prospered through the pandemic with sound programming and a focus on the membership. He also discusses what programs Royal Ottawa plans to keep as recovery continues.
In this episode of Club and Resort Talks, sponsored by Chairman’s Reserve® Meats, Club + Resort Chef‘s Editor, Joanna DeChellis, chats with Rhy Waddington, Executive Chef of Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y. Over the past two years, Chef Waddington and his team have been preparing for a U.S. Open that was nearly canceled or relocated several times before July. But it’s finally here and while it looks a little different than past opens, Winged Foot’s food and beverage team has gone above and beyond to make sure the culinary experience for players is just as memorable as the course.
In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, sponsored by Northstar, Club + Resort Chef‘s Editor, Joanna DeChellis, chats with Sean Dwyer, Pastry Chef of Hamilton Harbor Yacht Club in Naples, Florida. Chef Dwyer is known for his whimsical, intricate desserts but more impressive is his persistence and need to always evolve and improve. For him, pastry is personal and it’s an important element in the success of the club as whole. Chef Dwyer works closely with the club’s Executive Chef and he goes out of his way to make himself available to the members for whatever pastry they need or want.
In this episode of Club and Resort Talks, sponsored by Prosciutto di Parma, Club + Resort Chef‘s Editor, Joanna DeChellis, chats with Steve Boutin, Executive Chef of Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Conn. Chef Boutin has only been with the club for a few months and while it has been challenging, he is no stranger to hard work thanks to the passion instilled in him by his uncle. His strategy through quarantine and beyond has been to keep menus simple and refined and to run dishes that resonate with members. He is also finding new, socially distant ways to connect with his new membership through blogs and recipes.
In this episode of Club and Resort Talks, sponsored by Chairman's Reserve, Club + Resort Chef‘s Editor, Joanna DeChellis, chats with James Patterson, Corporate Executive Chef for McConnell Golf and Executive Chef of Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, NC. Since the pandemic hit, Patterson and his team haven't missed a beat. They've retooled operations, shifted models and found creative ways to continue to serve members and guests the quality they've come to expect. Throughout the challenges, the relationships Patterson has established with his suppliers and vendors has helped to sustain the club while further elevating the importance of F&B.
In this episode of Club and Resort Talks, Club + Resort Chef‘s Editor, Joanna DeChellis, chats with Kevin Walker, CMC, Executive Chef of Ansley Golf Club in Atlanta, Ga. In the middle of July, Chef Walker tested positive for COVID-19. And while there are plenty of unknowns in the days ahead, he is making plans for when the club comes out on the other side of this crisis.
In this episode of Club and Resort Talks, Club + Resort Chef‘s Editor, Joanna DeChellis, chats with Ron Duprat, Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Director of Amarillo Country Club in Amarillo, Texas. Chef Duprat has been with the club for only a short time, but he’s on a mission to reinvigorate the club’s food-and-beverage program, while focusing on important issues like diversity, mindful eating and what the hospitality industry might look like post-COVID.
In this episode of Club and Resort Talks, Club + Resort Chef‘s Editor, Joanna DeChellis, chats with James Satterwhite, Executive Pastry Chef of Charlotte Country Club. Chef Satterwhite has played an important role in the club’s COVID-19 response plan while simultaneously pivoting his pastry strategy to better serve members during quarantine and beyond.
In this episode of Club and Resort Talks, Club + Resort Chef‘s Editor, Joanna DeChellis, chats with Joseph Longo, Executive Chef of Frenchman’s Reserve Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. After more than 16 years as Executive Chef of Broken Sound Club in Boca Raton, Fla., Chef Longo was ready to take on a new challenge. Little did he know, the “typical” challenges associated with a new job would be vastly compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the face of countless obstacles, Chef Longo stayed true to his style, leading by example, focusing on food and slowly transforming the culture of the kitchen.
On this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Rob Thomas, Senior Editor of Club + Resort Business, chats with Gary Player, one of only five men to win the career Grand Slam and a recent recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. We discuss everything from his storied history in the game of golf and design philosophies, to his views on fitness and thoughts on growing the game. Lastly, who would make up his Dream Foursome? Sit back, relax and enjoy as we talk with one of the greatest golfers to ever tee it up.
In this episode of Club and Resort Talks, Club + Resort Chef‘s Editor, Joanna DeChellis, chats with Fred Ramsey, CEC, Executive Chef of Pelican Golf Club (Belleair, Fla.). Chef Ramsey has spent his entire career navigating a complex racial divide between himself and others in the kitchens and clubs where he’s worked. Despite those challenges—or maybe because of them—Chef Ramsey is an incredibly strong and steady leader.
In this episode of Club and Resort Talks, Club + Resort Chef‘s Editor, Joanna DeChellis, chats with Tom Hall, Executive Chef of Green Spring Valley Hunt Club (Owings Mills, Md.) about reopening after COVID-19 closures. The two discuss how Chef Hall is excited about smaller menus because it gives him and his team a chance to change things up more frequently and offer members even more seasonally-focused dishes.
In this episode of Club and Resort Talks, Club + Resort Chef‘s Editor, Joanna DeChellis, chats with Jonathan Moosmiller, CMC, Director of Food & Beverage with Southern Hills Country Club (Tulsa, Oklahoma) about his multi-phase plan to reopen club dining after COVID-19 closures.
On this episode of Club + Resort Talks, we chat with Patrick Troy, Executive Vice President of Sales at TUUCI. He has been with the company for nine years in various roles working closely with the Hospitality, Retail and Trade segments of the business. We talk about the company's most popular umbrella models for the club and resort industry and what sets TUCCI umbrellas apart from the competition. Sit back, relax and enjoy as we throw a little shade on the parasol business.
In this episode of Club and Resort Talks, Club + Resort Chef‘s Editor, Joanna DeChellis, chats with Charles Carroll, CEC, AAC, Executive Chef of River Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas about club's recent snack bar renovation, best practices for new menu rollouts, labor challenges, what he looks for in new hires, River Oaks CC's green beret sous chef program, and how he maintains his busy work/life balance.
On this episode of Club + Resort Talks, we chat with Ed Doyle, President of RealFood. Find out what RealFood is doing to help the club industry and what the future may hold. We'll even chat a bit about BBQ. Sit back, relax and enjoy.
Before moving on to a new Executive Chef position, Brandon Gross, former Executive Sous Chef of The Metropolitan Club of The City of Washington (D.C.) and Vincent Horville, Executive Chef, discuss how they've evolved as a team over the past three years and how that dynamic will serve them both in the years to come.
Lawrence McFadden, CMC, General Manager/COO of the Union Club of Cleveland, discusses the importance of positive thinking, self-awareness and accepting criticism.
On this episode of Club + Resort Talks, we chat with Ed Donnelly, founder of AmourCBD to discuss not only how CBD can help your game, but also your pro shop's bottom line.
On this episode of Club + Resort Talks, we chat with Brian Hawthorne, Executive Director of Golf Operations at Wynn Golf Club on the Las Vegas Strip. Brian discusses the reasons behind closing the golf course and then its triumphant return—being re-imagined by golf course architect Tom Fazio. Reaction from golfers has been great and there's more to come.
On this episode of Club + Resort Talks, we chat with golf course architect Dr. Michael Hurdzan, who has written a number of books and has his fingerprints on some very well-known courses such as Erin Hills, Scioto CC and The Philadelphia Cricket Club, to name a few. He’s also one of only a handful of people to achieve the non-playing “grand slam” as the recipient of the highest honor from each of the big three of our industry – the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the American Society of Golf Course Architects and the Golf Course Builders Association of America
In this episode of Club and Resort Talks, Gerald Ford, CMC, Executive Chef of The Ford Plantation (Richmond Hill, Ga.) breaks down the main tenets of his culinary philosophy and shares how it has helped shape the way he approaches food, cooking and people.
On this episode of Club + Resort Talks, we chat with Patrick Koenig ... You may know Patrick from his golf course photography, or the nationwide trip he took in a golf-equipped RV to raise money for the First Tee of Greater Seattle. He's also working with Medterra to raise awareness for many benefits of CBD. Sit back, relax and enjoy our conversation.
In this episode of Club and Resort Talks, Club + Resort Chef's editor, Joanna DeChellis, chats with Joseph Leonardi, CMC, Director of Culinary Operations at The Country Club, about hyper-local sourcing, beekeeping, and about the road to becoming a Certified Master Chef.
On this episode of Club + Resort Talks we chat with Golf Course Architect Tripp Davis. We'll touch upon everything from his days as a collegiate golfer at the University of Oklahoma to his work on the innovative practice facility at OU. What design trends have hurt the golf industry and what's the future of golf course architecture?
In this episode of Club and Resort Talks, Club + Resort Chef's editor, Joanna DeChellis, chats with Colby Newman, Executive Chef of Grosse Pointe Yacht Club about the evolution of dining at GPYC as well as about how self-care has helped Newman let go to grow as a chef and a person.
On this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Rob Thomas, Associate Editor at Club + Resort Business, chats with Garrett Powell, Assistant Golf Professional at Shoal Creek in Alabama. For fans of the incredibly popular show, The Bachelorette, you may know him better as Garrett P., a contestant on Season 15. Was he prepared to pop the question if given the final rose? What's a typical day look like as an Assistant Golf Professional? What's he doing with the V1 Golf App? Learn this—and more—on this episode of Club + Resort Talks.
In this episode of Club and Resort Talks, Club + Resort Chef's Editor, Joanna DeChellis, chats with Tim Recher, Director of Clubhouse Operations at Quail West Golf and Country Club, about his unique career path, his work ethic and what it takes to be a member of the 2020 U.S. Culinary Olympic team.
In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Club + Resort Business Associate Editor Rob Thomas chats with Ned Welc, a principal at GSI Executive Search Ethos. Ned walks listeners through three very important things search committees look at when interviewing candidates for high-level club positions. Grab a pen and some paper and take notes.
In this episode of Club and Resort Talks, Club + Resort Chef's editor, Joanna DeChellis, chats with Jason McClain, Executive Chef of the Jonathan Club, about why and how he became a chef, the impact he's had on the club over the past decade and what he looks for in new hires.
On this episode of Club + Resort Talks, we chatted with David Shultz, CEO and Founder of NextLinks. Dave and his team are further “gamifying” the game of golf by providing a fun and relaxing way to enjoy the sport. Find out how your club can monetize under-utilized space and further engage with your membership. Learn more at www.nextlinks.com
In this episode of Club and Resort Talks we chat with Scott Harmelink about how he turned a basic driving range into the place to be in Sioux City, Iowa. With some imagination and in-house labor, Green Valley’s range is now host to entertaining evenings with music, prizes and a boost in F&B—attracting both Millennials and corporate events ... adding an additional revenue stream to the club.
How many times have you visited a golf course's website and were underwhelmed by the images? For me ... often. In this episode, we discuss what makes for a great image of a golf course and how Brian Oar works with courses to make their marketing images pop.
Club + Resort Business has officially launched the Club + Resort Talks podcast with the first guest being Anne Stryhn, Assistant General Manager at the Country Club of Virginia (CCV) in Richmond. CCV is very active in the Idea Fair at the annual Club Management Association of America conference and provided a wealth of ideas for clubs across the country to implement. Topics discussed ranged from Kitchen Cocktails and grow-the-game initiatives like “Equip-a-Kid” and the Mini-Mulligans Tournament Series to creating habitats for bees and cultivating a culture of creativity and forward thinking with employees.