SARASOTA, Fla. – Sept. 26, 2005 – Brian Henderson returns to his native state to become the first director of golf at The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club, Sarasota.
"I’m ecstatic to get to work for such a prestigious brand and have the opportunity to open this golf course," Henderson said. "My wife and I are excited to get back to Florida, where we have a lot of family and friends. It’s a great market, a challenging opportunity and I’m just thrilled to be part of the team."
In his new position, Henderson will be responsible for establishing the overall program of luxury golf services for Members and guests of The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club. Among these services include oversight of a caddie concierge program, staff development, member services and golf shop merchandising and operations.
Henderson’s senior level experience in golf management includes his most recent position as Director of Golf for Marriott’s Renaissance Pine Isle Resort in Lake Lanier Islands, Ga., a position he held since November 2004. Henderson was responsible for the overall direction of the golf operation, including course maintenance and golf service operations. During his tenure, golf memberships and merchandise sales increased significantly.
Prior to Pine Isle, Henderson spent four years as the Head Golf Professional at Stone Mountain (Ga.) Golf Club, a 36-hole facility associated with Marriott’s Evergreen Conference Resort. Among his responsibilities were merchandise operations for the golf shop, which was named among the top 100 public golf shops four times.
In 1999, Henderson was General Manager of the Mountain Ranch Golf Club and Resort in Fairfield Bay, Ark., rated the No. 1 golf resort in the state. Prior to that Brian was the Head Golf Professional at Carolina Springs Golf Club in Fountain Inn, S.C.
His first job in golf was as Assistant Golf Professional at Verdae Greens Golf Club in Greenville, S.C., where he taught more than 300 lessons in two years and went through the PGA apprentice program in record time (12 months). He completed all four levels of the PGA certification in 1998.
Previous to his career in golf, Henderson was in the home building and land development business for more than 10 years, with experience in marketing, land acquisition and project management.
Born in Florida, Henderson grew up in Erie, Pa., and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Florida in 1982. He was named Alumnus of the Year for the College of Business in 1989.
Henderson and his wife Kim have been married five years.
"We are delighted and excited to have Brian join our team and The Ritz-Carlton family," said Jim McManemon, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. "Brian has great talent and a proven track record as a golf professional and effective leader." The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club, Sarasota is an 18-hole Tom Fazio design scheduled to open in December 2005. Unlike most Florida golf courses, The Members Golf Club will feature significant elevation changes that gracefully roll among the lakes and extensive landscape to form a fair and memorable test of golf. The Members Golf Club is an exclusive facility, available only for the use of Members of The Ritz-Carlton Members Club and guests of The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Contact:
Karen Moraghan
Hunter Public Relations * Special Events
11 West Fox Hill Road
Long Valley, NJ 07853
Tel: (908) 876-5100
Email: kmoraghan@hunter-pr.com