New Head of Golf Course Owners Association Will Champion Participation, Environmental Issues
CHARLESTON, S.C. (March 19, 2008) – Charlie Birney, whose family-owned business operates three Maryland golf courses where the environment and giving back to the community are top priorities, has been elected president of the National Golf Course Owners Association. Birney, 45, replaces Henry DeLozier, a principal with Global Golf Advisors, as president of the association that represents more than 6,000 golf course owners and operators in the U.S. and many parts of the world.
In addition to Birney, NGCOA members at their annual conference in February month elected Bill Aragona, president and general manager of Boulder Creek Golf and Country Club in Boulder Creek, Calif., as vice president; and Linda Rogers, owner of the Juday Creek Golf Course in Granger, Ind., as secretary. Meriam Leeke, owner and CEO of Old Channel Trail Golf in Montague, Mich., was reelected treasurer. Bill Brown, owner of Mont Cascades Golf Club in Chantley, PQ, Canada; and Matt Galvin, of RDC Golf Group inMonroe Township, N.J., were newly elected to the NGCOA board of directors. Birney and the other officers will serve two-year terms.
Birney is a managing director of The Brick Companies, an Edgewater, Md.-based firm that owns, develops and manages commercial, residential and recreational properties,
including the three golf courses that make up the company’s Atlantic Golf division. Atlantic
Golf and the Brick Companies support a number of area organizations, including Hospice of the Chesapeake and Queen Anne’s County, Boys and Girls Clubs of Annapolis and the Children’s National Medical Center.
Birney said as president he looks forward to supporting the association’s 2008 priority issues, which include increasing participation and promoting environmental awareness among those within and outside the golf industry.
“This is a critical period for owners and operators to position golf facilities as responsible stewards of the environment and to let others know how golf plays an important role in sustaining our communities,” Birney said. “I look forward to working with the association and my peers to advance those causes.”
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About the NGCOA
The National Golf Course Owners Association is the leading authority on the business of golf course ownership and management. The Association represents the key decision makers with ultimate responsibility for golf courses throughout the world. Through advocacy, information resources, purchasing programs and networking opportunities, the NGCOA helps golf course owners and operators run more successful businesses.
Contact:
Bill Bryant, Bryant Marketing Communications
678.366.3232
bbryant@bryantmarcomm.com
