Wintergreen Resort Appoints Licata To Direct Operations At Popular Mountain Course
WINTERGREEN, Va. (July 26, 2011) – An experienced golf professional with an extensive background in resort course and private club management has been named head professional at the popular Devils Knob Golf Course at Wintergreen Resort, one of the premier mountain golf destinations in the United States.
Philip Licata, who has spent the majority of his golf career in Florida, comes to Wintergreen from Rumson Country Club, in Rumson, N.J., where the past five years he developed programs for members and junior that increased participation 80 percent.
A certified golf fitness professional, Licata is an accomplished instructor who has coordinated successful golf schools, clinics and served as director of the Short Game Academy for The Academy of Golf at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
“The addition of Philip to our golf staff is another significant step to further our commitment to golf,” said Hank Thiess, General Manager of Wintergreen Resort. “While his focus will be on our mountain course venue, his experience in the golf industry will be an asset to our entire golf operation, at both the Devils Knob and Stoney Creek courses and the Wintergreen Golf Academy.”
Licata, 50, is a native of Yonkers, N.Y., who grew up in Cleveland. Golf is his “second career,” after spending 18 years in thoroughbred horse racing, as an exercise rider, trainer and owner. He did not play golf seriously until he was 29, but within 10 years became fully certified as a member of the PGA of America.
Licata began his career in the golf industry in 1994 as a teaching professional at PGA National, where he spent nearly nine years. In 2003 Licata became first assistant at The Florida Club in Stuart, Fla., and was elevated in 2004 to head golf professional. He held that post until 2006, when he accepted the position at Rumson CC.
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About Wintergreen Resort: Wintergreen Resort is an 11,000-acre, four-season resort located atop the Blue Ridge Mountains southwest of Charlottesville, Va. This beautiful hideaway is the ultimate vacation and conference spot, nearly 300 condominium-style accommodations; 45 holes of championship golf; snow skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing; an award-winning tennis program; a full-service, destination spa; 40,000 square feet of meeting and event space; and savory dining options. The resort is located adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway in beautiful central Virginia near Charlottesville, just 90 minutes from Richmond, Va., three hours from Washington, D.C. and Raleigh, N.C., five and a half hours from Philadelphia, and eight hours from Atlanta. For more information, guests can call (434) 325-2200 or visit the resort’s web site at www.wintergreenresort.com.
Contact:
Dana Quillen
Wintergreen Resort
434/325-8150
dquillen@wintergreenresort.com
Karen Moraghan
Hunter Public Relations – East
908/876-5100
kmoraghan@hunter-pr.com
