Bay Point Golf Club Names John Ward General Manager
Industry Veteran Takes Helm of Golf Operations at Panama City Beach Club
Panama City Beach, FL (February 10, 2020) – Bay Point Golf Club at Sheraton Panama City Beach Resort & Spa and KemperSports are pleased to announce John Ward as general manager of the golf operations for the 18 hole Nicklaus designed facility. Ward is a 32 year veteran of the golf industry and a PGA Class A Professional with intimate knowledge of the Florida Panhandle market. His experience includes a five-year stint as general manager at Burnt Pine Golf Club at Sandestin and a seven year term as vice president of golf and club activities at the Resort Collection of Panama City Beach and Hombre Golf Club.
“John is a wonderful addition to our team at Bay Point, and his knowledge of the local and regional market will have an immediate impact as he takes the helm of the operation” said KemperSports’ regional operations executive Matt Lindley. “We are confident that our golf guests and members will continue to receive the best service in the market and Bay Point will remain on the cutting edge of the local and regional golf scene.”
Ward joins Bay Point from Hacienda Hills Country Club in The Villages where he served as facility manager for the past 2 years. In his role at Bay Point, Ward will oversee the golf operation, merchandising, maintenance and act as the local liaison with the hotel staff at Sheraton Panama City Beach Resort. Ward began his career in the Shreveport, Louisiana area at Palmetto Country Club before moving to Southern Trace Country Club. He played collegiately at Bossier Parish Community College and was elected into the PGA of America in 1993.
Originally designed by Bruce Devlin in 1986 (as Lagoon Legends) and renovated by Nicklaus Design in 2005, Bay Point Golf Club is the only Nicklaus Design golf course in Northwest Florida. The Sheraton Panama City Beach Resort remains one of the top golf destination resorts along the Emerald Coast anchored by the par 72 Nicklaus Design championship layout that stretches over 7,100 yards from the back tees. The course has hosted numerous regional and local events, including the USGA U.S. Open Qualifier in 2016 and 2017. Bay Point Golf Club is also a home course of the Florida State University Women’s Golf Team.
KemperSports was selected in 2015 to manage the overall golf operation at Bay Point Golf Club. The club has won the Panama City News Herald’s “Best of Bay” golf course every year since 2016.
Bay Point is owned by Torchlight Investments, LLC and managed by Northbrook, Ill.-based KemperSports.
For more information about Bay Point Golf Club or Sheraton Panama City Beach Resort, visit www.baypointgolf.com or www.sheratonpanamacitybeach.com and connect with the Bay Point Golf Club social media channels on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BayPointGolfClub/ or on Instagram @baypointgolf.
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About KemperSports
Northbrook, Ill.-based KemperSports builds, owns, leases and manages golf courses, resorts, athletic clubs and lodging venues across the U.S. and Caribbean. The company manages an award-winning portfolio including nationally-ranked courses, private clubs, municipal courses and tournament venues such as Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, named the No. 1 Golf Resort in North America by Golf Digest and GOLF magazine; Streamsong Resort; The Glen Club; Desert Willow Golf Resort; Chambers Bay, host of the 2015 U.S. Open. For more information about KemperSports, please visit https://www.kempersports.com/.
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About Sheraton Panama City Beach Resort & Spa
As a quintessential Florida vacation destination, Sheraton Panama City Beach Resort & Spa, is nestled along the historic St. Andrews Bay and recently unveiled an impressive $30 million-dollar renovation and rebranding. The resort creates a distinct coastal experience as the only AAA Four Diamond rated hotel in Panama City Beach. Speckled by palm trees, pines and moss-draped oaks, the 320-room resort features a new, modern design, five dining options, 60,000 sq. ft. of event and meeting space, a private bay beach, two pools as well as a full service spa, tennis courts, watersports and boating to Shell Island. Embracing the pristine, natural backdrop, including the only Nicklaus Design course in Northwest Florida, Sheraton Bay Point Resort is the only Starwood Hotels & Resorts property in the region. Sheraton Bay Point Resort is managed by Crescent Hotels and Resorts.
Media Contacts:
Craig Falanga
Regional Sales & Marketing Director
KemperSpors
P. 561.252.6177
cfalanga@kempersports.com
