Howard brings more than 30 years of experience at top public, private golf courses to Suncadia
CLE ELUM, WASH. – Suncadia, a premier, all-season mountain resort and residential destination just 80 miles east of Seattle in the Cascade Mountains, announces today the appointment of Darren Howard as the destination’s new Director of Golf. With more than three decades of experience at top courses and private clubs from coast to coast, Howard brings a keen understanding of the golf industry to his role at Suncadia. Howard will oversee Suncadia’s entire golf operation, including its two award-winning public courses and the Tom Doak designed private course within gated community Tumble Creek, while managing a team of more than 150 employees across the destination.
“When I first came here and saw the three courses with their incredible mountain views and facilities, I really felt there was unlimited potential,” says Howard. “With few golf offerings in the Pacific Northwest, I think Suncadia has a great opportunity to create a special and unique experience for its guests. I’m looking forward to working with our team here to elevate Suncadia as one of the most sought-after golf destinations, not only in the region, but across the country, and I have no doubt we can achieve that.”
Howard’s career began in 1991 when he became a PGA Class A Professional in 1991. In the years since, Howard has gained experience at some of the nation’s most prestigious golf clubs, including Palmetto Dunes Resort on Hilton Head Island, SC; The Dye Preserve in Jupiter, FL; The Blackthorn Club in Johnson City, TN.; and most recently Incline Village in North Lake Tahoe, NV. Throughout his career, Howard has organized and executed many events both on a local and national level like the Mike Schmidt Celebrity Pro/Am, NCAA championships, South Carolina Palmetto Cup, the Niswonger Children’s Celebrity Golf Classic, Texas State Amateur and Big 12 Match Play Championship, among others. He has been named the PGA Chapter Professional of the Year twice, has played on PGA Cup teams, and earned PGA’s Teacher of the Year accolade four times over his career.
In his new role at Suncadia, Howard will work to optimize golf operations across the destination, tapping into his years on the service end of the industry to further enhance the guest experience at Suncadia. Working in tandem with the course superintendents, Howard will seek opportunities to improve playability of all three courses, upgrade bunkers, and fine tune each hole. In the year ahead, Howard also plans to develop new “Stay and Play” packages and course programming to further engage Suncadia resort guests and residents with the destination’s golf amenities.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Darren to the team,” says Mark Thorne, managing director of Suncadia. “He possesses a wealth of experience and perspective from multiple facets of the industry, which will be invaluable to driving forward Suncadia’s golf programming and guest experience. We look forward to the insights he will bring to the table to help further shine a spotlight on Suncadia as a must-visit golf destination in the Pacific Northwest.”
Suncadia offers two scenic championship golf courses open to the public on its 6,400-acre property. Set within a pine and fir forest with lakes and ponds, Prospector Golf Course, designed by Arnold Palmer Course Design Company, is adjacent to the 18-room Inn at Suncadia. Family friendly Rope Rider Golf Course, designed by Jacobsen Hardy Golf Course Design, is named after the coal miners who precariously balanced themselves on the coal cars that maneuvered the steep slopes of mine shafts in the region. The foundations and portals of mines No. 9 and 10 remain on the course, along with Tipple Hill – 120-foot hill of coal tailings. Rope Rider also features a unique practice and casual play par-3 course at the Rope Rider Golf Park.
Within gated enclave Tumble Creek, Suncadia also offers a private, members-only golf course providing players a pristine experience with amazing views and vantage points at every turn. Envisioned by acclaimed golf course architect Tom Doak, the Tumble Creek course represents the designer’s signature mountain course. It features multiple tee options and placements for a truly multi-level and multi-generational round of golf within a spectacular, natural landscape.
For public play, the Rope Rider Course is currently open for the season, while the Prospector Course will open on May 12. For more information on Suncadia’s golf courses and visitor experience, please visit https://www.destinationhotels.com/suncadia-resort/golf.
About Suncadia:
Suncadia is a 6,400-acre all-season resort community and Destination by Hyatt property located on the sunny side of the Cascade Mountains about 80 miles east of Seattle. Neighboring the idyllic small towns of Cle Elum and Roslyn, Suncadia’s beautiful, forested mountain landscape makes it the perfect basecamp for exploring a multitude of Pacific Northwest adventures. The community is comprised of varied accommodations including The Lodge, The Inn, and vacation rental homes; the award-winning Glade Spring Spa; more than eight dining outlets; three acclaimed golf courses; Nelson Farm Pool; the Swim and Fitness Center; community parks; miles of hiking and biking trails; and much more. In addition to the resort, Suncadia is also home to Tumble Creek, a 2,600-acre private residential enclave, offering a collection of luxury homes and homesites with premium community amenities. Developed with a commitment to long term sustainability and land conservation while honoring Eastern Washington’s rich history, Suncadia offers a deeply thoughtful and remarkable destination for all generations. For more information, please visit www.suncadia.com.
About Tumble Creek at Suncadia:
Tumble Creek is the 2,600-acre private residential enclave of Suncadia Resort, a 6,400-acre master planned community located just 80 miles east of Seattle at the base of the Cascade Mountains. Tumble Creek offers a collection of homes and homesites with luxury Club amenities including a private Tom Doak golf course, The Hill House Swim & Fitness Club, and the Great House & Family Recreation Center, alongside miles of community trails, parks, and access to Suncadia Resort facilities. For more information on Tumble Creek, please visit www.tumblecreek.com.
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