LAKE MARY, FL – Shawn McGuigan knew early on that his life’s work would center on the golf business. He just didn’t know how diverse the experience would prove to be.
McGuigan, who took over as General Manager at Timacuan Golf & Country Club in Lake Mary last October, started in the bag room at his home course in Rye, NY, as a 14-year-old. Since then he has worked in nearly every capacity of the golf club business, including ownership.
“Through work and junior playing opportunities, I had access to the most premier private facilities in the Northeast,” said McGuigan. “I experienced golf operations at the highest level which has translated into an understanding of how golf courses operate to serve the members and create a safe, fun environment for families to enjoy.
“It has been quite a ride, and I still love the business,” said McGuigan. “I have met so many great people throughout my career, and our current staff and membership here at Timacuan are included in that group.”
McGuigan is a graduate of Stetson University in Deland, FL, where he competed on the golf team and also met his wife Rebecca, who later attended the Stetson Law School. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree. They now have two children, Cait (14) and Ryan (11).
After a brief stint competing professionally, McGuigan decided his future was inside the business, not on the course. His first official job was as an assistant professional at Pelican Bay Country Club under the management company Meadowbrook Golf.
His first opportunity as a head pro came at Indigo Lakes Golf Club, and after two years he was promoted to GM while finishing his PGA Class A certification. After successfully overseeing a complete greens renovation and restoring Indigo Lakes to a profitable operation, the club was sold to a private owner. He stayed on through transition of ownership, and once that was established he was tasked with Multi-Club management responsibilities running Indigo Lakes as well as Palisades Country Club in Clermont.
In 2008 McGuigan was contacted by the attorney and note holder of his former club Pelican Bay.
“Based on my reputation and relationships forged in the community, the opportunity arose to purchase the club where I began my career,” said McGuigan. “I secured funding through a private company and completed the purchase for 1.5 million. During my time at Pelican Bay I navigated a million plus insurance claim due to faulty roof construction, secured leases for carts and golf maintenance equipment and built the company from the ground up.”
McGuigan owned the club for six years, taking a failing club on the brink of bankruptcy and restoring it to prominence.
“Club ownership was a career goal that I accomplished much faster than anticipated,” he said. “I sold the club in 2014 for 3.2 million and took six months off to spend time with my family.”
McGuigan couldn’t handle the inactivity, however, so he took a Head Professional position at Red Tail GC.
Soon after, he accepted the General Manager position at DeBary G&CC with ClubCorp. After five years at DeBary he took the GM job at Timacuan.
“I have always been a big fan of this golf course,” said McGuigan of the Ron Garl-designed Timacuan layout. “It is a diverse layout with a lot of unique and interesting holes. It is the kind of course you never get tired of playing. I have great memories of Timacuan and the amazing conditions and experience since I passed my PAT Player Ability Test for PGA Certification early in my career at this great course.
“I was thrilled to come here and work on bringing Timacuan back to the position it once held as one of the state’s top golf experiences. We have a great team here with a passionate membership. It’s an exciting challenge.”
ABOUT TIMACUAN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
The semi-private Timacuan, designed by Ron Garl, is located in Lake Mary near Interstate 4, just minutes north of downtown Orlando. It has been ranked as high as No. 14 in Florida. It is considered one of the most popular tournament layouts in Central Florida because of its variety. Timacuan is home to the Foley Performance Academy, headed by world-renowned instructor Sean Foley. For more information about the tournament, membership programs or daily fee play, visit www.golftimacuan.com, or call 407-321-0010, Ext. 1.
Media Contact:
Mike Jamison
Jamison Golf Group
407-474-0531
mike@jamisongolf.com
