Industry veteran will oversee all golf operations for the luxury resort’s new golf complex
Plymouth, MI – Saint John’s Resort, Detroit’s leading hotel and conference destination resort, has hired Stan Witko as its Executive Director of Golf. The 20-year industry veteran will oversee all golf operations that include the new 18-hole course, short course and putting course opening in 2024.
“When I saw the Saint John’s job posting, I had a feeling it was an incredible opportunity and that my abilities aligned perfectly with the vision of the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation for this remarkable property.” said Witko. “With the addition of The Cardinal Golf Course to our already luxurious resort, Saint John’s will solidify its position as Detroit’s premier destination resort. Our aim is to provide extraordinary experiences not only to locals, but also to visitors and golf enthusiasts from all corners of the world.”
After college Witko shifted career paths and attended The Golf Academy of America. After graduating with honors, he began his golfing career at Diamond Woods, a small course in Oregon. He then worked as the first assistant at The Golf Club of Terra Lago in Palm Springs before becoming the Director of Golf for the Himalayan Youth Golf Organization in Nepal — a life-changing experience that the country recognized him for changing and growing golf.
“I spent about a year in Nepal, building a program from scratch with sponsorship provided largely through a private donor and from the R&A,” explained Witko. “I was also able to help create new revenue streams for the Nepali Golf Professionals, bring the Faldo Tour to Nepal through a five-country agreement, and brought them new teaching equipment and new ways of instructing, including allowing all children access to golf, regardless of their financial situation. My work in Nepal really prepared me for everything else in life, especially my golf career and impacting people.”
Following Nepal, Witko joined Riverside Golf and Country Club in Portland, Ore. where he spent seven years working his way up to General Manager before making the move to Saint John’s Resort. In addition to his passion for golf, Witko is a licensed skydiver and one of a few people who are members of both the PGA of America and the United States Parachute Association.
Selecting Witko for the new position was an easy decision for Saint John’s executives. “We are very excited to have Stan become a part of our team here at Saint John’s Resort,” said Paul Wegert, CEO of Boutique Hotel Professionals and managing director of Saint John’s Resort. “With our golf facility being completely reshaped and the high-end golf product and golf entertainment venue we will now be providing our guests, Stan was the perfect fit to help us provide our guests with the ultimate golf experience.”
Witko also intends to work jointly with organizations like The First Tee, in order to provide space and learning for children who may not have any access to golf without assistance.
“My goal is to be one of the top golf experiences and venues in Michigan, and that comes from creating and running a world class operation, and also from the deeper mission at Saint John’s Resort, which is to truly help those who are less fortunate.”
About Saint John’s Resort
Saint John’s Resort, the premier resort destination in Detroit, features 200 acres of luscious grounds, 118 luxurious hotel rooms, two bars and restaurants – upscale FIVE Steakhouse and the brand-new Wine Grotto (opening Summer 2023), and more than 50,000 square feet of unique event and wedding space. With a rich history that dates back to the late 1940s, Saint John’s Resort originally opened its doors as a seminary. After more than 40 years, the seminary closed, and it was re-opened in the late 90s as a retreat center for youth and families, before converting to a conference center and hotel. In 2021, the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation acquired the Inn at St. John’s and began converting it into what it is now – Saint John’s Resort. Undergoing a multi-million-dollar renovation, the property will open an additional 50,000 square feet of meeting space along with a new 18-hole championship golf course, seven-hole Par-3 course, two-acre putting course, and a more casual third bar/restaurant in 2024. The resort is part of the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation’s “Humanitarian Hotels” strategy – undertaking initiatives for employees, guests, and their communities that represent the Foundation’s mission of serving those in need. Additionally, 100% of the net profits from the resort are donated to educational and humanitarian initiatives from Metro Detroit and around the globe. Visit www.saintjohnsresort.com.
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