•Jack Hrad, a former Golf Inc. Most Admired Operator, has moved from Pearl Valley Golf Estates to Brynwood Golf & Country Club in Armonk, NY, both Troon Golf facilities.
Hrad, who joined Troon Golf in 2001, brings to Brynwood more than three decades of experience managing golf resort communities around the world. Pearl Valley Golf Estates in Cape Winelands, South Africa, was host to the South Africa Open for 2007, 2008 and 2009. Prior to that, Hrad served as GM for The Club at St. James Plantation in Southport, North Carolina. In addition to his many years of experience with Troon Golf, Mr. Hrad has also held executive and GM positions with Sedona Clubs & Resorts International in Singapore and Indonesia as well as ClubCorp International country clubs in the U.S., China and Indonesia.
•Becky Bishop is the new general manager at Ridgefields Country Club in Kingsport, Tenn. Stan Pace acquired the Donald Ross-designed course from mortgage holder First Community Bank. The course was closed in December when the club and the bank could not agree on bankruptcy terms. Don Gibson is the new director of golf.
•Matthew Toney takes over the golf shop and concessions for Harrison Park Golf Course. The City of Danville, Ill., expects revenue from the pro shop and concessions to fall in the $130,000 to $150,000 range during Toney’s first year of management, matching recent years. Toney will work an independent contractor and thus not be a city employee. The city previously staffed the pro shop and concessions with city employees, requiring payouts for health benefits. Toney is leasing the golf shop from the city for $1 for the first year and will pay $3.6K annually for each of the following two years. The city approved Toney’s contract earlier this month, allowing him to step in on March 8. The City of Danville will retain ownership of the golf course and responsibility for its maintenance. Toney will be paid $40K annually for the three years of his contract, plus a 10% bonus based on an improvement in the golf course’s total revenue. The city-owned course has pulled in $375,000 to $400,000 annually in recent years.