Brooklawn Country Club
Fairfield, CT
General Manager
ABOUT BROOKLAWN COUNTRY CLUB
Golf and tennis plus a range of recreational activities, an active social life, a place for families and friends. What was true of Brooklawn Country Club at the close of the 19th century is true of the club today. It’s the same … but evolved for the 21st century. A 9-hole course designed by members is now one of the finest courses in Connecticut; three dirt tennis courts are a now seven-court tennis center with four paddle courts; where no pool existed is a swimming and recreational complex; a farmhouse that once served as the clubhouse is today’s 50,000-square-foot center of club social life. Yet members are here today for the same reasons they were well over a century ago: to recreate, relax, enjoy themselves, share experiences with family and friends.
The year was 1895. Bridgeport was not only the beating heart of industry in Connecticut, but also one of the great cities of New England and the entire United States. Bankers, entrepreneurs and merchants energized the city. The establishment of business clubs, yacht clubs and country clubs was on the horizon. After all, the wealthy wanted places where they could relax, have fun and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
In that environment, the power and commerce elite of Bridgeport began to discuss the formation and structure of a new club where they could bring their families for the enjoyment of various athletic and social activities. The group was led by Dr. I. DeVerWarner, one of the Bridgeport’s most powerful businessmen. In May of 1895, Brooklawn Country Club was founded, officially incorporated as the Brooklawn Club Corporation.
At about the same time, Clapp Spooner, a wealthy business owner himself, had the idea of fine homes in a planned community on the outskirts of Bridgeport. Over the years, he acquired farms and other land and eventually his dream came alive when he assembled a large and impressive tract that he named “Brooklawn Park.” The newly formed Brooklawn Club Corporation signed a lease with Spooner for 60 acres and the use of a farmhouse and barn as its clubhouse facilities (sited where today’s 15th green is located). The catalyst practically ensuring the success of this venture in days well before automobiles were in common use was the extension of the trolley line down Brooklawn Avenue (now Stratfield Road) virtually to the front door of the clubhouse. Such was the beginning of Brooklawn Country Club.
Brooklawn today continues to build for the future. A 17-bay maintenance facility for golf course and grounds equipment opened in 2019, and a complete renovation of the first floor of the clubhouse was completed in the spring of 2022. Plans are also in the works for an expansion of the platform tennis center, and the Club continues to have an active membership, a sound financial structure and dedicated professionals leading the golf, tennis, platform tennis and swimming programs.
The timeline that follows highlights notable events and people in Brooklawn’s long history. There are many: legendary golfers like Gene Sarazen whose game was formed at Brooklawn where he worked as an Assistant Golf Professional; five United States Golf Association championships; and a golf course that bears the unmistakable hand of golden age architect Albert Warren Tillinghast. Club History and Timeline
GOLF AT BROOKLAWN COUNTRY CLUB
Golf is a cornerstone at Brooklawn Country Club with a rich history including numerous USGA Championships. It has also been the launching pad for a number of notable golfers over the years such as Gene Sarazen, the first golfer to win the four modern major championships.
In 1929, A. W. Tillinghast, one of history’s premier golf architects, redesigned the course into its present form. Brooklawn’s sloping greens provide the biggest challenge and a good lag putter, who can read the greens, is always favored as a partner. While not lacking for length, off the tee, accuracy is more important than distance. Our great staff continues to build upon the fine traditions and facilities that make Brooklawn such a special place and does everything possible to assure your time on the golf course is unforgettable.
CHAMPIONSHIPS AT BROOKLAWN
2021 U.S. Senior Women's Open
Annika Sorenstam steadily pulled away from her closest pursuer, fellow Swede Liselotte Neumann, to capture the title in her U.S. Senior Women’s Open championship debut. She closed the final round with a 4-under-par 68 to complete 72 holes at 12-under 276 and post an eight-stroke victory!
2003 U.S. Girls' Junior
Click here to watch the '03 Summary.
1987 U.S. Senior Open
Click here to watch the '87 Summary.
1979 U.S. Women's Open
Jerilyn Britz crafted a final-round 69 to earn a two-stroke victory over Debbie Massey and Sandra Palmer. Her total of 284 tied the Women's Open scoring record set by Louise Suggs in 1952.
1974 U.S. Junior Amateur
David Nevatt defeated Mark Tinder, 4 and 3, in the finals. In this Championship, Chip Beck earned the qualifying medal with a one-under-par total of 143. On his way to the final match, Nevatt defeated Bill Loeffler of Englewood, Colorado, 2 and 1, in the semifinal round. Loeffler would go on to become the 1986 U.S. Mid-Amateur champion.
BROOKLAWN COUNTRY CLUB - By the Numbers
GENERAL FACILITY INFORMATION MEMBERSHIP
Facility Type - Private Total memberships: 412 (all classes)
Ownership - Member-Owned/ Equity Wait list - approximately 25
Employees (in season): 125
Employees (off season): 40
FINANCIAL GOLF OPERATIONS
FY2023 Budget - $9 million Number of holes: 18 Holes
Current Initiation Fee - $60,000 ` Number of annual rounds: 25,000
Annual Dues - $13,000 Number of annual golf outings: 12
Food Minimum - $1,750
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Brooklawn Country Club is seeking an established, dynamic, energetic, innovative, and visible General Manager to enhance the current member experience and take the club to the next level. The Club has a great vision, culture, and long-range plan and needs an experienced General Manager to help guide the club toward the goal of being the best club in the area.
Qualified candidates will thrive in a hospitality environment focused on member engagement, staff leadership, and innovative programming designed to enhance the exclusive, fun, family, and friendly nature of Brooklawn.
The position will manage all aspects of the club including all activities and relationships between the club and its Board of Governors, members, guests, employees, community, government, and industry. The successful candidate will report to the Club President and Board of Governors. The position currently supervises an excellent team of department heads and employs a total of 125 staff in season
Keys to Successful Performance
Leadership
Visible, engaging leader with outstanding interpersonal skills
Excellent relationship builder with both members and staff
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Proficient in managing department heads in various golf course functions
Proven track record of success in staff recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and training
Ability to empower and develop staff to grow as leaders
Growing member engagement across all club activities
Financial Acumen
Proven track record of fiscal management success
Enhanced reporting and cash flow visibility
Visionary fiscal planner with experience in capital project planning
Innovation
Innovative visionary to enhance all club activities while maintaining the club's history and traditions
Food and Beverage
Ability to build an exceptional food and beverage experience by systematically orienting and training the team to consistently achieve high standards of service.
Personal Traits
High personal integrity, visible, honesty, straightforwardness, professional, driven, take charge, problem solver, innovative, change agent, team player, sociable
Member of Professional organization(s) with enhanced education preferred (CCM, PGA Executive Management)
Commitment to Brooklawn
Willing and able to build a membership focused, premier club
The club is in search of a visionary leader with a minimum tenure of 7-10 years
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Visible leader available to both members and staff
Ability to recruit, train, educate, a team on providing an outstanding member experience and enhanced member engagement
Governance leadership experience serving as a true thought partner to the Board and Committees
Prepares and monitors annual budget, revenue goals and expenses, and generating various (weekly, monthly, etc.) business volume forecasts.
Monitors financial reports/statements daily, weekly, and monthly basis for the facility and takes effective corrective action when necessary.
Establishes, initiates, and monitors basic personnel policies and training along with professional development programs.
Ensures all Human Resources procedures and policies are followed by management staff.
Develops, maintains and administers a sound organizational plan and initiates improvements as necessary.
Maintains membership with the PGA and/or CMAA and other professional associations.
Attends workshops and meetings to keep abreast of current information and developments.
Oversees the care and maintenance of all the facility's physical assets.
Coordinates marketing programs to promote the facility's services to potential customers.
Ensures the highest standards for food and beverage products and service on property.
Implements policies and procedures for multiple departments, including compliance of all company standards relating to the quality of products and services.
Responsible for interviewing, hiring, training, planning, assigning, and directing work, evaluating performance, rewarding, and disciplining associates; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Assures that effective orientation and training are given to each new associate and coordinates ongoing training programs.
Regular, reliable, and visible attendance
Demonstrates accountability for all club functions to both internal and external stakeholders
Follows all Club Bylaws and policies and procedures
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's degree (BA) from four-year college or university with a hospitality degree preferred ; and five years' experience at a member owned private club as a GM or Assistant GM; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Other Qualifications:
A visible, high energy, dynamic leader with a skill set to lead nearly 100 associates and oversee all club operations
Proven history of strong financial performance and acumen
Extensive food & beverage experience to oversee bar, dining and catering operations
Strong organizational, communication, interpersonal and leadership skills required
An entrepreneurial approach to marketing and technology that has enhanced past club's through innovation
Experience with capital/facilities renovation projects preferred
Proven ability to grow member engagement across all club activities
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The club will provide a competitive compensation, performance bonus and benefits package commensurate with experience and qualifications
This includes but not limited to:
Competitive base salary
Performance bonus based on personal and club metrics
Full benefits package (medical, dental, vision, and life insurance)
401k plan with company match
Paid time off
Golf Privileges
Cell Phone Allowance
Interested candidates with specific compensation questions can contact the Career Services team.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
All applications MUST be submitted through the PGA of America's Career Services Department as described below.
Resume deadline is January 26, 2023
Combine your cover letter, resume, references, and any supporting documents into one (1) PDF document with the following file naming convention: Last Name, First Name, Brooklawn Country Club
Please address all correspondence to - Mr. William Wallace | Committee Chair
Jonathan Gold, PGA is the lead Consultant for this opportunity. For additional information and questions, please contact him directly.
The employer does not wish to be contacted at this time.
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