Casper honors staff, courses

Vienna, Va. – Billy Casper Golf capped 2005 by giving corporate awards at the company’s annual meeting in Jacksonville, Fla., to critical staff for their stellar performances last year.

Billy Casper was on-hand for the awards ceremony and distributed each honor to the recipients.

For the first time in its 17-year history, BCG conducted its annual meeting and awards ceremonies outside of the Washington, D.C. area, where its corporate headquarters are located. The firm’s geographic scope was illustrated by the decision to host the hundreds of key BCG personnel working for golf facilities in every region of the United States. In 2005, the number of courses operated by BCG grew to 61.

“The success of Billy Casper Golf is a result of the incredible staff we hire to work at our owned and operated facilities,” says BCG chairman and c.e.o. Peter Hill. “The talent and know-how assembled in Jacksonville was incredible and the annual award winners are both leaders among their BCG colleagues and throughout the entire golf industry.”

Awards were issued for achievement in 14 diverse categories that included Facility of the Year, General Manager of the Year and Top Performer – which goes to the most successful facility based on financial performance.

The Chairman’s Award – honoring outstanding performance, leadership and commitment by a member of the BCG staff – went to Jason Lenhart, an eight-year veteran of the firm who holds two critical roles. As BCG’s northeast regional manager and the general manager of Maple Moor Golf Course in White Plains near New York City, Lenhart manages a critical facility and directs operations at other courses in New York and New Jersey. Lenhart also factored into Maple Moor winning BCG’s 2005 Service Award for the facility that best made customers feel welcome and offered “above and beyond” service.

“Jason Lenhart typifies the level of service and excellence we strive for on behalf of our clients and our customers,” says Hill. “He is a consummate professional, a tremendous leader and an asset to our firm and our game.”

Other winners of BCG’s 2005 annual awards were:
· Facility of the Year – Wintonbury Hills (Conn.).
· General Manager of the Year – Mark Brouwer, Stonebridge Meadows (Ark.).
· Top Performer of the Year – Bent Creek (Fla.).
· Most Improved Facility – Indian Boundary (Ill.).
· Community Service Award – Cincinnati Recreation Commission Golf Courses (Ohio) and Lyman Orchards (Conn.).
· Merchandiser of the Year – Compass Pointe Golf Course (Md.).
· Rookie of the Year – Paul Taggart, Lyman Orchards (Conn.).
· Salesperson of the Year – Angela Boroni, Reston National (Va.) and Nancy Akins, Stonebridge Golf Club (Ga.).
· Head Professional of the Year – Ryan Phelps, Bent Creek (Fla.) and Scott Ashworth, Kaanapali Golf Courses (Hawaii).
· Assistant Professional of the Year – Tony Harris, Eisenhower Golf Course (Md.) and David Kendall, Sumner Meadows (Wash).
· Service Award – Maple Moor (N.Y.).
· Food & Beverage Operation of the Year - Dining – Wintonbury Hills (Conn.).
· Food & Beverage Operation of the Year - Grille – Cincinnati Recreation Commission Golf Courses (Ohio).

“All of the winners, as well as their fellow nominees, made a tremendous impact in 2005,” says Bob Morris, BCG’s vice chairman and co-founder. “As Billy Casper Golf and careers of our professionals grow, the awards and nomination process gets more and more competitive. This year’s group should be very proud of their achievement.”