2022 April Newsletter | Page 8

CHAT WITH JACK
Monday Afternoon Chat with Jack Bovay , LGCC President , and Jake Valentino , Golf Superintendent & Interim General Manager
I sat down with Jack and Jake to talk about recent changes at LGCC .
Jack opened the conversation saying the past several weeks have brought significant change to LGCC . Cliff Easum , General Manager , retired due to health issues leaving a big hole in the day-to-day management of the club . Troon , LGCC ’ s management company , tapped Jake Valentino as Interim General Manager . Jake will function as Superintendent and Interim General Manager until a new GM is named . Jack and the Board of Directors are thrilled with Jake ’ s willingness to accept the challenge . Both jobs are more than full time positions on their own but collectively represent quite a challenge . Jake brings a wealth of knowledge , experience and skill to LGCC having worked on a golf course since the age of 16 . One need only look at the improvements made to our golf course to know what a difference Jake has made . Members and visitors praise the condition of the course like never before .
Jake has been employed by Troon for 19 years . He has done it all - maintenance , food services , cart barn , Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent . Jack is thrilled to have Jake ’ s experience and expertise and the two are working closely together ( the Jack and Jake duo ) during the transition . Jack asks that members contact him for help with club issues and concerns and Jake for all golf course related issues . Jack talked about the added responsibilities Jake is taking on and says our membership can help Jake by doing the simple things - fixing divots , staying an adequate distance from greens and tee boxes when driving golf carts . These are small things but they make a difference and make life for Jake and crew easier .
Jake ’ s background and experience are impressive . He graduated from West Virginia University with a BS in Journalism and a minor in Business Administration in 2008 . Following graduation , he completed a Turf Grass Management program through the Institute of Applied Agriculture at the University of Maryland . He has experience in high , low and middle tier golf courses . Jake ’ s management style is leading by example . He says he will never ask an employee to do any task he would not do himself . He has met with employees individually and together they have set mutually agreed upon expectations and accountability measures for performance . He meets with department heads weekly to plan for upcoming events . He asks them what they need and how he can help . He believes the key to success is taking baby steps .
His goal is for the inside and outside of LGCC to match in quality . He is working on staffing and hopes to have all open slots filled asap . When asked what success at LGCC looks like to him , he says : “ Good golf , good food , good pool and good amenities ”. He wants members and guests to have an excellent country club experience at LGCC .
When you see Jake , let him know that the LGCC family appreciates everything he is doing for our club .
By :

Bev Burks

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