General Manager Specification
Club Facts
Legal Entity: Incorporated, For Profit
Number of Members: Golf 352, Social 212, Dining 62
Gross Dollar Volume: $8,000,000
Food & Beverage Revenue: $2,084,000
Full Time/Seasonal Employees: 46/54
Member Average Age: 49
Rounds of Golf: 20,000
Golf Course Par: 72
Annual Golf Events: 45+
Annual Social & Family Events: 90+
Amenities: 18-Hole Golf Course, Indoor Golf Instructional Facility, 2 Putting Greens, Driving Range, 7 Har-Tru Clay
Tennis Courts, Pool & Baby Pool, Swim Team, Fitness Center, Restaurant/Catering, Clubhouse, Golf and
Tennis Professional Shops, Private Events, Camps, Clinics, Private Instruction
Website: www.cattailcreekcc.com
Position Description Overview
The General Manager (“GM”) is a visible, energetic and ethical leader who serves as the Chief Operating Officer
of Cattail Creek Country Club (“Club”) and has overall responsibility for the management of all operations of the
Club. The GM reports to the Board of Directors (“Board”) through its President, and is responsible for carrying out
the Club’s policies, adhering to the protocols of the Club’s governance documents and modeling the behaviors
of the Club’s mission and values. Further, the GM actively interfaces with the Executive Committee of the Board
and the Board Committee Chairs, facilitating meetings, implementing/monitoring programs and initiatives, and
providing reports on Club activities and programs.
The GM develops, maintains and promotes a management philosophy that culminates in Member satisfaction
and employee engagement, while consistently achieving the mandates of the annual/long term financial and
strategic plans.
Areas of focus for GM include:
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Member satisfaction through outstanding service, communication and teamwork
Rapport and trust with staff at every level of the organization
Accountability for the annual operating/capital budget and human resources workforce programs
Strategic planning, inclusive of balancing the return on investment with the expansion of services/programs that
reflect the dynamic needs of the Membership
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· Vendor management and stewardship of resources
· Integration of programs and activities into a seamless operating model that enhances the reputation and brand
of the Club in the community and fosters the “family club” experience for the Membership
Organizational Chart
The GM directly supervises the Controller, Head Golf Professional, Golf Course Superintendent, Director of Fitness,
Director of Tennis, Clubhouse Manger, Executive Chef, Membership Marketing Director, Swim Team Coach, Facility
Engineer, and is responsible for the mentoring and professional growth of the management team.
Candidate Qualifications & Experience
The selected candidate will be currently employed as a senior operations leader in the country club, resort and/or
hospitality industry, and will have a well-developed skill set and demonstrated professional track record in the
areas of:
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operations management
financial analysis and cost-based management
budgeting
strategic planning
vendor relationship management
human resources talent management
program and project management
information technology systems and the Microsoft Suite of Word, Excel and PowerPoint
public speaking, business writing, meeting facilitation and presentations
Position Requirements
· Consistent track record of employment with at least seven years of senior operations leadership experience in
positions of increasing responsibility
· Overall operating budget (P & L) responsibility of at least $5m
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· Bachelor’s degree in business administration, hospitality management, or related field of study from an
accredited college or university
· Management of at least 40 employees, with at least five direct reports at the director/manager level
· Expertise in service excellence, seasonal business operations and diverse/high-end recreational programs (golf,
tennis, fitness, food and beverage, aquatics, etc.)
· Refined skill set in human resource management (training, performance management and development,
employee engagement)
Preferred Qualifications
· Professional certifications or designations in the country club and/or hospitality profession (e.g. CCM/CCE)
· Understanding of the private club hospitality business
· Active participation in professional associations that offer tangible benchmarking opportunities, translating into
the adoption of innovative programs
Compliance
In accordance with federal, state and local laws, certain physical skills are required for all positions with the Club,
including but not limited to: repetitive motions (typing), sitting, lifting greater than twenty (20) pounds, ability to
view electronic monitors at close distance, and frequent walking.
Employees are required to conform to the policies and procedures of the Club, to meet the Club’s expectations
of high ethical and professional demeanor and to understand the obligation to carry out responsibilities in
accordance with the Club’s standards, policies, procedures and governing documents.
In keeping with federal, state and local laws, the Club forbids employees to discriminate against anyone based on
race, religion, color, gender, age, marital status, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other
characteristic protected by law. The Club is committed to establishing and maintaining a workplace free of
discrimination. The Club is fully committed to equal employment opportunity. The Club will not tolerate unlawful
discrimination in the recruitment, hiring, termination, promotion, salary treatment or any other condition of
employment or career development.
The selected candidate for this position will be required to complete and sign an employment application,
successfully pass a background check to the Club’s satisfaction, and agree to an employee confidentiality
agreement as a condition of employment. Further, the selected candidate will need to acknowledge that they
are not restricted by any non-compete or similar employment agreement.
The selected candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States without a Club-sponsored petition
for visa, such as an H-1B visa. The Club does not intend to file any visa applications in connection with this position.
Compensation
The Club offers a competitive total compensation package. This includes a base salary, annual bonus program,
medical and life insurance coverage, membership benefits, automobile allowance, clothing allowance, meals,
mobile telephone, and generous paid time off. Additionally, relocation assistance is available.
This is an exempt position requiring hours of work that extend beyond the traditional work hours, including
evenings, holidays, and weekends that meet the demands of the seasonal nature of this position. Full time
residency in the Howard County, Maryland area is a requirement for this position.
The candidate of choice will be offered an “at-will” employment arrangement.
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About Howard County, Maryland
Howard County rests in the center of the huge Baltimore/Washington job market, and boasts one of the country’s
highest ranked public school systems, average home value, and average household income. It is convenient to all
major interstates, three international airports, commuter trains, and hundreds of recreational and cultural
attractions. It also has diverse housing settings from the rural west, to the Ellicott City and Clarksville suburbs, to the
award-winning planned community of Columbia. With a population just shy of 300,000, and covering an area of
250 square miles, Howard County, Maryland, boasts numerous nationally recognized accolades, a small sampling
includes:
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Ranked as “the healthiest county in Maryland” by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
for the fourth consecutive year.
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Recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the “Best Places to Raise a Family.”
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Howard County Government was recently ranked the ninth “most digital county” in the
nation by the Center for Digital Government and National Association of Counties
(NACo).
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Ellicott City and Columbia together ranked #2 on Money Magazine’s list of “Best Places
to Live in America.”
About Cattail Creek Country Club
In October of 1988, a group of 46 individuals from Howard County, who shared a common interest in golf, formed
what is now known as Cattail Creek Country Club, Inc. Their goal was to acquire, develop, and enjoy a memberowned golf and country club.
Willard Byrd of Atlanta, GA, who had previously designed over 100 courses, was chosen to be the course
architect. Byrd was also to assist in the selection of the Course site and the design the facility. After an extensive
search, the group purchased the 168-acre Cattail site in 1990. The land was chosen primarily for its rolling rural
topography and extensive water resources. In September 1991, the Club, with the support of 130 initial Members,
commenced construction of the Golf Course with contractors from Myrtle Beach, SC. The Course opened for play
the first week of July, 1993, under the leadership of Kevin Pryseski, Golf Course Superintendent, and the voluntary
efforts of many of the early Members.
The Club has realized its initial business and social plan to create a Golf Course that is almost without parallel, and
in the process, also a full-service country club that has extraordinary Member involvement, support and
enthusiasm. Cattail Creek is now recognized as one of the top Golf Courses in the state of Maryland, and the
premier family-friendly club in Howard County. It has truly achieved its Members' goal of being a fun place to play.
Today, Cattail Creek Country Club is known in the community as an environment where family values are fostered
and business needs are entertained, all in one place. Between the renowned Golf Course, Pool, Tennis program,
Fitness Center and amazing Restaurant, there is truly something for everyone. The careful balance of a familycentered atmosphere and a consistent high-caliber setting for professional needs, makes Cattail Creek a truly
unique and desirable club.
Clubhouse Amenities
Restaurant: Executive Chef, Tom Caswell has been keeping Members’ taste-buds tantalized for 15 years. His
commitment to keeping up with current culinary trends is apparent in the menu options. Menus are changed
seasonally to keep them fresh and exciting. The Clubhouse’s Lower Patio as well as the Veranda are available for
seating during the warmer months and provide beautiful views of the Course and Pond.
Men's Card Room: This room serves as a casual meeting area for watching sports on TV, playing a game of cards,
or just catching up after a round of golf.
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Founder's Lounge: A gorgeous room in the Main Clubhouse; a cozy space for adults only. It's an excellent place for
Members to bring a laptop and work, read a book, enjoy a cocktail, etc.
Meeting Room: The Lower Level Meeting Room is used on a weekly basis for staff, committee, and board
meetings, as well as for some special events. It is also available for rental. Members often rent the room for work
meetings, and the Club will provide food and beverage services of their choosing.
Refreshment Room: In addition to the complimentary refreshment station that is always stocked with dry snacks,
ice water and iced tea, Members have access to beer and other beverages at the Refreshment Room window.
Hot dogs and sandwiches are available for pickup here, as well as a plethora of other snacks, such as candy bars,
power bars, bagged chips, and nuts.
Tennis Program
Cattail has seven beautiful Har Tru clay courts. A state-of-the-art ball machine is available for Members to rent
and online court reservations are offered.
The new Tennis Pro Shop offers in-store and catalogue ordering for all of the most popular brands of apparel, bags,
glasses and accessories. Same-day racquet re-gripping and re-stringing services are also offered.
Junior development is fostered in a number of ways. Summer camp is offered for Juniors ages 4-18, high
performance academy clinics are offered for tournament-level Juniors, and summer Junior league is offered for
kids between the ages of 4-18. Additionally weekly beginner clinics are offered for those just getting started with
the sport.
Each week brings a variety of regularly scheduled tennis clinics for adults too! Private and semi-private lessons are
also offered to Members by Director of Tennis, Joe Mattingly, and Head Professional, Tim Halter.
Participation in USTA league tennis at Cattail Creek continues to steadily increase each year. USTA participation is
open to players of all levels, including beginner. Cattail Tennis Professionals are happy to help place you in the
appropriate league.
The Cattail Creek Women’s Tennis Association (CCWTA) promotes the social aspect of women's tennis. With nearly
150 participating Members ranging from true beginners, to very advanced players, the ladies participate in
upwards of 15 themed socials including "Tennis and Tiaras," "School Pride," and "Scary Halloween Tennis."
Men's tennis is also growing exponentially at Cattail, with men's socials, and a growing number of male
participants in the USTA.
With the recent addition of two new tennis courts, the program is expected to continue growing and has already
seen record registration numbers for this season’s spring clinics!
The Pool & Swim Team
Cattail Social and Golf Members may enjoy our beautiful outdoor Pool, complete with a diving board, swim
blocks, and lane dividers for those wishing to swim laps. Additionally, a separately gated Baby Pool with gradual
entry, provides a safe haven for infants and toddlers. The pool area also features ample lounge furniture, shaded
seating, wireless internet access and a satellite radio sound system.
Cattail’s Crocs Swim Team, focused on personal-best times, self-esteem and swim buddy mentoring, is popular
among all ages. 5th year Head Coach, Karen Heinz, develops Cattail Kids into responsible and caring teammates.
The Junior Crocs offers a way for younger siblings and less experienced swimmers to participate. The entire Cattail
Membership takes pride in the team and cheers for them throughout the season.
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Coach Karen and her two assistants offer several sessions of organized beginner group swim lessons for children
of Social and Golf Members. Children ages 3 and up may participate. Private and semi-private lessons may also
be arranged with the Coaches at times convenient for the Member.
Fitness
Social and Golf Members may access the Fitness Center seven days per week, between 5:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Members between the ages of 13-15 are permitted to use the modern Fitness Center when supervised by a
parent, and those age 16 and up may work out unattended with a signed parental release form on file.
Members are welcome to bring personal trainers after registering them with the Club. The Club’s Fitness Director,
John Foelber, is also available for one on one or group training sessions. As John is certified by the Titleist
Performance Institute for Golf Fitness, he will be piloting a new Golf Fitness Clinic in conjunction with the Golf
Professional Staff this spring.
Golf
The Cattail Creek Golf Course is a 6,646 yard, 18-hole layout with a par of 72. Although not a long course,
Members are drawn to play here time and time again to attempt to master the fast and undulating greens that
carry a degree of notoriety among those who have had the pleasure of playing.
The Course is unique and desirable when compared against public courses, resort courses and even many other
private courses because of the skill required in hitting well-calculated and targeted shots. The picturesque scenery
takes golfers through magnificent rock walls, wooded areas, and open areas lined with trees and ponds.
Cattail’s full-service Golf Shop offers merchandise from numerous brands including Titleist, Mizuno, Zero Restriction,
Nike, Callaway and TaylorMade, and hosts demo days from them all. The Golf Shop is additionally attractive to
Members, as it accommodates other lifestyle needs and stocks a variety of brands for men and women. The Golf
Shop offers extremely accommodating hours and offers fitting and gripping services as well.
Cattail Creek’s Golf Operation, under the leadership of Bob Wampler, Head Golf Professional, is dedicated to
investing in the development of its Junior Golfers. Clinics, camps, lessons and leagues begin at a very young age
for boys and girls, and children can be found on the range and course at almost all times, learning by observing
their parents play. Once reaching age 10 and passing a certification, Juniors may play alone or with other
Member friends.
Cattail is also privileged to employ full-time director of instruction, Ricky Serrano, PGA, who has a true talent for
teaching players of all levels and backgrounds. Ricky gives lessons in all seasons, thanks to our new indoor
Learning Center with heated hitting bays.
In addition to being an outlet for teaching and hitting, the indoor Learning Center features state-of-the-art club
fitting equipment, golf swing video analysis, and much more that can be used to hone your golfing skills all year
long, regardless of weather. All Golf Members as well as Social Members who take advantage of the Social Range
program have access to the Learning Center.
The Cattail Creek Women’s Golf Association (CCWGA) provides an outlet for Cattail women of all levels, to
advance their golf games. A 9-hole morning league, 18-hole morning league, and 9-hole evening twilight league
are offered, in addition to many social events and a Rally for the Cure fundraiser that all league players
participate in. Women's golf at Cattail is steadily growing, and we encourage everyone to get involved in a
league, regardless of experience level. Within each league, a focus on the fun and social aspects of golf is
maintained.
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Merchandising Program
We participate in ‘The Mill River Program,’ named after the first club to implement such a plan. The Mill River
program at the Golf Shop and Tennis Shop provides excellent discounts on merchandise that is stocked and
special ordered. This program allows Members and their Guests to purchase items at approximately 20% over the
Club’s cost.
New this year, the Club has hired a Merchandise Coordinator, who will report to the Head Golf Professional
beginning in May, and is responsible for buying and inventory management of all ladies’ apparel and
accessories. This person will also assist with the buying and inventory management of men’s and juniors’ apparel
and accessories. She will be a valuable addition to the team, freeing up Golf Professionals to be more visible to
the Membership, to play and instruct Members more frequently, and also will increase merchandise sales.
The Club has also recently configured a means of viewing vendor catalogues and making special orders online
using the website, eliminating the need to go to the shop to look at a catalogue and inquire about an item.
Inquiries
The position is available due to the current GM assuming a new role with another country club, after a successful
seven-year tenure at Cattail.
Qualified candidates should submit a resume and a thoughtful, detailed letter outlining his/her alignment with the
above noted qualifications and expectations for the position. These documents should be emailed in .doc or .pdf
format to:
Seth Lee: seth.lee@cattailcreekcc.com.
Mr. Lee is a member of the Board of Directors of the Club and is Chair of the HR/Compensation Committee. He is
available to answer any questions at the following number: 443.845.3902.
Submission of candidate credentials will be accepted through June, 2013.
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