Country Club Leadership Resume & Career Narrative w/Hurdles
Jason Voit - Country Club Leadership Resume and Career Narrative
ClubCorp - Hartefeld National
April 2014 - May 2015
Jason joined ClubCorp after closing his restaurant, looking for stability and a fresh start. Although he originally intended this to be a short stint, he quickly realized he had a knack for country club management. Initially skeptical about staying long-term, Jason soon recognized the potential for growth within the industry and embraced the opportunity to build a meaningful career path.
ClubCorp - Ford’s Colony
June 2015 - October 2017
At Ford’s Colony, Jason played a pivotal role in the club's comprehensive reinvention, elevating its Food & Beverage (F&B) operations and enhancing member experiences. His success quickly caught the attention of ClubCorp leadership, and he was frequently assigned to conduct detailed analyses of other clubs in the region at the request of John Cegielski. Jason’s evaluations were thorough and candid, providing insight into the F&B teams’ performance. These assessments typically fell under the responsibilities of Mamee Groves, then his Regional F&B Director, and this overlap created tension, as Jason was effectively stepping into tasks that would traditionally be hers.
Jason’s first direct encounter with Mamee at Ford’s Colony was distinctly confrontational. She arrived unannounced, bypassed introductions, and immediately questioned Jason’s integrity by accusing him of a significant inventory discrepancy—essentially alleging that he was manipulating the books. She directed his GM, David Ford, to issue a formal write-up based on this accusation. Despite the solid professional relationship Jason had built with David, he found that David did not investigate the accusation or challenge Mamee’s directive, which indicated the power she wielded, even as a new manager. Jason contested the reprimand, and after a thorough review, David confirmed that Jason’s inventory count was accurate and the accusation was unfounded. Yet Mamee never retracted her claims or issued an apology, leaving Jason with a growing sense of being targeted.
Jason viewed Mamee’s actions as stemming from personal animosity, potentially perceiving him as a threat to her role. Despite these challenges, he continued to excel, receiving recognition for his contributions, though the tension with Mamee continued to cast a shadow over his success.
ClubCorp - Norbeck Country Club
October 2017 - October 2018
After being assigned to Norbeck Country Club, Jason quickly took on the responsibilities of a General Manager, even though he hadn’t been formally given the title. He led operational improvements, increased member satisfaction, and demonstrated the leadership needed to run the club successfully. When the GM position officially opened, however, Jason was neither considered nor invited to apply. Instead, it went to a friend, Patrick Ellis, who initially acknowledged Jason's qualifications but later began to criticize Jason’s work at Norbeck. According to Kelly Robertson, Patrick held some jealousy toward Jason’s performance and accomplishments, though the reasons were unclear. Patrick, like many others, was aware of the influence Mamee Groves had on Jason’s career but didn’t directly confirm her role in blocking his advancement.
Despite Patrick’s shifting stance, other colleagues, including Kelly, later confirmed that there was a strong suspicion—widely known within ClubCorp—that Mamee had actively prevented Jason’s upward trajectory and ultimately pushed him out. In the time following his resignation, many in the company privately commented on Mamee’s apparent bias, noting her tendency to disproportionately target white males within the region. There was no discernible business reason for targeting Jason, who had consistently proven himself an asset. The recurring targeting, combined with the rumors about Mamee’s race-based decision-making, underscored the political and systemic challenges Jason faced, leading him to resign and file a formal complaint.
Billy Casper Golf - Colonial Heritage Golf Club
October 2018 - February 2020
Transitioning to a new company, Jason became the General Manager at Colonial Heritage Golf Club. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing every facet of the club's operations, and he significantly grew revenues across all categories, especially within the F&B operations, which saw a 58% growth. His efforts were rewarded with rising member satisfaction and notable improvements across club operations. Jason effectively navigated relationships with the HOA management, ensuring cohesion between BCG and community-focused initiatives.
Concert Golf - White Manor Country Club
February 2020 - October 2021
Returning to his home region, Jason joined White Manor Country Club at the invitation of David Ford, who recognized Jason’s unique skill set and capacity to lead during challenging times. Jason took over as General Manager just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, which presented immense operational and financial challenges. He quickly adapted, implementing strategic changes that allowed the club to achieve a remarkable 28% EBITDA by year’s end—a 12% increase over the previous year despite substantial disruptions in Food & Beverage revenue and club events. Jason’s efforts earned him the trust of White Manor’s members, stabilizing the club and fostering a positive direction amidst unprecedented uncertainty.
When David Ford eventually separated from the company, Jason continued to lead White Manor through the ongoing pandemic challenges. However, despite his clear success and the loyalty he built among members, Jason was abruptly terminated via a phone call on New Year’s Eve of 2020 by Joseph Nowell, Concert Golf’s Vice President of Operations. Due to pandemic restrictions, Jason had minimal opportunity to build a professional rapport with Nowell, making the sudden dismissal feel especially impersonal and abrupt. The termination raised concerns about Nowell’s motivations, especially when Jason later considered the possibility of a connection to Mamee Groves, given her prior interference in his career trajectory.
Sparrows Point Country Club (Private Ownership)
October 2021 - September 2022
Hired by CRDGolf, LLC, Jason took over operations at Sparrows Point Country Club with the mission to prepare the club for a major expansion involving over 300 new residences. He restructured membership tiers, eliminated discount deals, and set the club on a path to exceed its EBITDA targets. However, Jason felt constrained by limited support from ownership and resistance from Up To Par managers who opposed his initiatives for impactful change. He was on the verge of resigning when he was unexpectedly terminated.
Almost immediately afterward, Jason received a call from John Cegielski, inviting him to explore an opportunity at The Hamlet. This felt like a promising new chapter during a challenging time, back at a company with ambitious growth potential—an opportunity for Jason to prove the value he could bring and demonstrate what they had missed out on by letting him resign in 2018.
Invited - The Hamlet
August 2022 - July 2023
Following a conversation with John Cegielski, Jason joined The Hamlet Country Club under Invited’s management. This position offered both a fresh start and a significant challenge. Upon his arrival, Jason quickly realized the extent of The Hamlet’s longstanding operational deficiencies: from security lapses and the use of illegally hired contractors to a deeply dissatisfied membership. None of these issues had been disclosed to him before he accepted the position. Jason also requested that Mamee Groves be kept away from him, a condition John initially agreed to. However, upon Jason’s first meeting with his new supervisor, Maurice Darbyshire, his attempts to discuss past concerns with Mamee were aggressively shut down. Jason suspected from the start that, if pushed, Mamee would target him again; despite his warnings, Invited’s leadership did not take his concerns seriously.
The Hamlet’s environment posed additional challenges. Jason faced significant bad debt from members, many of whom were pushing back on payments due to what they described as a lack of service. There were mounting complaints from club members, some of whom had connections to former mafia circles. Jason responded firmly, setting boundaries to protect his staff from members’ mistreatment while also holding his team accountable to deliver better service. He worked hard to strike a balance between cleaning up the club’s culture and maintaining morale in a complex environment, often feeling personally at risk due to the hostility he encountered.
Despite the considerable challenges, Jason’s efforts led to rapid improvements. In February 2023, his work was formally recognized by Invited’s CEO and the executive team, who awarded him for his contributions. Discussions about a potential promotion were also underway, signaling that his leadership had made a tangible impact on the club’s profitability and member satisfaction in a short period.
However, as Jason’s achievements at The Hamlet grew, Mamee Groves initiated what he believes was a targeted and racially motivated campaign against him. Jason has substantial evidence that points to this attack being not only personal but rooted in reverse discrimination. According to Jason, Mamee’s actions stemmed from animosity, resulting in fraudulent accusations and attempts to discredit him. Despite his attempts to bring this evidence forward, Invited’s leadership protected Mamee, choosing not to investigate Jason’s claims. This protection, combined with the lack of action from Invited, intensified his challenges at the club. Jason’s tenure at The Hamlet ultimately came to an abrupt end on July 3, 2023, leaving his substantial rebuild of the club incomplete, despite the undeniable success and progress he had achieved.
