On the Grow at Savannah Quarters CC

With the support of its management company, Savannah Quarters CC can implement new fitness initiatives more smoothly.

In its 10-year history, Georgia’s Savannah Quarters Country Club (SQCC) has grown and evolved. One constant since the beginning, however, has been its management company: Troon Golf, based in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The relationship between Troon and SQCC has been a resoundingly positive one, notes Heather Gordon, Marketing Director for the club.

Although Troon is renowned for how it manages golf programs, its management prowess extends to every part of club operations. Gordon points, for example, to the growth in SQCC’s tennis programming, fitness offerings and pool operations for men, women, youth and groups, and to how Troon provides resources and expertise so that the learning curve is shortened. This support allows the SQCC team to develop and implement new initiatives including competitive tennis teams, fitness classes and enhanced pool services more smoothly.

Best of all, Gordon says, these programs were added based on SQCC’s needs, not as any corporate mandate. Take, for example, the club’s newly added “Shape Shifter” fitness class.

“Our members expressed interest in growing our fitness programs, and specifically offering classes,” Gordon explains. “Troon helped spearhead growing this program by working with the club team to gather member feedback through surveys, and to help select qualified instructors. With the leadership from our members, we have also been able to offer water aerobics classes, too.”

And whether it’s a need of extra equipment or combining efforts for staff training, SQCC is able to reach out to other Troon properties to request—or lend—a helping hand.

Marketing Muscle

Gordon notes that Troon’s corporate support for the club is vast, from its marketing expertise and advertising templates to the databases made available to SQCC.

Troon helps not only with sales and marketing, but also provides in-depth support for agronomy, operations, accounting, food and beverage, legal/risk, construction/design and procurement, she says.

“The behind-the-scenes support that Troon provides, from safety standards to human resources, enables our staff to focus on the service and quality our club can offer,” she points out.

In addition, SQCC’s golf members benefit from such perks as reciprocal privileges at other Troon properties with Troon Advantage, and Troon Privé, through which members receive preferred golf rates.

“Troon also emphasizes family activities, and has developed a popular junior golf initiative,” Gordon says. That in turn has helped strengthen the relationship the club has with the next generation of members, she adds.

People First

To ensure the continued success of a program’s rollout, Gordon says, Troon supports SQCC in continuous training that helps get all associates on board.

“Helping our recreation staff have the tools and understanding of Troon’s service culture allows us to provide high-quality service,” she explains. “Troon has developed operational standards to help the club manage its services and amenities, and maintain their quality. Those guidelines are essential as we implement our day-to-day operations.”

While Troon is the guiding hand of management, General Manager Philip Linaugh emphasizes the importance of the club-level team, which is leading its services. “SQCC has established a staff that engages our members. Our department heads, such as Recreation Director Matthew Tyson and Director of Golf Robert Stevenson, are enthusiastic and make the club fun,” says Linaugh. “Having the right people interacting with members and taking pride in what they do makes our club successful.”

Linaugh points to the changing demands and conditions SQCC’s operations have experienced over the last 10 years, such as adapting pool hours, seasonal events and class offerings. Each of those factors is reviewed by the SQCC team annually, in anticipation of evolving member interest.

“Troon helps provide the resources that a club needs to be successful,” Gordon concludes. “But in the end, the program development and implementation rests with SQCC, to make it appropriate for our membership.”

Tags: Fitness Center fitness classes Heather Gordon issue Philip Linaugh Savannah Quarters CC Savannah Quarters Country Club Shape Shifter SQCC Troon