Lou Miller - President
Old Edwards Club President Lou Miller combines his extensive golf course administration and management experience to create the vision that was set forth for Old Edwards Club. His lengthy and impressive resume includes positions ranging from Assistant Golf Professional, Project Manager and Owner. His name is linked with many golf course construction projects, including designs by Tom Fazio, Pete Dye and Rees Jones. This blending of achievements provides for a seamless and natural Old Edwards Club Team Leader.
Lou began his career receiving a B.S. degree in Education from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Ga. He then continued his studies in The Executive Program at University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC. After four years coaching high school football with Art William he accepted an Assistant Golf Professional’s position at Glen Arven Country Club in Thomasville, Ga. In 1970 Miller then moved into the Assistant Golf Professional’s position at Echo Lake Country Club in Westfield, NJ. Miller’s next move was to The Everglade Club in Palm Beach, Fl. where he worked as a teaching professional. In 1972 he became the Director of Golf at Johns Island Club in Vero Beach, Fl. where he remained until 1976. He then accepted the Vice President/Director of Golf position at the prestigious Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, NC where he proudly served until 1981. In 1985 he became a partner at H.M.S. Golf Management & Development in Atlanta, Ga. serving in this position until 2000. Most recently he was a managing partner of The University Club in Blythewood, SC until 2005.
Miller’s copious accolades include being named the National Private Club Professional of the Year (1979), serving on numerous National panels including Golf Digest’s Top 100 Courses, South Carolina Magazine Top 50 Golf Courses and South Carolina Golf Association, Junior Golf Foundation. His experience overseeing tournaments include serving as the Tournament Director of PGA Tour World Open Championship (1976-1980), Tournament Director of World Amateur Team Championship and Tournament Director for Men and Women’s North/South Championship. Miller is the Founder of The University Club Academy of Golf, Founder of the Golf Advantage Teaching School (Pinehurst Resort) and Director of 5 PGA Tour Qualifying Schools (Pinehurst Resort).
Along with his broad paper resume comes a relaxed and kindhearted demeanor. This outlook, coupled with his love for all things golf combine to make him the perfect fit for Old Edward’s Club leadership.
Notably, Miller attributes all of his life’s successes to his wife Kay, his three children Shannon, Cory and Brent and his beautiful granddaughters Charlotte and Porter. Miller and his wife Kay reside in Highlands Cove while also maintaining a home in Hilton Head, SC.
Jerry West - Director of Operations
Jerry’s love for golf can be traced back to childhood where you could find him often from early in the morning until the sun went down playing and immersing himself in the natural beauty of a golf course. “There is no better time of day than late in the evening to feel and sense the needs of a golf course” responds West when asked about his late hours on the job.
Professionally West’s career started at Cypress Bay Golf Course in Myrtle Beach, SC. He worked there before and after classes while attending Horry-Georgetown Technical College in pursuit of his recreational grounds management degree. After a year of school and work there West knew that warm season golf was not where he wanted to be and quickly transferred to Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, NC where he graduated in 1994 with a Recreational Grounds Management Degree. While attending school he completed an internship at Cullasaja Club in Highlands, NC. Prior to graduation in June of 1994 he accepted the 2nd Assistant Golf Course Superintendents position at Highlands Country Club in Highlands, NC. He remained there until January of 2000 working his way into the assistant’s position in 1997. West states “I will carry the knowledge gained while working at Highlands Country Club with me throughout my life”. In February of 2000 he accepted the Golf Course Superintendent’s position at Highlands Cove Golf Course in Highlands, NC. West completed the grow in of Highlands Cove and opened the golf course for play in June of the same year. He remained in this position for 3 years until he was approached about becoming the Director of Operations for the entire Highlands Cove development, he agreed stating, “I will only accept this position if I can maintain my involvement and continue to guide the progression of the golf course”. West remained in this position until September of 2008 when the golf course was purchased by the Old Edwards Hospitality Group. Currently Jerry is overseeing the renovation projects and will continue employment for both groups as the Director of Operations. West states, “I have never been more excited about what’s in store for Old Edwards Club and Highlands Cove. We have an owner and a team that is totally committed to the success of our club and its members. When you couple this support with what is already completed in Highlands at the Inn and Spa you have the makings of an unparalleled club”.
West currently lives in the Pine Creek community near Lake Glenville with his wife Margaret. West gives Margaret all the credit for being so flexible and understanding when it comes to his work load. “She is so patient and tolerant, and her work ethic mirrors mine completely so at the end of the day there is a special balance obtained” smiles West. Both Jerry and Margaret are natives of Western North Carolina and feel extremely blessed to live and work in what they believe is God’s country.
George Mason - Golf Superintendent
George Mason comes to us from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. George began his career working on golf courses in high school, where he was a summertime employee in the golf maintenance department at the Conestoga Country Club in Lancaster. After high school George enrolled in the golf course management program at The Pennsylvania State University. While in college he had an opportunity to do an internship at the Merit Club in Libertyville IL. The hands on experience he learned there taught him a lot about the industry standards. Upon Graduation from Penn State George accepted the assistant golf course superintendent’s position at Highlands Cove. He was promoted to the head superintendent’s position in the fall of 2006 and relished in the work of maintaining such a beautiful golf course.
George considers himself very blessed to be living in and working in a community like the Highlands-Cashiers plateau, where there is so much enthusiasm for the game of golf and where a premium is put on maintaining golf courses to a very high standard.
Jordan Kenter - Director of Golf
Kenter is enjoying his fourth season at Old Edwards Club. During the first three seasons, Jordan has built the foundation for an enduring golf program with the help of an incredible staff. Kenter has also earned the distinction of being the only certified Plane Truth Instructor in the state of North Carolina.
Prior to his work here Jordan helped to launch nearby Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club where he began working in 2006. During his time at Mountaintop Jordan earned the distinction of being one of only twenty PGA Certified Professionals in the state of North Carolina. Before working for Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club in Cashiers, Kenter attained his Marketing Degree from Southern Methodist University and Class-A PGA membership at CordeValle Golf Club in the Silicon Valley, where he started a junior golf program and successfully managed a full tournament schedule. Kenter also worked at Iron Horse Golf Club in Whitefish, Montana and The Vaquero Club outside his home town of Dallas, Texas.
Jordan and Debbie, his wife of nine years, are the proud parents of two boys, Chase and Blake. Jordan’s experience in providing outstanding service to our members and guests as well as his ability to lead the golf staff have helped Old Edwards Club develop into one of the premiere golf experiences in the South.
Chris Wright - Head Golf Professional
Chris Wright has been with Old Edwards Club since our opening in the spring of 2009. He recently completed the PGA PGM program and was elected to Class A PGA Membership in March. The enthusiasm and passion for the game of golf that Chris brings make him an invaluable addition to the Club.
Chris moved to the area in 2008 to work at nearby Wildcat Cliffs Country Club as Second Assistant Golf Professional. Prior to this Chris began his career in the golf industry at Bent Tree Country Club in Dallas, TX.
“I’ve been visiting the Highlands area all my life, so I am extremely excited to have an opportunity to work here with such a great and accomplished team” says Chris.
Chris grew up playing golf in Dallas and attended Furman University in Greenville, SC where he graduated in 2007 with a Business Administration degree. Chris got married in 2009 to his longtime girlfriend and Old Edwards employee Taylor Bell Wright, also from Dallas.
Bridget Henson - Membership Coordinator
Bridget graduated from Western Carolina University in 1996 with a degree in Communications and a minor in Marketing. Bridget began her working career accepting a position at Highlands Cove Golf Club where she watched the newly planned golf course community develop from paper to reality. During her initial time here she served as the accounts coordinator and administrative assistant. After two years she accepted a position with a local real estate company working in the marketing department. She enjoyed her time designing brochures and advertisements but left after two years to return to her position at Highlands Cove. She has been an integral part of the Highlands Cove development so it only seems natural that she remained when Old Edwards Club was formed.
Her experiences throughout the years have taught her a lot in the way of public service and she not only enjoys the administrative end of her job but also the formation of relationships with members.
Bridget and her husband Brandon live in Cashiers with their two children Samantha and Ethan.
Erika Price - Assistant Golf Professional
Erika is originally from Danville, KY. She has been playing golf for some 20 years now. Although she has been playing for a number of years she still finds herself learning something new about the game every day. She began working at the local golf club when she was in high school and after graduating from the University of Kentucky she found her way down to South Florida where she served as the Assistant Golf Professional at Naples National Golf Club. She then had the opportunity to move to the Cashiers-Highlands area when she accepted the position of Merchandiser at Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club. In her time at Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club Erika had the opportunity to work with Old Edwards Director of Golf, Jordan Kenter. Erika joined the Old Edwards team in April of 2011. Erika has successfully passed her Playing Ability Test and is currently registered in Level 1 of the PGA's Professional Golf Management Program.
David Young - Old Edwards Club Executive Chef
David Young is a North Carolina native, born in Lumberton. After growing up in Lumberton, NC; Greenville, SC and Richmond Hill, GA; David attended the University of Georgia, majoring in Speech Communications. While in Athens, he worked through school at Loco’s Deli and Pub and cultivated a lifelong passion for cooking, and eventually became Kitchen Manager. Deciding that a life in the kitchen was for him, David attended Johnson & Wales University in Charleston to pursue the Culinary Arts.
While attending culinary school, David worked at Sonoma Wine Bar & Grill, McCrady’s and Slightly North of Broad. In 1999, David joined the team at the Five Diamond, Five Star Fearrington House Inn and Restaurant in Chapel Hill. After three years there and two at Provence in Carrboro, he and his Fiancée Eleanor decided to move to Highlands and joined the team at Madison’s Restaurant at the Old Edwards Inn in 2004.
After two years at the Old Edwards Inn, David left for Western Carolina University and served as Executive Chef for the catering department there. When Old Edwards Inn and Spa purchased the Club and Richard Delany took over as President of Old Edwards Hospitality Group, David set his sights on rejoining Richard, with whom he had worked at the Fearrington House. At the Club, David is enjoying the home he long sought and enjoys sharing his passion with the Membership. Eleanor and David have since married and had two perfect sons, Lauch and Dash, and live in Glenville, where Eleanor is the Social Studies teacher at the Blue Ridge Early College.
Mike O'Malley - Assistant Golf Superintendent
Mike O’Malley headed to the high hills of Old Edwards from the high desert mountains of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Mike brings over 10 years of experience to the Club, beginning his career as a caddy at a local club in his hometown of St. Louis. These early experiences led him on a journey beginning in Missouri, to Illinois, on to Idaho, then New Mexico and now, North Carolina.
After obtaining his AAS in horticulture, Mike began a career in nursery sales. It was during his extensive work in nursery sales and plant propagation he regained his passion for being a part of making courses look—and play—like none other. This passion led him to pursue his degree at Southern Illinois University (go Salukis) where he received his BS in Plant and Soil Science. Prior to joining The Old Edwards Club, Mike served as Assistant Superintendent during the restoration of a 27-hole Hilton Hotels Resort course in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Having lived in different cities and worked in various aspects of the industry, Mike brings a well-rounded approach to Old Edwards calling on both his knowledge and life experience. It is this experience that motivates him to work for and find the balance necessary between the needs of the golf course as well as those of the players and membership. His expertise, leadership, and sharp sense of humor have proved successful in attaining that balance.
Mike lives with his dog, Ruby, in Cullowhee.
