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Gregg J. Deger CCM
COO/General Manager
Gregg J. Deger CCM joins La Gorce Country Club as the new General Manager and COO. He is a Certified Club Manager, recently inducted into The Honor Society of the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA). He is a successful club strategist with proven results optimizing club operations, improving revenues, enhancing services, and establishing food and beverage programs. Prior to La Gorce, Gregg served as the General Manager at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, NY. There, he drove efforts to secure Shinnecock as Golf Digest’s #2 course in the United States. He also played a key role in having it selected as the host for the 2018 US Open. Gregg also served as General Manager at Noyac Golf Club in Sag Harbor, NY and prior to that was General Manager of Della Femina Food Company in East Hampton, NY where he led a $3.5 million food operation and orchestrated food services for multiple clients. Additionally, Gregg owned and operated Gregg Deger Caterers. His company provided extraordinary dining experiences for thousands of guests. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economic Management from Manhattanville College. Gregg is very active in CMAA both nationally and regionally. Recently, he completed his term as president of the Metropolitan Club Managers Association.
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Mabel Padrón
Membership Director
Mabel was born in Jersey City, New Jersey of Cuban parents and was raised in Miami where she also received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Opera Performance from the University of Miami and a Master of Science Degree in Music Education from Florida International University. She is fluent in English, Spanish and Italian and is proficient in German and French. After traveling much of the world singing opera, she married and had two children. She began her work as an executive assistant in the field of charter school management and eventually migrated into the country club business when she was recruited to work at Fisher Island Club in 2005. In January 2010, Mabel joined the La Gorce team as Executive Assistant to the GM and Website Administrator, and in November 2011 she was appointed Membership Director.
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Martina Schreer
Special Events & Member Services Manager
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Jason Miller
Food & Beverage Director
Prior to joining La Gorce as the Food and Beverage Director, Jason was the Food and Beverage Manager at the Royalton Hotel in New York City. While there, Jason oversaw all of the Royalton’s food and beverage outlets, including its world-class restaurant and groundbreaking mixology bar, Forty Four. He has also held positions at the Westmoor Club in Nantucket, Massachusetts as an Assistant Manager and the Princeton Club in New York City as the Senior Food and Beverage Manager. While at the Princeton Club, Jason was honored as Manager of the Year and was a nominee for the Big Apple Stars Award, presented by the Hotel Association of New York City. Jason is a Level 1 Sommelier, certified by the Court of the Master Sommeliers. Jason grew up in Jericho, New York. He attended the University of Delaware where he studied hospitality and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management. While attending the University of Delaware, Jason concentrated his studies on international hospitality by participating in programs that included instruction on wine, service, and information technologies while traveling abroad in Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Lichtenstein, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. As hobbies Jason has obtained his private pilot’s license and enjoys sailing his 25 foot sailboat.
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Tim Nickey
Executive Chef
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Tim Nickey was 14 years old when his career began in the kitchen. His passion didn’t really begin until he started as a banquet cook at the Philmont Country Club in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania. Chef Nickey quickly realized that he wanted to further his career in the culinary arts and enrolled at Johnson & Wales University in Miami. In 2002, Chef Nickey became the executive chef at Morton’s Steakhouse in Boca Raton, FL. He was the youngest executive chef in the Morton’s national chain. Four years later, he was looking for something new and became the opening Executive Sous Chef for Abe & Louie’s Steakhouse in Boca Raton, FL. In December 2007, Chef Nickey was promoted to Executive Chef of three outlets, China Grill, Dragon Sushi & Kobe Club Miami where he was responsible for directing and performing the daily execution of all food production and service. Chef Nickey believes traveling to other countries has been a huge inspiration to him for new ideas and for marrying elements of different ethnic cooking styles. He also believes in giving back to the community and participates in numerous charity and local events every year. Tim joined the team in May 2011 as Executive Chef looking to take the culinary scene at La Gorce to the next level.
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Jeff Kent
Golf Course Superintendent
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GOLF PROFESSIONAL STAFF
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Ray Boone
Head Golf Professional
Ray was born and raised in Miami, Florida and developed a love for the game of golf at an early age. He soon became one of the top juniors in Dade County and won many tournaments while attending Miami Dade Community College. After two years at Miami Dade, he received a scholarship to the University of South Florida in Tampa. He completed his degree in Business Marketing and proceeded to try for the P.G.A. Tour. In his desire to play the tour he sought help from many of the best teachers in the country including: David Leadbetter, Peter Kostis, Harvey Ward, Beau Baugh and short game help from his friend Brad Faxon. He traveled the country playing mini tour events as well as three P.G.A. Tour Qualifying Schools and competed in the 2001 Honda Classic. Ray worked as an apprentice at Bayshore Golf Course on Miami Beach under Chuck Hart. He became a Class A P.G.A professional and was named Head Professional as well as Assistant Manager. As Bayshore was rebuilt and became the Miami Beach Golf Club, he opened the Ray Boone Golf Academy. Ray did a weekly golf tip with Dave LaMonte on WIOD radio for two years. He won the “Teacher of the Year” award for the South Florida Chapter of the P.G.A. in 2005. His love and passion for the game has driven his career to where it is today.
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Dave Carse
Assistant Golf Professional
David has been with La Gorce for 7 years. During his time here, he has helped develop numerous Junior Golf programs ranging from clinics, camps, and individual and special events for ages 4 to 17. He is also in charge of coordinating all the men’s events along with Ray Boone and the Golf Committee. David has been in the golf business since he was 12 years old, starting his lifetime career as a caddie at Chagrin Valley Country Club where he worked in all aspects of the country club from maintenance to valet to the restaurant during special functions. He calls his youth the “Danny” of the movie “Caddy Shack." After graduating from high school, David attended his local college on a two-year golf scholarship. After the two years, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force to serve his country and played golf for the base team and qualified for the Air Force team. After the service, David moved to Central Florida where he began his career at Baytree and Suntree before relocating to La Gorce. David is also active in the PGA where he was named “Apprentice of the Year” in 2009. Along with his fellow golf professionals, David is available for lessons, fittings and, of course, an enjoyable round of golf with anyone in the Membership who ever needs a game.
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Julie Carse
Assistant Golf Professional
Julie grew up in Wisconsin where she started her golf career at the Geneva National Golf Club in Lake Geneva. After working for 4 years as an Assistant Golf Professional, she made her way to the Weston Hills Country Club in Weston, Florida in 2006. It wasn’t long after that she joined the team at La Gorce Country Club to work as an Assistant Golf Professional. She is the Golf Liaison for the Women’s Golf Association, a teacher and involved in all aspects of Member/Guest Services.
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Jarryd Wood
Assistant Golf Professional
Jarryd grew up in Wantagh, New York, which is on the south shore of Long Island. Jarryd has followed in the footsteps of his father who is a PGA Professional at Inwood Country Club on Long Island. He had a successful Junior career and played golf in college at Johnson & Wales Universtiy in North Miami, where he competed all four years. After graduating, Jarryd went back up to Long Island to start his professional career at Pine Hollow Country Club. After finishing the season in New York, he migrated back down to Miami to become a part of the La Gorce family. Jarryd is very involved with the tournament operations, teaching, and providing each member and guest with an enjoyable experience.
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Rebecca Clevenger
Buyer/Shop Manager
Rebecca hails from eastern North Carolina. The daughter of a military family, Rebecca had the opportunity to grow up on the east and west coasts. Rebecca attended Western Carolina University and graduated from Georgia Southern with a B.A. in Marketing with an emphasis in fashion merchandising with interest in hospitality and business law. Rebecca has had the privilege of working at Graystone Inn; Mountaintop Golf & Lake; Blackcreek Country Club; Ocean Reef Club; and joined the La Gorce team in May of 2010.
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Jeffrey R. Keeler, MS, CSCS
Fitness Director
Jeff started his career 24 years ago in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area as a Fitness Specialist for a hospital-based wellness center. After moving to Miami for his Master’s Degree, he continued to work in the fitness industry at various centers and began doing private personal training sessions. In 1990, he became the lead exercise physiologist for a privately-owned back center. This eventually led to a more specialized physical therapy/sports medicine tract that through the years allowed him to open his own Sports Medicine “Institute” in 1999. Throughout this time, Jeff maintained contacts in personal training and specifically, golf training. Simultaneously, Jeff and his partner from the Miami Heat staff developed a kids' fitness program entitled "Train Like the Pros" that is being sold nationally. Jeff has worked with amateur and pro golfers as well as professional hockey and basketball players. He holds an Exercise Physiology degree from East Stroudsburg University and a Master of Science degree in Sports Medicine/Exercise Physiology from the University of Miami. Jeff has been a National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist for over 16 years and played semi-pro football for the Scranton Eagles for a year and a half. Away from work, you can find Jeff enjoying competitive sailing, tennis and golf or playing with his three lovable, athletic children.
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Julio Cesar Fuentes
Aquatics Director
Julio is a certified coach and swimming instructor (WSI, AMERICAN RED CROSS, ASCA, and FINA). He has worked with children and adults in many countries as a head swimming coach. As a competitive swimmer, Julio won many events including world championships; Pan-American, South American and Latin American Games; and also qualified in the discipline of open water (10 KM) for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. Currently, Julio owns ACUAMAN SWIMMING, which is dedicated to teaching children swimming techniques, discipline, responsibility, and to simply have safe fun while swimming. His motto says it all, "Learn discipline and having respect toward others while you play."
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Jean Wisley Alcena
Locker Room Manager
Jean Wisley Alcena was born and raised in Haiti. He emigrated to the United States of America in 1989. One month later, he began to work at La Gorce Country Club in the Food and Beverage Department and within the same year was promoted to the position of Assistant Manager of the Men’s Locker Room. Jean attended Miami Dade Community College, then Miami Lakes Educational Center, where he graduated as an Architectural Drafter. Because of his love and dedication for his work, Jean never worked in his field of study. He continued his career at the Country Club in the same position after his graduation. Jean denied many job opportunities in other country clubs in order to remain at La Gorce where he belongs. His commitment, reliability, sense of responsibility and leadership skills contributed to his advancement at the club. In 2004, Jean became the Manager of the Men’s and Ladies’ Locker Rooms and devoted his time to make the locker rooms a home away from home for our members and a comfortable workplace for the employees he supervises. Before becoming a member of the La Gorce family, Jean’s favorite sports were soccer and basketball. After many years at the club, this dedicated employee has developed a love for golf and the game has become his passion. |