Dear Members and Guests,
A Warm Welcome to all our valued Members, Guests, and Employee Partners!
For 50 years, ClubCorp has set the standard for quality facilities and service in the private club industry. KSL Capital Partners is proud to carry on and expand on this legacy. As the new President and CEO for ClubCorp, it’s an exciting opportunity for me to work with such a talented group of Employee Partners and focus first and foremost on improving our Members’ experience. Our history at KSL has been filled with creating “Magic Moments” at such world-class resorts and clubs as Maui’s Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa, Miami’s Doral Golf Resort & Spa, the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, Lake Lanier Islands near Atlanta, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in Michigan, the beautiful La Quinta Resort & Club near Palm Springs, California, plus the western home of golf in America, PGA West. Today, we are privileged to own and/or operate, through KSL Resorts, three California properties — Hotel del Coronado near San Diego, the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, and our newest acquisition Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage — plus the Vail Mountain Lodge in Colorado.
Our philosophy is to create “customers for life” through extensive capital investment, employee training, and innovative dining and recreation amenities.
Over the coming months, I look forward to meeting many of you and working closely with your on-site managers and Board of Governors. For now, let me share some things about myself. I’m 40-something and have two great daughters. I was a single-digit handicapper — until I started working in the golf business. I have served as CEO of the KSL Fairways golf division as well as general manager for both Doral Resort and Spa and La Quinta/PGA West. For trivial pursuit, I also am a former manager of the Belgian National Baseball Team and a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization.
I hope you’ll enjoy the expansion of your Member benefits as we continue to add clubs, resorts, and products. As a “Fond Farewell” this issue, I offer my very best wishes as we look forward to the 50th anniversary and a new era for ClubCorp.
Eric Affeldt
President and CEO
ClubCorp
Photography by RJ Hinkle of Quad/Photo