Friends made over three decades at Winged Foot started to check in with Colin Burns, the long-serving general manager, shortly after his impending departure was announced in a letter of membership.
Jim Nantz, CBS Sports anchor, called first. He wanted to be a part of the club’s final sendoff. Michael Pascucci, the Southampton-based developer and owner of Sebonack Golf Club, wanted to know what the 63-year old Connecticut resident would be doing after the season.
Burns stated, “In that very distinct voice, his, Mr. Pascucci was kind of like, “Hey Col, what’re your plans for the next?” “I told him that Mr. P, I’m not certain. This is all new to me. He said, “We should talk.”
Over the following weeks and months, the conversation grew stronger.
Burns was appointed Chief Operating Officer of The Apogee Club last week. This exclusive private facility is located in Hobe Sound (Florida), between Port St. Lucie, and Palm Beach.
Mike Davis, former USGA chief, embarks on an ambitious golf course design project at The Apogee Club
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Burns stated, “Logically this was the next stage.” “I loved 31 years at Winged Foot. It’s a great time and a perfect project. I can take a step back from the day-today operation and contribute to the club’s overall atmosphere.”
Winged Foot sent him away in October, with Nantz as the host and 400 people in attendance.
Burns said, “It’s a lot fun.” The video featured Ben Crenshaw as Burns and ended with a message by Billy Collins, a friend who is a former Poet Laureate. It was very touching. My Winged Foot friends sent a lovely and generous farewell.
The Apogee Club is funded by Steve Ross, Miami Dolphins owner.
Burns stated that “it was a lot of information to digest” and that by the end the year, we had kind of figured out our roles. “After the new Year, I went down to Florida and met Mr. Ross. He’s an impressive man and is just as inspiring as Mr. Pascucci in terms of his energy. We are here.
Tommy Fazio (the nephew of Tom Fazio the course designer) and Mike Davis, former CEO of USGA, are overseeing construction.
Current plans include three signature golf courses, a practice area, and up to 40 villas owned by the club for overnight stays.
The plans include a pool, a spa, a gym, spa, tennis courts, and pickleball courts.
Mike Davis (right), and Tom Fazio II at the Apogee Golf Club. (Courtesy Davis-Fazio)
Pascucci stated that Colin Burns has the most experience in the golf industry and can handle this project on a large scale. His career is a testament to his excellence in all aspects of golf hospitality.
Gil Hanse is currently working to create the first course. It is expected that it will open before year’s end. The other courses are expected to be finished in 2024 or 2025.
Burns stated that he was present on the property, and Gil was doing the dozer shaping. This was Burns’s account of the Jan. 14 site tour. Kyle Phillips will design the third course, while Mike Davis and Tommy Fazio are creating the second. Hart Howerton designs all the vertical builds, and they are just stunning. They are modern and elegant, but they look great.
Rory McIlroy is designing a 360-degree practice area. Once it is built, it will be equipped with every piece of technology possible. No real estate is being sold. There will be 40 villas built according to demand. It will be an extraordinary project. It will be unique nationally, I believe.”
New Jersey native, who started his career in hospitality by peeling shrimp at his family’s restaurant, is no stranger to big plans. He was a point man for Winged Foot during numerous expansions, renovations, and was part the team that hosted the U.S. Opens in 2006 and 2020. He was also a part of the team that hosted the 2006 and 2020 U.S. Opens.
Burns is used in dealing with high expectations. The Apogee Club is a luxury that comes with many zeros.
“Mr. “Mr. “I think the organization will have a diverse and wonderful membership, from all parts of the country. We would also like to be able to attract members from Paris, Dublin, and London.
We’ll assess the members once we have 200 to 300. It is difficult to predict how people will use a facility especially if it is new. We are not trying to rush to reach a number. We are looking for people who love the game of golf and also love the values of golf, and will enjoy the facility together with their guests.
Mike Dougherty is a golf reporter for The Journal News (lohud.com). You can reach him at [email protected], or via Twitter @lohudgolf.
