— Keys to Success —
What do you get with MDG as your Golf Leader?
- Top LEVEL experience in every aspect of your Golf Operation with FULL ownership and commitment through to GOAL ACHIEVEMENT.
- GUARANTEED SUCCESS in these areas: gaining and retaining members through INCREASED ACTIVITY, building a team-wide culture of consideration, service & FUN, meeting financial goals and ADDING VALUE.
Specifics
Increasing Activity
We bring energy to the Golf Space by creating FUN events for ALL demographics. Our events are creative and unique and draw on the members preferences. We keep everyone involved through a variety of ongoing activities, and we NEVER miss an opportunity to COMMUNICATE our event schedule, descriptions & results in order to maintain or increase participation levels. The events our Golf Team creates make the stories that members carry for a lifetime and bolster friendships, and we seek to reinforce and enhance those stories to initiate more excitement among the members.
Building A Culture of Consideration, Service & FUN
We create a work environment and member-employee culture that is friendly and fun. The basis of our approach is Members First, Teammates Second and Me Third. Through genuine consideration, we anticipate the needs of our members and coworkers in hopes of creating a GREAT DAY for them.
Achieving Financial Goals
Regardless of which metrics are used to analyze financial success; whether it is budget adherence, increased revenues or profits or expense reduction, I have a proven record of success and will continue this trend.
Adding Value
We relentlessly seek to add value to the club for our members by whatever means necessary. Whether we make visual/aesthetic, procedural or infrastructure improvements, we constantly review the members experience to find ways to improve it.
How do WE do it?
Creating success in any of these areas is no accident. We understand that we need the consistency and dedication of a CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM. Take a look at OUR keys to improvement and success in OUR operation.
How do WE build a culture of Consideration, Service & FUN?
Get your Top People to buy in and REINFORCE regularly.
Make ALL team members understand how IMPORTANT they are.
We talk about the need to spread positive energy, to smile and to engage with the members and each other weekly. We plan and make strides toward creating these mentalities among our coworkers and team.
Make ALL team members understand how IMPORTANT they are.
Make ALL team members understand how IMPORTANT they are.
We engage with staff as much or more as with members. We understand that their performance will improve as long as they have fun and feel like they contribute. We constantly ask front line staff for ideas to improve and we promote fun both at work and away from it.
Spread the culture to other departments.
We make sure that we are kind and helpful toward other departments because we know that only together will we achieve true success for our members.
Preach your culture to your members also.
Preach your culture to your members also.
In the end, the members make any club and it is vital that they support and enable the culture. We STRONGLY encourage professional interaction among our members and team. This helps to create a supportive. family atmosphere.
Practice what you preach
Preach your culture to your members also.
Practice what you preach
We consistently hold ourselves to the high standards that we set, we admit and correct our mistakes and we celebrate our continuing improvements.
How do WE increase activity?
Marketing 101
Our members consume information and marketing in many different ways. We maximize participation by marketing our events on a wide variety of platforms, from social media channels, to email & video updates to word of mouth.
Promoting events before, during and after.
Increasing participation is one thing, but our goal is MORE ACTIVITY. We seek to get active players playing more and less active players playing regularly. We use pictures, round by round scoring and highlights and even player interviews to promote events at all stages. Members love seeing their friends do well in golf and we exploit that to our benefit.
Making events fun
When designing events, we cater to the specific demographic to develop a format and schedule that they would enjoy. We include additional activities when possible and are not afraid to "break the mold".
Involve ALL of your golfers
Believe it or not, not all of your members enjoy tournaments and events. Whenever possible, we make sure there is space for everyone. Additionally, we are innovative about encouraging play when we may not have the best weather or there are other things going on in town.
How do WE achieve financial goals?
Involve the TEAM
Make sure appropriate staff understands that our financial goals apply to the team. All of us alert members to new gear, all of us promote fitting days, all of us are salespeople.
Make a plan and plan on being flexible
Profitability is about maximizing opportunity. Sometimes even a good plan needs to be adjusted in order to maximize revenues and profits.
Make sure the team is up to date
We review metrics weekly to ensure we are on track. Any adjustments that need to be made are discussed and communicated regularly.
Marketing 101
We use our communication and social media channels to inform our members about what we offer. Sometimes they need to be inspired by pictures and information to understand the products and services they are needing.
How do WE add value?
Look for opportunities everywhere
Every action you take or choose not to take either adds or subtracts value. We look for opportunities to improve the members' experience in every aspect of our club.
Understand that consistency adds value
Just like in golf, consistent success is what makes champions. We understand that we all have to "bring it" everyday.
The devil is in the details
Even the smallest detail; a cigarette butt on the ground, broken tees on the range or a dusty cart roof; if attended to, is an opportunity to add value.
You don't need money to add value
Whether you find a procedural change is necessary to add value or you are trying to create a $2 million renovation, don't let a lack of funds keep you from achieving it. If it will add enough value, you will find someone who wants to make the investment.
Achieving success in my personal life
Published author
I have written and published my first book, Getting Better - A guide to improving any aspect of your life. I am working on my second book, Open Your Mind and Let the Good Out.
Always improving
I will complete the Executive Management Specialization in PGA Education by 5/31/25. I then intend to pursue another degree at university in Physics so I can explore my fascination with universal theory.
Fitness enthusiast and professional
I am TPI level 1 certified, studied Kinesiology in college and exercise 6-7 times per week. As we age, a consistent commitment to fitness and longevity will make golf more fun. This is what i practice and preach to my members.
Cattle ranching
I share a small cattle ranch with my brother and sister. The land has been in our family since Texas was Mexico and is the basis for my family's heritage in Texas. I am proud to be a member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas. This project takes up about 5-8 days per year of my time, but I love it!
Volunteering
As a history enthusiast, I spend some free time volunteering at the local history museum in the Acquisitions Department and assisting with exhibits.
Love sports and trying NEW things
The drama of sports has always captivated me and I am VERY competitive. I enjoy the excitement of trying new things and meeting new people. I try to get out of my comfort zone as much as possible; it keeps life interesting!
Testimonials
Mark is a dynamic leader who instituted a host of golf programs that have enhanced the golfing experience at the Wichita Falls Country Club. By bringing energy and enthusiasm to the Women’s Golf Program and the Junior Program, we are experiencing renewed and increased use. The Men’s Program has received an infusion of challenging golf activities that have resulted in a very robust participation. Mark brings knowledge, energy and imagination that is an asset few possess. He continues to excel at every level and his knowledge of the game makes him an asset that brings golfing success. Any Club that lures Mark will be extremely happy with his performance.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide input on a true professional.
- Dr. Howard Farrell, EDD, Emeritus Vice President, Midwestern State University
Board of Directors, National Order of Omega (former President, Wichita Falls Country Club)
Mark is currently at Iron Horse GC, and is very highly thought of by management and membership. I can tell you that having just completed an extensive national Director of Golf search in my role as Chair of the Golf Committee at The Mirabel Club (another Discovery heritage club like Iron Horse), Mark is a MUST HIRE! Total stud of a guy who is warm, personable and connects with everyone. I have seen him mentor, lead teams and connect with members in a very authentic way. I know that you recently joined ****, so I thought this was an ideal candidate to pass along to you. Wishing you guys good luck in the search and I am confident that if Mark is your guy, you hired a complete STUD!
- David Scherl, Chairman Emeritus Morrison Cohen, LLP
Member at Iron Horse GC (MT), Hudson National & Mirabel Club (GC Chair)
Mark is a highly qualified and capable Head Golf Professional. I had the privilege of working with Mark at Miramont Country Club in Texas where perfection was the general standard for our Owner and well-traveled membership base. Mark was forward thinking in his programming and approach to events, tournaments, and member engagement initiatives. Personalized service with high-end touches at our signature touchpoints through the golf experience is something we excelled at. Mark was especially good at relating to golfers of all skill levels, backgrounds, and age demographics. I’d recommend Mark for a Head Professional or Director of Golf position where member-focus, operational execution, and creativity is needed and valued.
- Rick Poling, COO/GM, Riverside Country Club, Provo, Utah
Some people make this world special by just being in it and Mark is one of those people. I cherish my friendship w/ Mark which we have had for over 26 yrs. When I count my blessings I count him twice. Mark is
the best of the best and I have seen the rest.
- Rox Covert, Covert Family Auto Group
Mark and I have been close friends and colleagues since our assistants days together, working for Dick Harmon at River Oaks in Houston, TX. He then followed me to Spanish Oaks in Austin as my lead assistant and help set up the entire golf operation from scratch - couldn’t have done it without him! I love his passion for the game of golf, teaching the game, and his energetic approach to service and hospitality.
- Henrik Simonsen, Director of Golf, The Honors Course
Mark is a great all-around Golf Pro. He brought activity and vitality to our club along with a great attention to detail and high level service. He is a talented instructor and I really enjoyed playing golf with him. It was obvious how much his staff respected him. He would be a tremendous asset to any fine club.
- Glenn Barrett, Owner, Feathercrest Farms