In the pristine mountain setting of Lake Tahoe, where championship golf meets breathtaking Sierra Nevada vistas, innovation often comes from reimagining what already exists. For Brandon Miller, Assistant General Manager and PGA Director of Golf at Clear Creek Tahoe, one transformative idea has redefined how his club approaches family engagement and growing the game, turning their world-class practice facility into something entirely unexpected.
Miller's journey to this moment of inspiration began in Madison, Connecticut, where his father first introduced him to golf at a young age.
“Our time together on the course instilled in me a deep love for the game and the life values that come with it,” Miller recalls.
While he played multiple sports throughout his youth, golf gradually became his primary focus during his mid-teens, setting the foundation for what would eventually become his professional calling.
After college, Miller explored other career paths before returning to the game that had shaped his formative years.
“After college and some time spent exploring other paths, I found my way back to the game, ultimately deciding to make golf my career,” he explains.
This decision led him to Arizona in 2014, where his professional golf career truly began to take shape.
Miller's ascent through the ranks of club management demonstrates the diverse experience that modern golf professionals must cultivate to succeed in today's competitive landscape. His roles have spanned the spectrum of club operations, from tournament director and assistant golf professional to head professional, and now assistant general manager and director of golf at Clear Creek Tahoe. Throughout this progression, Miller has maintained a consistent focus on two core principles that define his leadership philosophy.
“Along the way, I've remained committed to mentoring professionals and creating exceptional member experiences focusing on enthusiasm and service,” Miller notes, highlighting the dual responsibility that drives his approach to club management.
Clear Creek Tahoe represents the pinnacle of mountain golf experiences, situated on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada just minutes from the iconic Lake Tahoe. The club's Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw-designed golf course has earned consistent recognition among the best courses in the country, offering members and guests a mountain golf experience that seamlessly blends challenge with visual splendor.
The course design philosophy of Coore and Crenshaw, renowned for their minimalist approach that works harmoniously with natural terrain, proves particularly well-suited to the dramatic topography surrounding Lake Tahoe. The result is a championship layout that feels both demanding and organic, challenging players while showcasing the breathtaking natural beauty that defines this unique corner of California and Nevada.
Beyond the acclaimed golf course, Clear Creek Tahoe offers an impressive array of amenities that cater to the diverse interests of its membership. State-of-the-art practice facilities provide members with every tool necessary to improve their games, while the bar and Trackman simulator space offer year-round training opportunities regardless of weather conditions. The club's commitment to family engagement is evident in Summit Camp, their comprehensive racquet sports and family-fun complex that features multiple pools and an activities pavilion designed to create memorable experiences for members of all ages.
The club's award-winning 20,000-square-foot clubhouse serves as the social heart of the facility, providing multiple dining settings that accommodate everything from casual post-round meals to elegant special occasions. The clubhouse also houses a fully equipped fitness center and spa, ensuring that members have access to comprehensive wellness amenities that complement their active lifestyles.
Perhaps the most distinctive among Clear Creek Tahoe's offerings is Twin Pine Lake & Ski House, located just a short drive from the main club facilities. This private lakefront cottage features 180 feet of pristine beach and provides everything members need for water-based recreation, including paddle boards, kayaks, jet skis and the club's own boat. During winter months, the facility transforms into a cozy ski chalet, creating an ideal year-round escape that maximizes the region's seasonal recreational opportunities.
It was within this exceptional setting that Miller identified an opportunity to create something truly innovative. Looking at the club's world-class practice facility, he recognized the potential that extended far beyond traditional practice sessions and instruction.
“We saw an opportunity to do more with our practice facility; something fun, inclusive and a little outside the box,” Miller explains. “So, a few Sundays a month, we turn it into a par-3 course and build an entirely new experience around it.”
The transformation involves more than simply setting up temporary holes on the practice area. Miller and his team create a complete atmosphere that fundamentally changes how members and their families interact with the space.
“With music playing, great food on hand and a laid-back vibe, we create a space where families can come together, kids can feel comfortable learning the game and new players don’t feel intimidated,” he describes.
This approach addresses one of golf's most persistent challenges: creating an environment where newcomers, particularly children and families, feel welcome and comfortable. Traditional golf settings, with their emphasis on etiquette, quiet concentration and established protocols, can inadvertently create barriers for those unfamiliar with the game's customs. Miller's par-3 transformation deliberately removes these potential obstacles.
“This isn’t just about golf; it’s about creating moments,” he emphasizes. “Parents could walk with their kids, friends could play barefoot with a drink in hand and the score is the last thing on their minds.”
The success of this initiative extends beyond simple participation numbers. By creating an environment where the traditional pressures of golf are minimized, Miller has opened pathways for family engagement that might not otherwise exist. Parents who might hesitate to bring young children onto the championship course find themselves comfortable in this relaxed setting, while children experience golf as fun rather than intimidating.
The program also serves experienced players by offering a different way to enjoy their club. The casual atmosphere provides a refreshing contrast to competitive rounds on the main course, creating opportunities for social interaction and relaxation that complement more serious golf experiences.
Miller's innovation demonstrates how creative thinking can maximize existing resources while addressing broader industry challenges. Rather than requiring significant capital investment or facility expansion, the par-3 transformation leverages existing infrastructure in a new way, proving that impactful changes don't always require major expenditures.
“It's been a huge success in helping grow the game and a reminder that sometimes the best way to honor tradition is to make room for fun,” Miller reflects on the program's impact.
This philosophy encapsulates a broader truth about modern club management: successful leaders must balance respect for golf's traditions with a willingness to innovate and adapt. Miller's par-3 transformation honors the game's fundamental appeal while removing barriers that might prevent new participants from discovering that appeal.
As Clear Creek Tahoe continues to set standards for mountain golf experiences, Miller's creative approach to family engagement and game growth provides a model that other clubs might adapt to their own settings. The success of transforming practice space into play space demonstrates that innovation often lies not in building something entirely new but in reimagining the potential of what already exists.
In an industry increasingly focused on attracting new participants while retaining existing members, Miller's One Great Idea proves that sometimes the most effective solutions combine simplicity with genuine understanding of what brings people together around the game of golf.