In the competitive landscape of private club management, creating unique experiences that foster member engagement while differentiating your facility is increasingly vital. For Ron Parris, PGA of America General Manager and CEO at Wyndemere Country Club in Naples, Florida, one particular initiative has proven so successful that he's implemented it across multiple facilities throughout his distinguished career.
Parris's path to becoming a respected club leader began after graduating from the University of Florida.
“I worked in sales for a few years before transitioning to the golf industry,” Parris recalls. “A friend who worked at Timacuan Golf Club introduced me to David Moore, from whom I learned about the PGM program. I often joke that I left a well-paying job with a company car to make $4.50 an hour in the golf business.”
That humble beginning, starting in outside operations before moving into the golf shop as an assistant professional, laid the foundation for what would become a successful career trajectory. Within two years of joining the club, Parris was promoted to head golf professional after Scratch Golf Company purchased the facility from the Stenstrom family.
“After giving me a chance to prove myself, I was promoted to head golf professional later that year,” Parris says of his early advancement.
This promotion marked the beginning of a steady progression through increasingly responsible positions in club management.
When Scratch Golf began developing the World Golf Village, Parris stepped into the general manager role at Timacuan in 1997. His reputation for effective management soon caught attention beyond his home club.
“When they needed a GM in 2000, Mike Moser reached out and hired me,” Parris explains about his move to The Legacy Club at Alaqua Lakes, where he would spend the next 13 years guiding the facility through significant transitions.
“During my tenure, we successfully transitioned from a semi-private club to a thriving private club,” Parris notes, highlighting one of his key accomplishments at The Legacy Club. This experience managing complex transitions would serve him well in future roles.
In 2013, Parris made the move to Southwest Florida, joining Pelican Marsh Golf Club in Naples.
“This marked my first experience with a member-owned club, having previously worked for family-owned clubs, management companies and developers,” he explains.
The decade he spent at Pelican Marsh as general manager and COO further expanded his expertise in club operations. The next chapter in Parris’s career began in October 2023 when he accepted the position of CEO at Wyndemere Country Club, seeking a new challenge and broader responsibilities.
Wyndemere represents a significant evolution in Parris’s management portfolio.
“Wyndemere is the first full-scale country club I’ve managed, as my previous positions were at more golf-centric clubs,” he explains.
The club serves over 700 members, with every resident in the community holding membership. It features 27 holes of Arthur Hills-designed golf, complemented by a comprehensive array of amenities that cater to the diverse interests of its membership. Ten tennis courts support an extensive rackets program, while a recently completed $10 million renovation has significantly enhanced the club's offerings.
“We expanded from four to seven pickleball courts, including a stadium court - the first of its kind in Southwest Florida,” Parris says of the renovation. “We also expanded our croquet lawn and increased our bocce courts from three to four.”
The club's amenities extend well beyond racket sports, featuring a new learning center with three bays equipped with Trackman technology and simulation capabilities, a resort-style pool and an impressive 20,000 square foot fitness center and spa. Multiple dining venues, including the casual “Tiebreaker” and more formal clubhouse dining, provide members with varied culinary experiences six nights a week during the busy season.
Like many Southwest Florida clubs, Wyndemere experiences significant seasonal fluctuations. “About 70 percent of our members have northern homes and leave during the summer,” Parris notes. “We become extremely busy from mid-October through Easter, particularly January through Easter.”
This seasonal pattern creates both challenges and opportunities for club management, allowing for project completion and staff rejuvenation during quieter summer months. Since joining Wyndemere, Parris has focused on managing the substantial renovation project while simultaneously improving the employee culture.
“We've brought on a new Director of People and Culture who's made significant improvements to our internal employee experience,” he explains, demonstrating his understanding that exceptional member experiences begin with engaged staff.
Among the various initiatives that Parris has implemented throughout his career, one stands out for its simplicity, effectiveness and member appeal.
“One specific initiative I've implemented is the ‘One Tank Trip’ program, which I ran for 10 years at Pelican Marsh,” Parris explains.
The concept is straightforward - organize golf outings to facilities within driving distance, reachable on a single tank of gas, creating opportunities for members to experience different courses while building camaraderie. The program has proven immensely popular at Wyndemere.
“We currently have about 40 members participating in a trip to Doral in Miami,” Parris notes. “Over the years, we've visited most facilities in South Florida, and members have really embraced this program.”
What makes the One Tank Trip program particularly effective is its multifaceted benefits. For members, it provides access to prestigious courses they might not otherwise experience, creates social connections beyond their home club and adds variety to their golfing routine. For the club, it fosters member loyalty, creates distinctive experiences that differentiate Wyndemere from competitors and strengthens the community aspect of membership.
The program also showcases Parris's understanding of his membership demographics. With many members splitting time between Florida and northern homes, these regional golf adventures offer compelling experiences during their Florida residence without requiring extensive travel commitments.
Implementation requires developing relationships with other clubs for reciprocal play opportunities, coordinating transportation and logistics and creating memorable experiences beyond just the golf itself. Parris’s long-standing connections in the industry facilitate these arrangements, making the program particularly well-suited to his leadership style.
As Parris continues to “get to know the members, understand Wyndemere’s culture, improve our employee experience and build on our recent developments,” the One Tank Trip program represents just one example of how thoughtful, member-focused initiatives can enhance the private club experience. By focusing on creating unique opportunities for engagement, Parris demonstrates that sometimes the most effective ideas are those that combine simplicity with a deep understanding of what members truly value.