Years of hospitality experience.
Blake Fugate
Pompano Beach,FL
Summary
Results-oriented professional with extensive experience in hospitality management. Skilled in operations management and staff development, consistently improving guest relations and satisfaction. Aiming to leverage strengths to enhance operational success and foster a cohesive team environment.
Overview
14
14
6
6
Years of hospitality management experience.
Work History
General Manager
Birdies Sporting Club & X-Golf Brooklyn
07.2024 - 06.2026
- Developed and launched a high-volume sports bar, restaurant, and indoor golf entertainment venue, shaping concept, layout, operating structure, and guest experience.
- Recruited, hired, trained, and led an opening staff of approximately 20 employees across golf, bar, restaurant, and guest-service operations, ensuring cohesive team performance.
- Established essential business systems, including POS, payroll, scheduling, reservations, employee policies, training manuals, and standard operating procedures.
- Increased overall company efficiency by streamlining operations and implementing innovative managerial strategies.
- Created and managed recurring golf and dart leagues, enhancing customer engagement and driving repeat business.
- Managed approximately 20 incoming calls and/or emails per day from guests.
Lead Bartender/Floor Manager
Teocalli Cocina
03.2022 - 05.2024
- Coordinated service for bar guests, service-well orders, food service, takeout, and cash and credit transactions to ensure seamless operations.
- Oversaw floor management tasks, providing shift support, processing comps and voids, assisting staff, recovering guest satisfaction, and troubleshooting operations.
- Enhanced product knowledge and relationship-building skills while making quick decisions under pressure to improve guest experience.
Lead Bartender/Floor Manager
X-Golf DTC
08.2020 - 02.2022
- Oversaw daily operations for indoor golf entertainment facility, ensuring seamless integration of golf simulator, bar, and kitchen service.
- Trained employees as lead bartender while coordinating guest reservations, simulator use, and overall facility operations.
- Maintained bar and kitchen inventory while enforcing food, beverage, and workplace safety standards.
- Resolved guest-service, staff, reservation, and simulator-related issues in a fast-paced environment.
- Built the franchise and facility-management experience later applied to opening X-Golf Brooklyn.
Pool Server
Marriott's Maui Ocean Club
10.2016 - 02.2020
- Coordinated with team members to provide prompt poolside food and beverage service.
- Developed expertise in guest service, teamwork, menu knowledge, and order accuracy to enhance overall dining experience.
- Coordinated with team members to ensure timely poolside service, contributing to guest satisfaction.
- Cultivated strong relationships with repeat and vacation ownership guests, fostering loyalty through exceptional, personalized guest service and memorable experiences.
Skills
- Hospitality Operations
- Food and Beverage Management
- High-Volume Service
- Operations Management
- Payroll and Scheduling
- POS and Reservation Systems
- Leadership and Team Building
- Staff Development
- Guest Relations
- Service Recovery
- League and Event Management
- Team Development
Accomplishments
- Directed the launch and operation of one of Brooklyn's largest sports bar facilities.
- Improved the scalability of the business by creating and documenting a repeatable operation.
- Created and managed golf and dart leagues with more than 150 active members, driving customer engagement, strengthening marketing initiatives, increasing repeat business, and building a lasting sense of community around the brand.
- Trained and supervised a team of 20-30 staff members.
Certification
- First Aid and CPR
- Bartending Certification
- Food Handlers Certification
Education
High School Diploma with Honors
Some College
Languages
English
References
David Fugate
Owner
Birdies Sporting Club & X-Golf Brooklyn
(808) 269-2510
david@xgolfbrooklyn.com
Latoya Williams
Executive Chef
Birdies Sporting Club & X-Golf Brooklyn
(347) 822-9751
toyacwilliams83@gmail.com
Shelby Colwell
Assistant General Manager
Teocalli Cocina
(720) 224-4698
Shelbylynncolwell@gmail.com
Matt Reinick
General Manager
X-Golf DTC
(303) 918-7693
mreinick@hangarclub.co
Timeline
General Manager
Birdies Sporting Club & X-Golf Brooklyn
07.2024 - 06.2026
Lead Bartender/Floor Manager
Teocalli Cocina
03.2022 - 05.2024
Lead Bartender/Floor Manager
X-Golf DTC
08.2020 - 02.2022
Pool Server
Marriott's Maui Ocean Club
10.2016 - 02.2020