Brenton Rice
Centennial,CO
Summary
Executive hospitality leader with 20+ years of experience in the golf and hospitality industry, including extensive leadership of luxury destination golf resorts, private clubs, and multi-property hospitality operations. Proven success transforming visionary concepts into world-class experiences, including serving as the second employee on-site at Black Desert Resort and helping guide the property from development through opening, Founder engagement, and national recognition. A strategic and hands-on leader with expertise in building high-performing cultures, leading complex multi-million-dollar operations, driving financial performance, and aligning ownership vision with exceptional guest experiences. Recognized for elevating brands, developing teams, and creating authentic hospitality experiences that inspire lasting loyalty
Overview
1
1
Certification
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Valley Country Club
Centennial, CO
03.2025 - Current
- Lead the strategic transformation of a member-owned organization, driving significant improvements in member satisfaction, employee accountability, organizational culture, and overall business performance.
- Lead a complex, multi-amenity operation including golf, food & beverage, racquet sports, aquatics, fitness, facilities, finance, human resources, and membership sales
- Increased Net Promoter Score (NPS) over 13 points in one year through service culture initiatives, operational enhancements, and renewed focus on member experience.
- Grew active golf membership from approximately 380 to more than 430 memberships while generating over $2.17M in initiation fee revenue and strengthening member engagement and retention.
- Achieved sustained financial performance through revenue growth, operational discipline, and strategic programming, with multiple months exceeding budget targets.
- Partnered with the Board of Directors on governance, long-range planning, capital investment decisions, and strategic initiatives, including a $16M real estate transaction.
- Implemented accountability standards, performance metrics, and technology solutions that enhanced operational efficiency, informed decision-making, and elevated member experience.
Chief Operating Officer and General Manager
Camaraderie Clubs
04.2024 - 01.2025
- Lead multi-course golf and sales operations, ensuring a world-class guest experience, and financial growth.
- Spearheaded team development and mentorship, fostering a high-performance culture within an associate base of more than 150 associates across 10 departments.
- Executed Member Committee meetings and created the Membership Ambassador Group.
- Implemented innovative guest engagement programs, increasing retention, and brand reputation.
- Oversight of strategic planning, budgeting, and revenue generation across multiple departments, contributing to annual revenues of $21.5 million for The Huntington Club.
- Directed the engineering, design, and revision of menus for lunch, dinner, and sushi to maximize quality and profit.
- Conducted regular meetings with departmental heads to review progress.
General Manager
Black Desert Resort Golf Course
04.2022 - 04.2024
- Served as the second employee hired on-site and played an instrumental role in transforming Black Desert Resort from a vision and active construction site into an internationally recognized destination golf resort.
- Led pre-opening strategy, operational development, SOP creation, staffing plans, service standards, and cross-departmental alignment to establish the culture and guest experience from day one.
- Directed the launch of the golf operation, Founder experiences, and early member engagement programs, building strong relationships with Founders and converting them into passionate ambassadors for the property.
- Partnered closely with ownership, development teams, and senior leadership to ensure the execution of the long-term vision while successfully navigating the challenges of an evolving construction environment.
- Oversaw a 9-hole preview experience for members and investors, achieving a 4.95/5 guest satisfaction rating.
- Established the mandatory forecaddie program and developed service standards that elevated the authenticity and overall golf experience.
- Worked collaboratively with agronomy leadership to deliver world-class playing conditions aligned with destination golf expectations.
- Contributed to Black Desert earning national recognition, including Golf Digest Best New Course, Golf Magazine Top 100 Courses You Can Play, and BoardRoom Magazine Distinguished Club recognition.
Executive Vice President - Revenues
The Bay Club Company
09.2010 - 03.2022
- Directed strategic growth initiatives for a premier lifestyle and golf club portfolio across 24 clubs.
- Led the membership sales and retention strategy, driving over $1M in dues growth, more than 1,000 new memberships per month, and over $600k in initiation fees per month.
- Executed sales training, development, and mentorship for the sales team that consists of 30+ membership directors.
Senior Vice President & General Manager
The Bay Club Company
- Direct oversight of the San Diego market, including Fairbanks Ranch Country Club-an upscale, 280-acre, 27-hole property that also includes tennis, aquatics, and fitness.
- Oversaw the coordination of multi-property strategies, budget management, and hospitality operations.
- Developed new policies and procedures to increase efficiency in all departments.
- Oversaw corrective action plans to remedy structural, organizational and departmental issues.
- Generated over $32 million in yearly revenue at Fairbanks Ranch CC; Membership Dues - $20 million, Initiation Fees - $1.8 million, Food & Beverage - $4.15 million (Banquet revenues of $2.4 million), Pro Shop - $750,000, Other Revenues - $5.3 million (golf, guest fees, lockers, tennis, youth camps).
Various Leadership Roles
The Bay Club Company
- Served as Vice President of Sales, General Manager, and Senior Membership Director.
- Assisted with the acquisition of Stone Tree Golf Club.
- Opened a new Bay Club facility as General Manager.
- Managed oversight of diverse multi-course golf facilities.
- Attended and earned several company leadership and sales program certificates.
Head Golf Professional
Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
05.2007 - 09.2010
- Oversight of golf operations and tournament sales of a 27-hole resort facility.
- Developed and implemented different hole rotations to maximize revenue potential.
Assistant Golf Professional
Big Horn Golf Club
09.2006 - 05.2007
- Responsible for providing exceptional member and guest services.
- Assisted with tournament operations, custom retail ordering including hard goods and soft goods.
Skills
- Destination Resort Development & Pre-Opening Leadership
- Founder, Homeowner & Member Relations Experience
- Luxury Hospitality & Guest Experience Strategy
- Golf Operations, Caddie Programs & Destination Golf Culture
- Ownership Relations & Stakeholder Engagement
- Strategic Planning & Long-Term Vision Execution
- Complex Multi-Department Operations Leadership
- Food & Beverage, Golf & Ancillary Revenue Operations
- Sales, Membership Growth & Revenue Management
- Financial Leadership, Budgeting & Business Performance
- Team Development, Culture Building & Executive Leadership
- Operational Standards, SOP Development & Service Excellence
- Brand Development, Storytelling & Market Positioning
- Private Club & Resort Operations
- Board, Committee & Community Relations
- Tournament, Event & Experience Programming
Certification
- Certified Revenue Management Executive (CRME), HSMAI
- Certified Hotel General Manager (CHGM), MIHI
- Certified Food and Beverage Manager (CFBM), MIHI
Timeline
General Manager
Valley Country Club
03.2025 - Current
Chief Operating Officer and General Manager
Camaraderie Clubs
04.2024 - 01.2025
General Manager
Black Desert Resort Golf Course
04.2022 - 04.2024
Executive Vice President - Revenues
The Bay Club Company
09.2010 - 03.2022
Head Golf Professional
Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
05.2007 - 09.2010
Assistant Golf Professional
Big Horn Golf Club
09.2006 - 05.2007
Various Leadership Roles
The Bay Club Company
Senior Vice President & General Manager
The Bay Club Company