FULL MANAGEMENT SUCCESS STORY

Rose Hill Golf Club • Bluffton, South Carolina

Completely restoring and updating a neglected golf course takes time – and an exemplary team to make it happen. Rose Hill Golf Club is the prime example that proves the point, and IGM is the team behind the success. More than golf course maintenance, the turnaround of Rose Hill Golf Club in Bluffton, SC also involved IGM taking on full management responsibilities for the course and clubhouse operations.

The story began in September 2022, when IGM was contracted to manage the property. The previous company had too few employees to maintain the course or keep equipment in good repair.

Mike Kuhn, who has been with IGM for 15 years, was brought in as General Manager, followed by the recruitment of Mark Teed as Director of Golf. They were able to retain some of the existing staff who wanted to see improvements and established a culture of excellence. “Putting together the right team and the right culture has made the difference. It’s definitely a team effort,” emphasized Kuhn.

Top priority was restoring the golf course that had long been neglected. IGM is known for agronomic excellence and environmental commitment. The course had to be closed during this time, but Kuhn said “basic maintenance alone made a big improvement and appropriately using weed control, fertilizer, and irrigation helped even more.” They’ve been somewhat slowed in replacing equipment by supply chain shortages; new mowers ordered more than a year ago are not expected to arrive until March 2024.

Since the Rose Hill golf course reopened, it has received great reviews from club members and the Bluffton community. The club has grown in membership, and a year-over-year comparison showed a 400% increase in rounds played. Losing the late winter and spring playing season has limited overall revenue, but the golf course is on the right track for 2024.

In addition to oversight of golf course maintenance, IGM manages the clubhouse operations and pro shop at Rose Hill. Mark Teed has worked in the South Carolina low-country for several years and was familiar with the previous conditions at Rose Hill. IGM’s reputation brought him to the team, and he notes the golf course is 1,000 times better than when he started.

As Director of Golf, Teed oversees the complete golf experience and a pro-shop staff of 14 to manage inventory, collect greens fees, and more. He describes his role as “ensuring a supportive and enjoyable environment for the community. I look at my full-time job as being in charge of other people’s leisure time.”  Teed also commented on the importance of having the right team and that one of IGM’s core values is having respect for each other and yourself.

A unique aspect of IGM’s full management capabilities is bringing on an experienced digital marketer to elevate Rose Hill Golf Club’s branding, website, and social media presence. Online reviews have improved dramatically since the course reopened, along with support for the club’s commitment to veteran organization OPFOB.

IGM provides complete golf course maintenance services in markets across the U.S. We have expertise working in various regions, terrains, and climate conditions. The company is committed to agronomic excellence and environmentally conscious methods and products. To request a consult, please contact Greg Plotner, Executive Vice President, 407-589-7200. Additional information may be obtained by visiting IGM’s website at golfmaintenance.com.

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