A surprising number of golf club managers work year-round, including those like Karen Degnan, whose responsibilities center around member communications and services. “I wear many hats,” she says, “but you always do that in a small organization.” Degnan is one of five managers who report to member committees and the officers of the club.
A big part of Degnan’s job is managing the master calendar for the club, which includes all the outings, private parties, tournaments, and other golf and social events. “I book the outings or events like weddings, then farm that out to the appropriate people like the dining room staff,” she explains. She also handles reciprocal arrangements with other golf and beach clubs.
Degnan, 49, has spent the last 20 years at Saint Andrew’s. She started in a marketing position that evolved to the management job she holds today. Her degree from Marist College is in marketing communications, which still comes in handy. “I’m kind of the go-to person for the club members and the public,” she says.
No two days are the same. “I may have a plan for a given day, but it never seems to work out that way. An issue may arise at an outing, or the board may have something new for me to attend to,” she says, “but I like it that way.” She adds, “I also like the many different people I deal with, from staff to members. It’s fun to get to know them on a personal level.”
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