RSM 392

James Will

Dr. Rockey

Fountain Head Country Club

Agency Supervisor Signature

x__________________________
Agency Description-

Introductory Statement:

The agency is named Fountain Head Country Club located in Hagerstown

Maryland. The agency specializes in recreational sports in golf and tennis, banquets, and

weddings. Their primary focus is on member’s benefits from membership they represent

an organization focused on creating the leisure country club atmosphere.

History/Development:

Fountainhead has been a long running country club since 1924. Over the 95 years

this agency has evolved and developed into one of the best organizations while still keeping

the sane culture. Originally Fountain Head was farmland until purchased by Schindel

Gans who hired well known golf course designer Donald Ross to build the course. The

course was built thanks to avid golfers including my great grandfather Park Beaver that

my mother (former member) told me about. Through their recruiting they were able to

gain 100 members from the Hagerstown Country Club at the time.

Around the 1930s and on they added the pool, tennis court, and dining areas for the

club house. Unfortunately, on June 11 1965 there was a fire that damaged the clubhouse.

The clubhouse was damaged so much and needed lots of renovation that in 2005 they

agreed to create a new clubhouse. The club house was officially opened in 2006 where it is

still thriving 13 years later with technical advances to the building.

Purpose/Philosophy:

The current mission statement for Fountain Head is, “providing exceptional service

and create the very best club experience.” Being a private organization means having a

higher standard than another agency where the services at Fountain Head Country Club

are the best to be offered in Hagerstown Maryland.

The majority of members are retired people and families Fountain Head continues

to make the leisure life fun and enjoyable that can be continued from generation to

generation. This club is based on traditions and a culture based on expectations, but also

enjoyment for the members and staff as well.

Services:

Fountain Head Country Club is home to various services offered that are available

to members and non-members. As a member’s services that are provided are sports such

as golf, tennis, pickle ball, aquatics, and fitness facilities. They also provide professional

instruction for golf including club fittings and tennis lessons as well. Besides sports they

also provide dinning with some of the best chefs in the city and great food at the snack bar

near their pool. Events are a major services provide from family, golf, tennis, and banquets

are provided by Fountain Head. The equipment is located in the club house and the cart

barn is where more of the golf equipment is located.

 The majority of revenue is generated from membership Fountain Head also

provides services for non-members. They provide facilities for weddings, business

meetings, banquets, tournaments, and private events as well. Having a top notch club house

has made Fountain Head one of the ideal locations to have host major dates.

Clientele:

I was able to interview with the Head Golf Professional J.P Lunn about the clientele

at this agency. He explained to me how this is a closed clientele as this is a private

organization that requires membership. He also mentioned the clientele is made up of 200

social members and 200 full members that includes all the facilities.

The populations are mainly seniors and families where the majority of senior

members play golf and tennis while the families are members for the pool. The clientele is

available to members only as this is a private agency. The only restrictions are the

membership package that can be purchased. The biggest one is the golf category where you

get access to all sports, dinning, and fitness centers available. Other packages will restrict

access to areas in the club such as sports membership where you get everything except golf.

Funding:

I had the opportunity to interview with the club’s manager Mary Hudgins who

recently started working there in the month of March. She was able to provide me the basis

of funding’s that are created at this long lasting agency. The funding is divided into three
aspects which are membership dues, initiation, and food & beverage revenues. The

majority of revenue is based on membership dues and the members who pay separate fees

for golf.

Mary also told me how 30% of the revenue is from the banquets and events they

host. Things such as their aquatics are an expenditure, but doesn’t benefit the revenue

made. Finally, capital expenditures she discussed how it makes up 3% and are needed due

to the age of the facility. If there are not enough funds an assessment has to be made in

order to fulfill capital expenditure.

Problem Areas:

There are various problem areas that needed to be addressed. I was able to discuss

with club manager Mary Hudgins regarding the difficulties that are occurring. She told me

how golf is one of the biggest form of revenue. The problem that affects playing golf is

weather and this dictates the club’s operations. The weather reduced the number of

rounds of golf played which was a problem.

The other two problems she mentioned were the working staff and the perception of

the golf course conditions. She talked about how majority of working staff are seasonal

employees which makes it difficult since she has to hire new staff and train new people

every season instead of keeping the same staff. The golf course is the biggest part of

membership at Fountain Head which means the course requires the highest standard. Due

to weather it has affected the conditions where members are very critical how the course

plays which is a problem area that is being addressed.

Summary of Job Responsibilities and Opportunities-

Responsibilities:

As a bag staff employee for the golf course I am tasked with many duties that need

to be completed each day. I am in charge of cleaning carts, members golf clubs, helping

members get ready for their tee time, make sure balls are filled and cleaned up on the

driving range, and last but not least meet the needs of the members and supervisors. The

shift is either in the morning or the closing shift.

If it is a tournament I will work with two other coworkers, however a normal day is

the head professional and assistant pro in the pro shop with one person running bag staff.

Head pro JP Lunn and assistant pro Jody Mason supervise golf operations as well as tasks

that bag staff needs to accomplish for the day. Communication and networking will be the

greatest skills gained from this job. Many of the own or are a part of successful companies

that allows for great career advice and connections to possible sports management

businesses as well.

Working at Under Armour and the Nacho Average Mini Golf Tournament has

taught me time management as well as customer service skills. The golf tournament

required multitasking that could affect the profit and tasks that need completed.
Opportunities:

Working at Fountain Head Country Club is a great experience to have and

recommend when taking RSM 392. For RSM 496 this would not be recommended unless in

the PGA program at Coastal since this is more of a summer job than a career or

internship. As a member of bag staff students will be responsible helping members get set

up with their carts and bags, cleaning carts and driving range, and finally anything the

PGA professionals need for the pro shop. The salary given is the minimum wage which is

10.10 an hour.

There are no expenses to work there as the uniform is provided. Housing is

provided for students with assistant pro, but must pay rent. The house is owned by one of

the members at Fountain Head. A work shirt will be provided and employees must wear

the shirt tucked in with a belt. This job is mainly a seasonal job from April to November.

The ideal semester to work here for RSM 392 would be any of the summer semesters.
 References

1.Beaver. Jill (2019 June 200. Phone

2. Hudgins, Mary. (2019, June 20). Personal Interview

3. Lunn, J.P (2019, June 20). Personal interview

4. Fountain Head Country Club (2019). FHCC History. Retrieved from

http://www.fhcc1924.com/history

5. Fountain Head Country Club (2019). FHCC Newsletter for June 2019. Retrieved from
http://www.fhcc1924.com/files/June 1st Newsletter.pdf

6. http://www.fhcc1924.com/