When Steve Willy and Whitney Crouse launched their management company 25 years ago, it was just “two golf pros, two laptops and an idea.” Today, that idea has become Bobby Jones Links, a privately owned firm that operates more than 40 properties across 12 states, manages $120 million in construction, and carries one of the most revered names in golf.
Based in Atlanta with an additional office in Naples, Fla., Bobby Jones Links provides turnkey operations management and advisory services to select daily fee, private and semi-private clubs. And while its reach has grown, its founders say the foundation remains the same: culture, service and selectivity.
A culture built on service
Early on, Willy, chief operating officer, and Crouse, CEO, asked their team a critical question: what should Bobby Jones Links be known for? The answer was service.
The team looked to industry leaders outside golf for inspiration. Chick-fil-A’s customer-first approach and Ritz-Carlton’s hospitality standards helped shape BJL’s model. The company introduced daily “huddles,” service standard cards, and training sessions designed to keep staff engaged in delivering consistent, people-first experiences…