Chris DeBusk, General Manager
MPGA/CMAA
C[email protected]
(423) 499-6300
Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1985 and after graduating from Episcopal High School, attended the University of Florida on a golf scholarship. Playing professionally for nine years, until he changed from a professional golfer to a golf professional. A PGA member since 2005, Chris has PGA Certifications in seven different career paths; one of only four PGA Members ever to hold such a distinction. In 2019, he joined a very select number of PGA Members to be awarded PGA Master Professional status. Over the 100 plus years, the PGA of America has been in existence, there have been less than 400 members ever awarded the PGA Master Professional distinction.
As a department head, Chris is a leader who promotes facility and team with a sense of approachability to the members and all his direct reports. he displays this through a servant leadership style that embraces and supports the front-line staff having autonomy in decision making by accessing situations, creating the correct action steps which take into account the facility mission and vision; then following through with a personal commitment of excellence.
In having a highly-motivated staff, it would always be Chris’ objective to foster within them empowerment, participation, engagement, and accountability. Once they have truly internalized our mission and vision, they become champions for creating a performance culture each and every day. The above supported always with genuine smiles and warm greetings create an atmosphere of first-class service. Chris demonstrates those servant leadership principles emphasizing facilitation while helping associates’ personal growth and harnessing their maximum potential, empowering both the person and company to be successful. He develops associates through fostering a culture of trust by offering empathy and a strong sense of humility.
The growth and overall development of staff reporting to Chris is always his highest calling as a leader. A skilled communicator, he will base interactions around authentic active listening supported with clear concise responses and ideas which take into account a multitude of varying audiences including peers, supervisors, direct reports, and stakeholders. The building of relationships lay the groundwork before other tasks can be successful. Strong relationships allow respect to blossom. In the workplace, this critical step allows a team to be created. In the people-pleasing business, relationships allow both the employee and the employer to understand each other clearly and allow an atmosphere of collaborative efforts to be present.
Brandon Arnold, PGA Professional
B[email protected]
(423) 499-6300
Brandon started his journey in the golf industry 12 years ago as outside service at Lookout Mountain Golf Club. Brandon served four years at Lookout before leaving for college on a basketball scholarship. Brandon received his First Assistant position at Black Creek Club in 2014 and worked until 2016 where he accepted a job at Canyon Ridge Golf club as the First Assistant Golf Professional. In 2018 Brandon was on the ground floor of a multi-million-dollar renovation and a facility re-branding of the facility, now called McLemore Club. Brandon was elected to PGA Membership January 1, 2020. Through the years, Brandon has been responsible for facility merchandising, swing instruction, managing staff, membership director, and stay and play director. Upon receiving election to PGA Membership, Brandon received a position as the Assistant Chair for the Chattanooga PGA Chapter and will serve as the Assistant’s Chair for the Tennessee Section in 2022. Brandon has mentored and provided many opportunities for aspiring industry professionals to start the PGA Management program. Brandon started at the Council Fire Club April 1, 2020. Brandon has a lot of experience with Juniors, Ladies, and Member events and looks forward to offering assistance to the members at the Council Fire Club.
Gab Rains, PGA Associate
[email protected]
(423) 499-6300
Heath Tarver, PGA Associate
[email protected]
(423) 499-6300