18 minute read
STAFF PROFILE: AUSTEN DAILEY & MARK BOBER
WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL?
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I attended The University of Alabama at Birmingham, and my major was Sports Management.
DID YOU PLAY GOLF IN COLLEGE?
I did, yes. I started playing the game when I was 10 years old. By the time I was 15, I was winning some junior events and won the High School California State Championship my junior year. I finished that year ranked the #3 junior in the state of California, and that led to a scholarship at UAB. My goal was to always play professional golf and I was lucky enough to turn professional after college to pursue it.
HOW LONG DID YOU PLAY PROFESSIONALLY?
I played professionally for 10 years, mostly on the mini tours in California as well as Q — Schools, Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour Monday Qualifiers. I eventually got burnt out with the travel and constant practice, and made the decision to be a club pro.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE COURSE TO PLAY?
My favorite course to play in college was Shoal Creek in Birmingham — that’s where our home event was played and we used the course for team qualifying as well. My favorite professional event was always the Long Beach Open because it was close to home, I got to stay with my parents and they were able to watch me play.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE GOLF BUSINESS?
A bunch of things! First, I get to be at the golf course all day! Secondly, I really enjoy the company of all my coworkers. Getting to build relationships with the members is a part of the job that goes unmatched in any other industry, and I get to give back to a game that has provided me with so much!
AUSTEN DAILEY
HOMETOWN: Huntington Beach, CA FAMILY STATUS/MEMBERS: Single, no kids
DO YOU HAVE A MENTOR WHO HAS GUIDED YOU THROUGH YOUR CAREER?
I never had a mentor. There were plenty of people that helped me along the way financially with sponsorships. My swing coach Bryan Lebedevitch helped me develop the mentality to where I felt I was good enough to be on the PGA Tour.
WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS?
I am currently in the PGA Program working towards my Class A credential. I want to work my way up to a Head Golf Professional and then a Director of Golf. Also, I want to qualify for the PGA National Championship and play well enough to qualify for the PGA Championship.
HOW DID YOU BECOME EMPLOYED AT THE CLUBS OF CORDILLERA RANCH?
One of my high school teammates played college golf with Corey Roberson, the Director of Golf, and put the two of us in contact. This was right around the same time I was looking to make the change to the business side of golf and it all just worked out.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST REWARDING PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE?
I think, just in general, getting to travel the country and play professional golf. I’ve been able to see many different places, different people and different cultures. I think that will really help me going forward in the golf business.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST PERSONAL CHALLENGE?
I would say it was making the decision to quit playing professional events. To make the transition from playing to the golf business side of things was something I really took time to think about and make sure it was the best move for me.
ANYTHING THAT WOULD SURPRISE OTHERS ABOUT YOURSELF?
Other than golf, my other passion is music. If I wasn’t in golf, I would be doing something music related.
MARK BOBER
HOMETOWN: Dallas, TX FAMILY MEMBERS: Wife-Marissa, Son-Henry, Daughter-Brighton, Son-George
WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL?
I attended Texas Tech University and received a Bachelor of Science in Restaurant, Hotel and Institutional Management.
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN THE GOLF INDUSTRY?
My Dad was an avid golfer. He introduced me to the game at an early age. It’s a great game for so many different reasons but the best parts of working in the industry are the ability to improve my game by playing regularly and the different people I’ve been able to meet and connect with along the way. There’s a special culture that happens at clubs between employees and members. I’ve met some of my closest friends at the courses. This eventually led me to be involved in golf full-time.
WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS?
I am currently a PGA of America Class A Professional and was elected to membership in 2020. My goal is to be a Head Golf Professional and run my own golf operation.
HOW DID YOU BECOME EMPLOYED AT THE CLUBS OF CORDILLERA RANCH?
The Director of Golf, Corey Roberson, hired me at Preston Trail back in 2014. He always found ways to improve me professionally and exposed me to all aspects of a golf operation. An opportunity at Cordillera Ranch came up and I knew this would help me grow and improve my skill set as a Golf Professional. The golf operation at Cordillera Ranch is forward-thinking and is always finding ways to improve the experience for the members and staff.
WHAT PAST WORK HISTORY PREPARED YOU FOR THE CLUBS?
I started at the Adolphus Hotel in downtown Dallas as a Front Desk Associate for three years. I began my training as a golf professional at the Preston Trail Golf Club in Dallas, then I moved to Royal Oaks Country Club and stayed there for five years as an Assistant Golf Professional.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST REWARDING PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE?
Raising money for Junior Golf is always rewarding. Randy Smith’s Great 108 has raised over $1,900,000 since 1983 for Junior Golf in the North Texas Section. Each Golf Professional would play 108 holes in one day while giving a playing lesson to a different junior each nine holes. It was something we loved to do and helped raise money for a good cause.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST PERSONAL CHALLENGE?
Shortly after my wife and I got married, I was not satisfied with my career in the hotel industry. I knew I wasn’t passionate about my work, and I couldn’t see myself continuing in my position long term. I knew golf was always something I loved and enjoyed being around. In 2013, my wife and I moved in with my in-laws so I could chase the dream of playing professionally. After a short time, we both realized this was not going to work out. In February of 2014, I was fortunate enough to be hired at Preston Trail Golf Club as an AIT (assistant in training) and I began my training as a Golf Professional. I was able to meet and befriend pros at various courses and after a short period of time I realized this is where my passion lies.
ANYTHING THAT WOULD SURPRISE OTHERS ABOUT YOURSELF?
I swing the club left-handed but everything else I do is right-handed!
WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEANINGFUL PERSONAL EXPERIENCE?
My most meaningful personal experience was in 2018 when my son Henry was born and sadly passed away three days later. His short life changed every aspect of my life and I strive to be better in everything I do because of him.
California’s Loss is
CORDILLERA RANCH’S GAIN
By Jenny Webster Jurica :: Photography by David Teran
Lorinda K. Photography
While in the beginning stages of planning for retirement in 2014, a quick Google search of “Golf Course Communities in San Antonio” yielded a serendipitous solution to Claudia and Scott Weisberg’s quest to migrate from their home in Ohio to a warmer climate, initially California.
The couple, who spent much of their marriage toggling between Minnesota, Missouri and Ohio, longed to retire to a more amiable climate. California seemed to be the obvious choice, as the Weisbergs had always enjoyed spending their summer vacations there. But, growing increasingly weary of the idea of uprooting to California, the Weisbergs began to casually explore other options. “The weather in California was grand, but the lack of water, cost, overcrowding and failed municipalities were not enticing. California had our hearts, but not our heads,” explains Scott.
So, the couple followed in the footsteps of Claudia’s parents, who moved from Maryland to San Antonio in 1990, and made their own great migration to the Texas Hill Country. “One visit to the area, plus a round of golf on the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, and we were hooked,” remembers Scott of the couple’s first introduction to Cordillera Ranch.
After that first trip to Boerne, the couple returned to Ohio in order for Scott to complete his corporate career, and for their son to finish high school, but the wheels were set into motion for a move to Texas. Scott and Claudia purchased their lot at Cordillera Ranch in 2019 and moved in the end of March 2021. The sunshine and warmth of Texas is a balm to the soul of this couple, who spent much of their lives in the northern recesses of the country.
The Weisbergs’ love story began in 1993 in bustling New York City. Their “meet-cute” stories are similar. Both Scott and Claudia were employed by snack food giant, Nabisco®, where Claudia was the Divisional Sales Manager for Metro New York and Scott was the new Manager of Training and Development. Scott says, “There was a project that had stalled and so I was pulled into it. Claudia was the subject matter sales expert, and I was working as the project manager. The project ended after several months, and we decided to continue. I like to say that Claudia pursued me… She probably remembers it differently.” Claudia’s version: “On his third day of work, Scott was charged with running a meeting for a Sales Rep Training Program. I was in the room, waiting for the meeting to start when I saw a navy blue ‘blur’ fly by the door to the meeting room and then swiftly come back into view, asking if this was the Sales Rep Training Program,” remembers Claudia of her first meeting with Scott. “From that point forward,” Claudia laughs, “the project got a lot more interesting!”
That project got so interesting, it would seem, that within 20 months the couple was engaged and excited to begin new careers and a new life together in Minneapolis, where they married four months later. After son Drew was born, the family made the move to St. Louis and then Ohio, where Claudia embraced motherhood while dedicating herself to volunteering her time and her talents to various schools and educational organizations, most notably, serving as President of the PTO for Upper Arlington High School in Upper Arlington, Ohio. With 20 years of work in the private sector (at Procter & Gamble and Kraft/ Nabisco) under her hat, Claudia excelled at collaborating with multiple schools in order to help them formulate strategic plans and mentor executive team members.
After amassing a wealth of experience with such companies as PepsiCo®, General Mills® and Wendy’s® International, these days, Scott enjoys serving as a consultant, executive coach and strategic advisor who works with organizations and senior leaders in a number of industries. He finds himself energized by working with talented people who are navigating meaningful changes in their lives and the organizations in which they serve. “I went into the Human Resources field because I love helping people, teams and organizations achieve their highest level of performance. That’s probably why I’m so attracted to golf — it offers a tangible and measurable opportunity to perform and improve. To do so requires (for me) consistent and intentional effort to do well, which doesn’t happen often, but when you do, it feels great,” he says.
The Weisbergs’ son, Drew is currently a senior at Tufts University, near Boston, where he is studying Film/Media Studies and is writing a screenplay for his senior thesis. Drew serves on the board for “Major Undecided,” which is a “Saturday Night Live”-like sketch comedy group where he writes and performs regularly. Drew also serves as the Arts Editor for the Tufts Daily campus newspaper. “Of course, we have a strong parental bias, but we believe that Drew is extremely creative and gifted and we look forward to watching him pursue his dreams,’’ say Scott and Claudia.
When the Weisbergs aren’t at home putting around the golf course at Cordillera Ranch, they enjoy traveling and recall a particularly magical family vacation. “My favorite vacation was to Italy and Vienna right before the pandemic hit,” says Scott. “It was over the Christmas holidays and started with two nights in New York City. We landed in Rome on Christmas Day and wound our way through Pompeii, Florence and finally to Vienna and Salzburg. It was a fabulous eleven days with just our family and it probably has even more meaning given what ultimately transpired over the past couple of years, with COVID.” The trip inspired Claudia with more ambitious travel goals, “I would like to take an extended vacation to Europe or any other foreign destination. My parents spent a year traveling through Europe. I would settle for a couple of months where you really felt part of the community and fully experience what it means to live in that town and country.”
Relocating from Ohio to Boerne in the midst of the pandemic made getting out and exploring their new hometown a bit challenging, but the Weisbergs are enjoying learning about the area and always welcome suggestions about new places to try. “The shops in Boerne are delightful! The small boutiques are so distinctive and the restaurants are varied and interesting,” says Claudia. “We have already become big fans of Mary’s Tacos in Boerne!” adds Scott.
As one might expect, golf plays a large role in the Weisbergs’ life at Cordillera Ranch. In fact, Scott hopes that an elusive hole-in-one is in his near future. “I’d love to have to buy the guys in my foursome some shoes — maybe more than once,” says Scott, of this hole-in-one tradition. Claudia is working on her golf game, as well. An enthusiastic participant in the Golf Club’s “Chicks & Sticks” program, Claudia hopes to improve her game so that she can enjoy more time with Scott and friends on the golf course.
Even though golf is by far Scott’s favorite hobby, he adds, “I enjoy learning about, preparing and consuming food and wine; learning how to smoke things on my Kamado Joe; listening to all kinds of music; and occasionally playing guitar. I hope to start getting out with my new bike – once I find more flat spots out here!”
For Claudia, living in proximity to her father Stan has become a welcomed bonus. “My favorite thing to do is spend time with my dad. I have not lived in the same state as my parents since I was 18 years old, so to be less than 40 minutes away is wonderful. San Antonio was always a welcome relief from cold winters and a wonderful place to visit. Drew only knows his grandparents as Texans!” says Claudia, whose mother Phyllis passed away in 2018, making the opportunity to be close to her dad even more meaningful.
In addition to golf and spending time with family, an affinity for food and wine goes hand-in-hand with the Weisbergs’ love for entertaining at their home. “We built our house as a destination for friends and family — many of whom live in cold-weather climates. Cordillera Ranch is such a great place to share with guests. Everyone has felt welcome and cannot wait to return,” says Claudia. They both add, “While the amenities at Cordillera Ranch are amazing (we joke with our friends that it’s like living at a Four Seasons Resort), the staff is even more accommodating and impressive.”
It’s safe to say that the Weisbergs made the right decision when they chose Texas over California to live out their retirement. As the couple adjusts to their new life in the Texas Hill Country, they are also looking forward to continuing their long history of charity work and engaging with local nonprofits to impact lives in their new hometown. “I am inspired by people that give of themselves in service to others. We are all so blessed and I admire those that give their time, energy, talent and resources to help others that are less fortunate. Through our moves, I have been lucky to work with several nonprofits where I have seen firsthand what hard work can do to impact countless lives. I am excited to engage here in the Hill Country and in San Antonio where there are so many extraordinary nonprofits,” says Claudia.
Scott sums up their Cordillera Ranch experience so far, “It’s hard to beat the natural beauty of this area and even harder to beat the neighbors. Probably the greatest thing about living out here is the number of accomplished people who have diverse interests and knowledge.”
UPDATING THE GOLF SHOP
The new Golf Shop renovation builds on the Club’s timeless architecture while creating a more efficient floorplan and enjoyable shopping experience for members.
By Corey Roberson, Director of Golf
Like many homes and other parts of the Club, our Golf Shop received some damage from the winter storm last February. We were lucky that our damage wasn’t significant, but it gave us the opportunity to take a fresh look at the Golf Shop. Since the carpet had to be replaced, it got us thinking about the overall layout of the shop.
As in anything related to fashion or design, the old layout of our shop was “current” when it was built in 2008, but trends change and evolve. For example, cotton was still a big seller in 2008; cotton shirts merchandise best when folded. Now, cotton shirts represent less than two percent of our sales. In addition, our traffic in the shop has increased significantly over the last couple of years and comfortable customer flow is important to us. With concepts like this in mind, we found some opportunities to change things to create a better retail environment for our members and their guests.
The old counter was positioned in the center of the Golf Shop, which took up a lot of valuable merchandising space. In retail, corners are typically dead space and the prime real estate is near the entrances, along with the center of the space. This is where we found our biggest opportunity — we demolished the old counter and installed a new smaller counter near the newly renovated Pro Office. We didn’t gain any additional square footage, but this allowed us to transform an ineffective corner into functional, operational space while opening up desirable retail space. This, combined with new lighter-colored carpet, makes the space feel a lot bigger.
With this new open space, we needed to update our fixtures to fit the new layout. First on the list is what I like to call a fancy giant rolling rack. It’s basically a traditional double bar rolling rack but made from wood that complements the other design elements of our shop. This fixture alone can fit more than 180 hanging items, plus it has a flat table on top of it to stack more merchandise. Next up were nesting tables. We had a few large tables in our previous layout, but we were limited in how we could merchandise on those tables. Time for another retail tip: folding displays look best when you can create layers or levels. The three new sets of nesting tables allow us to accomplish that goal. Each set includes three tables at different heights. On top of that, our creative Merchandiser, Camille, found little crates and stools for these tables to add even more interest and elevation change. The final touch was two slat wall plaques hung where the old counter used to live. These slat walls offer a lot of versatility with how displays can be organized and are perfect for hanging items. We also replaced all of our hangers with new C-Star logoed hangers that match the other millwork in the shop. All of these new fixtures allow us to fit more merchandise in the shop even though our footprint didn’t change.
I mentioned above that we renovated the Pro Office — this was a project that was actually planned prior to the winter storm but was scheduled later in the year. This project involved knocking down a few walls and creating a more open space. Our team has grown since 2008 and so have the tools we use. The old layout had built-in desks and storage, which was very common at the time, but we needed additional storage and more workstations for the team. Knocking down the walls provided better flow and replacing built-ins with freestanding desks and storage was a better use of the space.
If you haven’t seen the new layout, come on by and check it out!
Corey Roberson is the Director of Golf at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at croberson@cordilleraranch.com and 830.336.4653.
