LIFESTYLE WATERSOUND ®
Large homesites, impeccable amenities and unmatched lifestyle await.
Park®,” “Pier Park with sun/beach ball design®,” “Pier Park North®,” “Pier Park North with sun/beach ball design®,” and “Watercolor® ” are service marks of The St. Joe Company, and are NOT for use by any other party unless licensed by The St. Joe Company.
The St. Joe Company, through its affiliate St. Joe Resort Operations, LLC is d/b/a Watersound Club. The Club is a private club, membership in which permits the use of recreational facilities to its active members. Club membership is subject to application and acceptance, membership dues and requirements, payment of use and/or initiation fees, and other limitations, all of which are subject to change. Consult the Club Membership Plan and other membership documentation for detailed information. The Club arranges air transportation for active Club members. All flights are flown as charters by Western Aircraft, Inc. d/b/a WestAir Charter (“WestAir”) under 14 CFR Part 135. WestAir is the direct air carrier in operational control of the aircraft during all member flights, and the Club acts as an air charter broker and agent of WestAir in arranging flights. Liability insurance covering the charterer, passengers and property on the charter flights is maintained by WestAir and not by the Club. Flights are subject to availability. Refer to WestAir’s Terms and Conditions of Transportation for Members of the Club. Membership is subject to the Membership Plan, the Membership Agreement and addendums thereto, the Rules and Regulations of the Club and any applicable community documents.
With each issue of Watersound Lifestyle, I have the honor to introduce you to new amenities and activities, and highlight the special individuals who make the Watersound Club experience unique.
In this issue, you’ll get to know a few of our famous pairs… family members who share not only a love for hospitality, but for each other as well. To me, this is a testament to the company’s commitment to its associates, as well as the caring, fun, and welcoming atmosphere that Members and guests create.
You’ll meet Ashley Gorley, an accomplished songwriter who is also achieving the goal of making time for fun and family in the hectic, fastpaced music industry. We’re honored that the Gorley family chose Watersound Club amenities for enjoying some much-deserved downtime.
One of my favorite parts of the Watersound Club experience are the Member traditions that not only make us unique, but that create memories that span generations. In this issue, you will learn more about signature events, how they continue to grow, and how your family and friends can get involved.
Finally, I hope you enjoy the feature “My, How We’ve Grown!” as much as I did. It’s truly amazing to see all the enhancements and added amenities in a timeline format.
Thank you for being part of the Watersound Club family. As always, it’s our greatest joy to see you and your families out and about enjoying the Club!
VICKI BURRIS WATERSOUND CLUB DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP
Succe s
Written By LAURIE EINSTEIN KOSZUTA
Alexa Guarachi Bruner takes the Watersound Club court
ALEXA GUARACHI BRUNER, a former professional doubles player, with a Club Member.
What excites me is that the Camp Creek amenities are such a hidden gem. Many people aren’t aware of it, so my aim is to make tennis and pickleball special by establishing high-quality programming. I want the area to be known for more than its beautiful golf course and amenities. We have eight fantastic clay courts for tennis and eight pickleball courts.”
— ALEXA GUARACHI BRUNER, director of tennis and pickleball, Watersound Club
Given her high-wattage smile and refreshingly positive attitude, it’s hard not to be drawn into a conversation with Watersound Club Director of Tennis and Pickleball Alexa Guarachi Bruner. “I am a very positive person,” Bruner pointed out, “but I do have a very intense and competitive side.”
Those combined qualities made Bruner a standout professional tennis player on the world stage for over a decade. Having retired from playing professional doubles tennis in December 2023, she found her new cadence in February 2024 in her Watersound Club role.
“What excites me is that the Camp Creek amenities are such a hidden gem,” she shared. “Many people aren’t aware of it, so my aim is to make tennis and pickleball special by establishing high-quality programming. I want the area to be known for more than its beautiful golf course and amenities. We have eight fantastic clay courts for tennis and eight pickleball courts.”
Hosting larger tournaments to draw players to the area is on Bruner’s agenda. She also wants to bring in well-known professionals so that locals can enjoy meet-and-play opportunities. Her trove of ideas includes kids’ programming and increased exposure and participation in men’s leagues.
“If someone else organizes the events, more men will play,” chuckled Bruner. “We already have great women’s participation. In fact, there are at least four women’s teams from our club that play in the Northwest Florida Tennis Association league.”
Bruner has already impacted the program by hiring Val Goncalves Jr. as the new head pro. “He’s a great player and an amazing teacher. And he can play at a high level.”
With the program in great hands, the future is promising for Watersound Club tennis and pickleball enthusiasts.
Additionally, Watersound Club facilities boast Camp Creek Inn, where guests can enjoy convenient access to all the amenities just steps away from their vacation stay. These very areas will likely cultivate and nurture a love of tennis, where enthusiasts can enjoy quality facilities, socialize and make new friends while playing the sport they love.
Growing up, Bruner frequently played the courts at the Seascape Resort in Miramar, Florida, where her mother, Holley, and her Chilean-born father, Fernando, have worked as tennis pros for more than 30 years.
“I had participated in many other sports,” she recalled, “but my parents told me I had to choose one to concentrate on. It was an easy choice because I was around tennis all the time, and I was good at it. So, when I was twelve, I began focusing solely on tennis.”
Bruner attended public school until the seventh grade and then chose to be homeschooled from her eighth-grade year through high school. “Homeschooling was tough because I am a very social person. Switching made sense because I missed a lot of school due to all the traveling I did for tournaments. It is one reason I wanted to attend college, and I knew I wasn’t mature enough to turn pro before finishing my education. It was important to me to have something to fall back on in case I couldn’t play anymore.”
Paying for college was always a concern for Bruner because she worried that her parents couldn’t afford it. “I knew that if I wanted to go, I needed to work hard and get a scholarship.”
As her junior rankings rose, many universities with tennis programs reached out with full-ride scholarship offers. Ultimately, she chose the offer from her father’s alma mater, the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, and majored in public relations.
“Being on scholarship and part of a team in college taught me a lot about balance and work ethic,” noted Bruner. It was
character-building. You learn that the team is far more important than you as an individual.”
In 2013, after graduating from college, Bruner turned pro and began climbing the ranks as a singles player. But a devastating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in 2015 meant surgical intervention, a year of rehabilitation, and a sudden stop to what had been a rising career.
“At the time, I wondered if tearing my ACL was a sign,” she said. “I loved singles, but I was also good at doubles, and it was a way to keep my dream of being a professional alive.”
During her long rehab, Bruner felt like she had another awakening. “I realized that I had taken so much for granted and that things could be taken away in an instant. When I was cleared to play again, I had a different mentality and a clean slate. It also made me think of my brother, Stefan, who is two years older and has Down syndrome. He always looks at me unconditionally with the same big smile. He is so inspirational.”
Bruner began pairing with different partners in doubles matches in tournaments worldwide. Because of her father’s Chilean background, she was able to obtain dual citizenship in 2015 and represent Chile in various matches. One of her favorites occurred in 2019 in front of a packed crowd on Centre Court at Wimbledon. Representing Chile and paired with Germany’s Andreas Mies, the duo lost hard-fought,
At Camp Creek, pickleball players are on the courts all day, every day. They love it, and we plan on hosting tournaments and special events to meet their needs.”
— ALEXA GUARACHI BRUNER, director of tennis and pickleball, Watersound Club
Alexa Guarachi Bruner celebrates players’ success on the courts.
and participation in
leagues.
mixed-doubles games to Serena Williams and Andy Murray with a score of 6-4, 6-1.
By the time she retired, Bruner’s was ranked 11 internationally. “I had more success in doubles, was more relaxed, and had more fun.”
Since Bruner's retirement, she has married Vince Bruner, her boyfriend of four years, and hopes to start a family soon.
“As a pro, I traveled around the world for about 40 weeks a year. But the people I cared about weren’t traveling with me, and I was alone a lot,” shared Bruner.
Bruner’s journey in tennis led to incredible moments on the court, and now, Watersound Club members will reap the benefits of her success.
Pickleball enthusiasts can rest assured that Bruner also plans
to bring her enthusiasm to the pickleball courts.
“Pickleball players are on the courts all day, every day. They love it, and we plan on hosting tournaments and special events to meet their needs,” emphasized Bruner.
“I play some pickleball,” she laughed, “but I’m very competitive. I don’t like to play games that I am not good at but I’m getting better all the time.”
GAME ON!
Alexa Guarachi Bruner’s trove of ideas includes kids’ programming and increased exposure
men’s
GIVING IT THEIR SH est
SOT
Visitors to the Watersound Club Sporting Preserve sharpen their eyes
Written By STEVE BORNHOFT
teven Power is a product of Australia, so much so that he tends to refer to Northwest Florida’s piney woods as “the bush.”
He spent 10 years in the army in his native country and achieved proficiency in rifle and pistol shooting, but until recently had never been a shotgunner.
“I always wanted to get into clays,” said Power, who moved to the U.S. in
2014, “but never had the opportunity. Then, I met John (Lemont) and found out about the new Watersound Club Sporting Preserve, and I decided to give it a go.”
Lemont is the general manager and lead instructor at the preserve, where shooters of all skill and experience levels aim to hit “clay pigeons”— discs of slightly more than 4 inches in diameter—presented at various angles, speeds, and distances.
EYES ON THE PRIZE
Sport shooters at the Sporting Preserve receive attentive, individualized instruction that results in a rewarding experience.
“When it comes to shotguns, I’m confident, but I’m not world-class, and that’s something I want to work on,” Power said.
In Lemont, Power has made the acquaintance of someone who can take him there.
Lemont grew up in Rhode Island, near Narragansett Bay, where he and his brother David—influenced by their outdoorsman father—hunted and fished almost constantly.
When eventually they got into clays, internationally ranked shooter Richie Frisella of the Peace Dale Shooting Preserve in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, served as their coach.
“He took us under his wing and really got us involved in the technical aspects of shooting,” Lemont said of Frisella.
Now Lemont, who completed National Sporting Clays Association Level I and Level II Instructor training, is doing the same for people, including Power, a builder of software companies and the chairman of a large advertising agency.
“He’s got a few different perspectives on life, so he’s very easy to relate to,” Power said of Lemont. “He’s calm and thoughtful, and there’s a lot of gravitas about him.”
Indeed, like Power, Lemont has a military background. Additionally, he worked in law enforcement in Rhode Island and retired from a law practice before doing a stint in Patagonia as a hunting guide and bird dog trainer. He has two dogs of his own, a German shorthaired pointer named Tita, and Moxie, a wirehaired pointing griffon.
I like taking novices out because they don’t have any bad habits to correct. We go through a safety orientation and introduce them to the shotgun and how it works.”
— JOHN LEMONT, general manager and lead instructor, Watersound Club Sporting Preserve
While Lemont enjoys making good shooters better than they ever thought they could be, he is equally adept at working with beginners and, in some ways, prefers having the chance to introduce people to the art of busting clays.
“I like taking novices out because they don’t have any bad habits to correct,” Lemont said. “We go through a safety orientation and introduce them to the shotgun and how it works.
We test eye dominance and after that, we make sure their stance is right and show them how to properly mount the gun into their shoulder and cheek.”
Newbies begin by lining up shots with an empty gun and then proceed to live ammunition.
“The learning curve is not really steep,” Lemont said. “Most people become fairly comfortable within a few shots. One of the keys is just not to be intimidated.”
Lemont or a member of his team meets guests at the Shark’s Tooth Golf Club pro shop and escorts them to the preserve on Kawasaki Mule all-terrain vehicles, a trip of a mile and a half.
The ride, Power said, is part of the Watersound Sporting Preserve experience.
“You have a little bit of time to relax and then focus and get your head around what you are about to do,” he said. “Just being out in the bush, it kind of resets your mind.”
Sporting clays, said Lemont, is like “golf with a shotgun.” The Watersound “course” comprises 15 stations. Shots range from softballs to those that even Lemont cannot reliably make. One involves breaking a “bird” as it emerges from behind one tree and before it ducks behind another.
The Watersound Club Sporting Preserve has guns available for guests to use, or they may bring their own. The cost of a preserve experience includes targets, ammunition, and invaluable advice.
Heidi Deveau, a career educator from California, and her older sister, Ann Maier, decided this year to go shooting on the birthday they share.
“We had a really fun day—John makes it so that you are successful,” Heidi said. “I started shooting
right-handed, and it really wasn’t working. John suggested that we switch to my left hand and, boom, I started hitting the targets.
“But even when you miss, John may say, ‘That was your best shot of the day. Your form was good, and you tracked the bird well.’”
Heidi’s husband Terry, who is winding down his work as a Silicon Valley commercial real estate broker, describes himself as a recreational, social shooter.
“John is an awesome instructor and coach,” he said. “I shoot with prescription glasses and I am right handed, right eye. You shoot a shotgun with both eyes open, and I was experiencing double vision. John determined that my left eye was competing with my right eye. He put Scotch tape on the left lens in my glasses, preventing my left eye from taking over. You really have to know your stuff to figure something like that out.”
After returning from South America and posting his resumé online, Lemont received a call from an unexpected place. An employee of The St. Joe Company’s humanresources department described a job that “sounded exactly like something I wanted to get involved with,” he said.
“I love that the preserve is reserved for Members and guests. That gives me a chance to spend more time with people who visit the course and give them extra instruction.”
That instruction, Terry said, encourages shooters to relax, slow down, and move the gun smoothly through the shot.
“When we’re out there, we’ve got John to ourselves, we’ve got a case of shells and unlimited clays, and it’s wahoo! John is like a really good golf caddy. He sets up the shooting stations, so he knows exactly what’s going on.”
For novice and advanced shooters alike, hitting a bird provides a sense of accomplishment.
“With a lot of shooting, you just put a little hole in a paper target,” Power said. “That’s fun, but seeing a clay shatter, it’s a thrill.”
“GOLF WITH A SHOTGUN,” is one way Watersound Club Sporting Preserve General Manager and Lead Instructor John Lemont explains the art of shooting sporting clays.
TOM GLAVINE Field of Dreams Golf Outing
MLB Hall of Famer takes to Watersound Club
Golf Course to raise funds for local education
Written By WILLY DUFFY
On an idyllic Tuesday in October, the sun shined warmly, and a gentle breeze delighted 144 golfers as they gathered near the putting green at Camp Creek Golf Course prior to tee off in the Fourth Annual Tom Glavine Field of Dreams Golf Outing. While some honed their swings on the driving range, others fueled up on breakfast burritos and Bloody Marys. As the 9 a.m. shotgun start drew closer, the unmistakable whir of a helicopter grew gradually louder. Soon after, more than 200 individually marked golf balls dropped from the helicopter towards a target on the driving range and the helicopter vanished beyond the trees as quickly as it had appeared. The purchaser of the golf ball that settled closest to the target was awarded a $1,000 prize. This was the first of many fundraising opportunities that were woven seamlessly into the 18-hole scramble.
The funds raised—more than $100,000 in total—benefit Seaside School, Inc., the oldest public charter school in the state of Florida. Seaside School, Inc. is made up of Seaside Neighborhood School, a fifth through eighth grade middle school, and Seacoast Collegiate High School located at Northwest Florida State College’s South Walton Campus. The unique school currently enrolls more than 400 students. With an ambitious expansion project currently under construction at the high school campus, enrollment is projected to grow to nearly 600 in the next few years. For any charter school, let alone one undergoing a project of this scale, fundraising is always a priority. That is where Tom Glavine, along with his wife, Chris, stepped up to lend a hand and create a unique event that has quickly grown into an annual tradition.
Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and Cy Young Award winner Tom Glavine took to Camp Creek Golf Course to raise money to help bring a unique educational opportunity to Walton County.
“When our family made the 30A area our home in 2020 and our son became a student at the Seaside Neighborhood School, we quickly fell in love with the school and its mission,” explained Tom. “After getting to know Teresa Horton, the executive director of the Seaside School Foundation, we started brainstorming opportunities to contribute to the organization’s fundraising efforts.”
The Glavines had previous success with charitable golf events in the Atlanta area, where Tom spent 17 of his 22 years in Major League Baseball as a pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. With this experience under his belt, the Tom Glavine Field of Dreams Golf Outing was born. 2024 marked the first year that the event was held at Camp Creek Golf Course where Tom, an avid golfer and Watersound Club Member, can often be found enjoying a round with friends or family.
“Camp Creek turned out to be the ideal venue,” Tom continued. “From the course itself, to the food and the incredible staff, we really raised the bar this year.”
While some teams had great success on the course that day, others were just happy to participate and enjoy a great day of golf. For Tom and Chris Glavine, the significance of the event extends far beyond the golf course.
“We are fortunate to bring so many great people, including the event’s many sponsors, together to support Seaside School, Inc. during this exciting time of growth and development for the organization. Any investment in education has a lasting impact on the community far into the future.”
Following the success of the fourth iteration of this event, the Glavines have already begun conversations with the school’s leadership about raising the bar again for the fifth event.
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES At the 2024 fundraiser for Seaside School, Inc., 144 players helped to raise funds with a helicopter ball drop and 18-hole scramble, among other events.
LOCATED IN THE CAMP CREEK CLUBHOUSE
Creole meets Coastal
Enjoy delicious fine dining cuisine at the newest Watersound Club® dining venue—ANR. Fresh grouper, succulent oysters, and other southern staples take on Louisiana-inspired flavors, enhancing the coastal delights we know and love.
OPEN DAILY 5 – 9 PM ®
THE T LovingHIRD
New golf course further elevates the Watersound Club experience
Written By STEVE BORNHOFT
The opening of new amenities has been a regular occurrence at Watersound Club properties over the past six years. The opening of a new 18-hole golf course however, represents a monumental milestone in the ongoing Watersound Club evolution.
Members are super excited to have another golf course, and everyone involved, from the agronomy team to the membership office to the golf operations side and food and beverage, share in that excitement.”
— PATRICK RICHARDSON, director of golf, Watersound Club
The addition of a course named The Third brings the number of championship-caliber courses that the Club offers Members and guests to three.
For Watersound Club Director of Golf Patrick Richardson, the opening of The Third is reason to celebrate, and he’s not alone in that sentiment.
“Members are super excited to have another golf course, and everyone involved, from the agronomy team to the membership office to the golf operations side and food and beverage, share in that excitement,” Richardson said.
Love Golf Design, headed up by World Golf Hall of Fame member Davis Love III and his brother Mark, designed The Third to provide a contrast to the Club’s Shark’s Tooth and Camp Creek courses. Scot Sherman was the lead architect on the project.
“We don’t have a Love Golf Design style,” Davis said. “We try to build courses to meet club and membership needs and fit the land. The Third is a new experience, especially on a windy day. It will have a windswept, linkscourse feel that will be distinct from a treelined course.”
Mark noted aspects of the acreage set aside for The Third that appealed to him.
“The layout makes for a great, secluded feel,” he said. “The sandy soils, native vegetation, and wetland areas allowed us to create a course that fits very naturally into the landscape; it will feel like it has been
in place for a long time right from the date of opening.”
The course is approximately 7,300 yards long and plays to a par 71. Mark noted that it departs from traditional layouts because it features five par-3 holes.
“We always allow the land to dictate our routings, and this is one aspect
of the layout that came from that philosophy,” he said.
Given the relative openness of The Third, there are more opportunities for “good misses” than are afforded by the Shark’s Tooth and Camp Creek golf courses.
“The Third isn’t as visually intimidating for people as they look
The Third is a new experience, especially on a windy day. It will have a windswept, links-course feel that will be distinct from a tree-lined course.”
— DAVIS LOVE III, founder, Love Golf Design
out from the tees,” Richardson said. “On a par 4, you may hit an errant tee shot and still be in short grass, but you may not have an easy second shot because of the way the greens are designed.”
The course will discourage big hitters from just gripping it, ripping it, and hoping for the best. They will need
Players should be able to find a set of tees that matches their game. The greens are large and have a good deal of movement in them. We can set the course up to challenge highly skilled players in a major event, but on a daily basis, we can provide a nice mix of easy, medium, and difficult pins to keep things interesting, but not too difficult for the average golfer.”
— MARK LOVE, founder and president, Love Golf Design
to plan shots so that they have optimum angles on the putting surfaces.
Mark Love emphasized that The Third can accommodate players of various skill levels.
“Players should be able to find a set of tees that matches their game,” he said. “The greens are large and have a good deal of movement in them. We can set the course up to challenge highly skilled players in a major event, but on a daily basis, we can provide a nice mix of easy, medium, and difficult pins to keep things interesting, but not too difficult for the average golfer.”
The Third is the second course that Richardson has helped open. Early in his career, he was at Sea Island in coastal Georgia (where the Love brothers and Sherman reside) when the Ocean Forest Golf Club came online.
Richardson enjoys watching the game unite people from around the country in friendships on Watersound Club golf courses. And the Love brothers are part of that dynamic.
“We were here over 20 years ago creating the Origins short course, and it has been so great to be back, Mark said. "We were treated so well during our time working on The Third, and we will truly miss our friends here and the frequent visits. We look forward to returning as often as possible and playing The Third. Working with The St. Joe Company again has been a real treat.”
Davis is grateful that the arrival of The Third coincides with a new, healthy chapter in golf history, spurred by “a new emphasis on fitness and being outdoors” after the pandemic.
“Clubs and resorts are motivated to renovate and build new opportunities for golfers to start or continue to enjoy the game,” he said. “With the excitement surrounding young professionals, including Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg, and our gold medalist Scotty Scheffler, golf will continue to grow.”
Now with 54 holes of championship golf available to Watersound Club Members, Watersound Club amenities are able to provide more memory-making opportunities than ever before.
Progress
NOT PERFECTION
Well, maybe a little perfection. From learning the basics to fine-tuning your swing, Watersound Club Members have no shortage of golf instruction opportunities at the Golf Performance Center. Director of Instruction Ben Blalock offers an array of courses throughout the year ranging from juniors’ camps to ladies’ clinics to private one-on-one instruction.
Learn more about the Golf Performance Center’s offerings in your weekly Membership e-Newsletter or by viewing the events calendar on the Member website.
ALIGNING VALUES
Esteem Wealth Partners’ approach to charitable contributions
Esteem Wealth Partners (Esteem) prioritizes aligning financial strategies with the values that matter most to you. Their expertise in financial planning, particularly charitable giving, enables you to support causes you are passionate about while optimizing the benefits for yourself and your selected organizations.
Gifting appreciated securities is a powerful and mutually beneficial option, offering immediate charitable deductions while avoiding capital gains taxes. Unlike cash donations, this method can save donors up to 23.8% on taxable gains. Additionally, charitable deduction bundling allows you to capture tax benefits by grouping multiple years
of contributions into one, effectively maximizing itemized deductions in high-tax years.
For those seeking flexibility in their charitable giving, a donor-advised fund (DAF) provides an ideal solution. This charitable investment account allows donors to bundle contributions of cash or appreciated securities for a tax deduction in one calendar year and then grant the funds to their choice of nonprofit organizations immediately or over time, even years later. DAFs can also seamlessly integrate into estate planning.
Individuals over age 70½ should consider the benefits of a charitable distribution from their IRA. This enables direct donations of up to $100,000
— BRENT SHAW, CO-FOUNDER AND PRIVATE WEALTH ADVISOR
per year without incurring income tax. Furthermore, a financial advisor can guide you in establishing a private foundation or charitable trust tailored to your unique philanthropic goals.
Since relocating with his family, Brent Shaw, cofounder of Esteem, has deepened his connection to the 30A community. He actively engages with local nonprofits, sponsoring events and supporting organizations such as the Alys Foundation, Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and The Sonder Project. While being involved with The Sonder Project through board member Jacob Watkins, Shaw got to know the CEO, Chad Zibelman, and helped set up a securities account for the nonprofit.
“We are so grateful for the generosity of Esteem Wealth Partners for setting up a securities account for us and helping to educate our supporters on the impact individuals can make beyond standard cash donations, benefiting both nonprofits and donors alike,” Zibelman said. “Esteem Wealth Partners not only prioritizes client success but also champions positive change in the world by empowering organizations like ours.”
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Esteem, a Northwestern Mutual Private Client Group, recently expanded to 30A when Shaw opened a new office at Watersound Town Center in January 2024. Shaw and his partners at Esteem are dedicated to delivering comprehensive financial solutions. They serve a diverse clientele, including executives, business owners, physicians and retirees, tailoring wealth management plans to achieve optimal outcomes and financial security. Shaw holds multiple designations, including Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Wealth
Management Certified Professional (WMCP®) and Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®). He has been individually recognized by Forbes Best In-State Financial Security Professionals, ranking in the top 10 in the last three consecutive years. Esteem has also been named Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams in 2024, ranking No. 1 among all Northwestern Mutual Advisors in Ohio.
At Esteem, their mission is to empower you to make impactful financial decisions while exceeding your expectations. They are here to help you put your money where your values are, ensuring your charitable giving truly reflects your commitment to creating a positive change in the world. To schedule an initial consultation, feel free to contact Brent Shaw directly at brent.shaw@nm.com or (513) 520-5907.
Brent Shaw, with his wife Kate and daughter Lila relocated to Inlet Beach in 2020.
Seen around the Club:
MEMORY MAKING AROUND EVERY CORNER
An arts destination will house a sculpture by the late Richard Serra
A PLACE AMONG THE
PINES
THE PASSAGE OF TIME PAVILION will provide views of the forest and pond (right) while visitors walk around and through the monumental Passage of Time sculpture.
Nature and art will soon commingle amid Northwest Florida’s coniferous longleaf pines. Visitors will be able to traverse trails that twist through the trees, enjoy world-class architecture, and see a one-of-a-kind sculpture by an internationally renowned artist.
In June, Berkowitz Contemporary Foundation announced the development of a 15-acre art park in the Watersound Origins community. Berkowitz Contemporary Foundation is a Miami-based, nonprofit organization with a mission to bring remarkable contemporary and modern art to the public. The park is slated to open in 2026 and will be free and open to the community and visitors alike.
“The community of Walton County’s history of artistic curiosity and overwhelming support of this special project is what makes the location of this project so impactful and rewarding,” said Chloe Berkowitz, founder and president of the Berkowitz Contemporary Foundation. “Longleaf Art Park will help foster that sense of curiosity and put this community on the map as an arts destination for locals and visitors alike.”
When it opens, the park will be home to a 540,000-pound sculpture, Passage of Time , created by sculptor Richard Serra, renowned for his monumental steel sculptures that are often meant to be traversed, not merely gazed upon. The sculpture’s meandering, parallel arrangement creates a winding passage through the 217-foot corridor of massive steel plates that stand more than 13 feet high. Moving through Serra’s sculpture, viewers are confronted with literal and metaphorical representations of time and space.
“Longleaf Art Park will not only be a home for world-class art,” said Jennifer Steele, executive director of the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, which will manage park operations. “It will be a park thoughtfully envisioned by OLI Architects and Richard Serra and designed to be a dialogue between the art and the landscape—celebrating its history and our natural surroundings— and it will be the sculpture’s permanent home.”
The late Serra created site-specific sculptures that mesh with and complement their environments, from urban hubs to tranquil forests. Serra’s works can be seen in museums around the world, including The Museum of Modern Art in New York, Amsterdam’s Stedelijk Museum, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
“He is considered to be one of the most significant artists of this generation, and his work is admired for its powerful material quality and exploration of the relationship between the work, the viewer, and the site,” Steele said. “Since Serra’s emergence in the mid-1960s, he has radicalized and extended the very definition of sculpture.”
Native to coastal plains, longleaf pines have long been part of Northwest Florida’s parks and trails and, therefore, are a focus of conservation and restoration efforts. Footpaths and boardwalks that meander through
Longleaf Art Park will not only be a home for world-class art. It will be a park thoughtfully envisioned by OLI Architects and Richard Serra and designed to be a dialogue between the art and the landscape—celebrating its history and our natural surroundings—and it will be the sculpture’s permanent home.”
— JENNIFER STEELE, executive director, Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County
the forest will lead visitors from a parking area through that landscape as they approach the Passage of Time Pavilion. The paths are meant to mirror the free-flowing form of both the sculpture and the streams in the surrounding wetlands. Serra’s art will be largely shielded from view by berms until visitors navigate the path’s final turns and enter the pavilion via glass vestibules.
The park’s location allows the potential for expansion and additional art installations, though there are not yet fixed plans for other exhibits. Steele said the park will host nature tours, cultural events, and educational programs.
“The creation of Longleaf Art Park marks the beginning of a new
cultural era for Walton County,” Steele said. “And it further establishes the Northwest Florida region as a home and destination for creative excellence. The impact it will have on local artists, residents, students, and visitors will be limitless and lasting for generations.”
For several years, the Berkowitz Contemporary Foundation has been working to relocate the sculpture. It has been lying in wait at a storage facility in recent years after previously being on display in Doha, Qatar.
“The importance of access to a piece of work as significant and large scale as Passage of Time cannot be overstated,” Steele said. “Nor can the importance of art, especially accessible public art, and its role in a thriving community.”
MY, HOW WE’VE GROWN!
From the Sporting Preserve to Bark ‘N Brine and everything in between—a timeline of expansion
Since its inception, Watersound Club amenities have evolved and expanded to provide new and additional experiences providing Members with more opportunities to do what they love most—make lasting memories with friends and family. No period has seen a greater pace of amenity expansion as the past six years. With an eye on the future, let’s reflect on how far we’ve come in such a short time.
A second pool, this one with a Member-favorite lazy river, opens at the Watersound Beach Club location along with new tennis courts and a basketball court.
Club amenities achieved liftoff with the addition of charter air-service aboard the Club’s eight-seater Pilatus PC-12 NG which immediately began flying Members to destinations near and far.
To give those lounging by the new pool a place to grab a bite to eat and a cold drink, a new Watersound Beach Club restaurant, now known as Beach Break, opens.
Golf instruction went high-tech with the opening of the Golf Performance Center where expert instruction meets the latest technology.
July 2022 April 2023
WaterColor Inn welcomes Watersound Club Members to its newest amenities: Gather Kitchen + Bar and a resort-style swimming pool.
The new Camp Creek amenities represented the largest Watersound Club amenity expansion to date. New pools, a wellness center, tennis courts, pickleball courts, Bark ‘N Brine, and more ushered in a new Watersound Club era.
July 2023 June 2024
Camp Creek Inn opened as more than a 75-room hotel, its ground floor is filled daily with Members meeting friends for a meal at one of two dining venues, ANR and 1936, prepping for a round on Camp Creek Golf Course, stocking up at the outfitter shop or finding one of many comfortable gathering spaces to spend some time at the Club.
November 2024
Davis Love III’s team at Love Golf Design and Watersound Club team members have been hard at work to bring The Third Golf Course to life. This new 18-hole course is sure to be home to countless birdies and lasting memories for decades to come.
The Club's entry into shooting sports began with the opening of the Watersound Club Sporting Preserve, a 15-station clay shooting course.
Coming Early 2025
The clubhouse that previously serviced only Shark’s Tooth Golf Course is being transformed as it prepares to become the epicenter of 36 holes of golf (Shark’s Tooth and The Third). The clubhouse is being expanded and reimagined with an approachable, upscale atmosphere. (Rendering above)
Celebration Central
Annual events you shouldn’t miss
Written By CARRIE HONAKER
Given the lush golf courses, top-notch dining options, and exclusive private beach access, it’s easy to overlook all the Watersound Club events that take place throughout the year. But there is something for everyone and Watersound Club Director of Membership Vicki Burris filled us in on what she considers the signature events that shouldn’t be missed. “It is such a joy to create memorable experiences for our Members and families to enjoy,” she said. “Our goal is to build on those experiences to provide even more events for our Members to look forward to each year.”
POLAR PLUNGE
Usher in the new year with one of the hottest wellness trends, a cold-water plunge. Doctors tout the practice as a means of reducing inflammation, relieving muscle soreness, recovering after exercise, boosting immunity, and improving sleep—so it’s a great way to get your next circle around the sun started. Join us at the Watersound Beach Club for our annual Polar Plunge in the pool by Beach Break at 9:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day to rinse off last year’s regrets and emerge with a fresh start. The Beach Club will open at 9 a.m. with breakfast bites available for purchase, and a hot breakfast will warm you up following the plunge.
VALENTINE’S DATE NIGHT
What’s better than communing with your sweetheart over a delicious meal on a day dedicated to love? Lady and the Tramp had it right when they discovered sharing a plate of pasta led to romance. Grab a cocktail at 1936 and head into the pampered luxury of ANR for a dinner
filled with local farm-to-table fare. Or relax by the pool with a bite from Bark n’ Brine at Camp Creek Inn. If a Watersound Beach Club visit is on the agenda, Beach Break Grill delivers fresh sushi and seafood poolside, or book a table upstairs at 30º86º for a bevy of local seafood and sweeping views of cotton-candy-colored Gulf of Mexico sunsets.
Greet the new year with a cold water immersion that offers many health benefits.
POLAR PLUNGE
RHYTHM ON THE RANGE
Getting down on the golf course is always a good time. This annual spring concert held on the Camp Creek driving range kicked off in 2024 with a performance by Member Thomas Rhett, along with two local musicians. Coolers filled with tasty treats and refreshing beverages, lawn chairs spread around the green, and impromptu dancing make for a magical tradition. Stay tuned for the musical talent in 2025—and mark your calendar now for what promises to be the event of the season.
EASTER BRUNCH AND EGG HUNT
Break out the seersucker suits and pastel dresses for a hunt for candy-filled eggs with the whole family at this annual event. Grab a photo with the Easter Bunny, enjoy a leisurely brunch at the Beach Club or Camp Creek
dining venues or Shark’s Tooth Clubhouse, and spend time with those you love in paradise.
MEMORIAL DAY ACTIVITIES
On the day when Americans honor U.S. military personnel, Watersound Club Members can kick off the holiday weekend by gathering on the beach for bonfires—gazing at the emerald waters while tucking toes in the sugar white sand—while roasting s’mores and listening to live music as children play on the beach.
FOURTH OF JULY ACTIVITIES
Celebrate the red, white, and blue with live music and special poolside culinary features. Partake of the many children’s activities set up across the properties to celebrate Independence Day or take trip down the Camp Creek water slide. Play a game of pickleball then grab a bite of true Americana: barbecue from Bark ‘N Brine. Professional fireworks and a performance celebrating Independence Day cap the evening as the night sky fills with bright explosions and cascades of falling stars.
LABOR DAY ACTIVITIES
It’s always bittersweet to say farewell to summer, but we have a weekend filled with holiday surprises to give it a proper send-off. A Friday evening bonfire kicks off the celebration. Live music keeps the party going, and inventive culinary poolside pop-ups refresh and refuel
RED, WHITE, AND KA-BOOM!
Fourth of July events include professional fireworks, live music, and poolside fare.
guests throughout the weekend. Events will be held at both the Watersound Beach Club and Camp Creek amenities, so mark your calendar to send summer off in style.
THANKSGIVING BRUNCH
Gathering around the table for a good meal with family and friends is a tradition as old as this country. Each Club location will be serving up all the fixings you love: golden turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, green beans, tangy cranberry sauce, and pie…lots of pie. Plus, add special chef-created dishes to your plate while giving thanks for another year spent surrounded by those we love.
FROSTY FROLIC
One of the longest-standing traditions at the Club, the annual Frosty Frolic invites Members to break out the tacky sweaters and holiday glam for an evening of music, food, and fun at Shark’s Tooth Clubhouse. You may even catch Old St. Nick checking off his list while listening to holiday wishes.
NEW YEAR’S EVE
You could ring in the new year in many places, but what better place than paradise? Plan to dance the night away to a live band, toast the turning of midnight with a flute of bubbly, and welcome a new year filled with promise—sealed with a kiss.
TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL
With the frenzy over pickleball, the new Camp Creek courts are hot spots for Members. The alllevel, coed Watersound Open debuted in 2024. Its inaugural weekend of doubles play featured 24 teams and was so popular it will now be an annual tradition. The “Pinkleball” Tournament adds tennis this year and we have partnered with Whispering Angel Rosé to offer refreshments. Sign up for fun competition among friends.
LAST GASP RUN
Are you the type of person who has your New Year’s resolutions ready for the turn of the clock? Is wellness a part of your those plans? Get an early start with our annual Last Gasp Run. Seasoned runners and enthusiastic amateurs: Lace up those running shoes and join us as we bid a fond farewell to the year in a 2.5-mile run followed by a hearty breakfast buffet after you cross the finish line.
SLOW DOWN AND GO WITH THE FLOW
Seeking calm relaxation, better balance and flexibility, stress reduction, or strengthening and toning? There’s a yoga class for you. Some are designed for those with limited mobility.
Zen Vibes Only
Life moves fast but fast isn’t always healthy. Sometimes, it pays to slow down, be still, and listen to what your body tells you.
At the Watersound Club Wellness Center, a growing number of Members are slowing their pace with yoga and meditation. In recent months, several classes—from Restorative Yoga and Slow Flow Yoga to Power Yoga and Aqua Board Yoga—have become so popular that many have regular waiting lists.
“We’re getting extremely positive feedback from the members that come to class, and it’s been a fantastic addition to this space,” said Tere Brito, who teaches multiple yoga classes, including Restorative Yoga, Vin-Yin and Sound Bath. “We are here to offer something for every body and every ability.”
Embracing yoga for a healthier you
Written By KARI C. BARLOW
Instructor Cathy Lighton has enjoyed watching Club Members get excited about embracing a new fitness journey.
“They’re eager, and they want to try new things, and I appreciate that,” said Lighton, who teaches Power Yoga, Qigong Yoga and Yoga Sculpt. “I think yoga gives them a bit of balance between all the more active things that they do—you know, the pickleball, the tennis. and the golf.”
The goal at the wellness center has been to create a calm, relaxing vibe that encourages members to focus on their overall well-being.
“Yoga is a lifestyle that helps you turn inward and find alignment of your mind and body,” said Heidi Fowler, who teaches Aqua Board Yoga, Restorative Yoga and Power Yoga. “Not only can yoga help you
Yoga opens the door to a lot of things, especially if you stick with it. I’ve seen people who really embrace yoga, and after a short time, they’re breathing deeper. They don’t eat as much. They’re more relaxed. Hypertension lowers. I mean, it’s just a domino effect for the good, and things start to snowball in the right direction.”
— CATHY LIGHTON, wellness center instructor, Watersound Club
lose weight, increase flexibility and improve balance, but it can also help you reduce stress, feel happier, and sleep better.”
The key is finding the best fit for your body’s needs.
“If you have limited mobility, there’s a yoga class for you,” said Brito, a former professional ballroom dancer. “If you want something to build cardio and strength, there’s a yoga class for you. We want to create a judgment-free zone.”
She encourages beginners or those who aren’t sure how well their body can move to start with a Restorative Yoga class, which is a slow and gentle introduction to classic postures and offers the use of props such as bolsters and blankets.
Restorative Yoga is also an excellent way to become accustomed to the silence and stillness that are integral to yoga.
“We are overstimulated in this society,” said Lighton, who also works as a personal trainer. “We always have noise going on. You have to give your brain a moment of silence—it’s just good mental health.”
But being silent and still can be a challenge for people who are wound tight or dealing with high levels of stress, and like most skills, it takes time to learn.
“I always tell people if you’ve never done this before or you haven’t done it regularly, give it at least three months,” Lighton said. “Do it two or three days a week minimum.”
At Watersound Club, that’s easy to do because a wide range of yoga classes is
This
always on the weekly schedule. For Members looking to push themselves physically—or even add weights to their practice— there’s Power Yoga and Yoga Sculpt. For Members who love the water, Aqua Board Yoga is a fun and exhilarating workout that activates core muscles while moving through a series of transitional movements atop a floating fitness board in the pool. Vin Yin is a class dedicated to cleansing, creative flows that engage the body and reset the mind, while Qigong Yoga blends classic yoga poses with the power of Qigong’s coordinated movements.
For Members looking to dive more deeply into meditation, there’s the Sound Bath.
Brito teaches the one-hour session, which aims to activate the parasympathetic nervous system through breath work, relaxation, and sound vibrations from live instruments, including crystal singing bowls, a gong, a rain stick, and a hand drum.
“All these different sounds create vibrations, and the vibrations penetrate the body at a cellular level,” Brito said. “It is actually proven that sound can help heal.”
For the Watersound Club yoga team, healing and improved health are at the core of their mission. They firmly believe that even the most basic yoga practice can have significant physical and mental benefits.
“Yoga opens the door to a lot of things, especially if you stick with it,” Lighton said. “I’ve seen people who really embrace yoga, and after a short time, they’re breathing deeper. They don’t eat as much. They’re more relaxed. People come off anxiety meds. Hypertension lowers. I mean, it’s just a domino effect for the good, and things start to snowball in the right direction.”
AQUA BOARD YOGA
fun and exhilarating workout activates core muscles.
State of the Art
WELLNESS CENTER
The Watersound Club lifestyle truly centers around happiness. A healthy body and mind makes a world of difference. Watersound Club Members enjoy a variety of ways to maintain their physical and mental acuity at the Wellness Center. Be sure to make some time for yourself here during your next visit.
Songwriting King of Number Ones MEET ASHLEY GORLEY
His
huge cache
of songwriter awards doesn’t hold a candle to his paddle skills on the pickleball court
Written By CARRIE HONAKER
Windows down, Randy Travis blasting on the radio, piled in the car heading south with his brother, sister, mom, and dad, Ashley Gorley started falling in love with Northwest Florida. Whenever they could, his family loaded up and headed away from the small, rural Kentucky town where he grew up and toward sugar sand and emerald waters. The pull of this place kept tugging at Gorley until 2020 when he chanced upon a home on 30A for sale where he could look out over those pristine beaches and lapping ocean waves whenever he and his family wanted.
“I’ve traveled all over the world in the last 10 years, and if it’s a tropical place, even somewhere like Turks and Caicos, I always think, ‘This doesn’t look any better than our house on 30A—we already have clear, blue water and a great white-sand beach,’” he said.
Accessibility to the outdoors plays a key role in Gorley’s songwriting process. He needs computers and microphones, but a beautiful view of the natural world inspires him. “We wrote songs from our kitchen at the 30A house overlooking the water that have gone on to be successful. I love that space. I can dive in for two or three days without stopping,” he said. Back at home in Franklin, Tennessee, writers and artists join him at his farm, recording for days at a time and breaking for fishing interludes on the river.
HOTEL:
You decide when you arrive and depart to fit your schedule. You might just decide to stay an extra day or two.
Prompt housekeeping to make sure that your stay is pleasant and your room is fresh included at no additional cost.
Courteous staff members available 24/7 to cater to your needs, answer your questions and make your stay perfect.
Amenities galore! Pools, golf courses, fitness centers, restaurants and private beach access are just a few of the amenities available to hotel guests, at select hotels.
OR
VACATION RENTAL:
Follow a strict “Saturday to Saturday” stay, which could mean paying for extra nights after you’ve left!
Pay a massive cleaning fee to have the place cleaned after you leave. Until then you are on your own to keep that 8-bedroom, 6,000 square foot dream house tidy.
Total isolation to fend for yourself while learning the ins and outs of someone else’s house in an unfamiliar place.
Become familiar with the route to the grocery store and the public beach parking lots – you’ll need them.
I’ve traveled all over the world in the last 10 years, and if it’s a tropical place, even somewhere like Turks and Caicos, I always think, ‘This doesn’t look any better than our house on 30A—we already have clear, blue water and a great white-sand beach.’”
— ASHLEY GORLEY, songwriter, Watersound Club Member
“I love writing at those two places,” he said. “Being close to home and at our second home just makes it feel good—there’s a lot of time to talk and do life with the writers instead of just trying to knock the song out and leave.”
An MTV junkie, DJ for all the dances and parties, and master playlist maker, Gorley’s passion for music started early. He found magic in the sounds coming out of the speakers and over the airwaves and wanted to figure out how he could be a part of it. But Danville, Kentucky, didn’t have a lot of songwriters, so he struck out and went to Belmont University in Nashville, the Music City. A class in music publishing and songwriting cemented his future.
“I’m kind of an anomaly,” he said. “Once I learned about A & R (matching artists and repertoire), I found my gift. I had a knack for picking out songs and knowing if they would be hits.”
Gorley graduated magna cum laude in 1999. He stays plugged into his alma mater through monthly seminars he teaches for songwriting and publishing majors. With an affinity for coaching others, he wants to pass on what he has learned as somebody who couldn’t read music, couldn’t sing, and had no connections in the industry but moved to Tennessee and found success as a songwriter.
Thirteen years ago, he started Tape Room Music, a publishing and artist development group, and signed his first writer. “This is something I’ve always wanted to do. I get to help them get their craft right and mentor them,” he said. They just celebrated their 50th No. 1, and that doesn’t include Gorley’s 75-plus charttoppers. He added, “That meant more to me than personally getting any stats or awards. Making a difference in their lives, teaching them how to get better at their craft, giving them
real criticism, and doing life with them, that’s where my satisfaction comes from, even more than writing hits for people.”
Each artist Gorley works with inspires him, and he likes to dabble in all genres of music. Gorley has collaborated with Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, Chris Stapleton, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett, Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini, Bon Jovi, Weezer, and more. In 2023, his Grammy-nominated hit with Morgan Wallen, Last Night , became the longest-running Hot 100 chart-topper from a solo artist with its record-breaking, 16-week run. In 2023, he earned the Academy of Country Music's Songwriter of the Year award and Song of the Year with Cole Swindell’s She Had Me at Heads Carolina , and he was named Songwriter of the Year (all-genre) by Variety at its prestigious Hitmakers event in Los Angeles. In 2024, Gorley was recognized with his 11th honor as the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers' Country Songwriter of the Year.
“Being able to work with a variety of artists is like tailoring a suit,” Gorley said. “We can write something more pop-oriented, or lean into Morgan Wallen’s style, or craft a song that fits Carrie Underwood or maybe Thomas Rhett. They’re all very different, and that’s what makes country music awesome—the variety of styles within the genre.”
He and his wife already knew they loved this slice of Florida paradise, but golf drew Gorley to the Watersound Club lifestyle. His father loves the game, his two boys are starting to get into it, and he recharges amid the beauty of the course with its lush greens and fairways shrouded by native oak and pine trees. Gorley still considers himself an amateur at golf,
THEIR HOME ON 30A provides artistic inspiration and healthful pursuits for award-winning songwriter and country music publisher Ashley Gorley and his family.
but pickleball is another story. He has courts at his house in Franklin, and when he is on 30A, nightly visits to the Watersound Club pickleball courts for some family paddling are always on the agenda.
Gorley and his wife prioritize showing their three children the world and all its wonders, whether that’s a trip to Israel where their youngest got baptized in the Jordan River, a day spent paragliding from the Alps in Switzerland, or a day in the Australian Outback hanging with koala bears and kangaroos.
“I never thought I’d get a beach house because I just wanted to see more places in the world,” he said.
“But now it’s become our home away from home—the place we do Thanksgiving, flying the whole family in, playing pickleball at night at the Club, working out at the wellness center in the morning, and playing golf. It’s the kids’ favorite place to go, even just for a weekend.”
All
IN THE FAMILY
Mothers, daughters, brothers, sisters, husbands, and wives share what it’s like working with a family member
Written By CARRIE HONAKER
Acarpool in the morning, shared lunches, and company events make staying close easy for these families. For the Watersound Club team, family members that work together forge even stronger connections to each other and the guests, whether they are greeting them at the gate, sweating it out with them in a fitness class, or helping them plan their family reunion.
Mothers and daughters
Kylie Bennett, an avid runner and beach-lover, grew up here trailing around after her mom, Kristy McKinney, Camp Creek Inn assistant general manager, soaking up the hospitality culture, seeing how big events are planned and executed, and meeting travelers from all over. Now she helps to oversee those travelers’ special events as the catering sales and events manager at The Pearl Hotel. Bennett is the silent force behind grand birthday parties and romantic anniversaries and weddings filled with special moments treasured for years to come. “Every event is so much fun, so beautiful, and so much different than the event prior or to follow,” she said. Bennett joined her mom, who was working at The Pearl Hotel, when she was just 16 years old. McKinney helped open the hotel before St. Joe entered the picture, and now 10 years later they both work for the company.
TOMMIE HARRIS & DONALD HARRIS
(Fun fact: McKinney used to own two Gold’s Gyms and competed as a professional bodybuilder.)
“Hospitality is my passion. It’s wonderful to get to know these families and watch their kids and grandkids grow up. All of the amenities and different aspects of our offerings make it fun and motivating to come to work,” McKinney said. “It’s also super cool to grow up in the town that has grown so much due to the involvement of The St. Joe Company—and then go on to work for the company for over a decade with your family. St. Joe truly is a great place to work.”
Brothers
You may recognize the familiar face at the Camp Creek guard shack. That’s Donald Harris, the facilities supervisor for Camp Creek amenities. He supervises the gate attendants and loves being the first person Members greet in the morning. “I hope I help get their day started with a smile and a warm welcome,” he said. In his spare time, you can find Donald digging in the dirt, caring for his plants, a love his dad fostered when he was young.
He also gets to see his brother Tommie Harris, Watersound Beach Club towel and gate manager, a couple of times per week. Tommie
is as much a people person as his brother and counts his interactions with guests as his favorite part of the job. After 25 years with St. Joe in positions ranging from groundskeeper to server to manager, Tommie’s made lots of connections with families he sees year after year.
While Tommie recently made the decision to enjoy a well-deserved retirement, he will always be a part of the Watersound Club family.
These days, you may be able to find him at the local farmers markets selling the seasoning blends he developed while flipping burgers at Shark’s Tooth Golf Club.
Husbands and wives
A husband-and-wife duo who are both part of the Watersound Club staff, Hollie and Josh Parker, occupy very different roles, but both play a significant role in enhancing the Member experience. Born and raised in Mississippi, they now call the 30A community home with their sons Cade and Carsen.
Josh started as an assistant golf course superintendent at Camp Creek Golf Course in 2006, then moved to Shark’s Tooth Golf Course in 2011. In 2022, he took on the role of Watersound Club director of agronomy. The lush fairways and greens are Josh’s domain. “I enjoy the people I work with,” he said. “I also enjoy the process of striving to give the Members and guests golf course conditions they enjoy playing.”
Hollie, who grew up on a farm in Big Creek, Mississippi, is now the membership sales and relations manager in the Watersound Club Membership office. “Every day is a little different, but watching our Members enjoy the Club is a joy,” she said. “Seeing their smiling faces on the pool deck, at the beach, on the tennis courts, or at Club events is the highlight of what I do every day.”
Even though they don’t often run into each other throughout the day, Hollie appreciates “seeing Josh with his team and understanding the day-to-day operations of golf course maintenance. I must say, I have learned a lot about grass over the last 25 years!”
HOLLIE & JOSH PARKER
GOLF TIPS FROM
THE PROS
Driving the ball the modern way
Written By BEN BLALOCK
Watch a PGA Tour event sometime, maybe one of the Major Championships. As you do, keep an eye on the “Ball Flight Tracer”—these are the colored lines on the screen that “trace” the ball’s flight through the sky. You’ll notice a tendency for these “tracers” to have a soft bend or curve rather than being perfectly straight like a line. Playing the driver with some curvature actually makes the task of hitting the fairway somewhat easier…here’s how you can start to do it in your game.
1. TEE THE BALL HIGH
This is essential as the intent is to strike the ball at a point in time AFTER the club has reached the lowest point of the swing arc and has begun to ascend or rise away from the ground.
Increases carry distance without having to increase swing speed.
Makes it easy to produce a “fading” ball flight, which is one that curves to the right for righthanded players, or left or lefthanded players.
2. TEE THE BALL NEAR THE right-hand side of the tee box as this creates a larger landing area for your shot per the fading ball flight. Reverse this if you’re left-handed. Think of this like bowling:
The rough, bunkers, water, etc. found along the sides of the hole are like the gutters on the sides of a bowling lane. The fairway is the lane.
Good bowlers generally begin their approach from one side of the lane or the other—never in the center of the lane. Do you know how hard it is to roll a bowling ball perfectly straight? The only thing tougher might be hitting a golf ball perfectly straight!
If the player is expecting the ball to curve to the right as it rolls down the lane, that player would be wise to approach the lane on the right.
The player then aims to the left of center which allows plenty of room for the ball to curve right and hit the pins as opposed to rolling into a gutter.
3. PLACE THE HEAD OF THE driver directly behind the golf ball and place your feet together—close enough that the soles of your shoes touch.
This establishes the ball location at the instep of the lead foot.
4. CHECK TO MAKE SURE THE shaft of the club is set at a right angle to the intended start line for your shot—this start line should be to the left of the center line of the hole.
5. LEAVE YOUR LEFT FOOT where it is and take a step to the right with your right foot. This step should be large enough that your feet are set wider than your shoulders.
The driver swing is BIG, so you’ll need a strong base to maintain your balance.
6. “SLIDE” THE DRIVER HEAD to the right until the shaft of the driver appears at the center of your stance.
This creates the rising club head at contact that we’re looking for to produce the intended ball flight.
7. SWING!
8. EXPECT A high launching ball flight that flies with a slight amount of fade (curve to the right) in flight.
9. REPEAT on the next hole…
Ben Blalock, director of Watersound Club Golf Instruction, is certified as a PGA Master Professional and as a Golf Range Association of America Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional.
SPORTING PRESERVE
TIPS FROM
THE PROS
Written By JOHN LEMONT
In shooting sporting clays, like any other sport, fundamentals are an essential element to success.
Proper stance, gun mount, movement, and focus are all skills that should become second nature, ingrained in the shooter’s muscle memory, when engaging a target.
STANCE
Stand upright, not in a crouched or tense position, and most importantly, relax.
Position yourself so that an imaginary line extends from the heel of your rear foot through the toe of your front foot directly to the intended breakpoint of the target.
Feet should be in a natural, relaxed stance with your front foot pointed appropriately at 12:30 and rear foot at 2:30 (for right-handed shooters).
Generally speaking, 60 percent of your weight should be on your front foot.
This stance allows you to swing the muzzle along the entire target flight line without feeling torque or tension in your torso.
MOUNT
Many shooters pre-mount their shotgun. As you progress, a low gun position is preferable.
Bringing the gun out of your shoulder and off your face allows you a better field of view and will allow you to focus on—and move the muzzle to—the target in a smooth and efficient manner.
Practicing a consistent mount is another important aspect of success. Always mount the gun to the cheek first, then roll the shoulder into the butt of the gun. Soon you will develop a “memory spot” on your cheek and will know that you have mounted the gun in the correct position to take the shot.
A well-fitted gun becomes an extension of your body and will always shoot where your eyes are focused (always on the target and never on the top rib or bead of the gun barrel).
MOVEMENT
With few exceptions, movement of the muzzle must have a connection to the flight of the bird in both direction and speed.
The lead hand moves the muzzle to engage the bird while the rear raises the gun to the cheek. Synchronize
the speed of the muzzle with the speed of the bird then find the appropriate sight picture.
Lead or forward allowance on a crossing bird requires the muzzle be ahead of the bird when the trigger is pulled. Although there are numerous methods of obtaining the appropriate lead, smooth movements of the hands, torso, neck, and head—along with hard focus on the target— are essential.
FOCUS
Eye dominance (not necessarily vision quality) is another key to success.
Binocular vision—shooting with both eyes open—offers a distinct advantage over shooting with one eye closed. Depth perception is improved and a greater field of view allows the shooter to acquire the target quicker, and more accurately determine its speed distance and trajectory.
Unlike handgun or rifle shooting where your focus is on the front sight and the target is blurry, in sporting clays the shooter must have intense visual focus on the target the exact time the trigger is pulled.
Measuring, or guessing the lead, or trying to aim a shotgun like a rifle will lead to inconsistency with moving targets. Lead is felt and processed instinctively. As you see more targets thrown at different angles and speeds, you develop the skill of seeing the necessary lead. With practice, target presentations become familiar and less intimidating.
TRUST
There’s a moment when you learn to trust your eyes and the gun, that is when all the fundamentals come together and targets start breaking.
A target that moments ago seemed impossible to hit is now easily broken.
A NOTE TO HUNTERS Competency in sporting clays will help you become a better bird hunter. Learning the proper techniques, practicing on targets thrown in different directions at different speeds and understanding methods of determining lead will all help you be more successful in the field. Learn to relax when a bird gets up, avoid tunnel vision, learn to control your muzzle. Building confidence on the clays course will allow you to take a bird that you may have previously missed or make a longer shot you may not even have attempted. Trap and skeet were originally used by hunters to practice in the off season then soon became a stand-alone activity. Our sporting clays course has clay targets to mimic the flight of any number of game birds as well as more complex target presentations to challenge even the best shooters.
EVENTS
Golf Tournaments
April 3–5
Watersound Club® Member–Member Tournament
May 1–3
Shootout at the Creek Member–Guest Tournament
June 20–21
Watersound Club® Championship
July 24–26
Norman–Fazio Classic
Sept. 18–20
Watersound Club® Senior Member–Guest Tournament
Oct. 7–9
Watersound®
Women’s Invitational
Oct. 23–25
Sharkfest Member–Guest Tournament
Dec. 11–13
Campfest Member–Guest Tournament
Visit Members.WatersoundClub.com to learn more about these events and other recurring events like trivia night, bingo, golf leagues, and more.
HOW TO BECOME A
WATERSOUND CLUB® MEMBER
LIFESTYLE MEMBERSHIP
Experience unlimited golf at The Third, Shark’s Tooth, and Camp Creek courses, as well as access to the Beach Club and Camp Creek lifestyle amenities. Find private air charter on the Watersound Club Pilatus PC-12 NG. You’ll enjoy fitness facilities, tennis and pickleball, and a robust calendar of social events throughout the year. Topping things off are a multitude of dining options and an extensive list of outdoor amenities the whole family will enjoy!
Visit WatersoundClub.com, call 850.213.5181 or email Membership@StJoe.com to start your application. Information in this Membership section provides a summary of the Watersound Club Membership program. As this information is only summary in nature, you should read the Membership Plan and Rules and Regulations for a complete understanding regarding Membership rights and privileges. Membership privileges and benefits are subject to change from time to time.
WATERSOUND CLUB®
PHONE DIRECTORY
CONTACTS
MEMBERSHIP
Vicki Burris, Director of Membership
Hollie Parker, Membership Sales & Relations Manager
Betsy Grinstead, Membership Sales & Relations Manager
Cassie Dortch, Membership Accounting
Mike Jansen, Vice President
Patrick
Josh Parker, Director of Agronomy
Jennie
Urquhart,
Alexa Guarachi Bruner, Director of Tennis & Pickleball
