Duane Dub
My vision for SunBird Golf Association: When you turn off Riggs Road onto Championship, the sign announces that you are entering SunBird Golf Resort. I believe this name reflects the vision and plan that Ed Robson and the developers had for our community. It’s a vision anchored by the golf course. And I believe that vision is still valid and imperative today.
Home buyers want, and place greater value on, homes in communities that incorporate lakes, rivers, parks, and golf courses because they are nicer places to live. Property values grow more than in subdivisions without these amenities. Our neighbors in Ahwatukee can attest to the devastating impact the loss of a golf course had on all community home values, whether they are golf frontage or not.
Unlike some nearby golf courses with third-party owners, our golf course association owners are local SunBird residents and SunBird HOA members. Our vision and our fate are integrally intertwined. As such, I believe that it is our responsibility to think and act as partners to provide SunBird residents with a valuable recreational resource, a significant contributor to strong property values, and maintain the high desirability of SunBird as a residential community. We can assure this through a well-managed, financially sound, and impeccably-groomed SunBird Golf Course. This is how I view my responsibility as a board member.
The strengths/experiences I would bring to the board: My most applicable experience is the 17 years I just spent as director and recording secretary on our Michigan condo association board of directors. Over this time, we improved the desirability and value of the units through two roof replacements, three exterior paintings, and one road replacement; all done through additional assessments supported by the co-owners. We always operated in the black. During my career, I served six years on the management staff for a 5,000-member trade association where well-run committees were essential. I held multiple offices, including president, of the Direct Marketing Association of Detroit and helped grow membership from under 300 to almost 800 in about five years. My marketing career included extensive experience in event management, collateral development, advertising, and social media management, both nationally and internationally.
My understanding of current issues, goals, innovations of the current board: When I first bought in SunBird 12 years ago, I watched my drives bounce and run for 10s of yards on dry, hard ground and brown grass. Today, our course is lush with thick green grass, well cared greens, and raked traps, and I’m proud to have friends and visitors play here. This has required vision, hard decisions, and determination by current and former board members. But the long-term viability of SunBird Golf Association demands that we welcome and encourage more residents to play, present an attractive value to outside players, maximize tee time availability, generate additional income, and cultivate a course that is visually stunning and challenging to play.
Gary Hodges
My vision for SunBird Golf Association: Try and get more younger couples and singles who are golfers to explore our Golf Course. In an ageing community, you need to replenish with a younger generation.
The strengths/experiences I would bring to the board: I bring more than 10 years golf course operation and experience. Previous Head Pro/General Manager of Eagle Trace Golf Course, which is the home of Morehead State University Golf Course, Morehead, KY, Assistant Pro Private Country Club.
My understanding of current issues, goals, innovations of the current board: We need to continue to work towards new members joining our course. Continue to work on marketing our establishment.
Wayne Onyx
My vision for SunBird Golf Association: Attract more SunBird residents to play here. Continue to improve playing conditions.
The strengths/experiences I would bring to the board: Interest in Greens Committee. \Worked on maintenance team for four years while in college.
My understanding of current issues, goals, innovations of the current board: Improve relationship with HOA.
Dave White
My vision for SunBird Golf Association: Keep improving course conditions. Increase revenue without increasing annuals or green fees. Work with HOA on issues regarding the upkeep of the Golf Course (need revenue for course).
The strengths/experiences I would bring to the board: In golf management for 50 years; 20 years Board of Directors as president, 20 years USGA Rules Official which includes course management and tournament set-up.
My understanding of current issues, goals, innovations of the current board: I attended meetings on a regular basis, listening to members on their concerns.