RESUME: MICHAEL A. KAHN

4457 Pro Am Ave. E., Bradenton, Florida 34203 -

Phone: 941.739.3990 - Fax: 425.675.6909 - Cel: 941-737-6900 -

Email: mike@golfmak.com - Web page: www.Golfmak.com

In Association with;

 

Leading Edge Point of Sale Software, advisor for the development of Point of Sale and Integrated Accounting Software for the Golf Course Industry.

Prime Sites USA, Florida. www.primesitesusa.com Florida Real Estate Brokerage Licensed real estate Transactor - Specializing in Golf Courses. 727.771.9000

Golfmak, Inc. , Golf Business Consulting, Bradenton, Florida, www.golfmak.com. 941.739.3990

Advisor: Resort Clubs International and Clubshare, Atlanta. http://www.clubshare.us/

Hayward and Associates, Tampa, Florida. Golf Course Finance Brokerage. Golf Course Mortgage Applications, Business Plans. 813.496.8881

CONSULTED:

• Mill Cove Golf Club, Jacksonville, Florida;
• Feather Sound Country Club, Tampa, Florida;
• Willow Creek Golf Club, Houston, Texas;
• Wanango Country Club, Oil City Pennsylvania;
• Cypress Pines Golf Club, Lehigh, Florida
• St. Mary's Golf Club, St. Mary's Pennsylvania;
• Cedarbrook Country Club, Elkin, North Carolina;
• Eagles Golf Club, Tampa, Florida;
• Miccosukee Band, Homewood, Florida;
• Ravines Golf Resort, Middleburg, Florida;
• Northwood Hills Golf Club, Shreveport, Louisiana;
• Magnolia Point Country Club, Jacksonville, Florida;
• Peridia Country Club, Bradenton, Florida;
• Olde Point Golf Club, Hampstead, North Carolina;
• Madisonville Country Club, Madisonville, Kentucky;
• Scottish Heights Golf Course, DuBois, Pennsylvania:
• Orange Park Country Club, Orange Park, Florida;
• Pebble Creek Golf Club, Tampa, Florida;
• Watertown Golf Club, Watertown, New York;
• Shambolee Golf Club, Petersburg, Illinois.
• Crescent Oaks Country Club, Tarpon Springs, Florida
• The Preserve, Fenton, Michigan
• Black Bear Golf Resort, Vanderbilt, Michigan
• Gaylord Country Club, Gaylord, Florida
• Oak Ford Golf Club, Sarasota, Florida
• Cypress Valley Golf Course, Marshall, Texas
• Rolling Hills Golf Club, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
• Balantrae Country Club, Port St. Lucie, Florida
• Tartan Pines, Enterprise, Alabama
• Brookwoods CC, Ontario, New York
• West Winds, New Market, Maryland
• Chili Golf Course, Chili, New York
• The Rock at Jocassee, Pickens, South Carolina
• Cedarbrook Country Club, Elkin, North Carolina
• Timber Lake Golf Course, Clinton, South Carolina
• Lely Resort, Naples, Florida

RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

(Some of the projects below were managed simultaneously)

EAGLES GOLF CLUB, Tampa, Florida 36-holes - 2004- 5: I was hired to analyze and manage The Eagles operations when their $5.2 million note was in recall by Bank of America. In less than fourteen months I eliminated close to $1/2 million in waste, yet turned out a vastly better product. I increased revenues using my years of marketing experience. I added enough value to the property and business to result in the sale of the property for $9.2 million (closed in September of 2005).

RAVINES GOLF RESORT, Jacksonville, Florida - 2002-3: I was placed in charge of the resort golf course including lodging for up to 50-guests. We improved play by several thousand rounds and revenues sufficient to sell the property for a $1 million profit (closed December of 2004). The assignment was less than one year.

OAK FORD GOLF CLUB, Sarasota, Florida - 1997- 2002: Sold and closed, May, 2002 for $6 million. I as hired to manage Oak Ford in 1997 while in chapter-11 banlkruptcy. Under my command I implemented marketing and operational strategies resulting in adding more than 25,000 rounds and over $700,000 in revenues - even while the business was in bankruptcy. Worth barely $3 million in 1996, I was instrumental in the sale of the club in 2002. Oak Ford continues its success.

ORANGE PARK COUNTRY CLUB, Jacksonville, Florida - 2001: Acted for the May 2000 purchase and acted as interim management of the private golf club of over 800 members. I implemented plans for the kitchen, pro shop, course maintenance, and membership. The owner could not afford to continue to own the property. We sold it for $1.1 million more than he paid for it in January, 2001.

OVER $100 MILLION IN GOLF COURSE SALES

SALE OF GOLF COURSES, 1995 - 2007 as Director of Golf Course Sales, Prime Sites USA Brokerage: I have personally acted on golf course sales transactions for brokerage totalling over $100 million since 1995. These closings took place in several states including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Iowa, Illinois and others.

OVER $50 MILLION IN GOLF COURSE FINANCING

FINANCING GOLF COURSES, 1994 - 2007: As an associate with Hayward and Associates, Golf Course Financing Brokerage, Tampa, I was responsible for assisting and obtaining over $50 million in financing for golf courses in many parts of the USA including Michigan, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida.

PERSONAL OBJECTIVE:

To apply over fifty years of experience in golf to serve the golf industry.
To implement proven strategies to achieve the full financial potential of golf courses, golf clubs, and golf enterprises.

BRIEFLY

I acquired my first golf job maintaining sand traps at a Toronto public course in 1955. I was part of golf's transition from a mainly private domain to a predominantly public industry. I was a Canadian Professional Golfers Association member from 1959 through 1966. Throughout my career, my focus has been to operate golf courses aggressively and profitably. I view golf courses as excellent concession opportunities that should not be overlooked. My colleagues recognize me as persistent in five areas - service to customers, clean surroundings, an honest effort to provide the best possible facility, attention to revenue history, and an aggressive stand in the marketplace. As a golf course operator, my primary goal is to build customer loyalty, which translates into long-term financial stability for the course.

CURRENT ACTIVITIES AND ASSOCIATIONS

WEB SITE CREATER/EDITOR: I created, published and maintain my own site: www.Golfmak.com, a golf business web page providing information about the golf course industry on several topics. With hits from around the world, the Golfmak web site is one of the best known in the golf industry. A special feature invites inquiries from any person with an interest in the golf business. I have answered thousands of requests for golf business information from students, investors, bankers, and attorneys over fifty countries.

CONSULTANT: I currently provides consulting services for golf course investors, planners, membership committees, golf course finance applicants, and other interests in the golf course industry.

LICENSED FLORIDA GOLF COURSE REAL ESTATE SALES ASSOCIATE: Brings golf course buyers and sellers together anywhere in the USA and around the world. Brokerage: Prime Sites USA, Clearwater, Florida

FORMERLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE MARINE LEARNING INSTITUTE (MLI): Acted as consultant laison to the gol findustry for MLI, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) conservation education organization.

CONSULTANT WITH Golf Operation Point of Sale Software, Developer and Principal, Dustin Anderson, providing a seamless integration of point of sale (POS), tee sheet, food and beverage, inventory, and payroll with most popular accounting packages. Dustin Anderson: 509-460-2998

WILLIAM A. HAYWARD AND ASSOCIATES. Mortgage brokerage specializing in golf course finance. Correspondent for Hayward & Associates. Conduct golf course property studies and prepare business plans for the borrowers. Many successful financings achieved.

 

SUMMARY OF SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

GOLF COURSES:

A Full Background in the Golf Course Business Including, but Not Limited To;

Conceptual and Practical Site Planning and Management

Feasibility Studies

Business Plans

Pro Shop Operations Including;

• Employee training and management
• Customer service issues
• Tee sheet management
• Merchandise care and control
• Cash control and reporting
• Point-of-Sale hardware and software
  

Marketing;

• Copywriter for Radio, Television, Newspaper, and Magazine Advertising
• Analyzing the competitive neighborhood
• Building customer/member loyalty within
• Implementing competitive strategies
  

Financing and re-financing golf courses

Traffic Planning

Player Service Crew - Planning and Training

Tee Sheet Management

Managing a Membership

Golf Schools and Academies

Food and Beverage Management and Control

Golf Course Maintenance and Care Including;

• Irrigation management
• Equipment maintenance
• Drainage
• Grasses, mowing, fertilizing, chemical applications
• Personnel management
• Player satisfaction
  

Golf Car Management and Control

Golf Course Planning and Design

Clubhouse Planning and Design

Cash Flow Planning, Budget Preparation

Personnel Management

Security planning and implementation

Insurance Issues and Planning

OTHER FACILITIES AND EXPERIENCE

Additional Background Includes Experience in; Indoor and Outdoor Golf Schools, Off-Course Golf Retail Stores, Driving Ranges, Bowling Alleys, Skating Rinks, Curling Rinks, Real Estate Development, and other Businesses.

RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

Successfully planned and completed a residential development.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY

Advise and:

Assist in preparing purchases and/or sale of golf courses.
Assist golf course owners and buyers in obtaining financing.
Work with clients planning new golf courses and golf related facilities.
Advise and pre-qualify properties for financing, or refinancing
Advise and pre-qualify properties for the conservation easement strategy

CURRENT AND/OR RECENT POSITIONS

TRANSITION GENERAL MANAGER, ORANGE PARK COUNTRY CLUB, ORANGE PARK, FLORIDA.

Duties included diligence, preparation of the business plan, and supervised ownership transition for the purchase of Orange Park Country Club by Barry Turnbull (Paradise Golf), March 1st through August 20, 2001.

ADVISOR, UNION GOLF OF FLORIDA, INC. - OAK FORD GOLF CLUB (1994 - 2001)

Consultant and Marketing Supervisor for Oak Ford Golf Club, 27-hole golf course in Sarasota, Florida.

ADVISOR, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FOR THE PRESERVE, FENTON, MICHIGAN (1999)

Supervised and Administered grow-in and development of an Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course in Fenton, Michigan. Duties included management operational and service training.

ADVISORY POSITIONS (CURRENT OR FORMER)

Former advisor and consultant to an international golf organization: World Golf and Country Club. Assisted in preparing a business plan.

Site Management for Cypress Pines Golf Club, Lehigh Acres, Florida. Duties included damage control due to historic management problems.

Advisor to West America Development Corporation, Golf Division, Orlando, Florida. West America planned an international golf resort and spa located less than ten minutes from Walt Disney World in Kissimmee, Florida.

ASSOCIATE RGP

Formerly held the position as site level management consultant with full authority to implement business plans for a golf course group, Reality Golf Partners (RGP). The company planned to acquire golf courses in eastern USA using a unique method of engaging partners and associate management companies to finance and operate the properties.

1995 to CURRENT

ASSOCIATE FINANCE CONSULTANT - HAYWARD & ASSOCIATES

Currently associated with Hayward & Associates of Tampa, Florida, licensed mortgage brokers, specializing in golf course financing. Broker of record: William A. Hayward Sr.

Operating on a per diem basis, preparing studies, business plans and proformas for Hayward clients. Studies and pro formas are accepted as reliable by leading bankers and golf course lenders.

Jointly responsible, as an associate with Hayward & Associates, for the sale of three golf courses in 1995 and 1996.

(Included above was the multi-million dollar sale of the high end Lely Resorts group of golf courses in Naples, Florida, to Golf Enterprises of Dallas, Texas., Closed: December 15, 1995. See supplement II.)

1993

FEASIBILITY STUDY ITI TECHNICAL SERVICES

I was retained to perform a private feasibility study about the Golf and Travel industry for I.T.I. Technical Services of St. Petersburg, Florida, President, Mr. M. Quarashi. The report was prepared under contract for a major financial concern. The work covered several months and involved over 100 hours of research. The study remains a private document.

 

NORTH AMERICAN GOLF CLUB, INC.

I was engaged as a contract consultant with North American Golf Clubs, Inc., and Resort Golf Clubs, International, North Dale Mabry Highway of Tampa, Florida to perform studies for the company. They had golf interests in the USA and Costa Rica, and were planning various golf enterprises.

 

I carried out an extensive study of golf playing habits of Tampa Bay, Florida, area golfers. In this study, I gathered information and assembled data from over 1,200 personal interviews. The study, which is the property of RCGI, confirmed or dispelled many notions about the general playing habits of the golf playing public.

1991-1992

WROTE A GOLF COURSE OPERATOR'S MANUAL

I wrote a series of preliminary notes for a golf course operations text: "The Golf Course Operator's Manual" - (C) Michael A. Kahn - 1992-3. The book, or text, is a series of proven methods and principles for golf course operators and managers. It reflects the lessons I have learned during my forty-year career in the golf course business. The text has never been published. However, I provide excerpts of text to clients for periodic guidance.

OBTAINED FLORIDA REAL ESTATE LICENSE

I became a licensed Florida real estate agent in June of 1992.

1989

MY COMPANY RESCUED A FAILING GOLF COURSE IN ONE SEASON

My company obtained a one-year lease on a sixty-three year old nine-hole golf course in Ontario, Canada. It was located on the shores of Lake Ontario, about forty miles east of Toronto. Upon signing of the lease we immediately implemented a marketing strategy resulting in improved revenue of 47% in one year. Concessions, practice range, etc., recorded revenues and profits never experienced by the property.

1971-1989

LEASED GOLF CENTER 1971 to 1989

LIFTLOCK GOLFLAND, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Increased sales from under $100,000 in 1971 to $1.1 million in 1989. Our average season, April to November - numbered approximately 180 days. By way of a consistent and aggressive marketing strategy, I recorded increases in rounds, revenue and profits steadily for over 18 years. In fact, my record was 215 of 216 months showing positive financial results over the same month for previous year. I accomplished this success with persistency and innovations.

During my 28 years in Peterborough, Ontario I pioneered and set several trends for Executive golf and public golf courses in Canada. I successfully increased cash flow and profits for eighteen consecutive years at the golf center. I was among the first in the industry to embrace and/or implement a long list of activities or strategies. Many of these innovations are common practices in the golf course industry today. Below is a short list of firsts:

Among the first to eliminate gender on the tee -sheet and fee structures
One of the first anywhere to market the term, "Family Golf Center."
Among the first to aggressively market golf to women and families
Among the first to market golf to seniors
Among the first to employ women as maintenance machine operators
One of the first to voluntarily adopt environmentally friendly practices
Accepted delivery of one of the first tri-plex greens mowers in Canada (Hahn Tri-Plex)
Among the first to implement private brand golf shop merchandising strategies (During the years at the golf center we consistently maintained 33% to 40% margins from pro shop sales and 65% from grill room services.)

Operated one of the largest learn-to-play-golf programs in golf (27 years)
Tested and proved practice range equipment, operations and programs
Among the first to computerize income and expense tracking methods
Among the first to market golf combining radio, TV, newspaper, magazines and billboards under a theme.

I was one of the first environmentally licensed superintendents in Canada. I Held application licenses for herbicides, fungicides, and aquatic herbicides.

1987 - 1989

FIRST TEE GOLF SHOPPES, INC., CANADA

My company developed and refined an off-course golf equipment retail concept. We wrote technical and retail training manuals for off-course retail merchandising programs. We prepared of a full set of franchise documents. First Tee maintained or licensed ten retail locations in Canada, and one in the USA. The five company stores had combined sales of over $4 million. Two locations had annual sales in the $million dollar range with margins well over 33%. (Later, 'mom and pop' stores began opening in neighborhoods we had carefully selected and the competition killed margin potentials. The First Tee project was abandoned.)

1963-1970

EGLINTON GOLF ENTERPRISES, LTD.

I served as an associate teaching professional and golf club repair technician under Canada's one time PGA Golf Professional of the Year, Bert Turcotte, at Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Associated golf professionals included: Moe Norman (cover of: Golf Digest; Nov. 1996 issue), Al Balding, George Knudson, and others.

GOLF TEACHER

I developed one-on-one teaching methods while teaching thousands of Toronto, Ontario, golf students. Our organization was among the first anywhere to utilize video as a teaching aid for golf students.

THE ART OF GOLF CLUB MAKING - APPRECIATION

I learned many of the old fashioned skills of golf club making, repair, and alteration while working under associate PGA Golf Professional, Eric Wise. I experienced the transition from "old school" club making to today's component golf clubs. (Mr.Wise was a former apprentice club maker for the renowned John Letters Co., of Scotland. He also served as an assistant golf professional under British professional, Eric Brown.)

GOLF SCHOOL (WINTER):

Golf teacher (Eglinton Golf School) at Toronto, Ontario. Other activities included; golf equipment repair, merchandising and sales.

LIFTLOCK GOLFLAND GOLF COMPLEX (SUMMER):

Pro-manager golf center (Liftlock Golfland) at Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. At age 21, I held full responsibility and signing authority for the parent company (Eglinton Golf Enterprises).

(The Peterborough, Canada golf center, opened in 1963, was one of the first golf operations in North America dedicated to introducing the game of golf to the general public. Consisting of a floodlit 9-hole par-3 course, an 18-hole executive golf course, practice range, and a miniature putting course, its' unique design drew interest from the entire golf industry. It currently operates as a Nevada Bob's Golf Center.)

ACQUIRED PRACTICAL SKILLS

DAILY CONTROLS

My duties included tight inventory management, tee-sheet management, and cash flow documentation. I prepared trend charts to plot relationships between rounds, revenue, margins, sales ratios, personnel performance, and overall profit center performances. Charting helped me make decisions for advertising, personnel schedules, merchandising and inventory decisions.

MAINTAINING THE GROUNDS

I became a licensed golf course superintendent. I could operate every piece of maintenance equipment, including tri-plex greens mowers and fairway mowers. I also operated sprayers, spreaders, top dressers, spikers, airifyers, etc. I became familiar with all maintenance and machinery repairs and sharpening systems. I learned to apply chemicals and fertilizers. I participated in the design and construction of golf courses, including installation and programming of irrigation systems. I seeded and grew in one of the first 100% bentgrass fairways anywhere in golf.

CONCESSIONS

I prepared menus and food service systems. We consistently returned 65% margins from the food and beverage service. Our pro shop merchandise program was aggressive and profitable - often achieving overall margins of 33% to 40% - while the industry norm was under 25% in merchandise and under 50% in food and beverage..

MARKETING

I planned all of my own marketing programs. I was my own copywriter for radio, television and newspaper advertisements. I wrote and directed television commercials. I prepared and hosted golf radio shows. I prepared entire short, medium and long-term marketing campaign strategies. My campaigns never failed to increase sales and income.

HOW I LEARNED TO CREATE INCOME STABILITY THROUGH MARKETING

While associated with Eglinton Golf Enterprises (1963 through 1970) I was given a free hand to innovate and plan new marketing and merchandise strategies. In the early sixties, golf was in its infancy as a public pastime. I realized I had to sell the game of golf first before I could build play on my golf course. To accomplish that I designed and implemented a Learn to Golf program for new players. The program eventually introduced up to five hundred new students to golf every spring. Classes were planned in several categories including; men's, ladies, senior men, senior women, mixed classes, junior groups, and businesswoman's groups. Every class we offered was extremely successful (sold out every year for over twenty-seven years) and resulted in rigorous growth in the local golf economy.

MARKETING SKILLS

During the early years I developed extremely reliable marketing strategies for the public play golf business. I learned to use and coordinate four media sources (radio, TV, newspaper, billboards). I planned, designed, wrote and implemented full advertising campaigns. I studied and implemented "Madison Avenue" techniques for advertising timing, position, slogans, and frequencies. I was able to maintain a relentless growth pattern through consistent market recognition and customer awareness. In fact, for over twenty-five years, I was my own copywriter and layout artist for all of our media advertising.

1954-1962

TAM-O-SHANTER GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB. TORONTO, ONTARIO

I was employed at Tam-O-Shanter Golf and Country Club, Toronto, Canada, under the late, Canadian P.G.A. professional, John Evelyn. I held the position as First Assistant Golf Professional from 1958 to 1962. (I was a Member of the Canadian PGA, 1959 - 1966.)

(Tam-O-Shanter Golf and Country Club was a multi-use recreational center including; 18 holes of golf, indoor golf school, public swimming pool, twenty sheets of curling ice, hockey arena, bowling alley, international cuisine restaurant, and banquet facilities serving up to 1,000 people.)

I held several levels of responsibility while employed at the Tam-O-Shanter Golf and Recreational Center. In the off-seasons (winters) I managed bowling lanes, worked as an icemaker on curling and hockey ice, and served in the kitchens.

In 1960, while employed at Tam-O-Shanter Golf Club, I designed, created and operated an indoor golf practice and teaching facility.

OPERATIONAL SKILLS

At Tam-O-Shanter Golf Club, in Toronto, Canada, from age twelve to age twenty I grew up with daily fee golf. This was the golf "Renaissance" period between 1954 through 1962. At Tam-O-Shanter Golf Club we maintained over 100 sets of rental clubs - many going out twice a day! To encourage new play, I helped organize and supervise hundreds of golf leagues and golf tournaments. Given a free hand to innovate, I began implementing pro shop merchandising techniques, all of which are commonly used today. I participated in all phases of marketing, site management, traffic planning and control. At age seventeen, I was put in charge of inventory maintenance, and staff planning. In winter, my duties from time to time included; managing a bowling alley, maintaining curling ice, working in banquet food service, clubhouse maintenance.

ABOUT ME

PERSONAL SKILLS AND WEAKNESSES

I am a team player with a tedious desire for small, medium and "big picture" successes. I am totally loyal to my personnel, suppliers, and especially to my customers. I demand a clean and tidy environment. I aim for consistency in every department. I am an aggressive competitor in my neighborhood, and therefore, prefer not to fraternize with my competition. I have an endless sense of humor, and a thoroughly positive attitude.

I possess better than average computer skills.

I implement and use the Internet. I understand the value of the Internet as a management and communications tool.

My prime weakness may be that I have too much faith in people. I tend to accept people as honest, sincere and reliable. Most of my mistakes in business have been the result of misjudging one's integrity. Unfortunately, it's a fault I find difficult to change.

PASTIMES

I Enjoy many sports; Golf (7 handicap), (ice) hockey and baseball. Art, writing and cartooning are some hobbies. I subscribe to and use the Internet for business and enjoyment. I authored and created my company's web site: www.golfmak.com.

PERSONAL STATISTICS

Born: September 21, 1940 at Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Educated at Agincourt Collegiate, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. Graduated in 1959. Married to Kathleen. We have three children, seven grandchildren, none living at home. I am in good health.

REFERENCES: Available upon request.