Last week tested all of us at Sugarbush Golf Club. On paper, it looked tough: a 110-golfer outing Saturday morning, our first-ever Night Golf event that evening, a full-course outing of 152 players on Sunday, and a PGA Junior Match to top it off. Add in a bug making its way through my house and a few staff calling off sick, and the week felt heavier than usual.
Stepping into new roles
Friday, Ashley and I went to pick up extra carts from our sister course, Captain’s Club. She told me about her last trip hauling trailers, and I realized how confident she’d become at driving and loading them. On Saturday, when we lost a beverage cart driver, she jumped out on the course without hesitation.
In the clubhouse, Alex handled the front of the house while I gave last-minute instructions to the kitchen. Out on the course, Eric prepped everything for Night Golf—logistics, lights, and setup—so players would have a smooth experience once the sun went down.
The small things that made it work
Even when we had hiccups in the kitchen, the staff pulled through. When carts had to be borrowed and transported, nobody hesitated. When one role went unfilled, someone stepped up. That kind of flexibility isn’t in a job description—it comes from a team that cares about the course, the members, and each other.
Gratitude in the glow of night
By the time Saturday evening rolled around, I was tired and still shaking off the aches from earlier in the week. But I got to watch something special: brisket and collard greens being served, golf carts glowing across the fairways, laughter echoing under the lights.
Most of all, I got to watch my team pull it together. They carried the weight of a full weekend, adjusted on the fly, and made Sugarbush’s first Night Golf event a success.
🎥 Watch the Night Golf recap here:
Takeaway
Leadership isn’t about doing everything—it’s about having a team you can trust when the lights come on.