At Old Edwards Club, we've put together an outstanding team of the country's finest professionals who have two goals: to help you improve your game and enjoy yourself on and off the golf course. Whether you are new to Old Edwards Club or want to lower your handicap, our professional golf staff provides helpful instruction and tips to improve your game. They'll even join you for a round or two. Join our tennis pro for a lesson or a quick match. When you're ready to relax, our hospitality team will welcome you with delicious food and drinks in an ambiance of friendly camaraderie in the clubhouse.
Golf Course & Golf Shop
Jordan Kenter
Director of Golf
Jordan's passion for the game of golf is exceeded only by his love for his family. As a member of the PGA since 2005, Jordan, along with his wife Debbie, moved around the country working at several prestigious facilities including,
The Vaquero Club outside of Dallas, Iron Horse GC in Whitefish, Montana, CordeValle GC in California, and Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club in Cashiers. Jordan loves to teach players of all levels and is a PlaneTruth and PGA Certified instructor. Jordan and Debbie have been married since 2002 and have two wonderful sons, Chase and Blake.
Drew Newstedt
Head Golf Professional
Originally from Winston Salem, North Carolina, Drew graduated from Campbell University in the spring of 2017. During his time at Campbell, Drew worked two seasons at Wade Hampton Golf Club. Following graduation, Drew spent three years at the
Reserve at Lake Keowee in Sunset, South Carolina. Drew is a member of the PGA and possesses a strong passion for the game of golf. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his fiancé Allie and their son, Will.
Sophie Madden
Teaching Professional
Originally from London, Sophie has played golf most of her life and was lucky enough to represent her country numerous times. She moved to the United States to play college golf at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 2015.
While there, she received a Bachelor of Science in Business and was a four-time All-American with multiple individual wins. After a successful college career, she decided to turn professional and won the 2021 South Carolina State Open. She is currently completing her PGA at Florida Gulf Coast University and has worked and taught at Pelican Marsh Golf Club in Naples, Florida. After taking lessons from some of the best instructors in the world, Sophie believes anyone can play the game and become the player they want to be.
Delaney Hawkins
Manager of Retail Operations
Delaney Hawkins joined the Old Edwards Club family from Amelia Island, Florida. Growing up, Delaney spent her summers in Western North Carolina. Her love of the area brought her back to college at Western Carolina University, where
she studied and earned her degree in Business Management. Delaney has grown and advanced with the Old Edwards Hospitality team during her tenure. This season she is again ready to help you find the perfect apparel and gear needed on and off the course.
George Mason
Golf Course Superintendent
George’s 20+ years of golf course management began during his summer vacations in high school when he worked on the golf course maintenance crew at Conestoga Country Club in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. After high school, he continued working
on the golf course part-time and began pursuing a business degree. After two semesters at a local college, the golf course superintendent and greens chairman at Conestoga Country Club helped convince him of what he had suspected all along, a career in golf course management is what he truly wanted to pursue. George promptly applied and was accepted into the Golf Course Management program at The Pennsylvania State University. Penn State allowed George to complete an internship at The Merit Club in Libertyville, Illinois, under renowned golf course superintendent Oscar Miles. Working with Oscar and his team at The Merit Club, George established a solid agronomic foundation and a better understanding of all that goes into managing turfgrass at an elite club. Upon graduation, George headed south for the mountains and accepted a position as an assistant golf course superintendent at Highlands Cove. George was promoted to head golf course superintendent after two seasons, and his services were retained when the Old Edwards Hospitality Group purchased the golf course at Highlands Cove in 2008. Since then, George and his team have consistently raised the standards of the course while also overseeing an entire golf course renovation, a complete bunker rebuild, and the grow-in of a par 3 course. He considers himself incredibly fortunate to be working at a club that constantly wants to get better and understands the amount of time and resources it takes to maintain a course at such high standards. Outside work, George enjoys working in his yard, following his favorite sports teams, and spending as much time as possible with his wife, Erika, and two daughters, Morgan and Emily.
TENNIS
Robin Keener
Tennis Professional
Robin Keener brings a wealth of tennis/pickleball teaching & playing experience to Old Edwards Club. She is certified as a USPTA Elite Tennis Professional & as a PPR Pickleball Professional. Her teaching and facility management skills resulted in her selection as Florida Tennis Professional of the Year.
She is widely recognized as one of the most successful professionals in Florida, teaching adult tennis & pickleball clinics. Robin also spent over a decade as a USPTA FL Certification Tester evaluating prospective Tennis Professionals. Robin’s playing career spans the globe. She has played internationally on numerous USA National Tennis Teams serving as the Team Captain of the squad that won an International Tennis Federation Silver Medal in Durban, South Africa. She has been ranked as high as #6 in the ITF World Singles Tennis Rankings. Her domestic accomplishments as a tennis player include a #1 National USTA and a #1 National USPTA ranking in both singles and doubles. Robin has been ranked #1 in every Florida age division she has competed in. Her success on the court stretches back to her college career, where she was named both Team Captain & MVP two years in a row while playing Division I tennis at Rollins College.
THE GRILL ROOM
Jacky Cabler
Chef
Jacky is a South Florida native. After growing up in Boynton Beach, she attended the Hilton College at The University of Houston and the School For Culinary Arts at The Art Institute of Houston. She then returned to Boynton Beach to raise
her daughter, Emmalee. Jacky worked exclusively on management and culinary teams in Houston and South Florida private country clubs. After beginning seasonal work at Old Edwards Club in 2012, she fell in love with the area where she spent time with her grandparents as a child. Jacky now resides full-time in Cashiers and brings her passion for cuisine to Old Edwards Club and GlenCove.
Clay Turner
Sous Chef
As a North Carolina native, Clay always had a passion for southern cooking and hospitality, especially Eastern NC BBQ. Originally from Raleigh, he moved to the mountains in 2009 to attend Western Carolina University. In 2010, he began work
in the kitchens of country clubs across the Highlands-Cashiers plateau, and in 2016 started working for Old Edwards Club. He looks forward to working alongside Jacky and continuing to push The Grill Room to new heights.
Jonathan Austin
Clubhouse Manager
Having lived in North Carolina for over thirty years, Jonathan's restaurant and hospitality experience are homegrown with his North Carolinian roots. In his early years in Chapel Hill, Jonathan was the F & B Supervisor overseeing 3
restaurants at Galloway Ridge. He then moved on to the Food & Beverage supervisor at Pazzo Italian. Later, he became the Senior Bartender and trainer at Carolina Brewery. Jonathan discovered Highlands in 2014, where combining his Food & Beverage background and his time spent in the United States Marine Corps brought values and skills to Old Edwards Inn and Spa. He incorporates those leadership and discipline qualities daily. During his time at Old Edwards, Jonathan completed the MIT Program, an intense year-long management training program offered by OEHG to its most promising young leaders. After completing the program, Jonathan honed his passion and talents for guest services as a Banquet Captain and became the Bar and Beverage Manager for the company shortly after that. He looks forward to this season as Clubhouse Manager at Old Edwards Club. Jonathan's greatest passion is his family--his wife Sophie, son Julius, and daughter Eloise.
Rebecca Jackson
Restaurant Manager
Rebecca was born and raised in Shelby, North Carolina. Rebecca graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism management.
Rebecca is no stranger to the Old Edwards Hospitality Team. Over the past years, Rebecca has spent two seasons as a server at Old Edwards Club, a spa attendant at Old Edwards Inn & Spa, and one of Madison’s Assistant Food & Beverage Managers and Room’s Restaurant Supervisor. She desires to deliver extraordinary dining experiences and is looking forward to doing so for our membership. She is thrilled about furthering her hospitality career, continuing to work for Old Edwards, and looking forward to what each new season will bring!
CLUBHOUSE ADMINISTRATION
Jerry West
Director of Operations
Jerry fell in love with the game of golf at a very young age. Spending time with his father and friends was an escape while growing up in the mountains of NC. This passion turned into a professional career in the early nineties upon
graduation from Catawba Community College with a degree in Recreational Grounds Management and Agronomy. Positions at Cullasaja Club, Highlands Country Club, Highlands Cove, and Old Edwards Club over the last 25+ years have allowed Jerry to follow his passion and beat the alarm clock every morning. Old Edwards Club is one of the premier destinations for golfers, club members, and guests alike, and Jerry hopes to spend many more years creating raving fans and growing a game that has become his life's passion.
Bridget Henson
Accounting Manager
Bridget has lived in North Carolina for over 20 years and graduated from Western Carolina University in 1996 with a degree in public relations and a minor in marketing. She has worked for Old Edwards Club since its inception in 2008 and
strives to create a balance while working with the Club's membership and accounting departments.
Bridget lives in Cashiers with her husband Brandon and has two children, Ethan and Samantha.
Evan Bryson
Membership and Activities Coordinator
Evan has lived and worked in Highlands since 2016, previously serving as Maître d’ at Madison’s Restaurant. His formative background in world-class dining and entertainment makes him a tremendous asset to the Old Edwards Club Team.
Evan strives to create an environment of comfort, great fun, and belonging at Old Edwards Club. If you are celebrating a special occasion, need a dinner recommendation, or want to know the best trails on the plateau, let Evan know!
