Al Minxolli, accepts new role as Executive Chef at Palmira

 
Bonita Springs, FL (September 13, 2024) – Palmira Golf Club announced the promotion of Al Minxolli to Executive Chef. Al joined the Palmira Culinary Team seven years ago as Banquet Chef and was later promoted to Executive Sous Chef.
 
Al went to culinary school in Albania and at the age of 19 moved to Italy where he discovered his true passion for food. He later moved to the United States to reunite with his family and began his culinary career at a family pizza restaurant before accepting a position at the Registry Resort Hotel (later known as the Waldorf Astoria). Having worked with several very prominent chefs at the Registry was instrumental, especially when he opened his own fine dining restaurant. He then worked at Amore’s Italina Fine Dining for a few years before accepting a position Fiddler’s Creek in 2010, where he soon became Executive Sous Chef before accepting a position at Palmira Golf Club in 2017.
 
Al is very enthusiastic about his new Executive Chef role at Palmira Golf Club and looks forward to continuing the culinary excellence members are accustomed to enjoying.
 

Chef Erik Named “Culinarian of the Year”

Bonita Springs, FL (December 19, 2023) – Erik Baker CEC, CCA, Executive Chef at Palmira Golf Club for almost 10 years was honored with the “Culinarian of the Year” Award by the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Caxambas Chapter of Southwest Florida. Chef Erik has been an active member of the ACF for twelve years and is the Vice President of the local Caxambas Chapter.
 
This prestigious accolade is a tribute to Chef Erik’s exceptional skill, innovation, passion, and dedication in the culinary arts. He serves as an inspiration to many and is always participating in ACF events. He is known for being the first person to show up and the last one to leave.
 
Criteria for this award include possession of the Executive Chef, Corporate Chef, Executive Sous Chef, Chef de Cuisine or Sous Chef title; must hold or be working towards the appropriate ACF certification based on individual’s brigade position; attended at least 75% of ACF sponsored events throughout the course of a calendar year; Chair/Co-Chair/Planning or Execution of ACF Caxambas sponsored events; and exhibits continued culinary excellence and is regarded as a leader amongst their peers.

Palmira Golf Club Clubhouse Renovation Complete

Bonita Springs, FL (November 10, 2023) – Palmira members return this season to a newly renovated clubhouse that was completed over the summer. The new design and decor provide a refreshing and contemporary flavor to the dining and social experiences at the club.

The transformation is beautiful. The foyer fireplace was demolished, a task a bit more difficult than anticipated. The facing material wasn’t your typical foam decoration, it consisted of a 6” thick marble slab and pieces. The marble was replaced by a beautiful Taj Mahal Quartzite (natural stone) and looks stunning. The wine room fireplace facing was also removed and replaced with a Cambria Halewood Quartz.

Wall fixtures and ceiling lights, chandeliers and fresh paint throughout has brightened up the interior of the club. The new furniture throughout, especially in the foyer is a welcoming first impression to members and guests. The bar in the dining room was also torn apart and the Cambria Skara Brae Quartz bar top was installed.

The Grill Room was painted, light fixtures and window treatment replaced, and new indoor and outdoor furniture including a few booths add to the casual, yet elegant atmosphere.

For renovation photos, Click Here.

These renovations were completed with no assessment to members.

Palmira Welcome 2nd Assistant Golf Professional, Casey Stavinga

Bonita Springs, FL (November 1, 2023) – Palmira welcomes new 2nd Assistant Golf Professional, Casey Stavinga. Casey is a recent graduate of the PGM program at FGCU and is currently in the process of finalizing his PGA membership.

Palmira will be the third country club he has worked for over 8 years of private club experience with the last couple of years being at Bears Paw in Naples.

Casey has been playing golf now for almost 20 years and has always loved all aspects of the game and industry. Casey stated that he is grateful and excited for this opportunity, and he is looking forward to serving all of you.

Recognizing a True Pro, Bob Volpe

Bonita Springs, FL (September 1, 2023) – Member recognition of Bob Volpe’s skill and commitment to Palmira dates back to his single-handed care of the courses when the Palmira developer abruptly departed in 2008.

Professional recognition of Bob’s acumen continues with renewal of his certificate as a Certified Golf Course Superintendent by the GCSAA (Golf Course Superintendents Association of America). The certificate conveying this recognition requires 150 hours of continuing education over a five-year period. Nationally, only 1000 superintendents have earned this certification.

In communicating this accomplishment, the GCSAA notes that it recognizes those who deliver the best possible playing conditions for their golfers - something Palmira members would certainly agree he has done for them.

John Spicer, reporting to Bob Volpe, is also working to achieve this certification.

 

Palmira Golf Club Earns Distinguished Club Award from The BoardRoom magazine

Bonita Springs, FL (January 27, 2023) – Congratulations to the staff and management at Palmira Golf Club, a Distinguished Club Award recipient!

Palmira Golf Club has once again been awarded the prestigious Distinguished Club award, as determined by the annual Distinguished Clubs award program conducted by BoardRoom magazine in partnership with Forbes Travel Guide.  This is the 10th consecutive year Palmira Golf Club has received this award and they are one of only sixty-six residential clubs in the entire United States to receive this prestigious award.

“On behalf of BoardRoom magazine in partnership with Forbes Travel Guide, we’d like to congratulate Palmira Golf Club for earning Distinguished Club status,” said John Fornaro, Publisher of BoardRoom magazine, “Special recognition also goes out to Palmira Golf Club’s General Manger, Mark Neneman, as well as the club’s board of directors, its department heads, and entire staff for their efforts in providing an excellent member experience.”

For fine private clubs that operate at the highest standards, BoardRoom magazine’s entirely merit-based Distinguished Clubs award program uses a club-specific rating system that recognizes the club, its management, and its staff based on a proprietary criteria and evaluation process that distills and measures a club’s member experience. 

As defined by Distinguished Clubs, “Member Experience” is that special combination of “Qualities” that a private club provides its members.  It is not just the quality of service, or of the facilities, or of the product provided, it is also the quality of the staff and of the management, as well as the overall club governance they deliver.  The most important quality, however, is the quality of the intangible.  While difficult to measure, the latter is comprised of those magic moments experienced, the members befriended, the memorable events and famous tournaments attended, as well as the club traditions, history, and heritage proudly recognized. 

BoardRoom magazine is the official publication of the Association of Private Club Directors and is published in print and digital formats and shipped to 27 countries worldwide.  The magazine is widely viewed as the most respected and influential magazine in the private club industry.

Rich Hazelett Takes on a New Role at Palmira

Bonita Springs, FL (August 12, 2022) – Rich Hazelett has been promoted to Events/Bar Manager at Palmira Golf Club. He has been with Palmira just shy of a year. Rich has been in the private club business for several years. Prior to working at Palmira, he was at Shadow Wood Country Club.  Rich's club experience there will help to easily transition him into his new role at Palmira. 

Rich has a passion for exceeding member expectations and a flare for making things right.  Rich was involved in the execution of several summer events at Palmira. He will continue to be a great asset to Palmira.

Daniel Janiak gets promoted to First Assistant Golf Professional

Bonita Springs, FL (May 18, 2022) – Daniel Janiak, after almost a year at Palmira Golf Club has been promoted to First Assistant, Golf Professional. After college, Daniel moved to South Carolina where he worked and played golf on Kiawah Island. This is where he formed a strong passion for golf which led to his decision to shift his career to the golf business. He then attended the Golf Academy of America in Myrtle Beach where he graduated with an Associate's Degree in Applied Business in Golf Complex Operations and Management.
 
Daniel has worked as the lead assistant at both Candler Hills in Ocala, FL and Worthington Country Club in Bonita Springs, FL. He enjoys teaching students of all ages and growing the game of golf. His free time is spent fishing and playing pickleball.
 
Daniel had been a PGA Member for 5 years and has been working in the Golf Industry for over 10 years. He is originally from Owensboro, Kentucky and he attended Brescia University where he acquired his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business. Daniel played 3 years of soccer and walked on the golf team his senior year.

“I'm excited about my new role at Palmira and will continue to serve the Membership,” stated Daniel.

Palmira Golf Club – “Top Ranked in 2021 Clubhouses” by Club+Resort Business

Bonita Springs, FL (January 3, 2022) – Club + Resort Business has released its list of Top Ranked Clubhouses for 2021, ranking Palmira Golf Club as #23 in the United States. The rankings reflect the judges’ scoring of criteria and data based on clubhouse square footage; locker room(s) data; event space and seating capacity; bar area(s) square footage; dining area(s) square footage; availability of outdoor dining; wine room/cellar; total dining and bar areas seating capacity; kitchen(s) square footage; pro shop square footage; fitness and wellness square footage; and whether a dedicated youth space is offered.
 
The Palmira Grande Clubhouse offers 42,000 sq. ft of elegance and wonderful amenities that adds to a Member’s Club experience.  The two-story clubhouse provides a beautiful setting for elegant dining and indoor/outdoor casual dining, dinner dance events, social gatherings, terraces with spectacular views of the course, member bars, fire pit, computer room, locker rooms, card lounge areas and billiards room. The Grand Clubhouse at Palmira is a perfect place to entertain family and meet new friends.
 
“We are very proud to be ranked in Club+Resort’s Top Clubhouse list. Our clubhouse is ranked #23, and our Members are ranked #1,” stated Mark Neneman, General Manager/COO of Palmira Golf Club. 
 

Palmira Egret Golf Course Opens Monday, Jan. 1st

Bonita Springs, FL (December 28, 2021) – After 2 to 3 years of planning and execution, the vision is has come to fruition. Palmira Golf 2.0 will be a new experience, free of crumbling wooden bulkheads and wooden bridges, void of aging greens, much more aesthetically pleasing and redesigned to give the golfer a better challenge, but one that will remain fun for everyone.

Egret is scheduled to open on Monday, January 1 for the Bloody Mary Mixer.  
 
To view the renovation process, visit www.golfclubatpalmira.org/Golf/Renovations.

Palmira Ibis & Osprey Golf Courses Opens Monday, Nov. 22nd

Bonita Springs, FL (November 19, 2021) – After 2 to 3 years of planning and execution, the vision is coming to fruition. Palmira Golf 2.0 will be a new experience, free of crumbling wooden bulkheads and wooden bridges, void of aging greens, much more aesthetically pleasing and redesigned to give the golfer a better challenge, but one that will remain fun for everyone.

Ibis and Osprey Courses are on schedule to open on Monday, November 22. The nine holes on Egret will open the week of Christmas. 
 
The course and surroundings will be absolutely gorgeous when it’s all done!
 
To keep up with the renovation, visit www.golfclubatpalmira.org/Golf/Renovations.

JC Anderson, PGA Joins the Teaching Staff at Palmira

Bonita Springs, FL (November 12, 2021) – Palmira Golf Club is very excited to announce that JC Anderson, PGA, will be joining the Staff as the new Teaching Professional. JC is originally from Springfield, Illinois and received his degree from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.
 
JC comes to Palmira with an extensive playing and teaching record. He has played all over the world including the Asian Tour, the Canadian Tour, the Sunshine Tour in South Africa, the European Senior Tour and the PGA Tour. JC has played in 6 major championships and has made over 100 cuts in PGA Tour sanctioned events. He has also been the Director of Instruction at prestigious clubs in Dallas and St. Louis. While he still enjoys playing competitive golf, he will tell you he gets just as much pleasure in helping others with their game. 

Spotlight Magazine Article - Palmira Renovation inclusion

Bonita Springs, FL (September 2021 Edition) 

Palmira Hires Daniel Janiak as Assistant Golf Professional

Bonita Springs, FL (August 30, 2021) – Palmira is very excited to announce that the Golf Staff has found its newest Member, Daniel Janiak - the Club's new Assistant Golf Professional. Daniel comes highly recommended and is very excited about joining the Palmira team.
 
Daniel is a PGA Member and originally from Owensboro, KY. He attended Brescia University where he acquired his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business. Daniel played 3 years of soccer and walked on the golf team his senior year.
 
After college, Daniel moved to South Carolina where he worked and played golf on Kiawah Island. This is where he formed a strong passion for golf which led to his decision to shift his career to the golf business. He then attended the Golf Academy of America in Myrtle Beach where he graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Applied Business in Golf Complex Operations and Management.
 
Daniel has worked as the lead assistant at both Candler Hills in Ocala, FL and Worthington Country Club in Bonita Springs, FL. He enjoys teaching students of all ages and growing the game of golf. His free time is spent inshore fishing and playing pickleball.

 

Palmira Course Renovations on Schedule

Bonita Springs, FL (August 12, 2021) – Almost six months into the course renovation project at Palmira Golf Course and fortunately the weather has been cooperative overall. A few days have been lost due to rain is evidenced by the 4 to 5 foot rise in the lake levels since the inception, but it was anticipated when creating the construction schedule. 
 
On the Ibis Course, all nine of the holes are complete including the new practice area east of #9 and the new warm-up area at #1. This includes 2,000 linear feet of stacked rock wall and two new stacked rock wall culvert bridges at #2 and #4. All bunkers have been redesigned, removed or added, and filled with new sand. The “grow in” of fairways, greens and rough is proceeding in various stages of growth with the first plantings now 10 weeks along.  Read More
 

Rocks, Rocks & More Rocks...

Bonita Springs, FL (July 16, 2021) – Golf course renovations are on schedule even with the Florida rain storms and the unexpected visit of Elsa. There are 14 stacked rock walls, approximately 4,500 linear feet (that’s a lot of rock!). Over 80% of these planned rock walls have been completed including all Ibis walls, the driving range, Osprey 1, 2 and 9 (at the greens) and Egret 9 (at the green). Osprey 6/7 completely surrounding the redesigned lake between the two holes is just about done. Five rock walls are left to complete. Four “benches” are complete and only Egret 3 is left. There are six stacked rock wall culvert bridges, plus Ibis 2 & 4 at the tees and Osprey 1 at the tee. The remaining 3 all have the culverts in place with the “benches” set for installation of the stacked rock, Osprey 2 & 7 at the tees and Egret 1.

“It will be absolutely gorgeous when it’s all done,” states MJ Chappy, Director of Membership and Marketing at Palmira Golf Club.

Palmira Golf Club Earns Distinguished Club Award
from The BoardRoom magazine

Bonita Springs, FL (April 26, 2021) – Congratulations to the staff and management at Palmira Golf Club, Distinguished Club Award recipient!

The BoardRoom magazine, in partnership with Forbes Travel Guide is proud to announce that Palmira Golf Club has once again earned the prestigious Distinguished Club Award, the Hallmark of Excellence.

This merit-based award recognizes exceptional private clubs that exceed expectations in the quality of service, facilities, governance, and most importantly the teamwork of the staff and management. Read More.