Lakewood Ranch C.C. names new director of golf

LAKEWOOD RANCH — If it were up to Bryan McManis, every member of the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club would have to wear a nametag every time they stepped out onto the green.

As the new director of golf, McManis is responsible for overseeing anything that has to do with golf operations, including the golf shop, tee times and the events calendar, among others. But when it comes to remembering the names of the club’s more than 1,000 members —that’s an entirely different task.

McManis officially took over as the club’s new director of golf April 4, and since then, he’s been busy learning the day-to-day operations of the club and even more importantly its membership.

“The friendliness of the members has been very refreshing,” McManis said. “To be able to step outside every day and meet new people — that’s exciting.

“The reception has been very warm,” he added. “I’m excited to be here, and they’re excited to have me here. I’m looking forward to doing great things.”

A native of Virginia, McManis grew up on the golf course. As a third-generation golf professional, it seemed only natural that McManis would follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.

“I love the fact that the game always changes,” McManis said. “Your body changes from day-to-day. You feel changes from day-to-day. The weather conditions change from day-to-day. It’s never the same two days in a row.”

McManis played golf in high school, earning a scholarship to play in college. He spent a year playing collegiate golf before deciding to drop his scholarship.

McManis turned pro in 1994 and earned his degree in history and economics from the University of South Florida in 1995. After turning pro, McManis spent six years playing in golf tournaments, but he eventually realized that wasn’t the life he had envisioned for himself.

“I realized I wasn’t going to spend the rest of my life at Days Inn and Waffle House,” McManis said. “Every golfer dreams of playing on tour; and when that didn’t work out, the club life seemed like the next logical step.”

McManis earned his Class A PGA designation in 2000. He spent the next five years working as a golf professional at The Fountains Golf and Country Club and Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club before relocating to the Gulf Coast, where he became the head golf professional at the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples.

Most recently, McManis served as the director of golf at Pelican Preserve Golf Club in Naples — a position he held for seven years.

But when the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club’s director of golf position became available, it seemed like the perfect fit for McManis, who was chosen from more than 150 applicants.

“I’ve wanted to relocate to the Sarasota/Bradenton area for a while,” McManis said. “This opportunity became available, and it’s a great facility. (Schroeder-Manatee Ranch) is a great corporation, and Wayne Piazza and I worked at the same company previously. So it was a little bit of everything and the fact that my (brain) kept telling me to try something new.”

McManis currently resides in Fort Myers with his wife, Jenny, with whom he’ll celebrate 14 years of marriage in May, and three children: Connor, 10, Joshi, 6 and Jillie, 14 months.

When he’s not hard at work, McManis enjoys playing golf, coaching his sons’ soccer and baseball teams, racing cars and just spending time with his family.

“I’m the super dad,” McManis said. “If you don’t see me at work, then I’m off with my kids somewhere.

And although McManis followed in his grandfather and father’s footsteps, he isn’t sure yet whether his children will eventually do the same.

“My boys enjoy hitting golf balls, but it’s still a novelty to them,” McManis said. “They like to hit the ball, go to the snack bar and drink water from the little plastic cups.

“I’ve tried to expose my kids to everything in the world,” McManis said. “I don’t need them to be golf professionals or play golf. Everyone has their own strengths, and I want them to find and pursue the part of life that makes them happy.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].