(Left to right) : Brad Barden; Michele Benton; and Jack Rosemond.

Recently, Brad Barden, President of the Virginias Chapter of CMAA and GM of Boonsboro CC, Michele Benton, CCM, GM of Chatmoss CC, and Caleb Elledge, Asst. GM of Boonsboro CC, presented Jack Rosemond his pin for 50 years of distinguished service to the Club Managers Association of America. Mr. Rosemond is 85 years old and retired, is a longstanding member of both the local and national chapters.

Jack was a delightful candidate for an interview and offered an incredible story about his life. During the years prior to WWII, he was on the PGA tour playing with legends like Sam Snead, Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan. He continued playing golf over his career, but chose a life as a club manager at an early age. Jack told a story about how he raised $43,000 knocking a golf ball down the highway between the Florida state line and Valdosta, Georgia one year capping off a United Way campaign. Jack said, “It took me 140 shots to travel 15 miles that day, collecting money from cars as they passed me by.”  Jack continued his endeavors as a golfer by performing special “trick shots” for Shriner events and the Crippled Children’s hospital during his many years as a club manager and after he retired. His charitable efforts were recognized in 2004 when he was chosen as the “Citizen of the Year” in Martinsville, Virginia, by the City Counsel.

Jack worked at Augusta CC, Valdosta CC, Chatmoss CC, Richmond CC, Lakeside CC, Hartsville CC, and Twin City CC just to name a few of his many homes during his career. After working for 45 years, he retired in 1980. He has interned for clubs and has been the guest speaker for CMAA chapter meetings. His favorite message to relay to audiences is the importance of experienced employees as vital resources to new managers since they provide information about the members and culture of the club.

Jack’s favorite memory occurred during a National Convention when the President was recognizing those members with 25 years of service at the same club. Jack rose and asked the question, “Do you recognize those managers who have served 25 clubs during their 25 year career?”  The President, along with the entire audience that day in Atlanta, broke down in laughter and applause for Jack’s most inquisitive gesture during the convention.

Many thanks go to Michele Benton for hosting this fantastic luncheon tribute to Jack Rosemond, and our organization’s congratulations to Jack for being a part of our lives for so many years. God Bless you, Jack, and may the rest of your life be as rewarding as the many years you have given to the CMAA.

Many thanks to Caleb Elledge and Michele Benton for sharing this story.