Golf Inc. - October 2008 - (Page 15)

Affordable golf for the family DEVELOPMENT PROFILE Smaller is friendlier for RDC Golf Group business where all the branches are similar. Every golf course is different and we go into each deal with that mindset.” RDC currently owns and operates both Forsgate Country Club in Monroe, N.J, and Christopher Schiavone, Tuscawilla Country Club in RDC Golf Group CEO Orlando, Fla. In addition, the company has a management contract at Olde York Country Club in Chesterfield, N.J., and was recently contracted to operate the get attached to properties. We’ve been municipally owned Putnam National involved in 15 plus clubs over the last 10 Golf Course in Putnam, N.Y. years. When someone comes along offerThough he would eventually like to ing you the right number you have to grow RDC’s golf portfolio to between 15 be emotionally detached enough to step and 20 clubs, Schiavone said he will only away.” do so when the opportunity is right. Keeping the company small has been “We try to be opportunists,” said beneficial from an operational standpoint Schiavone. “I love the game but I don’t as well, according to Eric Quinn, general manager at Olde York. “I have a direct line of communication w Chris where I see and talk to him on with The RDC ﬁle a weekly basis,” Quinn said. “That gives m the ability to understand his vision me Location: Monroe Township, N.J. a where he’s trying to go with the clubs and Founded: 1993 a the company.” and Top executives: Christopher SchiaRDC maintains a relentless focus on vone, CEO; Matt Galvin, executive c creating value for the entire family. vice president. “Our emphasis is on having something f everyone,” said Quinn of operations for Portfolio: Owns and operates Forsgate Country Club in Monroe, a Olde York, where the Gary Player at N.J., and Tuscawilla Country Club in S Signature design often takes a back seat Winter Springs, Fla. Manages Olde t the Nintendo Wii or a movie under the to York Country Club in Chesterﬁeld, N.J., s stars for the kids. “People are looking at and Putnam National Golf Course in w what they can and can’t spend and we’re Mahopac, N.Y. t trying to give them added value for their Web site: www.rdcgolfgroup.com c club membership.” —Scott Desiere E verything Christopher Schiavone learned about golf, he learned from his family. It should come as little surprise then that he’s built one of the industry’s most successful small operators by putting families first. “Emphasis on family is the best way for clubs to provide value,” said Schiavone, founder and chief executive officer of RDC Golf Group. “The potential for growth when you get the whole family involved is big.” Family and golf have always gone hand-in-hand for Schiavone, whose father Ronald was a founding partner of Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, N.J., in 1965. “I grew up around golf,” said Schiavone. “I was that brat always hanging around the country club.” Schiavone founded RDC in 1993 and three years later partnered with Matt Galvin, now the firm’s executive vice president. “He had as much knowledge as anybody and he liked the idea of working with a small company,” Schiavone said. “When he came on board it was a turning point for us.” In an industry full of large, volumeoriented operators, RDC has remained small by choice. Doing so, Schiavone says, has helped the Monroe Township, N.J., company maximize opportunities for success. “Because we’re unlike the bigger companies, we can customize each deal to the specific circumstances that we prefer,” he said. “We don’t believe golf is a October 2008 www.GolfIncMagazine.com 15 http://www.rdcgolfgroup.com http://www.GolfIncMagazine.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Golf Inc. - October 2008

Golf Inc. - October 2008 Contents From the Editors: Smaller is Less Costly Survey Reveal Golf's Economic Impact in EMA Private Club Managers Earn Bigger Salaries Dyes Mourn Loss of Family Member Changing Demographics Impact European Golf Scene RDC Golf Group Finds Affordable Golf Niche Links at Summerly Offers Unique Twist Cost Crunch Most Powerful People in Golf Contractors Focus on Renovations, International�Projects Troon, IMG Reach Into Booming Middle East Market Americas Recap: New Player Design in Mexico Europe-Africa Recap: Moroccan Lakeside Development Asia-Australia Recap: 3 Billion Dollar Resort in Vietnam The Last Word: There's No Substitute for Good Friends on a Golf Course

Golf Inc. - October 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.