The New Timacuan Club Names Industry Veteran Jeff King As GM; Memberships Available

LAKE MARY, FL – Jeff King, a 26-year veteran in the hospitality industry, has been named the interim General Manager at the new Timacuan Club in Lake Mary, FL, just north of Orlando.

Links Asset Trust, a company owned by the principals of Resort Development Partners, a company known for revitalizing distressed private clubs, made the announcement. Links Asset Trust recently signed a 50-year lease to operate Timacuan Club, returning it to the standing it earned during its first two decades of existence while converting the semi-private club to a private one. The company controls all operations while creating the true member experience at Timacuan.

King will oversee all aspects of Timacuan Club, including the Ron Garl-designed golf course, membership amenities and communication, and food and beverage operations.

“We are thrilled to have Jeff on board to lead the revitalization of the new Timacuan,” said W.  Douglas White, a Founding & Managing Partner at Links. “Jeff has all the skills needed to oversee the big plans we have for the club, the course, and the membership. With Jeff’s leadership, Timacuan will be THE club Central Floridians want to be a member of.”

One of King’s first duties is to direct Timacuan’s “Member For A Day” program. For a limited time, the new Timacuan Club offers a one-time opportunity to play the course as a member for a day.  The program provides prospective members with a first-hand look at the improvements already taking place over the 18 holes and the facility. Following the round, they can enjoy all the clubhouse amenities and learn about more plans for the future.

“We are excited to show prospective members all the improvements we are making at Timacuan Club,” said King, “It started with the overseeding of the playing surfaces in November, just the beginning of the upgrades not only on the golf course, but in the building and services as a whole. Once they see the improvements we have already made, and learn of all of our plans for the future, we are sure Central Floridians will want to be a part of our club.”

In 2023, plans are to completely renovate the practice facility and the first floor of the two-story clubhouse, with second-floor renovations to follow in 2024.

Originally from Florida, King has spent 26 years in the hospitality industry. From leading national restaurant training teams for new concept openings to developing training programs for those training teams, King’s focus is elevating the guest experience through a positive workforce culture and inclusive environment.

King has worked in all levels of restaurant concepts, from Bloomin’ Brands – Bonefish Grill, Duffy’s Sports Grill, and Ruth’s Hospitality Group – Ruth’s Chris. He is the recipient of the Assistant General Manager of the Year Award at the age of 33 and a year later, Rookie General Manager of the Year Award. In 2016, Jeff relocated to Washington, D.C., and was most recently General Manager at Dominion Valley Country Club.

Membership will provide access to the amenities and services at the newly renovated Timacuan Club. Members also have access to the company’s owned and operated facilities in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Indiana, South Carolina, and Virginia. Members will have exclusive access to all Club amenities. The Club plans to offer golf, dining and improved member practice facilities.

“The Club will offer a non-equity membership to persons who desire an unparalleled private club and social experience and are approved for membership on a first-come, first-served basis,” said White. “Membership allows use of the Club facilities by the member, his/her family members, and guests subject to the reservation procedures and other rules and regulations.”

When it opened in 1988, Timacuan Golf & Country Club was a favorite among Central Florida golfers and tournament directors who wanted a challenging, fair golf course with private club-level service for their players.

The Ron Garl-designed layout hosted prestigious tournaments like U.S. Open Qualifiers, state championships, and major junior competitions and was ranked as high as No. 14 in Florida. U.S. Open Champion Graeme McDowell said of Timacuan: “It is a great layout with a links-like feel to it. It can be testy in places if you get off the beaten path, but it is a very fair course.”

But after several ownership and management overhauls, things changed. Course conditioning slipped, revenues dropped, and players and tournaments turned to other courses.

That, however, is changing – and in a very big way.

“I remember when Timacuan was the envy of golf course owners and managers all across Central Florida,” said White. “Well, we are going to return Timacuan to those glory days. We will restore this club to the prominent position it earned and occupied not that long ago.”

Timacuan joins the Links Asset Trust properties portfolio under the common ownership of Resort Development Partners.  The team at Links will oversee all day-to-day operations to ensure a first-class member experience. The first order of business will be to take Timacuan Club completely private. Current members of what has been a semi-private facility will have the first options to join at a savings.

To learn more about the new Timacuan Club and its membership programs, contact Jeff King at 407.321.0010 ext. 231 or email at GM@golfTimacuan.com.

For more information on Resort Development Partners and Links Asset Trust, visit www.resortdevpartners.com