Club Management
Kevin O'Brien
General Manager / Director of Golf
Kevin O'Brien is a distinguished 30-year PGA Member, having earned the prestigious title of "PGA Merchandiser of the Year" five times, an unparalleled achievement recognized by the Michigan PGA. His Golf Shop has been honored as one of the "Top 100 Golf Shops in America" on three occasions.
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Under Kevin's leadership, multiple golf courses he has overseen have received the coveted five-star rating, the highest accolade bestowed by Golf Digest, reflecting excellence in service, conditioning, quality, and overall experience. Furthermore, Kevin's courses have been featured prominently in America's "Top 40 Public Golf Courses and Resorts" by Golf Digest, with one course ranking as high as #14 in the nation.
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Additionally, Kevin's commitment to inclusivity is evident in his courses' recognition in America's "Top 50 Courses for Women" by Golf for Women Magazine, reaffirming his dedication to providing exceptional experiences for all golf enthusiasts.
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Email Kevin at: kevin.obrien@lochenheath.com
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Sarah Ryan
Golf Course Superintendent
Sarah Ryan is very excited to have assumed the role of superintendent at LochenHeath Golf Club. She began her career in the northern Michigan area at the age of sixteen and quickly fell in love with the game of golf, agronomy, the general beauty of golf courses and their design. During her 25 years of experience in Agronomy, She has worked in both northern and southern Michigan, taking every opportunity to further her career and development.
While working at Great Oaks Country Club in Rochester, Michigan, she learned both the prestige and amount of detail required to manage a private course. That led her to the realization that her future would be in the private golf community. The level of player, detail, and status was unparalleled, and Sarah loved the challenge.
In 2017, Sarah took on the role of assistant superintendent at The Huntington Club in Huntington Beach, California, a serene private course in a competitive golf region of southern California. The following season she was promoted to superintendent. After several successful seasons, the club's ownership recognized the improvements to the property and provided advancement to the highest-level property within their portfolio.
In February 2020, Sarah accepted the superintendent position at MountainGate Country Club, a 27-hole private facility ranked as one of the top courses in the Los Angeles area. There, she had the opportunity to oversee and develop large construction projects, including a 2-million-dollar bunker renovation and a multi-million-dollar drought-tolerant design. This project is currently being implemented at the property.
Her most recent journey has brought her back home to Michigan and LochenHeath Golf Club, a course she has admired since its inception. Sarah feels blessed and excited to have this opportunity to be part of such a renowned northern Michigan golf destination.
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Email Sarah at: sarah.ryan@lochenheath.com
Justin Pollock
Head Golf Professional
Justin Pollock has joined LochenHeath as the PGA Head Golf Professional. Justin is a golf professional with great experience. He grew up in Fremont, Ohio. He was the first assistant at Sylvania CC, Country Club of Detroit from 2015 – 2019, and Glen View Club in Illinois for one year before being named the Head Golf Professional at Toledo Country Club since 2020.
While at Toledo, Justin reconstructed the golf operation at TCC, targeting the daily Member experience, tournament operations, and enhanced offerings. He rebuilt the members' trust and activity level. In 2023, he was named Merchandiser of Year for Private Clubs in the Northern Ohio PGA Section. Not only is Justin a great merchandiser, but he is also a very fine player and teacher.
He and his family are absolutely thrilled to join such an esteemed team at LochenHeath Golf Club. This opportunity presents an exciting new chapter for Justin and his two girls, Ava and Emmie, and they couldn't be more eager to get started and contribute to this renowned operation. As an avid skier who loves the outdoors, I believe Traverse City has always had a special allure for my family and me. As He and his family embark on this exciting journey, they're filled with a sense of anticipation and adventure. He is truly looking forward to meeting the Membership, learning the needs of the operation, and expanding upon the daily golf experience at LochenHeath.
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Email Justin at: justin.pollock@lochenheath.com
Matthew Titus
Director of Food & Beverage
Matthew Titus is the driving force behind the Food and Beverage program at LochenHeath Golf Club. With a profound appreciation for pairing exceptional food with fine wines, Matthew is dedicated to surpassing the dining expectations of our Members and their families. Prior to his role at LochenHeath, Matthew spearheaded the Food and Beverage program at Traverse City Golf and Country Club (TCGCC), where he focused on front-of-the-house operations and curated the club's esteemed wine program from inception to execution.
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During his seven-year tenure at TCGCC, Matthew orchestrated numerous sold-out wine dinners, showcasing his expertise in wine pairing and event organization. With twenty-five years of experience in the culinary industry, Matthew continually seeks innovative approaches to deliver unparalleled dining experiences for his guests.
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Email Matthew at: matt.titus@lochenheath.com
Chris Carey
Executive Chef
Executive Chef Chris Carey grew up in the suburban Detroit area, graduating from Trenton High School in 1978. He attended Central Michigan University and graduated with a BS in Biochemistry. A true passion for food and a creative desire led Chef Chris to the School Craft Culinary Institute of Livonia, Michigan. It was here that Chris studied under the mentorship of Master and Olympian Chef Jeff Gabriel.
Chris comes to LochenHeath with plenty of country club experience. He started as a young 12-year-old caddy at Grosse Ile CC and has since worked at some great properties, such as the Detroit Athletic Club, Union Club of Cleveland, Walnut Creek CC, Oakwood Golf Club, and Forest Lake CC. For the past fifteen years, Chris has led the culinary department at the Traverse City Golf & Country Club.
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Email Chris at: chris.carey@lochenheath.com