The Clubs by JOE Experience Member Magazine - Winter/Spring 2019 by The St. Joe Company

Winter/Spring 2019

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table of contents

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

IN EACH ISSUE

06 WELCOME LETTER

CAMP CREEK EXPANSION A breathtaking update and features galore are packed into our Camp Creek project.

NATURAL SPRINGS Protecting Florida’s springs is good for the environment and the state’s pocketbook.

FLY FISHING Fly tying can be a varied and diverse art form, as two experts show.

THOMASVILLE One of Georgia’s postcardperfect small towns is an ideal candidate for a day trip across state lines.

80 HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER 82 CONTACT DIRECTORY

MEMBER PROFILE After a life of travel and burgers, Rick Helfand now lends a helping hand to a local school.

EVENTS Cooler days settle in just in time for some of the season’s best outdoor festivals and celebrations.

ON THE COVER: In the distance, the Camp Creek health and wellness center anchors the new amenities that plan to be developed over the next few years. The long-awaited pool with lazy river, zero-entry points and lots of space to relax plans to be the first amenity to open. ARCHITECTURAL VISUALIZATIONS PROVIDED BY ALPHA DESIGN STUDIO, KUO DIEDRICH CHI, AND WOOD+PARTNERS

PHOTO BY SAIGE ROBERTS

FSU MARINE LAB Florida State studies the depths using practical and socially conscious science.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTS Discover a little more about the crew that’s here to serve you at The Clubs by JOE.

Publication Design, Production and Management

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OUR VALUES Dear The Clubs by JOE Member,

Every day, we stop to recognize that one of our main purposes at The Clubs by JOE is to create a Member experience that far exceeds expectations. Without question, there are times we miss that mark, but through those experiences, our team learns and grows. I recently read an article that discussed some of the reasons why people purchase property and build their home in a golf community. While there was ample support for living there because of the game of golf, an overwhelming majority said they made their decision based on the “quality of life” enhancements. Items such as clubhouses, fine dining, landscaping, higher-quality neighborhood and plenty of green space that will never be developed consistently ranked higher than golf. As I pondered the article, I reflected on our Clubs and the experiences we provide that often transcend golf. As we have grown, we have laid out a vision for what our Clubs might provide to Members and their guests. A huge part of that equation is attracting outstanding talent from across the country. It is these men and women who begin each day asking themselves how they will make that day more memorable for you. Just as important as our staff are the facilities and services we deliver. For without superior clubhouses, excellent menus and comfortable spaces you enjoy every day, it would be next to impossible for even the best staff to function well. That said, we spend lots of time in visioning sessions looking at each Club, its Members and the facilities they use. We travel to other communities to observe their delivery of Club amenities and services. We are always striving to push the level of quality and service higher. Like with many Clubs around the country where you have most likely visited or lived, this can be a tall order to fill. That’s what makes our business both challenging and highly rewarding. As I write this letter, I reflect upon WaterSound Beach Club. We began a three-phase project in 2017 that includes adding a second pool with a lazy river, an additional restaurant, new recreation area and additional restrooms. We now have two pools, each 7,200 square feet with 300 lounge chairs spread across 14,000 square feet of deck space. Up until this new pool opened, Members often found the original space cramped and the “early bird” cliché wasn’t so much a cliché as it was a reality. The additional recreation area has proven

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to be another superior amenity. With increased space for Members to enjoy, it is almost necessary to provide another convenient-yetquality dining option at the Beach Club. We are confident the opening of the new restaurant will fulfill that need. Our goal is to continue to add amenities that make The Clubs by JOE feel like a home away from home — one that you miss when you are not there. It should be evident to you and your guests when you visit any of the Clubs that we expect only the best, whether that be in the buildings we create, food we prepare, courses we manage or any of the other countless items that on a daily basis make the difference between average and great. As always, we appreciate your commitment to The Clubs by JOE. Without you, we would not exist. All the Best,

MIKE JANSEN DIRECTOR OF CLUB OPERATIONS | THE CLUBS BY JOE

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SH OP A ltar’d State A nth ro p o lo gie B illab o n g B lu e me rcu ry ( Now Open) He mlin e J. Jill J.McLau gh lin T h e Je we l ( Now Open) Kin nu can’s Sp e cialty Out f i t ter L illy P u litze r O p h e lia Swimwear T h e O rv is C o mp any Pete r Millar ( Now Open) Potte ry B arn To mmy B ah am a V in eyard V in es Photo courtesy of J.McLaughlin

DIN E A n oth e r B ro ke n Egg Café C antin a Lare do Mo de rn Mex i can T h e C raft B ar Eme ril’s C o astal Ital i an eve rkrisp F le min g’s P rime Ste ak hous e & W in e B ar G rimaldi’s C o al B ric k-Oven P izze ria Kilwin s Me n ch ie ’s Froze n Yogur t P F C h an g’s C h in a Bi s t ro Starb u cks Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar V in’tij Fo o d & Wi ne ( Now O p e n) T h e W in e B ar Photo courtesy of Emeril Lagasse

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Certain to be “the place,” the new pool is scheduled to have a 270-foot lazy river, zero-entry kids pool with water spray features and over 200 chaise lounges for memeber & guests to relax.

EVERYTHING DESCRIBED OR DEPICTED IN THIS ARTICLE IS PROPOSED AND NEED NOT BE BUILT, OR IF BUILT, MAY NOT BE BUILT AS DESCRIBED OR DEPICTED. All of the amenities and improvements described or depicted are based on current development plans in existence as of November 6, 2018 and those plans are subject to change without notice. Construction of all improvements at the Camp Creek Lifestyle Village will be influenced by factors beyond the control of the developer including without limitation government approvals, consumer behaviors, economic factors and forces of nature. No guarantee is made that any of the future improvements, amenities, facilities, and features at the Camp Creek Lifestyle Village described herein or depicted by artists’ renderings will be built or, if built, will be of the same type, size or nature as depicted or described. Use of the Camp Creek Golf Club and any related or surrounding amenities is subject to payment of use fees, membership requirements, and other limitations.

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feature

CAMP CREEK

Â®

THE

PLAN FOR RAISING THE BAR ON

AMENITIES

STORY BY PRATT FARMER // ARCHITECTURAL VISUALIZATIONS PROVIDED BY ALPHA DESIGN STUDIO, KUO DIEDRICH CHI, AND WOOD+PARTNERS

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“Our interest in developing these new offerings at Camp Creek is to provide our Members with a modern world-class facility that they and their guests will enjoy for many years to come.” — Patrick Murphy, Senior Vice President of Operations for The St. Joe Company

THOSE WHO ENJOY GOLF HISTORY know that the first course in America is said to be The Oakhurst Golf Club in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The course’s founder, Russell Montague, was urged by his doctor to move from Boston to a healthier climate. Having fallen in love with the game of golf while studying in Great Britain, he could think of nothing better for his health than a golf course — so he chose West Virginia. Montague and a small group of friends built the course and held the first golf competition, conducted in the Scottish matchplay tradition, in 1884, which predates the St. Andrews Golf Club of Yonkers, New York, by a few years. It’s no wonder that, even today, most golfers will tell you that there’s something cathartic about being on the course with friends, enjoying not only the game but also the incredible scenery. As the game matured and interest in golf grew, courses began to spring up across the country, and it didn’t take long for the first golf course community in America to open in Temple Terrace, Florida, in the 1920s. The first homes built there didn’t include kitchens as homeowners ate all their meals in the community clubhouse. The game hasn’t changed much, but golf communities have. When planning for expansion, communities like Camp Creek recognize that today’s golf communities have far surpassed the early real estate developer’s vision for what a golf community should look like and offer its members. As consumer expectations evolve, golf course communities have followed. “For golf communities to stay relevant and maintain their success, it is paramount that we strive to identify these ever-changing needs, envisioning what the needs might be years into the future,” said Mike Jansen, Director of Club Operations at The Clubs by JOE. After spending nearly a year researching what new amenities other golf communities were bringing to the market, The Clubs by JOE announced in 2018 that it has been working on a plan for investing over $40 million in the proposed development of the Camp Creek Lifestyle Village. While many details of the plan

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are still to be developed, the current vision for this expansive plan includes a health and wellness center, kids club, casual café, multi-sport court including new tennis and pickle ball courts, leisure pool, playground and a 75-key upscale boutique inn. “Our interest in planning these new offerings at Camp Creek is to provide our Members with a modern world-class facility that they and their guests will enjoy for many years to come. The goal is to open them as they are completed, so that Members and guests have minimal disruption and are able to enjoy these new amenities as soon as possible. Adding these new improvements in phases also provides the flexibility to make changes in the plan to meet Member and market demands,” said Patrick Murphy, Senior Vice President of Operations for The St. Joe Company.

feature

With new athletics courts, a health and wellness facility, a restaurant and a pool, the well-rounded expansion plan for the Camp Creek site seeks to offer something for everyone. Projected to open in late 2020, the recreation venue will set the standard for the remaining development site. “We found that the most viable of clubs are those that understand their Members’ needs and take the initiative to meet those needs,” Jansen said. A welcomed respite on hot, sunny days will be the feature pool, currently designed to be 6,500 square feet. Also planned is

a zero-entry kids pool with water spray features, a tower slide and a 270-foot lazy river. The new pool environment is designed to allow for over 200 chaise lounges situated across several large decks. For those wishing to hide from the sun for a while, a large shade pavilion and custom cabanas are also in the plans. Designed as a formal pool, Members will discover a proposed 60-foot, adult-only fitness pool on the western edge of the pool area. The landscape plans for the pool area contemplate a lush, soft garden feel and shaded with palm and oaks.

The 75-key boutique Inn plans to offer guests an exquisite experience framed by heavily landscaped spaces.

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feature

Water is a prominent feature in the plans for the Camp Creek Lifestyle Village, and the pool is designed to serve as a grounding point for both the casual dining and health and wellness center. Envisioned to be an inviting space where Members and their guests can enjoy a morning workout, attend a spin class or work with a personal trainer, the plans for the Camp Creek health and wellness center include men’s and women’s locker rooms, an outdoor fitness pool and three other multi-purpose rooms. Each of the locker rooms are proposed to include a “wet lounge,” featuring low-ambient lighting, casual seating and soft music so visitors can enjoy a spa-like dip. Steam rooms, saunas, whirlpools and a deluge shower round out the space. Plans for the south side of the pool feature a casual dining restaurant. The proposed concept is a smokehouse with a Creole influence with barbecue as its signature offering. Inviting picnic

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tables and a fire pit are designed to make the smokehouse’s expansive outdoor seating area a favorite spot to enjoy an evening cocktail or social gathering. The eastern portion of the site is dedicated to a variety of athletics courts. With plans for eight lighted Har-Tru courts, tennis lovers will enjoy upping their game. “We have included, as part of the tennis complex plan, a pro shop to be located in close proximity to a small stadium-style seating area for tournament play,” said Jansen. For those who enjoy tennis, badminton and pingpong, there’s also pickle ball. With a growing interest in the area, Members will be excited to know that there are plans to include two courts. And if bocce is your sport of choice, there are several courts in the plans just for you. A half basketball court and a multi-sport field for outdoor play are also part of the prospective design.

Rounding out this area is the proposed Kids Club, designed as a place where teens will be able to escape with friends to play pingpong, foosball, stand-up shuffleboard or pinball. A number of vintage video games and a playground are also planned adjacent to the kids club. Taking advantage of the mild climate and interest in outdoor events, a 1.5-acre landscaped park is planned to offer Members the chance to host and visit garden parties, farmer’s markets and art shows. Moving further west, there are plans to renovate the existing cart barn with a proposed state-of-the-art golf learning center and driving range behind it. Having outgrown its original space, the plan is for the Club’s existing pro shop to be razed. The new

shop, The Outfitters, is designed to be located on the first floor of the proposed new inn and offer clothing, shoes, branded merchandise, instructional videos, books and more, in addition to its supply of clubs, golf balls and bags. Speaking of the new inn, Camp Creek’s 75-key, three-story boutique inn plans to include a meeting room, men’s and women’s lockers, bar, lounge and dining room. The inn is also designed to feature a large Creole-inspired outdoor court and gallery from which to sip cocktails while looking out over the golf course landscape, fire pit and activity lawn. “With our current Club membership of approximately 1,000 and utilization of the course at roughly 25 percent, we feel that by keeping the Inn small there will be little impact on Members wishing to play golf,” said Jansen. These plans for the various new amenities are exciting, but the proposed architecture and landscape are designed to set this new addition apart from any other community in the market. “We have studied the design precepts of A. Hays Town, a noted architect of the 20th century, as well as the famed plantation homes of historic River Road which ran from New Orleans to Baton Rouge along the Mississippi River. Town adopted an affinity for combining the French, Spanish and Creole influence found throughout Louisiana. Town also took the climate of southern Louisiana into account while designing his homes, using large windows and French doors, and an abundance of wide galleries shaded by overhanging roofs,” said Mark Diedrich, a partner in Kuo Diedrich Chi Architects, the lead design team for all the new structures at Camp Creek. The setting for these Creole-inspired structures is established by the large shade trees and soft landscaping envisioned by Wood and Partners, the land planners and landscape architects for the site. No doubt Montague would be enthusiastic with the golf course, but he might be just as thrilled with the choices available to improve his quality of life.

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The Camp Creek health and wellness center plans to feature an outdoor adult lap pool and numerous gathering spaces for Members to enjoy the warm Florida sunshine.

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The group of springs that feed Econfina Creek supplies water to Deer Point Lake, Bay Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s source of drinking water.

WATERS of life Natural springs of Northwest Florida STORY BY KIM HARRIS THACKER PHOTO BY TRACE INGHAM

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BENEATH FLORIDA’S SANDY TOPSOIL and spreading through about 100,000 square miles of porous limestone lies the Floridan aquifer. One of the most productive aquifers in the world, the Floridan supplies water for more than 10 million people. Rainwater keeps the aquifer full, and in some places, pressure in the aquifer builds to the point where water is forced through openings in the earth’s surface, revealing freshwater springs. Florida has more than 1,000 springs — the largest concentration of freshwater springs in the world — and more than 250 of those are located within the Northwest Florida Water Management District, which includes the entire Florida Panhandle and a significant portion of the Big Bend region.

“This region’s 255 springs and their associated rivers and bays have significant ecological, cultural and economic value,” says Northwest Florida Water Management District executive director Brett Cyphers. “ They provide important habitat for wildlife and plants, recreational opportunities for the public and an opportunity for people to connect with their natural environment. They also represent the visible part of the Floridan Aquifer, where most of our drinking water comes from. Restoring and protecting these priceless resources remains a priority for our District’s board and staff, and the state’s support of those efforts is vital to continuing the great progress we’ve made so far.”

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Water from Cypress Spring, on Holmes Creek near Vernon, is bottled by Nestlé Waters North America.

Ecological value of the springs Northwest Florida is one of the most biologically diverse regions in the U.S. This diversity can be attributed, in part, to the area’s spring ecosystems. Many of these ecosystems have existed since the end of the last ice age, which means that numerous plant and animal species in these ecosystems are entirely unique — even endemic to particular spring systems. The springs are teeming with flora and fauna. A day at the springs might result in sightings of the mottled longbract wakerobin (also known as trillium), cabbage palms, largemouth bass, pond crayfish, American alligators, river otters, dragonflies, great blue herons and even West Indian manatees. Cultural value of the springs Thousands of years ago, the Paleoindians who lived in Florida relied on fresh water and freshwater ecosystems for survival. They lived and hunted near bodies of fresh water, and evidence of the impact that springs had on their lives is visible today in the form of exciting archaeological findings, recovered from springs throughout Florida. Springs are still important to Floridians and to tourists who visit the Sunshine State. Many Northwest Florida springs are accessible to the public and present

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wonderful opportunities to paddle and swim in some of the most beautiful waters on earth. Economic value of the springs Northwest Florida’s springs are an important source of drinking water. The springs that feed Econfina Creek in Bay County, for example, flow into Deer Point Lake, which provides 90 percent of all drinking water in Bay County. But another

spring in Northwest Florida provides water to communities around the world via Nestlé Waters North America, which has a water-collection facility on Holmes Creek at Cypress Spring. Some Holmes County residents are opposed to the presence of the Nestlé facility, yet Cyphers says that these individuals may not be aware of Nestlé’s role in maintaining Cypress Spring’s health.

Magnitude springs are classified according to the average amount of water they discharge as measured by cubic feet per second (cfs), million gallons per day (mgd), or gallons per minute (gpm). The following table shows magnitude and the corresponding flow requirements for a particular magnitude as well as how many springs in NFWMD are of that magnitude. Note the huge range in flow for Magnitude 2 springs. MAGNITUDE

NUMBER OF NAMED SPRINGS OR SPRING GROUPS IN NFWMD

FLOW

≥ 100 CFS (≥ 64.6 MGD)

5 (4 FRESHWATER, 1 SUBMARINE)

≥ 10 TO 100CFS (≥ 6.46 TO 64.6 MGD)

29 (28 FRESHWATER, 1 SUBMARINE)

≥ 1 TO 10 CFS (≥ 0.646 TO 6.46 MGD)

≥ 100 GPM TO 1 CFS (≥ 100 TO 448 GPM)

≥ 10 TO 100 GPM

≥ 1 TO 10 GPM

≥ 1 PINT/MIN TO 1 GPM

≥ 1 PINT/MIN

UNCLASSIFIED

KEY: cfs = cubic feet per second; mgd = million gallons per day; gpm = gallons per minute

Nestlé owns about two-thirds of the land surrounding Cypress Spring, and the Water Management District owns the other third. This means the land surrounding Cypress Spring is not farmed and so is from farming fertilizers that tend to find their way into springs. For those who are concerned about the quantity of water Nestlé collects for bottling purposes, it’s one-tenth of a percentage of the spring’s average daily flow of nearly 58 million gallons of water per day. “Even if Nestlé reached a point where they were collecting 400,000 gallons of water a day, which is what they’re permitted and which is eight times what they actually use, that’s not enough to even move the needle in regards to harming this natural system,” says Cyphers, who also noted that Nestlé’s business model relies on clean water, meaning the company is committed to protecting the spring. Crystal Gainey, of Vernon, Florida, appreciates what Nestlé has done for her community. “Their tax money helps Vernon,” she says. “It goes back into the school system and to other places.” Protecting the main attractions Dana Stephens, Director of the Mattie M. Kelly Environmental Institute and Chair of the Department of Environmental Science at Northwest Florida State College, says, “Studies have shown the negative impact of humans on flora and fauna. Sometimes, if there’s too much recreational use, you can overwhelm a spring system.” One spring in Northwest Florida that was almost destroyed due to recreational overuse is Williford Spring, on Econfina Creek. “People would kayak and canoe down the creek, and then, when they reached the spring, they would just beach their boats,” says Cyphers. “That causes a lot of erosion to spring banks.” To mitigate the over-use, the NWFWMD installed a canoe dock at Williford Spring where paddlers can park while they enjoy the spring. The District constructed wide, ADAcompliant steps leading into the spring for swimmers — helping to protect the shoreline at Williford Spring from too much foot traffic. The District also planted “geotech bags,” plants and trees to discourage people from walking on the spring bank. “We still wanted people to have access to the vent, because we knew that if we didn’t provide some access, people were going to make their own, and, in the process, destroy

plants and cause erosion,” Cyphers says. “We had to do some strategic planning and some engineering so we could ‘manage the feet’ and keep people from accidentally loving the spring to death.” Another key concern for Northwest Florida’s springs is excess nutrients, particularly in the case of Jackson Blue Spring in Jackson County. “A spring’s contribution zone is the area around the spring where water soaks into the ground and ends up in the spring,” says Cyphers. “Jackson Blue Spring’s groundwater contribution zone stretches up into Alabama. It’s a rural zone, and it’s also agricultural. Farmers of crops like peanuts, cotton, soybeans and corn — which are what we have in that zone — use quite a bit of nitrogen in their fertilizers.” Stephens explains that nitrogen is used in fertilizer because it encourages plant growth. “But if people are using fertilizers and are living near a watershed that surrounds a spring, these elements can leach into the soil and eventually into the springs, causing eutrophication, or more ‘biology in the system’ than the system can handle,” she says. “Some nutrients appear in Florida’s springs naturally; but an overabundance of nitrates represent an anthropogenic, or humaninduced, introduction of nutrients.” The excess plant growth depletes oxygen and injures other species in the ecosystem. Cyphers and his on-the-ground staff with NWFWMD have worked with farmers to implement programs designed to offset the impacts of these excess nutrients. Cyphers says changes at Jackson Blue Spring will take time. He explains that the porous, karst geology varies radically in that area, and that in some places, it only takes a day for nitrates applied on the ground to flow into the spring, where in other places, it takes 17 years. “It’s not an overnight thing or even a fiveyear thing,” he says. “We’re looking at 20 years until Jackson Blue reaches its standard water quality measurement. But while there are challenges, we’re moving forward. We’re getting all of the support that we could ask for from the governor and the legislature right now. “And the good news is, there are no places in Northwest Florida where the health of the springs is getting worse. We have people who were once a part of the challenge — like the farmers and septic tank owners in Jackson County — who are now becoming a part of the solution.”

VISIT THE SPRINGS

Econfina springs (including the Gainer spring group, Pitt Spring, Sylvan Spring and Williford Spring) MAGNITUDES

Collectively, 1 LOCATION Econfina Creek in Bay and Washington County DETAILS Open daily, sunrise to sunset; activities include paddling, snorkeling, swimming, wildlife viewing, hiking, camping, fishing and picnicking Holmes Creek spring group (including Cypress Spring, Holmes Blue Spring, Jackson Spring, Ponce De Leon Spring and Vortex Spring) MAGNITUDES 2, 3 LOCATION Holmes Creek in Vernon, Holmes County DETAILS Open daily, 8 a.m. to sunset; activities include boating, paddling, fishing, snorkeling, swimming, wildlife viewing and geocaching; entry fee is $4 per vehicle (maximum 8 people) or $2 for pedestrians/cyclists Jackson Blue Spring MAGNITUDES 1 LOCATION Jackson Blue Recreation Area in Jackson County DETAILS Open between Memorial Day and Labor Day, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; canoe, kayak and paddle boat rentals are available in the park; activities include paddling, swimming, diving, snorkeling and hiking; entry fee is $4 per person, military and first responders get $2 off, children 5 and under are free

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2 3

Father-Child Golf Tournament SHARKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TOOTH GOLF CLUB June 16 1.Donnie Cooper, Aiden Cooper, Jordan Jones, Trey Jones; 2. Bryce Southerland & Richard Southerland; 3. Graham Sertl,

George Sertl, Bryan DeGraw, Bryan DeGraw Jr.; 4. Madeline Mayer & Zach Mayer; 5. Knox Charbonnet & Ray Petta; 6. Taylor Bergner & Bill Bergner; 7. Drew Jones, Trey Jones, Jordan Jones; 8. Aiden Cooper & Donnie Cooper

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THREADS Captain David Mangum and Tom Logan Share Fly Fishing Passions

AMONG PEOPLE WHO TIE FLIES WITH which to fool fish, those who pursue their quarry in salt water are impressionists. Those who favor sweet water aren’t photo realists, certainly, but they are more literal than the fishers who have to rinse the boat off after every use. They are watercolorists, more so. Capt. David Mangum falls into the former category. He owns and operates a guide service, Shallow Water Expeditions, which he operates from his home in Santa Rosa Beach. Fifteen guides are associated with the enterprise. Mangum specializes in targeting tarpon — the so-called silver king — a fish best taken on flies. Tom Logan, of Tallahassee, fishes for bream and bass on the Wacissa River, the upper reaches of the St. Marks River, and lakes Miccosukee, Talquin and Hall. He teaches fly tying and fly casting, fishes from a gheenoe (a square-backed canoe with a small outboard) and operates a one-man guide

service, North Florida Fly Fishing Adventures, that gets frisky each summer and makes a trout trip to the Green River in Wyoming. There was a time when Mangum, who looks like he may have escaped the pages of an Orvis catalog, tied show-piece flies — contemporary Atlantic salmon flies with ingredients including golden pheasant feathers — that he never intended to fish. But these days, most everything Mangum ties is for work. “I’ve got to have bullets for my gun,” Mangum said. Friends at the University of Texas in Austin got Mangum started tying flies before Mangum got gone. He wasn’t in Texas for long before he moved to Alaska and started a guiding career that would carry him to Colorado, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas before he returned to his native Florida Panhandle. For 120 or so days each year beginning in April, Mangum focuses exclusively on tarpon,

STORY BY STEVE BORNHOFT // PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAIGE ROBERTS

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PHOTO COURTESY CAPT. DAVID MANGUM / SHALLOW WATER EXPEDITIONS

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Top: Shallow-water skiffs enable anglers to invade skinny-water haunts favored by redfish, which frequently may be seen feeding with their tails extending from the water. Poling allows for a silent approach. Right: Tom Logan is a perfectionist about the flies he ties and a purist — he religiously avoids synthetic materials. His collection ranges from large, gaudy salmon flies to tiny patterns for trout and bream.

Tom Logan designed the Wacissa, the streamer fly shown here, to appeal to Suwannee bass in the Wacissa River. Its wings are made from the hackle of a Coq-de-Leon rooster, found in Spain. The pattern also involves the blue rump feather of a ring-necked pheasant.

fishing with repeat customers who are all accomplished fly fishers. His client list is impressive, including the owners of Orvis, Simms fishing products, Costa eyewear and YETI coolers. The rest of the year, redfish pay the bills. Mangum has been fishing for tarpon in North Florida since 1990, long before most area anglers were even aware that the bruising, leaping fish usually associated with the Florida Keys were seasonal residents. He graduated from Fort Walton Beach High School. His father was a wing commander at Eglin Air Force Base and was Mangum’s first fishing mentor, but one whose development as an angler was arrested at a point that Mangum soon surpassed. Dad was a fly fisher but one content to buy fiberglass rods and automatic reels at Kmart. For Mangum, fly fishing is like bow hunting. Some people are content to fish

with spinning gear or harvest deer with 200-yard shots from rifles. Others move on to more refined approaches. Mangum ties flies left handed, purely because the first time he sat down at a vice, it was oriented that way. He uses synthetic materials primarily and introduces a bit of flash to most of his patterns. He has developed and named a few patterns that are marketed commercially, including The Dragon, inspired by an undulating fuzzy children’s toy that looks like something you might torment a cat with. “Fishing in saltwater is not like trout fishing, where you are trying to match the hatch,” Mangum said. “The profile of a saltwater fly may resemble a baitfish or a crab but not all that closely. There are no chartreuse baitfish out there. Hook size

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‘‘

Fishing in saltwater is not like trout fishing, where you are trying to match the hatch. The profile of a saltwater fly may resemble a baitfish or a crab but not all that closely. There are no chartreuse baitfish out there. Hook size and weight can be the most important considerations, along with color.” — Capt. David Mangum

and weight can be the most important considerations, along with color.” Mangum will choose a dark fly or a light fly as a function of water clarity and sky conditions. Contrast is key. In very clear water, he is likely to use black flies. “I fish in the dirtiest water I can find and still see the fish,” Mangum explained. “I don’t want to have to try to talk a fish into biting. I want to be in control by capitalizing on the instincts of the fish. “Place the fly where the fish is going to run into it. Wait until he gets very close to the fly and then move it just a little tiny bit. That’s enough to trigger a reaction strike.” Mangum has learned that a tarpon in gin-clear water is not thinking about eating. Everything that he might want to eat sees him coming. But tarpon are conditioned to make quick decisions in discolored water. For Mangum, an average tarpon runs 100 pounds. He led clients to

185-pounders in 2015 and 2016. When Mangum first started focusing on tarpon, he spent most of his time at Crooked Island Sound in Bay County. He has since moved on to other waters that have become his favorites. More on that later. Freshwater angler Logan grew up in Oklahoma where he fished farm ponds with his father and a grandfather. Logan, owing to his closeness to the natural world, is a fly-tying purist who spurns synthetic materials and refrains from tying popping bugs with their foam plastic heads. Like Mangum, he has invented several patterns that now bear his name, but he finds distinct pleasure in tying traditional patterns that have been around for hundreds of years. “My students often start out by talking about bass flies versus bream flies and trout flies, and I beat it into them that there is no such thing,” Logan said. “What we are doing is tying imitations of natural fish food. Fish worldwide eat aquatic insects, and that’s the reason that a pattern developed for brown trout 400 years ago is a killer for bream today.” Logan is on the pro team for Whiting Farms in Delta, Colorado, the world’s premier supplier of hackles for tying flies. “They provide me with materials that I experiment with and a pattern may just happen,” Logan has found. “But mostly, I like to tie the traditional, historic patterns. This morning, I fished an Irish Invicta on the St. Marks River. It was developed 200 years ago in Ireland for brown trout, but I take a lot of fish on it.” Indeed, in a few hours, Logan landed one or more bluegill, redbreast sunfish, spotted sunfish, stumpknockers, red-ear sunfish and Suwannee bass. Logan’s favorite fly is the Western coachman, designed by Buz Buszek of Visalia, California, around 1940.

A bruising tarpon leaves the water after being fooled by the fly lodged in its upper mouth. Fly fishers learn to “bow to the fish,” introducing slack as the fish jumps and accelerates through the air. Tarpon have a much harder time throwing a fly than they do heavier lures.

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PHOTOS COURTESY CAPT. DAVID MANGUM / SHALLOW WATER EXPEDITIONS

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‘‘

When they are eggs under the rocks, they are not available to predators, but when they are immatures crawling on the rocks, fish really look for them. That’s why beaded nymphs work so well. It’s the wet patterns (flies fished beneath the surface) that fish really key on.” — Tom Logan While it was designed for taking rainbow and brown trout in the King’s River east of Fresno, Logan has caught on the Western coachman at least one of every freshwater species he has ever caught on a fly. All good fly tyers are detail oriented who know that how the thread is wrapped on the hook is critically important. “You need to put one wrap right in front of or behind the other and keep the thread flat on the hook shank,” Logan said. “That’s simple for me. I don’t even have to look at what I’m doing. But many people just can’t do that. “Some people want to keep their flies simple and that means they are going to look that way. They say, ‘I catch fish on my flies, they just aren’t as pretty as Tom’s,’ and I tell them that I never hunt over an ugly bird dog, either.”

Tom Logan, the chairman of the board at Fly Fishers International, ties a Western coachman. Materials used in the pattern include mule deer hair, top right. Logan deflects the comments of those who fuss at him about his fly-tying fastidiousness, saying, “I wouldn’t hunt birds over an ugly dog, either.”

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Easter Brunch Celebration Sunday, April 21, 2019 Shark’s Tooth Golf Club 10 AM and 12:30 PM Seatings

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The Playful Side

Come for a Day and Choose Your Adventure in Historic Thomasville, Georgia BY CHAY HUGHES

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YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE FROM Thomasville to love it. In fact, some of the most dynamic residents of this small South Georgia town were, once upon a time, tourists themselves. “When my husband and I came to town 20 years ago, I thought ‘We definitely won’t be living here long,’ ” said Bonnie Hayes, who is the tourism director at the Thomasville Visitors Center and also a Panama City native. “Well, we’re still here. Thomasville is just one of those places. You can make it whatever you want it to be.” Wherever they originate, locals here are passionate about their community — and it shows on every charming corner of the Historic Downtown District. Be warned though, the adaptable nature of the town applies to visitors as much as it does to residents. An outing in Thomasville is kind of like the pick-your-own-ending books you might have read as a kid. Looking for a relaxing stroll in a bustling downtown? You can do that. Interested in trying your hand at quail hunting? That’s convenient, because Thomasville is the quail hunting capital of the world. Ready to immerse yourself in a bit of culture? Leaders here have managed to cultivate the arts more gracefully than cities triple their size. For Thomasville, founded in 1826, it’s not so much a case of not having a strong identity, as it is embracing completely the aspects of the region that make this destination so unique. For the Art Lover Whether you’re an artist or just have an artist’s soul, your creative experience in Thomasville begins the moment you arrive. Dozens of bronze statues are scattered throughout downtown. The city has even made a game out of it, inviting visitors to find all 18 quail sculptures (though there are several others of various wildlife) commissioned from artist Paul Rhymer. If you’re looking to take a piece of art home, many downtown shops boast work from local and regional artists who use their gifts to capture Thomasville’s prized natural aesthetic: the plantation lifestyle.

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For lunch or dinner, Chop House on the Bricks serves up delectable Southern fare. Below: Pageantry reigns at the town’s Victorian Christmas celebration.

An early November visit could align your trip with the region’s weeklong Plantation Wildlife Art Festival. The festival, which is now 20-plus years strong, brings in all walks of artisans — from jewelers to sculptures and painters. Nearly a dozen events, including the Afternoon in the Field, Bird Dog Dash and Fine Arts Show, round out this family friendly series. Art in Thomasville is a continuously immersive experience, so if November isn’t your month to travel — no worries. The folks at the Thomasville Center for the Arts, who oversee the festival (and much more) from their recently renovated downtown studio, located at 209 West Remington, make sure of that. “Expect to see exhibitions,” invited executive director Michelle Arwood, “not just from regional artists, but also contemporary artists. When people walk through our doors they also have access to our studios, where they can take part in our workshops for both youth and adults. It’s amazing to see how they light up.” For the Food Lover There is nothing more Southern than inviting friends and family to a beautiful

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culinary experience. And in that respect, there is no city more truly Southern than Thomasville. Restaurant after restaurant, Thomasville impresses. Sans one sub shop on the outskirts of town, you’ll find no chains or big box stores here. “Nothing drives me crazier than going to another city and eating at an Outback,” said Dustin Infinger, the city’s events manager. “I could do that anywhere. Thomasville really has something special in that way.” When it comes to local dining, Jonah’s Fish & Grits, located at 109 E. Jackson Street, is perhaps the most well known. With white cheddar grits and comforting collard greens, it’s certainly delicious — though not the only option in town. A little newer to the Thomasville foodie scene is Sweet Grass Dairy Cheese Shop, at 123 South Broad Street, and Chop House on the Bricks, at 123 North Broad Street. Both bring different price points and flavors to downtown, which are equally celebrated by locals and visitors. Right around the corner, Liam’s Restaurant is another great option. Not to worry if you’re having trouble deciding. The proximity of the restaurants

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ANNUAL EVENTS

Below: Spacious Pebble Hill Plantation is available for visits and special events. Right: Thomasville’s “Big Oak” draws eyes and photographers from all over.

DECEMBER VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS Journey into the past at this turn-of-the-century event. Get ushered into the spirit of Christmas from long ago. ThomasvilleGA.com

FEBRUARY THOMASVILLE ANTIQUES SHOW & SALE For 30 years, the Thomasville Antiques Show Foundation Inc. has focused on the single aim of benefiting local children. Speakers and enthusiasts come from across the country. ThomasvilleAntiquesShow.com

APRIL–DECEMBER

“What we find when people come here is they find relaxation that you cannot find in other vacations. (When you’re traveling), you feel like you have to go, and do, and be at the white water rafting by 8 a.m. When they get here though, you can feel your body relaxing. It’s Southern luxury.”

— Bonnie Hayes, tourism director at the Thomasville Visitors Center

and bars downtown makes parking and sampling several spots an effortless experience. For the Outdoor Enthusiast Over the past century or so, Thomasville has been the place where Northerners from a certain economic bracket come to unwind. In some ways, not much has changed. Thankfully though, the finer things are now more accessible to the masses than ever before. Pebble Hill Plantation, one of the region’s crown jewels, is the perfect example. Originally a tobacco, cotton and rice plantation, today a portion of the 3,000-acre home is open to the public and available for special events. If you pack a lunch, you can easily make a day out of exploring the main house (take the word house with a grain of rice — it’s

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massive) as well as the gardens, stables and picnic areas. While Pebble Hill is not open to hunters, many other area plantations are. Groups of four or more are invited to private sessions at Pine Hill Plantation, and single or doubles can join in with larger hunting tours. Rio Piedra Plantation also offers special day and weekend packages. A little closer to town is what locals call the “Big Oak.” Now over 337 years old, the Big Oak has a limb span of over 165 feet and a trunk circumference of over 26 feet, which take up the better half of a city block. This free attraction provides guests with a keepsake. Just call the number provided on the nearby plaque — (229) 236-0053 for reference — and the city will snap a picture of you and upload it instantly to their website, rose.net.

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FIRST FRIDAY SIP AND STROLL Every first Friday of the month, Downtown Thomasville comes alive with live music, activities, and special “open late” hours for participating businesses and restaurants. ThomasvilleGA.com

APRIL THOMASVILLE ROSE SHOW & FESTIVAL Thomasville is known as the Rose of Georgia, and here’s why. This festival features several flower shows, parades and community events. ThomasvilleGA.com

DUE SOUTH A production of Thomasville Center for the Arts, DUE SOUTH weaves together the richness of sights, sounds and tastes of the South. DueSouthMusic.org

JULY FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS Celebrate Independence Day as it was meant to be enjoyed — in Small Town America. ThomasvilleGA.com

OCTOBER COVEY FILM FESTIVAL This festival is a vehicle to entertain, educate and engage audiences through the screening of over 20 acclaimed films — in addition to special events and pop-ups. CoveyFilmFestival.org

NOVEMBER PLANTATION WILDLIFE ARTS FESTIVAL For 22 years, the festival’s proceeds benefit the Thomasville Center for the Arts. PWAF.org

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FSU MARINE LAB EXPLORES

SEAS&

THE

SHORELINES FSU Laboratory Uses Socially Conscious, But Practical Science

COURTESY FSU’S COASTAL AND MARINE LABORATORY

BY FLORENCE SNYDER

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH faculty member Dr. Felicia Coleman, loves the smell of fish and seawater. “That,” she tells a visitor to FSU’s Coastal and Marine Laboratory in St. Teresa, “is the smell of research.” Coleman grew up “hanging out on salt marshes” with her father and brothers. “My dad was a banker — and a really good naturalist,” she said. Wandering the wetlands near Charleston, South Carolina, Coleman soaked up her father’s love of nature along with his instincts for business. It all came together in 2006, when she was named the lab’s director. Easy to miss, the Marine Lab is located on Florida’s Forgotten Coast, hidden behind a fence draped with honeysuckle on the scenic Coastal Highway 98. Behind the peaceful façade however, hides a thriving research community working on topics as diverse as oil-spill effects on deep-sea sharks and coral reef ecology. The lab opened in the late 1960s and has since expanded to encompass Opposite: The Marine Lab’s Dr. Chris Koenig, an expert on the grouper species, examines a red grouper. Left: Dr. Felicia Coleman releases a red grouper.

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offices, lecture rooms, an outdoor classroom, an academic dive program and a fleet of research vessels including a 65-footlong aluminum catamaran named the R/V Apalachee. Under Colemanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leadership, the lab has grown steadily in international reputation and recognition. It has developed a master plan for the 21st century and is expected to double in size to eight resident faculty members, each supported by a team of graduate students and staff. The lab is also home to the ColemanKoenig Research Laboratory, whose work on Goliath grouper was featured in National Geographic magazine. As their name suggests, Goliaths are massive fish, which used to number in the thousands but were so heavily exploited in the past that fishing them has been banned since 1990. Chris Koenig, a rock star among reef ecologists, has spent decades studying this species and is using his research to fight for continued protection for the vulnerable, slow-growing fish. The biology and ecology of fishes is an important part of the research conducted at the Marine Lab. Dr. Dean Grubbs works

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on sharks and their relatives, including those that live in the shallows such as the endangered small tooth sawfish, as well as sharks that live thousands of feet below the ocean surface. Very little is known of these elusive creatures, and his research is critical for their conservation and management. Dr. Sandra Brooke is an invertebrate biologist who works in different types of coastal and marine habitats ranging from

seagrass beds to coral reefs, Her recent work has focused on deep sea corals in the southeastern United States, where her research helped define boundaries for deep coral protected areas both in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Since moving to the Marine Lab, she has been working on the shallow hard-grounds in the northern Gulf, areas that support much of the local seafood industry but are relatively

PHOTOS COURTESY FSUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S COASTAL AND MARINE LABORATORY

Above: Dr. Dean Grubbs and two FSU students lend a hand to a sawfish. Right: Dr. Sandra Brooke prepares to take a research dive in a submersible craft.

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GRANT JOHNSON

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unexplored. Researchers don’t have to go far offshore into deep water to find areas that are understudied. Another part of the faculty, Dr. Jeroen Ingels is also an invertebrate biologist who studies at the microscale on tiny creatures that live between the sand grains from the coast to the deep sea. Finally, there is Dr. Sophie McCoy, a faculty member in the Department of Biological Science who maintains a laboratory and graduate students here. McCoy’s research explores how marine life responds to climate change, including the effects on Pacific Northwest and Gulf of Mexico shellfish and on seaweeds that form the base of our coastal ecosystems. The Marine Lab is also busy training and teaching the next generation of scientists, with 12 graduate students working with the Marine Lab faculty, and undergraduates regularly visiting to work on projects and internships. Marine scientists are happiest doing hands-on research at sea and on the seashore trying to find out “how the natural world ticks,” said Coleman, but they also spend lots of time holed up in conference rooms with peers, writing proposals for limited pools of public and private funding. The lab maintains regular communication with policymakers in government and industry, as well as with state and federal agencies involved in protecting the ocean and coastlines. “We finish a study and call up and say, ‘We’d like to come give a talk,’ with the intent of inserting the science into the policy made to protect and manage living marine resources,” Coleman said. In addition, the lab has stepped up its public outreach, welcoming tour groups and hosting public lectures. The lab also hosts the Saturday-at-the-Sea program for area middle school students. “Science is at the core of how we will survive on this planet … clean air, clean water, and a sustainable food supply,” Coleman said. While attaining these goals is often a struggle and not always popular,

Dr. Dean Grubbs, whose area of study is sharks, gets up close and personal with one of his subjects.

“everyone here is fearless,” she said with pride. “We don’t mind controversy, and there’s been a lot of it.” Researchers are often challenged to communicate scientific findings in a way that shows the value of preserving natural resources, particularly when exploitation is much more profitable. This is particularly difficult for the deep sea, which most people will never visit. Scientists recognize however, that the only way to change a situation is to present their data in a clear, concise manner, and try to create public understanding of the importance of the creatures or ecosystems they study. Coleman and her colleagues are driven by a need to better understand how animals, plants and humans “make a living in the ecosystem.” Although the seas and shorelines are under unprecedented pressure, she remains optimistic and focused on the future. “Yes, it’s a constant battle and not everybody listens … but the truth is out there, and today’s students want to do science that matters in a socially conscious context.” To learn more about the Marine Lab and its programs, visit marinelab.fsu.edu. Sandra Brooke also contributed to this article.

“Yes, it’s a constant battle and not everybody listens … but the truth is out there, and today’s students want to do science, not just for science’s sake, but also in a socially conscious context.” — Florida State University research faculty member Dr. Felicia Coleman

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employee spotlight

Diego CaizaCalderon

Server at Shark’s Tooth Golf Club What led you to your current job?

Jerry Riley

Bartender at WaterSound Beach Club What led you to your current job?

I’m originally from Kansas and grew up in west Texas. I moved to the 30A area from Vermont, where I was in culinary school. I did a culinary internship 22 years ago at a restaurant called Criolla’s on 30A that’s now the Grayton Brewpub. I started with St. Joe at Fish Out of Water, bartending for eight years. And, at a certain point, some availability came up at the Beach Club. Management pulled me aside one day and said “Hey, we have an opening at WaterSound Beach Club, and I think it might be a good fit for you. If you’re interested, we’d love for you to go talk to them.” That was right around four years ago. What’s one thing you are most proud of?

Well it’s really a set of accomplishments that tie together. I have learned a lot about customer service through all of the training that St. Joe provides. My ability to give great customer service, that’s become second nature to me. I’m uneasy if I go home and don’t feel that my people have been taken care of very well. I’m proud of my ability to perform well under highstress conditions comfortably and with a smile on my face. Once I was having a difficult time with a guest, and afterwards, a few people commented on how well I handled the situation. So if you allow yourself to get flustered, then you lose. The trick is to maintain your composure,

and I’ve never died from it yet. That can really be applied to any situation. What’s the biggest change that you’ve seen during your time here?

Growth. I would tie it to the area in general but also St. Joe as a whole. When I was here originally, there was no WaterColor or WaterSound or any of that. I would never have anticipated all of the growth and opportunities that residents and visitors now have. When I started with Fish Out of Water, I definitely had no idea that the company I was going to work for would really drive all of that growth. What’s something few people know about you?

Probably that I’m a big fan of all types of music. We had some Members in that were in quite a bit this summer. And they’ve been coming in for years, so I’ve known them for a really long time. They were having a conversation with me while they were getting their check, and they were astonished that I knew anything about jazz music. I guess I look like a guy who only listens to AC/DC and Black Sabbath, I don’t know. We had this quick conversation about this John Coltrane album that’s been rediscovered and released after about 50-60 years. Before they left town, they brought me a vinyl of album we were talking about. That was really special.

I moved to the United States from Ecuador in 2006 when I was 19 years old. I went to Destin for vacation, and I really enjoyed it. So one summer, I came back for summer work and decided to move here. I lived in Destin for a little, then found out about the 30A area. I came straight to work at WaterSound Beach Club, and I was there for nine years. I started out with beach service and worked my way from that to server and bartender. Then I was food and beverage supervisor by the time I left. I went to nursing school and came back to work at Shark’s Tooth. What is a typical workday like for you?

In the mornings, we have golfers coming in early to grab breakfast. We also have a lot of people that live in the community that will come to have breakfast. It really depends on what the tee sheet looks like each day, because we will have groups of golfers come in after they finish on the course to eat lunch. Sometimes we have a lunch rush of 40-plus people. Later in the afternoon, we prepare for whatever is going on that night. So, for example, on Member Mondays, we usually have a good amount of people for dinner. We get pretty busy going around and making sure everyone is taken care of. Describe the most unique request you’ve received.

We had a family at WaterSound Beach Club that wanted to have dinner on the beach. So we coordinated all of that for them. We moved the entire dining room onto the beach under a tent with chandeliers. It looked like you were walking into our dining room with everything set up around their one table. It was a group of about nine people, and they hired a

EXPERIENCE MAGAZINE

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employee spotlight

chef to cook down there. I would say that was definitely the most unique, and we really went above and beyond for them. What’s something few people know about you?

When I moved here from Ecuador, I didn’t know English at all. I taught myself English. I stopped watching anything in Spanish and subscribed to the newspaper. I would read the newspaper every morning and just watch and listen to other people. I would just try to get into conversations little by little. It’s a really big accomplishment. I take it for granted, but when I think about it, I’m really proud. It’s scary when you move to a different country by yourself and don’t know anyone. There are a few people that I met when I first moved here in 2006, and they see me now and they’re shocked at how my English has gotten better.

Trayce Crass

Bartender at Camp Creek Golf Club What led you to your current job?

I started with St. Joe in 2003 at WaterSound Beach Club. Then I helped open up the Bait House, which is now The Lake House in WaterColor. When the season was over, I went over to The Gathering Spot. Then I took a break from the end of 2005 to 2007. I came back in 2007 to Fish Out of Water and was there for the last 10 or so years. After Fish Out of Water, I went to the Beach Club and came to Camp Creek after the fire at the Beach Club. I just fell in love with the nature and getting to take photographs of these really great things that happen around here. I like to play golf — I’m not very good, but I love being out here. What is a typical workday like for you?

It really depends on the day. If I’m driving the cart, it’s a lot different than being inside. I love being on the cart. I get to see alligators, raccoons, deer and all these wonderful things that just happen, and I feel pretty blessed to be a part of it. I don’t think they happen every day. When you’re not working, what is your favorite thing to do?

I like to paint and make art. I could paint anything that sits still long enough, whether it’s my house or on a canvas,

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EXPERIENCE MAGAZINE

anything. I just like to be creative. I’m always playing around with things. I live on Lake Powell so I do like to go kayaking too. It’s right outside my back door. I have a few paddleboards; I like to go out there too. What’s the biggest change that you’ve seen during your time here?

It’s just grown so much. There are more Members, more employees and more properties. And we’re continuously expanding. It gives opportunity for further growth because sometimes you get tired of staying in one spot. But with more properties opening, you can always move around to a different place but still be with the same company. You can appreciate everybody at different places and make new friends. What’s your favorite part about what you do?

I’m grateful for a lot of things. I love being on the cart and getting to be outside. … I’m grateful to have the Members and coworkers that I appreciate so much. The Members become family. You get to know them and what they like. It’s fun to build a relationship with them and see their families grow up and be a part of their lives too.

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OCTOBER MEMBER MEET AND GREET

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h ahappenings ppenings

OCTOBER 26 1. Debby Sneed & Dr. Elwood Sneed; 2. Beth Hollahan, Kate Stuhlfire, Carolyn Stuhlfire, Penney Kelley, Denise Schmidt, Chandra Whittington, Ashley Jones; 3. Mace Maxwell, Tom Balduf; 4. Barry Webb, Sean McGaughey, Matt Hipps; 5. Penney Kelley, Chandra Whittington, Joanne Dunham, Molly McGrory; 6. Cameron Brown, Tom Brown, Charles Li, Jean Li; 7. Trey Freeman, Kristen Freeman, Sissy Steiger, Bill Steiger

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It’s more than buying a beach house... It’s about living the beach life. AD

For Your Buying and Selling Real Estate Needs 850.660.1830 • 30APropertySearch.com 62

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feature

bringing

Heart THE

Watersound Origins

The St. Joe Company and Sacred Heart are partnering up for a New Watersound Origins Healthcare Facility THE WATERSOUND ORIGINS community is welcoming Sacred Heart to the neighborhood! Sacred Heart Health System (“Sacred Heart”) has become a household name in Northwest Florida for its high-quality healthcare to children and adults. This new facility will be located at the community entrance and is just the beginning of what is soon to be a thriving town center. The new medical building will initially open as a 6,700-squarefoot, multi-specialty ambulatory clinic offering primary care and OB-GYN services. Future plans include an expansion to 13,000 square feet to offer additional specialty healthcare services. Best known for its thoughtfully designed neighborhoods with parks and trails and neighborhood events, The Watersound Origins community is situated on Highway 98 near Lake Powell in South Walton, less than 3 miles from the pristine beaches and the excitement of Scenic Highway 30A. Already in place are 317 Watersound Origins residential units with another 359 units underway, six holes of golf, extensive trails, the Watersound Café and many other resort-style community amenities. The location is strategic for Sacred Heart as there are no other medical facilities within a 4-mile radius. Better yet, this location will bridge the gap between its established Destin and Panama City Beach locations. It’s All In The Details Every detail of the new clinic has been thoughtfully designed to create an extraordinary patient experience. The new state-ofthe-art facility will feature a laboratory, ultrasound room, X-ray room and 10 exam rooms. The exam rooms are approximately 100 square feet to accommodate patient care with cutting edge technology. Families with young children will have space to entertain in a children’s area adjacent to the main waiting room.

A Thriving Community Center This build-to-suit clinic will be the first commercial building at the Watersound Origins community entrance and will support the ongoing residential growth underway in the community. This is just the beginning of what’s anticipated to be a thriving commercial center for homeowners, locals and vacationers to enjoy. The town center is anticipated to be the next one-stop destination for restaurants, grocer, offices and entertainment spaces, and it will all play a part in the long-term growth of the community-oriented center. The Origins’ commercial district is set to break the mold on standard commercial shopping centers, as it will be rooted in experience-driven design. It is being planned as an outdoor town center with a combination of high-end amenities and aesthetic details to complement the Watersound Origins community and encourage community engagement. This is just the next step in a long relationship between The St. Joe Company and Sacred Heart. The St. Joe Company donated land for the existing hospitals — Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast in Miramar Beach and Sacred Heart on the Gulf in Port St. Joe. Both parties could not be more thrilled about the newly proposed clinic, as it will be centrally located to serve the surrounding communities in the area. “We are pleased to continue our relationship with Sacred Heart to provide quality and accessible healthcare services to Watersound Origins homeowners and the residents of South Walton County,” said Jorge Gonzalez, President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Joe. “This new facility is only the beginning of a much larger plan to meet the expected commercial needs of the residents in the Watersound Origins community.” For more information regarding the Watersound Origins commercial opportunities and other St. Joe Company commercial opportunities, contact Jordan Rosenau, St. Joe Company Sales and Leasing Manager, at (850) 231-6430.

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happenings

1 4

THANKSGIVING

November 22 1. John and Lisa Norris with family; 2. Dr. Mike Bailey and Diane Bailey with family; 3. William Van Kirk with his grandchildren; 4. Jason, Debby, and Dr. Elwood Sneed; 5. John and Britney Valas and family

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MEN’S MEMBER-GUEST GOLF EVENT 2019

at the Creek MARCH 28 – 30

Registration Required | 850.231.7601 January 1: Registration open to all Lifestyle Members January 15: Registration open to all Signature & Limited Golf Members Dependent Members are not eligible to play in tournament 66

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member spotlight

Rick

HELFAND Member With A Mission

WHEN RICK HELFAND began flipping burgers at McDonald’s some 50 plus years ago, he never dreamed that he would spend a career with the burger giant. Helfand rose through the ranks to ultimately help lead the company’s international operations. “While we lived in several cities in the U.S. during my tenure, it was our time in Bangkok, Thailand, that was one of the more interesting assignments,” says Helfand. Maybe meeting Tiger Woods when he played and won his first tournament in Thailand in 1997 might have something to do with the fondness for Thailand and golf. Helping open new markets for the McDonald’s chain has taken Helfand to more than 100 countries — that and his love for travel in general. “My wife, Jan, and I have always loved to travel. To experience so many different cultures and to become

friends with people all over the world has been deeply rewarding to us both,” he says. When asked about his most memorable travel destinations Helfand quickly points to Angkor Wat and Antarctica. Coincidentally, neither of these destinations have a McDonald’s. For the geographically challenged, Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Cambodia and the largest religious monument in the world. “We were, and still are, amazed at just how spectacular this place is. To think that these temples were built more than 800 years ago and that they survived wars and weather is a feat for certain. Some even believe that it was designed and built in one night.” Helfand says that his fondness for Antarctica rests almost entirely in its raw beauty. “It was the last region on earth to be discovered in 1820, due in no small part to its harsh

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Rick Helfand now serves as the head of the Seaside School Foundation, which provides financial support to a local charter school, the Seaside Neighborhood School.

weather conditions. I found the natural beauty in ice formations created by the wind to be visual wonders,” he relates. Helfand and his wife moved to Lynn Haven in 1997 after his retirement from McDonald’s. “I had been coming to the panhandle of Florida for many years, and as retirement rose on my horizon, I knew without a doubt this is where I wanted to live out the balance of my time,” he says. It didn’t take long for the Helfands to respond to the beckon of the water. First buying a condominium on Panama City Beach, then another residence on 30A, they ended up owning two homes in Rosemary Beach. They recently sold those two homes and are living in Wild Heron until they decide what and where next to build or buy. Most people take up golf either in high school or college. Many will tell you that golf is often thought to be the single best sport for

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EXPERIENCE MAGAZINE

making business deals. Helfand can’t attest to that because he didn’t take up golf until 2002. Shortly after Shark’s Tooth Golf Club opened, Rick Helfand decided that he needed something to occupy his time. Approaching golf like he had any challenge in business, he sought help from two of the early pros at Shark’s Tooth. “I knew which end of the club was up, and that’s the extent of it. It took me two years of lessons to get comfortable enough to play with a partner,” he says. Today, he is fine with being a “bogey” golfer. For he and his wife, being a Member is about much more than golf. “We have been Members here for 16 years, and I can tell you that this Club has the finest staff of any I have been a part of or have visited as a guest,” Helfand confides. “One thing I learned about the game is that you quickly know who you want to play with and who you will take a pass on. But more importantly, it’s the time spent amidst nature, and the friendships that develop which I find rewarding in so many ways to me. It can be

humorous, yet dark, even.” Helfand recalls the time that a group ahead of his foursome was playing an intense round. So intense that when one of the guys mistook a water moccasin for his ball, his fellow players dutifully called 911 and sent him to the hospital for snakebite treatment. Next hole please. “I was astonished that they kept playing; even more so when someone came back to the course, found them, and asked how to contact the guy’s wife,” he laughs. When asked about his favorite hole at Shark’s Tooth, without hesitation Helfand says it’s No. 13. “The water makes this hole beautiful, regardless of the time of day. Words can’t describe it, but it’s no wonder that hole is the most photographed of all,” he says. “I liken it to a symphony when all the instruments are in perfect harmony,” he says. These days, when Rick Helfand is not on the golf course, you will find him either at the Seaside Neighborhood School or talking it up in a meeting somewhere. An avid runner and biker, Helfand got to know several people who were associated with the school. As he learned more about the school and its education philosophy, he felt an urge to get involved. Using his business acumen as a backdrop, he has made numerous contributions to the school. Today, he heads up the Seaside School Foundation. “I am invigorated every time I am on the campus, which sits a stone’s throw from the heart of Seaside,” he says. Known for its unorthodox way of teaching, the school has 178 students in middle school and 180 in high school. Soon the school will be adding six new buildings with classrooms to accommodate a K-4 program as well. Interestingly, when a student graduates from the Seaside Neighborhood School, they also graduate with a two-year college diploma. “The Foundation is key to the school’s long-term financial stability and health. As the first charter school to open in Florida, it has a rich history of providing a unique curriculum. All of that requires financial support. One of

member spotlight

our biggest and most successful fundraisers is the annual Half Marathon and 5k run the first weekend in March. Our first year, we raised about $17,000. Last year, thanks to the continued increase in participants and our corporate sponsors, including the St. Joe Community Foundation, we raised over $500,000,” he shares. The Seaside School Foundation supports the school in many ways and is responsible for programs in culinary arts, music, visual and performing arts and much more. They also have many extracurricular pursuits, such as the annual BEST (Boosting Engineering Science and Technology) competition, in which the school has won many regional robotics competitions. Wren Brasfield is the teacher who leads the culinary program. “Students learn about food in so many ways. They plant gardens, tend them, harvest the fruits and vegetables and prepare meals with what they have grown,” she says. “These gardens are front and center every day. Without the Foundation and its committed Board members, programs such as this would not be available to the students”. When describing Helfand, school Principal Kim Mixson says “Rick is one of those leaders who not only sees the big picture, he has a keen grasp on the details for making something successful. He also is active in and around the school. His interest in providing financial support for the best education possible is inspirational to us because we all know the hours he and other Board members put into our program here.” It seems apropos that in the ’80s, when Helfand was at McDonald’s, the venerable company introduced an ad campaign to get more young people eating burgers at night. The symbol of the moon

Rick Helfand and the Seaside School Foundation help provide aid for the school’s curriculum, such as the culinary program.

soon became associated with the noted restaurant chain. Even back then, Helfand was in a way reaching out to an audience of kids that over time invented the iPhone, tablets, desktop computers and so much more. What might this generation of students in the Seaside Neighborhood School devise to amaze us? Thanks in part to Rick Helfand, the future is unlimited with the kids and his influence.

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upcoming EVENTS

Feb

WINE WALKABOUT

Shark’s Tooth Golf Club

Discover delicious cuisine paired with exceptional wines in this special strolling wine dinner at Shark’s Tooth. Members & Members’ guests welcome. Adults 21 and older only. RSVP online at clubsbyjoe.com/events.

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h aepvpeennt si n g s

JANUARY January 1

NEW YEAR’S DAY BRUNCH

8 a.m.–3 p.m. | Shark’s Tooth Golf Club

January 5, 12, 19, 26

FARMER’S MARKET

9 a.m.–1 p.m. | Grand Boulevard

January 6, 13, 20, 27

30A FARMER’S MARKET–ROSEMARY BEACH 9 a.m.–1 p.m. | South Barrett Square

January 18

TRIVIA NIGHT

5:30–8 p.m. | Shark’s Tooth Golf Club

January 18–21

30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL

Various Locations Across 30A

January 26

WINE WALKABOUT

6–9 p.m. | WaterSound Beach Club

FEBRUARY February 2, 9, 16, 23

FARMER’S MARKET 9 a.m.–1 p.m. | Grand Boulevard

March 15

MEMBER MEET & GREET 4–6 p.m. | WaterSound Beach Club A great opportunity to meet and socialize with fellow Members! Complimentary. Members only. Reservations are required; please visit clubsbyjoe.com/events to RSVP.

March 28-30

SHOOTOUT AT THE CREEK MEN’S MEMBER-GUEST GOLF TOURNAMENT Camp Creek Golf Club The 3rd Annual Shootout at the Creek is sure to be a memorable weekend! The format will be players as two-man best-ball match play. Members & Members’ guest welcome. Please call Camp Creek Golf Shop for registration, 850.231.7601. Registration Jan. 1: Open to Lifestyle Members only Jan. 15: Open to Signature and Limited Golf Members

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19StJoe_WS_RUNSUP.indd 1

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9/26/18 2:15 PM

February 3

SUPER BOWL SCRAMBLE

Noon | Shark’s Tooth Golf Club

February 3

SUPER BOWL PARTY

5–9 p.m. | Shark’s Tooth Golf Club

February 3, 10, 17, 24

30A FARMER’S MARKET–ROSEMARY BEACH 9 a.m.–1 p.m. | South Barrett Square

February 8

FAMILY FUN NIGHT

6–8 p.m. | WaterSound Beach Club

February 14

VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER & MIXOLOGY CLASS 6–8 p.m. | WaterSound Beach Club

February 16

SHORT GAME SCHOOL

Noon–1 p.m. | Shark’s Tooth Golf Club

February 21–24

SEASIDE PRIZE WEEKEND The Seaside Institute

February 23

WINE WALKABOUT

APRIL 21

EASTER BRUNCH 10 a.m & 12:30 p.m. Seatings | Shark’s Tooth Golf Club Friends and family gather for a fun-filled afternoon to enjoy a large selection of delicious buffet items, live music, children’s activities, an Easter egg hunt and photos with the Easter Bunny! Members & Members’ guests are welcome.

Reservations are required, clubsbyjoe.com/events.

6:30 p.m. | Shark’s Tooth Golf Club

MARCH March 1

FIRST FRIDAY FEAST

5:30–8 p.m. | Shark’s Tooth Golf Club

March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

FARMER’S MARKET

9 a.m.–1 p.m. | Grand Boulevard

March 3

SEASIDE SCHOOL HALF MARATHON & 5K RUN 7 a.m. | Seaside

March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

30A FARMER’S MARKET–ROSEMARY BEACH 9 a.m.–1 p.m. | South Barrett Square

March 8

SUSHI DATE NIGHT

6–8 p.m. | WaterSound Beach Club

March 10

SPRING GUEST DAY

10 a.m. Shotgun Start | Camp Creek Golf Club

March 15

MEMBER MEET & GREET

4–6 p.m. | WaterSound Beach Club

APRIL 25–27

JOE CUP MEMBERMEMBER GOLF TOURNAMENT Camp Creek & Shark’s Tooth Golf Clubs Classic golf with Southern Hospitality! Members are invited to play with another Member in the tournament of 36 holes, best-ball partners. Gross & Net Champion divisions. Members only. All Lifestyle, Signature Golf and Limited Golf Members are welcome. Dependent Members are not eligible to play in tournament.

Please register online at clubsbyjoe.com/ events.

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H O W D O YAD OU FOOW? NOW OPEN FOR LUNCH & DINNER Happy Hour 3–7 PM Daily

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events

March 16

PARENT-CHILD ROUND ROBIN

10 a.m.–Noon | Shark’s Tooth Tennis Courts

March 16

FITTING DAY

APRIL

April 20

April 1

Noon–1 p.m. | Shark’s Tooth Golf Club

APRILS FOOLS DAY FLAMINGLE FEST All day | WaterSound Beach Club

9 a.m.–1 p.m. | Shark’s Tooth Golf Club

April 6, 13, 20, 27

March 17

9 a.m.–1 p.m. | Grand Boulevard

ST. PATRICK’S DAY SHAMROCK SHUFFLE

FARMER’S MARKET

GOLF CLINIC–PUTTING April 20

EASTER EGG EXTRAVAGANZA

11 a.m. | WaterSound Beach Club

April 21

EASTER BRUNCH

Noon | WaterSound Beach Club

April 7, 14, 21, 28

March 22

9 a.m.–1 p.m. | South Barrett Square

April 24

April 12

LADIES LUNCHEON

COUPLES NINE & DINE

4:30 p.m. Cocktails, 5 p.m. Shotgun Start Watersound Origins

March 23

GOLF CLINIC–DRIVER

30A FARMER’S MARKET–ROSEMARY BEACH COUPLES NINE & DINE

4:30 p.m. Cocktails, 5 p.m. Shotgun Start Camp Creek Golf Club, Dinner at WaterSound Beach Club

Noon–1 p.m. | Camp Creek Golf Club

April 15–21

March 28

GOLF SHOP EASTER EGG SALE

BEE KEEPING & HONEY TASTING WITH HONEY HUTCH TBD | WaterSound Beach Club

Camp Creek & Shark’s Tooth Golf Clubs

April 18

10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. Seatings Shark’s Tooth Golf Club

11 a.m.–2 p.m. | WaterSound Beach Club

April 24–28

SEABREEZE JAZZ FESTIVAL

Aaron Bessant Park, Panama City Beach

April 25–28

SOUTH WALTON BEACHES WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL Grand Boulevard

MARGARITA TENNIS MIXER

March 28–30

5–7 p.m. | Shark’s Tooth Tennis Courts

April 25–27

SHOOTOUT AT THE CREEK MEMBER-GUEST GOLF TOURNAMENT

April 19

JOE CUP MEMBER-MEMBER GOLF TOURNAMENT

Camp Creek Golf Club

TRIVIA NIGHT

5:30–8 p.m. | Shark’s Tooth Golf Club

Camp Creek & Shark’s Tooth Golf Clubs

April 26–28

SANDJAM

M.B. Miller County Pier, Panama City Beach

MAY May 3

COUPLES NINE & DINE

4:30 p.m. Cocktails, 5 p.m. Shotgun Start | Shark’s Tooth Golf Club

May 25-27

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND All day | WaterSound Beach Club Celebrate the kickoff to summer as we offer classic cookout fare with fantastic Chef’s Features each night, live music and kids activities each day. Please call for more information, 850.534.2500.

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events

ongoing EVENTS

May 4

May 26

DERBY DAY

BEACH CLUB 13TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

3–6 p.m. | Shark’s Tooth Golf Club

May 4, 11, 18, 25

SUNDAY BRUNCH Sunday, JAN. 1 – FEB. 24 Join us for fabulous food, delightful drinks and the company of friends at Shark’s Tooth. We offer our Sunday Brunch menu with traditional favorites, Mimosa specials and a Bloody Mary bar every week. Call for more information, 850.249.3012.

FARMER’S MARKET

9 a.m.–1 p.m. | Grand Boulevard

May 5

CINCO DE MAYO

All day | WaterSound Beach Club

May 5, 12, 19, 26

30A FARMER’S MARKET–ROSEMARY BEACH

MEMBER MONDAY Mondays Every Monday, 5:30–8 p.m. Members enjoy 50 percent off dinner entrées. Member Monday Dinners will be hosted at Shark’s Tooth throughout the year. Reservations are required; book online at clubsbyjoe.com/dining.

IMAGINATION STATION Monday–Friday, MAR. 4 – AUG. 8 WaterSound Beach Club | 2 p.m. Bring the kids to the Kids Club for an arts & craft or outdoor activity every afternoon. For more information, call 850.534.2500.

9 a.m.–1 p.m. | South Barrett Square

May 10

CANDLEMAKING CLASS

4 p.m. | WaterSound Beach Club

May 11

Wednesdays, MAR. 6 – MAY. 15 WaterSound Beach Club | 6–8 p.m. Members enjoy dining specials, live music and half off house wines and draft beer. Members are welcome to bring accompanied guests. Reservations are not accepted. For more information, call 850.534.2500.

thursdays Shark’s Tooth Golf Club | 5 p.m. Kick start your weekend a little early with live entertainment, games and cocktail specials. For more information, call Shark’s Tooth Golf Club 850.249.3015.

Fridays, MAR. 1 – APR. 26 WaterSound Beach Club | 6–8 p.m. Celebrate the end of the week at WaterSound Beach Club. Come gaze at the starts and listen to the waves crash as we set out a roaring fire each Friday Night. Call 850.534.2500 for more information.

BAREFOOT BEACH GAMES Saturdays, MAR. 16 – AUG. 17 WaterSound Beach Club | Noon. Every 3rd Saturday, head to the beach for some all ages, friendly competition! For more information, call 850.534.2500.

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EXPERIENCE MAGAZINE

FARMER’S MARKET

9 a.m.–1 p.m. | Grand Boulevard

June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

30A FARMER’S MARKET–ROSEMARY BEACH 9 a.m.–1 p.m. | South Barrett Square

June 7

FIRST FRIDAY FEAST

5:30–8 p.m. | Shark’s Tooth Golf Club

June 7–8

5:30–8 p.m. | WaterSound Beach Club

Shark’s Tooth Golf Club

May 11

June 14

GOLF CLINIC–PITCHING

COUPLES NINE & DINE

Noon–1 p.m. | Camp Creek Golf Club

May 11–12 Grand Boulevard

May 12

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH

10 a.m. | Shark’s Tooth Golf Club & WaterSound Beach Club

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

All day | Shark’s Tooth Golf Club

May 17

LADIES TENNIS MEMBER-GUEST

9 a.m.–1 p.m. | Shark’s Tooth Tennis Courts

May 17–18

BEACH BONFIRES

June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

THE CLUBS BY JOE CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

May 17

SHARK’S TOOTH SOCIAL

JUNE

TRIVIA NIGHT

ARTSQUEST FINE ARTS FESTIVAL

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAYS

All day | WaterSound Beach Club

12TH ANNUAL DIGITAL GRAFFITI FESTIVAL

4:30 p.m. Cocktails, 5 p.m. Shotgun Start | Shark’s Tooth Golf Club

June 15

GOLF CLINIC–CHIPPING

Noon–1 p.m. | Shark’s Tooth Golf Club

June 15

U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

All day | Shark’s Tooth Golf Club

June 16

FATHER’S DAY CELEBRATION

11 a.m.–7 p.m. | WaterSound Beach Club

June 19–23

17TH ANNUAL EMERALD COAST BLUE MARLIN CLASSIC The Village of Baytowne Wharf

Alys Beach

June 21

May 19

SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION

LOCALS LAST STAND

All day | WaterSound Beach Club

3–7 p.m. | Watersound Origins

June 21–June 22

May 25–27

SENIOR SCRATCH

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

All day | WaterSound Beach Club

8 a.m. Tee Times | Camp Creek & Shark’s Tooth Golf Clubs

May 26

June 29

SHARKS AND STRIPES

PARENT-CHILD TOURNAMENT

Tee Times | Shark’s Tooth Golf Club

10 a.m. Tee Times | Watersound Origins

Forward...

from this day

The Clubs by JOE offers three exceptionally unique and breathtaking locations for your vow renewal, commitment ceremony or wedding celebration: | Sharkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tooth Golf Club | WaterSound Beach Club | Watersound Origins In addition, The Clubs by JOE offers luxury amenities to you, your wedding party and guests staying at one of our highly-awarded boutique hotels. Access to private golf courses, beach clubs, watersports and more awaits you and your guests during your time of celebration. The Clubs by JoeSM Wedding Experience | Events@stjoeclub.com | 850.249.3042

membership

HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER OF

The Clubs by JOE

Lifestyle Membership

Experience all-inclusive, unlimited golf at Camp Creek Golf Club, Shark’s Tooth Golf Club and Origins, as well as Member access to the WaterSound Beach Club. You’ll enjoy fitness facilities, tennis and other unique Member events throughout the year. There are a variety of dining options with a Member-only discount for food and beverage. Not to mention an extensive list of outdoor amenities the whole family will enjoy!

Signature Golf Membership

If golf is your passion, a Signature Golf Membership is the perfect match for you. You’ll enjoy endless rounds of golf at any of the The Clubs by JOE including Shark’s Tooth, Camp Creek and Origins Golf Clubs. To join today or for more information about each Membership, please call 850.213.5181 or send an email to memberships@stjoeclub.com. *Information in this Membership section provides a summary of The Clubs by JOE SM Membership program. As this information is only summary in nature, you should read the Membership Plan and Rules and Regulations for a complete understanding regarding Membership rights and privileges. Membership privileges and benefits are subject to change from time to time.

WINTER/SPRING 2019

EXPERIENCE MAGAZINE

Located on Scenic Hwy 30A WaterSoundWestBeach.com

L I V E W I T H N AT U R E !

Located on the waters of West Bay and Crooked Creek in Bay County RiverCampsFlorida.com

The St Joe Company 2016 All Rights Reserved. “JOE®”, “St. Joe®”, “St. Joe (and the Taking Flight design)®”, the “Taking Flight” design®, “WaterSoundSM”, the “WaterSound (and boat design)SM” and “RiverCamps SM” are registered service marks of The St Joe Company or its affiliates. The materials, and features and amenities described and depicted above are based upon current development plans, which are subject to change without notice. This does not constitute an offer to sell WaterSoundSM or RiverCamps SM real property in any jurisdiction where prior registration or other advance qualifications of real property is required, including, New York. Void where prohibited by law. Equal Housing Opportunity. The St Joe Company does not guarantee the obligations of, nor provide any warranties for, homes built by unaffiliated parties who build homes or offer services in the WaterSoundSM or RiverCamps SM community.

Obtain the Property Report required by Federal law and read it before signing anything. No federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any of this property.

EXPERIENCE MAGAZINE

WINTER/SPRING 2019

information

The Clubs by JOE Member

PHONE DIRECTORY CONTACTS

THE PEARL HOTEL

THE CLUBS BY JOE Mike Jansen, Director of Club Operations ............................ 850.249.3045 Sean McGaughey, Director of Golf �� 850.249.4167 Barry Webb, Director of Tennis �� 205.903.8743 Carly Sostheim, Director of Membership �� 850.213.5182 Carolyn Webre, Membership Sales & Relations Manager �� 850.213.5179 Hollie Parker, Membership Coordinator �� 850.213.5181 Victoria Grandal, Marketing Coordinator �� 850.213.5183 Katelyn O’Keefe, Membership Accounting �� 850.641.0009 Madison Smiedendorf, Wedding Sales & Service Manager �� 850.249.3042

CAMP CREEK® GOLF CLUB Camp Creek Golf Club �� 850.231.7601 19th Hole Grille �� 850.231.7603 Lee Moran, Head Golf Professional �� 850.231.7602

SHARK’S TOOTH GOLF CLUB Golf Shop �� 850.249.3041 Grille/Lounge/Reservations �� 850.249.3015 Brianna Anderson, Club Manager �� 850.249.3048 Bryan Ross, Executive Chef �� 850.249.3011 Matthew Hipps, Head Golf Professional �� 850.249.3046

WATERSOUND® BEACH CLUB WaterSound Beach Club �� 850.534.2500 Curtis Brooks, Club Manager �� 850.534.2078 Chris Clements, Assistant Club Manager �� 850.534.2075 Kristy McKinney, Food & Beverage Manager �� 850.534.2076 Dan Bower, Executive Chef �� 850.534.2077

WATERSOUND ORIGINS® GOLF CLUB AND CAFÉ Golf Shop �� 850.213.5090 Watersound Cafe �� 850.213.5093 Rick Ayers, Club Manager �� 850.213.5094 Watersound Origins Real Estate �� 850.213.5092

WATERCOLOR® INN & RESORT WaterColor Bike Barn (Bike Rentals) �� 850.534.5959 WaterColor BoatHouse (Canoe/Kayaks/SUPs) �� 850.419.6188 Fish Out of Water Restaurant �� 850.534.5050 The Gathering Spot �� 850.534.5025 WaterColor InnSpa �� 850.534.5010 WaterColor Workout Facility �� 850.534.5950

WINTER/SPRING 2019

EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCEMAGAZINE MAGAZINE

Havana Beach Bar & Grill �� 850.588.2882 Havana Beach Rooftop Lounge �� 850.588.2882 Spa Pearl �� 850.460.9041

REHEARSAL DINNERS/WEDDINGS/MEETINGS WaterColor Inn �� 850.231.7773 WaterSound Beach Club �� 850.249.3042 Shark’s Tooth Golf Club �� 850.249.3042 Watersound Origins �� 850.249.3042 The Pearl Hotel ��850.460.9040

CONCIERGE Concierge Service �� 850.534.5008

SERVICES DINING Camp Creek 19th Hole Grille �� 850.231.7603 Fish Out of Water �� 850.534.5050 Havana Beach Bar & Grill �� 850.588.2882 Havana Rooftop Lounge �� 850.588.2882 Shark’s Tooth Clubhouse �� 850.249.3015 The Gathering Spot & Sushi Bar �� 850.534.5025 WaterSound Beach Club �� 850.534.2500 WaterSound Origins Café �� 850.213.5093

RELAX WaterColor InnSpa �� 850.534.5010 Spa Pearl �� 850.588.2881

GOLF Camp Creek Golf Club �� 850.231.7601 Shark’s Tooth Golf Club......................................................... 850.249.3041 Origins Golf Club .................................................................. 850.213.5090

OUTDOOR The BoatHouse at WaterColor �� 850.419.6188

ACTIVITIES WaterColor Fitness �� 850.534.5950 Bike Barn �� 850.534.5959

GET MORE THE CLUBS BY JOE INFORMATION AT: clubsbyjoe.com

242 E. YACHT POND LANE

#1 IN WATERSOUND BEACH SALES Trust the Experts to Make Your WaterSound Beach Dream a Reality.

An Extraordinary Lifestyle Awaits You.

Amin Delawalla | Ann Mosely | David Lilienthal | Scott Cobine | Anne Winicki

#1 IN WATERSOUND BEACH SALES

©2018 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity. Information not verified or guaranteed. If your home is currently listed with a Broker, this is not intended as a solicitation.

6652 E. County Highway 30A | 850.213.5150 | 30A.BeachPropertiesFLA.com © 2018 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity. Information not verified or guaranteed. If your home is currently listed with a Broker, this is not intended as a solicitation. 2018.03.26_WSB_AD_FINAL.indd 1 3/26/18 6:49 PM