At Suncadia, you step out of urban life and into something that’s all too rare: a place where you know your neighbors instead of just passing them on the way to work. And as visits become longer and more frequent, you get to know the people who help shape Suncadia into a community you hold close to your heart. You’re on a first-name basis with the yoga instructor, the one who has helped you with that difficult pose you’ve been attempting for years. You know the Fifty-6 Degrees Lounge barman who makes your cocktail just the way you like it, and the concierge who always recommends exactly the kind of activity your kids will love.

This column celebrates the Suncadia staff who play a role in the way residents and guests enjoy their time here. Some might be familiar faces or names, and others will be new to you. This week, we chat with Werner Mostert, Director of Rooms.

Where are you from originally and how did you get into the hospitality business?

I’m originally from Port Elizabeth, South Africa. After completing my Associates Degree in Hospitality Management in 2004, I joined Carnival Cruise lines as a bartender. The goal was to travel and learn more about the world and what it has to offer. I started my hotel management career in 2007 and spent the next several years in Dallas, Napa Valley and Austin. The first eight years I focused my attention on food and beverage operations and then turned my attention to lodging/rooms operations.  

What were you doing before joining Suncadia?

Before joining Suncadia, I was a multi property general manager for a hotel management organization in Austin where I oversaw two Marriott branded hotels. I came to Suncadia a year and a half ago and am the Director of Lodging Operations, which includes front desk operations, housekeeping operations and property management operations.

What’s a typical day like for you in your job?

I start my day off with a walk of the property, inside and out. Early morning I attend stand-up meetings and then I check in with my teams to see if they need any support. I organize my inbox and follow-up on any guest and owner related items, and later do more department visits and am visible to our associates. I spend the afternoons and early evenings with the teams and assist with guest and owner engagement while ensuring that everyone has an enjoyable arrival to Suncadia.

What are some aspects of your job that you love?

The fact that you can create a legacy for guests and owners here at Suncadia is pretty amazing. I also love the complexity of the operation and finding ways to streamline it while developing and motivating people. The team I work with is amazing and they all push me to do my best every single day.

What’s your favorite spot for lunch on property?

When lunch is an option I prefer to sit where there is a view of the mountains and the river below the lodge.

What about a favorite activity?

Living in the Pacific Northwest is such a treat! I enjoy getting outdoors to take advantage of all of the trails, camping and fishing the area has to offer. As a family we do a lot of camping, and when the weather turns grey we like to have movie nights at home.

How do you know when summer has arrived in Suncadia? When we host our annual Brews and Brats event, of course.

The day at Nelson Farm Pool started out ominously but dark clouds and a downpour quickly turned into a beautiful sunshiny day. You wouldn’t have known anything was amiss but mere moments before guests began to arrive, Suncadia’s amazing banquets team and hardworking managers hopped out from under cover just as the drizzle was ending to complete setup. Within half an hour the sun was out in full force and everything had dried out.

The sold-out event featured seven local craft breweries, with each bringing at least two different types of their beer, as well as tasty bites including bratwurst and hot dogs, mini pretzel bites, plus fruit and pastries for dessert. Suncadia members had the chance to sample beers from each brewery before exchanging their drink tickets for a full serving.

While the adults were tasting and chatting with friends and brewery staff, the kids jumped right into the pool, floated on the lazy river or played water games. There were plenty of fun distractions outside of the pool too, including a game of cornhole and a giant game of connect four. When the band hit the stage, kids were the first to dance and from the look of things, they might have had an even better time than the adults!

At Suncadia, you step out of urban life and into something that’s all too rare: a place where you know your neighbors instead of just passing them on the way to work. And as visits become longer and more frequent, you get to know the people who help shape Suncadia into a community you hold close to your heart. You’re on a first-name basis with the yoga instructor, the one who has helped you with that difficult pose you’ve been attempting for years. You know the Fifty-6 Degrees Lounge barman who makes your cocktail just the way you like it, and the concierge who always recommends exactly the kind of activity your kids will love.

 This new column celebrates the Suncadia staff who play a role in the way residents and guests enjoy their time here. Some might be familiar faces or names, and others will be new to you. This week, we chatted with Heather Rugh, Membership Director of Tumble Creek Club & Suncadia Club.

What’s a typical day at your job like?
I wish I had an answer for that. We all wear many hats, and I have a closet full of them! I coordinate all members’ special events, programming and implementation through the execution of the event. I also sell all of the memberships on the property for both clubs and administrate the accounts and procedures. I oversee the fitness and recreation department at Tumble Creek, Hill House and Outdoor Pursuits, as well the Membership Department reporting to the Club Manager, Jared Jeffries. A typical day is doing whatever it takes to ensure an exceptional service for our members, their guests and family while supporting our Real Estate Sales Team and the community.

That’s definitely a lot of hats. So what do you love most about your job? 
The relationships you create with the members, the special and beautiful place I get to call “work,” and my co-worker family.

What makes the Suncadia memberships community special?
The people and their energy to connect and genuine care for the team that takes care of the membership.

Membership has its privileges, right? So tell me more.
We have two Clubs, each Club has different membership Levels:
Tumble Creek Club Resident Golf Membership includes the exclusive private course at Tumble Creek Club, both resort courses; Prospector & Rope Rider, plus the same access as a Honolulu social membership; Hill House (Tumble Creek Club’s swim & fitness facility), tennis courts, Sasse Mt. Outpost campsite, Suncadia’s Swim & Fitness Center, Nelson Farm Pool, all social Club programming, discounts & promotions.

Tumble Creek Club Honolulu Membership includes access of the Hill House (Tumble Creek Club’s swim & fitness facility), tennis courts, Sasse Mt. Outpost campsite, Suncadia’s Swim & Fitness Center, Nelson Farm Pool, all social Club programming, discounts & promotions.

Tumble Creek Club Non Resident Golf Membership includes the exclusive private course at Tumble Creek Club, both resort courses; Prospector & Rope Rider, Suncadia’s Swim & Fitness Center, Nelson Farm Pool, all social Club programming, discounts & promotions.

When you are a Tumble Creek Club member, you are automatically a Suncadia Club member as well.

Suncadia Club Golf Membership includes both resort courses play (Prospector & Roper Rider), range privileges, preferred tee times as well as the Suncadia Club Swim & Fitness Center, Nelson Farm Pool, thus including the Sport Membership within the Golf membership. Members have opportunities to attend all social programming within the Club as well as discounted rates, promotions and privileges throughout the year. The Sport Membership includes the Suncadia Swim & Fitness Center, steam room & sauna, fitness classes and more!

Suncadia Club Sport Membership includes the Suncadia Swim & Fitness Center, Nelson Farm Pool, steam room & sauna, fitness classes and more! Members have opportunities to attend all social programming within the Club as well as discounted rates, promotions and privileges throughout the year.

Visit the Membership office to learn more and say hi to Heather.

At Suncadia, you step out of urban life and into something that’s all too rare: a place where you know your neighbors instead of just passing them on the way to work. And as visits become longer and more frequent, you get to know the people who help shape Suncadia into a community you hold close to your heart. You’re on a first-name basis with the yoga instructor, the one who has helped you with that difficult pose you’ve been attempting for years. You know the Fifty-6 Degrees Lounge barman who makes your cocktail just the way you like it, and the concierge who always recommends exactly the kind of activity your kids will love.

In this column, we celebrate the Suncadia staff who play a role in the way residents and guests enjoy their time here. Some might be familiar faces or names, and others will be new to you. This week we chatted with Mike Jones, Director of Golf.

What is your role at Suncadia?
I’m the Director of Golf and I oversee the entire golf operations and golf maintenance.

How old were you when you started playing golf?
I was 11 years old when my mom used to drop a friend of mine and I at the golf course on the way to work. We would play 18 holes in the morning, walk to Dog and Suds to get lunch and then play 18 holes again in the afternoon before she would pick us up. I don’t play that many holes in one day anymore, but as a PGA pro I practice to keep my game in shape and can still shoot in the mid to low 70s and break par every now and then.  

How often are you out on the golf course?
Not as often as people think for being in the golf/people business. I get a few 9-holes in every week, usually in late afternoon/early evening. I try to play 18 holes at least once a week.    

How do you stay positive during a bad round?
Golf is like life, you’re going to get some good bounces and some bad ones, you just have to take it in stride and realize it is just a game. Your friends and family don’t care if you play poorly or great, they just enjoy sharing the experiences with you.

What about staying focused, what are your thoughts on that?
It’s somewhat funny, in golf you want to spend 95% of your time not actually focused on executing the skills involved in golf. Let me explain, in a round of golf most of our time is spent between shots and the actual execution of a shot takes only a few seconds. Enjoy the 95% of the time between shots taking in the view and conversing with your playing partners. If you would try to focus for the entire four hours of the round, that would be very tough, if not impossible.

What advice would you give someone who wants to try golfing for the first time? What about someone who has been playing for a long time?
For the newcomer, “Golf is a game of a lifetime.” Be patient as you learn the game and most importantly remember it’s supposed to be fun, don’t make it work. For someone who has played a long time, my advice would not change much, enjoy the game. If they were asking about how to improve their game, I would have them focus on the areas that are the weakest part of their game. We tend to practice what we are good at and conveniently not practice on the areas that we struggle with.

What makes the Suncadia golf courses unique?
All of our golf courses are great. Our Prospector Course is a really good test of golf for all levels of play and has the most beautiful setting for golf among the pine trees. The view on the 10^th tee of the Cascade Mountains is breathtaking. Rope Rider is a bit more friendly for the resort player, but still a good test of golf and has the unique features of the old coal mine in and around the clubhouse and on the finishing holes.

Sounds like a pretty cool job. What do you love most about it?
I enjoy people and for the most part they come to the golf course to enjoy the day, spend time with friends and colleagues and to have fun. As a team we work in golf, but make no mistake, we are in the people business. Working with and making sure people enjoy their day is what it is all about.

If you see Mike playing a round, tell him we said hi!