MIAKKA GOLF CLUB - Key Persons
A native of Galena, Ohio, Erik Whitehead studied public relations at Capital University in Bexley, Ohio, and sports management at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. He began his 30-plus-year career in golf at age 14, working as an Assistant Range Technician at Blackhawk Golf Course in Sunbury, Ohio. Since that time, he has served many roles at golf facilities across the country. Among these, Erik developed membership and marketing programs while serving as Membership Director during the opening of both Lake of Isles in Mashantucket, Connecticut, and Rattlesnake Ridge Golf Club in Sunbury, Ohio. Most recently, he served as Membership Director of Shelter Harbor Golf Club in Charlestown, Rhode Island.
A native of Dublin, Ireland, and graduate of both Trinity College, Dublin and the Dublin Institute of Technology, Gerry O'Callaghan's management career has spanned more than 36 years in the hotel and private club industry. Most recently, Gerry served as the General Manager of Shelter Harbor Golf Club in Charlestown, Rhode Island, and Vineyard Golf Club in Martha's Vineyard, MA. He was instrumental in establishing brand identities, service standards and cultures for each club. Additionally, Gerry has served in management and consulting roles for a variety of clubs, restaurants and hotels in the US and Ireland.
Paul Azinger is a celebrated former PGA TOUR Player and television golf analyst. During his storied career in competitive golf, Paul won 17 times as a professional worldwide, including 12 PGA TOUR victories, highlighted by the 1993 PGA Championship at Inverness Club in Ohio. He also was a member of the 1991 United States Ryder Cup team and was the 2008 US Ryder Cup captain, leading his team to victory at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky. In addition to his playing career, Paul is a talented golf broadcast analyst and served more than five years as NBC's lead golf analyst. A former member of the Florida State University golf team, Paul and his family are residents of Bradenton, Florida.
Steve Herrig is the Founder and President/Owner of Miakka Golf Club. Mr. Herrig's passion and commitment to excellence are the driving forces behind the club's vision and its development. He personally has overseen all aspects of its design and development. Mr. Herrig will also be integral to the membership process, ensuring Miakka's culture remains true to its original vision and is based upon a shared love of the game, sincere friendship, and mutual respect. A lifelong entrepreneur, Mr. Herrig serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of SUNZ Insurance Company, Inc., based in Bradenton, Florida. He also is the owner of the acclaimed TerraNova Equestrian Center and developer of The Estates at TerraNova community, both located near Miakka Golf Club. In 2004 and 2006, he was nominated as Entrepreneur of the Year by the Business Observer for the Sarasota/Bradenton area, and in 2007 he was named Entrepreneur of the year in the same publication. Mr. Herrig earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of Dubuque in 1983.