News

For Hunter Stringfellow, Membership Coordinator, working in the private club sphere is an ideal way to apply her skills while building relationships with those in the club community. Learn more about Hunter and how her past experiences have led her to Egypt Valley today.

Tell us a little bit about your club experience and what got you interested in working in the private club arena.

After graduating from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Marketing and Management, I wasn’t entirely sure what career path I wanted to take. I knew I wanted to pursue an opportunity that would allow me to apply my knowledge in business, but also allow me to be away from a desk interacting with people one-on-one. Let me tell you, trying to find a job that aligned with those two things in the midst of a pandemic was not easy!

I came across a golf resort about an hour north of Grand Rapids that was looking for a Membership & Marketing Director, which was a great fit for what I was looking for. During my time there, I fell in love with how tight-knit the club community is and enjoyed the genuine relationships I was building with the members all while getting to be creative and apply what I’ve learned in the classroom on the marketing side of things.

Having worked at other clubs, what have you found that makes EVCC unique and special?

Egypt Valley is unique and special in so many ways! From the moment you step foot in the clubhouse, everyone is so welcoming and the community that has been built here is unlike any other. It’s also an extremely well-rounded Club with something for everyone. There are 36-holes of exquisite golf; an incredible culinary experience; activities and events that appeal to golf enthusiasts and non-golfers alike; sports programs and events for kids to enjoy; really, the list goes on and on. EVCC is a very special place and I love getting to share that with people every day!

What is the current trend with membership and what can members expect to see in the coming season?

Club membership is in a very healthy position as we continue to have some of the highest membership levels in recent history. There’s plenty that has contributed to this trend in membership. The Grand Rapids area, and West Michigan as a whole, has seen a tremendous amount of growth in the past few years and it’s becoming a well sought-after area to live. During the past two years, people have craved a community where they feel safe and can still enjoy some normalcy. With golf having been one of the only activities available and people missing time with their friends and family, we were able to provide an outlet and bridge that gap. The past two years has shaken up a lot of things, but I’m grateful that EVCC continues to provide a truly wonderful community for members to be a part of.

In the coming season, members can expect to see some really great golf and social events, in addition to a beautifully renovated pool facility. During the winter months, our team has dedicated a lot of time to planning a year’s worth of unforgettable events and we’re excited to bring these events to life for our members. The pool facility renovation has been a highly anticipated project. Once completed, members can expect to see detailed features that will improve the experience down at the pool.

Tell us about your greatest golf success to date.

I’m very much a novice golfer and before coming to EVCC, my golf experience didn’t go any further than mini-golf. The first time I had a club in my hands was actually at our Employee Golf Outing this past October. I was paired with Kyle Lundy, Mike McGonigal and Colleen Pomper, so you can imagine my nervousness when I stepped up to the tee. Turns out, I wasn’t all that bad for my first time on the course (my tee shot on No.6 Ridge came within a few feet from the pin)! I’m excited to learn more about the game and practice on the best courses around!

What is the last TV show you binge-watched?

The last TV show I binge-watched was Formula 1 Drive to Survive, which was a very interesting docuseries giving a behind-the-scenes look at the sport of Formula 1 racing. Similar series are in the works for golf’s PGA Tour and tennis’ Grand Slam tournaments. I’m patiently waiting for them to be filmed and released so I can binge-watch those, as well.

What is something most people would be surprised to learn about you?

When I was 15 years old, I started working at a cider mill in Commerce, Michigan. Because of this, I have a lot of random knowledge about apples after working there for three years. When I was 16 years old, I began working as a lifeguard at an outdoor waterpark and worked there for five years. During my time there, I’m thankful I never had to perform CPR, but I did provide other first-aid and life-saving skills. I credit a lot of who I am today to my experiences in those jobs. Sometimes I’m even surprised how much knowledge I’ve retained from working at the apple orchard and

If you see Hunter around the Club, be sure to say “Hello!”