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Members since 2012, the Cavanaugh family have dedicated their time to Egypt Valley in a number of ways, having served on committees in the past. And while the family has loved how the Club has evolved over the years, they’re especially fond of how the family atmosphere has remained constant through it all.

John and Jill

Originally from Kalamazoo, John attended Aquinas College and today works in tech sales for Omnissa. Jill is a Grand Rapids native and a Forest Hills Northern alumni. She received a bachelors in elementary education from Western Michigan University and today teaches Pre-K/Young 5’s at Children’s Workshop Preschool, in addition to being the school’s music teacher.

The couple has three children: Jack and Joey (a junior and freshman at Forest Hills Eastern High School, respectively) and Jacob (a third grader at Knapp Forest Elementary).

Golf is big in the Cavanaugh family, with John having started playing at a young age in Kalamazoo before going on to play at the college level at Aquinas. While growing up, Jill’s family were members at Cascade Hills Country Club—the place she learned to play the sport. Two of the couple’s children have also found fun and success in golf, with Jack playing varsity golf for Eastern and Joey planning to join the varsity golf team as well in the spring.

“Our family likes to travel; we especially like to find new restaurants on our travels,” said Jill, who particularly enjoys the beach, crafting and gardening. “Jack is a member of the Eastern Chorale program and enjoys going to the gym and hanging out with his friends. He also works at Cascade Hills in the bag room and as a caddy. Joey played varsity tennis for Eastern this fall and enjoys hanging out with his friends and playing video games. Jacob joined a travel baseball team this year and that remains his no. 1 sport. He also plays basketball, flag football, and enjoyed being on the dive team at Egypt Valley this past summer. He is also very artistic and likes to draw and create slideshows on the computer.”

The family loves to golf at Egypt Valley, noting the excellent condition of the courses.

“Jeff Holmes and his staff do an incredible job keeping our courses firm and fast,” Jill remarked. “John enjoys playing in the Friday afternoon game and on the weekend with the older boys (and Jacob soon).”

While at the Club, you likely won’t find John, Jack and Joey anywhere but on the golf course, range or on the patio grabbing a bite to eat after a round. Alternatively, Jill and Jacob savor time spent by the pool when it’s open, and the family as a whole have started playing pickleball together.

When asked what makes Egypt Valley a special place for the Cavanaughs, the family had much to share.

“First of all, our professional staff—led by Mike McGonigal—have made our golf events extra special,” Jill shared. “The Men’s Invitational is a top tier event and John and a high school friend have been playing for years. They look forward to it every year! McGonigal goes out of his way to make sure the guests feel welcome and have a great time.”

The family also loves Egypt Valley’s laid-back, upscale vibe.

“It’s so family focused with all the fun events,” Jill added, noting the Couple’s Twilight events are the ones she especially tries to never miss due to how much fun they are. “In the past few years, we have especially appreciated how accommodating the staff is for our boys and their friends for Eastern’s Homecoming event. The preset menu is wonderful and makes it easy for the boys to bring friends who are not members.”

Other members might not know that Jill is a member of the GR Symphony Community Choir and is a breast cancer survivor. Members also might not know that John grew up going to Ireland with his family; as such, the family is currently planning an 80th birthday trip to Ireland and Scotland for John’s father in 2026.

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