Who’s Who: Jake Walker, Beau Rivage Golf & Resort

When Jake Walker was a sophomore in high school, his family moved from Vernon, New Jersey, to  Wilmington, and Walker has called Wilmington home ever since. “I love the action,” he says. “With the variety of historic downtown, three island beaches and everything in between, there’s always something going on. Wilmington also has a great golf scene.” Optimistic, sociable and eclectic, Walker is currently general manager at Beau Rivage Golf & Resort in Wilmington and is constantly growing both professionally and personally.

What is your average workday like?
JW: I like to ride the property in the morning to check out the golf course and grounds before heading into the clubhouse. Once I’m in the office, I typically spend most of my time in meetings with staff, vendors, advertisers, etc. and making the rounds monitoring daily operations. My administrative tasks cover management of everything from sales and finance to information systems and human resources, but most of my time is spent on our marketing efforts, brand strategy and long-term planning. My favorite work by far has always been advertising, especially the design/production aspect, so I’m constantly working on different demand-creation projects. During the summer, I like to sneak out for nine holes as much as I can before the sun goes down.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
JW :The everyday interactions with my staff and management team. We have amazing people who make work collaboration a lot of fun.

What is the most difficult part of your job?
JW: Wearing a lot of hats and juggling different roles. Sometimes there isn’t enough time in a day.

What has working at Beau Rivage done for you?
JW: Beau Rivage has provided me with the opportunity to work every position in each department since 2006, which has shown me the significance of each and every role. Understanding the responsibilities or every position and performing them first-hand definitely helped me become a better leader when accepting the role of general manager in 2015. Beau Rivage has certainly helped me grow both personally and professionally.

Do you have any goals for the company and what will you do to achieve them?
JW: Our main goal is to make Beau Rivage the Cape Fear Coast’s premier destination for golf, lodging and events. I believe that this can be accomplished if we continue to do what we’re already doing. The first is to never stop working on enhancing our company culture because it helps us recruit and retain great people, and at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about. The second is making sure we are providing both value-driven and customer-focused experiences on a daily basis. If we stick to this mission as a team and make the right decisions moving forward, there is no doubt in my mind that we will get to where we need to be.

FUN FACTS

What is your favorite movie? – Cinderella Man

What was your most embarrassing moment? – Slicing my drive out of bounds (like off the radar out of bounds) in the same tournament playoff two years in a row (and on the same hole).

If you could have a superpower what would it be? To be able to hit a golf ball exactly where I want, every single shot. As much as I love my job, I couldn’t imagine a better life than playing (and winning) on the tour.

What is your favorite song out right now? “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X

Do you have any pet peeves? I hate disorganization.

What is for favorite quote? “When you can’t make them see the light, make them feel the heat.” Ronald Reagan

Cape fear coast’s premier destination for golf, Beau Rivage is known for its excellent stay-and-play packages, as well as its fantastic course for daily public play.

The greens at Beau Rivage are the best in North Carolina golf, and that says a lot considering the quality of play in this golf-heavy state. Beau Rivage provides an unmatched golf experience that also offers visitors overnight guest suites at a location convenient to the historic river district in downtown Wilmington as well as the beautiful surrounding beaches.

Beau Rivage Golf & Resort
649 Rivage Promenade, Wilmington
(800) 628-7080
beaurivagegolf.com