Boca West Country Club, Inc.

How could I possibly sum up my summer at Boca West Country Club, Inc. as a Culinary intern? This intentionally curated experience went above and beyond my expectations and it was the perfect step to finishing my Bachelors in Hospitality Management at the University of South Carolina . The biggest thank you to GABRIEL FELIX and Karima Lanfranco, Ph.D., CHE for developing a program that took advantage of every moment of the summer. Each week the interns gathered to learn from directly from directors and industry experts about hospitality, leadership, management, and the inner workings of the club industry. Beyond those sessions, our interdepartmental rotations that allowed us to step outside our individual roles and see hospitality in action all across the entire club. As a pastry intern I spent my summer rotating between three of the Boca West’s seven dining outlets. I loved being immersed in the vastly different ecosystems of the fine dining restaurant, cafe market, and main club production. Each presented new challenges and learning opportunities including menu devleopment, dessert buffets, dinner service, inventory management and teamwork. A special thank you to Sam Christopher, who took me under his wing and generously shared the valuable knowledge and techniques he has gained throughout his extenstive pastry career. I am incredibly grateful as this time helped equip me to go out into the industry better prepared. Last but not least, thank you Matthew Linderman, CCM, ECM for dreaming this internship into existance. It has impacted the way I view the club industry and expanded my understanding of what truly elevated hospitality can look like. I’m leaving Boca West with new skills, incredible connections, a deeper appreciation for this industry, and plenty of fun memories to remember. Thank you all who made it possible!

As I conclude an unforgettable summer at Boca West Country Club, Inc. , Inc., I’m reflecting on an experience that challenged me, helped me grow professionally, and deepened my understanding of what it takes to operate at the highest level. Interning at a club consistently recognized as the #1 Private Residential Country Club in the nation gave me an invaluable behind-the-scenes look at club operations. From contributing to meaningful projects to having the opportunity to shadow multiple departments, including Accounting, I gained a greater appreciation for the collaboration, leadership, and precision required to deliver an exceptional member experience. Thank you to Matthew Linderman, CCM, ECM for creating this incredible Hospitality Management Internship Program, and to Karima Lanfranco, Ph.D., CHE and GABRIEL FELIX for leading the internship with such guidance and support throughout the summer. A very special thank you to Misty Lefler Stewart and Amanda Mahoney . It was truly a privilege to work under your leadership. Thank you for your mentorship, encouragement, and for trusting me with meaningful opportunities every day. I learned so much from both of you, and I am incredibly grateful for everything you invested in me. Truly, thank you to everyone at Boca West Country Club for an unforgettable summer. I leave with a stronger understanding of club operations, meaningful relationships, and lessons that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my professional my career.

The pickleball craze doesn’t seem to be slowing down and Boca West Country Club, Inc. (Boca Raton, Fla.) is taking advantage of that momentum with their new $20 million pickleball center. The new center features 25 courts with 12 of them being covered to protect players from the Florida heat, a dedicated stadium court, a new retail shop, new locker room facilities, an event lawn, and a wraparound terrace with extensive seating. https://lnkd.in/gVE2HjFn