Triumph Group
We Leverage Proven Practices and Top People
Our focus is on staff commitment and longevity. Through innovation, value, and efficiency, Triumph Group’s targeted talent placement will further establish your club’s leadership, fill your membership roster, and enhance the club experience for members and personnel.
Meet Your Key Partners
Our leaders are highly accomplished in their respective industries and excel at leading organizations towards accomplishing their full potential. Their ability to identify and cultivate emerging talent is clearly demonstrated by the accomplishments of their past and current hires.
Tom Vlach, CGCS
Founder
- BS, University of Wisconsin, Agriculture & Soil Science (Specialization in Turfgrass Management)
- Youngest ever to be certified by CGCS in the U.S.
- Director of Agronomical Efforts for the PGA TOUR and over 25 professional golf events including The Players Championship for 8 years
- Email Tom
- 904.228.7374
Doug Wernecke
Partner
- BS, Towson University; MScA, Johns Hopkins
- Director of Human Resources for 22 years at a Fortune 500 corporation
- Director of Human Resources in the private club industry for ten years at two Platinum Clubs®
- Email Doug
- 443.823.1234
Michael R. Stott, CCM, CCE
Partner
- BA, Hospitality Management, Michigan State University; MBA, Loyola University Maryland (Evans Scholar)
- 30+ year as GM/COO including tenures at three Platinum Clubs
- Excellence in Club Management 2015 award for GM/COO of the Year
- Email Michael
- 443.690.2270
Taylor Lawrence
EXECUTIVE RECRUITER
- BS, University of Vermont, Sustainable Landscape Horticulture, Minor in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and Community Entrepreneurship
- Superintendent/AGM Apple Island Resort
- Decorated turf professional with tenures at top tier private clubs, to include: Woodland Golf Club, The Broadmoor, Westchester Country Club, Myopia Hunt Club, and Peninsula Golf & Country Club
- Email Taylor
- 207.205.2376
Cristiana Gillies
Marketing & Communications
- BA, Communications, Cum Laude, University of Baltimore
- Creative Communications Consultant
- 20+ years as communications and design professional with focus on brand management, writing, and social media
- 6+ years as Assistant Director of Communications, Baltimore Country Club
What Our Clients Say
"Working with the Triumph Group this year was exceptional!
Thorough vetting of excellent candidates resulted in two executive level placements.
Tom and Doug are consummate professionals who really care about their clients."
Thorough vetting of excellent candidates resulted in two executive level placements.
Tom and Doug are consummate professionals who really care about their clients."
Pamela RadcliffHuman Resource Director | Hideaway Beach Club
"The Triumph Group, led by Tom and Doug, were excellent search partners.
In this dynamic recruiting environment it was important that we use the right firm that could navigate this competitive market.
They produced a wonderful candidate who is already finding success.They asked thoughtful questions
and throughout the process they kept us updated on the progress. I couldn’t be more pleased."
In this dynamic recruiting environment it was important that we use the right firm that could navigate this competitive market.
They produced a wonderful candidate who is already finding success.They asked thoughtful questions
and throughout the process they kept us updated on the progress. I couldn’t be more pleased."
Ryan BenderFood & Beverage Director | The Country Club of Virginia
"We had made up our mind to use
the same search firm we used for
other searches. As luck would have
it, we were advised
to talk to the Triumph Group. Founder Tom Vlach, visited our club to interview and we hired him to search for our next Director of Agronomy.
Tom guaranteed we'd have a candidate in 6-8 weeks and true to his word, we interviewed six exceptionally qualified candidates and hired one.
Tom was a delight to work with, honest, diligent and matched candidates with our culture and mission.
I would not hesitate to use him again and heartily recommend him as a search consultant."
to talk to the Triumph Group. Founder Tom Vlach, visited our club to interview and we hired him to search for our next Director of Agronomy.
Tom guaranteed we'd have a candidate in 6-8 weeks and true to his word, we interviewed six exceptionally qualified candidates and hired one.
Tom was a delight to work with, honest, diligent and matched candidates with our culture and mission.
I would not hesitate to use him again and heartily recommend him as a search consultant."
Taylor MetcalfeSearch Committee Chair & Greens Chairman | John's Island Club
"We were not able to find qualified candidates through the regular channels after three months,
but Triumph Group was able to bring us three exceptional candidates within a few weeks.
I'm looking forward to welcoming our new Assistant Superintendent to our Golf Maintenance team."
but Triumph Group was able to bring us three exceptional candidates within a few weeks.
I'm looking forward to welcoming our new Assistant Superintendent to our Golf Maintenance team."
Bruce HospesDirector of Golf Maintenance | Old Overton
"Your recommended candidates for our Director of Buildings & Grounds position were right on target.
You understood our culture and mission right away and we were able to hire someone who was a perfect fit.
Having Triumph Group as a partner in this search was invaluable and made a rather difficult search
based on our location and demographics, simple and timely.
Thank you for your focus, diligence and constant communication."
You understood our culture and mission right away and we were able to hire someone who was a perfect fit.
Having Triumph Group as a partner in this search was invaluable and made a rather difficult search
based on our location and demographics, simple and timely.
Thank you for your focus, diligence and constant communication."
Michael Fay CCM, CCE, CAMGeneral Manager | Pine Creek Sporting Club
"I would like to offer my sincere appreciation to Tom Vlach and Triumph Group for your help with our Director of Agronomy search process.
From the beginning, Tom assured us we would find a phenomenal candidate, and we have, with our new Director of Agronomy, John Tidwell.
In just a short few months our golf course playing conditions are the best they have ever been. John Tidwell is not only a great Director of Agronomy,
he and his family are wonderful people. They are a very nice addition to Northwood and our city.
You have a reputation for helping clubs get to the next level. This proved to be true at Northwood Country Club.
Your expertise, time with myself and our search committee, and dedication to Northwood CC is greatly appreciated.
For any club looking for their next phenomenal staff member to take their club to a new level, I would highly recommend Tom Vlach and Triumph Group.
Tom is truly one of the finest men that I have been associated with and I hope that he would get the utmost consideration."
From the beginning, Tom assured us we would find a phenomenal candidate, and we have, with our new Director of Agronomy, John Tidwell.
In just a short few months our golf course playing conditions are the best they have ever been. John Tidwell is not only a great Director of Agronomy,
he and his family are wonderful people. They are a very nice addition to Northwood and our city.
You have a reputation for helping clubs get to the next level. This proved to be true at Northwood Country Club.
Your expertise, time with myself and our search committee, and dedication to Northwood CC is greatly appreciated.
For any club looking for their next phenomenal staff member to take their club to a new level, I would highly recommend Tom Vlach and Triumph Group.
Tom is truly one of the finest men that I have been associated with and I hope that he would get the utmost consideration."
Bill PomeroyGeneral Manager | Northwood Country Club
"I really enjoyed working with Triumph Group. They communicated with me regularly, understood the job
requirements and the culture of the company. They found me a candidate who is an excellent fit for the role. This is someone we
feel could be a long-term fixture on our finance team, which is a testament to the quality of candidates that were brought to us.
Tom and Doug were friendly, personable, and responsive which made them a pleasure to work with."
requirements and the culture of the company. They found me a candidate who is an excellent fit for the role. This is someone we
feel could be a long-term fixture on our finance team, which is a testament to the quality of candidates that were brought to us.
Tom and Doug were friendly, personable, and responsive which made them a pleasure to work with."
Nick CinquinoVice President | Fitler Club
"Thank you very much for the recommendation of Dan Fore to fill our open position of Assistant Golf Course Superintendent
on the Village course. Your knowledge and expertise about our clubs' high standards and qualities were needed to find us the right candidate.
Dan has done an outstanding job for us and is the perfect fit for our agronomy team. You knew exactly what we were looking for.
We will certainly use Triumph Group for any future hiring needs. We appreciate your professionalism and dedication."
on the Village course. Your knowledge and expertise about our clubs' high standards and qualities were needed to find us the right candidate.
Dan has done an outstanding job for us and is the perfect fit for our agronomy team. You knew exactly what we were looking for.
We will certainly use Triumph Group for any future hiring needs. We appreciate your professionalism and dedication."
Stephen Ehrbar, C.G.C.S.Director of Golf Course Maintenance | Jupiter Hills Club
"As Interim General Manager, I was faced with the urgent need to fill numerous key leadership positions.
Responding with amazing speed, The Triumph Group turned out to be the right call. Together, we were able to formalize
position descriptions and post openings virtually overnight. I would say it was the perfect partnership.
The Triumph Group team recruited, interviewed, vetted and presented extremely high-quality candidates within days
compared to the weeks and months comparable hospitality/executive searches typically take.
We know in this business that time is of the essence, and Doug and Tom clearly understand this."
Responding with amazing speed, The Triumph Group turned out to be the right call. Together, we were able to formalize
position descriptions and post openings virtually overnight. I would say it was the perfect partnership.
The Triumph Group team recruited, interviewed, vetted and presented extremely high-quality candidates within days
compared to the weeks and months comparable hospitality/executive searches typically take.
We know in this business that time is of the essence, and Doug and Tom clearly understand this."
Dan Miles, CCM, CECInterim General Manager | Norwood Hills Country Club
"Thank you so much for the fantastic work done by you and the Triumph Group in securing Jose Detaille as our Asst. GM.
The candidates you presented us and your thoroughness throughout the entire search process was exceptional.
We were most appreciative of your determination to align the ideal candidate's character and value traits with ACC's working culture.
Jose, in just two weeks, has impressed every member and staff member he has met. He is respectful, driven, enthusiastic and
an authentic leader - not to omit that he is extremely knowledgeable in service, training and gastronomy. I am quite confident the he is going to
"Crush It" here at the Club, and the members and staff will be beneficiaries as he continues to flourish in his hospitality career.
All the best Gentlemen, I will be sharing your firm's good work with many of my fellow colleagues."
The candidates you presented us and your thoroughness throughout the entire search process was exceptional.
We were most appreciative of your determination to align the ideal candidate's character and value traits with ACC's working culture.
Jose, in just two weeks, has impressed every member and staff member he has met. He is respectful, driven, enthusiastic and
an authentic leader - not to omit that he is extremely knowledgeable in service, training and gastronomy. I am quite confident the he is going to
"Crush It" here at the Club, and the members and staff will be beneficiaries as he continues to flourish in his hospitality career.
All the best Gentlemen, I will be sharing your firm's good work with many of my fellow colleagues."
Michael R. Stott, CCE, CAMGM/CEO | Austin Country Club
"After a year of unsuccessfully searching for professional talent on my own, I hired Tom and his team at The Triumph Group.
I was impressed by both the speed at which they worked, and at the talent that they sent me.
It was not just qualified talent, but it was qualified talent designed to fit our system and program.
Tom took the time to ask me the right questions and then proceeded to find the perfect fit and talent for my operation.
The Triumph Group will always be my first and only choice when looking to hire someone for my course."
I was impressed by both the speed at which they worked, and at the talent that they sent me.
It was not just qualified talent, but it was qualified talent designed to fit our system and program.
Tom took the time to ask me the right questions and then proceeded to find the perfect fit and talent for my operation.
The Triumph Group will always be my first and only choice when looking to hire someone for my course."
Johnny PerryGolf Course Superintendent | Bent Brook Golf Club
"Triumph Group knock it out of the park! Tom and Doug did a great job vetting candidates and brought the best of the best.
With their help, we have filled several key Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent positions.
I highly recommend their services and plan to use Triumph Group for all future searches"
With their help, we have filled several key Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent positions.
I highly recommend their services and plan to use Triumph Group for all future searches"
Michael ScottDirector of Golf Course Maintenance | Johns Island Club
"Triumph Group was a tremendous asset to our club. Dealing with a time sensitive and our changing environment,
Triumph Group brought expertise and initiative, providing advice, experience and quality candidates.
With their help, we were able to fill two key leadership positions, Clubhouse Manager and Head Chef.
I highly recommend club leaders use Triumph Group."
Triumph Group brought expertise and initiative, providing advice, experience and quality candidates.
With their help, we were able to fill two key leadership positions, Clubhouse Manager and Head Chef.
I highly recommend club leaders use Triumph Group."
Jason TharpGeneral Manager & Director Of Agronomy | Glen Arven Country Club
"Triumph Group did a great job finding a remarkable candidate to serve as our Director of F&B. This is one of the most difficult
positions to fill! They vetted over 100 candidates to provide us with several high-level candidates to consider.
We appreciated your prompt attention to our needs and level of communications you provided during the process!
It will be an easy choice to have Triumph Group assist Ansley in finding our future leaders."
positions to fill! They vetted over 100 candidates to provide us with several high-level candidates to consider.
We appreciated your prompt attention to our needs and level of communications you provided during the process!
It will be an easy choice to have Triumph Group assist Ansley in finding our future leaders."
Calvin Bolling, CCMGeneral Manager
"Each candidate put forward was worthy and the decision not a simple one.
We are now three days in with our new Equipment Manager and we couldn’t be happier!
Thank you, Triumph Group, for doing the heavy lifting. You knocked it out of the park."
We are now three days in with our new Equipment Manager and we couldn’t be happier!
Thank you, Triumph Group, for doing the heavy lifting. You knocked it out of the park."
Matthew Wharton, CGCS, MGGolf Course Superintendent | Idle Hour Country Club
"I had the pleasure to work with Triumph Group to find a new General Manager.
The Triumph team made this process very easy by getting to know our club and culture,
knowing what direction we were going, and narrowing down hundreds of resumes.
The process of remote and on-site interviews was completely coordinated by Triumph with extreme professionalism.
Triumph enabled us to hire a great General Manager. Thank you, we couldn’t have succeeded without you."
The Triumph team made this process very easy by getting to know our club and culture,
knowing what direction we were going, and narrowing down hundreds of resumes.
The process of remote and on-site interviews was completely coordinated by Triumph with extreme professionalism.
Triumph enabled us to hire a great General Manager. Thank you, we couldn’t have succeeded without you."
George KawwasPresident | Walnut Creek Country Club
"We chose Triumph Group due to their experience and unique approach in the marketplace. Working with Tom and Doug
was an absolute pleasure. They provided us high quality qualified candidates from various different backgrounds.
Tom guided us through the process with great attention to detail and completed the process in less than two months.
Our search committee and board of directors could not be happier with the results."
was an absolute pleasure. They provided us high quality qualified candidates from various different backgrounds.
Tom guided us through the process with great attention to detail and completed the process in less than two months.
Our search committee and board of directors could not be happier with the results."
Dan WelchSearch Committee | Walnut Creek Country Club
Tom & Doug,
I wanted to share my appreciation for the quick turnaround for our open Assistant Superintendent positions,
as well as the constant communication throughout the process! As you know, these positions have become a ‘hot commodity’
and I am very grateful for the service we received while working with Triumph.
We’ll be sure to reach out with any additional openings that come along!
as well as the constant communication throughout the process! As you know, these positions have become a ‘hot commodity’
and I am very grateful for the service we received while working with Triumph.
We’ll be sure to reach out with any additional openings that come along!
Tyson Helsel Director of Agronomy | The Landings Golf & Athletic Club





























We Optimize Employee Performance
Triumph Group brings together industry-leading talent and practical expertise in club operations and agronomy.
We empower clubs and their teams to embrace a vision of growth and success, cultivating committed, long-term staff.
The impact of these efforts resonate throughout the member experience, including:
Club operations
and governance
Turf and project management
Human resources and
talent placement
Food, beverage, and
club management
Be Our Partner
As club industry performance leaders, what we deliver will help your club flourish.
Let’s discuss where you are and where you want to be, then make a plan to get you there.