GM/Head Professional Chris Jones has been in business with major corporations his whole life and at that same time, since his junior year of high school, has always nurtured his passion for golf. But for him, golf was more about stress relief than anything else, although he naturally became a master of the golf swing, impressing his more experienced father. Chris is one of a few experienced Myrtle Beach golf pros that Colonial Charters has on staff.
Born in Hickory, North Carolina, Chris grew up in Charlotte and Raleigh. Out of high school, Chris joined business with his father, who was Senior Vice President of Paramount Parks in Charlotte. Chris began managing business right out of high school, so it was easy for him to jump into the role of GM and handle all the required management tasks.
In 2009, Chris and his fiancée, Stephanie, moved from Raleigh to Myrtle Beach, where Chris’s father had already moved and was working as Vice President of Burroughs and Chapin as head of Amusements and Attractions. After a stint in corporate retail management, Chris took a job at the PGA Tour Superstore (then Martin’s), and quickly became an exceptional club fitter.
“I’m the kind of guy who gets into something and wants to learn everything about it,” Chris says. When he got into golf, he made it his focus to immerse himself and learn everything about it, including the mechanics of the swing, the physics, the aerodynamics – how everything works.
Bruce Michaels, Assistant Professional, age 22, was born in New Bern, North Carolina, but grew up in Murrells Inlet. Bruce was playing college golf in Anderson, South Carolina, and moved back home, looking to get into the golf business. Through a friend’s father’s connections, Bruce got hired part-time as Assistant Pro at Azalea Sands and part-time at Colonial Charters. He then switched to full-time at Colonial Charters when it reopened in August 2013. Bruce is a PGA Apprentice who plays in area mini-tours.
John Whitty, Teaching Professional, is a Level 1 PGA Apprentice pursuing his Class-A PGA. Somewhat of a local legend, John is a trick shot artist who has played on the Sun Belt Senior Tour and other golfing events. As his title indicates, he gives lessons at Colonial Charters. He is from the Boston area.
Debbie Metzger, Food & Beverage Manager, from Huntington, West Virginia, has lived in the Myrtle Beach area for over 30 years. She has worked as Food & Beverage Manager at two other golf courses before coming on board at Colonial Charters in 2013.
Jim Brown, Superintendent, works at Colonial Charters as well as other courses.