Mark J. O'Neil, Sr., Principal
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| Mark O'Neil golfing with President Clinton |
The Essex Golf Group is directed by it's Principal, Mark J. O'Neil, Sr. Mr. O'Neil has more than twenty years
experience in the golf and hospitality industry. His background includes operations management and development at some
of the nations most prestigious country clubs and golf facilities. Many of the properties that Mr. O'Neil was responsible
for during his career have included lodging, resort and recreational operations, as well as golf and several that
hosted professional golf tournaments. The majority of Mr. O'Neil's career has been with both equity and corporate
owned non-equity facilities. He has become widely recognized as a "turn around" specialist with expertise in
operational restructuring.
While working for the PGA Tour, Mr. O'Neil was instrumental in the successful renovation and rebirth of the Tournament
Players Club at River Highlands. In addition to his time in Connecticut, he also spent several years in the nation's
capital overseeing the largest private TPC in the country, the Tournament Players Club at Avenel in Potomac, Maryland.
With a combined corporate and private membership of over 1,000, O'Neil was successful in providing an outstanding
club experience to many of the country's leading political figures including Presidents' Bush and Clinton, as well as
CEO's of numerous Fortune 100 concerns that were headquartered in Washington, D.C. Many senators, congressmen and
cabinet officials were members at the TPC at Avenel.
Subsequent to his employment with the PGA Tour, O'Neil worked as the Vice President of Operations for one of the
country's largest owners and operators of golf clubs and resorts. He was responsible for the operations of all
properties from Virginia to Wisconsin, and consulted on the management of other company owned properties in
California, Florida and Georgia.
O'Neil is a graduate of Niagara University, Niagara Falls, NY. He is on the Board of Directors for the New England Golf Course Owners Association (NEGCOA), a member of the Club Managers Association of
America, the National Golf Foundation, and is very active in youth sports programs in his home state of Connecticut.
Mary Emmi, Chief Financial Officer
Ms. Emmi is responsible for oversight of all financial and accounting areas within Essex Golf Enterprises, Inc.,
the parent corporation of the Essex Golf Group, LLC.
Ms. Emmi spent the majority of her career in the Banking and Mortgage industry, most recently as the Vice President
of Lending for Chittenden Bank, which is headquartered in Burlington, Vermont. Prior to her employment with Chittenden,
Ms. Emmi worked for Citizens and Southern Bank in Hilton Head Island where she had direct oversight of all
mortgage lending.
Ms. Emmi is a summa cum laude graduate of Niagara University, where she was also a member of the Women's basketball team
that competed in the National Finals in the former NAICAW conference. She is a National Honor Society Member and
continues to be involved with coaching girls' sports in her home state of Connecticut.
Andrea Gaines , Project Manager
Ms. Gaines joined the Essex Golf group after a 20+ year career in the telecommunications industry where she held a variety of management positions in operations, marketing, business development, and product and project management.
Ms. Gaines is responsible for oversight of electronic marketing and web site management, operations efficiency, technical support and miscellaneous project management.
Ms. Gaines is a magna cum laude graduate of Springfield College, where she was a member of the Women's softball team. Ms. Gaines is the Associate Head Women’s Basketball Coach at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT where she also volunteers as an assistant softball coach during the fall. In addition, Ms. Gaines is the Varsity Softball Coach at St Bernard High School in Uncasville, CT.
Representative List of Projects and Client Participation:
- Hamilton Farm Golf and Equestrian Club, Bedminster, NJ
- Lake of Isles Golf Club and Resort at Foxwoods Casino, N. Stonington, CT
- The TPC at River Highlands, Cromwell, CT
- The TPC at Avenel, Potomac, MD
- The TPC at Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ
- Mequon CC, Milwaukee, WI
- Lake Windsor GC, Madison, WI
- Willow Run GC, Milwaukee, WI
- The Harbor House Hotel, Nantucket, MA
- The White Elephant, Nantucket, MA
- Long Cove Club, Hilton Head Island, SC
- Stowe CC, Stowe VT
- Kiln Creek Golf and Country Club, Newport News, VA
- Broad Bay CC, Virginia Beach, VA
- Monroe Valley GC, Monroe, PA
- The Gauntlet at Curtis Lake, Fredericksburg, VA
- Lake Lanier Club and Resort, Atlanta, GA
- Old Lyme Country Club, Old Lyme CT
- New Seabury Resort, Cape Cod, MA
- Crotched Mt. Golf Club, Francestown, NH
- Renassaince Golf Club, Haverhill, MA
- The Town of Yarmouth, Yarmouth, MA
- Cobblestone Village, Exeter, NH
- Mahopac Golf Club, Mahopac, New York
- Tower Ridge Country Club, Simsbury, CT
- Prospect Point Golf Club, Lake Bomoseen, VT
- City of Salem, Salem, MA
