Administration
Jerry West
Director of Operations
Jerry developed a love for golf when he was growing up in the mountains of North Carolina. After graduating from Catawba Community College in the early nineties, he pursued his passion and turned it into a professional career. For more than
25 years, he has held various positions at prestigious golf clubs, including Cullasaja Club, Highlands Country Club, Highlands Cove, and Old Edwards Club. Jerry's dedication to the game and to providing members with exceptional experiences motivates him to wake up early every day.
Bridget Henson
Accounting Manager
Bridget has lived in North Carolina for over twenty years. She earned her public relations degree with a minor in marketing from Western Carolina University. She has been a part of the Old Edwards Club since its establishment in 2008 and is
responsible for overseeing the accounting for both the Old Edwards Club and GlenCove's membership. Bridget currently resides in Cashiers with her husband Brandon, and they have two children, Ethan and Samantha.
Peder Tillung
Clubhouse Manager
Peder Tillung, a native of Minnesota, brings over thirty years of experience in the hospitality industry. His love for the culinary arts led to his degree from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Upon graduation, he
joined the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. Tillung's career progressed with Interstate Hotels Corporation, where he served as Executive Chef at two four-diamond Marriott Hotels in Missouri and Minnesota. He then moved to New Orleans to become Executive Chef at Sheraton and later opened the award-winning Zoë Bistrot at the W Hotel. Tillung's passion for luxury and five-diamond service led him to The St. Regis Aspen Resort as Director of Food & Beverage in 2003. In 2011, he moved to Texas to accept a position with Lakeside Country Club as the Assistant Clubhouse Manager. He then moved to Sea Island as the General Manager of Tavola Restaurant + Bar and was promoted to Director of Restaurants at The Cloister. In 2021, he arrived at Old Edwards Inn as the Assistant Operations Manager of Madison's Restaurant. As GlenCove's NEW Clubhouse Manager, he is excited about this new adventure!
Kristen Overstreet
Membership and Activities Coordinator
Kristen is a dynamic professional poised to take on the Membership and Events Coordinator role at Old Edwards Club and GlenCove. With a solid background as a manager at Elements, The Spa, and the Fitness Center, Kristen brings a wealth of
experience in hospitality and customer service to her new position, creating memorable experiences for members and guests alike.
Outside of her professional life, Kristen is an avid adventurer who enjoys exploring the great outdoors. Whether hiking through scenic trails, chasing waterfalls, or embarking on new travel adventures with her two beloved dogs, Koda and Bailey, Kristen embraces every opportunity to immerse herself in nature and create lasting memories. Her passion for exploration and commitment to exceptional service make her a valuable addition to the Old Edwards Club and GlenCove Team.
Golf Course & Golf Shop
Jordan Kenter
Director of Golf
Jordan is a passionate golfer who has been a member of the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) since 2005. He has worked at various prestigious golf facilities across the country, such as The Vaquero Club outside Dallas, Iron Horse GC
in Whitefish, Montana, CordeValle Golf Club in California, and Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club in Cashiers. He is enthusiastic about teaching golf to players of all levels and is a certified instructor with Plane Truth and the PGA. Jordan has been happily married to his wife, Debbie, since 2002 and is a proud father of two amazing sons, Chase and Blake.
Sophie Madden
Director of Instruction
Originally from London, Sophie has played golf most of her life and was lucky enough to represent her country numerous times. She moved to the United States to play college golf at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida,
where she received a Bachelor of Science in Business and was a four-time All-American. After a successful college career, she decided to turn professional and won the 2021 South Carolina State Open as well as winning on the Men’s Minor League Golf Tour. Sophie furthered her skills by enrolling at Florida Gulf Coast University to pursue her teaching career and joined the PGA in 2023. In her free time, Sophie enjoys playing golf alongside her fiancé, playing pickleball, and spending time with their dog Ernie. After taking lessons from some of the best instructors in the world, Sophie believes anyone can play the game and become the player they want to be.
Drew Newstedt
Head Golf Professional
Drew is originally from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He graduated from Campbell University in the spring of 2017. During his time at Campbell, Drew worked for two seasons at Wade Hampton Golf Club. After graduation, he spent three years
at the Reserve at Lake Keowee in Sunset, South Carolina. Drew is a member of the PGA and has a strong passion for golf. During his free time, he enjoys spending time with his fiancé, Allie, and their son, Will.
George Mason
Golf Course Superintendent
George has over 20 years of experience in golf course management. He started working on the maintenance crew during high school summer vacations and continued part-time while pursuing a business degree. After graduating from the Golf Course
Management program at Pennsylvania State University, he became the Assistant Superintendent at Highlands Cove. George was eventually promoted to Head Superintendent and has continued to raise the standards of excellence at Old Edwards Club and GlenCove. Outside of work, George enjoys spending time with his family and following his favorite sports teams.
Delaney Hawkins
Retail Manager
Delaney Hawkins joined the Old Edwards Club family from Amelia Island, Florida. Growing up, she spent her summers in Western North Carolina. Her love of the area brought her back to Western Carolina University, where she studied and earned
her degree in Business Management. Delaney has grown and advanced with the Old Edwards Hospitality team during her tenure. This season, she is again ready to help you find the perfect apparel and gear needed on and off the course.
Zachary's Kitchen & Bar
Clay Turner
Chef de Cuisine
As a North Carolina native, Clay has always been passionate about southern cooking and hospitality, especially Eastern NC BBQ. Originally from Raleigh, he moved to the mountains in 2009 to attend Western Carolina University. In 2010, he
began working in the kitchens of country clubs across the Highlands-Cashiers plateau and, in 2016, started working for Old Edwards Club. He looks forward to taking the new GlenCove offerings to new heights as our new Chef de Cuisine! Come Hungry!
Elements Spa & Wellness
Kyra Russell
Elements Wellness Director
Kyra is a highly motivated individual who is dedicated to improving the experience of everyone she works with. She has a unique ability to see potential in everything she does, which drives her to increase luxury for all. Her ultimate aim
is to create a beautiful and meaningful work environment for the team and provide an incredible experience for our guests and members.
Kyra holds the following certifications: Master Massage Therapist, Life Coach, Ringleader Equine Coach, Yoga Teacher, Reiki Master/Trainer, and Pilates Instructor.
Greenhouse & The Farm
Matt Clayton
Director of Farms
Matt grew up on his parents and grandparents' large-scale vegetable farms. He spent a couple of years working other jobs and farming on the side before buying his first farm in De Soto, WI. Later, he moved back to Georgia for a better
climate and economy for farmers, with year-round growing opportunities. Matt's experience comes from managing the farm at Serenbe, another wellness community outside of Atlanta with a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. He ran the 25-acre Serenbe Farms, a USDA Certified Organic farm, worked with chefs in Serenbe's restaurants, and provided for a 30-week, 125-member CSA program each year. Matt was attracted to the Highlands area since his first visit, as it offered amazing mountain views and access to the wilderness that's hard to find in this part of the country. He was excited to join the GlenCove team and bring their wellness community vision to life. Matt combines his experience with farm design and implementation, feeling that this is where the real opportunity for farm success begins. He is incredibly passionate about reconnecting people to where their food comes from and the joy they can get from growing it themselves. As a father of two, he looks forward to crafting a community where members can enjoy high-end produce in the low-key environment of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.
Rachel Kinback
Assistant Farm Manager
Rachel is a first-generation farmer who is passionate about regenerative agriculture. This approach to farming focuses on soil health, climate resilience, and biodiversity. She began her farming journey in 2017 as an apprentice at
Highlands' nonprofit garden at The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center. Rachel is GlenCove's beekeeper, herbalism enthusiast, and master organizer. She maintains a shade garden at her home in Scaly Mountain but loves working at GlenCove Farms for many reasons, including the abundant sunlight. You'll often find her in the community Raised Beds, where she is happy to talk about veggies and flowers with anyone who visits.
Tennis & Pickleball
Robin Keener
Director of Racquet Sports
Robin Keener brings a wealth of tennis/pickleball teaching & playing experience to Old Edwards Club. She is certified as a USPTA Elite Tennis Professional & as a PPR Pickleball Professional. Her teaching and facility management skills
resulted in her selection as Florida Tennis Professional of the Year.
She is widely recognized as one of the most successful professionals in Florida, teaching adult tennis & pickleball clinics. Robin also spent over a decade as a USPTA FL Certification Tester evaluating prospective Tennis Professionals.
Robin’s playing career spans the globe. She has played internationally on numerous USA National Tennis Teams serving as the Team Captain of the squad that won an International Tennis Federation Silver Medal in Durban, South Africa. She has been ranked as high as #6 in the ITF World Singles Tennis Rankings.
Her domestic accomplishments as a tennis player include a #1 National USTA and a #1 National USPTA ranking in both singles and doubles. Robin has been ranked #1 in every Florida age division she has competed in. Her success on the court stretches back to her college career, where she was named both Team Captain & MVP two years in a row while playing Division I tennis at Rollins College.
Real Estate
Jennifer Blake
Highlands Cove Realty, Broker-In-Charge
Jennifer graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree in business marketing. After college, she managed the clubhouse, now The Grill Room, at Old Edwards Club. Then, she decided to turn her passion for the Old Edwards lifestyle
into a new career and became a Broker and Rental Manager for Highlands Cove. When the real estate agency changed ownership in 2013, she was promoted to Broker-in-Charge. Jennifer specializes in real estate in Old Edwards Club, Highlands Cove, GlenCove, and Norton Ridge by Old Edwards. She also helps buyers and sellers with luxury properties in the surrounding communities across the plateau. She is a dedicated professional and leads a team of top-tier Brokers committed to offering exceptional service in every transaction.
Testimonials:
Our experience with Jennifer as Broker-in-Charge was "First Rate" from start to finish. We were able to complete the process earlier than expected. She is very impressive and a highly skilled real estate professional. - J. Graham
Jennifer Blake and I have worked together for over eight years on various deals as a seller and a prospective buyer. She is highly effective and always demonstrates the requisite levels of tact and decorum. Jennifer is patient and diligent when working with all parties. In some very cumbersome and complex transactions, she is poised and remains a pleasure to deal with. Her ethics and professionalism are beyond reproach. I highly recommend her to buyers and sellers in Highlands and Cashiers, NC. - J. Bragin
For more information, contact Jennifer at
jennifer@highlandscoverealty.com or at (828) 226-3030.