Mark J. O’Neil, Sr., Principal
The Essex Golf Group is directed by it’s Principal, Mark J. O’Neil, Sr. Mr. O’Neil has more than twenty five 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 affiliated with 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 Senior 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 a former member of 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.
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
Thatcher Brook Inn, 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
Hickory Ridge Golf and RV Resort, Holley, NY
City of Salem, Salem, MA
GolfTec – Pittsburgh, PA
People’s United Bank, CT
Dime Bank, Norwich, CT
Radisson Golf Club, Syracuse, NY
New London Country Club, Waterford, CT
The University Club, North Windham, CT
Petersham Country Club, Petersham, MA
Reservoir Creek Golf Course, Naples, NY
Endwell Greens Golf Club, Binghamton, New York
Oneida Community Mansion House, Oneida, New York
Shuttle Meadow Country Club, Kensington, CT
St. Johnsbury Country Club, St. Johnsbury, Vermont
Twin Hills Country Club, Coventry, CT
The Windham Club, Willimantic, CT
Stonington Country Club, Stonington, CT
Quarry Ridge Golf Course, Portland, CT
Essex Golf Group – In The News
March 18, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release – Twin Hills Country Club Sold
March 29, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
St Johnsbury Country Club Sold
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
University Club Sold To NYC Investor
April 6, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Petersham Country Club Purchased By Harvard
October 28, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Radisson Greens Golf Club Sold To Local Group
February 2, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Essex Golf Group Brokers Sale of New London Country Club
May 26, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Essex Golf Adds New Madison, CT Location
January 1, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Essex Golf Sells Ownership Interests in Tower Ridge Country Club:
November 20, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Quarry Ridge Golf Course Acquired
June 10, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tower Ridge Country Club Selects Ahearn Tennis Management Group
May 30, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thomas To Lead Golf Operations at Tower Ridge Country Club
May 5, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Essex Golf Group Acquires Tower Ridge Country Club
November 1, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Essex Golf Group Acquires Rhode Island Property
March 17, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Local NH Landmark Under New Management
March 1, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Essex Golf Group Opens Retail Division
January 1, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Pautipaug Country Club selects Essex Golf Group
October 27, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Essex Golf Group Joins Hudson River Project Team
January 6, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The Carl Icahn Organization Selects Essex Golf Group
“New Seabury Hires Golf Firm To Oversee All Resort Operations”
Reprinted from The Mashpee Enterprise, Friday, January 3, 2003
“Mark O’Neil Mixes Business With His Golf “
Reprinted from the Pictorial Gazette, Saturday November 2, 2002
April 15, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Essex Golf Group Directs Growth at Old Lyme Country Club
