(BOLTON, Mass.) – Escalante Golf announces they have hired Steve Brennan as General Manager of The International and Paul Celano as the club’s Director of Golf. Brennan is an accomplished hospitality leader whose career spans 25 years operating multiple golf clubs and resorts across the United States. A noted Class A PGA Golf Professional for 40 years, Celano has led golf operations at several elite private clubs and is an accomplished golf instructor.
With a 20-year career in the private club industry working for organizations including ClubCorp, KSL and Icahn Enterprises, Brennan has a well-established track record of driving impactful business improvements and efficiencies, while expanding and growing member and community relationships at the clubs and properties he has led. A native of the Boston area, Brennan has deep roots in the region, and spent over 14 years leading a turnaround and repositioning effort at New Seabury, an award-winning golf resort community on Cape Cod, an Icahn Enterprises property. While at Icahn as VP of Resort Operations, he also drove growth and change at Grand Harbor and Oak Harbor in Vero Beach, Fla., both premier oceanfront resort-style golf communities. Prior to his time with Icahn, Brennan quickly rose through the ranks at KSL and ClubCorp, consistently re-imagining and re-focusing the properties he led, earning numerous accolades and recognition along the way.
“Becoming General Manager at a club with the history and pedigree of The International is a dream come true for me,” Brennan said. “The International is well known as one of the best golf clubs in New England, my home, and I am honored to take the helm. Escalante Golf’s vision for reimagining The International is invigorating, and I could not be more honored to have been selected to help make that vision a reality. I am thrilled to start building and leading my team, and begin delivering the most sought-after private golf club experience in New England.”
Currently splitting his time as Director of Instruction at both The International and at Bay Colony Golf Club in Naples, Fla., Celano’s promotion to Director of Golf at The International brings him home to the Northeast. Originally from Tarrytown, N.Y. and raised in Maryland, Celano graduated with a business degree from Murray State University, where he lettered four years on the golf team, captained the team his junior and senior years, and played in two NCAA Championships. Prior to his time at The International, Celano served as Director of Golf at Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando; Sherwood Country Club in California; Doral Resort and CC in Miami; Governors Club in North Carolina and TwinEagles Golf Club in Florida. Celano has given over 20,000 lessons or clinics to golfers of all ages and skill levels. The proof of his leadership and ability to foster talent is evidenced by over 35 Golf Professionals currently working in the industry now as Directors of Golf, apparel company presidents, PGA National Teachers of the Year and Rules Director for PGA Tour Champions – all formerly assistants of his.
“To say that The International is a special place would be an understatement,” Celano said. “I’ve had the privilege to lead golf operations at some very established, prestigious clubs across the country, reporting to smart, dynamic membership boards or owners. Escalante Golf’s vision for The International is the boldest I have encountered for any golf club or resort with which I have been associated. Being selected to partner with an operational leader of Steve’s caliber is an honor. Coming alongside him, with the support of the Escalante Golf team, I am confident in our ability to provide a best-in-class, golf-first and golf-focused membership experience at The International that will be the pride of New England.”
“We are excited to have Steve and Paul on board to begin building and leading a world-class team at The International,” added David McDavid, President of Escalante Golf. “They both bring a level of professionalism and commitment to excellence that our members will notice immediately. We are beyond excited to work closely with them as they use their combined 60 years of industry experience to elevate the pedigree of the golf and membership offering at The International. Some might consider the task of developing something truly unique at The International, with a culture of deep respect for the game and the community, too great to take on, but we are grateful to have talented operators and leaders like Steve & Paul who have the gifts that match the task.”
Prospective members can visit www.theinternational.com or contact Ryan McDonald at rmcdonald@escalantegolf.com or 817-266-4680 to learn more about Escalante’s vision and membership opportunities.
About The International
Opened originally in 1901 as a nine-hole public course, The International has evolved over the past century into one of the finest golf clubs in New England, and the only private 36-hole club in the region. At over 8,300 yards, the Pines Course can be called the longest golf course in the United States, and was designed and built by Geoffrey Cornish in 1953 and expanded by Robert Trent Jones. Tom Fazio built the club’s expansive practice facilities, and the Oaks Course, which opened in 2001 and was recognized in 2020 by Golfweek’s “Best Courses You Can Play.” Members of The International enjoy access to over 35,000 square feet of clubhouse, dining, and locker room facilities, as well best-in-class golf events, instruction and social programming.
About Escalante Golf
Founded in 1991, Escalante Golf is a boutique owner and operator of luxury golf properties across nine states. The Fort Worth, Texas-based company has quietly assembled an impressive collection of exclusive clubs in key markets that have hosted several prestigious amateur and professional golf tournaments including the U.S. Mid-Amateur Golf Championship, the Charles Schwab Cup, the WGC Match Play Championship, the WinCo Foods Portland Open and the Shell Houston Open. Operating partners David McDonald, Elcio Silva, Robert Silva and David Matheson direct the Escalante team.
For more information: visit www.escalantegolf.com or call (817) 386-9721.
