The art of hospitality

“The players, they love to come to this area. A lot of them bring their families for the week.” ~ Andrea Bruno 

By BILL BROTHERTON

The art of hospitality is defined as the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.

Andrea Bruno, Salem Country Club’s executive committee division chair of the Hospitality Committee for the 2017 U.S. Senior Open, says it’s the perfect job for her. And it’s easy to see why, after sitting in the clubhouse and chatting for a bit with the affable Lynnfield resident. She’s having a blast, and the hip surgery she had 2½ months prior hasn’t slowed her down one bit.

“This is the fourth year we’ve been meeting, actively preparing for this, the sixth national championship Salem has hosted,” she said. “We’ve made three road trips, including Oak Tree in Oklahoma in 2014 and Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio, which hosted last year’s championship won by Gene Sauers, to watch and learn how they organized and ran the event. Our amazing course superintendent, Kip Tyler, is from Ohio so that made for extra fun.

“And the executive committee for the 2018 Senior Open from The Broadmoor in Colorado has been observing us to help them prepare for their championship,” added Bruno, a 12-handicap who looks remarkably like her mom, Edie O’Connor, one of the most accomplished golfers in the history of Salem CC.

Bruno, the lone female on the executive committee, said her committee helps plan and provide hospitality services for corporate sponsors, caddies, construction workers. “Caddies and construction workers must eat and drink during the tournament; seven area restaurants will be donating food for that purpose.

They need transportation and a place to stay; some caddies come with players and others arrive looking for a bag. We aim to make things easy for them.

“And the players, they love to come to this area. A lot of them bring their families for the week. There’s something special about New England. And this course is special. Players realize it’s one of Donald Ross’ greatest courses and they look forward to the challenge.”

Bruno said her “small” committee has much to do, members from other clubs have been recruited and she’ll happily accommodate golfers who would like to join, even at this late date: the championship is June 26 to June 2.

How hospitable is that! Bruno praises the work of her fellow executive committee chairs: Joe Mahoney Jr. (Accounting and Finance), Andy Campbell (Corporate Hospitality Sales), Dan Doherty (Championship Services), Wayne Guyer (Player Services), Walter Nugent (Scoring Services), Mike Tripoli (Spectator Services), Steve Freyer (Volunteer Services) and Bill Sheehan (General Chair).

The Committee meets monthly with Executive Director Eddie Carbone of Bruno Event Team, SCC General Manager Greg Cincotta and SCC Vice-President Ron Mini, who serves as the liaison with the Board of Governors.

“I’m so proud of this club. The members are so enthusiastic.” And Bruno is looking forward to another big golf event. “I’m going to the Masters. My first one, it’s a bucket list item. I’m so excited.”

Photo: Mark Lorenz

Interested in volunteering or learning more about sponsorship opportunities? Go to 2017ussenioropen.com for details.