Bonita Bay Club's Podcast

This is Kate Danaher's first novel. She's been a member of Bonita Bay Club for over 18 years. She holds a Ph. D. in English Literature from the University of Delaware and is a former professor of English at Rosemont College, Pennsylvania. She is an Irish storyteller, fiddler, and a founder and emeritus board member of the Irish Heritage Theater in Philadelphia. She also performed with an...

Great wine starts with a great story, and Melissa Hemmingway is here to show how history, place, and people turn a glass into an experience. We dig into the essentials that actually matter at the table: what “varietal” really means, how color comes from grape skins, and why a thin-skinned Pinot Noir looks and drinks differently than a dark, structured Cabernet. From there, we connect style to sett...

Every exceptional golf experience begins with people who genuinely care. That's the cornerstone philosophy shared by EJ, Bonita Bay Club's Director of Golf, who has been crafting unforgettable golf experiences since 1999.  Throughout our conversation, EJ revealed the thoughtful approach behind Bonita Bay Club's renowned golf program. "If somebody's nice and they care and t...

What makes a club truly special? According to Daniela Jacob, Director of Membership at Bonita Bay Club, it's when members and staff alike describe it as feeling "like home." In this heartfelt conversation, Daniela shares her journey since joining the club 14 months ago and the immediate sense of belonging she experienced from both members and colleagues. With over two decades of exp...

What does it take to rise from busboy to Assistant General Manager at one of Florida's premier private clubs? Joseph Elwell's remarkable 22-year journey at Bonita Bay Club reveals the dedication, adaptability, and passion required to excel in club management. Following in his father's footsteps, Joseph began his hospitality career at just 17 years old, washing dishes and bussing tab...

What happens when a fitness center evolves beyond simply building muscles to creating a complete approach to living better? At Bonita Bay Club, it's nothing short of remarkable. Tammy Mugavero has spent 25 years transforming fitness at Bonita Bay Club from a modest 5,000-square-foot facility with minimal staff to an award-winning 20,000-square-foot wellness hub employing 43 professionals and...

For this episode of our Summer Series One-on-One, we sit down with Paula Scheb to discuss her 30-year journey at Bonita Bay Club which reveals how passion and vision can transform a sports program beyond recognition. What began as a modest nine-court tennis facility has evolved into a comprehensive sports complex featuring tennis, pickleball, croquet, and aquatics – all guided by Paula's stea...

Wine Director and Sommelier Melissa Hemingway brings her passionate expertise to this warm, insightful conversation about the evolving world of wine at Bonita Bay Club. After nearly seven years curating exceptional wine experiences, Melissa reveals how member preferences and global travel trends shape the club's diverse wine program. The spotlight shines on Sicily – Italy's largest wine-...

Have you ever wondered how a top-tier tennis tournament comes together? Join us as we chat with Paula Scheb, the Director of Sports at Bonita Bay Club, and get the inside scoop from Tom Weadock, the tournament chair, and his wife, Ann, who coordinates the volunteers. Discover the secrets behind securing crucial sponsorships, the intricate planning process, and the volunteering efforts that make th...

What if there was a community organization that could change the lives of local veterans and their families? Join us for an enlightening and heartwarming episode as we sit down with Valerie Gorman, Nick Romano, and Steve Aronson, the dedicated board members of the Bonita Bay Veterans Council. Celebrate with us as they recount their 10-year journey from a simple Veterans Day speech request to becom...

Every drop of sweat and strategic play on the tennis court tells a story. This time, the narrative is woven by the FineMark Women's Pro Tennis Championship at Bonita Bay Club, where Tom Weadock the Tournament Chair, and Paula Scheb our Director of Sports, take us behind the baseline to reveal the year-long efforts that culminate in this showpiece event. They share heartwarming stories of the...

At Bonita Bay Club, we take pride in our bustling membership and the genuine connections that bind us. Today, you'll hear from Stephanie Glasco, our Membership Director, as she shares the exciting growth of our full golf memberships and gives us the scoop on our extensive waiting list. We're also joined by Rhonda Watton, a dedicated board member and chair of the Membership Committee, who...

Discover the art and science of perfecting the greens as our Director of Golf, EJ McDonnell, sits down with golf course operation gurus, Hal Akins and Todd Lowe, for a chat about triumphs and challenges on the links. Hal Akins, our Director of Golf Course Operations and the maestro behind Bonita Bay Club's latest renovations, pulls back the curtain on the much-anticipated  opening of the new...

This is not just another golf instructional podcast. Our Director of Golf EJ McDonnell, sits down with Jonathan Sutera, the Director of Instruction, and two of the newest pros to join our team of instructors, Jeff Smith and George Puchinsky. In this episode, you will hear unique insights on how new advancements in golf can help your golf game from Jeff, a top 100 ranked instructor and teacher of t...

We've uncorked a delightful bouquet of conversation and education as our Communications Director, Becky Salaun, sits down with our very own Wine Director and Certified Sommelier, Melissa Hemmingway, and Joseph Elwell, Assistant General Manager. We trace Melissa's journey from her first sip of wine to becoming the heartbeat of our flourishing wine culture at Bonita Bay Club. We celebrate...

Ever wondered what the secret is to a truly outstanding meal? The answer is simpler than you might think - it starts with fresh, high-quality ingredients and a dedication to crafting meals from scratch. Hosted by our CEO and General Manager Fred Fung, join us in an enticing conversation with Richard Brumm, Director of Culinary Operations, and Joseph Elwell, Assistant General Manager, as we dive in...

Have you ever wondered how a weather phenomenon like El Nino impacts a stunning golf course in sunny Florida? Join our Director of Communications, Becky Salaun, as she discusses this with our director of golf course operations, Hal Akins, and Dustin Free, our senior superintendent for the  Bay Island and Marsh courses. They share firsthand experiences dealing with the challenges of golf course mai...

Have you ever been intrigued by the sport of croquet? Picture yourself engaging in a strategic game that is inclusive, accessible, and suitable for all ages. This episode invites you into the world of croquet with fascinating insights from devoted enthusiasts. Paula Scheb, director of sports, introduces Michael Kolowich, a club member, and Sherif Abdelwahab, a professional croquet player. Hear Mic...

Join us as we uncover the intriguing metamorphosis of converting an old Sales Center Into Seasonal Employee Housing with our guests Fred Fung, Joseph Elwell, Richard Brumm, and Peggy Taylor. We promise a riveting conversation that will provide a glimpse into the history of the building, the existential need for this type of housing, and the labyrinth of the H2B visa process. Learn with us as Josep...

Can you picture a place where tennis, camaraderie, and transformative experiences beautifully intertwine? Welcome to the world of the FGCU Collegiate Open at Bonita Bay Club. In this dialogue-rich episode, Paula Scheb, CJ Weber, Sam Munze, and club member Debba Pearce pull back the curtain on the collegiate tennis scene and the unique interaction between Bonita Bay members and participating athlet...