NORTH NAPLES, Fla. (February 26, 2024) – Kinsale Golf Club has appointed Steve Archer as its Director of Club Operations.
Kinsale G.C., founded by long-time southwest Florida business leader Anthony Soave, is expected to open its Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner-designed course in the fall.
“Kinsale Golf Club is ecstatic about having a respected and seasoned professional like Steve joins us as the director of club operations after his experience at other nationally recognized facilities,” said Soave. “Golf is our focus at Kinsale and Steve’s leadership and golf acumen will highlight his daily interactions with guests and members. His vast knowledge of what is best in golf will complement our staff as well.”
Over the course of his illustrious career, Archer taught golf schools for his members with renowned instructors such as Todd Anderson, Mike Adams, Bradley Hughes, and Jim Hardy. Twenty of his former assistant professionals currently serve as Directors of Golf, Head Professionals or Directors of Instruction.
“I’m extremely eager to serve the membership at Kinsale and create a world-class golf experience for our members and guests,” Archer said. “Starting this role now provides a wonderful opportunity to work directly onsite with our director of agronomy Rusty Mercer to bring the Hanse and Wagner vision to reality. I cannot thank Anthony Soave and the leadership at Kinsale enough for entrusting me with the opportunity to further my career at a place that mirrors my personal and professional aspirations.”
Archer was most recently the Director of Golf at the historic Capital City Club in Atlanta, Ga. from 2014-2024, where he served on the Georgia PGA Board of Directors from 2017-2021 as its Education chair. The club hosted the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship in 2017, the World Golf Championship, the NCAA Men’s Division I Golf Championship and the centennial Georgia Amateur.
During his time at the Capital City Club, where he founded the now-flourishing caddie program, he was named Merchandiser of the Year (private category) by the Georgia PGA Section in 2015. He was nominated for the Professional of the Year in the Georgia PGA Section eight times between 2016-2023.
Prior to the Capital City Club, Archer served as the Director of Golf and General Manager at Frederica Golf Club in St. Simons Island, Ga. from 2007-2104 (general manager from 2009-2013). During his time there, the club hosted the Southeastern Conference men’s championship, the Fazio Cup, and the Jones Cup.
Additionally, he was the Director of Golf at Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. in 2007 after working as the Director of Golf at Quail Valley Golf Club, in Vero Beach, Fla. from 2001-2007. While at Quail Valley G.C., Archer was named the Bill Strausbaugh Award winner for the South Florida PGA Chapter in 2003 and the South Florida PGA Section in 2004.
He also worked at St. David’s Golf Club, in Wayne, Pa. as the Head Golf Professional from 1999-2001 and at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club as the Director of Tournament Operations from 1997-1999.
Archer was the co-founder of AMF Golf Management Services in Bedminster, N.J., which facilitated the exchange of knowledge and best practices among golf professionals. At one time, there were approximately 600 Head Golf Professionals and 150 Assistant Golf Professionals participating in the group.
Archer’s other activities include service on the TaylorMade National Advisory Staff, Titleist Leadership Advisory Staff, Titleist Leadership Council, Peter Millar Inner Circle Advisory Board, the PGA Magazine Leadership Club, and the N.J. PGA Assistant Professionals Board of Directors.
A graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a degree in political science, Archer played three years on the Fighting Irish soccer team and is a member of the Ridge High School (Basking Ridge, N.J.) Athletic Hall of Fame. He and his wife, Anja, have a daughter, Abigail.
He starts his duties at Kinsale G.C. on April 1.
Kinsale Golf Club is located on prime southwestern Florida land owned by Soave. Designers Hanse and Wagner will employ C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor design elements on this natural piece of Florida landscape.
The course is intended to have the look and feel of a links course with an almost limitless variety of challenges for golfers of all skill levels. It will operate with a membership of 250 from October through May of each year. The facilities will include an 18-hole golf course, driving range, teaching and short-game areas, practice putting green and a clubhouse.
Kinsale Golf Club was established from a love of the game but also out of a core understanding, appreciation and respect for the traditions, rules, and honorable nature that golf embodies.
More information regarding Kinsale Golf Club can be found here.
