OUR TEAM
OPERATIONS
KENT INSTEFJORD
Beloit Club General Manager
Kent has spent his career managing world-class public, resort, and high-end private golf courses and clubhouse operations. Kent was the head professional to open the highly acclaimed Whistling Straits, host of three previous PGA Championships and host of the 2020 Ryder Cup. While at this awarded Kohler Company resort property, Kent served on the 2004 PGA Championship Executive Committee and co-authored the inaugural Kohler Golf Academy golf schools. In addition, he opened the unprecedented Erin Hills and was the general manager and director of golf when this facility garnered both the 2011 United States Amateur Championship as well as the 2017 United States Open.
In addition to the above, Kent has served as director of golf at the Country Club of St. Albans (MO) and General Manager at La Paloma Country Club (AZ), part of the iconic Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa. All of these facilities have frequently been named among the best in the golf industry for service excellence.
NATE WASSER
Administrative Manager &
Property Accountant
Nate comes to us from Hendricks Commercial Properties where he served on the Accounting Team for a little over a year before transitioning over to the Beloit Club. Prior to that, Nate worked as a Tax and Audit Accountant in Public Accounting for 4 years in Milwaukee, WI. Nate grew up in Lake Geneva, WI, but now resides in Beloit. In his free time, Nate enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, watching and playing all sports, and trying new restaurants, foods, and beer. In Nate’s role he is responsible for all things Accounting and Finance for the Beloit Club and Ironworks Golf Lab/Academy.
MELODY KIRCHNER
Beloit Club Concierge
Melody comes to us from Hendricks Commercial Properties where she served as a Contracts Administrator for two years. Prior to that, Melody excelled as a legal assistant for 16 years at an insurance defense law firm located in Rockford, IL. Melody has lived in the Midwest all her life and currently enjoys residing in Lake Geneva. In her free time, Melody enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and floral gardening. Melody is driven to ensure all members of the Beloit Club and their guests enjoy memorable experiences every time they are at the club and will be happy to assist you with any of your needs.
GOLF OPERATIONS
NATE LAIRD
Director of Golf Operations
Golfing since he was 12, there was no denying Nathan’s love for both the game and the industry. Nathan graduated from the Golf Academy of the Carolinas in 2005. He worked as the Assistant Golf Professional at Riverside Golf course before joining the Beloit Club in 2017 as an assistant golf professional. Nathan achieved his lifetime goal of attaining his PGA status in 2019 and was promoted to Director of Golf Operations in early 2021.
When not busy at the Club, Nathan enjoys spending time with his wife Elisabeth and their three dogs. With Nathan’s wife being a Cardinals fan, and Nathan being a Cubs fan, baseball season is certainly lively in their household! As a lover of the sport, you have most likely seen him out on the greens, working on his game and making sure everything is running smoothly on the course.
TODD ZIMMERMAN
Assistant Golf Professional
Todd comes to us from the education field where he served as a teacher for ten years and a building administrator for fifteen years. During that time, Todd excelled as the Athletic Director at a high school in Rockford, Illinois. Todd earned National Accreditation as a Certified Athletic Administrator in 2017. Todd has lived in the Stateline area all of his life and currently resides in Rockton, IL. In his free time, Todd enjoys boating with his wife Laura and spending time with his son Tyler. Todd is a die-hard Cubs and Bears fan! Todd is driven to ensure all golf members of the Beloit Club and their guests have the best possible experience while golfing at the club and will be happy to assist you with any of your needs.
BRANDON NOLAN
Golf Course Superintendent
Brandon was born in Roscoe, IL, and currently resides in South Beloit with his wife Lauryn, two children, and two dogs. Brandon attended Hononegah High School and Kishwaukee College where he earned a certificate in turfgrass management. Previously Brandon worked at Macktown Golf Course and was Assistant Superintendent at Aldeen Golf Club in Rockford, IL. Brandon assumed his current duties with the Beloit Club in 2020 after serving as an Assistant Superintendent at the club. In his free time, Brandon enjoys playing golf, watching sports (especially Michigan State basketball, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Blackhawks), date nights with his wife, and enjoying quality time with his family and dogs.
Brandon’s father was a former superintendent while Brandon was growing up, so he always had a great love for the game and enjoying the outdoors. “My job can be rewarding by seeing so many people enjoying what our team works so hard to perfect each and every day.”
ALEX MIRANDA
Assistant Golf Course Superintendent
Alex Miranda is the Beloit Club’s assistant superintendent for the Beloit Club maintenance team, overseeing all hourly employees. Alex is a graduate of Southern Illinois University. Previously he interned two seasons at Bob O’ Link Golf Club in Highland Park, IL, and spent the 2020 season as their assistant in training. He began at Pinecrest Golf Club in Huntley, IL, and was there for five years. Alex brings a large smile, positive attitude, and hard-working mentality to the team.
GOLF INSTRUCTION
TRAVIS BECKER
Director of Instruction
Travis Becker joined the Beloit Club team in 2016 as the director of instruction. Travis brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, along with a dedicated following of students. Previously, Travis spent 17 years at Cherokee Country Club in Madison, Wis., and served as the club’s head golf professional from 2010-2015.
A PGA of America member, Travis was named the 2009 Wisconsin PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year. He was the head coach of the Wisconsin PGA Junior League State Champions, was named the 2015, 2019 and 2021 Wisconsin Teacher of the Year, the 2015-16 Golf Digest State Top Teacher and the 2020 Youth Player Development Coach of the Year. Travis is a five-time Top 100 Club Fitter for Titleist and has extensive experience with various launch monitors and teaching software.
He specializes in putter fitting and putter instruction, and he has performed over 10,000 lessons and club fittings. Travis has experience in many facets of the golf business; however, his true passion has always been instruction and club fitting.
MIKE TABBERT
Certified Instructor and Club Fitter
Mike comes to Ironworks Golf Academy after previously serving as head golf professional at Glen Erin in Janesville, Wis., from 2012-15. He joined the Beloit Club team in 2016 and served as operations manager at Ironworks Golf Lab in 2017.
While at Glen Erin, Mike managed all player development programs, including junior and adult clinics, private instruction and custom fitting. Mike accomplished tremendous growth during his tenure at Glen Erin where he doubled the junior golf participation and increased club sales by 300 percent through custom fittings.
He has years of experience giving high-quality instruction for all skill types, from avid scratch players to brand new beginners. Mike is a PGA Certified Instructor with Titleist Performance Institute, K-Vest Human Motion Learning System, Boditrak Ground Mechanics, U.S. Kids Golf and a Certified Club Fitter with Titleist, Ping, TaylorMade and Callaway.
PAMELA SALADINO
Golf Instructor - LPGA Class A
Pamela Saladino joined Ironworks Golf Academy and Beloit Club in 2017 as an LPGA Certified Instructor.
She earned an NCAA Division II women’s golf scholarship to Lynn University in Boca Raton, FL. She graduated with an MBA in sports and athletic administration, and she moved back to her hometown of Rockford, IL, after living the last 19 years in Florida.
Pamela is patient, passionate, and devoted to all golfers, particularly beginners. She leads our Women’s Golf Academy programs throughout the year and assists with several junior programs. Pamela is U.S. Kids Certified and is the girls golf site director for the Beloit Club, and she is a certified club fitter with Titleist, Ping, TaylorMade, and Callaway. She is dedicated to growing the game and believes that if you just give golf a try, you will see this will be your forever sport, enjoy the game!
DILLON PARISI
Certified Club Fitter
Dillon joined the Ironworks Golf Academy in 2020 as a Certified Club Fitter. He came from Nevada Bob’s Golf in Madison, Wis., where he spent over three years in club fitting and sales. In addition, he spent several years working for Titleist as a Product Specialist, conducting club fittings at numerous golf courses across the state of Wisconsin. Prior to that, he spent three years as an Assistant Golf Professional at Cherokee Country Club in Madison. He enjoys the science and art that are involved in the custom fitting process and how he can apply his experience and knowledge to make sure each player’s equipment will fit their unique swing style and maximize their performance.
LANCE JACOBSON
Ironworks Golf Academy Administrator
Lance comes to us from Piggly Wiggly where he served for ten years, spending the last three as a customer service supervisor. He is currently enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where he is studying accounting. Lance was born and raised in Lake Geneva, where he still resides, with plans to move to the Beloit area. In his free time, Lance enjoys sports and spending time with friends and family. Lance is dedicated to maximizing the club experience for all our members and guests and enjoys lending a hand in all areas of the operation.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
MEGAN TINDER
Standard Tavern Manager
Megan was born and raised in Beloit, graduating from Turner High School, and after high school, Megan took classes at UW-Rock County. In addition, she has served as coach for the Hononegah Indianettes Dance Team for the past four years. Megan has worked at the Beloit Club since inception and prior at the Country Club of Beloit. She has excelled in all areas of the food and beverage operation over this time and is a natural fit for this role.
ROBERTO GUTIERREZ
Head Chef
Roberto has worked at the at Beloit Club for the past 6 years and has served as Head Chef for the past three years. Previously, he has held management positions at the 1855 Saloon and Grill (Cottage Grove, WI), Biaggis Ristorante Italiano (Madison), Pipitone's Pizzeria (Cottage Grove, Wi). “Over the last three years I have enjoyed building, strengthening, and working with the kitchen team to create new dishes, ensuring we are delivering a consistently high-quality product. I look forward to continuing to bolster the food and beverage offerings at the Beloit Club while also building relationships with our wonderful members!”
JESSICA TEICH
Bar Manager
Jessica brings her unique blend of professionalism, personality, and humor to the Beloit Club. Jess has been in the service industry for over 30 years, with her first serving job at the Sharon Family Restaurant. Jessica has lived in the north woods of Wisconsin for most of her adult life, working for her parents in their bar and other establishments in Tomahawk, WI. She began her Beloit Club career in fall 2020 as lead server and has recently been promoted to Bar Manager. She currently resides in Janesville where, when not working, she enjoys spending time with her partner of 16 years and their children and grandchildren. She also loves to fish, hike, and most of all floating!!!
EVAN SCHLEISNER
Event Manager
Evan was born in Beloit; he graduated from Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids, WI where he lettered in tennis, theater, band and culinary arts. Evan loves to perform, sing, and be on stage. We are excited for Evan to continue to grow while broadening his experiences with our companies after having successfully worked in our Standard Tavern and banquet operations for the last two years.