Staff

Jacques LeBlanc, Jr., PGA

Assistant Golf Professional
281.658.2097
jleblanc@cordilleraranch.com
Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana

Katie Dillard

Assistant Golf Professional
830.336.4653
kdillard@cordilleraranch.com
Hometown: Southampton, England

Camille Furgeson

Merchandise Manager
830.336.4653
cfurgeson@cordilleraranch.com
Hometown: Newcastle, California

How has your past work history prepared you for The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch?

JL: I am a graduate of the PGA Golf Management program from Sam Houston State University, which specifically prepares students to become a PGA Golf Professional. I’ve worked at Royal Oaks Country Club in Houston, Wade Hampton Golf Club in North Carolina and the PGA Junior Series. Before Cordillera, I spent three years as an Assistant Golf Professional at Spanish Oaks Golf Club near Austin. Through Spanish Oaks, I was able to gain experience as a Golf Professional in a service-driven environment, which prepared me for starting this new chapter at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch.

KD: After college, I played professional golf on the mini tours and the Symetra Tour. I played at clubs across the country and took careful note of what made a club special and unique. I can also offer insight from a player’s perspective about what makes a tournament stand apart from others. After playing professionally, I took the Assistant Golf Professional position at Teravista Golf Club in Round Rock, Texas and later moved to Lighthouse Country Club in Kingsland, Texas as the Head Golf Professional. I learned so much about different aspects of the industry which prepared me to make the move to a bigger club like Cordillera.

CF: I believe that as a merchandiser for a prestigious golf club it is very important to understand the game of golf and how clothing can impact your game. In addition to playing the game, I have worked in multiple golf shops including The Ridge Golf Course and Events Center in Auburn, California and The Quarry Golf Club in San Antonio.

What makes you and your colleagues an asset to The Clubs?

JL: We all bring a variety of backgrounds to the table and we are always striving to keep the success of The Clubs a constant priority. Through our different experiences and personalities, I feel we bring a fresh outlook to any situation.

KD: We have a great team that complements each other and is constantly working to ensure an exceptional level of service, not only in the Pro Shop, but throughout the entire club.

CF: We all have different personalities and strengths. As a team, we can offer new and innovative ideas to make the golf experience here at The Clubs better each day.

What has been your most rewarding professional experience?

JL: The opportunities I have been given to travel with members to different courses across the state and country.

KD: The gratitude I receive from the members whether it be for a tournament, a purchase or just everyday operations.

CF: I love when members come in and ask for help picking out apparel. There is nothing more rewarding than members coming back and feeling good in the merchandise we picked out together. I love the feeling of leaving work each day, excited to come back tomorrow.

What are your hobbies and interests?

JL: Other than playing golf, I enjoy hunting, fishing and playing the guitar.

KD: Golf – I love playing in team events. To me, that is golf at its most enjoyable. Traveling – I love to learn the history of a place and take tours where possible.

CF: Golf, fashion, figure skating, hunting and fishing.

Anything that would surprise others about yourself?

JL: Growing up, I lived over-seas for five years in Aberdeen, Scotland.

KD: I was an Irish Dancer for almost 10 years and competed in Great Britain’s British Nationals and the World Championships. I stopped dancing to focus solely on golf.

CF: I was homeschooled in grades 4-8 because I was a competitive figure skater. I won 1st place in compulsory figure at the ISI Figure Skating World Championships.

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Developer's Corner

Preferred Builders: Home Tour Highlights

We hosted yet another wonderful Preferred Builders Home Tour in late October, closing out our 2024 bi-annual event held every spring and fall. With more than 350 total attendees, this was one of, if not, our most well-attended tours ever.

Agronomy

Challenges. Opportunities. Moving Forward.

Fall has been a busy season for the Agronomy team. This important season kicks off after all the fun of the Ladies’ Ranch Roundup, when we begin our greens aerification process. At the conclusion of this process in October, we have now seen the extraordinary benefit of the deep vertical slicing (Graden device) coupled with the normal aerification of punching holes and backfilling with sand.

Outdoors

Bees and Golf Courses

A long-standing interest of mine has been the benefits of using honey and bee keeping. I have enjoyed honey since I was a child and there are many benefits of having honey in your diet. Honey contains a variety of nutrients, it’s rich in antioxidants and is better for blood sugar levels than regular sugar. Research has shown it to promote heart health, promote burn and wound healing, and help suppress coughing with children.

Staff Profile

Amanda Naranjo

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been around the game of golf. From watching golf tournaments on TV with my family to going out to the driving range with my dad during my High School years while on the Golf Team, everything I associate with golf has been positive. I decided to attend the University of the Incarnate Word and major in Fashion Merchandising with a concentration in Business. Fusing both my passion for fashion and love for the game of golf, the golf merchandising path was the perfect path for me.