By:
Kolby Oliphant, Director of Golf
As the new Director of Golf at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch, I couldn’t be more excited to work alongside this exceptional Golf Operations and Instructional Team. From day one, their experience, passion for the game and genuine commitment to our members have stood out. Whether you’re sharpening your skills, trying something new or simply taking in the beauty of the course, this team is here to support golfers of every level with enthusiasm and care.
Lauren Blackburn
Director of Retail
I joined The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch in March 2026 as Director of Retail, and from the start, I’ve focused on elevating the retail experience while aligning it with the Club’s overall culture and lifestyle.
My path into the golf industry wasn’t traditional, but my dad is the Head Golf Professional at Corpus Christi Country Club, which gave me insight into the club environment. I entered the business about four years ago and quickly found my passion in merchandising and member experience. I began my career at Corpus Christi Country Club, where I gained hands-on experience in buying, merchandising and member communications, and an understanding of retail operations in a club setting.
I believe a successful retail operation is about more than just product — it’s about storytelling, presentation and anticipating members’ needs. I focus on curating assortments that feel personal and relevant, while also creating a shop environment that is fresh, inviting and reflective of our Club’s identity. I stay current with industry trends and best practices by participating in monthly seminars through the Association of Golf Merchandisers. I also attended the annual AGM Retail Conference this past February and recently earned my Certified Retail Management certification.
Building relationships is at the core of everything I do. I approach retail with a “personal shopper” mindset, taking the time to understand each member’s preferences and proactively connecting them with products they will love.
A great golf experience extends beyond the course — it includes every touchpoint, from the first impression in the Golf Shop to the thoughtful details that make members feel known and valued.
A strong golf operations team is defined by communication, adaptability, a shared commitment to service and collaboration. At Cordillera Ranch, I’m excited to build on an already strong foundation and continue creating a retail experience that feels elevated and uniquely tailored to our membership.
Jeremy Brosh
Golf Operations Manager
I was never in the golf industry prior to finding a home at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch in August 2022, shortly after retiring from the police force, but I am blessed that a management position was created for me and I appreciate it.
Being a police officer for 29 years has helped me interact with both members and co-workers alike. I have found there are so many people here with different backgrounds and the best part is getting to know them. When you appreciate people and are open to getting to know them, it creates a bond to provide better service. Simply letting members know that we are happy to see them and we are there for them goes a long way. But ultimately, I want every day at the Club to feel like a great vacation for our members.
For me, the essentials of a strong golf operations team are customer service, consistency and chemistry between the operations team and members. I am always looking for input from our staff and members on how and where we can improve.
We are constantly working to fine tune our services, and I believe the successful implementation of new ideas comes from good communication.
Another thing I believe is vital to our operation is our availability for our members to answer any questions they may have. I let our staff and members know I am always available by phone if I am no longer at work. And if they do call with questions, I want them to know I appreciate them reaching out.
Katie Dillard, PGA, LPGA
Director of Instruction
Golf was a large part of my life from a young age and I was focused on playing professional golf as a career. I competed at the highest levels as an amateur and eventually went on to play college golf and professional golf on the Symetra (now Epson) Tour. When I decided the grind of tour life wasn’t for me, the natural next step was to use my skills in a club setting and expose myself to other aspects of the business.
May marks my 10-year anniversary at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch, but prior to that, I worked at two public golf courses. The first put a strong emphasis on player development programs while the other provided experience in managing the operation. Both experiences have helped us build an instructional program here at the Club that fits the members’ needs and is cohesive with the overall operation.
We are also proud to have assembled a well-rounded professional team who works closely in all areas of the operation.
At Cordillera, I hope to be able to provide a unique personalized golf experience through individual and group coaching offerings, which enhance members’ playing abilities and overall enjoyment of the game. Every person that walks into the Performance Center, regardless of skill, is different with varying needs and goals, so it is important that I coach that player as an individual and meet them where they are.
It is also important that I continue to learn and grow in this industry. The Southern Texas PGA, PGA and LPGA are my go-tos for the majority of organized education. The PGA also sends out best practices emails, and coaches across the country are incredibly receptive to other instructors shadowing lessons and expanding their skills. I am also American Development in Golf Certified and serve on the Callaway Golf National Fitters Board and LPGA Education Committee.
Over the years I have been lucky enough to build relationships with many members here at the Club and I have the added benefit of being able to spend extended periods of time with players on the lesson tee, where I can not only help people improve their game, but also find out who they are as individuals and how we can better serve them as members overall. At the end of the day, my job is to get people playing on the course and enjoying the game!
Nick Madden, PGA
Head Golf Professional
I was fortunate to grow up at a country club in OKC and started playing golf with my dad and grandpa at the age of 2. Once I found out you could have a career in golf, I was hooked and didn’t want to do anything else. I attended the University of Central Oklahoma, majoring in Business Administration and being a part of the PGA Golf Management program, and received my Class A PGA membership in 2015.
I have had the opportunity to be a part of some pretty special clubs and work for some really great golf professionals in my career. In my time at each club, I have learned a lot about myself and the approaches I want to take to be the best I can be. I have also learned that the essentials for a strong golf operations team are trust, accountability and teamwork. To have a high functioning and talented team that works together to achieve big things, you have to have these three core values to be successful.
This also creates a great golf experience for our members. I was raised with the “treat everyone like you would want to be treated” mentality and I believe that kindness and being genuine with people goes a long way. I have worked at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch for two-and-a-half years and my goal is to make every one of our members feel special every time they arrive on property.
As an instructor, I keep things very simple. I will dig into my TPI background, see how you move and tailor the experience from there. Keeping things simple on all skill levels is very important. Golf is hard enough as it is and if you are trying to play golf and remember 100 different things while trying to hit a golf ball, it will drive you mad! Keeping things simple and retainable helps me build a steady foundation with my students, so things start to feel second nature the more we get together for lessons down the road.
Aaron “AK” Kilian-Smith, PGA
1st Assistant Golf Professional
Cordillera Ranch is where I started my journey to PGA membership back in the fall of 2016. By the end of summer that next year, I had been offered a position at Escondido in Horseshoe Bay, followed by a Top 100 Club in Jackson Hole. In the spring of 2024, I proudly returned to Cordillera Ranch with a mission to pay it forward to the Club that gave me my start.
I have had a golf club in my hand since I was 18 months old, according to my parents. In middle school, I would clean up baskets on a driving range for free balls, and work in the shop on the weekends for extra cash. At 16, I started working at River Crossing in Spring Branch throughout high school and into college. Around that time, I suffered the accident that left me blind in my right eye, but I found my passion for golf and chose to set out to make it a career. I have done just about every job at a course over the years and proud of it.
I have been very fortunate to learn from some of the best instructors out there. I also utilize the Southern Texas PGA and PGA membership requirements for continued education. As for my teaching, I try to stay away from too many technical thoughts and get my students moving better.
I am the “Swing Speed” guy here on property and my movement program is a huge part of helping my students with all their goals, but really shines with my speed training program. Using some unique tools, I can help my students find the yardage they thought they would never get back or discover something in their game they never knew they had.
I build my relationships with members through my genuine enthusiasm to see them and make every effort to make that day their best day ever at Cordillera Ranch. If you pay attention, you can pick up on their trends and find opportunities to go above and beyond for them when least expected. Those are the little things I started learning at Cordillera and polished through my experience at some very high-end service clubs before returning. This kind of attitude and start-to-finish service throughout the day is what I have found makes for the best experience at a private club.
Joe Fontana
Assistant Golf Professional
While I only recently joined the golf team at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch on March 31 of this year, I have been passionate about the game of golf for as long as I can remember. I started swinging a club at just 2 years old and played varsity golf all four years of high school.
Although I stepped away from the game briefly after high school, I rediscovered my love for it while attending Texas A&M–Corpus Christi. During that time, I reached out to a local golf professional for an opportunity, which led me to quickly grow into an Assistant Golf Professional role by 2022 at Corpus Christi Country Club.
While it took some time to fully understand the club culture, my final year there significantly strengthened my confidence and helped prepare me for this next chapter.
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of building relationships with members by simply stepping out of the Golf Shop, being visible and taking the time to say hello — it can go a long way.
I believe that being outgoing, personable and bringing a positive, lighthearted energy to a team are some of the most important qualities in this profession.
I also make it a priority to stay current in teaching by observing and learning from fellow professionals, and constantly exchanging ideas and techniques.
When it comes to instruction, I find that teaching through feel is often the most effective approach, as it helps players better understand the motion of the swing, while still incorporating some mechanical elements when needed.
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Chance Trevino
Assistant Golf Professional
I was first drawn to golf by its unique blend of challenges, strategy and personal growth. What was once a curiosity quickly became a passion, as I found not only enjoyment in playing but also fulfillment in helping others improve. I entered the industry with a desire to turn that passion into a profession, starting in golf operations and instruction, where I developed a strong foundation in both player development and club management.
My experience at previous clubs has shaped a well-rounded approach to both operations and teaching. Working in a variety of environments has taught me the importance of organization, communication and adaptability. From managing daily play to coordinating events and instruction, I’ve learned that a successful operation runs on consistency and attention to detail, while a great teaching program is built on trust and measurable progress.
I believe a strong golf operations team is defined by professionalism, communication and a shared commitment to service. Team members should be proactive, detailed-oriented and willing to support one another to ensure a seamless experience for members and guests. A positive culture behind the scenes always translates to a better experience on the course.
My teaching style is simple, adaptable and focused on results. I believe in meeting each golfer where they are and tailoring instruction to their individual needs and goals. Whether working with a beginner or an experienced player, I emphasize clear communication, practical drills and building confidence. My goal is to make improvement both achievable and enjoyable, so every student leaves with a better understanding of their game and a renewed enthusiasm for it.
To stay current with industry best practices and teaching methods, I regularly engage in continuing education, attend workshops and study modern instructional techniques. I also incorporate technology and data where appropriate to enhance learning and provide clear, objective feedback.
Ultimately, building relationships with members is at the core of everything I do. I believe a great golf experience starts with feeling welcomed, valued and understood. I make it a priority to get to know each member’s goals, preferences and playing style so I can provide a personalized experience — whether that’s during a lesson, a casual round or a conversation on the practice tee. Consistency, approachability and genuine interest go a long way in creating lasting connections.
Darryl Handley, PGA ASSOCIATE
Assistant Golf Professional
This is my 7th year at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. I am a native of Boerne, Texas — my family moved to Boerne in 1970. I was introduced to the game of golf by my uncle, Forrest Smith, who was a lifelong PGA Golf Professional.
I got my start as an Assistant Pro at Ridgemoor Country Club in Chicago, Illinois when I was 25 years old.
As a young assistant, I learned that a Golf Professional must learn to wear many hats, such as managing caddies and outside staff, club repair, and running tournaments.
But my passion for teaching the game is what really inspired me to pursue a career in golf. I enjoy seeing players get better! I have been fortunate to have worked for several great teachers throughout my career.
I have adapted my teaching style over the years to include Trackman, Foresight and other modern teaching technologies. My teaching style is simple. I don’t teach a specific method, meaning, one size does not fit all. I try to meet players where they are and work with what they have to develop their swing and improve their game.
I stay current with industry leading practices by attending PGA teaching seminars like the one Katie and I attended last October.
I have enjoyed working closely with Katie over the past several years while developing our Jr. program at Cordillera. It’s really cool to see these kids grow and develop their skills.
Cordillera is a special place to me, and I am really proud to be a part of this team, because we are not just a team, we are a family of Golf Professionals at Cordillera Ranch.
Kolby Oliphant is the Director of Golf at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at koliphant@cordilleraranch.com and 830.336.4653.
