S.2 E.8 - Mike Leemhuis - Leading & Managing in Tumultuous Times

Michael Leemhuis, M.A. Ed., CCM, CCE, PGA Master Professional, was born in South Africa and had his initial education in that country. After graduating from Pretoria Boys High School, he studied at Wits University in Johannesburg, graduating in 1976 with a teaching degree in Physical Education and History. Leemhuis started his teaching career at the famous King Edward VII School in Johannesburg, where he taught Physical Education.

His desire for education then took him to the United States in 1979, where he studied at UCLA. He then completed his graduate degree at East Carolina University in 1991, where he was awarded a Master’s Degree in Education, specializing in Sport Administration Management. In realizing his lifetime goal of working in sports-related fields, Leemhuis’s experience has taken him through many different industries, including hotel/resort management, stadium management, athlete representation, event management and private club management. Major sporting events that he has been involved in organizing and directing have included the 2011 U.S. Open, as well as United States Tennis Association events, numerous PGA TOUR events, and multiple ultra-distance marathon and triathlon races. Leemhuis’ extensive leadership and sports experience have been gained in his current role as the President of the Ocean Reef Club, Key Largo, Fla., as well as previous positions as Chief Executive Officer of Congressional Country Club, Bethesda, Md.; GM/Director of Golf at the PGA TOUR; General Manager, Sport and Recreation at the Sun City Resort in South Africa; Tournament Director of the Nedbank Million $ Golf Challenge, and Managing Director of Sports International. Leemhuis’ career highlights have included guiding Congressional Country Club to the #1 spot in the Platinum Clubs of America and into the top 100 of Platinum Clubs in the World.