CONTACT US

Rob Robertson – General Manager

(941) 739-7417
[email protected]

Mark Metzler – Assistant Clubhouse Manager

Mark grew up in the small town of Auburn, Indiana and is the youngest of two boys. At 21 he wanted to see what was out there in the world so he packed up and moved to Florida. He started working in Desoto Square Mall for McDuff’s Electronics part-time at the same time working for World Bazaar. Later on, he worked for a new company that came to Florida called Dollar Tree where he worked for 8 years. At the same time he was approached about coming to work for a local bar. This is where he got the bug to bartend and this career lasted 20 years.

At the age of 40, he decided that he wanted to go back to school and get a degree so he signed up at Keiser College for Computer Graphic Design and got his Associates Degree in that field. Painting and drawing has always been a passion of Mark's so whenever he gets free time to relax this is what he likes to do.

Since coming to work at IMG Academy Golf Club, he has enjoyed the challenges of learning a whole new field of work. He is going on celebrating 13 years here at the club which he has had the privilege of getting to know many of the wonderful members at the club. All of his family slowly has moved to Florida over the years so now he gets to enjoy having them here instead of flying north to see them.

(941) 739-7413
[email protected]

Sladjana Lazarevic – Controller

Sladjana has 33 years of Accounting and Finance experience. In 2005, Sladjana joined IMG Academies Golf & Country Club as the Controller overseeing finance and accounting for the Club. Prior to her position at IMG Academies Golf & Country Club, she worked for Chevron Texaco where she gained invaluable experience that has enabled her to establish proper procedures and control to implement at the Club. Further her hands-on experience has provided solid direction for the Club and team. 

In 2004, Sladjana earned her designation of a Certified Public Accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in both Accounting and Finance. 

In her spare time, you can find her enjoying the beach and going on long walks with her dog. Sladjana enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, a IMG Academies Alumni and former D1 tennis player.

(941) 739-7415
[email protected]

Sydney Weber - Membership & Administrative Coordinator

Sydney is a native to the area as she was born and raised in Bradenton. She attended Manatee High School and obtained her Associate's degree from State College of Florida. She has been with the Golf Club since March of 2022 and enjoys all of the connections she continues to make here.

In her time away from work she enjoys spending time with her dogs, attending concerts, trying new foods and restaurants, and reading. 

(941) 739-7439
[email protected]

 

Rocky Fidelibus - Executive Chef

(941) 739-7421

Debbie Arrigall-Watkins - Banquet & Event Manager
(941) 739-7414
[email protected]

Sadie Guffey - Assistant Event Manager

(941) 739-7419
[email protected]

Steve Strausbaugh – Director of Golf

Steve was born and raised in Venice, FL, where he grew up playing baseball and golf. Baseball became his main sport the first year of high school where played 3 years of Varsity. He played Division 1 baseball at Western Carolina University and studied biology. The New York Yankees organization drafted him in 2007, and Steve played professionally for 3 years before a shoulder injury forced an early retirement.
 
After a father son trip to Ireland, he returned to golf with a renewed passion for the game. Steve attended and graduated from Professional Golfers Career College with an associate’s degree in Golf Course Management. At The Golf College, he fell in love with instructing, growing the game of golf, as well as tournament operations. Steve has been at IMG for 12 years working from PGA associate to now a Member of PGA of America.

 
Steve’s full swing Teaching Philosophy gets students envisioning the golf swing as an athletic movement executed by their natural ability. He believes everyone’s swing is unique, and there is more than one way to swing a golf club successfully. His goal is to unite his student’s unique characteristics with simple fundamentals, thus creating a sound, effortless, repeatable golf swing. Steve’s short game philosophy creates standard short game swing using full swing techniques. By making small simple adjustments at setup, you can create a variety of shots only limited by the golfer’s imagination. Steve’s putting philosophy simplifies the mechanics of putting into two major strokes. Matching the setup and the stroke makes putting easier and fun to practice.

[email protected]

Jason Uibel – Assistant Golf Professional

Growing up in South Jersey, Jason grew up as an all-around athlete playing Ice hockey, Baseball, Golf, Lacrosse, and Snowboarding. After an ACL tear in 2018 Jason turned his attention to golf and working in the golf industry. Jason attended Keiser University’s College of Golf and Graduated in May of 2021. While at Keiser Jason was a part of Keiser’s Men’s Lacrosse team and Club Golf team.  

After graduating, Jason headed to Telluride Colorado to work at Telluride Golf and Ski Club. There he worked under teaching pro Mike Dero who helped him with continuing his learning of teaching fundamentals. After a summer in the mountains, he came back to Florida, where he would spend the next 3 winter seasons working at some of the top private golf clubs in Palm Beach County, while spending the summer months at clubs up north in the Greater Philadelphia area.  The last few years Jason has made starts on the Minor League Golf Tour and captured his first ever 1st Place finish this past summer. He also competed in the US Open Local qualifying this past May and looks to try and compete again this upcoming year.

Jason’s teaching philosophies focus on course management, swing mechanics as well as maintaining a healthy body to increase longevity.  Good course Management plays a key role in lowering golf scores as knowing how to play holes and where to place shots is key. And with a passion for fitness, Jason likes to focus on maintaining strength and mobility as both are essential to hitting the ball straighter and longer, as well as playing pain free golf. Jason is looking forward to working with all the members here at IMG Academy Golf Club and helping make the world a better place one swing at a time. 

[email protected]
 

Renze Berg – Golf Course Superintendent

Renze Berg has been here at IMG Golf Club since February 21st, 2022.  Prior to accepting this position, he was Golf Course Superintendent at River Strand Golf and Country Club from October 2015-February 2022.  Before that, he was Golf Course Superintendent at Bradenton Country Club from May 1998-Oct 2015.  Renze Graduated from Lake City Community College in 1996 with an A.S. Degree in Golf Course Management. 

Renze was born and raised here in Bradenton and Graduated High School from Bradenton Christian School in 1990.  He enjoys hunting, fishing and golf.   

[email protected]

Jay Mullen – IMG Academy Director of Grounds

Jay Mullen is the new Director of Grounds for the Academy, and he will also be working closely with Superintendent, Keith Welter, on the golf course.  He started working in the turfgrass industry shortly after moving to Florida from St. Louis, Missouri 20+ years ago.  11 of those years have been spent as Director of Grounds at multi-course facilities including Black Diamond, Palm Aire Country Club, and most recently Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice.  His turf management degree was earned with a combination of credits from the University of Missouri and Penn State University. 
 
Jay has a short commute from north Sarasota where he lives with my wife, Angie, and three children Sydney, Zoey, and Andrew.  He enjoys cheering for his daughters’ volleyball teams and chasing his 2yo around the house when he is not at work.  He is excited to be part of the IMG Academy team and is looking forward to a productive tenure.

[email protected]