The Corner Office With Roxann Maxey – Theodore Wirth Golf Club

Tee Times introduced a new column last year where we provide readers with an insightful look into the thinking and personality of the people in golf leadership roles. This issue we feature Roxann Maxey, at Theodore Wirth Golf Club. Roxann has a wealth of golf knowledge and brings her energy and passion to the clubhouse every day. Her broad knowledge of golf and event operations provides our readers with some great insights into what makes a golf course tick like a Swiss watch. We hope you enjoy it.

1. How long have you been in the golf business and how did you get your start?

I started at Edinburgh Golf Club on April 15, 1992.  I spent 13 years working for the City of Roseville, three of which were spent managing Cedarholm Golf Course and Marketing/Community Outreach. I guess I got my start because my dad wanted us to help him out with the courses he had under his management of Director of Parks and Recreation. 

2. Was there an ‘aha moment’ when you realized this is a good gig?

It’s golf, everyone should be coming out to enjoy a time away from technology and the hustle and bustle of the world today and escape into nature to take part in a little exercise, socialization, and relaxation. 

3. How would you describe your golf game?  

My dad once said, I was a disgrace to the course. He didn’t enjoy my lack of taking the game serious enough. I enjoy capturing photos along the way and seeing new ideas throughout each course. I like to play new courses instead of repeating a course. It’s about the entire experience and not just the game.

4. Is there a pet peeve about the game you would like to get off your chest?

Over the years we have experienced some folks that feel like they are in a hurry and cannot de-escalate and relax. At the end of the day, it’s just golf, a game designed for gathering with fellow golf enthusiasts for socialization, competition, and enjoying the great outdoors.  

5. Do you have any heroes in the game?

My dad is always my number one hero! He spent many years as a consultant for the golf industry helping to increase revenue flow and function of courses and course design. He was always so proud of Edinburgh and loved taking people out to show it off. He had the ability to take risk and to influence shareholders to buy into his ideas. As far as real players in the game, would Happy Gilmore be considered?

6. Thinking back what is the most memorable moment in recent PGA history?

I love watching the labor of love of how beautifully manicured the courses look. However, I will have to say, when the Ryder Cup came a few years back, the environment became contagious and I kept chasing the addiction. I guess I’m an events junkie and I thought it was such a well-done event, I couldn’t stop wanting to go again day after day.

7. Is there a trend or pattern in the game of golf you would like to see changed?

I think just welcoming in new enthusiasts, making the environment relaxed and inviting to make people leave feeling like they had an amazing experience. We really work on creating an environment here at Theodore Wirth where all are welcome and all will be treated with respect and top notch personalized service. 

8. What is your opinion about the health of the state-of-the-game?

We need to keep teaching our young and staying in front of the trends of what we can do to entice the technology generations to unplug and get out and play. We also need to keep encouraging businesses to understand the value of relationships formed on the golf course and continue supporting the game through business development.

9. What is the strangest player mishap or misstep to take place at your course?

We have a very hilly course with very creative path designs in areas that are very curvy. So we tend to see bachelor parties leaving the game with scratches and bruises from them flipping players off the carts, rolling their carts or hitting trees. I think we had 7 damaged carts last weekend from the bachelor party mishaps on the twisting hills.

10. What makes you happy when considering the customers who play your course?

I love when people are shocked with the great beauty of the course and get excited to come back and play us again. I think there is so much competition out there, that if you can have players so grateful for the experience they have had and excited to return, we have done our job well. My goal is always to see friendships built and a sense of community developed.

11. Do you consider yourself a golf purist or wide-open to new rules and regulations?

I do like to keep traditions the same and not die out and have people conform to those traditions. However, sometimes it’s about just getting people outside and active and not so much on following the rules. My mom will stick completely to the rules and I’m more a “gimme” type of player to keep it moving along. 

12. Who do you consider the greatest golfer of all-time and why?

There are many great golfers throughout history to include men and women. I think Tiger has helped to re-kindle the game and bring enthusiasm into the sport to a wider audience base. 

13. Do you have a course in Minnesota or Wisconsin you consider highly underrated?

I would have to say my home course Theodore Wirth. It’s one of the most amazing layouts to create a challenging game, makes you feel like you are up north with the deep woods, but also shows signature views of the Minneapolis Skyline. We just invested 12 million dollars into enhancing the experience and it really turned out fantastic. 

14. The single best reason for spending 4+ hours chasing a little white ball?

You are out in nature, breathing fresh air, listening to the ting of the ball being hit, the birds singing, and the silence of being nestled into many acres of artistically crafted greenways is good for the soul. Couldn’t be a better athletic experience that provides all those great benefits.