Celebrating National Accountants Day with Troon
National Accountants Day is celebrated on 10th November and it’s the perfect time to spotlight some of the behind the scenes associates who are an essential part of every team at our golf clubs and Troon corporate offices. We asked our accounting associates from the US, UAE, Malaysia and more to share with us some interesting facts about themselves and their career path in accounting.
Name: Lim Beng Teik
Position: Director of Finance
Location: The Els Club Desaru Coast
What made you want to choose accounting as a career?
I chose accounting as a career because of my strong interest in business, along with my analytical and conceptual skills. This career path not only provides me with the opportunity to work in diverse industries like auditing, beverages, technology, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and hospitality but also offers me a unique chance to gain insights into the global markets that have a significant impact on businesses, politics, and economies.
How long have you worked for Troon and what has been your career growth since starting with the company or facility?
Having been given the opportunity to join The Els Club Malaysia (ECM) as a Director of Finance in October 2018, which oversees three world-class golf courses located in Desaru Coast and Langkawi, Malaysia and is managed by Troon Golf, I was mandated to develop a robust financial framework for reporting and analysis, implement financial best practices, and stabilize the organization’s Finance department. Since then, I’ve acted as a strategic partner to the General Manager and have been actively engaged in various initiatives.
What is something interesting you can share about yourself that not many people know?
An additional benefit of choosing a career in Accounting and Finance is the opportunity to work and travel to different countries, collaborating with colleagues and business partners from diverse cultural backgrounds. While serving as the Regional Finance Director, APAC for a US multinational corporation in Singapore, I had the privilege of leading a Finance team that represented a rich tapestry of cultures across 13 countries. This role allowed me to participate in business trips and meetings with these nations, broadening my understanding of their cultural diversity. This experience not only enriched my professional journey but also enabled me to establish a global network of friends and associates.
Name: Laura Molinari
Position: CFO / Assistant General Manager
Location: The Fountaingrove Club, Santa Rosa, CA, USA
What made you want to choose accounting as a career?
I majored in Business Administration because I had no clue what I wanted to do when I was 18. I took a wide range of classes and gravitated toward accounting because it was interesting, and I knew it would be a valuable skillset. While I was getting my bachelor’s degree, I got a part-time job primarily doing AP and AR. From there I thrived in small businesses in different industries learning the ins and outs of everything accounting and finance. I chose to pursue an MBA as I knew I really enjoyed working with numbers and understanding all parts of how a business runs.
How long have you worked for Troon and what has been your career growth since starting with the company or facility?
I started as a Property Controller at Troon (The Fountaingrove Club) in June 2020 and quickly realized how much I loved working in the Club world. I came in during a time of interesting challenges. In addition to pandemic, the Club was working through some legal projects that I was able to learn from. Last December I was promoted to CFO and Assistant General Manager which suits me well because I get to learn and support all of the operations, while keeping a strong pulse on the finances and overall health of the Club.
What is something interesting you can share about yourself that not many people know?
On the weekends I play in an open competitive division of Sonoma County women’s soccer league and my team is ranked #1.
Name: Luis Cruz
Position: Supervisor, Customer Finance
Location: Corporate Office, Reston, Virginia, USA
What made you want to choose accounting as a career?
During my early school years, I found a niche for numbers/math class. This later led to an interest in my first accounting course in high school. Although I realized accounting was way more than just math, I was still intrigued, and it was confirmation that this will become a career goal overtime. Eventually as I completed more finance courses, the financial acumen behind accounting was the reason I continued to pursue a career in accounting.
How long have you worked for Troon and what has been your career growth since starting with the company or facility?
I’ve worked for Troon/Indigo Sports for 7 years now. I started working as an AP Associate back in 2016 during my last semester in college. During my tenure here, I’ve been given the opportunity to be a part of 6 different roles and work my way up to my current role as Accounting Supervisor.
What is something interesting you can share about yourself that not many people know?
Working on cars is a hobby of mine. If I wasn’t doing accounting, I would probably have my own car/performance shop.
Name: Tammy Stevens-King
Position: Corporate Accounting Manager, Owned & Leased Assets
Location: The Club at St James, Southport, NC, USA
What made you want to choose accounting as a career?
I’ve always enjoyed working with numbers. The accounting profession provided a clear choice and an exciting fit for me. Troon and the Clubs at St James have provided me with the unique opportunity to grow my career with the company for the past 19 years.
How long have you worked for Troon and what has been your career growth since starting with the company or facility?
I originally joined The Clubs at St James in Southport, NC in 2004 as a server/bartender. Since then, I’ve progressed with the company from Food and Beverage, Administrative Assistant, Property Accountant, Property Controller, to my current position as Corporate Accounting Manager. My time at St. James has given me a solid foundation in financial principles and practices as well as invaluable experience in the private club industry. I am truly grateful for the opportunities of professional growth afforded to me by Troon!
What is something interesting you can share about yourself that not many people know?
I find the most joy in the simplicities of life! Spending time with my husband and daughter, the beauty of a sunset, listening to the waves or just connecting with nature and taking time to appreciate the world around me. “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses”-Abraham Lincoln.
Name: Johnelle Madera
Position: Accounting & Human Resources Manager
Location: Ka’anapali Golf Courses, Maui Hawaii
What made you want to choose accounting as a career?
Early on during covid, I was furloughed from my position for another hospitality company doing HR and payroll. I have always had a knack for organization, detail and figures. The Ka’anapali Golf Courses Accounting & HR Manager opportunity presented itself for me step outside of my comfort zone and to challenge myself.
How long have you worked for Troon and what has been your career growth since starting with the company or facility?
In December will be 3 years. As I play a dual role of Accounting Manager and on-site HR, I appreciate that I have the opportunity to help keep the financial aspect of the company in order, and have personal interactions with the rest of our Ka’anapali team. I’ve learned to appreciate the challenges of accounting as it relates to the bigger picture of success for the golf course as a whole.
What is something interesting you can share about yourself that not many people know?
I’ve completed the Waikiki Rough Water swim twice. It is a 2.348 mile ocean swim from one end of Waikiki beach to the other.
Name: Jagath Rajapakse
Position: Finance manager
Location:Al Hamra Golf Club
What made you want to choose accounting as a career?
A love working with numbers and a fascination with the precision of financial management inspired me to pursue a career in accounting. The ability to analyze and interpret financial data, coupled with the opportunity to contribute to the strategic decision-making process, motivated me to embark on this rewarding journey.
How long have you worked for Troon and what has been your career growth since starting with the company or facility?
I’ve been proudly associated with Troon and its affiliates for 12 years. Over this time, my career has witnessed significant growth. Starting as Chief Accountant, I have progressively advanced to Finance Manager, taking on roles that allowed me to enhance my skills and contribute meaningfully to the financial success of our team.
What is something interesting you can share about yourself that not many people know?
Outside the realm of numbers, I hold a unique passion for delving into the world of programming languages and artificial intelligence. Alongside this, I indulge in my hobbies of traveling and reading, which serve as anchors to maintain equilibrium in my professional life.
Name: Nate Webb
Position: Supervisor, Shared Accounting Team
Location: Corporate Office, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
What made you want to choose accounting as a career?
I chose to get an accounting degree because both my dad and grandpa had accounting degrees. I enjoy working with numbers and spreadsheets and love expanding on these skills every day.
How long have you worked for Troon and what has been your career growth since starting with the company or facility?
I have worked for Troon for over 5 years. I started in November 2017 in guest services at Troon North. In April of 2018 I transitioned to the corporate office as a junior accountant working mostly with the limited oversight clubs and assisting the shared accounting team on cash reconciliations. About a year later, I was promoted to a Shared Accountant. I left Troon briefly for 11 months but rejoined as a Senior Accountant in April of 2022. In March of 2023 I was promoted to Accounting Supervisor which is my role today.
What is something interesting you can share about yourself that not many people know?
I am an avid bow hunter.
Name: Erin Lewis
Position: Accounting Supervisor, Customer Finance
Location: Corporate Office, Reston, Virginia, USA
What made you want to choose accounting as a career?
In high school I was good at math and an older friend recommended that I take the Intro to Accounting class. I was good at it, and even competed at the state and national level through Future Business Leaders of America (yes, I was a really cool teenager). Accounting has been the obvious career path ever since.
How long have you worked for Troon and what has been your career growth since starting with the company or facility?
I’ve been with Troon a little over two years now, starting in October 2021. I started as a senior accountant with the Legacy Indigo shared accounting team and have been recently promoted to Accounting Supervisor.
What is something interesting you can share about yourself that not many people know?
I love to cook and bake. My proudest achievement is recreating my Great Aunt’s Orange Drop cookie recipe after she passed away. It took a few years of trial and error, but I’m finally able to bring her famous cookies to holidays and family events.
Name: Kristie Martin
Position: AP Supervisor, Shared Accounting
Location: Corporate, Scottsdale, AZ
What made you want to choose accounting as a career?
I started out at Ewing Irrigation as an Accounting Clerk and as I progressed at Ewing, I liked the Accounts Payables aspect and being able to problem solve and provide that customer service experience. I’ve worked in Accounts Receivable and as a Staff Accountant but found my passion in Accounts Payables.
How long have you worked for Troon and what has been your career growth since starting with the company or facility?
I started at Troon in March of this year as the Accounts Payable Supervisor for the Shared AP team.
What is something interesting you can share about yourself that not many people know?
An interesting fact about me is the I have my bachelor’s degree in Applied Veterinary Sciences and before working in accounting was working on getting my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), I am an avid animal advocate and am on the Board of Directors for Friends For Life Animal Rescue.
Name: Noreen Javinar
Position: Accounting & Human Resources Manager
Location: Ocean Course Hokuala, Kauai, Hawaii
What made you want to choose accounting as a career?
While job searching, I actually fell into the position through my connection with Kellie Hines, (now Director of Instruction at Hokuala) in 1999. Kellie had needed an assistant as she was losing her current Assist/Accounting clerk. I worked for her and various other GMs for 20+ years and put all three of my sons through college.
Name: Lorraine Bond
Position: Regional Controller, Property Accounting
Location: Corporate Office, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
What made you want to choose accounting as a career?
My high school guidance counselor suggested I go into accounting. I was getting ready to graduate and was thinking that I liked school so I would become a teacher. He told me I wouldn’t be happy and I should go for accounting. I had no idea what the career was all about! Thank you to him – my degree has allowed me to have a wonderful career.
How long have you worked for Troon and what has been your career growth since starting with the company or facility?
I have worked for Troon for 8 years. I started as a property accountant for one of our clubs and I was at the club for five years. When the management changed, I begged everyone I knew at Troon to let me have a job in the corporate office since there were no accounting positions available where I lived.
What is something interesting you can share about yourself that not many people know?
I played the clarinet as a kid, and I absolutely love Indian food.
Name: Indika Nishan
Position: Director of Finance & Administration
Location: The Royal Golf Club, Bahrain
What made you want to choose accounting as a career?
During my academic and professional education, I was deeply passionate about adding value to the corporate sector contributing enormously to the growth of business using my accounting and financial acumen. Several factors which led me to choose accounting as a career includes; I enjoyed working with numbers and solving problems, it provides vast opportunities in the career spectrum from auditing, taxation, financial reporting and financial analysis etc. and it allows for continual learning.
How long have you worked for Troon and what has been your career growth since starting with the company or facility?
8 years. I joined the Company as a Finance Manager in November 2015. When I joined the company, it was a loss-making entity with a number of key areas needing immediate attention and improvement. Under the leadership at that time, I along with other head of departments made significant efforts to transform the company and make the business profitable and sustainable. With our relentless commitment and continuous improvements to the business, the company was made profitable in 2016 onwards. As a testament to the significant transformation efforts, I was honoured to be promoted to the position of Director of Finance in July 2017, marking a remarkable milestone just one and a half years into my tenure with the company.
What is something interesting you can share about yourself that not many people know?
I am a social entrepreneur and would like to make an impact on the education system in Sri Lanka.
The accounting team from the Reston, VA office got together last month for some team building and camaraderie. We thank them, and all the corporate accounting associates, for their support to our facilities across the globe!