Meet The Staff

Bret Shifflett :: General Manager

Bret started at The Links at Challedon in March of 2005. He has managed other local golf clubs such as Bear Creek and Glade Valley. Bret also served as the Director of Golf for WestWinds Golf Club. He is a certified profesional member of the Golf Clubmakers Association and Professional Golf Teacher and Coaches of America. Bret is also a Class A Golf Professional with the PGA of America. A long time Carroll County resident, Bret began his career as a retail store manager of Sound Odyssey, Music and Video and Shenk and Tittle, Sporting Goods.

Matt Palm :: Golf Course Superintendent

Matt started at The Links at Challedon in June 2004. He has a B.S. in Turfgrass Science from Penn State University where he graduated from in 2001. While attending Penn State he interned at Saucon Valley Country Club in 1998, and 1999 helping to prepare the Old Course for the 2000 U.S. Senior Open, later returning in 2001 to become an Assistant Superintendent. In 2002 he became the Assistant Superintendent at Goose Creek Golf Club in Leesburg, VA helping to turn course conditions around in turn making the club more profitable. In March of 2004 Matt became the Superintendent at Bear Creek Golf Club in Westminster MD and stayed there until he was moved into the Superintendent position here at Challedon in June 2004. He is originally from Reading, PA and got his start in the golf industry by working on the maintenance crew at Flying Hills Golf Course just outside of Reading.

Greg Howard :: Head Golf Professional

Greg Comes to Challedon with over 10 years of golf industry experience. He has a well rounded golf history having worked at such courses as the TPC at Avenel, WestWinds and Clustered Spires. Before entering the golf industry, Greg was a professional musician. He has performed and recorded with some of the area's leading musical acts. Greg started golf later in life, but was quick to pick up the game by shooting par the first year he played and breaking par the second year. Greg is a stundent of the game and loves to learn all he can about this great game.

Chris Henson :: Assistant Golf Professional

Christopher Wayne Henson was born in Hagerstown, Maryland. He graduated from South Hagerstown High School in June 2000. While attending high school he was a member of the Golf Team and won the Washington County High School Championship his junior year. After graduating high school, he attended The Golf Academy of the Carolinas in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and received an Business Degree emphasized in Golf Professional and General Management in August 2003. He also received certificates in Advanced Teaching and Club Repair Operations during his attendance at the Academy. One of his many achievements at the Academy was winning first place in the year-ending Match Play Event. After graduation from the Academy, he worked as Shop Attendant and Outside Golf Operations at Maryland National Golf Club located in Middletown, Maryland. Chris has worked at the Links of Challedon since August 2004. He has plans to enroll in the PGA program in the future.

Betty Ponton :: Events coodinator

After working twenty-five years in the "corporate" world, Betty started her career in golf as a Proshop Manager at Clustered Spires Golf Course in Frederick in 1991. After several years gaining knowledge of the game as well as the business of golf, advanced to The Links at Challedon as a golf shop assistant. Betty was then offered and accepted the position as Golf Shop Manager at Goose Creek Golf Club in Leesburg, Virginia. With new ownership of West Winds Golf Club (New Market, Maryland), a position of Tournament Coordinator was made available to Betty and once again accepted. November, 2005, Betty was transferred (back) to The Links at Challedon. Betty looks forward to a successful 2008 outing season.

Suzanne Leek :: Food and Beverage Manager

Suzanne started at The Links at Challedon in March of 2006. She comes to Challedon with over 10 years of golf club experience, both public and private. She was awarded the first luxury box holders tournament for the Ravens organization during her tenure at River Downs. Prior to entering the golf industry she Captained many major events for the late Frank Defrancis at Laurel and Pimlico Racetracks in the famed Jockey Club, in all she has over 25 years experience in food and beverage and feels blessed having always been affiliated with the best.