Alexander turns to the outdoors to unwind

This article is an addition to the Courier’s list of 2023 oldest country clubs.

Brad Alexander began his career in hospitality while still in high school. He waited tables at a restaurant near Dayton. He got his first country club job while studying communications at Bowling Green State University. This changed his career trajectory.

There's a certain level of decorum among private club members. He said that it was a much more pleasant interaction with him than the general public. It's not that private club members don't have demands, but they are generally very gracious and willing to pay for an experience. They show their appreciation when they receive that special experience.

Alexander began his career managing clubs in the Dayton area. However, a chance encounter between a member at the NCR Country Club that he managed in Kettering with a Highland Country Club member in Fort Thomas resulted in an uninvited call and a new position. He was hired as the general manager of the Northern Kentucky Club at the start of the year.

What is the most popular offer at Highland? Our golf course was designed by two different architects. The front nine of the original course is (W.H.). Course for diddles. It's a shorter course, but it is extremely challenging. The back nine, designed by Arthur Hills, is also very difficult. The yardage is not huge, but many very accomplished golfers find the skill level required to be surprising. It's not well-known outside our membership.

What is the hidden gem of your club? We have a 4-lane bowling alley. We experienced a flood in 2022 on Christmas Eve. We are currently remodeling the area. We're building a sports bar there. There is a bar in that area. Right now, we're talking to architects and will (soon) make the decision. We will be putting down kid-friendly games and offer babysitting from Tuesday to Saturday.

What is the latest in the industry? It has never been harder to stay relevant with the younger generation while not alienating older members that have paid dues for decades. It's important to create programming that is inclusive of all age groups. Our older members play bridge, participate in daytime golf leagues and enjoy a more traditional dining experience. The social events are popular with boomers in their lower 40s and older. They also enjoy the murder mystery dinners and wine pairing dinners. You need to provide kids programming to encourage families to participate.

What do you do to relax? We enjoy spending time outside -- we go camping a lot with our family. I spent two summers in Alaska and did a lot rock climbing, skiing, and backpacking. Since adding our fourth child, I haven't had the time to do much of this. We have three daughters, and a son who is 21 months old. Since high school, I have (also) worked on cars with a couple of friends. I love the automotive industry.

What made you interested in cars? My father and grandfather were Mopar fans. Every time I work on a vehicle, it brings back memories of my family.

What are you currently working on? I own a 2006 Dodge Magnum Hemi R/T. It's the perfect car for my family of four -- a sports wagon. It is a fun car to drive and meets all of the needs for the family. It has a great suspension setup, and a tuning chip that allows it to go faster than I should.

What are your favorite outdoor vacation spots? My family has owned a lakeside property for five generations. This area in Northern Michigan is amazing. My uncle owns a hunting camp on the upper Peninsula and I have done some snowmobiling there. I also had a wonderful time in Alaska. I spent two summers at Denali National Park, and I would like to return as soon as I can. Red River Gorge is another place we've visited. There are some amazing rock climbing opportunities.

Brad Alexander

Career path: Earned a Bachelor's Degree in Communications from Bowling Green State University, but spent most of his time in Dayton at clubs such as the Findlay Country Club and ClubCorp.

Age: 42