Our People

“The staff provides a warm, comfortable, respectful, but unpretentious atmosphere.”

- Jim O’Connell, Principal, O’Connell Hospitality Group LLC

Member service is a cornerstone of our success and these individuals are the ones who make it happen:

	Paul Blanchette \| Membership Director Paul is a lifetime native of the North Shore and an entrepreneur with over 35 years owning a variety of business ventures. He brings 5 years experience in golf marketing, sales and development as former Director of Membership Development at Turner Hill and The Georgetown Club. He’s passionate about the game of golf and the opportunity to meet and serve our membership in any way he can. In addition to playing golf, Paul and his wife are active in their parish as Pilgrimage Organizers and travel annually to faith based destinations around the world. Two married sons with five grandsons to keep them busy in their spare time. Paul can be reached at [email protected] or 978-500-5661.
	Reggie Lemelin \| Membership Ambassador Reggie comes to Ferncroft after a three-plus decade long professional hockey career during which he played over 500 games in goal and won the William M. Jennings trophy for the '89-90 season, one of six he spent with the Boston Bruins. After his retirement from playing in 1993, he served as goaltending coach for the Philadelphia Flyers for 13 seasons. After leaving the Flyers organization in 2009, he spent seven years as the Membership Sales Director for The Golf Club at Turner Hill. Reggie is currently a Board Member for the Boston Bruins Alumni and remains an active player for the team in their charity hockey games throughout the northeast. Reggie can be reached at [email protected].
	Philip Leiss \| Director of Golf Phil brings over 25 years of experience to the position of Director of Golf and he is a Class A-1 Member of the PGA. Prior to joining Ferncroft CC in 2004, Phil was the First Assistant at Ipswich CC for six years where he earned the prestigious Maria Iacocca award for Member Service. Phil has completed numerous PGA, NEPGA and USGA teaching and coaching summits and rules seminars. Phil enjoys focusing on customer service and enhancing the overall member experience, and is dedicated to a having a full and varied tournament schedule. Contact Phil at [email protected] or 978-739-4040 x228.
	William D. Cunningham \| PGA Head Golf Professional Bill has been a Pro in the New England area for 28 years and was elected to membership in the PGA of America in 1999. He's previously been at Wellesley CC, Winchester CC, and most recently Oakley CC. He especially enjoys teaching and fostering a love of the game in younger players. He's served as administrator of the PGA Junior Golf Program at both Walpole and Oakley CC, coached high school for Walpole, and was the assistant coach of the Suffolk University men’s team from 2016-2019. When time allows, Bill enjoys playing golf with members on both the home course and in tournaments. One of his favorites is the annual Pro-Lady where he and his partner placed first in 2017. Contact Bill at [email protected] or 978-739-4040 x230.
	Cathy MacPherson \| LPGA Instructor Cathy joined Ferncroft in July 2006 as a full-time golf instructor for male and female members and non-members. Cathy has been ranked as one of the “Top 50 Teachers” in the US by Golf for Women Magazine for six straight years, named “Top Ten Teachers” in Massachusetts by Golf Digest, and selected as one of the "Best Teachers in the Region" by Golf Magazine. She is also integrally involved in raising money to benefit the National MS Society. Contact Cathy at [email protected], or call 978-739-4040 x257. More information about Cathy’s programs and teaching philosophy can be found by clicking here.
	Michael Cassidy \| Golf Course Superintendent Michael has been the Superintendent at Ferncroft since 2001. Michael came to Ferncroft CC from Tedesco CC where he was First Assistant Superintendent. Raised in Swampscott, MA, Michael graduated from Essex Agricultural College. In addition to managing the golf maintenance operation, Michael enjoys mentoring future superintendents through an apprenticeship approach. Prior to his career in agronomy, Michael had a brief stint in professional baseball before an injury ended his playing career. Having been scouted from the age of 12, his big break came following a hit off former Phillies and Yankee pitcher Ron Darling in a tryout.
	Christopher J. DeStefano \| Food & Beverage Director Christopher is an award-winning chef coming up on 20 years in the hospitality industry. He was the owner of Christopher’s Table from 2008-2014, a celebrated North Shore restaurant and prepared food shop in Ipswich. Chris has also led culinary tours through Paris, hosted hundreds of guests at elaborate dinners on local farms as part of his widely acclaimed Dinner on the Farm series, and, in addition to writing for local food publications, has also recently published his first full length book, Misfit Chef. He can be reached at [email protected] or 978-739-4040 ext. 224.
	Joseph Joyce \| Executive Chef Chef Joe has 20+ years in the high-end hospitality business in greater Boston, including as Executive Chef for Sodexo-Salem, Executive Chef at the Beauport Hotel in Gloucester, and as Executive Sous Chef for Bon Appètit Management Co. which operates 1,000 restaurants in 33 states. Chef Joe is delighted to be at the club using his talent for elevated cuisine in a more intimate setting. Joe lives in Ipswich and has two amazing children, Amelia and Joe Jr., and he can be reached at [email protected].
	Heather Forrest \| Wedding & Events Sales Director Heather has a BA in Hospitality and Event Management and comes to Ferncoft after holding similar positions at Cruiseport in Gloucester and Kernwood CC in Salem, in addition to having run her own boutique wedding planning and event design company. She has also planed, designed and executed a series of intimate dinners for the Real Housewives of NY. When she's not working she enjoys spoiling her nieces and cooking for friends and family. She can be reached at [email protected] or 978-739-4040 x255.
	Elisa Cazeau \| Event Coordinator Elisa is an Endicott grad with a Hospitality Management degree. She has previously held similar positions at Café Escadrille in Burlington and Legal Harborside in Boston, planning both corporate and social events. In her spare time she loves being with her husband and her toddler son, Cameron. In the winter you can catch them travelling to get their outside time in warmer climates. She can be reached at [email protected] or 978-739-4040 x227.
	Adam Courtemanche \| Head Racquets Professional Adam played four years of DII tennis at West Chester University and has 10+ years of teaching and coaching experience. He's taught all ages and levels at Agawam Hunt Club, Waltham Athletic Club, Adirondack Club and Wimbledon MetroWest. Adam has also previously coached the men's and women's teams at Bentley University, and is currently the coach of the women's team at Merrimack College. When not on the court, he enjoys running, working out, and watching hockey and football as a fan. He can be reached at [email protected].

	Paul Blanchette \| Membership Director Paul is a lifetime native of the North Shore and an entrepreneur with over 35 years owning a variety of business ventures. He brings 5 years experience in golf marketing, sales and development as former Director of Membership Development at Turner Hill and The Georgetown Club. He’s passionate about the game of golf and the opportunity to meet and serve our membership in any way he can. In addition to playing golf, Paul and his wife are active in their parish as Pilgrimage Organizers and travel annually to faith based destinations around the world. Two married sons with five grandsons to keep them busy in their spare time. Paul can be reached at [email protected] or 978-500-5661.
	Reggie Lemelin \| Membership Ambassador Reggie comes to Ferncroft after a three-plus decade long professional hockey career during which he played over 500 games in goal and won the William M. Jennings trophy for the '89-90 season, one of six he spent with the Boston Bruins. After his retirement from playing in 1993, he served as goaltending coach for the Philadelphia Flyers for 13 seasons. After leaving the Flyers organization in 2009, he spent seven years as the Membership Sales Director for The Golf Club at Turner Hill. Reggie is currently a Board Member for the Boston Bruins Alumni and remains an active player for the team in their charity hockey games throughout the northeast. Reggie can be reached at [email protected].
	Philip Leiss \| Director of Golf Phil brings over 25 years of experience to the position of Director of Golf and he is a Class A-1 Member of the PGA. Prior to joining Ferncroft CC in 2004, Phil was the First Assistant at Ipswich CC for six years where he earned the prestigious Maria Iacocca award for Member Service. Phil has completed numerous PGA, NEPGA and USGA teaching and coaching summits and rules seminars. Phil enjoys focusing on customer service and enhancing the overall member experience, and is dedicated to a having a full and varied tournament schedule. Contact Phil at [email protected] or 978-739-4040 x228.
	William D. Cunningham \| PGA Head Golf Professional Bill has been a Pro in the New England area for 28 years and was elected to membership in the PGA of America in 1999. He's previously been at Wellesley CC, Winchester CC, and most recently Oakley CC. He especially enjoys teaching and fostering a love of the game in younger players. He's served as administrator of the PGA Junior Golf Program at both Walpole and Oakley CC, coached high school for Walpole, and was the assistant coach of the Suffolk University men’s team from 2016-2019. When time allows, Bill enjoys playing golf with members on both the home course and in tournaments. One of his favorites is the annual Pro-Lady where he and his partner placed first in 2017. Contact Bill at [email protected] or 978-739-4040 x230.
	Cathy MacPherson \| LPGA Instructor Cathy joined Ferncroft in July 2006 as a full-time golf instructor for male and female members and non-members. Cathy has been ranked as one of the “Top 50 Teachers” in the US by Golf for Women Magazine for six straight years, named “Top Ten Teachers” in Massachusetts by Golf Digest, and selected as one of the "Best Teachers in the Region" by Golf Magazine. She is also integrally involved in raising money to benefit the National MS Society. Contact Cathy at [email protected], or call 978-739-4040 x257. More information about Cathy’s programs and teaching philosophy can be found by clicking here.
	Michael Cassidy \| Golf Course Superintendent Michael has been the Superintendent at Ferncroft since 2001. Michael came to Ferncroft CC from Tedesco CC where he was First Assistant Superintendent. Raised in Swampscott, MA, Michael graduated from Essex Agricultural College. In addition to managing the golf maintenance operation, Michael enjoys mentoring future superintendents through an apprenticeship approach. Prior to his career in agronomy, Michael had a brief stint in professional baseball before an injury ended his playing career. Having been scouted from the age of 12, his big break came following a hit off former Phillies and Yankee pitcher Ron Darling in a tryout.
	Christopher J. DeStefano \| Food & Beverage Director Christopher is an award-winning chef coming up on 20 years in the hospitality industry. He was the owner of Christopher’s Table from 2008-2014, a celebrated North Shore restaurant and prepared food shop in Ipswich. Chris has also led culinary tours through Paris, hosted hundreds of guests at elaborate dinners on local farms as part of his widely acclaimed Dinner on the Farm series, and, in addition to writing for local food publications, has also recently published his first full length book, Misfit Chef. He can be reached at [email protected] or 978-739-4040 ext. 224.
	Joseph Joyce \| Executive Chef Chef Joe has 20+ years in the high-end hospitality business in greater Boston, including as Executive Chef for Sodexo-Salem, Executive Chef at the Beauport Hotel in Gloucester, and as Executive Sous Chef for Bon Appètit Management Co. which operates 1,000 restaurants in 33 states. Chef Joe is delighted to be at the club using his talent for elevated cuisine in a more intimate setting. Joe lives in Ipswich and has two amazing children, Amelia and Joe Jr., and he can be reached at [email protected].
	Heather Forrest \| Wedding & Events Sales Director Heather has a BA in Hospitality and Event Management and comes to Ferncoft after holding similar positions at Cruiseport in Gloucester and Kernwood CC in Salem, in addition to having run her own boutique wedding planning and event design company. She has also planed, designed and executed a series of intimate dinners for the Real Housewives of NY. When she's not working she enjoys spoiling her nieces and cooking for friends and family. She can be reached at [email protected] or 978-739-4040 x255.
	Elisa Cazeau \| Event Coordinator Elisa is an Endicott grad with a Hospitality Management degree. She has previously held similar positions at Café Escadrille in Burlington and Legal Harborside in Boston, planning both corporate and social events. In her spare time she loves being with her husband and her toddler son, Cameron. In the winter you can catch them travelling to get their outside time in warmer climates. She can be reached at [email protected] or 978-739-4040 x227.
	Adam Courtemanche \| Head Racquets Professional Adam played four years of DII tennis at West Chester University and has 10+ years of teaching and coaching experience. He's taught all ages and levels at Agawam Hunt Club, Waltham Athletic Club, Adirondack Club and Wimbledon MetroWest. Adam has also previously coached the men's and women's teams at Bentley University, and is currently the coach of the women's team at Merrimack College. When not on the court, he enjoys running, working out, and watching hockey and football as a fan. He can be reached at [email protected].