Ace in the Hole

Beth Murphy, general manager at Southwood Golf Club, chose to swap suits for golf clothes.

Beth Murphy, TallahasseeDirector of Golf, SouthWood Golf Club

Beth Murphy loves golf. Though, as every manager understands, she finds less and less time these days to indulge in the game she’s so passionate about. Lately, she’s played most rounds with 7-year-old son Jack.

A golf veteran with more than 10 years’ experience, Murphy oversees all aspects of day-to-day operations at Tallahassee’s SouthWood Golf Club — one of the region’s most acclaimed courses.

Before joining the SouthWood team, Murphy was the general manager of Carolina National Golf Club near Myrtle Beach, S.C. She also spent six years in various roles with American Golf Corporation, the nation’s largest golf course owner and operator.

The SouthWood Golf Club has blossomed under Murphy’s management. Golf for Women magazine cited the course’s women-friendly layout and multiple tee ratings for women, as well as its progressive instructional, social and competitive programs, in naming the club one of the nation’s Top 50 Courses for Women. Her strategy is working and the club has steadily grown since she began in 2005.  — Tisha Crews Keller

1. Claim to fame: At the end of a very hot media event day at Carolina National, Fred Couples took off his sweaty shirt and handed it to me. I still have it — and, yes, I washed it.

2. Always with me: My BlackBerry. And I almost always wear Brighton jewelry — the hearts help me feel connected to my family.

3. Travel tip: I’ve found a lot more peace of mind since adopting the "If I forgot it, I can buy it" attitude.

4. How I relax: My work days are very long, so mindlessly productive things like puttering in the garden or playing outside with Jack wipe away the stress.

5. Current obsession: Sudoku.

6. Getting away: My ideal vacation is a balanced combination of relaxation, exploration and adventure in the sun. Think: Key West, Napa Valley.

7. Staying connected: I read industry publications such as Golf, Inc. and Golf Business.

8. Comfort food: Oreos and milk.

9. Key to great service: I look for a logo on a hat or shirt to initiate a conversation. It’s generally a great way to connect to someone and find common ground.

10. Personal splurge: Online shopping — shoes, clothes, things for my home.

11. On-course peeve: Continuous offenses of slow play, unraked bunkers, unfilled divots and inappropriate attire.

12. Fitness tip: I play with my son — football, baseball, golf — to stay in shape.

13. First job: A server at Bonanza steak house in high school.