About Us

The Pinnacle Difference

Given the competitive nature of today’s golf environment, it is essential the highest levels of quality and efficiency be maintained at all times. Pinnacle Golf Properties engages a true entrepreneurial approach and takes seriously our role as a partner with each property.

Our philosophy is simple.  Upon becoming engaged in management services, we look to build a true win-win relationship and take full ownership for a successful operation. This means our management team provides the necessary direction and attention to detail to ensure the facility’s overall goals are met or exceeded. These targets are based on extensive communication with the ownership group, members, and guests of the facility. Pinnacle Golf Properties hires and trains a team of dedicated associates to implement the day-to-day plan and to protect facility assets.

Our Difference…We are In Business for the Business of Golf!

Begin your new journey today with Pinnacle Golf Properties! Are you looking for industry experts to guide you towards success?

Contact our team of professionals at Pinnacle Golf Properties who are ready and excited to help.

Phone
(704) 585-8286

Address
1115 East Morehead Street, Suite 200
Charlotte, North Carolina 28204

The Pinnacle Golf Properties Team

David Taylor

David D. Taylor
Managing Partner, President

David has over 30 years of experience in the golf industry and is the co-founder, Managing Partner, and President of the Company. In addition to founding the company in 2002, David spent nine years as Director of Marketing/Public Relations for the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama. This $140 million public golf development project consists of 468 holes in eleven Alabama cities. While in Alabama, David served on the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travels’ Advisory Board, the Advisory Board for the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, and the Board of Directors for Community Newspaper Holdings Inc., in Birmingham. David has consulted with the State of Tennessee and The Bear Trace facilities, The State of Georgia, The State of West Virginia, and numerous golf courses in the Southeast on business objectives and marketing programs. He has extensive experience in event operations working with groups such as the PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour, and most recently the USGA in hosting the US Amateur Public Links Championship at Bryan Park in Greensboro, NC. David served on the Board for the North Carolina chapter of the National Golf Course Owners’ Association and is heavily involved with golf leaders throughout the industry. He and his family are active members of First Presbyterian Church. David is a native of North Carolina and received his degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. David and his wife, Elizabeth, have two children and live in Charlotte.

Del Ratcliffe

Del Ratcliffe
Managing Partner, COO

Del has over 35 years of industry experience and is the Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Golf has been a lifelong passion for Del, and he has made a successful career out of a game and business that he loves. Del is a Class “A” member of the PGA of America as well as the Golf Course Superintendent’s Association.  For over 25 years, he has been heavily involved in local, regional, and national leadership in the golf industry. He is currently the President of the North Carolina Golf Course Owners Association, an affiliate of the National Golf Course Owners Association; he recently received the 2020 Don Rossi National award from that association, which recognizes an individual who has made significant and long lasting contributions to the NGCOA.  Del is a recognized expert in many facets of the golf business, with a particular emphasis on course operations, course projects, technology implementation and growth of the game efforts. Del has successfully built and/or renovated all types of golf facilities and specializes in working with noted golf architects to deliver projects on time and on budget, and then implementing a successful management operation. Del is also the founder of Kodology, LLC. Started for the golf industry, it is primarily a technology company that develops marketing software for small and medium businesses that allow them to operate more efficiently and profitably. Del has 4 children and lives in Mooresville with his wife Sandra.

David Lankford, Jr.
Chief Financial Officer

David has over 35 years’ experience in corporate finance. He is responsible for all financial aspects of the Pinnacle Golf portfolio. He has over 25 years of hospitality/golf experience including operations and finances for multiple course properties and multiple course management operations. David has served Pinnacle Golf Properties as CFO for the past 20 years. David’s background includes working with Ron Jaworski’s golf management group, Lake Lure Golf Resort and operating 200-400 room properties for Six Continents Hotels (Holiday Inn). He has extensive experience in IT and network operations. He received his B.S. in Accounting from The University of South Florida. David has two children and lives in York with his wife Jan.

Kyle Kolls, PGA
VP, Director of Operations

Kyle has been involved in the golf industry for over 25 years and is currently the General Manager/Director of Golf at Bryan Park Golf and Conference Center in Greensboro, NC. He has been a member of the PGA of America since early 1988, and has been associated with high end, high profile facilities, such as Oak Tree Golf Club in Edmond, OK, and Palm Beach Polo and Country Club in West Palm Beach, FL. Prior to Pinnacle Golf Properties, he has worked for companies such as Landmark Land, Inc., and KSL Fairways Group. He has served on numerous boards within the PGA both in South Florida and Texas. He has been involved with event management and served as host professional for many events, such as, Chrysler Team Championship – PGA Tour, Rolex Tournament of Champions – AJGA tour, Florida State Open Championship, USGA Qualifiers, and many other PGA sectional and local tournaments. Kyle is a native of Texas and is married with four children.

Tony Johnson

Tony Johnson
VP, Regional Operations

Tony Johnson is a PGA professional with more than 30 years of experience in the golf industry. He oversees Pinnacle’s growing portfolio of Florida golf properties and leads regional operations for both Florida and Georgia, bringing deep operational expertise and strategic leadership to the organization.

Tony has been a member of the PGA of America since 1994. He has served as a general manager and multi-course executive at a wide range of golf properties, gaining extensive experience across private, resort, and public golf operations. In recognition of his contributions to the game, he was inducted into the North Florida PGA Hall of Fame in 2013. He has also held prominent leadership roles within the PGA, including serving as President and later Honorary President of the North Florida PGA Section.

Widely recognized for his operational excellence and strong business acumen, his leadership philosophy centers on delivering exceptional member and guest experiences through first-class service, innovative business strategies, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to building strong team cultures and advancing the game of golf through education, mentorship, and community engagement.

Tony and his wife, Lori, have three children—Alexa, Caleigh, and Anthony.

John Lester

John Lester, PE (Retired)
Senior Project Engineer

John is a retired Professional Engineer with over four decades of experience in the electrical engineering and industrial automation fields. John serves (albeit part time) as the Senior Project Manager for the company following a career marked by technical excellence and dedicated leadership.

A native of Charleston, West Virginia, John earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the West Virginia Institute of Technology and held his Professional Engineer license for 38 years. John’s career began with a major electric utility, where he spent 15 years in various technical and leadership roles, including managing capital projects at a large power generation station. He transitioned into the electrical construction industry, gaining hands-on experience in both industrial and commercial projects.

The majority of John’s career was spent with Emerson Process Systems (PWS), where he dedicated 23 years to managing complex control system projects and leading installation efforts. He served in executive leadership roles, including Director of Eastern North America Regional Operations and later as Director of North America Operations. In these positions, he oversaw planning, assembly, and facilities across the continent.

John is married and lives in Huntersville, North Carolina.

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith, CGCS
Director of Agronomy

Chuck has over 30 years’ experience in golf course maintenance and agronomy with a variety of facility types including private, semi-private and daily fee. He is a member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association and has strong horticulture and mechanical aptitudes. Chuck received his education from North Carolina State University with a mechanical engineering curriculum and turfgrass management. Chuck is currently headquartered at Skybrook Golf Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. Chuck and his wife Amy have 3 children and live in Belmont, NC.

Eddie Reagan
Accounting Manager

Eddie has over 20 years’ experience in corporate business management. He is responsible for the daily business management and financial aspects of the Company. Eddie’s background includes over 20 years as controller for Enterprise Rent-Car with 5 divisions, in addition to being an owner/operator of a franchise store for three years. He served as Business Manager for Tega Cay Golf & Conference Center overseeing all accounting functions for the 27 hole golf and banquet complex. He received his B.S. in Accounting from Murray State University. Eddie lives in Fort Mill, SC.

Denise Barefoot
HR/Payroll Manager

Denise has over 15 years’ experience with multiple facility organizations and oversees the Payroll and HR Functions for the company. She works with each facility to maintain the high standards established for all employee related activities. Her multi facility experience serves our clients well. Most recently, Denise was employed with Delta Career Education Corporation where she supervised and processed payroll along with additional services for more than 35 colleges across the country. The total payroll for the organizations she supported was in excess of 3,500. Denise was also responsible for multiple modernization programs to establish a more efficient company and to elevate the employee satisfaction levels when consulting with payroll or HR representatives. Originally growing up in New England, Denise spent 8 years supporting a military family lifestyle, before finally settling in Charlotte with her husband, Chris, and two children, Alyssa, and Chase.

Suzanne McCaffity
Regional Controller

Suzanne, a native of North Carolina and graduate of North Carolina State University, brings more than 25 years of leadership and financial expertise in the golf and hospitality industry. She began her career in golf with Toll Brothers, where she spent 19 years in progressively senior accounting roles, including Senior Club Controller and Assistant Controller for the company’s Golf Division. In these positions, she was responsible for overseeing the financial operations of multiple high-end golf properties, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and strategic financial planning. Most recently, she served as Regional Vice President of Finance with Invited (formerly ClubCorp), where for five years she led financial oversight and performance management for a diverse portfolio of clubs. Suzanne continues her commitment to operational excellence and financial leadership across multiple properties. She has one son and resides in Oriental, North Carolina, with her husband.