Stonebridge looks to past for new management

ALBANY — Sometimes when you want to move things forward, you have to go back to the future.

That’s the route Stonebridge Golf & Country Club owners Doug and Allen Wingate have taken in their efforts to pump a new vitality into the southwest Dougherty County club, founded in 1996.

The husband-wife team of Vafa and Belinda Ghalahger, who were instrumental in the planning of Stonebridge some 20 years ago, is back, with Vafa as the club’s general manager and Belinda as its marketing manager. After a decadelong tenure at the prestigious Capital City Country Club in Atlanta, the Ghalahgers have already begun to instill a new sense of excitement at the Dougherty County club.

“We feel that we’ve come back home,” Vafa said of the return to Southwest Georgia. “And that’s important to us, because our goal is to make Stonebridge feel like an extension of our members’ homes.

“The facilities here are excellent, and we are developing a plan to maximize the crown jewels that are part of the club. And I want to stress that this is not a situation where we are unfamiliar with Stonebridge’s amenities. We were there during the planning, when there were only concrete footings on the grounds, and we’ve been consulting back and forth over the last 15 years.”

Vafa Ghalahger has the pedigree to transform Stonebridge into one of the region’s most dynamic venues. The new Stonebridge general manager earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in economics and business administration at Middle Georgia College, Mercer University, Southwest University (in Louisiana) and Georgia State University.

But he’s probably as at home in the kitchen as he is in the boardroom.

“I started my career as a dishwasher,” Vafa said. “I moved up to prep work, cook, sous chef and finally chef. I’ve developed some trademark dishes during my time in the kitchen, and some of those are what I’m bringing to Stonebridge. I’m working with our chef and staff to create a menu that’s equal parts delicious, unique dishes and presentation.”

Improving the Stonebridge dining experience is priority No. 1 for the Ghalahgers — as the club’s new popular Sunday brunch attests — but Vafa said he is working with the club’s entire team to complete a makeover that will appeal to members.

“We’re working with each of the department managers — the golf pro, tennis pro, grounds superintendent, the kitchen staff — to upgrade our service,” the Stonebridge general manager said. “We plan to offer the best possible service, and we want the grounds to shine like the crown jewels that they are.”

Belinda Ghalahger said she’s also working to market real estate opportunities at Stonebridge.

“This is an incredibly beautiful piece of property out here, 900 acres that are perfectly conducive to our 18-hole championship golf course,” Belinda Ghalahger said. “There are picturesque, expansive views with amazing wildlife and foliage. And we have housing units available for all price points.

“The infrastructure is in place to develop more villas, so the potential here is unlimited. We have an opportunity to turn Stonebridge into something of a city unto itself.”

Much as they did with the Capital City Country Club — where they oversaw two multimillion-dollar renovations and hosted events for Fortune 500 business giants like Coca-Cola and celebrities such as former Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez — the Ghalahgers are planning a number of social events for Stonebridge. The club’s elegant, and expansive, Easter brunch will include such Vafa culinary favorites as poached whole salmon, ravigote-style crabmeat salad with cilantro creme fraiche, roast prime rib of beef, roast leg of lamb, paprika-crusted grouper on shrimp etoufee, and dozens of other entrees, salads, side dishes and desserts.

“We want to be the place where our members plan their wedding receptions, company parties and charity events,” Vafa said. “We are dedicated to providing the best in service, the best in amenities, the best menu in this area. We truly want our members to feel like they are at home when they come to an event at Stonebridge.”