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Aug 18, 2020

What does the largest outdoor swimming pool in the country, Portugal, the University of Rhode Island, and lots of golf have to do with 12 Oaks? Golf may be an easy connection, but you don’t want to miss this conversation including the question I should have asked, but didn’t. Do you know someone in the neighborhood that resembles Richard Gere? Tune in as we put these pieces together to learn about another 12 Oaks member. 

Ed Hanley is a PGA professional and our own general manager, right here in 12 Oaks.  At the age of 14, he started working at a golf course and immediately fell in love.  He has been a PGA professional for 20 years and a general manager for the past 10 years. Sports have been a part of his life for as long as he can remember and are responsible for his work ethic and business style.    

Ed was born and raised in Cranston, Rhode Island.  He is the oldest child from a proud Portguese family. They gather together each summer at his aunt’s house in Portugal to catch up with his family that are still living in Portugal.  After high school, Ed went to the University of Rhode Island. Ed is married to his wife Maclin and they have two children, but we can’t forget their four-legged 3rd child.   

It was great getting to know Ed even more. We are so fortunate to have Ed as our general manager and golf pro. Be sure to stop into the club and visit Ed.  

In This Episode:

  • [02:24] Welcome Ed Hanley our 15th “P” in the pod[cast]. He is a PGA professional and general manager of 12 Oaks.
  • [04:11] Ed and Maclin recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. 
  • [05:53] Ed shares about growing up in Rhode Island. 
  • [06:11] His mother was from Portugal and his father from an Irish family.  He lived in a diverse neighborhood. It was a great way to experience life.  
  • [07:49] His mother’s family is/was from San Miguel, Portugal.  
  • [08:28] When you immigrate to a new country everyone has to stick together and that played a huge part in their family’s closeness.  Your bigger family is truly your entire family.  
  • [10:07] When you recognize and see the sacrifice of what my aunts and uncles did by leaving, it truly empowers you to know that you can do anything.  There are no limitations or ceiling.
  • [11:12] Ed enjoys putting smiles on peoples’ faces the most.  
  • [11:02] His values and how he puts smiles on peoples’ faces starts with respect. You have to respect everybody.  
  • [13:25] One of the most important things he learned was the value of hard work.  Once you are taking responsibility for something, you now have an obligation to work as hard as possible to deliver on whatever it was that you took responsibility for. 
  • [16:01] His employment began at age fourteen when the golf course said they might as well put him to work since he was already there everyday.  His first job was as a weekend starter before they took tee times.  
  • [17:05] He did very well and climbed up the ranks. He fell in love with the golf business.  
  • [18:55] Ed was the men’s golf coach at Brown University from 2002-2007.  He learned a lot about managing and motivating as the golf coach.  
  • [21:31] He loved learning from the players about their background, what motivated them, and where they were going with their lives.  It was a very enriching experience for him. 
  • [24:15] Today is today, but how you work today is going to explain what you are doing tomorrow and the next day.  The better you are at what you do, the better the team performs.
  • [27:26] He took the job at 12 Oaks to have a positive impact on all the departments and elevate the experience for the members of 12 Oaks.  
  • [28:08] Ed shares a typical “day in the life” as a general manager at 12 Oaks.  
  • [30:01] He is a golf guy and will always be a golf guy.  He loves the business of golf and golfers.  It is in his blood. 
  • [32:41] Planning is a challenge at the club because of the pandemic and the unknown.  The focus now is safety.  
  • [34:06] We really need to be creative in our thinking right now.  The pandemic is just another challenge. 
  • [36:11] The pandemic has almost put a microscope over things, so we have to be good at what we do all the time.  
  • [39:09] The advisory committee is the voice of the people.  Their role is to share what the people are saying so Ed can act on that.  He really enjoys making everything better.
  • [41:17] Ed shares his fondest memories in 12 Oaks. He loved the reaction after the Fall Ball.  
  • [44:08] He met Maclin at a club called The Elbow Room in downtown Providence. It was fate that they met, because it was a place that neither of them would have typically gone to. 
  • [46:57] Ed shares about their two children, William and AnaClaire.  
  • [47:45] Ed loves hanging out with his kids. William is serious and very to the point and AnaClaire is more on the fun side and enjoys laughing and enjoying life. They are very different from each other and they are both successful in their own endeavors.
  • [49:19] They rescued their four-legged third child, AnaBelle. 
  • [50:40] What are you most proud of?
  • [52:01] If you had a mulligan in life, what would that be?
  • [53:19] When it is time to say farewell, what would you be known for?
  • [53:47] Which actor would play Ed Hanley?
  • [54:18] What question should I have asked you, but I didn’t? 

Links and Resources for Episode 16