Trout, Ruga name general manager for Vineland golf course

VINELAND — Trout National – The Reserve has a prospective opening in early 2026 and says it just filled two top management positions, plucking a general manager from a Texas club for the under-construction East Vineland golf course.

David Altemus, hired as general manager and chief operating officer, previously held those positions since 2010 at Royal Oaks Country Club in Houston.

Altemus spent the last 25 years at Royal Oaks Country Club in Houston., Texas. He had been general manager and chief operating officer at Royal Oaks since 2010.

Trout National also announced the hiring of marketing/media consultant LeslieAnne Wade as membership executive. Her career includes a senior vice presidency during a 17-year stay at CBS Sports.

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Trout National will be an 18-hole private course and club, with golfer Tiger Woods providing the course design. The course is expected to completed in September 2024, with an official opening in spring 2026.

American League baseball player and Millville native Mike Trout and area businessman John Ruga, owner of Northeast Precast, are partners in the project.

“Joining the Trout National team is a true privilege," Altemus said in a statement. "When Mike and John shared their vision of creating this destination club with a Tiger Woods-designed golf course as its centerpiece, I knew this would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

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According to his social media profile, Altemus originally is from Bethlehem, Pa., and is a graduate of Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.

Altemus started at the Houston club 25 years ago as head golf professional. Royal Oaks has numerous recognitions for excellence under his management, and Altemus is a former Golf Professional of the Year and Merchandiser of the Year.

“David has demonstrated success at every level of the private club industry,” Trout said. “He possesses exceptional leadership skills and an unwavering commitment to excellence that will ensure Trout National is a one-of-a-kind experience for members and their guests.”

Wade was the first woman to make senior vice president at CBS Sports. The Women in Sports and Events organization gave her its Woman of the Year award.

“LeslieAnne is a sports trailblazer with tremendous relationships across the golf industry,” Trout said. “Adding someone of her caliber to our team will continue to raise the bar at Trout National.”

Wade left the network in 2010 for her own company and more recently was working for other media/marketing companies.

Tiger Woods’ TGR Design is incorporating two natural landscapes in the course. In addition, there is a lighted short course, an expansive putting course, performance center and practice facilities, a clubhouse by Marsh & Associates, and 5-Star lodging.

Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey 36 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times.

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This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Trout, Ruga name general manager for Vineland golf course