Lake Mohawk Country Club welcomes new general manager

By Rose Sgarlato
SPARTA - The latest addition to Lake Mohawk Country Club is John Stanley the club's new general manager.
Stanley, who replaced interim GM Barbara Wortmann, started his new role in March and comes to the boardwalk with over 30 years of hospitality and private club management experience. He is a Certified Club Manager belonging to the Clubs Managers Association of America.
A resident of Stanhope, Stanley is happy to be working in his backyard.
“I did a work–study internship in West Germany years ago, and Lake Mohawk is reminiscent of that town," he said. "I always loved coming here and when the opportunity presented itself, I was excited.”
Certainly, Stanley is stepping in at a great time. For the past five years plus many capital improvements have been done including a near total renovation of the actual clubhouse. That along with an increase of public events and a menu overhaul for the food service portion has put LMCC in the spotlight, and the new GM plans to continue along those paths.
“My ultimate goal is to improve the membership experience throughout the whole community. And not just the food and beverage portion but the infrastructure too," he said.
Community refers to the 2,700 homes in the Lake Mohawk reservation and over 8,000 LMCC members (including adults and children).
“We are a community within a community; however, we are all part of Sparta," Stanley said. "We are also looking to improve the lake management.”
In charge of the day-to day operations, his staff fluctuates with an increase in summer months when the restaurant is in full-swing. Two projects in progress are the gate renovation to be completed by mid June and the stucco facade on the main building.
The ongoing hot-button issue is the LMCC parking lot.
“We maintain the reservation and the parking lot.," Stanley said. "It didn’t seem fair to put the expense of the upkeep on the club members. The trustees are looking at different options, and it seems like a fair proposal to charge a nominal fee to non-members. Members and guest would not have to pay.”
For over a century, the club did not enforce its members-only policy for LMCC's parking lot on West Shore Trail. When the lot was in need of repair, the club proposed to charge a fee to park to non-members. The Sparta Planning Board last year rejected the club's proposal. The club sued the Planning Board. A judge ordered the club and the township Zoning Board to try to reach an accord on the lot. But the Zoning Board also rejected the club's plan, and the club added the Zoning Board to the lawsuit.
Stanley, in a letter to members, said "the costs of the improvements alone would be approximately $384,325.00 with additional costs for regular long term maintenance."
The issue and the parties will again be before a judge on May 21.
“On behalf of the Club, I want what’s best for the members of LMCC," Stanley said. "We are weighing options carefully, and we know it’s important to members, patrons and owners of Lake Mohawk businesses.”
Stanley is grateful for the warm welcome he has received and optimistic about the future.
“A lot of visitors are looking at real estate opportunities here. We have a number of new members-a healthy mix of people that have invested in Lake Mohawk. I feel fortunate to be here with a great staff and look to expand upon all the great work prior to my arrival."