Our Team


Sam Niland
General Manager
Serving since 2022
About Sam
Originally from Australia, Sam has spent the last 19 years working and living in the United States. He studied Commerce at the University of Newcastle in Australia and decided that hospitality was where he could best use his skills and knowledge. After working in hotels and resorts, he decided that restaurants and entertaining were the part of the industry he enjoyed. Sam became an apprentice chef, working nights and skiing during the day, and perfected his skills. He then spent winters in Utah as a chef at Deer Valley Resort and summers in Roche Harbor Resort as a chef. In 2012, Sam stopped going to Utah for winters and went full-time at Roche Harbor as Sous Chef and Operations Manager, eventually working his way to Restaurants General Manager. In 2020, Sam moved to Rosario Resort on Orcas Island as Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Director. After spending more than 25 years in hospitality, 20 plus years in the kitchen and loving what he does, he couldn't be happier to be here at Canterwood. When Sam is not at work, he's at home with his amazing wife and two children.


Alicia Decker
Director of Membership
Serving since 2019
About Alicia
After graduating from Eastern Washington University with her bachelor’s in Communication, Public Relations, Alicia joined the Canterwood Team in 2019 with a passion for member organizations and event planning. She finds joy in helping connect members to one another, finding their home at Canterwood through events, clubs, and personal connections. When not at work Alicia enjoys spending time with her dog, Murphy, and tending to her indoor forest of house plants.


Christie Drumm
Member Experience Director
Serving since 2022
About Christie
Christie joins our team with an extensive background in the golf industry and marketing. Christie attended the University of Washington, graduating with a degree in Communications. After graduation, Christie joined Oki Golf, where she worked for the past five years, most recently as their Marketing Manager. A native to Gig Harbor and a life-long golfer, Christie is excited to be returning to Canterwood, where she played golf on the Gig Harbor High School Golf Team. Christie brings a passion and knowledge of the golf industry, marketing, and communications to our team, and she is excited to help members receive the most out of their memberships. Outside of golf, Christie enjoys learning about construction vehicles from her son and playing with her two dogs.


Carly Reddick
Event Sales Director
Serving since 2014
253-215-2255
About Carly
After many years tending bar at a corporate chain restaurant, I was eager for something more professional. I started at Canterwood in March of 2014 and quickly became accustomed to the Clublife atmosphere and the variety of jobs available. I was hired as a server but spent many months as a food runner and working banquets. I soon became a pool server, restaurant hostess and beverage cart attendant. I experienced my first Men’s Member Guest Invitational loading up my beverage cart at 5am and driving around all day witnessing the intensity of such a big golf tournament. After a year and a half I was promoted to lead server, helping to train new staff and assist restaurant operations. I then moved into the Banquet Captain position where I spent the last couple of years learning the mechanics of banquets and how to successfully lead a team. In November of 2017 I was promoted to Food and Beverage Manager at Canterwood. It has been such an exciting experience and every day I learn more an...


Kassandra Swindler
Executive Chef
Serving since 2023
253-851-1845 ext. 4639
Jim Gillies
PGA Head Golf Professional
Serving since 2005


Renee Geyer
Golf Course Superintendent
Serving since 2021
About Renee
Renee is a 15-year veteran in the golf industry and has worked at notable clubs within the industry. She was born and raised in Ohio and attended The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute and graduated at the top of her class. After completing a successful internship on Cape Cod, MA, she returned to Ohio to work at Wooster Country Club and then at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. Renee has worked at Firestone for the past seven years as Assistant Superintendent (overseeing 3 courses) and Superintendent of the Fazio Golf Course. Renee successfully completed Firestone’s certification from The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program and oversaw a complete Better Billy Bunker renovation of the Fazio Course which encompassed 70 bunkers. Additionally, she has worked and groomed Firestone for multiple Senior Championship Tour Events and PGA Tour Events.
When not at the golf course, Renee enjoys time with family, throwing competitive darts and gardening with her wife.


Matthew Gensemer
Food & Beverage Director
Serving since 2022
253-851-1855


Ross Eaton USPTA, CPD
Director of Tennis
Serving since 2018
About Ross
Ross Eaton is a United States Professional Tennis Association teaching professional with 30 years of service. He is a USPTA/USTA certified specialist in competitive player development – he was one of the first 250 coaches in the nation to receive this certification. For eight years he worked as a USTA Competition Training Center coach, two of which he was the head coach for Washington State. Ross is USTA certified in both levels of sports science: Level 1: Coaching Philosophy/Methodologies and Level 2: Sports Physiology, Nutrition, Biomechanics, Sports Medicine, Sports Psychology, Motor Learning.Ross has worked with players from three years old to those well over 80. He has helped players at every level of the game, having worked with complete novices to developing numerous collegiate level and nationally ranked players. He has been the long term Tennis Director at two clubs, revitalizing both with his leadership and making substantial gains in both budget, atmosphere and Member sat...
Becky Maylin
Office Manager
Serving since 2008
About Becky
Becky has worked at Canterwood since 2008, starting her career as a bartender/ bar manager for six plus years. She moved into the accounting office in 2014 and recently received her bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management.She enjoys hiking and camping with her two children.