Aspen Corporation Opens Southeast Division


March 19, 2009. Aspen Corporation announced today the opening of its new southeast Aspen Golf division, headquartered in Charlotte, NC. Golf industry veteran Rich Abbott was named President, Southeast Division, and Nicholas Mazzella was named Business Manager.

"Both Rich and Nick bring extensive golf construction industry experience to our team," says Aspen president Donnie Adkins. "Rich, in particular, has a long history and great reputation in the southeast. Aspen is committed to serving this market by establishing the Charlotte office; I'm confident that Rich and Nick will provide the personal service and quality Aspen is known for."

Abbott has participated in or led the project management at many of the southeast's most notable golf course renovations, including his most recent work at the River Course at Kiawah Island Club, and several other high profile projects including work at the Golf Club at Briar's Creek on John's Island, S.C. His new construction resume includes Forest Creek Golf Club in Pinehurst, N.C. and Sanctuary Cove in Brunswick, Ga. "Aspen has a great reputation and I'm proud to join the team," says Abbott. "I look forward to drawing on my 22 years of experience in the golf industry to serve Aspen's clients in the Southeast."

Mazzella has worked as a landscape architect and golf construction project manager and has extensive experience in golf course renovation and design (both international and domestic), environmental resource planning, and residential land development. Nick will also oversee Aspen's sales and marketing efforts in the Southeast.

"In addition to golf course construction and renovation, the Southeast Division of Aspen Corporation will also explore opportunities in the public sector, including ball field renovation and construction, as well as municipal parks and recreation work," says Mazzella. "Aspen has the equipment and personnel to work concurrently on multiple projects in multiple locations, so this is a logical extension of our services."

Aspen Corporation is a Certified Golf Course Builder, one of only 36 in the world, as well as a Charter Member of the Golf Course Builders Association of America.

In early February, 2009, the company was honored by Golf Course Industry, a leading business management magazine tailored for the golf course management industry. Aspen was awarded two Builder Excellence Awards at the Golf Course Builders Association of America's annual dinner, in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show in New Orleans.

Aspen took home the Legacy Award for best renovation project with its work at Water's Edge Golf Course in Penhook, Va. and the Affinity Award for best environmental project with its work on the Fantasy Valley Golf Course at Wisp Resort in McHenry, Md.

Aspen Corporation employs more than 150 people in three subsidiaries: Aspen Golf, Aspen Irrigation, and Aspen Landscape, Aspen Landscape is a full service landscape and lawn care company, primarily servicing the greater Beckley, W.V., area.

For more information about Aspen Corporation, visit www.aspen-golf.com or www.aspen-landscaping.com.