Duran Golf Club

Here to serve you

Jeff Von Eschen, General Manager

Jeff has been at Duran since July 2004, and has been involved in the project since the construction and grow-in. Prior to employment at Duran; Jeff spent 15 years at various clubs in Florida and New York. Jeff attended State University of New York in Morrisville where he studied horticulture and landscape architecture before locating to Florida in 1997. His duties include direction of the Management Team, overall operational and fiscal responsibility for the Duran Golf Club, and to develop and ensure the club standards of service that will assure maximum customer satisfaction. Should you have any questions or comments that pertain to the golf course maintenance operations please feel free to contact Jeff at (321) 504-7776, ext. 7412 or email him at [email protected].

Christy Helton, Club Operations Manager

Christy Helton joined the Duran Staff in March 2012. Prior to Duran, Christy’s background includes marketing for the home building industry and sports marketing for NASCAR. Christy graduated from Salisbury State University in Salisbury, Maryland, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, and happily calls Viera her home. She is responsible for assisting Duran’s championship golf facilities and restaurant, along with the coordination of all the membership maintenance. You can contact Christy at (321) 504-7776, ext. 7314 or via email at [email protected].

Brenda Pannell, Office Manager

Brenda has been with Duran since February 2005. Prior to Duran, Brenda served for 6 years as the accountant for Viera East Golf Course totaling over 30 years of accounting experience before coming to Duran. She has her B.S. in Finance and Business Administration from the University of Central Florida and is a life long resident of Brevard County. Her responsibilities at Duran range from Human Resources, Payroll, Safety and Accounting. If you have any questions or comments regarding any of these departments, please contact Brenda at (321) 504-7776, ext. 7312 or email at [email protected].

Jeff Turner, Head Golf Professional

Jeff can be contacted at (321) 504-7776, ext. 7340 or email at [email protected].

Justin Blazer, Director of Instruction

Originally from Yorktown, Virginia, Justin Blazer developed an interest in teaching golfers through the development of his own game. While Justin’s golfing journey began as a teenager, it always took a backseat to other sports. As a standout basketball player through college, Justin’s competitive spirit was fueled once again when he started regularly joining his college golf team practices. This led to Justin’s interest in golf instruction and, backed by the same competitive spirit that drove him in sports, he eventually became a PGA Class A Teaching Professional. Today, as part of his journey in the golf industry, Justin actively plays in PGA sectional events, with a dream to qualify for the PGA Professional National Championship. Justin’s true passion, however, lies in working with juniors and the growth of junior golf.

As Director of Instruction at the Duran Academy of Golf, Justin has established a breadth of junior programs for newcomers and competitive players. Many of his juniors have had tremendous success and currently compete at an elite level such as the U.S. Kids World Championships and other premier junior golf championships. This work has not gone unnoticed, as Justin has been awarded a two-time U.S. Kids Golf Top 50 Teacher, which recognizes the top junior golf instructors in the country. Justin can be reached at (321) 504-7776, ext. 7460 or email at [email protected].

Ryan Rozic, Lead Instructor

Ryan can be reached at (321) 504-7776, ext. 7460 or email at [email protected].

Drew Norman, Superintendent

Drew has been with Duran Golf Club since September 2004, being a part of the construction and grow in of the course. Graduating locally from Rockledge High School, Drew obtained his Associate of Arts degree from Brevard Community College while working on the course as 2nd Assistant Superintendent.

In 2008, Drew graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management, and a Minor in Business Administration. In 2011, after spending 3 years as the Sports Director for a local YMCA, Drew followed his love of golf back to Duran Golf Club and rejoined the Duran staff as 1st Assistant Superintendent. Drew has over 16 plus years of experience on a golf course. Drew’s responsibilities at Duran are all turf related, all native areas, common areas, as well as both clubhouses. Should you have any questions or comments that pertain to the golf course maintenance operations please feel free to contact Drew at Call Drew Norman at(321) 504-7776, ext. 7410 or email him at [email protected].

Nicole Latner, Food and Events Manager

Nicole Latner joined the Duran Staff in February of 2020. Prior to Duran, Nicole’s background includes marketing and special event management at Urban Air Adventure Park. Nicole graduated from the University of North Florida in 2013 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and International Business.

After having lived in Jacksonville, FL for 9 years, she relocated back home to Viera with her husband and 3 children in 2017. Nicole will be responsible for marketing and coordinating all wedding, banquet and special events at Duran, as well as developing new relationships in the community. You can contact Nicole at (321) 504-7776, ext. 7300 or via email at [email protected].

Joy Gaskin, Chef

John Madden, Development Center Lead

John joined the staff at Duran in June 2020. He was born in New Fairfield, CT, and currently living in Bayside Lakes. He attended Melbourne High School and Brevard Community College, then played some tournaments on the Florida mini tour. He left golf and worked for Publix for 27 years as the meat manager but decided golf was his passion. He pursued a career in golf where he worked at a private club in Vero Beach, FL, prior coming to Duran.

John is married with 4 kids and 3 grandkids. John is responsible for the daily activities at the Development Center. He also compled the Callaway University program gaining a certificate as a certified club fitter. He has hopes of joining the golf university program and gaining PGA status. You can contact John at (321) 504-7776, ext. 7470 or via email at [email protected].