General Manager

Kurt Burmeister, COO

Kurt has 20 years of experience as a general manager preceded by several years of progressive growth in food and beverage operations for high-end resort hotels and private clubs, including Bighorn and Ritz-Carlton Hotels. Over the course of his career, he has built, trained and led highly professional and loyal teams with a focus on understanding member expectations and consistently delivering on them. He is a strong financial manager with extensive expertise in forecasting, budgeting, and purchasing. Kurt and his family live in Palm Desert, California. Because of the unique qualities of the desert, we are very pleased to find a highly experienced and capable general manager who is already working here. Kurt and his family love the desert and are very excited about joining the Toscana management team.

Director of Golf

Charlie Peterson, PGA

Charlie Peterson joined Toscana in 2017 as the Director of Golf. Prior to Toscana, Charlie was the Director of Golf at Indian Ridge Country Club and had been with Indian Ridge since he first moved to California in 2003. He is focused on creating an exceptional golf experience that exceeds Members and guests expectations by anticipating their needs and offering outstanding service. Charlie is a member of the PGA of America and a graduate of the Golf Academy of America, with a degree in Golf Complex Operations and Business Administration. Charlie was born and raised in Minnesota and began his golf professional career at Brackett’s Crossing Country Club and Bear Path Country Club in the Twin Cities area. He and his wife Megan live in La Quinta, California with their two children: Gwen & Will. They enjoy family days at the pool, visiting the Living Desert and Children’s Museum of the Desert and boating on the Colorado River.

Director of Sports Club and Spa Bella Vita

Jennifer Di Francesco

Jennifer brings more than twenty years of spa experience to Toscana. Licensed in Massage Therapy, Esthetics and a certified Pilates instructor, Jennifer has spent her career perfecting the art of spa at top resorts in California. Jennifer was a post graduate trainer for the International Dermal Institute and a spa trainer for Kerstin Florian Skin Care. In 2005, she became a member of ISPA’s Education Committee and was a speaker on behalf of the organization. In 2006, she created presentations on spa management, resource partner relations and spa retail. Since then, Jennifer has worked as the Director of Spa Operations for The Well, at the Miramonte Resort. There she played an integral role in opening the spa and helped receive numerous awards such as “#1 Resort Spa in North America” by Condé Nast Traveler Magazine. Jennifer enjoys remaining active in promoting health and wellness in the desert community writing a regular health column for Desert Health newsletter.

Executive Chef

Alain Redelsperger

Born and raised in Strasbourg, France, Chef Alain attended the iconic Culinary School École Hôtelière de Strasbourg at age 15, graduated by age 17 and worked in some of the top kitchens in Paris, New York City and San Francisco. In Paris, he worked under three different famous Maîtres Cuisiniers de France in 2-star Michelin establishments. Chef Alain moved to the Coachella Valley in 1997 and began working as the Dining Room Chef at the Rancho Mirage Ritz Carlton, the only 4-star dining institution in the Valley at that time. Prior to joining Toscana Country Club, he spent seven years as the Executive Chef at Mountain View Country Club and eight years as the Executive Chef at The Vintage Club.

Director of Agronomy

Jared Stanek

Jared Stanek joined Toscana in February 2020 as the Director of Agronomy. Prior to Toscana, Jared was the Golf Course Superintendent of Desert Willow Golf Resort, as well as acting Director of Agronomy for Southwest Region for KemperSports. In addition to resort experience, Jared was also a head superintendent for 3 years at PGA West Private and has another 2 years’ experience at The Club at Spurwing in Meridian, Idaho. Jared obtained a degree in Agronomy from the University of Wyoming. He grew up in Wyoming, and first came to know and love the game of golf there. Jared grew up on the 18th hole of Riverton Country Club. Jared and his wife, Carolann, live in La Quinta, California, with their two sons Ashton and Logan. They enjoy swimming, bike riding, and frequent trips to the beach.

Director of Food & Beverage

Phillip Torres III

Phillip Torres III has over 25 years of food and beverage experience and has worked in country clubs since moving to the desert in 2010. Phillip’s resume includes history at Waldorf Astoria La Quinta Resort, The Citrus Club, Mountain & Dunes, Tradition Golf Club and PGA West Private, managing the food and beverage operations. Before moving to the Coachella Valley, Phillip lived in Oahu, Hawaii, and attended the University of Hawaii, Manoa. He played golf for the university and majored in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. Phillip worked his way through college in various restaurants and was part of the opening team at Wolfgang’s Steakhouse by Wolfgang Zweiner. He is passionate about food and wine, which are always a consideration regarding where he plans to travel in the summer. He enjoys golfing and spending time with his son, Phillip IV, rooting for their favorite sports teams.

Director of Catering & Social Events

Casey Ging

Casey was raised in La Quinta, California on the Mountain Course at the La Quinta Resort. She brings with her over 20 years in the service and events industry. Casey has coordinated every type of event from large scale charity galas, countless weddings at some of the top venues in the desert, over the top children’s events and so much more. Her passion for what she does shows through her work. She has two children, Jaxson and Daisy, that fill her heart and fill up all her free time. She loves golfing, hiking, spending time with her family and of course having a great glass of wine.

Director of Member Services

Andrada Nagy

Andrada has been recently promoted to Director of Member Services. In her new role, she is responsible for facilitating the membership process after the home sale and focusing on the areas of membership approval, Member communication and retention and relationship building. This will be Andrada’s seventh season at Toscana. Andrada was born and raised in a small town in Romania. She moved to the Coachella Valley in 2011 with her husband, Robert, and they now live in Palm Desert. Andrada enjoys spending time with her husband and their son, Luca. Her hobbies include reading, playing pickleball and taking trips to the beach.

Director of Instruction

Bill Harmon

Bill Harmon was introduced to the game by his father, Claude Harmon, 1948 Masters Champion. With his brothers Butch, Craig and Dick, the family was awarded “The Golf Family of the Year” as well as the “Richardson Award” for lifetime contributions to the game of golf. Bill is the Director of Instruction at Toscana, and President of the Harmon Experience Golf Schools. Together with his wife, Robin, the Harmon Recovery Foundation was created in 2010. Through their lifetime experiences and mutual relationships, they have raised money in support of those people suffering from drug and alcohol dependency. Bill has been honored as a Golf Magazine’s Top 50 Instructor, and a Top Teacher in California. He caddied for Jay Haas from 1978-1988 and has remained his coach to the present time. Additionally, Bill has coached many Tour Professionals including Bill Haas, John Merrick, Craig Stadler and LPGA player Nicole Castrale. Bill and Robin reside in La Quinta and have two sons, Zack and Jay.

Director of Engineering & Housekeeping

Joseph Byrne