Our Team
Casey Kaut
General Manager
Serving since 2022
About Casey
Casey has extensive experience in the industry, including 7 years as the GM at Newport Beach Country Club and 2 years at Brentwood Country Club. He also worked for the TPC Network in several roles and Vail Resorts in their hotel department as a General Manager. Casey has great energy and enthusiasm and is extremely excited to join the team at Braemar and usher in a new era.
Janine Walker
Director of Membership
Serving since 1995
818-401-4518
About Janine
A unique part of the Braemar management team, Janine was originally a member of Braemar Country Club, serving as president of the Board of Governors, the Braemar Women’s Tennis Club, as well as the Braemar Social Tennis Club. She joined the staff in 1995 as the tennis membership and events coordinator, during which she was a major component of “Grand Slam,” a membership initiative, which saw the Club add 400 new Tennis Members in a six-week period. Janine also held the position of member relations director before taking on her current role in August of 2004. In 2006, Janine was given a Invited SuperStar award.Born and raised in London, England, Janine has a daughter, Natalie. She loves going to the spa, red wine and signing up new Members.
Dave Wredberg
Director of Membership
Serving since 2023
Ronni Baird
Event Sales Director
Serving since 2023
Brianna Wolf
Director of Member Experience
Serving since 2022
818-401-4520
Mir Faryad, PGA
Director of Golf
Serving since 2021
About Mir
Mirwais (Mir) Faryad joined Braemar Country Club as the Director of Golf in October of 2021. He served as the Director of Golf at SouthShore Country Club in Las Vegas, NV for over 10 years, and prior to that he was the Head Golf Professional/First Assistant Director of Golf at The Club at Carlton Woods in Woodlands, TX for 8 years. Mir’s professional focus is on creating an exceptional golf experience that exceeds members and guests’ expectations by anticipating their needs and offering outstanding programing and services. He is passionate about promoting the Game of Golf and has extensive experience teaching and coaching players of various playing abilities from beginner golfer to touring professionals. His emphasis on Basic Fundamentals, Mental Focus & Toughness traces back to his Sports Psychology studies. Away from the club, you will find Mir follow his favorite sports teams, practice Martial Arts, play various musical instruments, and learn different languages.
James Smith, PGA
Director of Instruction
Serving since 2013
About James
James Smith, PGA joined Braemar Country Club as Director of Instruction in August of 2013. Prior to Braemar he served as Head Golf Professional at Penderbrook Golf Club in Fairfax, VA for over 10 years and Fair Oaks Golf Park for over 3 years.
James is passionate about helping others play better golf. He uses a combination of fundamentals, video analysis and Launch Monitor technology to help his students reach their goals. James has helped coach players who have won on the Junior, College and Professional level.
As a PGA Member for over 25 years, James believes in the importance of continually learning. He has had the opportunity to learn first-hand from golf instructors Bill Strasbaugh, Jim McLean, Butch Harmon, Dr. Gary Wiren and Bob Rotella.
Cesar Valladares
1st Assistant
Serving since 2022
Nathan Radwick
Golf Course Superintendent
Serving since 2015
About Nathan
Nathan grew up in Frankenmuth, a small German town in Michigan. He started playing the game of golf at a young age and ended up falling in love with golf course maintenance through his uncle, who built golf courses in Southern California.Nathan graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science degree specializing in Turfgrass Management, and has worked as an Intern at Cypress Point Club, Assistant at Bel Air Country Club, Superintendent at The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe, and most recently Superintendent at Malibu Golf Club.When Nathan is not on the course, he is watching sports (especially anything associated with MSU) and enjoys going to music events whenever possible.Nathan and his wife, Scarlet, have a daughter, April.
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Travis Gochnour
Food and Beverage Director
Serving since 2024
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John Miller
Executive Chef
Serving since 2024
Corrine Pridgen
Fitness Manager
Serving since 2021
818-345-6520 ext. 4709
About Corrine
Born and raised in Minneapolis Minnesota, Corrine Pridgen began as a gymnast at an early age which ignited her passion for fitness. As a teenager, she started to teach group fitness classes and has been teaching for over 30 years. After moving to California, she continued teaching and started her own personal training business. Corrine has worked as the group fitness supervisor for over 19 years at the North Valley Family YMCA in Porter Ranch, California. Under her leadership, the program grew to over 120 classes (land and water) with close to 12,000 members attending classes monthly. Corrine is excited to bring that same passion for fitness to Braemar! When she is not working or working out, Corrine enjoys spending family time with her husband and two amazing daughters.
Alex Guzman
Director of Maintenance
Serving since 1994
About Alex
Alex was born in Guadalajara Mexico, and moved to California in 1979. He started at Braemar in 1994, working in housekeeping and maintenance, before becoming the Director of Maintenance in 2000. He then spent six years working at our sister Club, Porter Valley, before returning to Braemar. In his spare time, Alex enjoys playing golf, and spending time with his three children.
Nawar Baram
Director of Racquet Sports
Serving since 2015
818-345-3230 ext. 4730
Amanda Saxe
Racquet Sports Administration
Serving since 2019
818-345-6520 ext. 4729
About Amanda
Amanda is admired by all students and staff. Born and raised in Tucson, AZ. Amanda started playing tennis at a young age. She has a big smile and a huge passion for youth and adult tennis. She comes to us with marketing and communication degrees from University of Arizona and NYU. As the Tennis Administrator she has worked for the Southern Calif Tennis Association with TGA and now at Braemar for over 6 years. She manages the daily activities of the tennis pro shop. Amanda handles court reservations, merchandise sales, and facilitates tennis events. Amanda coordinates the Braemar Junior Tennis After School Program and Braemar Junior Tennis Camps. In addition, Amanda is actively involved as a junior tennis coach that specializes in the age range of children 3-9 years old .
Gabby Gonzalez
Service Director
Serving since 2014
818-345-6520 ext. 4725
Mark Sterling
Social Ambassador
Serving since 2021
About Mark
We are excited to welcome Mark Sterling our new Social Ambassador who will be assisting the Member Experience team in facilitating engaging social activities all around the club. It’s Deja vu for Sterling, who worked at Braemar right out of college as head Tennis Pro and Social Director from 1979 to 1998. Twenty- three years later he says, “I'm so excited to be back!!! It’s my dream job - like being a Cruise Director at a country club.” Mark is also known to the Valley from his “World’s Greatest Promotional Stuff” store in Tarzana, and his volunteer work as MC at local chamber meetings.