Santa Rosa Beach, FL (March 07, 2008) – The WaterColor Inn and Resort announced today the promotion of Patrick Murphy to director of operations. Bringing 16 years of luxury resort and food and beverage experience to his new position, Murphy will oversee day-to-day hotel operations of the 60-room AAA Four Diamond property on Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast.

 

Since 2006, in his role as WaterColor’s director of food and beverage, Murphy was in charge of four full service dining rooms, in-room dining, two retail food outlets and banquet operations focusing on executive groups and destination weddings.   He developed training programs for both Fish Out of Water and resort staff, which resulted in the restaurant earning a coveted AAA Four Diamond award in 2006. Under his leadership, Fish Out of Water also received Wine Spectator’s “Award of Excellence” in 2006 and 2007.

 

 

Previously, Murphy was director of food and beverage at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, PA. During his tenure, he was responsible for eight full service dining rooms, including two AAA Four Diamond award winners. He also oversaw two 24-hour room service departments, celebrity special events, bars, cocktail venues and seasonal poolside grills. In addition, he managed all food and beverage aspects for the 84 Lumber PGA Tour golf tournaments in 2004 and 2005.

 

Prior positions Murphy held include beach club manager at Sea Island Company, a AAA Five Diamond resort in Sea Island, Georgia; general manager at Spanky’s Inc, director of operations at Victor Sinclair Cigars, beverage sales representative at the Georgia Crown Distributing Company and restaurant manager at Brogen’s Inc.

 

Murphy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Armstrong State University. He is also a First Level Certified Sommelier, accredited by the Court of Master Sommeliers, and has graduated from the Culinary Institute of America’s “Remarkable Service” program and Walt Disney’s “Guide to People Management” course.

Voted one of the “Top 50 Mainland U.S. Resorts” by readers of Condé Nast Traveler and “Best Hotel in Florida” by the readers of Travel + Leisure, the David Rockwell-designed WaterColor Inn and Resort offers upscale accommodations and countless amenities for guests of all ages and interests. The scenic surroundings at this AAA Four Diamond resort include lakefront parks, lush woodlands, coastal dunes and a pristine white-sand beach on northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Among the many amenities offered are tennis, golf; a Bike Barn and Boat House offering complimentary kayak, canoe, fishing gear and bicycle rentals; a full-service spa; upscale shopping at the TownCenter, fine dining at Fish Out of Water, and the Camp WaterColor kids program. 

In addition to the 60-room WaterColor Inn, the resort’s fully-furnished cottages are also available for rent. For more information about WaterColor visit www.watercolorresort.com or call 866-426-2656.

 

 

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