Meet Our Dedicated Team

Zac Gavlak, PGA General Manager
Zac has mentored under some of the finest PGA Golf Professionals in the country which has created his unique skill set and servant leadership style that fits perfectly with Mapletøn Golf Club. During Zac's time at the Yellowstone Club in Montana, he mentored under Steve Satterstrom who comes from the Cherry Hills lineage in Denver Colorado.
After attaining his class A membership into the PGA of America Zac moved on to Milburn Country Club in Overland Park Kansas and mentored under Randy Hunt who was previously the General Manager at Prairie Dunes in Hutchinson Kansas. It was through these great mentors where Zac learned the skills of what it takes to be a well-rounded PGA Professional at some of the best private clubs in the country.
Zac has received some of the highest honors as a PGA Professional being named 2023 Private Facility Promoter of the Year and 2021 Dakota Chapter PGA Golf Professional of the Year in the Minnesota Section. These awards are the highest honors the Association can bestow on a working club professional whose total contributions to the game best exemplify the complete PGA Professional. This award embraces a wide range of services executed by the club professional.
Zac is married to Gretchen Richter a South Dakota native and SDSU Graduate. They have two wonderful girls Adalyn (11) and Lauren (9).

Kristen Kuchta, Assistant General Manager
Kristen, originally from Yankton, South Dakota, grew up working on her grandparents' dairy farm. After graduating from Yankton High School, she moved to Parker, SD. For the past 16 years, Kristen has been a dedicated employee at the Country Club of Sioux Falls (CCSF), where she earned an associate degree in accounting.
During her tenure at CCSF, Kristen held various roles, starting as an event server in 2006. She progressed through the ranks from Assistant Food and Beverage Manager to Banquet and Events Director, eventually becoming the Membership Director. In this role, Kristen successfully grew the club's membership to a 10-year waitlist, showcasing her extensive knowledge and experience in the private club industry.
In early September 2022, Kristen briefly served as the Business Development Manager for Amy Stockberger Real Estate before returning to the private club sector. She is now dedicated to helping realize the vision of Mapletøn Golf Club.

Nathan Vaughn, PGA Head Golf Professional
Nate graduated in 2019 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a bachelors degree in PGA Golf Management and minors in Business Administration, and Hospitality, Restaurant, and Tourism Management.
His career as a golf professional has been highlighted by time at high-end, private golf clubs all across the country. Stints at Spring Hill Golf Club (Wayzata, MN), McArthur Golf Club (Hobe Sound, FL), and most recently, Conway Farms Golf Club (Lake Forest, IL) have provided him with ample opportunities to learn from some of the industry’s most revered club managers and golf professionals. Through the tutelage of his mentors, Nate was able to turn his passion for golf, detail oriented nature, and member-first mentality into a refined professional skillset built for his newest role as Mapletøn’s Head Golf Professional.
Having worked the 2017 BMW Championship, and multiple NCAA Division I college golf tournaments, Nate brings a unique familiarity with championship-level golf to Mapletøn. His desire to create a culture of excellence and lead a first-class golf operation is a product of his love and appreciation for the game of golf.
A Nebraska native, Nate is a lifelong Husker and avid sports fan. He and his wife, Noraa, have a wonderful little boy, Hudson, and a Chocolate Lab named Bo. In his free time, Nate can be found spending time with family and enjoying the outdoors.

Mike Nelson, Director of Agronomy
With 35 years of experience in the turf management industry, Mike has developed and established high-end destination golf experiences. Introduced to golf at an early age, he cultivated a passion for the game that, combined with his agronomic understanding, has led to a successful career in turf management. His experience in building and growing four golf courses and consulting on others has provided him with numerous opportunities to tackle unique challenges requiring creative problem-solving and attention to detail. He values integrity and understands the importance of establishing a strong culture and maintaining high standards.
Mike is dedicated to mentoring students and turf professionals, many of whom have advanced in the industry to become Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents. He and his wife, Michelle, have three boys and an Australian Shepherd named Nova. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf and hockey, and spending time with his family. Relocating from the Iowa City, Iowa area, he looks forward to becoming a part of the Sioux Falls community.

Tyler Kropuenske, First Assistant Superintendent
Born and raised in Beresford, South Dakota, our new Assistant Superintendent is thrilled to return to his home state to join this exciting project. He brings with him a rich background in turf management and horticulture, having earned his degree from Southeast Technical College. His passion for sports began at a young age, with golf as his first love before transitioning to baseball during high school, only to return to golf in college. Over the years, he honed his expertise as a turf grass intern at prestigious private clubs like Oakland Hills Country Club and Seminole Golf Club, where he developed a strong network of mentors and friends. Most recently, he spent three years at Hazeltine National, solidifying his understanding of championship-level course conditions. With five years of industry experience under his belt, he is known for his strong work ethic and meticulous attention to detail. He takes great pride in mentoring students and young turf professionals, helping them navigate the early stages of their careers. When he's not working, you can find him enjoying a round of golf or a game of baseball, watching sporting events, or adding to his sports memorabilia collection with his dad and brother.

Jason Oren, Food & Beverage Director
Born and raised in Sioux Falls, Jason Oren has over 25 years of experience in restaurant management. Throughout his career, he has worked in a variety of restaurant concepts, from casual dining to upscale venues. His experience includes roles as Operations Manager at Dave & Buster’s and General Manager at the award-winning Burger Republic in Nashville.
When the pandemic struck, Jason and his family made the decision to return to Sioux Falls to be closer to loved ones. Most recently, he served as the Director of Operations for Vinyahd Restaurant Group, overseeing the successful launch of both an upscale Italian restaurant and a jazz club.
Passionate about hospitality and leadership, Jason thrives on helping people discover and showcase their best traits. He believes in the power of strong leadership to inspire teams and create exceptional guest experiences.
Outside of work, Jason is happily married to his wife Miranda of 21 years and is the proud father of two children, Leah and Andrew. In his free time, he loves to travel and hit the golf course whenever he can.

Matt Muntefering, CEC Executive Chef
Born and raised in Mitchell, South Dakota, Matt Muntefering brings a lifelong passion for craftsmanship—whether behind the bars of his motorcycle or the line of a fine dining kitchen. His culinary journey began humbly but took a major leap forward during a decade at Minnehaha Country Club, where he rose from banquet prep to Executive Chef. Under his leadership, MCC earned Distinguished Clubs “ELITE” status, and Matt benefited from exceptional mentorship that shaped his culinary philosophy and standards.
Matt’s experience spans upscale dining, banquet operations, and leadership roles across various hospitality environments—including a founding chef role at Grand Living at Lake Lorraine and a successful run with All Day Café and Taphouse41. Known for his inventive techniques and unpretentious style, he brings creativity, precision, and a deep respect for ingredients to every plate at Mapleton.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll find Matt on the trails with his dogs, turning wrenches in the garage, or catching dirt track races.