The Vista at Applewood
Mackenzie Rodriguez
Director of Private Events & Sales
Phone: 303.278.6637
Location
14001 W 32nd Ave., Golden, CO 80401
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Hours of Operation
Monday - Sunday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Meet the Team
Mackenzie Rodriguez
Director of Private Events & Sales
Inspired by the 2000's Blockbuster hit, "The Wedding Planner," she's known she's wanted to plan events from a young age.
Learn MoreMackenzie Rodriguez
Director of Private Events & Sales
Born in Chandler, Arizona, Mackenzie Rodriguez moved to Colorado at a young age and now proudly calls it home. Inspired by the 2000's Blockbuster hit, "The Wedding Planner," she's known she's wanted to plan events from a young age.
When she graduated high school in Colorado, she returned to Arizona to study Creative Writing for her first two years at Arizona State University. She then pivoted to finish her Bachelor's degree in Tourism, focusing on Sustainability and Event Management, in 2019. During her time at university, she fell in love with traveling while studying abroad in Spain and finishing her final semester with an internship in Costa Rica. Following her time in Costa Rica, she could not stay away from Colorado and moved back to Denver at the end of 2019. Mackenzie started assisting wedding planners in Arizona while in school and transferred the skills she learned to help plan beautiful weddings all over the country with a variety of talented planners based out of Colorado. Mackenzie understands that each client is different and enjoys finding what would make an event unique to everyone she works with. She has no better feeling than the one she gets when she sees clients' smiles, when their days go perfectly and when each event comes to fruition.
Along with weddings, she has helped coordinate and set up banquets, birthday parties, and corporate meetings. She is well-rounded and excited and open to planning any event that a client might desire. She is patient and attentive and will make sure you feel heard. In her free time, she enjoys the local restaurants in Denver, attending the local markets her sister makes jewelry in, antique shopping, spending time with family and friends, and traveling to new countries and states.
Fun Facts
- My favorite quote or famous saying: “I hope you live a life you’re proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you find the strength to start all over again.” -F. Scott Fitzgerald.
- My favorite city in the world: Mallorca, Spain in the Balearic Islands is my absolute favorite city. I studied abroad there for 6 months and never wanted to leave. It’s so rich in culture and nature and I love the Spanish language.
- Number of years in the wedding industry: 7 years
- I am originally from: Chandler, Arizona but moved to Colorado when I was 7 years old.
- Favorite movie of all time: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
- My favorite hobby when I am not working: I love to travel. If that could be my full-time job, I would be so happy.
- No. 1 thing on my bucket list is: Go to a waterfall in Fiji.
- If I had a gift card with an unlimited balance I would shop at: Free People and Anthropologie
- My favorite part of the wedding planning process is: The design and décor decisions and having it come to life.
- Best advice I can give a bride: Allow it to be your day. This day is for you and your spouse, whatever anyone else wants doesn’t matter. It should just be for you two to celebrate your love.
Bailey Gibson
General Manager
Born and raised in Golden, CO, Bailey grew up with Applewood as her backyard.
Learn MoreBailey Gibson
General Manager
Born and raised in Golden, CO, Bailey grew up with Applewood as her backyard. Learning to play golf at Applewood, Bailey went on to play golf and water polo during high school at Lakewood High. While attending college at Gannon University in Erie, PA, she studied Sports Management and Marketing on a scholarship for water polo.
During the summers home from college, Bailey worked at Applewood to start and gain some experience in her field. After graduating, she returned home to Colorado and got a job as an assistant to the General Manager at Applewood. She quickly moved up and got a full-time position with Touchstone Golf as the General Manager at Deer Creek Golf Club in Littleton. After 5 years at Deer Creek, she then got the General Manager position at Applewood Golf Course, back where she started.
Her passion for sports, event planning, and marketing are what pushed her into the industry that she continues to love.
Fun Facts
- Favorite Music: Country
- Favorite Movie: Larger Than Life
- I swam against Missy Franklin when I was younger in my summer league days.
- I had an internship in college for the D League basketball team that fed into the New York Knicks
- I have two extra bones in my left foot.
- I played three sports growing up: Swimming, water polo, golf
- I would love to travel to Greece and Ireland
Evan Zabawa
Food and Beverage Director
The last 8 years I have spent in Grand Rapids, Michigan, working in various hospitality roles.
Learn MoreEvan Zabawa
Food and Beverage Director
I grew up in Monroe, Michigan, right on Lake Erie. Growing up, I enjoyed playing soccer and just about any activity that one would do outdoors. My Grandpa was an avid golfer and taught me at an early age, and it is something I’ve enjoyed throughout my years.
After high school, I attended Michigan State University and Majored in Marketing. The last 8 years I have spent in Grand Rapids, Michigan, working in various hospitality roles, including the Food and Beverage Manager at a Hilton Garden Inn, and most recently worked as a manager at StoneWater Country Club, overseeing events and the restaurant. As mentioned before, I have a love for the outdoors, and that is part of what drew me here to Colorado. I have developed a passion for skiing and exploring the mountains. I have a two-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer who also occupies a lot of my time with his obsession with playing fetch.
Brian Hamilton
Executive Chef
Brian Hamilton grew up in Claremont, California. He studied Culinary Arts at Le Cordon Bleu, Scottsdale, Arizona.
Learn MoreBrian Hamilton
Executive Chef
Brian Hamilton grew up in Claremont, California. He studied Culinary Arts at Le Cordon Bleu, Scottsdale, Arizona. Graduating at the top of his class with honors, Brian then interned at the prestigious Insalata’s restaurant in San Anselmo, California.
Under Chef/ Owner Heidi Krahling, he learned scratch cooking, with an emphasis on Mediterranean cuisine. Many of the purveyors for the restaurant serviced the French Laundry. From fresh baby squid, to “the Mushroom Guy”, the highest quality ingredients were commonplace.
From the Bay Area, Brian moved to Carpinteria, California, working at Montecito and La Cumbre Country Clubs. Brian enjoyed surfing the famous surf spot, Rincon, which was a mountain bike ride to the beach.
In 2015 Brian and his girlfriend Lynne moved to Colorado. Working at Blackstone Country Club and The Ridge at Castle Pines as Sous Chef, Brian and Lynne bought a house in Aurora and got married in 2019. They enjoy gardening and remodeling.
Most recently Brian worked at Sanctuary Golf Course as Executive Sous Chef, working with Executive Chef Stevie Davis and F&B Director Andrew Hardin, with over 90 weddings and over 30 charity and tournament functions per season.
Brian is excited to bring his excellent wedding and tournament event experience to Applewood Golf Course!
Brian loves playing golf, going to live concerts, and most recently seeing his favorite band Nathaniel Ratliff and the Night Sweats at Red Rocks Amphitheater. He’s also an avid organic gardener.
Zoe Brands
Banquet Captain & Wedding Coordinator
Driven by her passion for organizing events and leading teams, Zoe found herself gravitating towards pursuing a Masters of Business Administration with an emphasis in Organization Leadership.
Learn MoreZoe Brands
Banquet Captain & Wedding Coordinator
Driven by her passion for organizing events and leading teams, Zoe found herself gravitating towards pursuing a Masters of Business Administration with an emphasis in Organization Leadership.
Zoe’s journey began in South Korea, where she was born. At the age of 4, she was adopted into a loving Iowan family that had 3 older brothers that would quickly turn into her role models. Throughout her formative years, Zoe's zest for life shone brightly as she engaged in a myriad of activities. Throughout high school, she immersed herself in various sports teams and music ensembles. Among her many passions, running and piano held a special place in her heart. During her college years, Zoe's dedication to both athletics and music persisted. She balanced her commitments as a teammate on the track and cross country team, while maintaining a piano scholarship through many solo recitals. In 2022, she graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations. Not long after receiving her diploma, Zoe embarked on a new chapter in her life. In the scenic surroundings of South Dakota, she married a former track teammate and, two weeks later, moved to Colorado, ready to embrace its opportunities. Driven by her passion for organizing events and leading teams, Zoe found herself gravitating towards pursuing a Masters of Business Administration with an emphasis in Organization Leadership. Her aspiration to excel in these domains guided her in the pursuit of higher education. When she's not immersed in her professional pursuits, you'll often find Zoe enjoying the beauty of nature alongside her husband and faithful canine companion, engaging in a spirited game of pickleball, or training for her next race.
Fun Facts
- I play 9 instruments including the harp and organ.
- I used to be an ESL teacher in Honduras.
- I’ve had dinner with Mike Pence.
- My favorite candy is peach rings.
- My favorite activities are skiing and surfing.
- My favorite part of a wedding is always the father daughter dance.