Throughout an incredible 43-year career as a flight attendant/purser with a major worldwide airline, Thomas Stark also organized a company-wide golf/tennis vacation travel club for airline employees and retirees. Soon thereafter, “Captain” Stark chose to involve other airlines and founded the International Airline Golf Association, serving as president of that global organization from 1987-2001. “I have wonderful memories of orchestrating more than 300 “golf tournament vacations”, as I like to call them, throughout the world for thousands of golfers,” reflects Stark. “Those experiences led to the creation of Global Golf Associates in 2002, which continues to do business as Country Club of the World.”
Stark has combined his love for golf, travel and organizing events for the past two decades under the Country Club of the World umbrella, conducting outings and excursions for golfers of all skill levels at resorts and properties worldwide. The president of CCW retired from the airlines in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and currently resides in Mesquite, Nevada. “Country Club of the World has become a great traveling golf community with a simple mission statement – we love to travel, we love to play golf, we love good food and good drink, and we love the camaraderie we have developed with one another,” notes Stark. “Over the years, we have played golf and broken bread at some of the finest golf courses and restaurants in the world.”
Stark was born in Evanston, Illinois, but relocated to South Pasadena, California, at age 6. His father was a prominent hand surgeon, who was the “go to hand specialist/surgeon” with players from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Lakers, Kings and other prominent athletes, movie stars, musicians, and the general public. Stark attended high school in Sussex, England, before attending University of Puget Sound in Washington State and then transferred to University of Southern California, earning a BS degree in economics.
The founder of CCW worked full time at the Pasadena Convention Center as an Event Coordinator while attending USC. In 1977, he earned his wings with a major airline and flew around the world as a flight attendant/purser for 43 years, based in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Seattle and New York City.
“I have been fortunate to associate with so many golf and travel clients over the years,” notes Stark. “Country Club of the World has continued to provide great golf and travel opportunities, as we all make new lifetime friends and visit some of the finest facilities in the world. I welcome you to join our mailing list and join in future relaxing and fun CCW events!”