About The Highlands

Our History
From 19th century private estates, both The Garrison and Highlands Country Club have evolved into prominent social and recreational centers of activity for the community and surrounding region. Highlands Country Club was founded for social and athletic purposes in 1898 by a handful of local families, including those of William Osborn, Samuel Sloan, JP Morgan, and Stuyvesant Fish.

The Owners
Today Chris and Sharon Davis continue this legacy of community stewardship as the owners of both The Garrison and Highlands Country Club. Active in community and conservation advocacy in the Hudson Highlands for many years, Chris and Sharon continue to give their time, energy and resources to a variety of regional and environmental endeavors. Among other activities, Chris serves as Chairman of the Hudson Highlands Land Trust, a dedicated steward of the Hudson River Valley. The Davis' goal for The Garrison and Highlands properties is to continue to evolve the land and assets into an economically sustainable and highly valued business that balances social, dining and athletic offerings with community stewardship, land conservation, and environmental best practices.

General Manager
Chip Allemann, the General Manager of The Garrison and Highlands Country Club, has worked in the private club and hospitality industry for over 25 years, with much of his career spent in Europe and Asia with companies including ClubCorp, Disney Development Company, and The Gary Player Groups. A US and Swiss citizen, he is a graduate of the Lausanne Hotel School in Lausanne, Switzerland and has a Masters Degree in Real Estate Development from MIT. Chip is Chairman of Glynwood Center, an organization whose mission is to help communities save farming, with a particular focus on rural communities in the northeast. A member of the Garrison community since the Davis' purchase of The Garrison in 1999, he served for several years on the local Comprehensive Plan Special Board.

Assistant General Manager
Marti Ajello, the Assistant General Manager of The Garrison and Highlands Country Club, has worked for over 25 years in the hospitality industry. She holds a degree in applied science from SUNY-Delhi's School of Hotel and Restaurant Management. Marti joined The Garrison in 2004 with an extensive corporate background that includes positions in training, sales and "problem solving" for Holiday Inn Express, Howard Johnsons and the Doral Properties at Arrowwood. Marti was also the assistant general manager at the boutique hotel Morgan's in New York City and was the Director of Operations at the Tarrytown Executive Conference Center in Westchester.