a S. Geo ge - St. George`s Golf and Country Club

NEWS BITES...
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PAGE 3 - Curling Champions Day
PAGE 4 - Teeing off in the Men’s Section
PAGE 5 - Ladies Section News
PAGE 6 - New Faces in the Kitchen
PAGE 7 - Pinot Noir Wine Dinner
PAGE 5
THE NEWS
at St. George’s
DAVID IMRIE, CHAIR OF THE BOARD AND GAIL KILGOUR, ACTING CEO, WELCOMED INCOMING COO JASON CLARKE AND
HIS WIFE NICOLE TO THE CHAIR'S SPRING RECEPTION ON SATURDAY. JASON’S OFFICIAL START DATE IS MAY 16TH.
POSITIVE VIBES AT AGM
A
fter two very tough years of working through the ups and downs of
the Greens Reconstruction Project, St. George’s is stronger and
poised for success at all levels in 2016 and beyond.
That was the message Chair of the Board, David Imrie shared with 120plus members who attended Saturday’s Annual General Meeting and Chair’s
Spring Reception.
“We have been blessed with the finest piece of real estate for golf. We
have been blessed with a course designed by Stanley Thompson. We have
a classic clubhouse and marvelous staff and members – and now we have
fabulous greens,” Imrie told members. “This Board and management team
are committed to a full season of golfing enjoyment for all members and
guests. No trucks, no digging, – just great golf, dining and social activity.”
Imrie also highlighted some of the club’s accomplishments over the past
18 months including the evolution and improvement of the club’s Strategic
Report that was approve by the Board in 2015.
As part of the Strategic Report, Property Superintendent Keith Bartlett
advised that the Golf Course Committee has developed a Legacy Plan that
deals with the future of golf course improvements, with input from architects
Tom Doak and Ian Andrew, and outlines the expected maintenance standards for the course and the tree policy. The previous Golf Course Improvement Plan that was created in 2007 by architect Doug Carrick has been
completed.
As part of that discussion, Bartlett provided an update on water for the
golf course, which remains a high priority for the Golf Course Committee.
The committee is currently reviewing three options; retaining the status quo
of paying for water from the City of Toronto, construction of a pond between
holes No. 11 and No. 18, which he said is receiving some resistance from
Continued on page 2
APRIL 26, 2016
AGM & CHAIR’S SPRING RECEPTION
Three new members of the Board of Directors were introduced at
the AMG - Dave Kupka, Heather Cavadias and Kevin Renard.
David Imrie thanked retiring Board members; Jim Strickland, Tracy
Martin and Richard Harris for their dedication to the club at the AGM.
Continued from page 1
members. He said members will know if the report is successful,
when the club reaches its goal of having a wait list of 15 people willing to pay the $70,000 initiation fee to join St. George’s and the club
needs to be able to maintain that wait list. Eleoff explained that the
club loses about 15 members per year and that 15 new members
multiplied by $70,000 is about $1 million a year, which the club needs
for on-going capital projects.
Within the Strategic Report the club’s Vision is, “To be the Golf
Club of Choice in Canada”, while the Mission is that, “St. George’s
shall provide its members with a world-class golf course and an excellent club experience.”
Eleoff stressed that the club’s world-class golf course is the
competitive advantage that none of our competitors have and the
club must continue to build its national brand around that. He added
that it’s also extremely important to deliver member satisfaction that
creates a buzz because that perpetrates into the marketplace and
becomes an attraction for people to join the club.
The Facilities Committee is also in the process of developing a
Facilities Master Plan that will take a holistic look at all aspects of
the clubhouse for today and into the future. A space planner, Hossack & Associates Architect Inc. has been hired to review club facilities and a report will eventually be presented to members.
Eleoff also noted that a sub-committee has been created to look
at the possibility of bringing the President’s Cup to St. George’s as
a marquis event that is much more prestigious than the RBC Canadian Open.
members, and a new alternative could be a one-million gallon water
storage container beneath the driving range. Members were told
work on the latter two options would not start until the fall of 2017
at the earliest and that there’s a long way to go before anything is
approved.
With the GRP complete, Bartlett told members the Greens Department is now focused on the little details and consistency that
go into maintaining a world-class golf course. He is also conducting
turf trials with new products that require less water and that are on
the leading edge of future trends in golf course management. In a
final slide, Bartlett showed a picture of the Greens Department’s
cutest member – Ozzie, a Black Lab puppy – that’s quickly learning
not to run through the bunkers!
Treasurer Richard Harris reviewed the financials from the previous two years and told members that the Board is expecting the
management team to work towards a $100,000 net contribution to
be used for debt repayment by year’s end on October 31st. He said
it’s an ambitious plan dependent on members continuing to use the
club on a high frequency and a return to significant revenue generation from guest green fees and cart rentals. He acknowledged controller Mary Chan for being 100 per cent in sync with the Finance
Committee as they strive to implement continuing cost restraints to
keep borrowing to a minimum.
Vice-Chair Mark Eleoff reviewed the club’s Strategic Report with
ON THE TEE: The first foursome of
the year off the first tee on Wednesday,
April 20th after a short frost delay
included; Wayne Thorpe, John Matheson,
Peter Broersma and Elgin Horton.
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THE NEWS AT ST. GEORGE’S
CURLING CHAMPIONS DAY
ST. GEORGE’S CHAMPIONS DAY
CLOSES OUT THE CURLING SEASON
Action from the curling ice.
Matt Glanfield leads Q&A with Team Howard
C
hampions Day was a fantastic culmination of our year. Team
Howard’s “up close and personal” question and answer session, some barn burner games on the ice and a full dance floor
of ‘70’s costumes after dinner were but a few highlights.
Our Ladies Team Entry was won by Deb Koehler, Elisabeth Turner,
Linda King and Judi Cooper. The ladies will represent St. George’s in
the fall at the Traveler’s Club Championship.
The Doubles went to the Inglis boys. This exciting and ever-evolving
event will be our focus in the fall. As a new Olympic event Doubles offers speed, challenge and simplicity. The Inglis boys (Christopher and
Greg) made it two for two winning the Men’s Presidents in the afternoon. What a day for the Inglis family. Christopher, Greg, Gerry and
adopted son Kevin Scott are your Men’s Club Champions.
The Mixed McCarrel Championship went to Hugh McCarrel, Joan
McCarrel, Steve Scott and Joanne Erickson. What a great nail biter
against Paul Cooper.
The Open, with its new spectacular trophy (thank you Nancy
Carey), was won by Greg King, Elisabeth Turner, Peter Grasman and
Linda King. What a great year for this team winning the TCA Mixed as
well. Special congratulations to Elisabeth Turner coming back to curling without missing a beat.
The Business Ladies battled it out on Champions Day too. Congratulations to Nancy Raithby, Judy Moore, Kim Simmonds and Janice
Masotti for their win. The Day Ladies split the Sharon Baptista trophy
into fall and winter winners. The fall winner was Nancy Raithby, Vivian
Suttie, Marlene Naworynski and Nancy Ralph. The winter winner was
Debbie Bond and her team of Marusia Migus, Francine Cucan and
Gillian Godfrey.
St. George’s was well represented at the Men’s Tankard this year.
Glenn Howard and his team made another run for the Brier. Unfortunately, just prior to the Tankard, the team suffered a major blow when
third Wayne Middaugh suffered a badly broken leg in a skiing accident.
TCA champions from left to right skip Greg King, Elisabeth Turner,
Angela Bartlett, Peter Grasman and Linda King.
The team added Adam Spencer and persevered winning another
provincial crown. To support the team at the Canadian Men’s Championship, St. George’s organized a one day road trip to the Brier in Ottawa to take in the North vs. South Ontario game. What a great day.
Despite our team losing on one of those nasty picks, everyone enjoyed
a unique Brier experience.
To view more photos for Champions Day please CLICK HERE to see
the Photo Gallery on the website.
“Wow! What a great season we had. Goals were exceeded!
My ladies delivered; they hit; they 'took out'; they swept; they drew
... all this leading to winning three trophies. The "name of the
game" was FOCUS. More importantly, they believed in their skip.
How rewarding can that be? It was a fun year with great people,”
says Nancy Raithby.
“The highlight of the season was the opportunity to play on three
distinctly different teams with some wonderful teammates,” says
David Chorley. “They all brought different challenges to the game
which I benefited from as a player and in all instances; every game
was capped off by terrific company and a few pints.”
APRIL 26, 2016
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CLUB NEWS
TEEING OFF IN THE MEN’S SECTION
I
f the positive vibe and the initial buzz about the
start of the golf season is any indication, we’re
in for a great season of golf at St. George’s.
“We already have world-class conditions and it’s
only the middle of April. There’s a fantastic feel to
the golf course when you’re out there and the
greens are spectacular,” Men’s Captain, Steve
Kleynhans said, while chatting with Men’s Vice
Captain, Fraser Whale during Saturday’s Chair’s
Spring Reception.
New starting this year, to celebrate the wonderful traditions and warm spirit of camaraderie in our
club, Kleynhans, has invited all Past Captains and
Past Presidents to wear their Red Captains or
Presidents Jackets to the Opening Day, the Men’s
Member Guest and Closing Day this year.
“St. George’s is extremely proud of our history
and traditions and the Men’s Section continues to
encourage all members to wear their club jackets
at all club events,” he says. For members who
don’t yet have a jacket, fittings will be available at
the Men’s League Draft Night (May 4th) and Men’s
Opening Day (May 6th), or members can visit the
Golf Shop to be fitted any time before that.
Over 200 members have signed up for Men’s League to date and
Whale is expecting that with a full season of golf ahead that the
league will hit 250-plus members once again. The league has decided to stick with the alternating nines schedule for scoring that
was initiated last year during the greens grow-in.
Men’s League, which starts May 11th, is receiving excellent
sponsorship renewal and additions and they are looking to top up
the program in the comings days ahead of Men’s League Draft Night
NEW FACES AT
ST. GEORGE’S
The club is pleased to welcome the
following people into membership.
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THE NEWS AT ST. GEORGE’S
on May 4th.
Whale is the Lead Convenor of the Men’s League for 2016; Darryl
Lucas is Co-Convenor with Lou Lacchin and David Gallo acting as
Supporting Convenors for Men’s League 2016.
Men’s and Ladies’ Captains and Vice Captains have sat down together and are excited to be promoting the key Mixed Member
events together in 2016. The first mixed event will be the Matrimonial
on Sunday, June 26th.
GOLF:
CURLING:
•
•
•
•
•
• Daniel Faust
• Anne-Louise Hall
• Dustin Van Der Hout
Jared Andrews
Anthony Caruso
Frank Giannone
Jason Kane, son of Philip Kane
Brad Leufkens, nephew of Joan
Leufkens and Garry England
• Isabelle Zywiel, spouse of
David Morris
SOCIAL:
• Peter Roy
• Domenic Sgambelluri
LADIES’ GOLF
LADIES’ SECTION READY TO TEE OFF
FORE THE LOVE OF GOLF
W
hether you are excited about women’s golf
being part of the Olympic Games for the
very first time in Rio this summer, or just
looking forward to warm summer days at St. George’s,
the Ladies’ Section is gearing up for a full season of
great events and special activities.
The Ladies’ Golf Committee met as a group last
week, as convenors for each of the member events
presented themes and updates on their respective
events. It sounds like there are many outstanding
events in the works and a lot of work and creativity has
gone into planning to date.
“With the golf course back in full play we’re really
looking to kick it up a notch or two this year for our signature events – the Ladies’ Member Guest, the Belle Cup and the
Ladies’ Member/Member,” says Ladies’ Golf Captain Karen Winter.
“Our weekly Ladies’ League is extremely popular with upwards of 90
ladies taking part each week, and we’d like to see this enthusiasm carried over to our other events.”
Winter says sponsorship for the Ladies’ League is strong and they
are still looking for additional sponsors.
Don’t forget that our Scottish themed Ladies’ Opening Day with a
piper is May 5th, followed by Ladies’
2016
League Draft Night on May 10th (convenors: Lynn Campbell and Barb
Power), Ladies Captain’s Cup Kickoff & Strategy Night on May 24th,
followed by the Belle Cup on May 31st and June 4th (convenors: Louise
Lacchin and Carolyn Eleoff).
Your 2016 Ladies Captain’s Committee includes: Karen Winter as
Captain, Nikki Smith as Vice-Captain and Matina Elsey is Past Captain.
Shauna Wilde says goodbye to St. George’s
ver 50 members plus staff gathered
at the club last week to say farewell
to Associate Professional Shauna
Wilde, who is now working at Whistle
Bear Golf Club in Cambridge, which will
host the LPGA Manulife Classic later
this summer. Shauna thanked members
and staff for all the great memories over
the past seven years and added that the club will always have a special
place in her heart. She told a wonderful story about first playing the St.
George’s Junior Invitational as a 13 or 14-year-old and being in awe of
the club and course. She returned to St. George’s a few years later to
O
play in the Toronto Star Ladies’ Amateur
and being here again reaffirmed in her
mind that St. George’s was her favourite
club. One night she even dropped by
with a friend to show them the exterior
of the beautiful clubhouse as they sat in
the parking lot and gazed at the majestic
building. Then she started working here
and realized it’s truly the members and staff, especially those in the golf
shop that she worked with so closely, that made for a tearful goodbye.
Shauna met her significant other – Rob Astley – here, and they plan to
buy a house in Waterloo Region for the next stage of their life together.
APRIL 26, 2016
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CLUB NEWS
St. George’s New
NEW FACES IN THE KITCHEN
W
e are delighted to announce the hiring of Kiko Stepanyan as the club’s new
Sous Chef. Early in his career Kiko gained international experience working
in Bahrain and Australia. Most recently, he acted as the Senior Sous Chef
for Oliver and Bonacini Restaurants and before that he was the Sous Chef at Ottawa
Hunt and Golf Club.
We have a sweet addition to the Kitchen Team as we welcome Vanessa Bilan as
the club’s first Pastry Chef. You’ll taste Vanessa’s first creations on the new dessert
menu and we look forward to seeing what she comes up with for a new St. George’s
Signature Dessert in the coming weeks. Prior to joining the club earlier this month,
Vanessa had been the Pastry Chef at nearby Old Mill Toronto hotel and spa for several
years.
In May, Joey Arena joins the Kitchen Team as the new Banquet Chef. Joey adds a
terrific blend of hospitality experience to the culinary team. He was Banquet Chef at
The Waterside Inn for four years and most recently Banquet Chef at Bayview Golf Club
for the past seven years. Joey joins the club on May 12th. Current Banquet Chef, Chris
Persico, will remain at the club in a reduced part time capacity.
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THE NEWS AT ST. GEORGE’S
Spring Menu
xecutive Chef James Saunders and his Kitchen
Team introduced a new spring menu over the
weekend with a terrific mix of club favourites and new
selections.
There are a handful of exciting new salads on the
menu including the must-try Burrata Salad, several
new gluten free and vegan options including a sensational Smoke Salmon and Avocado Salad as Chef
James continues to strive to provide members with
healthy food choices like the Cauliflower, Kale and
Chick Pea Curry or the Shepherd’s Pie with braised
lentils, root vegetables and mushrooms topped with
white truffle mashed potatoes.
Chef James says he’s already hearing positive
feedback on the Watercress Citrus Salad, the Grilled
Steakhouse Salad and Moroccan Chicken with Ginger, Turmeric and Paprika.
To view the new menu CLICK HERE.
E
CLUB NEWS
UPCOMING
EVENTS
MAY 1ST
Junior Opening Day
CLICK HERE for more details.
MAY 4TH
WAGS Opening Day
CLICK HERE for more details.
MAY 4TH
Men’s League Draft Night
CLICK HERE for more details.
PINOT NOIR FIVE COURSE
WINE DINNER
Thursday, May 19th
E
xecutive Chef James Saunders and Clubhouse Manager/Sommelier Corey
Ladouceur present an evening dedicated to this elusive and captivating grape
variety that is considered by many wine enthusiasts as the “Holy Grail” of winemaking and wine drinking! Revered for many generations to be the quintessential grape
variety for capturing a sense of place, Pinot Noir offers elegance, freshness and a
melange of flavours, textures and pleasures. Corey will showcase Pinot Noirs from
around the world that have built a strong reputation for elevating the grape to greatness. Chef Saunders and his skillful team will focus on the grape nuances to bring together a five-course dinner highlighting this food friendly grape at its best.
CLICK HERE to view Wine in Focus with Corey for more details and insights. We look
forward to reserving a table for you!
• 6:30 pm Reception / 7 pm Dinner
• Limited seating
• $140 Gastronomy & Wine Club Members / $155 Members and Guests
MAY 5TH
Ladies’ Opening Day
CLICK HERE for more details.
MAY 6TH
Men’s Opening Day
CLICK HERE for more details.
MAY 8TH
Mother’s Day Brunch & Dinner
CLICK HERE for more details.
MAY 10TH
Ladies’ League Draft Night
CLICK HERE for more details.
MAY 13TH
40 year Member Luncheon
MAY 19TH
Wine Club Dinner
MAY 20TH
Verandah Opens (tentative)
SWEET SENSATIONS SPRING DESSERT MENU
Pastry Chef Vanessa Bilan has been busy in the kitchen for the last couple of weeks
creating a sensational new dessert menu with several new treats that we have never
seen at the club before including a couple of gluten free options. Words and photos
don’t do them justice, so save room for dessert and enjoy!
APRIL 26, 2016
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GOLF NEWS
The Devil is in the Details
A
fter five months of training in Florida, Turner Southey-Gordon
returns to Canada in early May to put it all on the line at
Mackenzie Tour PGA Tour Canada Q-school.
“I have been preparing every day for Q-school for the last few
months so I’m looking forward to getting out to British Columbia and
teeing it up,” says the young gun from St. George’s G&CC who turned
professional last August when he Monday qualified with a 68 at the
Mackenzie Tour Great Waterway Classic in Kingston. However,
Turner failed to earn his first paycheque when he missed the cut after
rounds of 76-73 – another lesson learned about pro golf – rounds in
the 70s don’t usually cut it!
“I’m going out there to earn a spot on the tour and hopefully play
a full schedule of events on the Canadian Tour this summer. I have
been playing some single day events, even won one and my confidence is building,” says Turner, whose Florida roommate, requalified
to return to the tour this year after making it through a Q-school in
Port St. Lucie, Florida at the end of March.
Back in January, the 21-year-old travelled to Bogota, Columbia to
attend PGA Latin America Q-school but his bid to play on that tour in
2016 quickly disappeared after rounds of 82-76-75-73. He hit several
drives over 400 yards, an average 8-iron flew about 200 yards while
playing the difficult mountain course that he couldn’t adjust to quickly
enough.
“My score improved every day, so I was pleased with that, but I
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THE NEWS AT ST. GEORGE’S
still need to learn to play better as a professional golfer, it’s so much
different than college or amateur golf,” says the Duke University
graduate who spent last summer playing and practicing out of St.
George’s as he has done since being welcomed into the club as a
15-year-old sponsored junior who was in Grade 10 at Upper Canada
College at the time.
Turner packed his bags and drove to Jupiter, Florida last October.
He settled into a two-bedroom apartment with Chris Hemmerich.
“Chris has been through it once and has some valuable experience,” Southey-Gordon says. “He’s told me that you need to enjoy
the golf just like when you were a kid or playing amateur golf. It’s
hard when it’s your job and you’re struggling, but when you get to
the course and tee it up, it’s time to play and not get down on yourself or worry about making a cheque. You just need to stay in the
moment, think about playing with your friends or whatever makes
you feel good.”
Southey-Gordon’s typical day in the sunshine state started with a
morning workout in the gym, followed by breakfast and regimented
golf practice for a couple of hours. Then lunch, followed by golf practice for two more hours and hopefully time for a quick nine before
heading home to cook supper. In the evening he update his website –
www.tsggolf.com – prepare for upcoming tournaments or catching
up with friends on social media such as Twitter - @tsggolf.
Continued on the next page
GOLF & CLUB NEWS
Continued from the previous page
Turner’s passion for the game developed at a young age when his grandfather
would take him to The Country Club or Emerald Hills GC and they would drive
around in a golf cart, hit some balls, maybe play a couple of holes or putt on the
practice green and then have a snack together. As a nine-year-old, he teed it up
in a mini competition at Don Valley GC with about 10 other kids and despite an 18
on the 9th hole he was hooked.
Turner, who is coached by PGA of Canada member, Henry Brunton, started
high school at Upper Canada College in Grade 8 and played competitively for the
school including team victories at the OFSAA provincial championships with teammate Brandon Ng who went on to Wake Forest for college golf in the US.
“It was while I was in high school that St. George’s gave me the opportunity to
be a sponsored junior so I could practice and play at the Club. The Club played an
integral part in helping me get a scholarship at Duke and giving me access to a
world-class golf course and practice, so I could improve my game from year to
year,” says Southey-Gordon, who has a brother named Bubba in his sophomore
year at UCLA Film School.
“St. George’s is a tremendous place and I am extremely fortunate to be part of
the community. The members have been incredibly supportive, always starting up
conversations on the range and following my tournament results throughout the
year. The golf course itself is a good test of golf, not too many courses have such
a great combination of long par 4s and 3s which help you improve your long iron
game. There are also some good players at the Club - it’s always fun to get out for
a game.”
Over the last six years, Southey-Gordon has played in most of the GAO Junior
Boys and Amateur Championships, as well as Golf Canada’s Junior Boys and
Canadian Amateur Championship plus numerous prestigious events including; the
Monroe Invitational and the North and South Amateur Championship. Two appearances in the 2013 and 2015 US Amateur boosted his confidence. At Duke, the
Men’s Golf Team won the 2013 ACC conference championship and this past June,
with Turner as the team captain, the Blue Devils went from being ranked 85th in
the country in December 2014 to qualifying for the NCAA Division 1 Championship
as the team came together in a way that nobody really saw coming. Now it’s time
to see what he can do as a professional golfer starting on May 3rd as he tees it up
at Q-school for the very first time.
Road Repairs
epairs to the connecting roadway behind the clubhouse are nearly complete and the improvements look great!
Road access closed Wednesday, April
27th for final paving.
R
Greenside with Keith
lick on the image above to watch the
Green Speed Update video from Keith
Bartlett.
C
SAVE THE DATE!
We’re planning a BIG Party! The St. George’s
Summer Social will be held Saturday, July 9th.
So mark your calendars for what promises to be
an exquisite evening with sumptuous food stations and refreshing cocktails on the RYR lawn
with a live band and dancing in the RYR.
APRIL 26, 2016
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