Golden Valley Golf and Country Club

Golden Valley Golf and Country Club
The Valley Voice
November / December 2014
A Century of Excellence
Celebrating 100 Years of Excellence
Message from the President
As we wrap up the first 100 years of our Club’s history, it is important to give recognition to those members/
owners that have come before us and the legacy that they have left behind. Many of our long time owners
formed a Centennial Committee and made this year very special. I would like to thank all of you that volunteered countless hours and made this year-long celebration a huge success. From the Tilley Bridge and the
“Century of Excellence” Book, to the Red Carpet Reception and Gala, you made our year truly memorable.
Thank you for throwing the party of the Century. It was so much fun that many members and employees have
commented that we need to do this again. I could not agree more.
Looking forward to the next century, we are happy to report that the club’s operations continue to run smoothly. Year to date revenue is up about 3% through the first nine months and Jeff Ische, Tom Rubenstein and
Francisco Gonzalez have done a good job of reducing expenses. Although we could benefit by adding a few
more members, we continue to navigate the great recession and should end up having a pretty good year from
a financial standpoint.
Club Officers
Jim Brown – President
Brad Severson- Vice President
Mary Meuwissen – Secretary
Andy Weiner – Treasurer
2014
Board of Directors
Jim Brown – President
Brad Severson- Vice President
Mary Meuwissen – Secretary
Andy Weiner – Treasurer
Tim Bullock
Brian Liesch
Eduard Michel
Rolf Muehlenhaus
Lee Snitzer
Legal Counsel
Mike Tewksbury – Legal Counsel
2014
Committee Chairs
Finance - Jim Bomberg
Golf - Tom Shannon
Green & Grounds - Jerry Gruidl
House and Pool - Warren Eck
Marketing – Andy Weiner
Membership – Allan Share
Tennis - Stacey Finkelstein
It was not an easy year. We started out learning of the passing of Gary Hayden, our Bar Manager and we are ending this year with the departure
of a long time employee and Food and Beverage Manager, Greg Maginnis. These are tough shoes to fill, but our employees are answering the
call by bringing in some great talent. Change is not easy but I know that our team is committed to the highest level of service and will constantly strive to raise the bar higher. Please take the time to stop and say hi to some of the new faces in the club. They are here to make our club
exceptional.
I would like to thank our Committee members for all of the hard work that they do. These Committees meet monthly, and members often
volunteer for special projects and improvements around the club. Many Committees report directly to the board - Greens and Grounds, Golf,
Membership, Marketing, House, Finance, and Pool and Tennis. These Committees advise the board and they are a great place for you to get
involved. If you would like to be part of a Committee, please ask a Board member or Committee Chairman. Being a Committee member is
often a stepping stone to being involved in the Board. We would love to have you on Board.
I would also like to give thanks to our Board of Directors and our Executive Board. In case you are not familiar with the formality of a Board
of Directors, the Executive Board is elected by the nine member Board of Directors to serve as officers of your club; President, Vice President,
Treasurer, and Secretary (myself, Brad Severson, Andy Weiner and Mary Meuwissen, respectively). The normal progression of a board member
is to become part of the Executive Board. The President-elect is usually someone who has served the board at the Executive Board level. I want
to thank these boards that have worked so hard to make our employees and our management team stronger. For example, we recently took on
the thankless task of mapping our organizational structure, re-writing job descriptions at every level, and revising our employee review process.
This was a lot of work and I am very impressed with the end result. All employees now know whom to report to and have a way to meet with
their manager on a regular basis for personal development. We are rolling this process out as I write this letter. As a result of all this hard work,
I trust that this will have a very positive impact on our employees in the coming months and years. Thank you for all of your help in this process. As owners of this club, you take your role very seriously and provide the kind of guidance that only ownership can give.
I encourage all of you to get involved in our club and continue to guide us for years to come. Thank you for being a part of a Century of Excellence. Enjoy the book that was created by our fellow owners. It has been a pleasure serving as your President.
Jim Brown
My staff and I have sure been keeping busy with
all of the fall project work. The changes to the
approach on the second hole and the expansion
of that green are accomplishing exactly what
the committee intended. More approach shots
are staying on the green rather than rolling off
the back edge, reducing the likelihood of having
that delicate downhill chip shot. Both changes
are helping to keep balls from rolling all the way
down the hill that guards that green. The bunkers
on holes one, three and ten greens were refaced.
Through this process, we remove all of the excess
sand that has accumulated on the bunker faces
and bottom edges, and restore the bunker to its
original shape and design, just as A.W. Tillinghast left it nearly eighty years ago. The end result
is a bunker face that looks better, is steeper and
the grass shelf around the bottom of the face is
removed, allowing for more balls to get down into
the sand. We removed twenty five ash trees that
were in poor condition or growing in bad locations and, as I write this, are waiting on the stump
grinding to take place so we can begin that cleanup. We also have planted twenty trees around the
golf course, filling voids that were left by storms,
disease and declining tree removals in the last
couple years. Although none of these projects
is very large by itself, the monthly payment you
make into the capital fund helps make them
possible. By doing the work in-house, the funds
are stretched even farther. Thank you for your
continued support of these small, but important
course improvement projects!
In addition to getting the above projects done, we
also need to get all the necessary agronomic practices done before winter sets in. In the final weeks
of the season, we top dressed all greens, tees, and
approaches and slit drain areas on fairways. We
completed the deep tining of all fairways, cart
path ends and greens. I cannot even fathom how
many leaves we blew and mulched as they fell!
We also work through a long list of small tasks
that have to get done every fall, such as removing
all annual flowers and cutting back all perennials,
applying all the plant protectants to keep the turf
disease free over winter, blowing out and winter-
izing the irrigation system, bringing in all course
accessories, covering greens, etc. Needless to say,
it is an extremely busy time of year, and thanks
to a great staff -and hopefully the cooperation of
Mother Nature- we manage to get it all done in
order to get us off to a good start next season!
We will again keep the course open as long as the
weather allows, but we do need about three days
to complete all of our last minute work before the
snow comes or the ground freezes. Just another
reminder, please encourage one another to replace all divots, fix all ball marks and scatter cart
traffic as you access and leave the cart paths. This
late in the season, top growth has stopped and the
turf will not recover from any of those damages. Unrepaired divots, ball marks and cart traffic
wear will be evident until next May!
Yet another golf season is nearing the end. Each
season seems to go faster than the last. What a
fantastic year we enjoyed on the course. It all
started with how the turf came out of winter and
last spring was outstanding, the best that I have
seen in my time here. All of the greens, tees and
fairways came through one of the harshest winters
on record without a blemish! The great turf conditions received timely rainfall all season, though
too much early in the summer, and together with
the cooler than normal temperatures for most of
the season, the turf was never really under any severe stress. Is it unrealistic to expect twenty more
years like this? That would get me pretty close to
retirement! My staff and I certainly hope you enjoyed the 2014 golfing season as much as we did.
It is hard to see such a good season coming to a
close. I don’t know about you, but I am hoping for
another winter just like last as it sure helped set us
up for what turned out to be a great year! Happy Holidays, enjoy the time you are able to spend
with family and friends and have a great winter!
Jeff Ische
Executive Director of Property
and Sports Operations
Green and Grounds
by Jeff Ische
#991
Membership News
by Cathy Pentz
Grand Thanksgiving Buffet
Welcome to Fall!
The Membership Committee along with your Board of Directors has
been busy planning for the fall season and looking forward to 2015!
Since the majority of new members are friends, family, colleagues and
neighbors of our current GVGCC members, we need your assistance –
we need you to be an Ambassador! Please take some time to think of
someone you can share our tremendous opportunity for new members
to join GVGCC this fall!
Starting now prospective members can join and pay no dues until April
1, 2015. The only requirement will be the monthly food and beverage
of $100 per month. On or before April 1 prospective members will have
the opportunity to join as golf members, or as pool & tennis members
or as dining members!
Pass along this great fall promotion along to your friends, family,
colleagues and neighbors. Call Cathy Pentz today at 763-732-4120 or
[email protected] to learn more.
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5-9 PM
Thursday, November 27
10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
The clubhouse will close at 3:00 p.m.
Adults: $40++
Kids (4-10): $20++
3 & Under: Free
Reservations Required
Please call 763-732-4100
or email [email protected]
Adults: $20++
Kids (4-10): $12++
3 & Under: Free
Price includes Turkey Dinner Buffet
plus 1 Bingo Card
TURKEY
BINGO!
Reservations Required
Please call 763-732-4100
or email [email protected]
Tennis by Bryan Turunen
On behalf of the tennis staff, we would like to thank you for a wonderful
tennis season. We enjoyed seeing familiar players and getting to meet and
work with new ones. We look forward to starting up again in the spring.
Please feel free to contact the tennis staff for any input regarding winter
tennis and ideas for the tennis program next season.
We had a great response and turn out for our first ever pickle ball clinic.
We now have our own supply of paddles and balls and hope to continue
this exciting new sport with more of our members.
145
November
CHEF’S SPECIALS
Prime Rib &
Popover Night
BYOB
Chicken, Ribs
& Meatloaf
Night
BYOB
BYOB
PASTA
NIGHT
CHEF’S
SPECIALS
Networking
Breakfast 8 a.m.
Election of
Directors
BYOB
CHEF’S SPECIALS
Prime Rib &
Popover Night
Chicken, Ribs
& Meatloaf
Night
Chicken, Ribs
& Meatloaf
Night
Chicken, Ribs
& Meatloaf
Night
PASTA
NIGHT
WINE
DINNER
PASTA
NIGHT
Thanksgiving
Day Buffet
10:30 - 2:00 pm
CHEF’S SPECIALS
Prime Rib &
Popover Night
CHEF’S
SPECIALS
CHEF’S SPECIALS
Prime Rib &
Popover Night
Turkey Bingo
5:00 - 9:00 pm
CHEF’S
SPECIALS
CHEF’S SPECIALS
Prime Rib &
Popover Night
Clubhouse
Closes 3PM
CLUB CLOSED
December
Petite Boutique
10:00 - 2:00
BYOB
Prime Rib &
Popover Night
Chicken, Ribs
& Meatloaf
Night
CHEF’S
SPECIALS
Networking
Breakfast 8 a.m.
BYOB
Holiday Buffet
Holiday Buffet
Holiday Buffet
Holiday Buffet
Family Holiday
Buffet
Prime Rib &
Popover Night
Year-End
Brunch Buffet
Chicken, Ribs
& Meatloaf
Night
Holiday Buffet
Holiday Buffet
Christmas Eve
Club Closed
Christmas Day
Club Closed
Children’s
Holiday Brunch
Holiday
Buffet Begins
Hanukkah Begins
Holiday
Buffet Ends
Sunday Brunch
10:00 - 2:00
Family Holiday
Buffet
CHEF’S
SPECIALS
Family Night
in the Grille
New Years Eve
NEW YEARS DAY
CLUBHOUSE
CLOSED
BYOB
CLUB CLOSED
Petite Boutique
Saturday, December 6, 2014
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Members and guests can enjoy shopping for
holiday gifts for themselves and others
right here at the Club!
Come and shop our fantastic vendors AND...
DO MORE SHOPPING in the Golf Shop for the
Annual Golf Shop Sale
EXCLUSIVELY for GVGCC Members
and their Guests!
Lunch specials available in the
Winged Foot Grille
Reservations requested for lunch
(call or email)
GVGCC
Traditional Holiday Buffet
BEGINS
Friday, December 12, 2014
Please check the calendar and website for
the evenings the
Holiday Buffet will be available
5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Adults: $43++
Kids (4-10): $20++
3 & Under: Free
Reservations Required
763-732-4100 or [email protected]
RING IN
2015
AT GVCC
Family New Year’s Eve Party
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Join us for a Family Friendly Buffet
on New Year’s Eve at GVGCC
with a Balloon Drop at 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $20.15 Per Person
Reservations Required
763-732-4100 or [email protected]
#569
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CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY BRUNCH
Saturday, December 13, 2014
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Adults: $15++
Kids (4-10): $10++
3 & Under: Free
Reservations Required
763-732-4100 or [email protected]
9 Hole News
18 Hole News
by Jill Gustafson
by Melanie Dunleavy
Another golf season has come to an end and
we had a great year with beautiful weather,
good friends and great rounds of golf.
What a great year we had and all golf-loving Minnesotans deserved the beautiful October weather!
At the closing event, Jill Gustafson and Lori Brown
were elected to serve as President and Vice-President
of the 18 Hole League for the 2015 season. We are
so lucky to have such two wonderful ladies lead the
league.
A big thank you to Marion Kahn, 9 Hole
League President, and the team she put together for the season!! And we look forward
to incoming President, Sally Levens and her
team for next year.
We had great participation for our first-ever Iron
Woman competition. Congratulations to the team of
Dawn Kurr and Mary Meuwissen on their victory.
It truly was an “Iron Woman” kind of day as the last
three holes were played in pouring rain.
We wish everyone a very Happy Holiday
season and a safe New Year! Here’s hoping
Mother Nature treats us a little more kindly
this winter! Cheers!
Congratulations to Sara Aasgaard for winning Queen
of the Valley. Lori Brown won her flight and was the
runner-up. Well done, Lori! We had a wonderful day
of weather and a lot of ladies stayed around to watch
the finish.
It has been an honor to serve as the 18-hole League
President this past year. A big thank you to all the
board members and all the ladies who volunteered
their time to work on the events. Here’s to an early
spring in 2015!
2
#52
Club Information and Hours
Food and Beverage
Karen Ingram – Food and Beverage Manager
Vicki Jurek – Asst. Food & Beverage Manager
Kevin Bolick – Dining Room Manager
Victor Ortiz – Sous Chef
Mike Abelson – Sous Chef
Executive Staff
Tom Rubenstein, Executive Director of Clubhouse Operations
Jeff Ische, Executive Director of Property and Sports Operations
Francisco Gonzalez, Executive Director of Culinary Operations
Sales and Catering
Elly Lendway Carlson – Catering Sales Manager
Kim Renneberg – Catering Sales Manager
Julie Walters – Banquet Manager
Golf
Henry Orme – Head Golf Professional
Al Strang – Teaching Professional
Kristi Meyer – Assistant Golf Professional
Jacob Vogt – Assistant Golf Professional
Dan Kasner – Assistant Golf Professional
Tom Jarzyna – Locker Room Manager
Tennis
Bryan Turunen – Director of Tennis
Kathy Farmer – Program Manager
Court Ryan – Teaching Professional
Brent Stearns – Teaching Professional
NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER CLUBHOUSE HOURS
MONDAYS: CLUBHOUSE CLOSED
WINGED FOOT GRILLE (763-732-4124)
Breakfast:
Tuesday - Sunday
Lunch:
Tuesday - Sunday
Dinner:
Tuesday - Sunday
7:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
GOLF SHOP (763-732-4140)
Sunday – Monday
Tuesday – Friday Saturday
CLOSED
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Administration
Cathy Pentz – Director of Membership
Lisa Dietsch – Concierge
Susan Ferguson – Controller
Nancy Gray – Accountant
Sam Bergknoff – Accountant
Deb Wilson – Human Resources
INDOOR PRACTICE FACILITY
Tuesday – Sunday
8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Grounds
Matt Olsonoski – Assistant Grounds Superintendent
David Phillips – Assistant Grounds Superintendent
Steve Klingelhoets – Golf Course Technician
Brian Buerman – Equipment Manager
Support Services
Michael Mills – Building Maintenance Engineer
Ben Hill – Building Maintenance Assistant
Jaime Rodriguez – Housekeeping Manager
7001 Golden Valley Road • Golden Valley, MN 55427
763-732-4100 (Phone) 763-732-4199 (Fax) www.gvgcc.com
Our Mission:
To strengthen the bonds of family, friends, and colleagues by providing
championship golf, outstanding tennis and swimming, exceptional
dining, and first-class service.
A Century of Excellence