CFO Meeting February 26, 2013 CFO Meeting February 26, 2013.
February 2013
20
Er Ye ga Chris Harriman, Golf Course Superintendent, snapped these awesome aerial photos with his new toy during the recent snowstorm! FEBRUARY 2103 EDITION
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Cattail Creek Newsletter
Transcript of February 2013
Erin Cunningham, age 2, had a great time at the New
Year's at Noon Kids' Party on December 31, and even
gave the hula hoop contest a valiant effort!
Chris Harriman, Golf Course Superintendent, snapped these
awesome aerial photos with his new toy during the recent snowstorm!
FEBRUARY 2103 EDITION
2 � CAT TALES NEWSLETTER
valentine’s daydinner specials
thursday, february 145:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
appetizers
entrees
desserts
ahi tuna carpacciorabbit confit & foie gras salad
braised beef short rib spring rollscrab & lobster potato galette
roasted butternut squash bisquecelery root soup
maryland crab cakesgrilled lamb loin chop
chicken open faced wellingtontagliatelle seafood pastafennel scented sea bass
grilled creekstone farms ny strip steakbraised beef short rib pot roast
salmon teriyaki
classic zabaglionepumpkin pound cake & coffee ice cream
oreo cookie bread puddingstrawberry paradise puff pastrywhite and dark chocolate pie
caramelized apple crepe
live violin
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
by tammy sutton of antares musicians!
FEBRUARY 2013 � 3
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Tom Cole, President | [email protected]
Dick Lombardo, Vice President | [email protected]
Gary Garofalo, Treasurer | [email protected]
Howard Feldman, Secretary | [email protected]
Andy Wilson, Past President | [email protected]
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tim Reid
Shaun Eddy
Seth Lee
Steve Schrenk
Mike Jack
Jim Scalley
Cheryl Guth
Christine Callahan
COMMITTEES
Golf - Scott Segrist [email protected]
Junior Golf - Scott Allen [email protected]
Greens - Dick Lombardo [email protected]
Tennis - Christine Callahan [email protected]
Membership - Andy Wilson [email protected]
Compensation Committee - Seth Lee [email protected]
Audit Committee - Shaun Eddy [email protected]
Finance - Gary Garofalo [email protected]
Facilities - Rick Pundzak [email protected]
House - Steve Schrenk [email protected]
Swim Team - Lisa Noss [email protected]
CCWGA - Loraine Herdrich [email protected]
CCWTA - Terri Curran [email protected]
LeadershipMANAGEMENT
Joe Fulco, CCM, CCE General [email protected] ext. 231
Bob Wampler, PGA Head Golf [email protected] ext. 222
Nic Flickinger, PGA First Assistant Golf [email protected] ext. 223
Joe Mattingly Director of [email protected] ext. 235
John Foelber, CPT Fitness [email protected] ext. 248
Tim Halter Head Tennis [email protected] ext. 235
Julie Seanez Tennis Pro Shop [email protected] ext. 235
Chris Harriman Golf Course [email protected] 410.489.9178
Kim Kordon [email protected] ext. 232
Tom Caswell Executive [email protected] ext. 246
Scott Lockwood Clubhouse [email protected] ext. 234
Justin Passero Dining Room [email protected] ext. 396
Rob Anderson Facility [email protected] ext. 247
Lynn Slupski Membership/Marketing [email protected] ext. 233
Carey Ward Communications [email protected] ext. 241
CLUB PHONE NUMBERS
Main Clubhouse 410.489.4653 | Golf Shop 410.489.5224
Tennis Pro Shop 410.989.3683 | Green Department 410.489.9178
4 � CAT TALES NEWSLETTER
contents
15. GREEN REPORT CHRIS HARRIMAN, GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT
19. YOU CAN'T JUST BE BALANCEDTIM HALTER, HEAD TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
6
9
12
17
18
DEPARTMENTS:
FEATURES:
9. FOUR REASONS TO REGISTERLYNN SLUPSKI, MEMBERSHIP MARKETING DIRECTOR
ClubhouseUPCOMING SOCIAL EVENTS
CUPID VISITS THE BAR... MARTINI OF THE MONTH
ENTER THE ST. PATTY'S DAY BUTTON CONTEST
KID ZONE UPDATE
MembershipWELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
A MESSAGE FROM ANDY WILSON, PAST PRESIDENT
GolfBUNKER TO BUNKER
RICKY’S TIP - AN INDOOR PUTTING DRILL
APPROACH SHOTS (SAVE THE DATES!)
Staff CornerJOHN FOELBER, FITNESS DIRECTOR
TYSON McFARLAND, ASST. GOLF PROFESSIONAL
TennisNOTE FROM JOE MATTINGLY, DIRECTOR OF TENNIS
USTA NEWS - CAPTAIN'S MEETING
Winter Shutdown will take place from Sunday,
February 3 to Tuesday, February 12. The entire Club,
with the exception of the Fitness Center, will be
closed during this time.
The Maintenance Staff will be working on the
following projects around the Club:
� Installing Clubhouse Water Filtration System
� Re-painting the interior of the Clubhouse
� Deep cleaning of the kitchen and service areas
� New hallways built in the Pool House
� Expanding the Pool fence
� Upgrading the Pool security cameras
� Overall security system upgrade
� Several infrastructure repairs
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGMONDAY, MARCH 18 AT 7:00 P.M.save the date & be heard!
FEBRUARY 2013 � 5
After careful consideration, the Club will be closing the Kid Zone and using the space as a Tennis Pro Shop which will open this spring. The operation of the Kid Zone has had to be subsidized due to very low Member usage. We plan to offer more events that will provide babysitting services, and possibly offer the service once a month on a regular basis. The Kid Zone space will serve as a temporary Tennis Pro Shop for the 2013 season. After completing the 2013 season, we will evaluate the Tennis Pro Shop’s operating numbers and work towards a permanent location for this offering. Ideally, we would prefer the space to be located in the Pool and Fitness Building, provided we can allocate enough area without impacting the other operations in the facility.
The Restaurant will be rolling out new menus when we re-open the Club after Winter Shutdown, and in addition to the new items, I encourage to check out the new, modern design of the menus. Carey Ward, Communications Director, has really done a nice job freshening the look of them. Tom Caswell and his culinary team have several wonderful additions to the menu, and we will certainly continue to offer the Cattail staples such as Crab Cakes, Filet Mignon and Grilled Salmon, which remain as family favorites. The House Committee continues to look for ideas for events that the Membership would like the Club to offer. We have also updated the comment cards, which are provided after each meal in the Dining Room. Please take the time to provide the management with feedback; your input greatly helps us to improve the operation and to serve you better. You can also submit your feedback via our Digital Suggestion Box on the homepage of our website.
This year, Cattail is celebrating our 20th Anniversary and we are looking for Members who would like to prepare articles for the monthly newsletter that would reflect back on our history, and perhaps recount one of the many events Cattail has hosted over the years, and the ways the Club has evolved. We would like to thank the many Member volunteers that have made a huge difference over the years, and who continue to plan for our future. If you would like to help contribute to this section of the newsletter, please email Carey Ward, Communications Director, at [email protected]. This summer, we plan to expand the Anniversary Party by offering more entertainment, and even a larger fireworks display. This is just one example of the special plans for this season. As always, I will continue to update you, as we firm up our plans for a very successful 2013.
Joe Fulco, CCM, CCE
General Manager
contents
General Manager's Update
Dear Member,
As we begin the month of February, many things are positively changing at the Club. Bob Wampler, our new Head Golf Professional, is now on-board at the Club full-time. I have hired a new Director of Fitness, John Foelber, and he will be offering many different fitness programs that will be advertised in the future. John’s fitness offerings will soon be posted on our website, and you will be able to schedule personal training sessions with him online just as you do for tennis and golf lessons. Bob & John will be offering complimentary golf fitness analyses and fitness evaluations in our new Learning Center on weekends from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. from February 16 through March 17. Take advantage of this opportunity to meet the new staff and begin to get into shape for the upcoming spring season!
On the note of the spring season, we are already seeing many prospective Members show interest in joining the Club. Please remember that this year, both the Golf and Social initiations rise incrementally each month. Please encourage your interested friends to join sooner rather than later to take advantage of the lowest possible initiation rates this year. In February, the Golf initiation is $5,500 and the Social initiation is $1,250.
The Club will be closed for our annual Winter Shutdown period beginning Sunday, February 3. We will re-opening on Wednesday, February 13 for Family Night: Geode Cracking. This event is just about sold-out. During the time of closure, the staff will be preparing the Club’s facilities for the spring season. Many of the areas that are normally improved during this time are ‘behind-the-scenes’ in nature, but need to be addressed in order to service you better. Obviously, we will also be painting, cleaning, inventory counting, and organizing, to ensure we have everything we need to run the Club’s facilities properly.
6 � CAT TALES NEWSLETTER
Clubhouse
KID ZONE IMPORTANT UPDATEUnfortunately, this month we announce that we will be discontinuing the regular
babysitting services offered in the Kid Zone. February 1, 2013 will be the last evening for the service.
The Club’s Management Team spent considerable time investigating the Member usage patterns, revenue generated, and the staff expenses required to continue to offer the service. After carefully reviewing the program, the Board of Directors and Management Team have decided that the space will be better utilized this summer as a Tennis Pro Shop, as the Tennis Program at the Club continues to grow exponentially.
We will be offering more children’s event this season, and will offer babysitting services whenever possible in a different area of the Club. This announcement is certainly bittersweet for us, and we thank you for your understanding.
CROCS SWIM TEAM REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 1!
LYNN SLUPSKI [MEMBERSHIP MARKETING DIRECTOR]
Due to the nature of this exciting bus trip, and the Kennedy Center's policies, the billing and cancellation policies for this event are a little different than is our standard.
Why You Need To Register Now
The Club has secured enough tickets (108) to fill two charter busses. We have to relinquish our unsold tickets to the Kennedy Center by April 1. Registration is currently open for 54 registrants (enough to fill the first bus). Once that is sold-out, we will open a separate event online with 54 more slots, which will be sold on a 'tentative' basis. In order for the second bus to be a go, all 54 tickets must be sold by March 31. Otherwise, all tentative reservations for the second bus will be cancelled, and only one bus will be taken with the first 54 registrants. Though the event is still many months off, we have to have firm numbers by March 31 as far as the tickets and bus are concerned. All Members must register for the trip under their own Cattail website account.
Billing & What's Included
The event cost ($158 per Member, $165 per Guest) will be billed to your Member account at the time of registration. You will see the charge on your next monthly statement. Your cost includes dinner, 2 bottled non-alcoholic beverages for the bus, a snack on the return trip, transportation, bus driver tip, and a ticket to the show (Orchestra Section).
Cancellation Policy
Refunds will only be credited to your Member account if the trip is sold out, and you are able to find a Member who will register to take your seats, or if we have a waitlist and we are able to fill your seats.
Schedule
4:00 p.m. - Dinner buffet opens. To-go boxes available for the bus.5:00 p.m. - Bussed are loaded. 5:15 p.m. - Busses depart. 7:30 p.m. - Show begins @ Kennedy Center. 12:00 a.m. - Anticipated return.
BOOK OF MORMONESSENTIAL INFO
THURSDAY, AUGUST 1
REGISTER TODAY
AT THE KENNEDY CENTER!
WE MUST RELINQUISH ANYUNSOLD TICKETS ON MARCH 31!
DINNER AND BUS TRIP
$158 / PERSONINCLUSIVE
CHEF
TOMʼS FAMOUS
STRIP STEAKS
Herb ChickenReady-To-Eat N.Y. Strip Steaks
Macaroni & CheeseMixed Green Salad Bar with Toppings & Dressings
Baked & Mashed Potato Bar with ToppingsVegetable Medley Assorted Breads
Onion RingsSautéed Mushrooms
Sautéed OnionsGravy
$24 Adults, $14 Children 7-12, $10 Children 4-6, 3 & Under Complimentary
5:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M.THURSDAYS, FEBRUARY 21 & 28
[[
FEBRUARY 2013 � 7
Clubhouse
Cupid's Martini$6
Stoli Raspberry Vodka, Créme de Cocoa Dark, Godiva Liquor
Served in a chocolate covered martini glass with dark and white
chocolate garnish!
MARTINI OFTHE MONTH
WednesdaysVillas Happy Hour / 3 Course Prefix
ThursdaysSteak n' Shake Theme Nights
Fridays (starting 2/15)Lenten Dinner Specials
Friday, 2/1New Member Family Mingle
Saturday, 2/2Trivia Night "Love" Theme
Sunday, 2/3 - Tuesday, 2/12Club Closed for Winter Shutdown
Wednesday, 2/13Family Night: Geode Cracking
Thursday, 2/14Valentines Day Dinner Specials
Saturday, 2/16Kids' Cooking Class with Chef Tom
Friday, 2/22Friday Night Live Happy Hour
with the Persuaders
Wednesday, 2/27Stella and Dot Jewelry Party
and Martini Social
FEBRUARY EVENTS
Submit entries to carey@cattailcreekcc .com by March 1
St . Patrick ’s Day Button Contest
Include “2013” + the Cattail Logo. For assistance, call Carey Ward (ext. 241).
You may illustrate, or submit digital artwork. The button is 2.5 inches in diameter.
Each year, Cattail distributes buttons to those who join us for dinner on St. Patrick’s Day at the Club. The buttons are designed by Members like you! Submit an entry for the
2013 button, and your design could be chosen.
The winner also receives a $25 Restaurtant credit and a special St. Patrick’s Day entrée! Adults and children may participate.
March Events
Thursdays Taco/Burrito Theme Nights
Fridays Lenten Dinner Specials
Saturday, 3/2Family Night: Mad Science
Saturday, 3/9Trivia Night
Sunday, 3/17St. Patrick’s Day Specials
Friday, 3/15New Member Mingle
Monday, 3/18Annual Membership Meeting
Friday, 3/22Middle School Etiquette Class
Friday, 3/22New Member Mingle
Saturday, 3/23Comedy Night (RESCHEDULED!)
Sunday, 3/31Easter Sunday Brunch, & Egg Hunt
Sunday, 3/31Easter Dinner
8 � CAT TALES NEWSLETTER
8++
Light appetizers will be provided;
drinks by signature.
Proceeds and credit accrued from purchases will benefit the Club’s Rally for a Cure and Pancreatic Cancer Awareness
golf events.
Kate’s Ring Martini $6
Join us for a jewelry party & cocktail mixer, sponsored by:
Cattail Creek Women’s Golf Association
$8 ++
Wednesday, February 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the Founder’s Lounge
Light appetizers will be provided;drinks by signature
OPEN TO ALLMEMBERS!
FEBRUARY 2013 � 9
Membership
That said, our ‘never say no’ mentality becomes a conflict of inter-est when saying ‘yes’ to a drop-in means that the Member who did abide by the standard registration policies will not get the staff attention that they expected and deserve.
We know you are fond of your Cattail Creek golf and tennis professionals, so please avoid putting them in awkward situations like this by following the proper registration guidelines, and always sign yourself up online, prior to a lesson or clinic. Having to say ‘no’ makes Joe Mattingly and Ricky Serrano sick to their stomachs, so they thank you in advance for utilizing the online reservation system!
It’s So Easy!
Our online reservation system is very user-friendly and our web-site is mobilized so that you can make a clinic or lesson reservation from a desktop computer, tablet, or your smartphone. You can cancel via any of these methods as well. If a clinic appears to be full, make a waitlist reservation online. If someone cancels, you will be the first one notified. If you would like a manager to walk you through the process, we would be tickled pink to do so, just ask!
Billing is Easier
When you make online reservations for camps, clinics, and les-sons, you receive email notifications. This makes it much easier to review your monthly statement should you have any questions.
Cattail Creek Reservation & Cancelation Policies
Private Lessons: Golf, Tennis, Fitness, and SwimmingCancel within 24 hours 100% chargeCancel prior to 24 hours No charge
Clinics: Golf & Tennis Full Sessions or Individual Dates Cancel within 72 hours 100% chargeCancel prior to 72 hours No charge
No Reservation Drop-in Surcharge $15
LYNN SLUPSKI [MEMBERSHIP MARKETING DIRECTOR]
It’s that time of year! We are already gearing up for camps, clinics, and lessons in every one of our sporting departments: golf, ten-nis, fitness, and swimming. This month I chose to focus on a topic that we have struggled with in the past, but that is very important to ensure smooth operations for our instructional outlets as the spring season nears.
Advance online registration is not only a mandatory Club policy, but it is also an important courtesy that one extends to their fel-low Members. Please take a couple of minutes to read through the four angles that exemplify the policy.
Courtesy to Fellow Members
It may appear online that there are 3 empty slots in tonight’s Beginner Tennis Clinic, but 6 other Members are looking at the website right now too and they are all thinking the same thing as you – ‘there is plenty of availability and no need to take the extra step in making a last-minute online reservation for a clinic that starts in 2 hours.’
The outcome of this scenario is that 11 Members show up for a clinic that was capped at 8. Three extra people might not seem like a lot, but it is significant to those Members who did register in advance and paid for a clinic with an advertised staffing ratio of 1:8.
There were indeed 3 slots still available, but 6 Members have now shown up without reservations, so who of the 6 does the Professional let in? And who does he turn away? And while he is pondering this awkward situation, precious minutes of the clinic are ticking away for those who made their reservations as re-quested (more about this in a minute). You see the dilemma.
Showing up without a reservation is equivalent to registering for an event and then being a no-show, no-cancel. It is not courte-ous to your fellow Members. Advance online reservations are required for all instructional golf and tennis outlets, even if you are registering for an open slot in a clinic that starts in 1 hour. Our instructors receive instant email notifications when you register, so they’ll be prepared for you!
This policy has been communicated in numerous methods, but continues to be an issue. This season, Members who pop in with-out reservations will be turned away if their participation will take the clinic or camp over the advertised cap; if the Professional is able to accommodate the walk-in while staying within the cap, that Member will still incur a ‘no-reservation’ surcharge for the instruction. It may sound harsh, but please trust that we have your well-being in mind, and we want you and your fellow Members to receive fair treatment and top-notch instruction.
Respect the Instructor’s Dilemma
Those who work in the country club industry are groomed to be ‘yes’ people. We love accommodating our Members’ special re-quests, and it is truly our pleasure to do so.
4 Very Important Reasons to Register
10 � CAT TALES NEWSLETTER
Membership
WELCOME, NEW MEMBERS!
The Glagola FamilyPaul, Mary, Max, Jacob, Katelyn
The Jang Family – Welcome Back!
Jay, Anne, Sarah
The Dolce FamilyTerry, Lisa, Andrew, Lia
The Morgan Family
Dana, Tracey, Will, Ella
The Schaefer FamilyStephen, Jenny, Andrew, Molly, Claire
The Koele Family
Chad, Peggy, Hank, Hunter, Hallie
The Steinberg Family – Welcome Back!Todd, Beth, Mason, Gabrielle, Mitchell
The Shumate FamilyBrian, Amanda, Alexis, and Addison
Dear Member,
The Nominating Committee is accepting nominations of Members to be considered for election to the Club's Board from the general Membership. All Members may make nominations. Members being nominated must be Full Golf Members and have prior experience serving on a Standing Committee or other volunteer capacity with the Club.
Nominations should be submitted via email to the Committee through Joe Fulco, General Manager by Sunday, February 10, 2013. Election of the Directors will occur at the Club's Annual Meeting to be held on Monday, March 18, 2013.
Sincerely,
Andy WilsonPast PresidentNominating Committee Chair
0 th2 ANNIVERSARYCELEBRATION
In honor of Cattail's 20th Anniversary this year, we would like to pay special tribute to the Club’s evolution and history via articles and photographs published in the Cat Tales Newsletter through-out the 2013 year.
If you would like to share another memory or idea from Cattail Creek’s early history, we would love to hear from you! There is no required format for the material; if you would like to write an arti-cle, share some photographs, answer several "interview questions" about a topic, or just tell us a story that we can re-write, it would be greatly appreciated!
In addition to several old photo albums we have at the Club, it's likely that there are more pictures out there to go with most of the above topics, and likewise, stories to accompany many of our photos. If you have your own photos, we would love to scan and use them as well.
Please let us know of your interest in helping with this fun project by emailing [email protected].
Save the date for our 20th Anniversary Party & Fireworks on Saturday, June 29 – it’s going to be epic!
Call For Entries: HELP US CELEBRATE 20 YEARS WITH YOUR STORY!
A Favor to Ask...
FEBRUARY 2013 � 11
Golf
Call For Entries: HELP US CELEBRATE 20 YEARS WITH YOUR STORY!
kids’ cooking class [with chef tom caswell]
learn how to make:french toast batteromeleteschicken quesadillascitrus dill salad dressingtacostomato sauce
date: saturday, february 16
recommended for ages 5-10
$20++incl. lunch & class
10:30 a.m. class12:00 p.m.- 12:45 p.m. lunch buffetBeef Tacos, Chicken Nuggets, Mozzarella Sticks,
Macaroni & Cheese, Apple Sauce, Fresh Fruit, Chips, Cookies, Cupcakes
12 � CAT TALES NEWSLETTER
Golf
I am pleased to announce the hiring of Tyson McFarland, our new full time Assistant Golf Professional. He will be a great addition to the Cattail team. Over the past months, I have conducted a nationwide search in order to determine the candidate that was the best fit for the Club. Tyson is an impressive and ambitious young man, and I look forward to introducing him to all of you very soon.
I am also working closely with Joe Fulco and the Board to hire a full time Merchandising Coordinator. This person will be responsible for all of our women’s apparel purchasing, visual merchandising displays, and coordination with vendor representatives.
The Merchandise Coordinator will also be working with the Tennis, Swimming, and Fitness operations to ensure that we are offering the best possible merchandise for our Membership. It is our goal to be known as one of the “top 100” merchandising operations in the country. I am confident in my team, and with the support of our Members, we can accomplish this goal. Stay tuned for more news on this front!
As always, if there is anything you do not see in the shop that you would like, please let us know and we will make every effort to get it for you. Additionally, if any of you are going on trips and need starting times, or if you need anything else related to golf, please feel free to reach out to me as I am always happy to assist!
Everything for golf,
Bob WamplerPGA Head Golf [email protected] ext. 222
Dear Member,
I hope that everyone is enjoying the unseasonably warm winter that we are having so far. Spring appears to be right around the corner! We all hope that the weather continues to get progressively better so that we may return to golf! Our Professional Staff is excited and prepared for the 2013 calendar of events and another fantastic year at Cattail Creek. There are many exciting events planned for the season, and I wanted to highlight one of the new programs we are offering.
John Foelber, our new Fitness Director, and I will be conducting complimentary 15 minute swing analyses and fitness evaluations, beginning on Saturday, February 16th and running through Sunday, March 17th. We will be up at the Indoor Learning Center every Saturday and Sunday from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and hope that many of you will join us. After these initial sessions, John and I will introduce some more advanced weekly programs, beginning in the spring. Stay tuned for more details!
My staff and I returned from our trip to the PGA Teaching and Coaching Summit and Merchandise Show in Orlando, FL. Ricky and I learned from some of the top golf instructors in the country about how we can continue to improve our practice facilities, instructional programs, and help our Members make significant strides in their golf games in 2013 and beyond. Nic and I met with vendors to determine the best apparel, accessories and equipment to stock in the Golf Shop this year.
Most of our spring Demo Days are on the books! The only Demo Day not yet scheduled is with Ping, and that is in the works. Demo Days are a fantastic opportunity to try out the latest and greatest in golf technology, get complimentary custom fitting, and upgrade your equipment.
BUNKERBUNKER
to
DEMO DAYS ON THE BOOKS
Titleist Demo DayTuesday, April 16 at 3:00 p.m.
NikeTuesday, April 3 at 3:00 p.m.
Taylor Made “White Out” Thursday, April 25 - All Day
Callaway Demo DayThursday, May 2 at 3:00 p.m.
Cobra Demo Day
Tuesday, May 7 at 3:00 p.m.
We're looking forward to the Golf Shop’s inaugural Spring Cleaning Drive, benefitting the Pros Fore Clothes Foundation.
Pros Fore Clothes is a charity created by a PGA Professional in 2009 with the goal of donating over one million pounds of clothes to people in need around the world. For more information on the charity, please visit http://www.ryanmail.net/PFC
The Spring Cleaning Drive will run from February 15 through March 15. We ask that you drop off any gently used clothing that is filling up your closet (shirts, shorts, pants, sweaters, jackets, hats, etc.) at the Golf Shop during this time.
After the drive, we will box up all of the donations and ship them to the foundation, in hopes of helping those less fortunate.
SPRING CLEANINGCLOTHING DRIVE
PROS FORE CLOTHES
FEBRUARY 2013 � 13
Golf
RICKY'S TIP: On PuttingRICKY SERRANO [DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTION]
Putting is often said to be the most important part of the game of golf. Thankfully, we don’t need to be on a golf course, on a putting green, or even outside, to work on our putting stroke. I know that just about anyone can transform their basement, garage, or any room in their house into a practice area for putting that will work, but rarely you will find a carpet in your house that is firm enough and consistent enough to get the proper feedback of your putting stroke. Here at Cattail Creek's Learning Center, we have a true like-putting surface that feels and rolls just like a real putting green to give you the feedback you need to improve your putting stroke.
Here is a simple drill to help you with your putting stroke consistency.
For this drill, all you need are two tees. Just place one tee behind the ball about four inches for your back swing, and one tee approximately three inches in front of the ball for your follow through. The goal is to complete each stroke without going past the tees. Repeating this drill over and over really helps you to groove your stroke, and give you the consistency you need to produce the suitable length of your putting stroke.
Click here to schedule a lesson inthe heated indoor Learning Center!
CATTAIL CREEK POETRY CONTESTWIN A BOTTLE OF WINE! (OR A KID-FRIENDLY EQUIVALENT)
Contest open to Members of all ages!Submit your original poem, limerick, or jingle about the Club to [email protected] by March 1.
The staff will select a winner, who will receive 15 full minutes of fame, and a complimentary bottle of wine!
14 � CAT TALES NEWSLETTER
Golf
Approach ShotsNIC FLICKINGER [FIRST ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL]
Before you know it, the weather will be warm and sunny and it will be time to get back out on the Course! Here are some important dates that you are going to want to mark on your calendar.
CCWGA Opening Day - Tuesday, April 9
CCWGA 18 Hole League Opening Day - Thursday, April 11
First Junior Golf Play Day & Interclub Tryout - Saturday, April 13
CCWGA 9 Hole League Opening Day - Tuesday, April 16
Men's Opening Day - Saturday, April 20
CCWGA Twilight League Opening Day - Wednesday, April 24 The off-season has been a busy one for the Golf Professional Staff. We are constantly looking for ways to improve and grow the golf operations at Cattail through advancements in technology, staffing, changing practices, and acquiring new ideas. Let me introduce you to a few great additions to our program this year! Golf 101
Golf 101 is a program designed for women who are new to golf or have never touched a club before in their life. The Golf Professional Staff will make all participants feel welcome, and unintimidated, while teaching the game in a truly fun and enjoyable environment. The program will introduce women to the basics of the game, including the ABCs of the swing, etiquette, and course care, and we'll even get out on the course for a hole or two! Golf 101 clinics are offered from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday mornings (April 30, May 7, May 14, and May 21). We invite you to register for some or all clinic dates, using the online calendar. The cost of each session is $40. Participants are encouraged to join the CCWGA 9 Hole League for lunch after the clinics.
Eli Mireles, Golf Intern
One of my wintertime tasks has been to work on recruiting our golf interns for the 2013 golf season. I am please to announce that we have been able to secure our six-month intern. I had the pleasure of meeting with and interviewing him and he comes highly spoken for by his peers, mentors, and other individuals in the golf business. It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you Eli Mireles. Eli is a graduating senior in the Professional Golf Management Program at the California University of Pennsylvania. California University is the same school from which our six-month intern last year Michael Cuscino hailed. In 2011, Eli was an Assistant Pro-fessional at Fox Chapel Golf Club in Pennsylvania. Eli is certified in "Above and Beyond Customer Service" and Stephen Covey's "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" training. He is currently in the PGA's Apprentice Program, striving to become a Class A PGA Professional. Eli will be on board at Cattail in mid-May. Be sure to check out the note from Eli, below. New Toys
A few golf club manufacturers are really making quite a splash with new equipment and technology for 2013. You have already seen many of these clubs on TV through the PGA Tour and on the Golf Channel. TaylorMade has introduced the R1 driver which can be tuned to virtually any loft, any look, and any flight. The driver features movable weights and loft adjustability between 8 to 12 degrees of loft. Also, swing the RBZ Stage 2 family of driv-ers, fairway woods, and hybrids. Also, check out Callaway's new X Hot and X Hot Pro irons. With a deeper undercut cavity and a speed frame face (the same technology used in Callaway drivers), these irons are the longest Callaway irons ever! Keep your eyes open for communications regarding the arrival of these demo products and more. Be sure to come out and test the new equipment, get fit in the Learning Center, and have your new clubs ready for the start of the golf season!
Eli I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to the Cattail Creek Country Club Membership. I am a friendly, outgoing, and eager-to-learn young professional who loves being outside and playing golf. Golf is truly my passion and I look forward to sharing it with you and learning from each and every one of you.
Whether you are a returning Member or a new Member, I would like to say "thank you" for making Cattail Creek the next stepping stone in my career development as a Golf Professional. I can't wait to meet you all, and to be a part of the Cattail Creek Golf Staff this year.
See You Soon,
Eli Mireles
AN INTRODUCTION FROM GOLF INTERN, ELI MIRELES...
FEBRUARY 2013 � 15
Golf
Green ReportCHRIS HARRIMAN[GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT]
February is here already, and we have seen some relatively normal winter weather. A nice cold stretch in January gave us a few weeks of rock hard ground and enabled us to put a big dent in our indoor task list.
These temperatures are good for us, since all the benches, tee markers, cups, flagsticks, bunker rakes, water coolers, hazard stakes, machinery and maintenance facility itself have to be cleaned, washed, striped, sanded, scraped, pressure washed, painted, waxed, polished, clear coated, and put back together. This year, we are able to simply clean and protect the trash cans, hole signs and ball-washers out on the Course, saving us some inside time and allowing us to get more outside tasks completed.
Some outside tasks for the month of February include replacing or removing many of the rotted railroad ties around the Course, putting a fresh edge on some bunkers, installing irrigation around the new Tennis Courts, and resurrecting the irrigation in front of the Clubhouse. We will also be venturing over to the bunker on the right of #8 green. The railroad tie wall will be repaired here and the bunker will get cut in slightly closer to the green. This small change will help tie the bunker in and relate it better to the shape on the green while placing it slightly more in play.
Once the bunker on #8 is complete, more bunker work will commence on the first fairway bunker on #6. This bunker’s sole purpose is to catch water before it enters into the stream. Like the bunker that was sodded over on #7 this fall, the bunker on #6 is a maintenance nightmare and its filter characteristics are non-existent. This bunker will be filled in and sodded over. The drain and contour will be enhanced so that water is filtered properly. The end result will be an area that is easily maintained, functions well environmentally, and frames the beginning of the fairway
beautifully. This work, along with the work on #8, is based on recommendations from Golf Course Architect Drew Rogers. Drew is a seasoned Golf Course Architect who works with many clubs to implement practical enhancements to golf courses in order to reduce maintenance issues while making certain aspects of the course more playable, and above all, more fun.
This winter, we are also continuing to work towards having our property certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. This is a long and in-depth process, and Matt Zipper, Assistant Course Superintendent, has been spending some serious time documenting and implementing plans. The documentation process allows us to figure out how we are contributing positively to the environment, and then what we will be able to improve upon. There are six different programs which must be completed before we are certified. They are as follows: Wildlife and Habitat Management, Chemical Use
Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, Water Quality Management, Outreach and Education, and Environmental Case Study. Completing these programs will provide us with a strong environmental plan, and maintaining certification will ensure that we are stewards of the environment for many years to come.
We hope you can take advantage of the nicer days this winter ; spring may be here before you know it! Don’t forget to keep up with the Green Department Blog to stay abreast of happenings around the Course.
Matt Zipper, Assistant Course Superintendent, is creating these Mallard Nests for the ponds on#1, #8, and #9 as part of the
Audubon Certification program.
SATURDAY, 3.23.13 GUESTS WELCOME
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FEBRUARY 2013 � 17
Staff Corner
Dear Cattail Creek Member,
I would like to take this time to tell you a bit about myself, and express my excitement to join the Cattail Golf Staff as an Assistant Professional beginning this March!
I was born and raised in Rexburg, Idaho where I grew up on the golf course. From a very young age, I knew I wanted to be a Golf Professional. When I was younger, I was lucky enough to compete at a high level in Junior Golf events all across the country.
I was successful in my travels, winning the Idaho State Amateur Match Play Championship at 16 years old as well as achieving top 10 finishes in AJGA tournaments, a fourth place finish in the Junior America’s Cup, and being named Rocky Mountain Junior Golfer of the Year. Additionally, I am proud to hold the current Idaho Junior Golf scoring record.
After much success at the junior level, I was recruited by the #4 ranked team in the country, Brigham Young University. After competing in my second season, I transferred to Utah State University, where I completed my degree in Business and Physical Education and enjoyed success at the Division 1 level, amassing four top 15 finishes in my Senior season as well as a third place finish.
I served as the Head Golf Professional at the Links at Teton Peaks in Driggs, ID, spending two seasons there before making the move to TPC Las Vegas as Assistant Golf Professional. During my time there, I have gained very valuable experience in all areas of high-end Golf Operations.
My goal is to obtain PGA membership and become a PGA Head Golf Professional at a premiere private facility, such as Cattail Creek. I hope to continue to improve my knowledge of the Golf Industry at Cattail, and to be a valuable asset to the Professional Staff and all Cattail Creek Members and Guests.
I am excited to assist in all areas of the Golf Operation. In particular, I will be serving as the Junior Golf Director, as well as the CCWGA 18 Hole Ladies liaison.
When I am not at the Golf Course, I love to hunt, fish, and snowboard as well as exercise and do my best to stay fit. I love to teach Golf to players of all skill levels, and help others improve their game. It is very satisfying to me to see my students reach their goals. I am very excited to join the team here at Cattail Creek, and I look forward to a great future with the Club.
See You Soon,
Tyson McFarland
Assistant Golf Professional
Tyson Mc Farland
John Foelber
WELCOME, TYSON AND JOHN!We are thrilled to have two new additions to the management team at the Club this month! Below, read introductions from Tyson McFarland, Assistant Golf Professional, and John Foelber, Fitness Director.
Dear Member,
Hello! My name is John Foelber and I am the new Fitness Director at Cattail. Prior to joining the staff at the Club, I have had seven years experience in the fitness industry as a personal trainer and sports-specific coach. During my time as a personal trainer, I have trained athletes in almost every sport along with top junior, club pro, and amateur golfers in the greater Baltimore/Washington area. Along with my background in sport-specific training, I have successfully developed and been involved with health, wellness and weight loss programs for the past five years.
At Cattail I will be conducting individual and small group personal training sessions along with fitness classes (even a boot camp style class in the spring). I am also working closely with Cattail’s Professional Golf and Tennis Staff to develop sport-specific clinics.
I live in Columbia MD with my wife Megan, and our son, Luke, and when I am not at work, I enjoy working out, fishing, and golfing. I look forward to meeting many of you this year!
Best,
John Foelber
Fitness Director
18 � CAT TALES NEWSLETTER
Tennis
JOE MATTINGLY [DIRECTOR OF TENNIS]
As we play through the second half of the indoor season, the tennis facility at Cattail is changing every day. The two new clay courts are more than halfway finished! We have new gazebos and benches on each court, and a new storage area for the balls, ball machine and court equipment.
Additionally, the staff, as well as several Members, are working hard to establish Cattail’s first fully stocked Tennis Professional Shop. The goal is to have the Tennis Professional Shop open at the same time the Courts open for spring tennis. Another positive change Members will notice this year involves staffing and customer service. We will have full-time office and Shop coverage, which will allow us to provide a much more efficient billing system, court reservation system, and Professional Shop service.
New policies and procedures for tennis court check is as follows. All Members will be required to check in at the front desk before playing on any court. The Tennis Staff will confirm any court reservation, sign you in for clinics, lessons, ball machine usage, or check you in for any socials or league matches. The new check-in procedure will help the staff with billing, court usage reports, and will also provide a high-level customer service experience accross the Tennis Program.
A Word from the Pro:
USTA NEWSJULIE SEANEZ [USTA COORDINATOR]
The USTA Captain’s meeting will be held Friday, February 22 at 9:30 a.m. in the Lower Meeting Room. The meeting is mandatory for captains, and we will be going over the 2013 league restructure.
If you are interested in playing spring USTA and need help finding a team, please click here.
Adult Beginner Clinic Cancelled (low enrollment)
Stroke of the Week Clinic Full!
Wednesday High School JV/Varsity ClinicFull!
Men's High Intensity Tennis Thursdays, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 a.m.
Cardio TennisSaturdays, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Saturday High School JV/Varsity Clinic12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Junior Quick Start (ages 4-9)Full!
Junior Futures (ages 10-12)Fridays, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Enroll in individual sessions of open clinics by clicking the links in Weeky Update emails or visiting
the online calendar.
CATTAIL'S WINTER SESSION IICLINICS AT CIRCLE D FARM
PRO SHOP NEWSJULIE SEANEZ [PRO SHOP MANAGER]
The Adidas Spring catalogues are out. If you need team uniforms and would like to order through Cattail to receive Mill River Program discounts, email [email protected], and I will get in contact with you! We are also able to order shoes, racquets, etc. to help you prepare for the upcoming season.
Don’t forget to have your racquet restrung for a fresh start of the outdoor tennis season. If you play tennis three times a week, you should restring your raquet three times a year. If it's not every week, pay a bit more for high quality tennis string for your racquet - it really will last longer.
Check out the progress on our two new Har-Tru Courts!
FEBRUARY 2013 � 19
Tennis
TIM'S TIP OF THE MONTH:YOU CAN'T JUST BE BALANCED!TIM HALTER [HEAD TENNIS PROFESSIONAL]
This month, I wanted to share an anonymous article written by another pro regarding “balance” in your tennis play. Enjoy!
Selim graduated from a tennis college where they taught technique and mechanics for learning tennis strokes. As a result, when he first began working with me he thought I was crazy for teaching with my methods. However, Selim is intelligent and, even more importantly, keeps an open mind, so slowly the light went on in his brain.
He became convinced after examining more closely the methods he learned at college. Back then, if a student was having problems, he would go through an elaborate, technical checklist to find out what was wrong. After going through the entire list, if the player still was not improving, he never knew what to do next. What technique should he give his student to solve the problem? The only conclusion must be that his student needs to hit more balls.
There is no magic solution! Recently Selim was teaching a junior clinic with some younger pros. One of the pros was yelling to one of the children over and over again, "Be balanced!" Selim finally had enough and went up to the novice pro to ask him what he was doing.
The pro said he was trying to get the child to be balanced when he hit the ball. "You cannot force a child to be balanced," Selim replied. "You have to keep feeding balls until the child's balance improves from all the practice."
The two debated for a while, and the young pro convinced that Selim was wrong. Finally an exasperated Selim said, "Do you know what a unicycle is?" The pro said, "Yes, it's one of those one-wheeled bicycles." Selim said, "Okay, here is a unicycle, let's see you be balanced on it." The pro fell silent and could only look at him sheepishly.
I thought Selim came up with a fantastic example. You cannot be balanced on a unicycle simply because someone tells you to be balanced. It is like telling a baby to be balanced when he is learning to walk! To improve your balance and become skilled at riding a unicycle, you must practice for hours and hours. Balance is an acquired skill and cannot be forced. And, as Selim astutely pointed out, the same is true for tennis. Balance is not a mechanic you just do; it is a mechanic you acquire from hours of practice. This concept is crucial to understand if you would like to avoid much frustration on the court.
This illustration is by Tom Freeman; www.tormalore.blogspot.com
TRIVIA NIGHT“LOVE” ThEME
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2 @ 8:00 P.M. FIRST PLACE WINNER PRIZE: $30 RESTAURANT CREDIT
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