Golden Valley Golf and Country Club

Golden Valley Golf and Country Club
The Valley Voice
April /May 2014
A Century of Excellence
Celebrating 100 Years of Excellence
Message from the President
Welcome back snow birds! While you were basking in the sun, the rest of us were freezing and working hard at
the Club. Now that you are back, be sure to catch the Wednesday Happy Hour or Chef Francisco’s weekend dinner
specials. They have both become a huge success.
A Century of Excellence
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
Jim Brown
It’s spring time and we have a great new century to celebrate at Golden Valley. The Polar Vortex left a nice blanket
of snow on our golf course and while it has not yet been uncovered, Jeff Ische and his associates are anticipating
that the course will come through this winter in great shape. I guess we should be happy the colder than normal
tempretures helped our golf course, as it certainly did not help the attitudes of those who spent the winter enduring
it. We are very glad to see spring coming.
My past six years on the board can best be best described as a collaborative effort to make sure that GVGCC gets better every year...and for the
next 100 years. Many of you remember the Strategic Planning session that took place two years ago. It has been the Boards and the Executive
Directors goal to carry forward the strategic direction from that meeting, which focused on the overall goals and objectives of the Club. From
that process, we developed a new Mission Statement “To strengthen the bonds of family, friends, and colleagues by providing championship
golf, outstanding tennis and swimming, exceptional dining and first class service.”
Additional ideas came out of that session and a Marketing Committee was formed to ensure that these ideas were enacted. The Marketing
Committee evaluated the Mission Statement and developed a set of Core Promises for every segment of our Club i.e.; Personalized service at
every level that is prompt, friendly, consistent and anticipatory in nature from the first contact through completion of the visit. The remaining
Core Promises are noted on the Club’s website. It is one thing to say that we have a mission and a promise, but quite another to make sure that
we deliver on those promises. The Marketing Committee along with the Executive Directors developed a brand standards manual along with
“Golden Service Excellence” manual to ensure that we deliver on our Core Promises. This guide outlines expectations for all of our employees
and provides them with the tools needed to be successful. If you have not reviewed this information it may be found on the Club’s website and I
encourage you to take a look at it.
A few years back, we put in place a three pronged management team. We recently evaluated that structure. Jeff, Tom and Francisco put together
a very detailed organizational chart. Our three Executive Directors are doing a great job. In the evaluation of the management structure, we
embarked on a very important process to document our organizational chart and communicate it to you and the employees. While this may
seem like a mundane task, we are very proud of what our Executive Directors and Executive Board have created. We listened to the members
and employees about communication and, hope that this makes things clearer. I’m proud to announce that we have created an organizational
chart that you can now look to when you want to know who to go to. If you have a comment or suggestion, you now know who reports to
whom. As part of the organizational chart process, the Executive Directors also developed detailed job descriptions at every level within the
club.
We have completed and approved our operational budget for this year and, have started the process of reviewing the capital budget. Thanks to
you, our past boards, and management staff, our club is now in a position to have the capital funds to continue to build on our Century of Excellence. Our goal in evaluating our capital budget plan is to be able to communicate and recommend to the members our intentions in investing
your money into the Club. You gave us the money to do great things, and we hope to deliver to you a plan that meets your expectations. If you
have any comments or suggestions, reach out to your friends on the committees and the board and tell them how they can make our Club better
and help it prosper.
Let’s all say - Goodbye Polar Vortex and hello Golf Season!
Jim Brown
Happy
Centennial
Year!
What a fantastic accomplishment for this club
and a great testament to the many members and
staff that came before us! I am truly honored to
continue to be a part of this Club and look forward to helping you celebrate the first hundred
years, but even more so, preparing it for the beginning of the next hundred! There will be many
exciting ways for you to participate in a number
of centennial events during the next 6 months. Be
sure to pay attention to the e-mail and newsletter
communications to take advantage of all that the
Centennial Committee has planned!
It is finally the middle of March and I think we
have turned the corner on the coldest Minnesota winter in decades. Snowfall in the Twin Cities
will end up being slightly above average for the
year, but because of the persistent cold weather, it
just kept piling up, making it feel like we had more
than we actually did. I know many of us did not
care for the weather, but a winter like this is often
perfect for the golf course. Although the course is
still covered in snow, I along with my peers from
other clubs in the area am optimistic for the quality of the turf once all the snow is gone.
Snow is the perfect insulator for the turf as it
moderates the temperature fluctuations, protects
it from the cold, drying winter winds and allows
the turf to “breathe” because of its porous nature.
Because of the persistent cold temperatures, we
never experienced a prolonged winter thaw, so
up until the week of March 10, we had no ice on
the golf course. Granted, we are not completely
out of the woods, but things are certainly looking
favorable.
Because of the many windy days this winter, there
will be lots of sticks to clean up on the golf course
this spring. If we have not had the Member
Clean-Up Day yet, we hope you can join us for
a good turnout. Come out and spend time with
some members you may not have seen since last
fall. You can take great pride in knowing that you
are playing a role in the care and preparation of
the golf course. You will be the first to see the golf
course this spring and again, all those that participate will have an opportunity to win a couple of
golf guest passes during the great breakfast buffet
following the clean-up!
Since this is the April and May newsletter, I have
to remind you of the golf course aerification
scheduled for later this spring. Weather permitting, fairway aerification will begin the week of
April 28 and continue the week of May 5 until
finished. As in years past, we will complete 2-4
fairways per day, depending on their size. The
hole will be closed while we are performing the
cleanup operations. Please watch for signs on the
tee box indicating when it is closed and proceed
to the next tee box. Green and tee aerification will
be on May 12 and 13. The course will be closed
for all play on Monday and reopen on Tuesday at
11:00 for the Women’s 9-Hole League and at 12:00
for everybody else. In case of inclement weather,
it will be delayed one week, to May 19 and 20.
For many of you, welcome back from your warmer weather winter homes and I look forward to
seeing all of you on the course soon!
Jeff Ische
Executive Director of Property
and Sports Operations
Green and Grounds
by Jeff Ische
Celebrating 100 Years of Excellence
The birth of Golden Valley Golf and Country Club dates to 1914, when a group of Twin Cities businessmen surveyed the local golf scene
and determined there was definitely room for another private golf club.
Golf in Minnesota had begun two decades earlier at St. Paul’s Town & Country Club with a crude five-hole course laid out in a farmer’s
pasture near the Mississippi River. Golfers from Minneapolis gradually took to the game as well, at the city’s first golf course, Bryn Mawr
in 1898, and a year later at the new Minikahda Club, created by former members of Town & Country.
Both Minneapolis and St. Paul were forging ahead with plans to open the state’s first public courses: Glenwood (now Theodore Wirth) in
Minneapolis and Phalen in St. Paul, even as more private golf courses, such as Woodhill Country Club, Rochester Golf Club and the
University of Minnesota course, were being conceived and built. Passionate golfers were again looking for a place to play.
*From your History Book as written by Author Rick Shefchik
#8
A series of informal meetings at the West Hotel in Minneapolis brought together grain merchants, bankers,
lumbermen, salesmen, lawyers, doctors, real estate brokers and other businessmen who wanted to start a new golf
club. Though these meetings were not documented, early members of what became the Golden Valley Golf Club
dated their organization’s beginnings to these meetings, first held in 1914. Stay tuned for more excerpts…
Membership News
by Cathy Pentz
I know everyone is excited about starting the 2014
golf, pool, and tennis season. At the time I am
writing this letter, we have a solid blanket of snow
on the course and we are anxiously awaiting a slow
melt and a greening of the course.
We just held our annual “Prospective Member Open
House” on March 20. It was a success with amazing
food, commarderie, fun and some new members! If
you missed the event, and would like to showcase
your club another time please feel free to contact
me and I would be happy to help coordinate dining,
golf, pool or tennis activities. We continue to offer
incredible membership opportunities with categories
for every lifestyle!
Golf
Once again we are offering a tremendous PREVIEW
opportunity for new golf members with no initial
dollars down, payment options and the opportunity
to preview for up to two years.
Referring members and new golf members will
receive guest passes, food and beverage certificates of
your choice, valued up to $500!
Pool & Tennis
Still only $100 to join. Best outdoor facilities and
programs in town! Referring members, new pool
and tennis members will receive guest passes, food
and beverage certificates of your choice valued up to
$200!
Welcome New Members
The Board of Directors, members and staff of Golden Valley Golf and Country Club
wish to extend a warm welcome to the following new members:
Jeff and Rose Cronin
Pool and Tennis
Bill Fishbein and Wendy Mahling
Pool and Tennis
Tim Franz and Tolu Oyelowo
Golf
Mark and Debbie GlotterGolf
Tod and Suzy HoabyDining
Nadia KozakPool and Tennis
Steve and Sharon Lawrence
Dining
John Puhl and Gayle Mercil
Dining
James and Joan PetersDining
Dr. Jason and Dr. Betsy Phillips
Pool and Tennis
Brad and Amy Sutton
Dining
Ross StadheimGolf
Larry TaylorDining
Junior Sports Sign-up / Thursday, April 10
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
adults $16 kids $10
Dining: 100/100/100
To celebrate our 100th birthday we will be offering
the first 100 new social members an opportunity to
become dining members for one year for only $100
per month with no initiation fee. We all know we
have the best dining in town! Referring members
and new dining members will receive a $100 gift
certificate.
REFER SOMEONE to take a look at your club!
Simply contact Cathy Pentz at 763-732-4120 or
cpentz@gvgcc.com
Join us for an evening of fun for the entire family to
learn more about our junior programs and meet our
Golf, Tennis, and Swim Instructors! A delicious
family-friendly dinner buffet will be available.
April
H.
H.
Fool’s Day
“Night Specials”
BYOB
Chicken, Ribs
& Meatloaf
Night
H.
SEAFOOD
SPECIALS
SEAFOOD
SPECIALS
SEAFOOD
SPECIALS
SEAFOOD
SPECIALS
H. Networking
BYOB
Chicken, Ribs
& Meatloaf
Night
Breakfast 8 a.m.
JR SPORTS
sign-up
H.
H.
passover begins at
sundown
Easter Brunch
10:30-2:00
passover specials
BYOB
Chicken, Ribs
& Meatloaf
Night
Women’s Golf
Welcome back HH
BYOB
fairway
aerification
begins
BYOB
Chicken, Ribs
& Meatloaf
Night
SEAFOOD
SPECIALS
SEAFOOD
SPECIALS
Seafood
Extravaganza
SEAFOOD
SPECIALS
H.
H.
MAY
Chicken, Ribs
& Meatloaf
Night
H.H. - HAPPY HOUR 4-7 PM • ridgewood bar
CLUB CLOSED
May
Men’s Breakfast
Golf Opener
Member Golf
Monday
H.
H. Networking
9 Hole
League Opener
BYOB
Green & Tee Aerification
BYOB
Chicken, Ribs
& Meatloaf
Night
Memorial Day
Club Open
Pool Open
Sunday Play
9 Hole League
11 a.m. start
Course Open Noon
Limited F&B
Access
Breakfast 8 a.m.
Stir Fry Night
H.
CHEF’S
SPECIALS
MN Golf
Championship
CHEF’S
SPECIALS
CHEF’S
SPECIALS
MN Golf
Championship
CHEF’S
SPECIALS
Chicken, Ribs
& Meatloaf
Night
Stir Fry Night
H.
H.
Chicken, Ribs
& Meatloaf
Night
Demo Day
2-6 pm
Chicken, Ribs
& Meatloaf
Night
CHEF’S
SPECIALS
Sr. City League
1:30 Shotgun
Course Closed 1:00
Stir Fry Night
H.
MN Golf
Championship
Mother’s Day
Brunch
10-2pm
Grill OUT
on the Patio
H
.
18 Hole
League Opener
Rain Date & Green & Tee Aerification
BYOB
Stir Fry Night
Grill OUT
on the Patio
CHEF’S
SPECIALS
POOL OPEN
CHEF’S
SPECIALS
H.
CHEF’S
SPECIALS
POOL OPEN
Family Night
Buffet!
POOL OPEN
FOR SEASON
Stir Fry Night
CHEF’S
SPECIALS
CHEF’S
SPECIALS
CLUB CLOSED
Easter Brunch
Sunday, April 20
10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Adults
Children(4-10)
$36++
Children 3 and under are free
$15++
Seafood Extravaganza
Friday, April 25
5:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Adults
$38++
Children(4-10)
Children 3 and under are free
$15++
Mother’s Day Brunch
Sunday, May 11
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Adults
Children(4-10)
$36++
Children 3 and under are free
RSVP Required
763-732-4100
Meet the Easter Bunny!!!
RSVP Required
763-732-4100
RSVP Required
763-732-4100
$15++
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Centennial Drawing
Celebrating 100 Years of Excellence!
Starting now, and all year long, every time members dine or
drink at the Club, they will have an opportunity to enter the
monthly drawing for a $100 dining certificate. It’s EASY… Stop
by for breakfast, lunch or dinner in the Winged Foot Grille,
Ridgewood Bar or Lounges. When you receive your check, just
fill out the accompanying contest ticket with your name and
member number. A winning ticket will be drawn on the first
day of the following month and the winner will be notified by
phone. It’s that simple, and a fun way to be a part of your Club’s
Centennial Year!
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9 Hole News
by Jill Gustafson
Hello Fellow Nine Holers!
It’s that time of year again when we start
thinking about Springtime Golf – finally!!!
It has been quite the winter. Hopefully most of you
were able to spend time some place warm - other than
your living rooms - throughout this frigid season. The
melting snow and shining sun are a welcome sight!
Upcoming events:
April 23 All Women’s Welcome
Back Happy Hour - 5:30 to 7:30
May 6 9 Hole League Opener followed by lunch
May 13 Late start due to aeration
May 27 Late start due to Memorial Day
June 3 9 Hole Mixer and Meeting
Mark your calendars for these upcoming
Not-to-Miss events:
• June Tournament
• Dolls in the Dark
June 10, 17 and 24
September 9
We hope to have great participation for all of the above
events, so come out and have some fun with us at our
beautiful Club and Course. Looking forward to seeing
everyone soon.
18 Hole News
by Melanie Dunleavy
2014 is a big year for our Club as we are celebrating our
Centennial and hosting the 111th MGA Amateur
Championship in July.
The ladies’ season kicks off with a Welcome Back Happy Hour
on April 23rd from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Vendors will be showcasing new golf fashions, shoes and accessories for the upcoming
season. All women are invited, so if you have ever thought about
joining one of our ladies’ golf leagues – please join us and learn
more!
Special Event League Calendar for 2014
(excluding regular Wednesday events)
April 23 5:30pm
All Women’s Welcome Back H.H.
May 14 1:30pm
League Opener (shotgun)
June 11
1st round June Tournament
June 18
2nd round June Tournament
June 25
June Tournament rain date
July 9
1st round President’s Cup
July 16 1:30pm
Guest Day (shotgun)
July 30/31
Women’s Valley Days
August 6
Beat the Pro &
2nd round President’s Cup
August 13/14
All Women’s Club Championship
Sept. 3
3rd round President’s Cup
Sept. 10 9:00am
Fall Guest Day (shotgun)
Sept. 17 1:30pm
Closing Event &
MWGA Fundraiser (shotgun)
Sept. 24
Iron Woman Event – NEW EVENT
Sept. 27
Queen of the Valley
We are looking forward to another wonderful year of golf,
friendship and fun. See you on the course!
Club Information and Hours
Executive Staff
Tom Rubenstein, Executive Director of Clubhouse Operations
Food and Beverage
Greg Maginnis – Food and Beverage Manager
Andy Torgrimson – Assistant Food and Beverage Manager
Kevin Bolick – Dining Room Manager
Victor Ortiz – Sous Chef
Mike Abelson – Sous Chef
Sales and Catering
Elly Lendway Carlson – Catering Sales Manager
Kim Renneberg – Catering Sales Manager
Vicki Jurek – Banquet 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
Administration
Cathy Pentz – Director of Membership
Allyson Oeltjen – Concierge
Susan Ferguson – Controller
Nancy Gray – Accountant
Sam Bergknoff – Accountant
Deb Wilson – Human Resources
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 Maintence Engineer
Ben Hill – Building Maintence Assitant
Jaime Rodriguez – Housekeeping Manager
Jeff Ische, Executive Director of Property and Sports Operations
Francisco Gonzalez, Executive Director of Culinary Operations
April and May 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)
Monday
Tuesday – Sunday
9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
INDOOR PRACTICE FACILITY
Tuesday – Sunday
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
MondayClosed
*upon course opening
TENNIS Opens for Season April 15 (763-732-4170)
Monday – Sunday
8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The pool opens on Saturday, May 24 at 11:00 a.m.
Weather Permitting
7001 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN 55427
763-732-4100 (Phone)
763-732-4199 (Fax)
www.gvgcc.com
A Century of Excellence
#825
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