The expanded patio at Hawthorn Woods (Ill.) Country Club has become the vibrant social center of the club. By Diana Mirel, Contributing Editor One of the biggest draws at clubs and resorts is the lush scenery and grounds. Well-appointed patios are the perfect way to offer members and guests a chance to enjoy their surroundings,…
This Means War Fun
By Diana Mirel, Contributing Editor A thriving social scene can be a club’s most valuable asset— and the greatest value now often comes from social programming that’s not geared to adults. Creating activities and events for kids is one of the best ways to boost member satisfaction and establish an enthusiastic youth presence, while readying…
In Good Company
From history-making golf scores to valued relationships with its golf course equipment manufacturer, Colonial Country Club enjoys strong associations with industry players. By Betsy Gilliland, Contributing Editor Colonial Country Club, in Cordova, Tenn., has made a name for itself in the headlines on more than one occasion. Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, the club…
Taking F&B to New Heights
Planning a culinary event incorporating local produce may center on vegetables—but in the case of the “Dinner on the Roof” event held by Blackhawk Country Club in Madison, Wis., the affair was anything but garden-variety. The menu for Blackhawk CC’s dinner featured locally grown produce, and all but the steaks were prepared “sul tetto” (on…
In Good Company
Colonial Country Club, in Cordova, Tenn., has made a name for itself in the headlines on more than one occasion. Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, the club was founded in December 1913 by a small group of business leaders in nearby Memphis—and when its first 18-hole golf course was dedicated a year later, the…
Fighting “Yellow” Stains
The murkiness of the blogosphere and the ease of posting “news” on the Internet seems to have brought “yellow journalism” back into play. Yellow journalism” is a term that emerged at the beginning of the 20th Century, when newspapers owned by William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer battled fiercely for readership, even if it meant…
Idea Exchange
Gull Patrol Kathleen Tigan (above) works with husband Jim to control bird pest populations for businesses by creating a “no-fly zone” with trained eagles, falcons and owls. Every weekend, the restaurant at Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Course is packed with people enjoying ocean views from the patio. Unfortunately, annoying seagulls flocking for scraps frequently disturb…
Idea Exchange
Heroes’ Reception Garden of the Gods Club members Mark Galley and Kevin Reilly teamed with club staff to help avoid tragedy—and club publicists made sure their efforts were properly recognized. When members and staff of the Garden of the Gods Club in Colorado Springs, Colo., saw the roof of a house bordering the club property…
Thrill of the Chase By Joe Barks, Editor
Hard work is said to be its own reward—and earlier this year for Michael A. Chase, Jr., CCM, that’s exactly what it had to be. As the 2012 Rising Star recipient for the Excellence in Club Management (ECM) Awards co-sponsored by the McMahon Group and Club & Resort Business, Chase, Clubhouse Manager of The Loxahatchee…
Diving Right In
While challenges are inevitable, renovating an outdoor pool space can pay big dividends. By Pamela Brill, Contributing Editor As an integral part of the club and resort experience, pools offer members and guests the perfect opportunity to cap off a hot day on the golf course, or for young families to spend some quality time…
Nothing to Be Afraid Of
With its unrivaled versatility, neutral flavor profile and endless applications for cooking methods and seasonings, chicken is essentially the perfect protein. By Joanna DeChellis, Contributing Editor Chicken is the ultimate menu chameleon. You can stuff it or bake it. Pan-sear it or grill it. Brine it, marinate it or smoke it. It can be deep-fried…
You Can Believe Your Ears
The stories we find are equally varied between success and innovation, and decline and failure. Who do you think made this statement: “Some people look at a golf and country club as a social amenity. I look at it as a recreational amenity. I also look at it as an environmental amenity, because if you…
Night of Honors
On a sparkling Saturday night, thirty-four stories above downtown San Diego, 130 of the country’s most accomplished club managers and their guests enjoyed panoramic views of the city from the picture windows of the University Club Atop Symphony Towers. The stars were also out inside the impressive ClubCorp setting on February 9th, as the 2012…
Unspoken Truths
Superintendents have to watch where and how they use the “C” and “F” words—but at the same time be more forceful in dispelling myths and misconceptions about chemical and fertilizer applications. By Betsy Gilliland, Contributing Editor Satisfying golfers’ expectations about course conditions, while at the same time following environmentally sensitive maintenance practices, has become a…
Catastrophic Consequences
A new pattern for natural disasters that has been notable not only for its fury, but also its frequency and reach, promises to have long-standing implications for clubs’ insurance situations. By Joe Barks, Editor On the whole, club properties in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast U.S. that found themselves in the path of the wide swath…