MAY I JUNE 2020
GRANDE GAZETTE ________________________
GRANDE DUNES MEMBERS CLUB
YOUR CLUB MEMBERS CLUB STAFF
MAY & JUNE HOURS OF OPERATION Tuesday I 11:00a MEMBERS CLUBHOUSE Monday Closed Tuesday-Wednesday 7:00am-6:00pm Thursday-Saturday 7:00am-9:00pm Sunday 7:00am-6:00pm Members Club Dining Breakfast Lunch Dinner Happy Hour Pastabilities
Saturday & Sunday I 7:30am-11:00am Tuesday - Sunday I 11:00am - 3:00pm Thursday & Saturday I 6:00pm-9:00pm Tuesday - Sunday I 3:00pm-6:00pm Thursday I 6:00pm-9:00pm
GOLF SHOP, GOLF COURSE & PRACTICE FACILITY Golf Shop Tuesday - Sunday I 7:00am– 6:00pm Golf Course Tuesday - Sunday I 8:00am-Dark Practice Range Monday I Closed Tuesday-Saturday I 7:30am-Dark Sunday I 7:30am-5:00pm OCEAN CLUB DINING HAPPY HOUR MENU
Wednesday & Friday 6:00pm-9:00pm 5:00pm-6:30pm
OCEAN CLUB POOL
Closed until further notice
Richard Convertini I General Manager of Operations Richard.Convertini@GrandeDunes.com Brian Vest I Director of Golf Brian.Vest@GrandeDunes.com Pamela Evans I Membership Director Pevans@GrandeDunes.com Robin Doran I Accounting Manager Robin.Doran@GrandeDunes.com Ryan Gamble I Golf Course Superintendent Ryan.Gamble@GrandeDunes.com Michael Monahan | Executive Chef Chef@GrandeDunes.com Ty Craycraft I Facilities Operations Manager Ty.Craycraft@GrandeDunes.com Vasilika Xhani I MC Member Events & Catering Vasilika.Xhani@GrandeDunes.com Lisa Mitchell I The Ocean Club Events & Sales Manager Lisa.Mitchell@GrandeDunes.com Peggy Davis I Grande Dunes Lifestyle Director Peggy.Davis@GrandeDunes.com Jason Poe I Harbor Master Jason.Poe@GrandeDunes.com Virginia Hitchcock I Anchor Café Manager Virginia.Hitchcock@GrandeDunes.com
TENNIS CLUB Courts Monday - Saturday 8:00am-6:00pm Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm Gym Monday-Saturday 6:30am-6:00pm Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm
ANCHOR CAFÉ Summer Hours: May 25th to September 7th Sunday to Thursday Food - 11am to 9pm Bar - 11am to Until Friday and Saturday Food - 11am to 10pm Bar - 11am to Until Happy Hour Daily - 4pm to 7pm, Special pricing on Drinks and Appetizers (Holidays Excluded from Happy Hour Offers)
Franci Kessler I Office Assistant Franci.Kessler@GrandeDunes.com
IN THIS ISSUE Your Club...……………….…………..……….....………....2 Membership...…………...…………….….…..…...……..3 Members Club Buzz...….…….........….……….…..4 Dining Events..………….…..……..….....…….…...…..5 Monthly Happenings..…....……..….……....……..6 Tee It Up.................………...…………..…….…..…......7 From The Green..............…..…....……...……….....8 Gallery............................………....…………….…........9 From the Kitchen..……..…………...…………..…....10 Monthly Calendars...……...……….....…...……….11 Employee of the Year/MCG App....….…....12
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FROM THE CLUB & MEMBERSHIP FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER OF OPERATIONS “Even when you think you have your life all mapped out, things happen that shape your destiny in ways you might not have imagined.” Deepak Chopra
Over the last couple of months, we have all experienced a level of upheaval and uncertainty like we have never known. It has been a particularly challenging time and we are all concerned about our health, our livelihoods, and our communities. We do hope you are well; staying safe and are healthy. We all must do what we can to protect ourselves and to protect each other. Hopefully, we all can come out stronger and wiser in the best possible way. With restrictions still in place on social gatherings, the Anchor Cafe and Ocean Club remain closed. The Members Club is currently offering take-out food and beverage services through curbside pick-up for members inside the Grande Dunes community; Wednesday through Sunday from 12 noon to 6 p.m. We will be having a take-out Mother’s Day meal and hope we can help to make the day enjoyable for all the mothers of Grande Dunes. During the month of May we are not having any special events such as Trivia night, Grape Nights, etc. We are hoping and planning on having all these events and more during the month of June. Please watch for weekly emails and check the Members Club website for up-to-date information. The golf course will be closed to play beginning on May 6 as the resurfacing of the greens will take place. With all that is going on in the world right now, we are incredibly pleased we have been able to go forward with this capital expenditure. Our goal is to re-open the course sometime early to mid-August. Of course, the opening is dependent on the grow-in of the new tiff-eagle ultra-dwarf grass we will be planting. With everything that is going on, we want to thank you for your continued support and cooperation. We appreciate you and we want you to know we are here, we want to connect with you, we are here to serve. Please take care of yourselves and of one another. We look forward to seeing you back at the club very soon. Richard Convertini, General Manager of Operations Richard.Convertini@GrandeDunes.com
A NOTE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR When I spoke about Change in our last Newsletter I did not realize that I was actually prophesizing. Boy, have we all been going through some changes….in our work places, in our communities, in our families, in our shopping, in our spending, in our social status, in our golf games, in our fear, and even in our faith. I personally think the best is yet to come, and I am ready for good change, a great change for our community, families, nation and world. My phone has continue to ring and emails are still appearing daily inquiring about club amenities and pricing. People are optimistic and excited for the new normal to arrive. I want to thank every one of you who have supported your club during these times that we have not been together. Your support meaning paying your dues, adhering to the rules of social distancing on the golf course and participating in Easter Brunch, Mother’s Day Brunch and Curbside Service Takeout. Our eager staff is always ready to serve you and continue to create the private club experience for you. A shout out to McConnell Golf, Margaret, Richard and Chef and his team, and Brian and his golf staff for making this happen GOLF TIP: If you aim down the left edge of the fairway and play a left to right curving shot, you now have 30 yards of fairway to hit the ball into. By aiming at the edge of the fairway and playing a shot with curve, you have essentially doubled your chances of hitting the fairway because the distance from the left edge to the right edge is twice as wide! And that, is A GAME-CHANGER!!.......Greg Mason Paul Harvey said “If we could forget our troubles as easily as we forget our blessings, how different things would be!” Welcome New Members: Bill Sorrentino | Tom & Amy Dowell | Justin & Kristyn Houlihan Pamela Evans, Membership Director pevans@grandedunes.com
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MEMBERS CLUB buzz Thanks for the mention! Keep sharing your experiences and tag Members Club for a chance to be featured.
@portersneckcountryclub The Porters Neck ladies had a great time on their overnight golf trip to South Carolina! Here they are at @grandedunesmembersclub #golftrip #portersneckcountryclub
John W Peters Winning! Good game, better partner. Thanks Chad. - at Grande Dunes Members Club
@motleytwogolf Runnnn bawwww #stingers #beaters #driveroffthedeck #staydown #golfstuff
Staci Clark Lunch with my Little Monkeys! – at Grande Dunes Members Club
/MembersClubatGD
GRANDE DUNES GRAND DUNESMEMBERS MEMBERS CLUB CLUB
@GrandeDunesSC
@grandedunesmembersclub
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DINING EVENTS
MC MOTHER'S DAY LUNCH TO GO
TRIVIA NIGHT BUFFET
SUNDAY, MAY 10 I 12pm to 6:00pm $60 ++ Package based on a two person meal
Adults: $22
This event will be open to all Grande Dunes Residents and Members.
Come on out and get ready to challenge your brain (and memory) to some good old fashioned trivia. FRIDAY, JUNE 5 I 6:00pm - 10:00pm
This is the day to celebrate the wonderful women in our lives. We have a fantastic meal to go that will wow!!!
NEON PARTY: BUFFET /DJ / DANCING
ASIAN BUFFET
SATURDAY, JUNE 20 I 6:00pm-9:00pm $35 per person
FRIDAY, June 26 I 6:00pm-9:00pm $25 per person
***Note that events are subject to change*** All updates and additional event information will be communicated via email and the member website
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MONTHLY HAPPENINGS
PLEASE NOTE: ALL DINING IS CURRENTLY CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE MEMBERS CLUB: ON-Going WEEKLY DINING EVENTS HAPPY HOUR Tuesday—Sunday I 3:00pm-6:00pm Pastabilities Thursday I 6:00pm-9:00pm
PASTABILITIES NIGHT Adults: $18 I Children 6-12: $9.95 Children 5 and Under: Free Thursday | Pastabilities The culinary team is waiting to create your perfect pasta creation at our weekly Pastabilities. You pick the pasta, sauce, vegetables, and more!
Dinner Service Saturday I 6:00pm-9:00pm SPECIAL FEATURES Saturday I 6:00pm-9:00pm Breakfast EggstravAganzA Sunday I 7:30am-11:00am .
The flags are at half mast to honor our doctors, nurses, first responders and military who have passed away from this pandemic trying to take care of this country. May you all RIP and thank you for your services with our deepest respect.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL DINING IS CURRENTLY CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE OCEAN CLUB: ON-GOING WEEKLY DINING EVENTS SOCIAL HOURS Every Wednesday and Friday I 5:00pm - 6:30pm Dinner Service Every Wednesday and Friday I 6:00pm - 9:00pm
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TEE IT UP GOLF NEWS I know that many of you, and myself included, have been very grateful to have golf as an outlet during these very stressful times brought on by the Coronavirus pandemic. Golf gives us a chance to be outdoors and possibly have some comradery with a couple of close friends and/or family. And although no one seems to know for certain, most think that playing golf may be one of the safest places to be. As we had eluded to earlier in April, our impending greens restoration/resurfacing will go on as planned. However, the project’s time lines have been moved up three weeks earlier in hopes that by the time we finish, life will be far more normal and the membership can enjoy all of the club’s amenities. We know that this presents us with some inconvenience but we will still be encouraging everyone to get out and golf. We have been very fortunate to have the Grand Strand golfing community offer our golfing membership some wonderfully discounted opportunities to play at their facilities. The list of great values can be found on our website by clicking on the GOLF icon. Follow the link titled, Greens Renovation Reciprocal Rates. The list will include pricing and protocol as to how to arrange a tee time. The list is continuing to grow and will be updated with new opportunities. Some facilities are currently not on the list due to closure by the Coronavirus. As soon as they open, we will make certain to continually update our list. The last day to play the Members Club golf course will be Tuesday, May 5th. The original time line has us planning to re-open on Labor Day weekend. The new time line’s goal is by mid-August. The driving range and Golf Shop will remain open during the time that the golf course is closed. The operating hours will be: Tuesday - Sunday Golf Shop – 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Driving Range 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Closes at 5:00 p.m. on Sundays) Individual golf instruction will also be available during this time. Please contact myself or Joe De Maio to schedule a lesson. Group clinics will be offered once restrictions from the Coronavirus have been lifted and Social distancing is eased. Lastly, please keep in mind that, although we may not see you every day, we have made our Golf Shop available to you on our website. You can visit our store under the heading of Virtual Golf Shop on the Member’s website. We have some great deals available on all the popular apparel as well as clubs, balls, shoes, etc. Our staff is happy to either ship you product or deliver to your home address.
TIPS FROM THE LESSON TEE – BY JOE DE MAIO
10-MINUTES TO LOCKDOWN YOUR PUTTING WHILE YOU ARE HOME Practicing your putting can get boring. Finding creative ways to practice while were stuck at home may only require an easy 10-minutes. The recommendation would be to break down the 10-minutes into two 5-minute sessions. Ideally it would be, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. The tools are simple: Your putter, two golf clubs, 5-10 golf balls, and a coffee mug (aputting matt would be preferred, if you have interest in purchasing one, we can order it for you and even have it dropped shipped to your house). Time starts with your first practice stroke. One key to great putting is to understand is that the putter is swung on an arcing motion (just like the golf swing) or a small semi-circle. This is essential to keeping the putter shaft on plane. What you will want to focus on, mechanically, is where the putter head is at setup (about 1 inch away from the bottom shaft), on the back swing (about a half inch from the bottom shaft), impact (returns back to the starting position), and in the follow through (about a half in from the bottom shaft). Many golfers may “feel” like they putt straight back and through, but when analyzing on video, you will see a slight arcing of the putter head. This does not mean that you cannot feel like you are swinging the putter head straight back and straight through. Understand that most efficient and effective way to deliver the putter head back to square at impact is by swinging it on an arc. After about a minute or two of dialing in your stroke, place a ball in between the shafts and start putting towards your “hole”. All the while focusing on having good mechanics. This drill is intended to aid in helping you focus on having proper mechanics in the putting stroke. We are looking for as many reps as possible during this time. Doing this drill three times a week will ensure that your putting stroke will improve and will lead you to lower scores! Interested on a quick tutorial of how to perform this drill? Follow the link below to check out how:
SAVE THE DATE
https://youtu.be/xaqhUeNHElM
Want to get better faster? Sign up for a lesson today with Brian or Joe.
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FROM THE GREEN & MCCONNELL GOLF
Certainly been an interesting year to this point. Two major renovation projects scheduled for 2020. First being bunker renovation, which began in late 2019, followed by greens renovation, which was slated to begin following Memorial Day. Unfortunately the entire world was turned upside down by mid-March, due to Corona Virus. Covid-19 created major challenges for the entire facility and understandably put our greens renovation into question or at least the timing of the project. Our only option was to prepare for conversation and try to keep Bentgrass greens in best possible condition with fewest possible inputs. Ultimately, we received the green light to move forward with the project but under a new timeline.
At this point we are very happy with results from bunker renovation. Lots of benefits stemming from this project, including aesthetics, playability and maintenance. First time since I started that I didn’t truly dread heavy rainfall. No longer has the necessity to pump water out of bunkers prior to fixing washouts, drainage actually works. Finally proper sand depths and no fear of hitting into to the subsurface of the bunker. No more contaminates throughout the bunker, such as sea shells, rocks, bunker fabric and mud. Truthfully we are still experimenting with the overall maintenance of the bunkers on a daily basis. Our goal is to give the best finish with as little disruption as possible to the faces or sides of the bunkers. We believe that this will help us maintain proper sand levels throughout the entire bunker. I’m sure that there will be an adjustment period or golfers as well, going to play differently. Our focus was to choose a sand that was forgiving for all skill levels, was aesthetically pleasing and easier to maintain. Step two truly began at the same time as the Corona Virus Pandemic. We had just begun scalping down areas around the greens when course was closed. Objective was to finally get some real perspective on the size and shape of each green. Our next step is to treat existing green surface, plus areas to be recaptured with a combination of herbicides in order to kill both the Bentgrass as well as any Bermuda and or Zoysia, multiple applications will be needed for effective control. Our subsequent step begins as soon as the course closes. This includes aggressive aerification and verticutting of new green, once completed the green will be ready for fumigation process. Fumigation is necessary to remove existing Nematode populations as well as contamination from weeds or any emaining Bermudagrass Rhizomes/stolons. Greens will be covered for a 5 day period immediately following the fumigation. Another aggressive, multidirectional verticutting will take place after covers are removed. Lastly we will put down our pre-plant nutrients just prior to laying of TifEagle Ultradwarf Berm udagrass sprigs. Then grow-in begins. I know, exciting stuff and all anyone really wants is to just play golf. With bunkers behind us and greens on the horizon, we should beback and better than ever very soon, that is with some cooperation from Covid-19. I am extremely excited about this greens renovation, really going to change our playing conditions throughout the warmer months and allow for us to focus on rest of the course. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding these projects or anything else. Yours Truly, Ryan Gamble Golf Course Superintendent, Grande Dunes Members Club ryan.gamble@grandedunes.com 843-903-3484
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GALLERY
GRANDE DUNES MEMBERS CLUB
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FROM THE KITCHEN
Hello Grande Dunes Members, Unfortunately these are extraordinary times. The Corona COVID-19 virus has decimated the food and beverage industry not just here in Myrtle Beach South Carolina, but indeed around the world. Although things will get back to a “new normal” at some point…No one is exactly sure when that will happen or what that will look like. In an attempt to safely provide food and beverage for you, your families and your guests, we have embraced the “curb-side” model. We are following all of the CDC recommendations on this process. As you know…We suspended all operations in mid March. At this time we completely cleaned and sanitized the kitchen, coolers, bars, table tops, chairs, floors etc. In the kitchen we are all wearing gloves, masks, constantly sanitizing our hands and the equipment and surfaces needed to safely produce food for “curb-side” pick-up while always maintaining six feet of social distancing. I look forward to the day when we can “get back to normal” and provide full food and beverage service for you, your families and your guests. I hope to see you all soon at your Club taking advantage of the “curb-side” food and beverage service. As always please don’t hesitate to contact me for any reason. Your Chef, Michael Monahan
COOKIES OF THE MONTH
MAY Walnut Shortbread Cookies Dennis Freeland Recipe https://bit.ly/May-Cookie-2020
JUNE
NEW YORK CHEESECAKE COOKIES Sean O'Neill
Recipe https://bit.ly/June-Cookie-2020
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MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS PRIVILEGES
Note that this newsletter contains information for all levels of membership at Grande Dunes Members Club. Some activities may only be available to certain membership types. Please consult your membership plan for the privileges associated with your membership level or contact the club with questions.
MAY
GREEN: MEMBERS CLUB | BLUE: OCEAN CLUB | GOLD: TENNIS CLUB
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25 Memorial Day Grill Out
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3 Luncheon 11:00am Happy Hour 3:00pm 6:00pm
4 Luncheon 11:00am Happy Hour 3:00pm 6:00pm Pastabilities 6:00pm
5 Luncheon 11:00am Happy Hour 3:00pm 6:00pm Trivia Night 6pm Dinner Service 6:00pm
6 10:00am Beginner’s Yoga Luncheon 11:00am Happy Hour 3:00pm 6:00pm Dinner Service 6:00pm
10 Luncheon 11:00am Happy Hour 3:00pm 6:00pm
11 Luncheon 11:00am Happy Hour 3:00pm 6:00pm Pastabilities 6:00pm
12 Luncheon 11:00am Happy Hour 3:00pm 6:00pm Dinner Service 6:00pm
13 10:00am Beginner’s Yoga Luncheon 11:00am Happy Hour 3:00pm 6:00pm GrapeNight 6:30pm
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JUNE
1 CLOSED
2 Vinyasa Yoga 9:00am Luncheon 11:00am Happy Hour 3:00pm 6:00pm
7 7:30am Breakfast EGGstgravaganza Happy Hour 3:00pm - 6:00pm
8 CLOSED
9 Vinyasa Yoga 9:00am Luncheon 11:00am Happy Hour 3:00pm 6:00pm
14 7:30am Breakfast EGGstgravaganza Happy Hour 3:00pm - 6:00pm
15 CLOSED
16 Vinyasa Yoga 9:00am Luncheon 11:00am Happy Hour 3:00pm 6:00pm
17 Luncheon 11:00am Happy Hour 3:00pm 6:00pm
18 Luncheon 11:00am Happy Hour 3:00pm 6:00pm Pastabilities 6:00pm
19 Luncheon 11:00am Happy Hour 3:00pm 6:00pm Dinner Service 6:00pm
21 7:30am Breakfast EGGstgravaganza Happy Hour 3:00pm - 6:00pm
22 CLOSED
23 Vinyasa Yoga 9:00am Luncheon 11:00am Happy Hour 3:00pm 6:00pm
24 Luncheon 11:00am Happy Hour 3:00pm 6:00pm
25 Luncheon 11:00am Happy Hour 3:00pm 6:00pm Pastabilities 6:00pm
26 Luncheon 11:00am Happy Hour 3:00pm 6:00pm Asian Buffet 6:00pm Dinner Service 6:00pm
28 7:30am Breakfast EGGstgravaganza Happy Hour 3:00pm - 6:00pm
29 CLOSED
30 Vinyasa Yoga 9:00am Luncheon 11:00am Happy Hour 3:00pm 6:00pm
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20 10:00am Beginner’s Yoga Luncheon 11:00am Happy Hour 3:00pm 6:00pm Neon Party 6:00pm 27 10:00am Beginner’s Yoga Luncheon 11:00am Happy Hour 3:00pm 6:00pm Dinner Service - Closed
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Grande Dunes Members Club 1580 Terra Verde Drive Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
IMPORTANT MEMBERSHIP NEWS Membership Incentive Enjoy the benefit of 20% savings with full payment of a golfing membership initiation fee at time of join. Annual installment option also available. ** Limited time offer ** Part-Time Golf Membership Update We’ve updated this membership offering! Now available to resident and invitational members, the Part-Time Golf Membership also provides year round membership privileges to those whose primary residence is outside of Horry, Georgetown and Brunswick Counties! Single Golf Membership Opportunity We now offer a golfing membership for single members! Member-for-a-Month Program Offered exclusively to Grande Dunes Property Owners, this one-month trial membership provides residents the chance to experience membership at the dues level of their choice for one month, prior to fully joining the club.
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Congratulations to Virginia Hitchcock our Employee of the Month.
Thank you for your continued efforts to provide the best experience possible to our members and guests.