JANUARY I FEBRUARY 2021
THE NAVIGATOR ________________________
THE WATER'S EDGE COUNTRY CLUB
YOUR CLUB JANUARY AND FEBRUARY HOURS OF OPERATION CLUBHOUSE DINING: LUNCH Tuesday - Sunday | 11am - 3pm Monday | Closed DINNER Wednesday - Saturday | 5pm - 8pm Sunday - Tuesday | Closed GRAB & GO TAKEOUT: LUNCH Sunday & Tuesday | 11am - 3pm Wednesday - Saturday | 11am - 4pm Monday | Closed DINNER Wednesday - Saturday | 4pm - 7pm Sunday - Tuesday | Closed
EQUESTRIAN CENTER Daily | 9am - 3pm GOLF SHOP Tuesday - Sunday | 9am - 5pm Monday | Closed GOLF COURSE Tuesday - Sunday | 9am (weather permitting) Monday | Closed FITNESS CENTER Sunday & Tuesday | 7am - 2pm Wednesday - Saturday | 7am - 5pm Monday | Closed *Reservations required
MEET THE MCCONNELL GOLF TEAM
THE WATER'S EDGE COUNTRY CLUB STAFF Robert Lambert | rlambert@watersedgecountryclub.com Club Manager Jodi Gourley | jgourley@watersedgecountryclub.com Assistant Club Manager Ed Currin | twepro@watersedgecountryclub.com Head Golf Professional Jeff Snyder | twegolf@hotmail.com Golf Course Superintendent Michael Dontigney | mdontigney@watersedgecountryclub.com Executive Chef Sam Lester | satkins2007@gmail.com Equestrian Manager
CLUB CONTACT INFORMATION Clubhouse: 540-576-1556 Golf Pro Shop: 540-456-3343 Equestrian Center: 540-576-2714
Christian Anastasiadis Chief Operating Officer
Stephanie Howard Chief Financial Officer
Brian Kittler Vice President of Golf Operations
COMMUNITY CONTACT INFORMATION AEP: 800-277-2177 For power outages affecting AEP customers VDOT: 800-367-7623 For downed trees blocking state-maintained roads, please contact the VDOT call center
Michael Shoun Vice President of Agronomy
James Patterson Corporate Executive Chef
Lauri Stephens Vice President of Membership
Natalie Clemens Director of Activities and Wellness
Howard Murphy Director of Culinary Operations
Kyle Thortsen Director of Tennis Operations
IN THIS ISSUE Your Club...……………….…………………….….......…...……......................……....2 Club Update............……......................……................................….…...3-4 From the Kitchen.................................................................................5 WECC Buzz............…….................……...............….…..........................…..6 Photo Gallery............…….................……...............….…...........................7 Cookies of the Month....................……………..…...........................……..8 Footprints on the Green....…...…………………..……................................9 McConnell Golf News....…...…………………..……..................................10 Accommodations......................………………...…......................…..........11
FEATURED ON THE FRONT COVER Photo Credit: Larry S. Coltrain
FEATURED ON THE BACK COVER Faith Inman Communications Director
THE NAVIGATOR
Alicia Lockard Creative Director
Will Harper Director of Maintenance
Photo Credit: Kathleen Hetzler Riordan
PAGE 2
CLUB UPDATE A NOTE FROM YOUR CLUB MANAGER
A NOTE FROM YOUR GOLF PROFESSIONAL STAFF
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a healthy and safe holiday season. Thank you for your generous contributions to the employee Christmas fund., as it was greatly appreciated by all of the staff. 2021 brings with it a new beginning - The Water’s Edge Country Club is now part of the McConnell Golf family! We are excited about the new experiences and adventures with the McConnell Golf team as we begin a new year. The Water’s Edge Country Club will continue to be the most desirable community on Smith Mountain Lake.
We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We are extremely excited about 2021! Putting 2020 behind us and all its hardships will be a relief. We are looking forward to being part of the McConnell Golf Family. McConnell Golf has 16 golf properties throughout the Carolinas, Tennessee, and now Virginia. They offer a wealth of experience in all phases of the golf and country club industry. An opportunity to travel and play other courses will be available for many of you. The staff and committees are hard at work planning a golf schedule for the upcoming 2021 season. You will be notified and billed shortly of the available golf services that include, Men’s Golf Association, Ladies’ Golf Association, Handicap Fees, Locker Rental and Bag Storage. We look forward to seeing you here at the club very soon! Please let us know if we can be of any assistance.
The last Friday and Saturday of January (29 & 30) our slow-roasted Prime Rib will be featured, so make plans to join us for dinner. Prime Rib take-out will also be available. We will end the month with our delicious Omelet & Waffle station offered on January 31. We will celebrate friendship and love on Saturday, February 13 with a special Valentine’s menu creation by Chef Michael. We will feature a mouth-watering Mardi Gras Dinner on February 10 and 11, available for dine-in or take-out. The Omelet & Waffle station will be available on Sunday, February 28, and slow-roasted Prime Rib on February 26 & 27.
Ed, Ethan, and Gary
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE GOLF SEASON We will continue to work hard to keep our members and staff safe while we navigate through these unprecedented times, and I assure you that a great member experience is paramount to our team. Thank you for all of your support, and we look forward to making 2021 a wonderful year for our club. Robert Lambert
A NOTE FROM YOUR GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT What a great run for Ron and his family. He built the most beautiful property on Smith Mountain Lake and my hat goes off to you my friend. But as we put this crazy 2020 behind us, we turn the page to take the club to the next level. I’m thrilled to join the McConnell Golf family and excited for all that visit or call The Water’s Edge home. This past golfing season was a roller coaster. Summer was extremely dry and the lake flooded twice. We did get some good bonus golf this fall, albeit on a soggy course. Our normal winter practices will continue as planned; fairways will be top dressed, our winter maintenance on equipment and course fixtures will be addressed, and anything else needed to climb to that next level. As we transition into the season, I look forward to the changes we will institute. Most will be small coming out of the gate, but I look for some big and noticeable improvements as we get our stride this year and down the road. As hard as we work to have the property at it’s best in and around Member Guest weekend, that is our goal every day!! Please remember that the grass growth and recovery come to a standstill during the winter. Take that extra time to replace your divots, sand the balance of the cavity if need be, and step it down. Ball mark recovery as well is limited and difficult to find as the grass loses its color. I appreciate everyone’s help with this and it will only assure better conditions as we come out of the winter. Thanks to ALL for a great 2020. Stay safe and we look forward to 2021!! Jeff Snyder
THE NAVIGATOR
PAGE 3
CLUB UPDATE A NOTE FROM YOUR EQUESTRIAN MANAGER Hello! My friendly barn staff and I would like to welcome you all to The Water’s Edge Equestrian Center. The equestrian center is located on thirty-five acres in The Water’s Edge community and is a wonderful place to bring friends and family to visit. The eight stall barn is home to thirteen horses who all have a personality of their own, a very sweet miniature donkey, two potbellied pigs that make everyone smile, and a sassy barn cat that lives here full time. The insulated barn roof maintains an even temperature for comfort. Seven 12’ x 12’ stalls are equipped with special plastic grate floors that aid in drainage. Additional features include a 12’ x 14’ wash stall with hot and cold water, a broodmare/foaling stall, and a 14’ x 83’ aisle way providing ample room for horse and rider. Members who board a horse at The Water’s Edge Equestrian Center will receive a personal storage area in a secure tack room. We also have two large paddocks that have spacious run-in shelters and four-board wooden fencing surrounding the thirty-five acres of pasture. Horses receive the best care and attention from full-time staff members all year round. We also offer two and a half miles of riding trails that wind through wooded areas and provide scenic views of Smith Mountain Lake. Those who prefer to stay closer to the barn can utilize the two well maintained riding rings; one 78 X 117 round pen that is convenient for basic exercising and light riding and one Standard 80 X 200 dressage ring that provides significant room for all gaits and activities desired by the rider. Both rings create a safe, functional space designed to handle the elements and provide a supportive and consistent footing for both horse and rider. The Water’s Edge Equestrian Center offers full care boarding options along with English and Western riding lessons, ring rides, and trail rides for all levels of riding. Birthday parties and private barn parties are also available. Let’s not forget about the summer horse camps that are open to children starting at the age of 4. The summer camps are full of fun, horse riding, grooming, bathing, and horse crafts. Members are welcome to visit and use the equestrian facility daily, between the hours of 9am to 3pm. Please feel free to call or email us with any questions. We look forward to being a part of this new chapter. Sam Lester
Equestrian Manager Sam Lester and Barn Attendant Kristina Wray
THE NAVIGATOR
PAGE 4
FROM THE KITCHEN
SLOW ROASTED PRIME RIB NIGHT
MARDI GRAS DINNER SPECIALS
JANUARY 29 AND 30
FEBRUARY 10 AND 11
5:00pm-8:00pm | Reservations Required, call 540-576-1556 to RSVP
5:00pm-8:00pm | Reservations Required, call 540-576-1556 to RSVP
FEBRUARY 26 AND 27 5:00pm-8:00pm | Reservations Required, call 540-576-1556 to RSVP
VALENTINO & VALENTINA DINNER
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13 5:00pm-8:00pm | Reservations Required, call 540-576-1556 to RSVP
OMELET AND WAFFLE SUNDAY BRUNCH JANUARY 31 10:00am-1:00pm | Reservations Required, call 540-576-1556 to RSVP $14++ per person
FEBRUARY 28 10:00am-1:00pm | Reservations Required, call 540-576-1553 to RSVP $14++ per person
Appetizers Cucumber Saladtinis: Mini Cucumber Canapes Topped with Strawberry Preserves Infused Mascarpone ($8) GF Petite Smoked Salmon BLT: Cold Smoked Salmon, Candied Bacon, Avocado Aioli on Crusty Artisan Bread ($11) Soup or Salad Golden Oyster Stew: Focaccia Parmesan Crisp, Chive Oil ($8) Early Harvest Salad: Local Baby Greens, Oven Roasted Cellared Squash, Drunken Cherries, Herb Scented Chèvre Cheese, Pugliese Croutons, Sherry Tarragon Vinaigrette ($8) Entrees Pistachio Crusted Scallops: Bitter Greens, Burnt Orange Sauce, Orzo Primavera, & Petite Carrot & Asparagus ($26) Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast: Melted Fresh Mozzarella, Orzo Primavera, Petite Carrot & Asparagus ($21) Scottish Salmon: Sea Island Peas, Tomato Saffron Broth, Petite Carrot & Asparagus ($22) Petite Filet and Lump Crab Cake: Creole Caper Hollandaise, Boursin Potato Puree, Petite Carrot & Asparagus ($35) Ricetta Filet Mignon Center Cut Beef Tenderloin: Topped with Local Poached Mushrooms, Shrimp, Lump Crab, Garlicy Wine Reduction, Boursin Potato Puree, Petite Carrot & Asparagus ($36) Dessert Deconstructed White Chocolate-Raspberry Mousse Cheesecake: Vanilla Scented Whipped White Chocolate Mousse, Toasted Graham Cracker, Raspberry Puree, Shaved Chocolate, Fresh Berries ($9)
Omelet & Waffle
Sunday Brunch
THE NAVIGATOR
PAGE 5
WECC buzz Look who’s talking about The Water's Edge CC! Please enjoy a few of our favorite social media mentions and keep sharing your experiences by tagging us on Facebook and Instagram for a chance to be featured in the next newsletter.
@al_mcdill This is the first time I’ve felt like a senior all year long.
@janeatthelakepics Nice touch @mcconnellgolf So excited that The Water’s Edge is now part of the McConnell Golf family!
@jshaner52 Island green just as dapper as ever
Derek Fowler Photography Quick Preview of Kasey and Stewart's Wedding
THE NAVIGATOR
PAGE 6
PHOTO GALLERY Thank you for all the wonderful pictures you post in The Waters Edge Country Club Members private Facebook Group! Keep up the great photography work to be featured in future editions of the newsletter publication. Welcome to McConnell Golf! Cheers to a great year ahead!!
Don Prinzbach, Bonnie Overman, Wayne and Joan Peppers, Clif and Pamela Wade enjoying our New Year's Dinner
Photo by Joan Peppers
Captain Ahab with hands off the wheel - never happens! Photo by Kirsten Johnson McGhee
Island Green by Kathleen Hetzler Riordan
Photo by Kathleen Hetzler Riordan
THE NAVIGATOR
Michael Ross and Susan Elliott enjoying their Sea-Doo
PAGE 7
COOKIES OF THE MONTH
JANUARY: COCOA-MOLASSES DROP COOKIES By Bruce McIntosh, Chef at the Country Club of Asheville
From 1985-2015, H. Robert Sharbaugh was a member of the Country Club of Asheville and had served time as a member of the board for a number of years. He was very well-known and admired by club members and staff alike. He meant a great deal to me, especially during my earlier years at the club. One memory of him that stands out to me in particular was the year that this self-proclaimed chocoholic gifted me a very old, yet pristine Hershey’s cookbook from 1934 that had been revised and reprinted in 1971. I think of him fondly every time I open the binding to see his name on the inside cover. Thank you for your service to our country and the many laughs throughout the years. This one is for you Mr. Sharbaugh! Yield: Approximately 2-3 Dozen Cookies Ingredients: 1/3 Cup Unsalted Butter, room temperature 1/3 Cup Granulated Sugar 1/3 Cup Molasses 1 Egg 1 cup All-Purpose Flour, sifted 1 TSP Baking Powder 3 TBSP Hershey’s Cocoa Powder or whatever you have on hand 1/2 Cup Chopped Nuts Directions: Cream butter and sugar; add molasses and the egg. Sift together all dry ingredients and add to wet ingredients. Fold in the nuts and scoop mixture into 1-inch rounds onto a greased and lined sheet pan. Bake at 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes.
SEDGEFIELD THE NAVIGATOR TIMES
FEBRUARY: CHOCOLATE DIPPED COCONUT MACAROON COOKIES By John Crawford, Chef at Providence Country Club
This has been one of my favorite cookie recipes for as long as I can remember. As a kid, my grandmother would make these for us when we would come and visit. While all of the others would devour the chocolate chip cookies, I had these all to myself. If you like coconut and chocolate, this recipe is for you! With the toasted outside, creamy inside, and smooth chocolate to tie it all together, it cannot get much better. Ingredients: 16oz. Sweetened Flaked Coconut 1 cup Sweetened Condensed Milk 1 TSP Vanilla Extract Pinch of Salt 6oz. Semisweet Chocolate Chips 2 Large Egg Whites Directions: Start by mixing the coconut, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla and salt thoroughly in a mixing bowl. Next, separate the egg whites from the yolk and beat the egg whites until they form a stiff peak. Gently fold the egg whites into the coconut mixture. Using a small scoop, scoop the mixture onto a parchment-lined sheet pan spacing each about two inches apart. Place the macaroons in a 325°F preheated oven for 25 minutes, rotating as needed to prevent burning. While macaroons are baking in the oven, melt the chocolate in a double boiler or microwave, stirring frequently. When cookies have cooled completely, dip the bottoms in the melted chocolate and place them on a clean sheet of parchment paper. Enjoy!
PAGE4 8 PAGE
FOOTPRINTS ON THE GREEN HISTORY OF MCCONNELL GOLF’S FOOTPRINTS ON THE GREEN As the host for many charities and donors to numerous others, McConnell Golf proudly gives back through our community engagement program Footprints on the Green. Through a strong and supportive effort made by our collective membership and staff, we strive to become a driving force in the local communities where our clubs reside. Aware of the challenges our society and environment face daily, we align ourselves with a variety of organizations and avenues for giving back. This program is designed with all age groups in mind so that it will be a learning tool for our youth, teambuilding activity for our staff, and a friendship building platform to strengthen our connection with our membership. McConnell Golf continually seeks new ways that we can give back within our local communities. Included on this page are just a few examples of the Footprints initiatives during 2020 at sister clubs. Stay tuned for events and opportunities for The Water’s Edge membership and staff to become involved in this meaningful and rewarding program.
The Golf Professionals at Country Club of Asheville & Holston Hills raised $20,000 for Folds of Honor with a 100-hole Golf Marathon
Holston Hills members and staff donated 259 bikes to Bucky’s Bikes for the 2020 Christmas season
Members of Porters Neck CC delivering poinsettias to Champions Assisted Living Center for the holidays
Sedgefield Country Club February 2020 Polar Plunge. At properties company-wide, members and staff plunged into their respective ice-cold pools raising over $2,300 collectively for the World Wildlife Foundation.
Country Club of Asheville Staff supporting the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Company-wide McConnell Golf properties raised over $3,800 for this cause and our donation was tripled by Bank of America and Komen friends for a donation of nearly $12,000.
THE NAVIGATOR
PAGE 9
MCCONNELL GOLF NEWS
MCCONNELL GOLF, THE MAGAZINE
McConnell Golf launched its magazine in July 2008 and it has since matured into one of the finest private club publications in the industry. Current circulation is two times annually to 8,700 private club members with total readership reaching 125,000 impressions. McConnell Golf, The Magazine has an average shelf life of four months with distribution to the Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, Greenville, Wilmington, Asheville and Charlotte markets in North Carolina; Greenville, Spartanburg, Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island markets in South Carolina; and the Knoxville, Tennessee market. We are looking forward to distributing to the Smith Mountain Lake area with the addition of The Water's Edge Country Club. Since its inception, member advertising and member referrals have largely funded each issue of McConnell Golf, The Magazine. It is truly a community effort with staff and member story submissions spanning the McConnell Golf network, over 60 contributing writers and 150 advertisers funding its pages since the first issue.
HEART HEALTHY MONTH IN FEBRUARY Eat healthy, be heart healthy and improve your overall health! This February, McConnell Golf will be focusing on how seafood supports immune health with the Seafood Nutrition Partnership. Seafood, both fish and shellfish, provides essential nutrients to the body that keep the immune health functioning properly. Take the pledge to eat two servings of seafood each week, tag us @McConnellGolf using #SeafoodSustains and visit www.seafoodnutrition.org/eat-seafoodamerica/ for more details. Don't forget to wear red on February 5th in support of the American Heart Association...more details coming soon!
HISTORY OF MCCONNELL GOLF'S COOKIES OF THE MONTH
A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHEFS The culinary teams at McConnell Golf would like to extend a special thanks for the support members have given them over the last 12 months. In addition to purchasing meal kits and ordering takeout options, members have helped give back to the community through meal fundraisers, wine dinners and more. Our chefs continue to work hard to provide unique offerings, while also ensuring meals are prepared safely using quality ingredients. As we enter the New Year, remember to support the food and beverage team at your club and take advantage of to-go packages.
THE NAVIGATOR
Several years ago, at one of our annual corporate meetings, an idea was brought to the table that we needed a Lagniappe of our own that would show our appreciation to members and their guests for dining with us. This idea quickly grew to a collaboration of our executive chefs, their staff members and other club staff submitting cookie recipes to be used in our monthly rotation. These cookies would be a bite size sweet treat for everyone who had lunch at one of our properties in the dining room. As McConnell Golf has grown we have been able to feature a club each month, in addition to recipes from our CEO John McConnell and COO Christian Anastasiadis, the Easter bunny and Santa Claus. Beyond baking and serving these delicious treats in our clubs each month, we also share the recipe in our newsletter and online blog that includes a special story or meaning behind them. Our culinary teams have embraced this idea and continue to showcase their talents with these delectable sweet treats, from our kitchens to yours.
PAGE 10
MCCONNELL GOLF ON-SITE ACCOMMODATIONS OLD NORTH STATE CLUB LODGE Take in the sunset over Badin Lake from one of our eight, onsite suites in the Lakefront Lodge. All rooms are complete with wireless internet, flatscreen television, amenity bars and refrigerators, coffee machines, and more. There are four main lodge rooms with king beds and four additional rooms with two queens. Each room has access to the common area of the main lodge that hosts a pool table, grand fireplace, grill, dining area for chef-prepared breakfasts each morning, and a waterfront porch to enjoy the unparalleled placement of the club. The perfect spot for your family and friends visiting Badin Lake and the Uwharrie National Forest. For reservations or to check availability, contact Lodge Manager Roxann Phillipy lodging@oldnorthstateclub.com or 336-461-2477.
MUSGROVE MILL COTTAGES AND SUITES Maximize your time on the course and make your visit to Musgrove Mill Golf Club a relaxing one with our on-site accommodations. For larger groups of 8-16, both the Morgan and Lee Cottages are just what you need after a good day on the course with the Francis Marion and Preston Suites perfect for couples. The Palmer design is located about 90 miles from both Charlotte and Asheville and is known not only for its changing elevations but its history, beauty, and landscape. This private golf sanctuary has no surrounding homes or structures; its creation in 1988 was focused solely on the integrity of the game and profound respect for the natural wilderness of Upstate South Carolina. If you haven't visited it yet, it's time. For additional information, contact Director of Golf Jeff Tallman at 864833-6921 or jeff@musgrovemill.com. Sleep. Golf. Eat. Repeat.
SEDGEFIELD COTTAGE AND SUITE Both within walking distance of Sedgefield's first tee, these two options are convenient to Sedgefield Country Club as well as The Cardinal by Pete Dye. The Stanley Apartment features two bedrooms with a king bed in each room, two bathrooms, a living room, dining room, coffee maker, wireless internet, and flat-screen televisions. The Sam Snead Cottage features two bedrooms each with one queen bed, one bathroom, a living room, dining room, and kitchenette with microwave, coffee maker, and refrigerator. Sedgefield is home to the PGA TOUR's Wyndham Championship, which is contested each year in August. The Sam Snead Cottage overlooks the brand new practice area that was completed just before the tournament in August of 2020. For additional information, contact Angela Ayers at 336-299-5324 or aayers@sedgefieldcc.com.
THE NAVIGATOR
PAGE 11
The Water's Edge Country Club 1825 Water's Edge Drive Penhook, VA 24137
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Greensboro, NC Permit No. 819
