Happenings
August/September 2011
w w w. b l a c k d i a m o n d r a n c h . c o m
Happenings Club Staff
A message from the General Manager
Doug Egly
General Manager degly@escalantegolf.com 746.3440
Dianne Dunnigan
Club Concierge ddunnigan@escalantegolf.com 746.3440
Peggy Gleason
Accounting pgleason@escalantegolf.com 746.0254
Andrea Knox
Director of Golf aknox@escalantegolf.com 746.3446
VICTOR LUZARRAGA
Executive Chef vluzarraga@escalantegolf.com 746.3449
JAY MULLEN
Director of Golf Course Operations jmullen@escalantegolf.com 746.0404
Mary Napolitano
Fitness Center mnapolitano@escalantegolf.com 746.3385
Bryan Richard
Head Golf Professional brichard@escalantegolf.com 746-3446
Kerry ROSSELET
Membership Director krosselet@escalantegolf.com 453-5473
Merideth Rossetti
Food & Beverage Director mrossetti@escalantegolf.com 746.3440
JENNIFER STAUFF
POA Manager jennifer.ncpm@wildblue.net 465.6933
Linda Stevens
Executive Assistant lstevens@escalantegolf.com 746.3440 page 2
I would like to start off this month’s column with a heartfelt thank you to our members and staff for making this year’s Florida Open a resounding success. Our member volunteers worked tirelessly to make the tournament a memorable experience for everyone who participated. The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. Participants loved the course and conditions, but they raved about how well they were treated by our members. That is what makes Black Diamond special. Next year we will serve as host to one of the U.S. Open qualifying events. This is another terrific opportunity to showcase our community and club to a very influential audience. We are also working hard with various members of the media to properly position the community to potential homebuyers and members. I am very pleased with the articles that have been written and I am excited for what is to come. While things have slowed down a bit here at Black Diamond, I am excited for our members to return who are not here year round. I believe you will be very
pleased with the condition of the courses and some of the changes we have made. As we recently announced, we are in the process of remodeling our sales center and expect to have that project completed by early next year. We are also in the early stages of developing a long-term master plan for Black Diamond. I am also looking forward to holding our first member meeting this November to discuss our plans and answer all your questions. However, my door is always open so please come to me if you have any questions. I am excited about the future of Black Diamond and share your passion for the club. Thank you again for everyone’s help with the Florida Open. I look forward to hosting more of these prestigious events in the future. Sincerely, Doug Egly General Manager Black Diamond Ranch
Welcome
New Black Diamond Members Charlotte McKim Sid Morgan
Membership News Kerry Rosselet Membership Director Since the change in ownership and the arrival of Rob King, Director of Development, a lot has been going on behind the scenes regarding marketing and planning ideas to grow and showcase Black Diamond in its best light. Sometimes the wheels of progress turn more slowly than is liked, in order to attain the best outcome and we appreciate your patience. It has taken several years for Black Diamond to get where it is and it won’t be changed overnight- it also requires a group effort. As was stated in the latest Member News communication there have been members of the media and golf course raters here to ensure that Black Diamond received proper consideration. All had exceedingly positive comments about the courses and their experience at the Club. We are also pleased that Black Diamond will be named one of Golfweek’s Top Residential Golf Communities for 2011- we remain the #1 rated community in Florida. Here are links to view the recent articles written by Tim McDonald of Visit Florida, the official tourism site for Florida with videos included.
http://www.visitflorida.com/experts/golf/action.blog/id.5291 Ranch blog http://www.visitflorida.com/experts/golf/action.blog/id.5288 Quarry blog
As most of you are aware, we have had a Member Referral program in place since 2009. Even though we have made a few changes over the last couple of seasons, overall the program hasn’t been a success for one reason or another. I have heard many concerns why, as a Member you are reluctant to refer your friends to your Club. I hope most of you will agree that the concerns are behind us. With that in mind I want to introduce the Member Referral program for the 2011-2012 season. For the first referred, a credit equal to 3 months future dues will be issued to either the new Members, or the referring Members Club account. For the second referral, a credit of 6 months future dues will be issued to either the new Members, or the referring Members Club account. In conjunction to the referral program we are re-introducing the Stay and Play program for friends of Members. The price for the Stay and Play program for a referred friend will be $399 plus tax, per couple and includes two nights lodging and two rounds of golf per person. For the rules of the program and registration forms please visit the website, www.blackdiamondranch.com. After you log in, the Referral Program will be on the left hand side. Please click on the link, from there you can view and print the forms. page 3
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS! BDLGA member, Laney McGivern, has taken on yet another volunteer effort with the 2nd Annual Stirrups ‘N Drives golf tournament to be held on October 8th. For years she has been involved with a therapeutic riding center in Citra, “StirrupsNStrides” which will benefit from this golf event hosted by Rainbow’s End Golf Club in Dunnellon. Laney and several others are now busy making the necessary arrangements for getting foursomes signed up (only $60/ person, which includes lunch and prizes). Entry information is on the bulletin board, or contact Laney for more info at laneymcg@gmail.com
Invitationals “Sweet & Simple”at the Dunes Thursday, September 22, 2011
page 4
A Message from: Nancy Richards, BDLGA President
It’s our pleasure to share BDLGA summer news. Our Executive Committee: VicePresident, Marie Salvio, Secretary, Cathy Cipolla, and Tournament Chair, Gail Richter, are conducting the summer events with the support of Director of Golf, Andrea Knox, and Head Pro, Bryan Richard. Your Treasurer, Pat Pierce, is in Connecticut, but making sure our finances are on track. Ladies are participating each Tuesday in a 9:00 a.m. shotgun enjoying team as well as individual games. Ringers, chaired by Pat Rueff, Shoot-out Tourney chaired by Eileen Jango, and Birdies chaired by Lee Reading are all part of our BDLGA summer program. To date, our ladies have posted 80+ birdies and 1 hole-in-one by Pam Vlcko. Congratulations, Pam! Each Tuesday, for fun, an optional $1.00 chip-in event has been added—winners take all!!! All information regarding summer games and courses as well as sign-up sheets are posted on the bulletin board just outside the ladies’ locker room. Games and courses are subject to change. Be sure to check BDLGA games and results by reading your weekly member-news emails. Join the fun—sign-up now for BDLGA Tuesday!!! Thank you for your continued support.
Education Partnership Benefits Citrus County
Written by Dave Burns: Black Diamond Foundation Board Member; Member College of Central Florida Foundation Board of Directors
The Black Diamond Foundation Board developed a relationship with the College of Central Florida, formerly Central Florida Community College, some six years ago with the establishing of the Joyce Burns Endowed Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship offers two golf programs: the Agribusiness Management-Golf Specialization is an Associate Science degree program that can be completed in two years. The Golf Course Technician program is a College Credit Certificate program that can be completed in one year. It is interesting that this memorial Scholarship began as a result of Joyce’s passion for the game of golf and out of respect for her love of family and the Black Diamond community. In June of 2010, Kristin White, a CCF student and Citrus County resident participating in this scholarship program wrote “Although we have never met I hope you realize how much I appreciate your support of me – Thank you.” Terry Neel, also a Citrus County resident and past employee with the Black Diamond Golf Superintendent’s staff attended this program. Terry was a spray technician and has since moved to a higher position at a local golf course. The Foundation Board members are united in their belief that continuing education is vital to the future of the Citrus County community. From our very first meeting in 2005 with Dr. Vernon Lawter, Vice President-CCF Citrus Campus and the many other College representatives we met, we were impressed with their competency, organization and leadership. This partnership resulted in BD Foundation becoming one of the first private support donors for constructing a new 35,000 square foot CCF Citrus Learning and Conference Center. This critically needed Center is located on the College campus just off of Rt. 491 in Lecanto on the way to Rt. 98 and the Suncoast Parkway. A classroom within this new facility has been identified with a plaque which commemorates BDF’s education support. This conference center not only added 80% more classroom space but also contains a state-of-the-art computer laboratory and 5,000 square feet of conference space with video and teleconferencing technology. These conference rooms have proven to become a central hub of student and community activity. This facility has increased the instructional space to accommodate a campus enrollment growth from 1,200 to approximately 2,000 students. BDF and its many, many donors are very proud to be part of this education explosion within Citrus County. A very vital part of this education partnership is student support. BDF is very proud of our annual scholarship donation that stipulates support for a number of Citrus County High
School students. These scholarships are managed by the College and based upon financial, scholarship and community criteria remain with the students until graduation. This is an outgrowth of the scholarships that were awarded directly to the Citrus County High public school students in the past. It is through the dedicated and enthusiastic annual support by Black Diamond residents and friends that makes these continuing education programs possible. Specific revenue generated programs such as the annual Black Diamond Pro-Am Golf Tournament and the current ticket selling program for a 2012 Corvette greatly enhances our ability to support the College of Central Florida along with many other critical community programs. Our donations to the College of Central Florida have totaled $93,500. Additional programs include assisting the College with a Kresge Foundation matching funds program, supporting the College in the annual Taste of Citrus scholarship fund raising program and participating in a very prestigious Citrus County Elementary School program for aspiring elementary students. This CCF Foundation program called STEPS (Scholarships Taking Elementary Promising Students to CCF) establishes an endowed scholarship for an elementary school. Each year, the facility and administration of the adopted STEPS school select a promising fifth grade student to receive a $4,000 scholarship to attend CCF upon successful graduation from high school. Lorraine Carrier, a Black Diamond resident and a member of the CCF Foundation Board of Directors, and I presented two STEPS scholarships at two separate local elementary schools in May. Lorraine stated “This was one of the most emotional and heartwarming experiences in my life. It is a great feeling to know that these scholarships assist in securing a more promising future for those whose lives are touched by CCF and STEPS.” The BDF Board directed the CCF Foundation Board to select two Lecanto elementary schools attended by the children of Black Diamond residents to receive this meaningful award starting in 2012. It is noteworthy that CCF is currently ranked 20th in the State of Florida in total endowment. This is a tremendous achievement for a now four year accredited College that began in Citrus County not so many years ago as a Community College. The College of Central Florida is a community asset and a viable opportunity for Citrus County students especially in today’s economic environment. Black Diamond Foundation through the economic assistance of its many friends and fund raising programs is proud to be a significant part of this growth. page 5
If you missed the Florida Open which was played here July 15th, 16th, 17th, you missed a great success for Black Diamond. The golf courses were in fantastic shape, the FSGA (Florida State Golf Association) did an outstanding job orchestrating the competition and the clubhouse staff including golf, food and beverage and maintenance, supported the entire operation seamlessly. We have received many notes from players commenting on how much they loved the venue and appreciated the membership allowing them access to this beautiful club. Also a big thank you to our member volunteer spotters around the Quarry; your extra set of eyes were much appreciated. The players of course are what it was all about and the resulting tie at 10-under par after 54 holes between Alan Morin, of Royal Palm Beach and Rod Perry, of Port Orange forced a three hole playoff that was an exciting end to three great days of golf! Hole by hole scores from all three tournament days with the courses playing almost 7000 yards were compiled by the FSGA which provide an interesting glimpse into the relative difficulty or ease - of each hole. For example, Hole #3 of the Quarry (our #1 Handicap Hole) also ranked #1 in difficulty across the three days of play and a stroke average of 4.50 with a total of only 6 birdies to 109 pars, 98 bogeys and 10 double bogies. And how about Quarry #16 which was played from 342 (the green tee), with a first day scoring page 6
average of 4.35 ranking it the 2nd most difficult on day one followed by a cumulative 3 day scoring average of 4.10 moving it to a rank of 11th. On the Ranch, Hole #2 played from 439 yards (Black Tee) played the most difficult (also ranked our most difficult handicap hole) over 36 holes of play with a stroke average of 4.55 with 149 rounds played. Curious what was the easiest hole? Par 5’s #3 on the Ranch Course and #18 on the Quarry hosted the lowest score to par ratings through three days of play. Quarry #18 gave up 7 eagles, 74 birdies, 22 pars and 5 bogies with 213 rounds played from the black tee at 513 yards and a scoring average of 4.74. Ranch #3 saw 5 eagles, 64 birdies, 58 pars, 19 bogeys and 5 double bogies with 149 rounds played from the black tees at 500 yards and a scoring average of 4.70. Without boring some of you to death, the final statistic I would offer up is the total scoring average on the Quarry for three days came in at 74.521 and the Ranch at 74.987. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions! If you are curious to see more of the statistics, a copy is available in the Golf Shop. If you would rather be the person shooting the numbers than reading about them, how about joining us for the “Summer Classic” on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 16th and 17th! This fun summer event is a great opportunity to pair up with your best buddy for a little friendly competition. As two person MemberMember teams, play will comprise of 4 different 9 hole formats including Scramble, Aggregate, Chapman and
Best Ball. We’ll play both the Ranch and the Quarry courses with 9am shot gun starts. Details are available in the Golf Shop and we look forward to your participation! Still looking for more competition? Are you signed up to participate in one of the Florida State Golf Association One Day events scheduled for Black Diamond in August? The men will be playing Monday, August 15th and the women (Florida Women’s State Golf Association) will be playing Friday, August 19th. Check on line for details and entry deadlines at www.fsga.org and www.fwsga.org. Can you believe that next up on the calendar of events will be Labor Day on Monday, September 5th. The format for this event will be a 4 person mixed team (2 men and 2 women) Scramble followed by lunch and prizes. Start putting your team together now, details will be available soon and signups will begin August 22nd.
Congratulations Dave Chase 2011 National Senior Games Dave won five Gold Medals • Hammer Throw – New National Record • Discus Throw • Shot Put • Long Jump • Triple Jump One Bronze Medal • Javelin Throw
From the Florida State Golf Association Thank you for hosting the 65th Florida Open Championship! The entire staff did a great job in making our competitors and officials feel very welcome. The outside and the Food & Beverage staffs were incredible. The outside staff had everything done when the first play showed up each morning and the F&B handled the rain delay perfectly! We can not thank the members enough for opening the doors to their home away from home. Please pass along our gratitude to all of them. We very much appreciate your support of the Florida State Golf Association. Please convey our appreciation to your staff and members and please call on me if I may ever of be assistance. Sincerely, Peter Dachisen Tournament Director
“The golf course was in superb condition and their staff as well as members were very accommodating.” ~ Matthew Pope
“To all the people at Black Diamond Ranch who made the Florida Open possible, thank you! The course was absolutely amazing to look at, and a treat to play. To the members thank you for opening your doors to us for a few days, you guys are really lucky to play those 45 holes whenever you like and were kind enough to offer advice thanks.” ~ Justin Kalanquin
great experience at “Thank you for a as Black Diamond w the Florida Open! and the staff was in amazing shape ing.” very accommodat ~ Jason Hrynkiw
“Thank you for a wonderful tournament at Black Diamond Ranch, it was a joy to play such a beautiful place.” ~ Alan Morin
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Golf News JAY MULLEN Director of Golf Course Operations
Your Golf Maintenance staff has had a busy but fun summer thus far. Any time we are able to host a tournament as prestigious as the Florida Open, it is a great opportunity to showcase the property, and for the Maintenance staff, it is an opportune time to show our ability to provide the type of conditions that will be talked about even outside of those directly involved. It was very rewarding hearing the participants and Tournament Directors speaking of how great the course looked and played. I am extremely proud of our team, and would like to thank them all for the extra effort and time spent to help make the tournament a success. It can be very challenging this time of year to keep up with the fast growing turf. We are on a very strict schedule, and as long as the weather and equipment cooperate, we are getting the roughs and Bahia mowed out once a week. Recently, we experimented with a taller height of cut in the rough. The idea behind the experiment was to add the definition that the Golf Course Raters are looking for, and to see if it would cut back on the amount of clippings left behind the mowers. We have received both positive and negative feedback, and made the decision to go back to our original height. It did look very nice, and it did cut back on the amount of clippings, but more importantly it slowed down play. Golf balls were much harder to find, and in some cases, shots just off the fairways were lost. I feel like it is important to make everyone aware of a very serious issue involving the large oak tree by the lake on #9 of the Quarry. Two weeks ago we sent our tree crew over to cut a large dead limb out of the tree. Our crew noticed several other limbs that were also on the decline. We brought in two arborists from page 8
different companies and spoke with several others over the phone. They all said the same thing, “The oak tree is being attacked by tree borers.” Tree borers are small “beetle like” insects that borrow their way into the trunk of the tree. They are attracted to a chemical that the tree gives off when it is under stress. The arborists suggested the tree’s original stress was caused by lightning. We have followed the expert’s recommendations that give us the best opportunity to save it. So far, we have soaked it with insecticide, and fertilized it in case there were any deficiencies in the soil. We also took out as many damaged limbs as possible to keep the insects from moving to other areas of the tree. I can not think of another tree that is more important to the design of this golf course, so I assure you we are, and will continue to do everything we can to save this tree, but it will be a difficult task. Thank you for supporting our efforts, stay cool, and enjoy your golf!
Congratulations Sharon Kotzalides is Golf Course Maintenance’s Employee of the Quarter. Sharon has earned this award with her diligent work ethic, dependability, and by having a fun-loving personality that is infectious with the rest of the staff. Thank you Sharon, and Congratulations!
August Calendar of Events 2
1 Mahjong 12:30 pm
Club Closed
7
8
8:30-11:00am
Mahjong 12:30 pm
No Dinner Service
14
Breakfast
Club Closed
15
Breakfast
12:30 pm
Club Closed
22
Mahjong
28
Breakfast
12:30 pm
Club Closed
29
8:30-11:00am
Ladies’ Day
No Dinner Service
6
No Dinner Service
Breakfast Buffet 5:30 pm
11
13
12 Dinner for Two 5:30 – 7:00 pm
A la Carte 5:30 – 7:00 pm Reservations Required
4:30 pm 6:30 pm
A la Carte 5:30 – 7:00 pm Reservations Required
23
5:30 – 7:00 pm Reservations Required
30
Poker- 6:30 p.m. Men’s Lounge
A la Carte
Club Closed
Reservations Required
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Reading & Discussion Group 4pm
Gourmet Dining
20
6:00-7:30 pm
No Dinner Service
Reservations Required
No Dinner Service
25
26
27
No Dinner Service
4:30 pm 6:30 pm
Poker- 6:30 p.m. Men’s Lounge
31
Ladies’ Day
19
18
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
24
A la Carte
No Dinner Service
No Dinner Service
Poker- 6:30 p.m. Men’s Lounge
17
Mahjong 12:30 pm
No Dinner Service
Poker- 6:30 p.m. Men’s Lounge
5
Trivia Night 6:30 pm
4:30 pm 6:30 pm
10
Ladies’ Day
8:30-11:00am
No Dinner Service
Reservations Required
4
Summer Classic
Mahjong
21
5:30 – 7:00 pm
16
8:30-11:00am
No Dinner Service
Ladies’ Day
A la Carte
9
Breakfast
3
5:30-7:00pm
No Dinner Service
Lunch Schedule
4:30 pm 6:30 pm
Poker- 6:30 p.m. Men’s Lounge
Daily 11 am - 3 pm
Trivia Night Winners - July 8th 1st Place: BRIDGERS $115.50 split
2nd Place: WOLFPACK $80.85 split
3rd Place: BDRP 34.65 split
Lorraine Carrier Tom & Linda Mangold Andrew & Jennifer Petrella Anil & Veena Ram Bill & Eve Taylor
Charles & Linda Daly & Guest Eric & Carol Hirsch Mark Wolfman & Marie Salvio
Steve & Fran Johnson Jim & Jill Ludowese Lad & Suzanne Menorca Cliff & Betty Pierson Jim & Dona Wood page 9
Menus for August Dinner for Two – August 12th Garden Salad 12-ounce Prime Rib Baked Potato Fresh Vegetable Chocolate Mousse Brownie $32.00 for Two
Summer Classic Lunch -Tuesday, August 16th Garden Salad with rolls served with Balsamic or Ranch dressings Chicken Tuscany Sautéed chicken breast with artichoke, asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, and shitake mushrooms in a tomato white wine sauce Wild Rice Pilaf Chef ’s choice of Fresh Vegetable Key Lime Cheesecake
Summer Classic Lunch - Wednesday, August 17th Gazpacho Soup Rolls Grilled Pork Medallions topped with Pico de Gallo Saffron Roast Potato Chef ’s choice of Fresh Vegetable Coconut Flan page 10
September Calendar of Events 1
Lunch Schedule
Trivia Night 6:30 pm
Daily 11 am - 3 pm 4
Breakfast
5 Labor Day 6 Event
8:30-11:00am
No Dinner Service
11
Breakfast
Mahjong
A la Carte
4:00 pm 6:00 pm
Club Closed
Reservations Required
Poker- 6:30 p.m. Men’s Lounge
12:30 pm
12
Mahjong 12:30 pm
18
Breakfast
19
20
12:30 pm
Breakfast
Club Closed
Ladies’ Day
A la Carte 5:30 – 7:00 pm Reservations Required
27
26
8:30-11:00am
Mahjong 12:30 pm
No Dinner Service
A la Carte Reservations Required
Mahjong
25
Ladies’ Day
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Club Closed
8:30-11:00am
No Dinner Service
5:30 – 7:00 pm
13
8:30-11:00am
No Dinner Service
Ladies’ Day
7
Club Closed
Ladies’ Day
A la Carte 5:30 – 7:00 pm Reservations Required
14
8
Gourmet Dining
Reading & Discussion Group 4pm
No Dinner Service
22
4:30 pm 6:30 pm
28
No Dinner Service
9
15
Poker- 6:30 p.m. Men’s Lounge
Poker- 6:30 p.m. Men’s Lounge
3
No Dinner Service
4:30 pm 6:30 pm
21
2
No Dinner Service
29
No Dinner Service
10
6:00-7:00pm
Reservations Required
16
No Dinner Service
17
A la Carte
No Dinner Service
5:30 – 7:00 pm Reservations Required
24 23 West Coast Brassies Italian Dinner for Two 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
No Dinner Service
30
4:30 pm 6:30 pm
Poker- 6:30 p.m. Men’s Lounge
Labor Day menu Hot off the grill… hamburgers, hot dogs, Italian sausage
No Dinner Service
5:30-7:00pm
Texas Holdem Poker Wednesdays - 6:30 p.m. Men’s Lounge
Tortellini salad Cole Slaw Tossed Salad Bar Ice Cream Sundae Bar page 11
NATURE NEWS
Hours of Operation
photos from Linda Williams
Driving Range Monday – Saturday 7:00 am – 5:00 pm Sunday 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Golf Shop Monday – Sunday 7:00 am – 5:00 pm ForeTees Internet 24-Hour Access
Tennis Courts Monday – Sunday 7:00 am – 9:00 pm Clinics Wednesday – 10:00 am Saturday – 3:30 pm
Pool Monday – Sunday 8:00 am – 8:00 pm Pool temperature maintained at 84°
Fitness Center Open 24/7 with use of Access Code
Horizons Breakfast Sunday 8:30 am – 11:00 am Lunch Tuesday – Sunday 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Reading & Discussion Group
Bluebird chicks Photos by Graham Lister
Baby gopher tortoise Photo by Lew Guthrie
As the narrator of “The Book Thief ” by Markus Zusak, death tells the story of nine year old Liesel who lives with her foster parents in Nazis Germany. As her book stealing career begins, she touches the lives of many including Rudy, a boy about her age, and of Max, a Jewish refugee who hides in her basement for a time. The book club will be discussing this book on Thursday, August 18, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. in the boardroom. On Thursday, September 15th at the same time we will be revisiting Betty Smith’s classic “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.” Like the tree that grows through the cement or the cellar gratings in turn of the century Brooklyn, young Francie Nolan struggles to survive in this inspirational story.
Dinner See August Calendar, page 9 See September Calendar, page 11 Take-Out Window Tuesday-Sunday 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Men’s Lounge Tuesday – Friday 12:00 noon – 12:00 midnight Saturday 12:00 noon – 4:00 pm