April Newsletter 2017

Oxbow Country Club Newsletter | April 2017

IN THIS ISSUE...

- HOURS OF OPERATION -

Message From Sedi Halvorson……………………….Page 2-3 April Events……………………………………………………….Page 4 Events Update…………………………………………………..Page 5 Black Tie Charity Gala Invitation………………………..Page 6 Ladies’ Night Out Invitation……………………………....Page 7 Easter Brunch Information………………………………..Page 8 Food & Beverage Update…………………………………..Page 9 Golf Course News…………………………………………...Page 10

Administrative Office Hours Monday - Friday

9 AM - 5 PM

Restaurant Dining Hours* Sundays—Wednesdays Thursdays—Saturdays

10 AM—8 PM 10 AM—9 PM

*Watch your emails closely for expanded hours as the days get longer!

- MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY! -

Black Tie Charity Gala

Saturday, April 29th, 2017 6 PM | Formal Attire Dinner | Dancing | Silent and Live Auctions Live Music by Post Traumatic Funk Syndrome Emcee Chris Hanson from BOB 95 FM

FOLLOW YOUR CLUB ON:

40 Clubhouse Drive Oxbow, ND 58047 | 701.588.4666 | oxbowcc.com

SEDI HALVORSON GENERAL MANAGER

BOARD OF DIRECTORS DAVE CAMPBELL - PRESIDENT

Welcome to spring at Oxbow! For the third straight year, we opened the course in March. It was great to see so many members out enjoying their club. Both the new side of our course, as well as the old lower holes wintered well, and the course looks great for this early in the year!

BRITTON MATTSON SECRETARY/TREASURER CHRIS CHAMP

DJ RIEGER

SCOTT DIFFERDING

RANDY SCHNEIBEL

KEVIN HARRISON

BILL SHORT

MIKE PODOLAK

MANAGEMENT STAFF SEDI HALVORSON GENERAL MANAGER SEDI@OXBOWCC.COM JAKE HUGHES ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER JAKE@OXBOWCC.COM

JOHN DAHL, PGA HEAD GOLF PRO JDGOLF@OXBOWCC.COM SCOTT MOTSCHENBACHER EXECUTIVE CHEF CHEF@OXBOWCC.COM ALISON MOLONY DIR. MEMBER ENGAGEMENT & EVENTS ALISON@OXBOWCC.COM

KYLE CHRISTENSEN, CPA ACCOUNTANT ACCOUNTING@OXBOWCC.COM DAVID WOOD SUPERINTENDENT DAVIDW@OXBOWCC.COM ERIC WENAAS, PGA 1ST ASSISTANT GOLF PRO ERIC@OXBOWCC.COM STEPHANIE SORENSON FOOD & BEVERAGE SUPERVISOR STEPHANIE@OXBOWCC.COM

We are dealing with a lot of new things this year, and still working to get all areas fully operational. We will be learning quite a bit as we go along, and we welcome and encourage you to give us feedback in any and all areas of the member experience. We are also tying up some loose ends in the locker rooms and other areas of the Clubhouse. Our goal is to make this transition as painless as possible for our members. We will continue to plan and work to make your member experience the best it can be in all areas of the club.

Membership season is in full swing! Through March, we have 18 new members and member families who have joined us already this year! Our new members are listed in this newsletter. Please welcome them to the Oxbow family!

Just a reminder, our 2017 Annual Meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 12th at 6:30pm. The Annual Meeting is open to all members of Oxbow Country Club. We will be discussing a variety of topics during the meeting, receive updates from the different departments of the club, and elect new Board Members. There are four director slots open this year, and we currently have four running for office. Voting will take place at the meeting, and is open to certificate-holding members. The four currently running are: • • • •

Chris Champ (incumbent) Mike Podolak (filled vacated position) Scott Differding (filled vacated position) Roger Campbell

If you are interested in running for a spot on the board, please contact Sedi or any current board member. Only certificate-holding members are eligible to run for the board. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please contact Sedi for information on proxy voting.

A couple of changes are starting with the 2017 golf season: 1) The course will now be closed on Monday mornings for maintenance. No tee times will be allowed before noon. With our new course and greens, it is imperative for David and his crew to have a morning that they can work uninterrupted on the course. This is a common practice in the majority of private clubs, to ensure the best course possible for the members during the slowest time of the week.

more from Sedi on Page 3

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SEDI HALVORSON (continued) 2) The other change this year is that the entire Clubhouse is open to all members, all days and nights of the week. In previous years, the downstairs area of the Clubhouse was restricted on Thursdays. Although this was never a formal rule, it was still enforced.

Men’s day on the golf course will remain the same, with men only (18+) teeing off after 11 AM. Ladies will have reserved tee times on Wednesdays starting at 5:30 PM. Just a note for those wondering about the pool area, we do plan on finishing the pool in plenty of time for the 2017 pool season. The pool deck should be poured the first week of April, with the fencing and landscaping completed shortly after. 95% of the mechanical and electrical is already done. We do not anticipate any issue opening on Memorial Day weekend, as we do each year.

-Welcome, New MembersAusten & Jena Ellenson Michael Casper & Melissa Lewis Andrew & Jamie Passanante Fallon (8), Tyden (7) & Hayden (5) Cam Knutson & Shayla Hermes Dr. Carlos Miranda & Carla Grussoli Nathaniel & Joanna Olson Meagan (18), Mark (14) & Paul (12)

Trent Olson Kerry & Mary Fernholz Chad & Megan Bergan Thomas Spellman & Tracy Nygaard Jim & Callie Schlieman

Please read all of the articles this month regarding many items that are important for members to know as we open the course.

Here’s to another great season at YOUR club!

Sedi

Tim & Tami Nielsen Parker (11) Cory & Melissa Theuninck Bailey (7), Kirby (4) & Mackenzie (2) Steve & Kelsey Roth Nora (4)

- MARCH MEMBER PHOTOS -

Beautiful artwork created at our first Murals & Mimosas, taught by Kate Podolak.

Bill Short tees off on Opening Day!

Charles & Ava Cooper at the Daddy-Daughter Dance.

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APRIL Events Contact Alison to register: Alison@oxbowcc.com.

Friday, April 7th

Kids’ night 7 PM Games | Activities Viewing Of The Movie “Moana”

Enjoy dinner in the restaurant while your children have a fun Kids’ Night in the ballroom!

Wednesday, April 12th

Annual Meeting 6 PM—Social 6:30 PM—Meeting Agenda: 1. 2016 Year in Review 2. The Year Ahead, 2017 3. Departmental Updates 4. Board of Directors Election

Saturday, April 15th

EASTER EGG HUNT 1 pm—3 pm Easter Egg Hunt will start at 1 PM SHARP, with free kids fun lasting until 3 PM.

Wednesday, April 19th Sunday, April 16th

EASTER BRUNCH seaTINGS: 10 am, 11:30 am & 1 pm $28/Adult $12/Child 6—12 $6/Child 5 & Under Celebrate Easter by dining at our elegant Easter Brunch. Full menu detail can be found on Page 8.

Spring into spring - Ladies’ night out!

6 PM—Social 7 PM—dinner & fashion show $40/Person Our Spring Ladies’ Night Out is the most popular ladies’ event of the year. Check out the event invitation on Page 7 and spend a fun evening with your favorite Oxbow ladies!

Saturday, April 29th

BLACK TIE CHARITY GALA 6 pm $125/Person $1000/Table of 10 For our inaugural year, we have partnered with Ronald McDonald House to raise money for their new home being built in Fargo.

Please review the invitation found on Page 5 and help us support this wonderful cause.

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EVENT UPDATE Alison Molony Director of Member Engagement & Events 2017 MEMBERSHIP GUIDE - The 2017 Membership Guide is now available for viewing on the member side of the oxbowcc.com website! Make sure to take the time to read this wonderful resource for everything happening this season at your club. From swimming lessons to golf tournaments to day camp to ladies’ night...there truly is something for every member of the family to enjoy! Printed copies will also be available in the Clubhouse.

GUESTS AT MEMBER EVENTS– One of the questions I get asked frequently is, “Can I bring a guest to an event?” Of course! We want Oxbow to be a place you can share with your non-member friends and family! As always, just make sure to RSVP in advance. Bringing guests to Oxbow events is a fantastic way to show off YOUR new Clubhouse!

BLACK TIE CHARITY GALA SUPPORTING RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES—I encourage you to gather a group of members (and non-member guests), dress up, and experience this unique event at your club! Since 1982, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley has welcomed families with a “home-away-from-home” while their criticallyill children receive care at Fargo-Moorhead hospitals. With over 300 families utilizing the two Ronald McDonald Houses in Fargo last year, the demand has continued to grow. The current Houses face a few challenges:

• • •

They only have community bathrooms, which lack privacy and convenience.

As these facilities age, the cost of maintenance continues to grow.

Both Houses have multiple floors and there are no elevators to help guests with mobility challenges.

Ronald McDonald’s new home will provide much-needed space for families, as well as improve the experiences for those who find support and healing at the Ronald McDonald House. We look forward to helping them reach their goal of five million dollars for this project.

Here’s how YOU can support this great cause.

1. Please consider the donation of an item or service to our silent and/or live auctions that evening. All proceeds from the auction will help Ronald McDonald House build their dream home. Every little bit counts!

2. Attend the event! A large portion of each ticket sold will go to benefit Ronald McDonald House. Purchase a single ticket or put together a table of ten – either way, your attendance is the first step in giving that evening. Also, remember that guests of members are always welcome!

Save The Date

SPRING FLING May 19th | 6:30 PM

It’s the social kick-off to the season!

Help us give a warm welcome to new members of the Oxbow family, and invite prospective members to experience YOUR club! Located in the bar & patio, enjoy complimentary light hors d’oeuvres and live music that evening!!

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Black Tie Charity Gala We are proud to partner with Ronald McDonald House to raise money for their new facility being built in Fargo.

Saturday, April 29th, 2017 6 PM | Formal Attire

$125 ~ PERSON $1000 ~ TABLE OF TEN

Dinner | Dancing | Silent and Live Auctions

$2000 ~ ALBATROSS SPONSOR—SOLD OUT!

Live Music by Post Traumatic Funk Syndrome

Three sponsorships available. Sponsors receive premium event seating for ten guests, two bottles of wine for their table, amuse-bouches for their table, and recognition at event.

Emcee Chris Hanson from BOB 95 FM

TO PURCHASE TICKETS, PLEASE CONTACT ALISON MOLONY: ALISON@OXBOWCC.COM | 701.588.4666

Please consider the donation of a product or service for our silent and/or live auctions that evening.

All donations are greatly appreciated!

Contact Alison Molony with donation items: alison@oxbowcc.com.

A group of Oxbow ladies enjoying Ladies’ Night Out in 2014!

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PLEASE JOIN US FOR

Easter Brunch Sunday, April 16th

Seatings at 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM & 1:00 PM Limited space available.

Reservations required: 701.588.4666, alison@oxbowcc.com.

MENU CHEF CARVING STATIONS: Ham Roast Beef

BUFFET ITEMS:

CHILDREN’S BUFFET: French Toast Sticks Breakfast Potatoes Chicken Strips Waffle Fries

Classic Eggs Benedict Omelet Station Scrambled Eggs with Cheddar and Green Onion Breakfast Potatoes with Roasted Red Peppers Assorted Danishes and Muffins Fresh Fruit ADULTS: $28 Grilled Pear Salad CHILDREN 6 - 12: $12 Chicken Florentine CHILDREN 5 & UNDER: $6 White Wine Baked Walleye with Citrus Buerre Blanc Scalloped Potatoes Whipped Potatoes and Gravy Grilled Asparagus with Balsamic Glaze and Parmesan Assorted Desserts

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FOOD & BEVERAGE UPDATE SCOTT MOTSCHENBACHER Executive chef This month, I am excited to talk about spring vegetables and foraging for mushrooms! Unfortunately, our climate does not lend itself to a lot of spring vegetables, but mushrooms do quite well in our soil. If you do a little research about soil and know your way around, you’ll probably stumble upon some of these delicious fungi.

Some of the varieties you can find around here include the morel and chicken of the woods. Both are very tasty, but the morel is definitely the more prized mushroom. Some of the wild vegetables you can forage for include asparagus, ramps, and fiddlehead ferns. Judging by your orders to the kitchen, I think most of you know what asparagus tastes like. Ramps are an early spring onion and are great for grilling and sautéing. They are very garlicky in flavor. Fiddlehead ferns are also great for sautéing with a little garlic and chicken stock. So, if you’re feeling adventurous and have some good boots, get out there and see what you can find! If your search comes up empty, come over to the Clubhouse—I have you covered.

This month’s recipe is sautéed morels and ramps. This makes a great garnish on a medium rare steak! Make sure to wash these in cold water prior to cooking. Thanks for reading! If you have any questions about any of this, you know where to find me!

Ingredients: 3-5 ramps 3-5 morel mushrooms 1 Tbsp. olive oil 2 Tbsp. butter 1 Tbsp. garlic 1/4 cup white wine 1/4 cup chicken stock

Procedure: Heat a sauté pan on high heat and add olive oil and butter. Once the butter is melted, add ramps and morels.

Sauté for 2-4 minutes (until you start to get some color), then add garlic sauté for an additional 2 minutes.

De-glaze with white wine, then add your stock. Cook for another 3-5 minutes until stock has reduced by half.

Pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy!

Jake hughes ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER In March, Chef Scott and I attended a Food and Beverage Symposium at Edina Country Club in the Twin Cities, where we listened to great speakers from Country Club of Detroit, Farmington Country Club, and Union League of Cleveland. Each speaker focused on the importance of service, quality, and atmosphere in order to run a successful club. A lot of the material covered ties in well to Oxbow’s new mission statement: Oxbow Country Club is dedicated to providing its members and guests a truly fun and enjoyable club experience, through the consistent delivery of quality and personal service, excellent value, and a warm and inviting atmosphere of friendship and fun, in a family focused atmosphere.

Sedi and I, with the board, revamped Oxbow Country Club’s mission statement earlier this year. Our last mission statement only focused on golf, but we all know that Oxbow is not just a golf course. It is a place to have a fantastic meal with your family and friends, hold a business meeting, or celebrate a wedding. We are continually thinking of new ways for you to enjoy Oxbow as a family. For example, this month we are throwing a free Egg Hunt the Saturday before Easter. Oxbow is family focused. This is one reason why we now include carts in your membership dues. If your family wants to come out and golf a couple holes on a Sunday, you don’t have to worry about an additional cart fee.

The staff and I are very excited for our first year in our new clubhouse and I hope you are too! Our goal is to go to extraordinary lengths to delight you and your guests.

Jake Hughes

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GOLF COURSE NEWS Golf Shop It’s April and time for golf! We opened March 30th, thanks to some great weather!

The new Clubhouse/Golf Shop is ready and waiting. If you haven’t been out, please stop in to look around. We are excited to see you! Our new merchandise is arriving daily. We are happy to order anything you will need this year.

League will start May 16th. Get your team ready and sign up in the Golf Shop. More details are found to the right. If you need help finding a team, we can help we out!

Mark your calendar for the first tournament of the season, The Opener, on May 6th.

MEN’S & WOMEN’S LEAGUE Tuesdays, May 16th—August 22nd* 6:00 PM

Play-Offs, August 29th—September 12th *No League on Tuesday, July 4th

Men: 4 players/week, $450/team Women: 2 players/week, $250/team Open to players of all skill levels, league is 9 holes and features a different event each week. Events vary from a team scramble, to best ball match play, to alternate shot!

Weekly dinner and drink specials will follow.

John’s lesson book is ready for bookings. Call the Golf Shop (701.588.4669) to schedule a lesson to start the season right!

David wood Superintendent This year’s golf course opening marks the third year in a row for playing in the month of March. With the early opening, it is important that we follow some golf course etiquette rules to help the turf out before a busy season.

• • •

Please replace all your divots on par 3 tee boxes and in fairways. Place the sod in the divot and press down with your foot. The sod piece will not dry out if replaced immediately.

Please keep your golf carts on the cart paths to prevent the thinning of grass.

As always, fix all ball marks and rake sand bunkers.

Landscapes Unlimited will start mobilizing staff and equipment in April to resume phase two of construction. Their main focus this spring will be construction, drainage, and irrigation. We welcome them back so they can continue to transform the north holes into a playable golf course.

This past month, our Assistant Superintendent, Ben Arvidson, accepted the lead Superintendent position at Koronis Hills Golf Club in Paynesville, Minnesota. Ben had been with Oxbow for three years and we wish him and his family continued success.

I am happy to announce the hiring of Jesse Lunde as our new Assistant. Jesse had previously worked at Oxbow in 2012 and 2013. He then went on to work at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine for several years and Moorhead Country Club. Jesse will be starting the first week of April and is excited to join the Oxbow team.

See you on the course, David Wood