Newsette - February 2012

Meridian Hills Country Club

Newsette www.meridianhillscc.org

February 2012

IN THIS ISSUE - Meet Jessica Bex page 3 Membership Director - Meet Steve Roper General Manager

page 4

- Winter Activities

page 5

- Indoor Putting Championship

page 7

Meridian Hills Country Club - Indianapolis, Indiana

President’s Message Board of Directors Chris Seger President Dan Baker Secretary Bob Zoccola Vice President Jeff Cristee Haydon Hapak Todd Hillman Jim Litten William E. Smith III Ken Stella Jim Powers Treasurer Jim Zoccola Legal Counsel

Management Team Stephen G. Roper, CCM General Manager Ludo Aaron Head Tennis Professional Jack Barber Head Golf Professional Jessica Bex Membership Director Rhonda Daly Assistant Banquet Manager Craig Gasaway Banquet Manager Ashley Goldman Communications Coordinator Jim Hess Golf Course Superintendent Kelly Letzler Catering Coordinator Joe Miller Executive Chef Jan Pyritz Accounting Manager

The Club is open and the foundation is set for an exciting year at Meridian Hills.

After a short break for some well deserved time off for the staff and downtime to tackle several projects, the Club is now back in full swing. Many of the projects completed this year are not visible to the Members but were very important. One such example is a long needed roof repair at a cost of close to $90,000 which is now complete.

Roper is ready.

Steve Roper, our new General Manager, has relocated to Indianapolis and is fully engaged in his new leadership role.

Chris Seger Steve has already made his first critical new hire by recruiting Club President Jessica Bex as our new Membership Director. Expanding our membership base is a must for 2012 and an area where Steve, Jessica and the Membership Committee will place significant energy this year.

We need your help.

Just like in college basketball, recruiting is critical to success in the club business.

Please give special attention to the Select Partner Program being launched this month by the Membership Committee. Please remember that friends attract friends and that Members are our best source of advertising.

The Board is committed to protecting our Club.

Incidents of theft have unfortunately been on the rise at Meridian Hills over the past few years. Thankfully, these incidents have only been asset related and primarily focused on car break-ins. Action by the Club is needed. A security consultant has been hired and a safety committee has been formed to determine the appropriate proactive actions. This important decision must balance security effectiveness, member convenience and cost. The Board is committed to taking action in this area in the next 90 days.

Yes, it is winter but there is still so much to do at the Club.

Unless you are wintering elsewhere, there’s no excuse not to come to the Club several times this month. Come hit golf balls in the new inside nets, if it ever gets cold enough… put on some skates or cross country skis. The Couples Indoor Miniature Golf and Bingo nights will be a blast, and if you don’t want to work out or play paddle then book a massage or stop by Bogey’s for a drink and or dinner.

I hope your 2012 is off to a great start and I look forward to addressing you again next month,

Meridian Hills Country Club 7099 Spring Mill Road Indianapolis, Indiana 46260 317.255.2496

2 February 2012

www.meridianhillscc.org

Membership Update

Dear Members, Just when you think up fun ways to survive a brutal, snowy, Indiana Winter, that’s the year Winter forgets to show up. However, there are still several reasons to celebrate the Club now that it is re-open. First, we have two new faces to greet us when we walk through the doors.

Our new General Manager, Steve Roper, and our new Membership Director, Jessica Bex. Both Steve and Jessica bring a wealth of ideas and fresh perspectives on how to enhance the membership experience. I hope you take a moment to welcome them when you are next at the Club, as I know they are eager to learn your names and faces as well.

The Club is also busy with a number of events such as the Super Bowl Brunch from 10am – 2pm on Sunday, February 5 and the Valentine’s Dinner on Saturday, February 11. As always, events like these are opportunities to bring a guest who may be interested in knowing more about Meridian Hills.

Erica Mobasser

Membership Committee Chairman

Finally, even on the coldest, grayest days, you can always enjoy a massage with our new masseuse, or work on your swing in the indoor practice area.

Stay warm and dry. I hope you all take an opportunity to explore what is new and improved around the Club, and to enjoy those things that haven’t changed, but always make you want to come back.

WELCOME JESSICA BEX Membership Director The importance of maintaining and growing the membership at Meridian Hills has been and always will be a top priority for the club. That alone affects many areas of the club’s sustainability and bottom line, and with a fresh perspective on how that will continue to grow, we welcome new Membership Director Jessica Bex to Meridian Hills.

Bex is originally from Greenwood and a graduate of Ball State #9 at The Pete Dye Course at University, and she joins the MHCC staff bringing 17 years of sales French Lick and marketing experience to her new position. Part of her previous Scuba Diving in Maui experience includes areas within the golf industry, such as regional selling for The Golf Channel. But most importantly, she wants her background to be able to provide new ideas and approaches toward sustaining and attracting new members for the club.

“What excites me the most is that I will be able to put my outside-sales side to use in a different kind of position with similar goals,” Bex said. “I think I can bring a different perspective to the way we attract members and also be more strategic and proactive in recruiting new members.”

For Bex, one of the main focal points from the get-go will be developing and cultivating relationships with the current membership in order to feel the personality, character, and types of people that are the right fit for Meridian Hills. She will also be getting started quickly on the launch of the new Partner Program.

Most of Bex’s family is still in Greenwood, including her mother, two sisters and their Jessica & niece, Maisy husbands, and her 7-year-old niece, Maisy, whom she enjoys spoiling every now and then.

She started playing golf in college due to sales and envisioning that many business deals would be conducted on the course, which is how she eventually ended up attracted to the golf industry as a profession. More of Bex’s hobbies include traveling, running, playing tennis, and a recent start with racquetball.

We are proud to have Ms. Jessica Bex bringing her energy, enthusiasm, and new ideas to the role of Membership Director.

3 www.meridianhillscc.org February 2012

Membership Update Meridian Hills Welcomes New General Manager, Steve Roper

The end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012 has been a period of continued growth for Meridian Hills, leading to the recent hiring and introduction of the club's new General Manager, Mr. Steve Roper. Roper joins the team bearing vast experience in the industry and is excited about bringing a new set of eyes and fresh ideas to this position.

"I'm ready to dig myself into a new opportunity, both for me personally and for Meridian Hills" Roper said. "It's an impressive facility with great people and blessed with a prime Steve Roper, CCM location in the city. I'm looking forward to collaborating with the staff and finding new ways General Manager to help improve all of the aspects of the club. I am impressed by the tenure and strength of the staff here and excited to be a leader of this team. I want to be the glue that brings together all of the departments."

Roper prides himself on leading by example, being hands on and stressing team work from top to bottom.

Between the employees, the Board and the members, Roper says he does not demand people's respect - he desires to earn it.

With four children, the youngest of which recently graduated from the University of South Carolina, Roper has spent his entire career in the club business in the Southeast. He is an old-fashioned success story in the sense of starting at the bottom and working his way up. Roper began as a bartender at a private club before being promoted to bar manager and eventually Assistant G.M. by the age of 23. From there, he spent 9 years at Club Corporation of America in Atlanta. He is very proud of his extensive training and expertise in dining service and food & beverage, which grew exponentially at Club Corporation.

Roper has been the General Manager at six different clubs over his 30-plus year career - most recently at Spring Island Club in the Hilton Head area. Spring Island is a 3,000-acre, high-end club with amenities ranging from an equestrian facility, to chartered fishing trips, to golf and fitness. Prior to that, he spent eight years at The Standard Club, an extremely prestigious and well-respected facility in the Atlanta area. He has seen all angles of the business which will lead to continued growth and new ideas at Meridian Hills.

From the onset, Roper wants to focus on two main objectives: Enhancing the member and guest experience, and energizing and growing the membership base. He believes those two actions feed off of each other, and that an energized membership will always be a top priority for the club. These results affect one of his main roles as G.M., which is to make sure Meridian Hills continues to be financially strong.

"We want to take member experience up a notch and we want to do some things differently with guest experience," Roper said. "When members bring their guests to Meridian Hills, they should do so being very proud of what is theirs and really be able to make an impression on their guests with our service and attention to detail. The guests we have are always potential members and that's the way we have to approach it."

When he is not working, Roper enjoys several areas of interest including a vast background with wine and being judge at numerous regional and national wine competitions. He is also very active with fitness and health as he visits the gym five days a week.

Please welcome Mr. Steve Roper to the MHCC family.

4 February 2012

www.meridianhillscc.org

Upcoming Winter Events

5 February 2012

www.meridianhillscc.org

Upcoming Golf Events &News

Indoor Practice Facility Meridian Hills will have an indoor practice facility set-up in the Suites A, B, C is NOW OPEN Practice Facility will include: • 2- 10 by 10 hitting nets • 2- 7 by 7 hitting mats • Balls will be available for all users • Open to all MHCC Members • Please make sure you have adequate room to swing • All club damage is responsible by the member.

MHCC is not responsible for any damage caused to the club or other individuals.

• The indoor practice facility will be closed Feb. 14th, 18th, & the 25th.

Instruction available upon request, please call on of your golf professional if you would like to set up a lesson this winter.

-Jack Barber (317) 319-6422 – cell phone

-Michael Bembenick (574) 274-0057 – cell phone

-Scott Nitowski (812) 325-0557 – cell phone

Golf Shop News

The Golf Shop will be CLOSED. We will re-open March 1, 2011. The Golf Schedule will be sent out March 1st as well.

If you need anything please contact the Member Services Desk.

Congratulations to Michael Bembenick He was awarded the 2011 Assistant Golf Professional of the Year for the State of Indiana.

Michael has worked very hard over his 2 years at Meridian Hills. Michael has a wealth of teaching knowledge and his passion for the game of golf is second to none. We congratulate him on winning this outstanding award.

New in 2012

The Short Course at Meridian Hills To engage a large portion of our membership that doesn’t play golf the golf shop is proposing to put in 1 set of short tees on all 18 holes. These sets would range from 35 yards to 150 yards. These shorter distances will hopefully promote some of our non-golfing husbands or wives, and help promote our already healthy junior program. We have to come up with new and exciting ways to get more people playing golf and this is one way where we can hopefully get some new golfers addicted to the game.

We know that time restrains are becoming a major factor for our younger membership so a short course will hopefully allow couples and/or families with non regular golfing members to enjoy our wonderful golf course. *Scorecards will be available in the golf shop. *Tee Markers will be in each fairway Distances

-Par 3’s 25-40 yards

-Par 4’s 80-120 yards

-Par 5’s 140-160 yards 6 www.meridianhillscc.org February 2012

Upcoming Golf Events &News MHCC INDOOR PUTTING CHAMPIONSHIP Saturday, March 3rd 2012 Drinks & Hors D’oeuvres at 6:30pm Golf will begin at 7:30pm with a shotgun start

• 18 fun and exciting holes throughout the entire clubhouse • Open to all MHCC members • Adults Only, No Children • Variety of formats for Individual and Couples • Guests are welcome • Food Stations & Adult beverages stations will be set-up throughout clubhouse

Sign up through receptionist at the front desk @ 255-2496. You may sign up as a 2some or 4-some and pro shop will pair.

Entry Fee: $45 per person

7 February 2012

www.meridianhillscc.org

Golf News Mark Your Calendar - 2012 Dates Saturday, March 3rd Indoor Putting Championship 7:30pm Shotgun Thursday, April 12th Men’s Par 3 Tournament 3pm Shotgun Tuesday, April 24th 18 Hole Ladies Opening Day 9am Shotgun *Wednesday, April 25th Men’s Opening Day W/ Dinner 1pm Shotgun Thursday, April 26th 9 Hole Ladies Opening Day 9am Shotgun *Saturday, May 12th Men’s ABCD W/ Lunch 8:30 Shotgun Wednesday, June 6th First Day of Junior Golf Friday & Saturday, June 8th & 9th Men’s Sr. Club Championship Thursday, June 14th Men’s Member/Guest W/ Lunch & Dinner *Friday, June 22nd Men’s Member/Member 1pm Shotgun *Saturday, June 23rd Men’s Member/Member 8:30 Shotgun Wednesday, July 4th Holiday Tee Times from 7am – 3 pm Thursday, July 12th Timberman Classic Friday, July 13th Timberman Classic Saturday, July 14th Timberman Classic Friday, July 27th PGA Shootout

-Sponsored by Barnes & Thornburg & The Shelbourne Knee Clinic *Saturday, July 28th The Merger W/ Lunch 8:30am Shotgun Wednesday, August 1st Last Day of Junior Golf *Saturday, August 4th 1st Day of Club Championship Tee Times *Sunday, August 5th 2nd Day of Club Championship Tee Times Monday, August 6th Indiana PGA Assistants Championship Tuesday, August 7th Indiana PGA Assistants Championship *Saturday, August 11th Men’s Club Championship Semifinals *Sunday, August 12th Men’s Club Championship Finals *Saturday, August 25th Men’s Golf Event Sunday, August 26th Mr. & Mrs. Championship Thursday, August 30th WSGA Women’s Mid-Am 8am Wednesday, September 12th Men’s Hole in One Outing 1pm Shotgun *Friday, September 21st Men’s Season Long Shootout 1:30 pm Tuesday, September 25th 18 Hole Ladies Closing Day 9am Shotgun *Wednesday, September 26th Men’s Closing Day W/ Dinner 1pm Shotgun Thursday, September 27th 9 Hole Ladies Closing Day 9am Shotgun Saturday, November 10th Toughman Challenge Noon Shotgun

*Men’s Golf Event Covered in Season Long Package

8 February 2012

www.meridianhillscc.org

February 2012 SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Meridian Hills Country Club WEDNESDAY 1 Pasta Night: Chicken Picatta

THURSDAY 2

3

FRIDAY Friday Night Prime Rib Buffet

SATURDAY 4

Couples Night Out 5

Superbowl Brunch 10am - 2pm (no a la carte)

6

Clubhouse Closed

No Sunday Dinner Service 12

Sunday Breakfast Buffet 10am - 2pm (no a la carte)

Sunday Breakfast Buffet 10am - 2pm (no a la carte)

13

Clubhouse Closed

Sunday Breakfast Buffet 10am - 2pm (no a la carte) No Sunday Dinner Service

Pasta Night: Cheese Manicotti

14

20

Clubhouse Closed

21

15

Pasta Night: Shrimp Diablo

Clubhouse Closed

28

10 Friday Night Prime Rib Buffet

11 Valentine’s Day Dinner

16

17 Friday Night Prime Rib Buffet

18

24 Friday Night Prime Rib Buffet

25

Couples Night Out 22

Pasta Night: Lasagna

Limited Dinner Menu Only 27

9

Couples Night Out

Limited Dinner Menu Only

No Sunday Dinner Service 26

8

Limited Dinner Menu Only

No Sunday Dinner Service 19

7

23 Bingo Night

Couples Night Out 29

Fiesta Night *Leap Year*

Limited Dinner Menu Only

*Couples Night Out* Childcare Provided from 6pm - 9pm

Visit www.meridianhillscc.org for more information about these events

March 2012 SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Meridian Hills Country Club WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY 1

2

*Couples Night Out* Childcare Provided from 6pm - 9pm

FRIDAY Friday Night Prime Rib Buffet

SATURDAY 3

Indoor Golf Championship

Couples Night Out 4

Sunday Breakfast Buffet 10am - 2pm (no a la carte)

5

Clubhouse Closed

6

7

Pasta Night: Cheese Manicotti

Limited Dinner Menu Only 11

Sunday Breakfast Buffet 10am - 2pm (no a la carte)

12

Clubhouse Closed

No Sunday Dinner Service 18

Sunday Breakfast Buffet 10am - 2pm (no a la carte)

19

Clubhouse Closed

Sunday Breakfast Buffet 10am - 2pm (no a la carte) No Sunday Dinner Service

20

14

Pasta Night: Chicken Picatta

Clubhouse Closed

27

Limited Dinner Menu Only

Friday Night Prime Rib Buffet

10

15

16 Friday Night Prime Rib Buffet

17

23 Friday Night Prime Rib Buffet

24

30 Friday Night Prime Rib Buffet

31

Couples Night Out 21

Pasta Night: Shrimp Diablo

22 Bingo Night

Couples Night Out

Limited Dinner Menu Only 26

9

Couples Night Out

Limited Dinner Menu Only

No Sunday Dinner Service 25

13

8

28

Fiesta Night

29

Couples Night Out

Visit www.meridianhillscc.org for more information about these events

Club Hours of Operation Member Services Desk 317.255.2496

Tuesday - Sunday 9:00am - 9:00pm

Golf Pro Shop

317.255.3369

Managers Office 317.255.2497

Tuesday - Sunday 9:00am - 6:00pm

Tennis Pro Shop

Kids Club

317.255.1319

Steve Roper, General Manager gm@mhcc-indy.com

Closed February

317.255.0605

Friday 5:00pm - 8:00pm

*with reservations*

Accounting Office 317.251.3636

Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm Jan Pyritz, Accounting Manager

Fitness Center

Monday - Sunday 6:00am - 9:30pm *Call Fitness by Design at 574-0782 to schedule your MHCC orientation for unlimited access.*

Dining Hours

Lunch

Tuesday - Saturday 11:30am - 2:00pm

Dinner

Tuesday - Saturday 5:30pm - 9:00pm

Breakfast Buffet

Sunday only 10:00am - 2:00pm

Sunday Dinner Closed

*Reservations can be made by calling 255.2496*

Membership 317.860.1556 Jessica Bex, Membership Director

Catering 317.860.1536 Kelly Letzler, Catering Coordinator

WINTER EVENTS Cross Country Skiing Dr. Sitra Tauscher doc_sitra@comcast.net Ice Skating Member Services Desk 317.255.2496 Winter Fitness Rob Hudson 317.506.3488

Massage Therapist Vicky Hensley 317.490.1025 vicky@vickyhensley.com

visit us on the web at www.meridianhillscc.org

11 February 2012

www.meridianhillscc.org