MESA VERDE C O U N T R Y
C L U B
T H E C O N N E C T I O N / M A RC H 2 0 1 8
MESA VERDE CC PRESENTS
N I R SP
L L O S D & S Y U G G
k c o r Sham
e l b m a h S
Sunday, March 25th 1: 00 P M S H OTG UN S TA R T
F or m at: Two Be s t Ba l l s of Fo u r / Sh a mb l e s $ 80. 00 pe r cou pl e , i n cl u de s t u r n s n a ck , di n n e r & p r i ze s Re g i strati on D ea dl i n e : Fr i day, M a r ch 2 3 a t n o o n Re g i strat i o n i s o p e n o n Fo r eTe e s , r e g i ste r a s co u p l e s o r fo u r s o me s .
FROM THE CLUB PRESIDENT All systems are go at Mesa Verde Country Club! Demolition is finally underway, and our temporary facilities are rapidly being established. We, as a Membership,
3000 Club House Rd., Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (714) 549-0377 - Tel.
Board
of
are excited about the renovation projects currently taking shape and redeveloping our beautiful Club. It has been a long process to get to this point and we are sure
Directors
Paul Lunsford – Club President Rob Stratton – Vice President Doug Sturgess – Treasurer Michael Kelso – Secretary Steve Check Kevin Coleman Ken King Mark Law John Yeager
S ta f f General Manager
Controller
(714) 617-3311 P at r i c i a S m i t h
psmith@mesaverdecc.com
(714) 617-3312
Asst. Controller
Quiana Ramos
q@mesaverdecc.com
(714) 617-3318
M e mb e r R e l a t i o n s M g r .
kball@mesaverdecc.com
In recent months, the Board and Management have noticed a decline in new Membership interest. We attribute this to the time of year and the pending construction to be the main reason why prospective Members are taking the approach of “wait and see.” The Membership Committee and Board have discussed various options to drive Membership and deliberated over all the positives and negatives of each of the possibilities. The current sales list has also been discussed, as well as the ideal positioning of the Club upon reopening. The Board has therefore agreed to release the current initiation fee of $30,000
Jeremy Samson
jsamson@mesaverdecc.com
to be through this construction phase quickly.
K at e B a l l
(714) 617-3316
to create an urgency for prospective Members to buy a Membership now during our construction phase. I am asking all Current Club Members to get involved and promote our Club! If you are a current Jr. Golf Member or Social Member and considering changing your Membership to Equity Golf, now is the time to act! Our Club is refocusing our Members’ efforts to recommend friends, family, business colleagues and acquaintances to take a look at Mesa Verde Country Club! Our current vetting process for new Members will remain the same during this time. We are proudly
D av i d D o n n e l ly
endorsing the ‘One and Done’ Membership Drive to remind us all, that it is our
ddonnelly@mesaverdecc.com (714) 617-3348
responsibility as Club Members, to recommend at least one new Member to
F&B Director
F&B Manager
M a r ya n n R a mm
mramm@mesaverdecc.com Executive Chef
(714) 617-3334 Chris Chun
cchun@mesaverdecc.com C at e r i n g / S o c i a l E v e n t s
ncapp@mesaverdecc.com
(714) 617-3324 N i c o l e C a pp
(714) 617-3326
the Club. Have someone in mind? Then call Kate and arrange your prospective Members complimentary tee-time. Once they are approved for Membership, then you and the incoming Member will each receive a monthly credit of $150 for 12 months. It is vitally important to the health of our Club to have a strong demand for Membership, even more so during our construction phase. With our Clubhouse
H e i d i W r i g h t -T e n n y s o n
renovated and the new Greens expected to be back in excellent condition within
hwtennyson@mesaverdecc.com (714) 617-3331
no time, we should be able to significantly increase our Club’s notability and raise
Head Golf Pro
Head Tennis Pro
Randy Myers
rmyers@mesaverdecc.com
(714) 617-3344
Course Superintendent
R o b e rt G lu c k
bobg@mesaverdecc.com
(714) 549-3963
Facilities Maint. Dir.
Jeff Menchinger
jmenchinger@mesaverdecc.com (714) 617-3335 Course Hotline
(714) 549-5961
our Club up to the next level.
Paul Lunsford Club President
M EM B ER FE AT UR E
Meet Paul Lunsford Name:
Paul Lunsford
Residence: Newport Beach Occupation: VP/ General Manager
South Coast Toyota
Years at MVCC: 11 Years
Mesa Verde Country Club President, Paul Lunsford didn’t take to golf at first, but a found past time between father and son grew to a passion many of us know and love. We sat down with Paul for a Q&A on how he picked up the game, what he loves about Mesa Verde, and more.
HOW/WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING GOLF? WHAT
WHAT ARE YOU FAVORITE MEMORIES OF MVCC?
DREW YOU TO THE SPORT? My favorite memories from Mesa Verde are far too many to My first attempt to play golf was disastrous. I went to high
enumerate, I have made some incredible friends with whom
school in Hawaii and the school offered a million different
I have played a lot of great rounds of golf with, both here and
great PE classes including surfing which was my true passion
away. Beyond that, I would say I have greatly enjoyed the
at the time. When I sat down to sign up for my class schedule I
camaraderie of Thursday Team Play, which turns an individual
tried to pick that one first but was informed that it was already
game into one of the best team pursuits ever. I adore our
full, I selected 4 or 5 other classes only to be told that they too
Member/Guest tournament as I find it to be one of the best of
were full. At that point, I said let’s try this a different way, “why
any I have ever been blessed to play in. I have yet to win the
don’t you tell me what is still available and I will choose from
tournament but have been close a time or two, once managing
one of those”. I was told they had ping pong and golf, I said I
to “snatch defeat from the jaws of victory” losing to Mike
will definitely take ping pong... she punched her computer a
Greer & his partner in a one-hole playoff!
time or two more only to tell me that ping pong had just filled up and my only choice was golf. The way golf worked as a PE class was they put us out on the football field, which bordered
ANY LIFE LESSONS LEARNED FROM PLAYING GOLF?
on the parking lot of the University of Hawaii, with ten golf balls and we started hitting chips - which were actually going
One of the reasons I love golf is I find it to be very analogous
along pretty well.
to life: There is a clearly defined set of rules that everyone that truly plays the game are subject to live by. The game owes
After a week or two, they gave us all a couple of tees and a
you nothing other than it guarantees everyone fairness in
driver and told us to have at it. My very first swing was a
opportunity every time one tees it up, yet makes no promises
mighty rip indeed! Unfortunately, I immediately discovered
as to fairness in results. I find just as in life, the harder I work
what was then and is still now my miss… a big hot hook which
the better I tend to do, yet I’ve also found that even if you do
flew directly into the parking lot smashing the windshield of
everything right you can still end up not having it all work out
one of the cars.
the way you had hoped! On a rare occasion you can make a bad decision or hit a bad shot and have it all come together but
I headed off to my next class only to be directed to the
again it is a rarity to be sure.
principal’s office where I was informed that I was responsible for the broken windshield, and further told that I would be
Lastly, I have heard it said that golf “builds character”. A
required to pay for it! As a 15-year-old kid with no money I
concept I don’t really subscribe to, I think rather than building
had no option but to protest that decision, I told him that it
character, golf affords one a great venue to see if you have any!
wasn’t on me, in that I never wanted to play golf, was forced into it and as such could not be held responsible for the fact that I stunk at it! The next day I was put in the ping pong class
DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY AT MVCC.
and didn’t pick up a club for another 10 years or so. My perfect day at Mesa Verde has yet to happen, but will I got back into it with my Dad who was a good player, and
hopefully occur this year. I would like nothing more than to
coupled with my desire to hang out with him, golf proved to be
hoist the SCGA Team Play Trophy in the air surrounded by my
a perfect avenue with which to do so. What I wouldn’t give to
fellow friends & teammates in honor of the club I love most,
be able to play one more round with that old boy! I fell in love
Mesa Verde Country Club, and in tribute to our mutual friend
with the game from there, and it has truly been my passion
and teammate I miss seeing on the links a lot (David Brokaw)!
since… word to the wise, however: keep an eye out if you’re on my left side as that “hot hook” does jump out of the bag from time to time!
FROM THE RED TEES BY KRISTINE MORRIS Club House construction and development of our temporary greens has begun! Along with this, the WGA has a very busy schedule until the middle of April in order to get most of our tournaments completed. The final round of our President’s Cup has been played……. Winners to be announced in April’s Red Tees. Our Winter Eclectic tournament was completed on February 13th, our Club Championship will be played on March 6th, 8th and 9th, and our first Team match will be on March 29th. A BUSY schedule!!!
EVENTS
NEWS
Congratulations go to Carol Alred for being January’s Most Improved Golfer of the Month. Her index went from 13.1 to 11.5, a 12% improvement. Well done! Congratulations also go to Kim Izzi for making a hole-in-one on #12 on January 23rd!!!!
WINTER ECLECTIC
EVENTS:
As Clubhouse construction had not begun, we had a Guest Day on Tuesday, January 30th. The golf format was Two Best Balls, Gross and Net. Golf was followed by lunch in the Tony Lema Room. Many thanks to Carol Alred for organizing this event. The Winners were: Gross: 1st Place - Tami McGreevy, Melissa Hannigan, Kim Izzi, Danna King 2nd Place - Linda Patton, Nicole Middaugh, Natalie King, Margot Fris 3rd Place - Izumi Sueoka, Janice Shallin, Sally Holstein, Karen Knoche Net: 1st Place - Carol Alred, Denise Whitt, Molly Chapman, Linda Archer 2nd Place - Leslie Szeto, Linda Rhyne, Cristina Perez, Ruth Tucker 3rd Place - Lupe Short, Terry Rismon, Sharon Stellrecht, Linda Mosard Our Winter Eclectic Tournament was played on February 6th and 13th. 40 ladies participated in this event so the field was divided into 4 flights. As the last day of play also coincided with meeting day, golf was followed by a delicious lunch, our meeting and then the presentation of awards. And the winners were: 1st FLIGHT Gross - 1st-Ellen Stewart, 2nd-Kim Izzi, 3rd- Sally Holstein Net - 1st-Kitty Drake, 2nd-Carol Alred, 3rd-Alicia Waterhouse 2nd FLIGHT Gross - 1st-Susan Billard, 2nd-Diane Williamson, 3rd-Kathy Taylor Net - 1st-Tami McGreevy, 2nd-Kristine Morris, 3rd-Maggie Choice 3rd FLIGHT Gross - 1st-Mary Rhorer, 2nd-Theresa Waller, 3rd-Dannelle Peterson Net - 1st-Karen Potter, 2nd-Shirley Teng, 3rd-Chie Wickham 4th FLIGHT Gross - 1st-Joy Connors, 2nd-Suzy Bunnell, 3rd-Mary Byers Net - 1st-Connie Robertson, 2nd-Rhochelle Wiktorski, 3rd-Dana Amari
Gross Winners: Ellen Stewart, Mary Rhorer, Joy Connors, Susan Billard
Net Winners: Keren Potter, Connie Robertson, Kitty Drake, Tami McGreevy
HEIDI WRIGHT-TENNYSON, PGA HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL
All Demo/Fitting Days below run from 10:00am-3:00pm:
Wow, February was a fast month! Thanks to all for the warm greetings my first month on the ground and for the wonderful welcome reception. It has been a great month getting to know many of you, the golf operations staff and the entire MVCC team. We have been busy creating programs, booking demo days, merchandising, and preparing for upcoming events. Stay up to date with activities by reading the Daily News and the ForeTees Home Page. We will offer one-hour complimentary golf clinics in March on Tuesdays from 10:00-11:00am and Thursdays from 12:00-1:00pm. These clinics are open to adults interested in learning the game or are still new to the game. Each class is limited to 12 students. Registration is live on ForeTees or call the Golf Shop, 714-549-0522. Save the date of Friday, April 6 to join Heidi, Mike, James & Tim on the driving range for a two-hour demonstration clinic. This is a great opportunity to meet your instructors and have some fun. More information coming soon, but it will be held later in the afternoon. The following are upcoming Demo and Fitting Days. Please join us on the driving range to try the newest equipment from top manufacturers. If you want a personal fitting, please book an appointment on ForeTees or call the Golf Shop. If you purchase new equipment, we do accept your tradeins! The amount we receive from PGA Value Guide is applied as credit towards your purchase. On the tournament front, best of luck to the members competing in the WGA Club Championship and the Senior Club Championship. Breathe deeply and make those birdies! Stay tuned for complete information for the March 25 Spring Guys & Dolls event and the March 28 Member-Guest Day. The Al Wells Championship will not be played this year due to the course renovations. Congratulations to Thursday Team Play for making the playoffs, good luck. I want to thank my entire golf operations team for their dedication to creating exceptional member experiences and for helping me with my transition to MVCC! Yours in golf & service, Heidi Wright-Tennyson, PGA “PRACTICE like you’ve never PERFORM like you’ve never lost.”
won,
Friday, March 16
Friday, March 23
(Fitting Day only, must book an appointment)
Thursday, March 29 & Friday, March 30
Wednesday, April 11
(Fitting Day only, must book an appointment)
Friday, May 25
UPCOMING EVENTS: March Meeting Day will be on Tuesday, March 13th. There will be an 8:30 shotgun start for golf, followed by lunch and our meeting. Sign up in the Ladies Lounge, on ForeTees or in the Pro Shop. The WGA Club Championship will be held on March 6th, 8th and 9th. There will be three days of play for the Championship Flight while the other flight will only play on the 6th and 9th. Please note that our rain date will be on March 13th. Kim Izzi is our defending Champion! Please note this date change! The Spring Guys and Dolls Tournament will be held on Sunday, March 25th, not on March 11. Find your playing partners now and plan on participating.
TACOS & TIEBREAKER TENNIS TOURNAMENT March 17 9:30AM - 1:00PM Tiebraker tournament starts 9:30am Lunch at Noon on the Patio $30 for tennis and lunch
TENNIS
FROM THE CHEF:
RANDY MYERS HEAD TENNIS PRO It’s that time of year again when you should consider bringing your racquet in and having it restrung and regripped if it has been awhile since you have had that done! The rule of thumb is to restring your racquet as many times in the year as you play in the week. So if you play once a week you should restring once a year, twice a week twice a year etc. The high performance strings that are made for today’s racquets will go dead after a period of time and they lose their elasticity! When you restring your racquet you will feel a huge difference in power and your racquet will play fresh and fun and new again! The tension that you would select for your string job varies with the level of player using it. Beginning to intermediate players should try to keep the tension of their strings tighter because it will give them more control but less power. The higher level players can experiment more with less tension because it will give them more power but less control. At any rate Andy and I can help you make a decision on what string to use and what tension to string it at. While you are at it you should consider having a new grip put on your racquet for added comfort and grip.
I can’t tell you how thrilled my team and I are that the renovation is under way and we are that much closer to a new kitchen. I am confident the next coming months will go by fast and that before we know it, we will be in our new home. In the meantime, I think that the membership should have fun with the temporary facilities and many small events that we are planning for you. We look forward to seeing you in the near future and thank you for your support and understanding during this time.
Randy
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH: Ray Hanson
AFTERNOON JUNIOR CLINICS Spring After School Tennis Clinics start March 8 from 4 - 5pm $100 Members | $130 Guests for 8 the weeks
Congratulations to Ray Hanson for being named MVCC Employee of the Month! Ray has been a member of the Golf Ops Team since 2012 on and off through his professional baseball career as a pitcher with the Angels. Ray joined the outside services team full time last year in addition to coaching Long Beach Wilson baseball. His caring and thoughtful attitude, along with his hard work ethic, are evident to everyone. He leads by example and gives a helping hand across all departments to assist in exceptional member experiences. Thank you, Ray!
M EM B E R FEAT UR E
Meet the Norys Name:
Phil and Christy Nor ys
Residence: Newport Beach Occupation: Retired Ph il ow n ed, o perate d , an d re t i re d f rom Seeley Br o s . , a Comme rc i al A rc h i te c t u ral Millwo r k , D o o r F rame an d H ard ware co m pa ny. C h r is t y re t i re d f rom P Y L U S D a s a n In clu s io n Aide for Au t i s t i c Ch i ld re n .
Years at MVCC : 3 Months
One of Mesa Verde Country Club’s newest members, Phil and Christy Norys are taking retirement in stride. A recent move to the coast, Mesa Verde’s competitive and beautifully maintained golf course, paired with a welcoming and friendly membership sealed the deal on where they are going to spend their golden years.
T H E
HOW/WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING GOLF? WHAT DREW YOU TO THE SPORT? Phil has been playing golf since he was a child, where his father taught him the game. We were members at Hacienda Golf Club for 15 years, and Yorba Linda Country Club for 6
S M O K E R I S
B A C K !
years with our two daughters, before moving to the coast. WHAT WAS YOUR DECIDING FACTOR FOR JOINING MVCC? WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THE CLUB? Now that we are living in the beach community and have the
W E D N E S DAY , M A RC H 2 8 $85.00 PER PLAYER INCLUDES LUNCH, TOURNAMENT, CARTS, DINNER & PRIZES
11:15AM LUNCH BEGINS
opportunity to play the local clubs, we felt MVCC was the best
1:00PM SHOTGUN START
golf course. From the day we arrived as preview members, the
DINNER AND AWARDS FOLLOWING PLAY
club appeared to be very social with lots of participation from the members. The club staff members; from the golf shop and outside services, restaurant staff, and membership team, were very inviting and made us feel at home. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE COURSE?
FORMAT: FOUR-BALL STROKE PLAY / FLIGHTED PRIZES FOR GROSS AND NET CURRENT HANDICAP
Standing on the new tee boxes on number 9, looking down the fairway toward the Club House, and turning to look up the 2nd fairway, is Phil’s favorite spot. We both enjoy the large practice area and how well it is maintained. WHAT LIFE LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM GOLF AND BEING A CLUB MEMBER? Camaraderie, lasting friendships, etiquette, and being fortunate in a partnership with other members taking care of our golf course for our members, families and friends to enjoy. There’s a great sense of pride at Mesa Verde Country Club. DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY AT MVCC. Phil’s perfect day consists of arriving to the Club and meeting up with the guys, throwing the balls up to determine the pairings, being introduced to new people, playing a solid round of golf, and sitting at a table in the men’s grill comparing your game with your buddies over a beverage of choice. For
REGISTER YOU AND YOUR GUEST ON FORETEES
myself [Christy] it’s meeting new friends, being a part of the
OR CALL THE GOLF SHOP, 714-549-0522
community and trying to get through 18 holes of golf, with a
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, MARCH 23RD AT NOON
decent score.
Welcome Reception for Heidi Wright-Tennyson MVCC’s New Head Golf Professional Members filled the club on Friday, February 16th to welcome our new Head Golf Professional, Heidi Wright-Tennyson. Chef Chris and his culinary team laid out a great South Carolina spread, complete with signature South Carolina style pulled pork BBQ. Jeremy Samson announced Mesa Verde’s newest tradition to toast Club celebrations, an omage to famed golfer Tony Lema, by popping champagne.
ONE d anN E O D Did you know? If you refer a NEW Member to the Club, you’ll receive a monthly credit to your account for 12 months. Monthly credits are either $150 for new golf Member or $40 for new social Member. There is no limit to the amount of credits you can receive. What is ‘One and Done?’ We are asking all Members to refer at least one new Member to the Club. If you can refer more, even better! Once you’ve referred one new Member, then you’re done! It’s that easy. Have a potential Member in mind? Contact Kate Ball, Membership Director, to take care of your greens fee and then schedule your game. For social Members, Kate will reserve your complimentary lunch at the Club. Not sure about asking your friends? Share with them your updates on social media telling them of the changes happening at your Club. They’ll be happy to hear from you! Think that you don’t know anyone? You can still help. We are very interested in creating a local ‘Corporate Out Reach’ program and looking for suggestions on who and where to contact. Let us know if you have an idea or suggestion for connecting to the local area. We are proud to announce the ‘One and Done’ program and ask you to be involved and proudly endorse your Club! Kate Ball – Membership Director – 714-617-3316 – Kate@mesaverdecc.com
WELCOME TO THE CLUB
NEW MEMBERS
FREDDIE MILLS Jr. Golf Member Sponsored by: Ryan Gale and Dai Phung
JOHN DOBROTT Social Member Sponsored by: Steve Mensinger and Jim Righeimer
LARRY KERWIN Social Member Sponsored by: Francis Crinella and Rich Wheeler
MVCC HISTORY Champagne Tony Lema It was in 1962 at Mesa Verde Country Club during the Orange County Open (now the Toshiba Classic) that “Champagne Tony� Lema earned his famous nickname. After a winless streak on the tour and almost broke, Lema joked that he would serve champagne to the press if he won the tournament. To this day, Mesa Verde Country Club continues to celebrate this iconic tradition and by raising a glass in his honor.
Valentine’s Dinner
MVCC PRESENTS
S U N D A Y st
april 1
adults $25
r e t s a e
t n u h sunday
kids6-12) ( 5 $1
kids $5
(under 5)
bounce house - horse carriage rides - petting zoo - BALLOONS ON THE DRIVING RANGE 1 : 0 0 pm H UN T | OUTDOO R ACT IVIT IES 9 :3 0 AM - 2 :3 0 P M
egg decorating - face painting - pictures with easter bunny ME MBER SIG NATURE BA R , M I M O SAS, BLOO DY M A RY’S CONT I NE NTAL BREAKFAST ; DON U TS, M U FFI N S, CO FFE E & H OT CH OCOL ATE DRE SS CODE: CL UB CASUA L (PLEASE DRESS WITH OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN MIND) 48-HOUR CA N CE LL ATI O N PO LI CY RESERVATIONS ARE R E Q U I R E D A N D CA N BE M A D E ONL INE, OR BY CA LLI N G M E M BE R SE RV I CE S.