Riverton Country Club | Ripples Fall/Winter Edition by rcc1900

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RIPPLES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

From The President's Desk

General Manager's Message

Riverton Buzz

Brimming with excitement

Membership in numbers

Cheers to Summer & A New Season

Struggling to Hit Fairways & Greens?

Congratulations to Chris McGee

The Golden Age of Golf: Is Now?

Omar's Corner

Chef's Secrets

from the editor As I began working on this edition of Ripples, I noticed an overarching theme and feeling: a deep gratitude for the unwavering support and enthusiasm from you, our Riverton family, and the welcoming of a new season (in both senses of the word).

I recall walking through the clubhouse my first week on the job, taking in the laughter, fellowship, and strong sense of family, and recognizing what a rare and special community RCC is. It was then I coined the phrase that would soon become our famed tagline. "When you're here, you're home"; five words that perfectly embody the profuse feeling members, guests, and staff immediately feel upon walking through the door. You will find that feeling weaved and embedded throughout this edition, and I hope it warms you as it did for me.

I hope you will also find that feeling embodied within our new website. Over the past few months, I've been hard at work creating a new and improved website that conjures the warmth, camaraderie, joy, and authenticity that are the pillars of our Riverton community. Throughout the design process, filming of member testimonials, and even deep dives into the club history, it was apparent that for over a century, Riverton has embraced its rich, storied history while redefining what it means to be a premier family club. A club where the culture and traditions are focused on fostering a warm, exciting community environment, building lifelong friendships, and creating memories to last a lifetime.

So as we usher in this new season, first, let us say thank you for your support and for making our home one we always want to come back to, and second, let us all celebrate this moment together and toast to the many exciting things to come.

Cheers, Casey-Lee Waldron

Home is not where you are from, it is where you belong,

FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK TOM KEARNS

Well, as usual, the summer flew by again, and we've found ourselves gearing up for a very exciting (and hopefully cooler and drier) autumn season. Fall is always some of the best golf here at RCC. First, I'd like to reiterate and further emphasize the entire Board's commitment to continuing our efforts in improving transparent and frequent communication. To look back at the commitments promised in my Ripples article in May, we said we were looking to accomplish: Planning and completion of the Ross Restoration for the golf course Creation of a Facilities Master Plan for our entire campus Present a funding approach for upcoming major capital improvements Continued monitoring of membership growth and utilization Hiring our new Executive Chef I am proud to say that we have completed all of the above items, including the welcome addition of our new Executive Chef, Michael Kim, and you all have overwhelmingly approved our plan for the future success of our club. I thank you sincerely for your support and enthusiasm for these integral initiatives.

As you all have learned by now, I am pleased to once again share with you that we have engaged the architecture firm of Kimmel Bogrette based in Philadelphia for the next phase of our facilities renovations. KDC did a fantastic job getting us through the Master Planning phase, and as we move into the Execution phase, we felt strongly about working with a local partner. Additionally, on the construction management side, we have finalized arrangements to move forward with Pancoast and Clifford (based in West Chester, PA) for the first phase of our patio and golf center renovation.

thank you again for your continued support and belief in our club's continued success You have my promise to keep you all updated along the way as we embark on this exciting new chapter. I thank you again for your continued support and belief in our club's continued success. I look forward to seeing you all around the club, and, as always, please feel free to drop me a note with any ideas or comments.

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GENERAL MANAGER'S MESSAGE

JOE MENDEZ, CCM, CCE

It's hard to believe, but somehow Fall is here, and we are barreling towards an exciting off-season that promises to begin our transformation as an organization. We truly appreciate the support of all of the members in approving our Facilities Master Plan, First Phase Implementation, and completion of the golf course project. I wish I could adequately express our team's excitement about the improvements and what will be an elevated and enhanced member experience. We cannot wait to get started and are energized for what is to come. In addition to the improvements, after much diligent work and thoughtful efforts, we are thrilled to roll out the new club website on November 1st. Along with this will come a new custom branded Riverton Country Club-specific app. On the app, you will be able to make reservations for tee times, court bookings, dining, special events, and even bowling lanes. As we get closer to the release date, keep your eye out for more details on logging into the new suite and downloading the new app. We are happy with the investment we have made into our new technology upgrades, and it has continued to make us better and more efficient. By continuing to invest in our club infrastructure, including club technology, we are ensuring the long-term success of the place we all call home.

Also of note, we recently rolled out the Net Promoter Score surveying module. If you have received a survey, you are well aware of the simplicity of participating. If you have not yet, you can look forward to receiving one soon. The back office automatically randomizes 20% of eligible participants and sends out surveys. Based on the Harvard Business Review Net Promoter Score surveying system, which all major companies in the United States use, the survey has proven to be the best measurement of current customer (in our case, member) satisfaction. It is intentional in asking solely about your last visit, and to be effective and work correctly, we ask you to please respond with an answer based solely on your latest visit to the Club. We will be rolling out the same survey system for golf and plan to implement it next season for the pool and racquets. We sincerely thank you for taking the brief survey, providing constructive feedback, and responding when we reach out to follow up on your review. This survey system will be a vital metric moving forward in determining member satisfaction, improvement, and evaluating the effectiveness of our operations and what needs to change in order to drive this score. I welcome the chance to speak to you further about the surveying system and how we are using it effectively to drive improvements.

Ripples | Page 4

RIVERTON BUZZ

Ripples | Page 5

Brimming with energy, enthusiasm, & excitment Donna surrette

What a summer season we have had here at Riverton! It is always bittersweet to see it come to a close, but you can feel the energy, enthusiasm, and excitement for the new season ahead! We have had an amazing year thus far, and it's warming to see the sense of pride as we begin to implement the first phase of the Facilities Master Plan renovations and improvements. There is no question, a significantly better member experience is on the way! Your unwavering support continues to make Riverton such a special community to be a part of for members and staff alike. Speaking of pride, the club’s success over the summer months into the fall is due in large part to the referrals from so many of you. I have received such incredible support from so many of you, totaling over 80 new member referrals since April. Your loyalty and enthusiasm for growing the place we all call home is touching and appreciated. On that note, please join me in welcoming our newest members from July through September- they are eager to begin their Riverton journies and experience all the fun and camaraderie: Roger & Helene Adams (Haddon Heights) Ron & Denise Gallo (Collingswood) Colin Huntley & Christina Tofani (Cinnaminson) Robert & Julie Plummer (Delran) Brian Gately & Raeya Swope (Philadelphia) Jonathan Petitte & Kelsey Gibson (Palmrya) Kyle Russell & Victoria Sanford (Philadelphia) Christopher & Dina Vassallo (Marlton) Kenneth May & Ghazal Afshar (Cinnaminson) Frank Urbano & Margaret Franger (Cinnaminson) Katie & Steve Boucher (Haddon Heights) George & Michelle Stoffel (Philadelphia) Rosemary & Michael Shea (Cinnaminson) Aaron Stancik & Lauren Kinker (Haddon Twp) Michael & Krystal Beare (Moorestown) Pete & Katie Matlack (Riverton) Stephen & Tracy Foedisch (Riverton) David & Maryann Foster (Riverton) Lindsay Mills & Glenn Smyth (Riverton) Michael & Robin Terreri (Medford) Michael & Lauren Ford (Delran) Michael Jankowski & Elizabeth Blair (Audobon) John & Jill Manz (Cinnaminson) Shawn & June Farrell (Cinnaminson) Brian & Kristin Donnan (Cinnaminson) Harry & Mary Shea (Cinnaminson)

Full Golf Full Golf YP3 YP2 Rest. Int. Rest. Int. Rest. Int. Rest. House House House House House House House House House House House House House House House House House House House

As a friendly reminder, I am thrilled to be continuing our Member Referral Credit program. Please be sure to pass on any prospective members you may know to me. I'm so looking forward to spending a memorable holiday season with you and your families. Cheers to an exciting new season ahead.

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MEMBERSHIP IN NUMBERS Ripples | Page 7

626 134

TOTAL PRIMARY MEMBERS

NEW MEMBERS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS

NET CHANGE IN MEMBERSHIP PAST 12 MONTHS

14.5%

% NET CHANGE IN MEMBERSHIP PAST 12 MONTHS

356 208 62

GOLF MEMBERS (4 AWAY FROM CAP) HOUSE/SOCIAL MEMBERS RESTRICTED GOLF MEMBERS

1817

TOTAL MEMBER HEADCOUNT

AVERAGE AGE OF NEW MEMBERS

AVERAGE AGE OF TOTAL MEMBERSHIP

CHEERS TO SUMMER & A NEW SEASON HANNAH LIBRIZZI

Now that summer is officially behind us, I have had some time to reflect on what a great season we had. It was truly a treat to see our Club so vibrant and active this summer; we are greatly appreciative of all the support you have and continue to show us. As we head into the fall season, our allstar team is looking forward to curating events that provide long-lasting memories for you, your families, and your guests. With the Food & Beverage Team additions of Executive Chef Michael Kim and Dining Room Manager Tyler Zust, we have breathed new life into the F&B department and continue to work tirelessly to improve your dining experience. As always, your constructive feedback is always welcome and wanted. Please know that our staff is working hard to make the necessary improvements to provide you the food and service you desire and deserve. Additionally, as many of you are already aware, our Catering Director, Alexis Ryan, recently welcomed a baby boy into her family. She is doing well and looking forward to returning to work at the end of November. In her absence, I have taken on her catering and event responsibilities. So if you are looking to plan a holiday party, bridal/baby shower, or any other celebratory gathering, please do not hesitate to give me a call or stop by my office! On a final note, I can't express how excited my team and I are for the implementation phase of the patio improvements and expansion. Among other things, the improvements will allow us to utilize the patio rain or shine, giving us the opportunity to have more live music, provide more seating for members and guests, and even extend our outdoor dining season--not to mention, our team will no longer need to watch the weather only to find out a storm is approaching in 2 minutes, and unset the patio in record time! You will no longer have to worry about waiting for a patio table on a beautiful Friday night or worrying if your party of 10 will be able to be accommodated outside.

RIVERTON FALL & WINTER EVENTS Yappy Hour | October 13

Cakebread Wine Dinner | October 14

Fall Fest | October 30

quizzo | November 6

Wine Show | November 11

'80s ski lodge-themed Friendsgiving | November 20

Thanksgiving | November 25

Tree Lighting & Christmas Wonderland | December 5

Santa Brunch | December 12

Dinner Dance | December 18

Cookie Bake | December 21

*DATES/EVENTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

STRUGGLING TO HIT FAIRWAYS & GREENS? start by correcting your grip BY KEVIN DUFFY

Many players come to me struggling with consistently hitting straight shots and developing a consistent shot pattern. If you’re in this boat, start by looking at your grip and understand how your grip impacts the clubface. Since your hands are the number one thing that controls the clubface, and the clubface is the driving force behind where the golf ball goes, making sure your grip allows you to present a consistently square clubface at impact is paramount to success. Regardless of whether you have an interlocking, overlapping, or 10-finger grip, it’s important to look at how rotated your hands are when building your grip. When first gripping the club, it is best to start with a neutral grip, where both palms are facing each other, as if you are clapping in front of you. How much you rotate your hands around the grip from that point will have a huge impact on ball flight.

< strong grip

neutral grip >

A “strong” grip will encourage a closed face at impact and a draw ball flight, whereas a “weak” grip will encourage an opened face at impact and a fading ball flight. If you’re someone who chronically hooks or slices the ball, grab a club and take a look at your grip. Does it look too strong or weak? If so, make a slight adjustment and see how this small change in your grip can have a major impact on your shot shape! Ripples | Page 9

< weak grip

J. WOOD PLATT CADDIE SCHOLARSHIP

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CADDY CHRIS MCGEE! The J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship, named after the era’s premier golfer in Philadelphia, was started in 1958 by the Golf Association of Philadelphia. Their mission, which has remained constant since inception, is to financially assist deserving caddies in their pursuit of higher education. Since 1958, they have awarded more than $23 million to over 3500 caddies. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, and this past year, 92 of the 145 scholarships awarded received the maximum grant of $10,000! One of these 92 recipients is none other than Riverton CC’s own, Chris McGee! Chris has been a caddy at Riverton for the past three years and additionally serves the membership on the Outside Services team. He began caddying at the suggestion of a friend but quickly realized how much he enjoyed being around the game of golf and RCC! Chris is currently attending Rowan University and entering his second year as a Sports Media major. His hope is to one day end up in a sports commentator’s booth. Chris is grateful and extremely thankful for the opportunity to caddie at Riverton Country Club and to have earned the designation of a J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholar. This opportunity allows him to expand his horizons and focus on his studies throughout the school year! So, the next time you see Chris around the Club, be sure to congratulate him on this great honor! If you’d like to learn more about the J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship Trust, please visit www.plattscholar.org. Ripples | Page 10

THE GOLDEN AGE OF GOLF: IS NOW? DREW WHITE

Often, when discussing the golden age of golf, you most likely find yourself transported back to a time when Travis, Tillinghast, Ross, and Raynor roamed the earth. In fact, Golf Digest defines the period of 1910 to 1937 as the Golden Age. In some circles, the golden age of golf is considered the 1960s, when Arnie’s Army was on the march with the Golden Bear and Gary Player swapping victories. The Big Three together transformed the popularity of golf around the world. And as a rule, one cannot mention the transformation of the game without giving credit to Tiger. Even today's young golfers can be credited as transforming and popularizing the game, so it becomes difficult to argue against any of time-period as single-handedly being crowned the Golden Age of Golf, but here is mine. For superintendents around the world, including myself, the golden age of golf is right now. Over the past several years, the turfgrass industry has been reaping the rewards of new technology and widespread advancements from mowing and chemical application equipment, to irrigation, pesticides, and measuring devices. Superintendents across the globe are mowing lower and truer than ever before. On average, the height of the cut on our greens is 0.100 inches. The use of hardened steel to construct the cutting elements of mowers has allowed the blades to be sharper for longer, and hybrid and all-electric mowers/carts are the new norms. Several courses have even recently implemented the use of autonomous mowers. One of the more significant advancements within the best decade has been the addition of equipping GPS systems to chemical application equipment. While not new technology, transferring it for use on turfgrass has been an incredible help. GPS-enabled sprayers offer single nozzle control versus four to six nozzle control of the past, which equates to sub-inch accuracy. GPS-guided sprayers also allow multiple machines to communicate with one another, making it possible for multiple sprayers to work within the same area. Ripples | Page 11

One of my earliest mentors started his career in golf as a night waterer. His job was to show up just after the sunset and irrigate the golf course. This would involve setting up and moving above-ground sprinkler heads, starting the pumps, and guessing the amount of water to be applied. Today, with our state-of-the-art irrigation system, boasting roughly 1,700 sprinkler heads, we can pinpoint exactly where water is needed and deliver the precise amount. Additionally, irrigation systems are now equipped with sensors that accurately measure rainfall. Should that amount exceed a set number, it will automatically turn off the next planned irrigation event. Some systems, like ours, are even equipped with apps that allow us to not only turn sprinkler heads on and off with a cell phone or tablet but allows us remote access into the irrigation computer and pump station. A superintendent has many goals, but one of the top priorities is always to be as environmentally friendly as possible. Production of new and more efficient pesticides helps superintendents do just that. With pesticides that have different modes of action, we can specifically target the control of insects, weeds, and turf diseases, allowing us to rotate pesticides and reduce resistance. With the increase in technology, the need and desire to collect and analyze data have also risen. The tool that we use the most here at Riverton is our moist meter. The moist meter gives us a percentage that represents the amount of moisture in the soil at a certain depth and is used to determine the amount of water needed and the method used to apply the water (hose vs. sprinkler heads). As a superintendent, I've not yet failed to be amazed by the technological advancements in the turfgrass industry. Now, more than ever before, superintendents have more tools and options in the market, making our jobs a little easier and more exciting. So in conclusion, for me, the Golden Age of Golf is right now! However, my suggestion to most fairly determine the Golden Age of Golf is to judge by sub-divisions: the Golden Age of Golf Architecture, the Golden Age of Professional Golf, and the Golden Age of Golf Course Management. I look forward to hearing your thoughts the next time I see you!

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OMAR'S CORNER Omar Gonzalez Being a Tennis Pro has been the greatest Now, after many years of exciting tennis privilege of my life and afforded me the most tournaments and making wonderful remarkable opportunities, including being a part memories around the world, I have found of the Riverton family. With that said, I'd like to myself a part of this amazing family-trying to share a short story of how I became a tennis impart my love of the game to young, old, player first and then a tennis coach. experienced, and new players alike. Being a part of Riverton is a responsibility I take very As we all know, accidents and injures can turn seriously, both on and off the court. I have lives upside down...for better or for worse. My learned so much being a part of this life and career are the results of one of those organization, and I look forward to learning turns. My father was a professional soccer even more! I hope to spend many more player in my country- a goalie to be exact. I can years with this community, growing recall memories of being in the stadium when I together, learning together, and playing was just 5 or 6 years old to this day. I can even together. Thank you all from the bottom of recall the moment when everything changed, my heart for welcoming me with open arms the moment that the course of my father’s life and allowing me to share my passion with veered dramatically after receiving a missed you. I hope that my passion for the game kick from his opponent. A couple of hours later, has inspired you and your children and that my father awoke in the hospital with a severe this game can positively impact your life as concussion. After his recovery, he decided that it has mine. his soccer career would need to come to an end, and just a few months later, to fill in the I will leave you with this quote from my hole he was missing, my father discovered father, Jose E. Gonzalez: tennis. I suppose you can put together the puzzle pieces from there! It is strange to think how much I have prospered from such an unfortunate moment in my father’s life and how Son...whenever you travel, if that injury would not have happened, my life wherever you go, do not forget may have taken a completely different course. to put your tennis racquet in

your bag-that is going to be the second passport in your life.

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R I V E R T O N

M O M E N T S

C H E F ' S S E C R E T S CHEF MIKE'S FAMOUS EGG FETTUCINE

Place flour & salt in food processor & pulse to combine. Add eggs, yolks, & oil, pulse until dough comes together. Dough will look either a little wet or dry. Add a couple drops of water in the food processor if it is a little dry. Add flour if it is a little too tacky. Place dough on lightly floured work surface & knead until smooth. Wrap dough in plastic wrap & let rest for an hour in room temperature or in the fridge overnight. Once rested, cut dough into 3-4 pieces so it is manageable to work with. Press & roll out until you can fit into your pasta roller. Set roller on thickest setting & roll the pasta through. Next, fold and roll through the same setting again. Keep going through the settings and go to the second to last setting for proper fettucine thickness. To cook, bring a large pot of well-salted water to boil. Once boiled, cook for 2 minutes. Taste the pasta for doneness and use your desired sauce or just toss with butter & quality parmesan reggiano. Ripples | Page 14

when you' re here, you' re home. 1416 highland avenue cinnaminson, new jersey 08077 856.829.5500 | rivertoncc.com

@riverton country club

@rivertoncc

@riverton country club