December / 2013
On Course Megan Bearce Elected President of the Women’s Golf Association of Massachusetts WHGC Member “WGAM brings Megan Bearce was women together elected President of to play golf in an the Women’s Golf organized, competiAssociation of tive venue,” Megan Massachusetts (WGAM) said. “In addition to on November 14. The running 24 tournaelection caps a 15-year ments a year, we relationship Megan has have a strong juniors had with the group, program and provide most recently serving as college scholarships.” Vice President. In her role as The Women’s Golf President, Megan Megan Bearce Association, which was will be working closely formed in the year 1900 to promote with the Board of Directors, running interest in women’s golf, serves 2,000 monthly meetings and acquiring golf individual members who belong to courses on which to play WGAM’s more than 180 member clubs. tournaments. She will also continue her involvement with the juniors program.
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Capital Projects Approved at Special Meeting The following capital projects were approved as a result of the Special Meeting held Saturday, November 23: • A dd a 5,000 square-foot Maintenance Building in the lower maintenance lot at 161 Quissett Avenue. • Convert the existing Maintenance Building, located at 127 Quissett Avenue, to a Receiving Center. • Rebuild and expand the Driving Range. • Construct a Short-Game Practice Area. The total cost of these projects is not to exceed $1,500,000. Regular updates on the progress of these projects will be posted to the Woods Hole Golf Club website and in “On Course.”
From the From Your General Manager Dear Woods Hole Members… We are coming to the end of a fantastic 2013 season. In this issue of On Course, we have tried to capture some of the highlights for you. There were several exciting “firsts.” Who can forget David Chapman defeating five opponents to win his first Quissett Shield, or Halley Armstrong Allen’s comeback in overtime to win her first Nobska? Then there were the memorable events like the 2013 Summer Cocktail Party, where more than 300 (another “first”) Members and friends gathered in perfect weather to enjoy the biggest party of the year! For another “first” we were delighted last month with Member enthusiasm for our first Thanksgiving Day Buffet and Thanksgiving-To-Go. We served 155 total reservations, with 105 choosing the To-Go option. Most Members picked up their dinners on Thursday morning, but a few picked up on Wednesday, and one Member (who was having Thanksgiving Dinner out of town) picked up his family’s Dinner on Friday—just so (continued on page 2)
2013–2014 BOARD OF GOVERNORS David Barry President
Brian Kenney Vice President Paul S. Tierney, Jr. (PJ) Secretary Margaret Ake Treasurer & Finance Committee Chair Robert Ament William Bearce Membership Committee Chair Kerry Geraghty Green Committee Chair Steven Haddad Michael Jones David Newton Jonathan O’Herron, Jr. Tennis Committee Chair John Salvatore Julia Taylor House Committee Chair Hedy Whitney James Finnegan 130 Quissett Avenue P.O. Box 663, Falmouth, MA 02541 508-540-1899 Pro Shop & Tennis Reservations Dining Reservations Membership Business Office Catering Information Lounge and To-Go Orders Dial-by-Name Directory General Manager
Ext. 1 Ext. 2 Ext. 3 Ext. 4 Ext. 5 Ext. 6 Ext. 7 Ext. 14
www.woodsholegolfclub.com © Woods Hole Golf Club 2013
On Course – December 2013 • page 2
Manager’s Letter (continued from page 1) they could enjoy “left-overs” all weekend! What a great idea. Next year we will repeat this “new tradition” and may extend the hours. So make plans now for letting the Club do your Thanksgiving Day cooking. We kicked off December with the traditional Holiday Cocktail Party on Saturday, December 7. There were food and surprises everywhere, including our own dark chocolate fountain with homemade marshmallows and pound cake made by Sous Chef Brett Mayer. Other food surprises included the Member favorite Carved Roast Sirloin, pasta and antipasto stations, several dessert choices, plenty of passed hors d’oeuvres and as something new—a “potato bar” with Yukon and sweet potatoes served in martini glasses with several topping choices. Yum! Yum! Everyone enjoyed the festive atmosphere and the great music of The Pat Ryan Quartet. By the way, over the winter months, the management team and I will build a complete 2014 Social and Golf Calendar that will be coordinated with Glenn Kelly’s Golf Calendar. In that way, you can plan the entire season and not miss any of the terrific parties, tournaments, and special events that we are planning for next year. But hold on, we’ve only just begun the celebrations! We have fabulous events planned throughout December right up to January 1. As mentioned in the October On Course, something new was suggested for the Ladies Holiday, and management has stepped up with The Ladies High Tea on the afternoon of December 13. The Pat Ryan Trio will provide perfect conversational music, as well. The Culinary Team has worked very hard to make this a special day for the Ladies of Woods Hole Golf Club, as we hope it will be popular. Our thanks to The House Committee, Chaired by Julie Taylor, for the suggestion to try something different. For New Year’s Eve, the House Committee also helped us design an evening that should appeal to many. As many know, evening activities for NYE have significantly evolved over the past 10 years or so. Many Members have told us that they would like to have an early dinner and then return home or to friends to ring in the New Year. That sounds good to us! So, we’ll offer a “prix fixe” dinner from 6:00 to 9:00 and keep the Lounge open until 12:30. For the New Year’s Eve Prix Fixe, Chef Jim Litman will offer up some of his classic dishes, such as: New Year’s Eve Prix Fixe Dinner 6:00 to 9:00 Amuse Bouche followed by Appetizer choices: • Poached Pear Salad, with endive, walnuts, Roquefort Cheese and Sherry Vinaigrette; or, • Lobster Bisque with Puff Pastry Straws; or, • Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail.
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Entrée choices: • Filet Mignon with roasted Cippolini onions, Crimini mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and mashed Yukon Gold potatoes; or, • Roasted Cornish Hen au jus with roasted winter vegetables and cranberry relish; or, • Lobster Tail poached in butter, with English peas and leeks, and potato gaufrettes. And finishing with a Dessert Buffet. New Year’s celebration continues the next day (Wednesday, January 1) with the Woods Hole traditional 9-Hole Beef Stew Open, only this year the Club will actually offer real Beef Stew during our New Year’s Day Brunch. That’s right—a full and hearty breakfast Brunch to help get the year going and to offer a warm respite for the 9-holers that morning. Take advantage of these great events at your Club. For complete details, including times and prices, see “Still to Come This Season” on Page 7 of this newsletter. Moving on to 2014, plans are already in the works to provide you with more services. First up, our spring opening will be one month earlier than the past. The reasoning is pretty simple—for the past ten years, March rounds have averaged 280 rounds, which is 80 more than December, and Glenn tells us that these rounds are primarily during weekends, which makes sense. And since we serve more than one cover (meal) for each round of golf, there are potentially 300 Member covers in March! Many Members have told us they would appreciate having the Clubhouse open earlier than April, and the Board supports the initiative. Also, we know there are many Members who come back to the Cape during March weekends to prepare their homes for the Season. We’ll be here for you! March 2014 Clubhouse Hours! Fridays and Saturdays: full service, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sundays: full Breakfast Brunch, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Beginning April 2014 and Season Clubhouse Hours Every day, all week 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. I’ve heard from a lot of members who are supportive of opening in March, and we are looking forward to providing that amenity for our Members. Well, that’s it for my final letter of the 2013 Season. It has been a whirlwind of a year, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I hope you have as well. On behalf of the managers and staff of Woods Hole Golf Club, I wish you a wonderful Holiday Season and a very Happy 2014! Michael
On Course On the Web We now have two ways for you to view On Course online: • Go to Our Web Site: woodsholegolfclub.com to see the newsletter in color. AND • Check out the flip book version: You can now read a flip book version of On Course online at: http://issuu.com/samray/docs/ oncourse-december-2013 And remember—You’ll help your club save money and reduce paper use if you sign up for e-mail-only delivery of On Course. Here’s how to do it: • Send an email to: office@woodsholegolfclub. com stating that you wish to opt out of the hard copy of On Course. OR • Go to the Preferences page of the WHGC website and choose “opt out of hard copy.”
Bearce (continued from page 1) Megan lives with her husband, William, in Brockton. Trained as a cardiac-care nurse, Megan spent 10 years working at Massachusetts General Hospital until she decided to open the Field House Day School, a child-care center in Brockton. Field House, which has now operated for 26 years, serves 140 children. But a big part of the family’s life takes place on the Cape. “I spent summers on the Cape from the time I was 5,” she said. Today, she and William own a home in North Falmouth. They have been Members of WHGC since 2007. “Wood’s Hole Golf Club has been a blessing,” she said. “Our entire family enjoys it.” Megan’s husband and their three grown children all play golf. “Even our son-in-law, who was not a golfer, has become addicted to the game,” she laughs. And her son, John, married his wife, Kate, at the Club with Glenn Kelly officiating as Justice of the Peace. “It’s so nice to have the entire family be a part of the Club.” It’s a busy life, but Megan is looking forward to the coming year, balancing work at her daycare business with her role of President of the Association and still making time to spend some weekends with family playing golf at WHGC.
On Course – December 2013 • page 3
March 2014 Clubhouse Hours!
2013 Year in Review
We will be opening food and beverage service in March, a month earlier than we traditionally have.
The year 2013 has been filled with big changes, new initiatives and exciting wins at WHGC. We have kept the best of the past, added features and amenities to the present and set the stage for the future. In this issue of On Course we look back upon the year.
Fridays and Saturdays: full service, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sundays: full Breakfast Brunch, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Beginning April 2014 and Season Clubhouse Hours Every day, all week 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
In Sympathy We recently have been saddened by the loss of two of our Woods Hole Golf Club Members: Maria Maini 1930–2013
Jane B. Murray 1919–2013
Our sympathy goes out to family and friends.
With the proper gear, golf is a 12-month activity...Just ask Fluffy Winner! She picked up a big WHGC Throw prior to tee off. Makes a great Holiday Gift.
On Course – December 2013 • page 4
Management New General Manager Hired: On February 25, Michael Lawrence joined the WHGC as its new General Manager and Chief Operating Officer. Bringing with him years of Club experience, Michael has provided the leadership to dramatically improve Club operations. Master Plan Moved Forward: We took the next important steps in our Master Plan process. First, The Board of Governors met on February 25 with the Long Range Planning Committee, Sasaki Associates, and Ron Forse of Forse Design Inc., our golf course architect, to review options. Then we held a membership-wide meeting to discuss the issues, including Clubhouse renovation or rebuilding, parking, delivery and storage, practice areas and location of tennis courts. Finally, we held a Special Meeting Saturday, November 23, during which capital projects were approved. (See box on page 1 for details.) Mike Jones Appointed to Board of Governors: Michael G. Jones of Falmouth was appointed to WHGC’s Board of Governors in March. The Board of Governors oversees all operations of the club. Michael, an attorney who is Senior Vice president and Chief Legal Officer at Cape Cod Healthcare, Inc., said he was pleased to be appointed and is looking forward to helping the club in addressing its current challenges and in planning for the future. James Finnegan Appointed to Board of Governors: Also new to the Board of Governors in 2013 is James Finnegan. Jay is Managing Director and General Counsel of AEW Capital Management, an investment advisory firm focused on commercial real estate and real estate securities. Jay is a member of AEW’s Management Committee, Investment Committee, Risk Management Committee and Audit Committee, and he also serves as AEW’s Chief Compliance Officer. Prior to joining AEW in 1993, Jay was an attorney with major law firms in New York City and Boston. Thank You—To our administrative staff. From caring for Members to processing tournament registrations, we would not be able to function without you.
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Thank You—To our Board of Governors, who have worked extra hard this year, hiring a new General Manager, refining the Master Plan and making critical choices so important to our Club’s success.
Food Food Service Enhanced: In response to suggestions from the Member Survey, we significantly enhanced our food service. Highlights include creating a single, full-service menu; creating signature menu items, like the Par 5 and Par 3 hamburgers; bringing back Maine Lobster as a dinner special; introducing Lobster Savannah as a weekly special; holding All-You-Can-Eat-Lobster-Nights on the Thursdays in June; and serving Afternoon Appetizers daily from 2:00 to 6:30 p.m. The Turn: This year, The Turn, located in the Pro Shop, went from a self-service snack bar to a place to be served sandwiches-to-go, snacks and beverages. Menu to Go: The idea of this new program is that the Club can have almost anything on the menu ready for you when you need it most—when unexpected guests drop in or when you just don’t feel like cooking or waiting in line at the restaurants in town. Thank You—To Chef Jim Littman and his staff for stepping up to the tee this season. They took on the challenges of new menu items, Menu-to-Go, the Thanksgiving Buffet and enhanced service at The Turn.
Lunch in the dining room after Play for P.I.N.K. Tournament.
Amenities Members Reserve: We introduced this program to make sure that we would always provide dining and parking for Members, regardless of other events that might be going on in the Clubhouse. The Driving Range Experience: Glenn Kelly and his Team made a number of improvements to the Driving Range Experience. They include the ball pyramids, which are re-stacked several times daily; the ironwood coolers for bottled water; ironwood bag racks; and sun screen and bug spray supplied for each bag rack throughout the day. New Cart Fleet: Our brand new fleet of Club Car two-seaters arrived in June. The classic blue body with white canopy looks terrific, and the features, including an igloo ice and beverage cooler and a ball/club washer, enhance the golfing experience. Rest Room Improvements: The “Halfway House” restroom between #7 and #8 received an interior refreshing, including a new sink vanity, mirror and faucet, fresh paint and improved lighting. Golf Shoe Cleaning: You can now have your golf shoes cleaned after a round (at no charge) and placed the next day outside your locker or on a special golf-shoe shelf located in the locker rooms for that purpose. We can also put new laces and spikes on your shoes for a very modest charge. (continued on page 6)
The Caddie Corps.
Priscilla Geraghty and Gail McCready prior to tee-off in the Senior Women’s Club Championship. Geraghty later went on to win on the 19th Hole.
On Course – December 2013 • page 5
Simplified Hours: We were open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily, and bar and food service was standardized to start at the same time, 11:00 a.m. Through December 31, the Clubhouse was open 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m, with a full café menu seven days a week. Thank You—To Golf Superintendent Tom Flaherty and his team for improvements to facilities and services made this year. Thank You—To Golf Pro Glenn Kelly and his team for improving the driving range experience and managing both the day-to-day play and the tournaments so smoothly. Gail McCready putting out in the Senior Women’s Club Championship.
Parties Cocktail Party: The 2013 Summer Cocktail Party was a great success, with attendance increasing from 175 the previous year to 335 this year. The ingredients for a great time? Plenty of good food and beverage, two terrific bands, perfect weather and plenty of friends in a festive spirit. Thanksgiving: You asked, and we responded. We now have a new WHGC tradition—the Thanksgiving Day Buffet and Thanksgiving Dinner-to-Go. The menu included everything from traditional roasted turkey to New England clam chowder to Lobster Ravioli.
The Games—Golf
Priscilla Geraghty (l) and Halley Armstrong Allen (r) in the Finals of the First Lady’s Trophy.
Chris Carney (l) and David Chapman (r) square off in the 2013 Quissett Shield Final.
“I can’t believe it,” exclaimed Chapman. “Finally I got one.” On Course – December 2013 • page 6
Men’s Club Championship: Maxwell P. Campion defeated Bobby Ernst Jr. 10 & 9 in the 36-Hole Final. Women’s Club Championship: Ann Bain defeated Priscilla Geraghty 7 & 6 in the 18-Hole Final. Senior Men’s Club Championship: Joseph M. Henley defeated Jon O’Herron Jr. in 19 holes to take the Senior Men’s Championship. Senior Women’s Club Championship: Priscilla Geraghty went into sudden death to defeat Gail McCready on the 19th hole, winning the Senior Women’s Club Championship. Quissett Shield: David Chapman captured his first Quissett Shield, prevailing over 2011 champion Christopher Carney 2 & 1 in match-play competition. Chapman had to defeat five different opponents over the summer to get to the finals. The Nobska: Halley Armstrong Allen captured her first Nobska title in a roller-coaster ride of a tournament. She went from a commanding lead, only to be overtaken by Ann Bain, then make a ferocious comeback in overtime. Men’s Four Ball Championship: Chris Carney and Mike Burton defeated Bob Ernst and Bobby Ernst Jr. 8 & 6 in match-play competition. The Carney-Burton team started off hot, jumping out to an early lead, then took the match.
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The Games—Tennis
Ladies Holiday High Tea, Friday, Dec. 13, From 3:00–6:00 P.M.: Our traditional Ladies Lunch has been transformed to an English high tea this year. Cost: $15.00 per person. For reservations contact David Zauner, F&B Manager at dzauner@woodsholegolfclub.com or (508) 540-1899 x 15.
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New Year’s Eve Dinner, Tuesday, December 31, From 6:00–9:00 P.M.: A special “prix fixe” dinner with three choices in each course paired with appropriate wines will be served. The Lounge will stay open until 12:30 a.m. to welcome the new year.
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Men’s Doubles Championship: James Gabriel and Bill Heald came in first for the second year in the Men’s Doubles Championship, playing several matches over an August weekend. Women’s Doubles Championship: For the second time, sisters Charlotte and Meaghan O’Herron won the Women’s Doubles Championship. Six teams competed in a round-robin format that had the players engaged in two hours of nonstop tennis. Thank You—To Our Members. These are just a few of the highlights from the year. We want to thank all members and guests who participated in making 2013 a great season of play.
Still to Come This Season
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Evelyn Nolan Fallon Memorial: Polly Kisiel and Priscilla Geraghty were triumphant in the Evelyn Nolan Fallon Memorial. President’s Trophy: Jeff Pierce and Arthus Wolpert took the President’s Trophy. First Lady’s Trophy: Halley Armstrong Allen went home with the First Lady’s Trophy. Governor’s Cup: Dave Gluck got out to an early lead and never looked back as he took home his first Governor’s Cup Trophy, defeating Ben Sbarra 4 & 3 in match-play action.
New Year’ Day Brunch and Beef Stew Open, Wednesday, January 1: The traditional 9-hole Beef Stew Open tees off at 10:00 a.m. Brunch will be served 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Since this is the last day of the season, we will go all out with the Brunch menu Woods Hole Golf Club 2013 Christmas Tree.
Tennis Women’s Doubles Champions Charlotte and Meaghan O’Herron.
On Course – December 2013 • page 7
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130 Quissett Avenue P.O. Box 663, Falmouth, MA 02541
The Woods Hole Golf Club, situated high on a Cape Cod hillside overlooking Buzzards Bay, is marked by rolling hills, sweeping fairways, and dramatic water views. Its championship course is undeniably one of the finest and most challenging in New England. Visit us at: www.woodsholegolfclub.com
Website Version of On Course... You can now read a flip book version of On Course online at: http://issuu.com/samray/docs/oncourse-december-2013