Summer Club Events
Briar Club Graduates
THE BRIAR CLUB
Newsletter
Department Features
Q3 / 2016
department contacts
Table of Contents
general manager - daniel a. moreno 713.622.3667 manager@thebriarclub.com cfo - asif ehsan (eric) 713.622.3667 ext. 2108 cfo@thebriarclub.com
hours of operation
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president’s letter
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manager’s letter
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club events
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summer guide to the club
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membership news
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briar club graduates
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employee news
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tennis news
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aquatics news
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fitness news 20 catering & special events
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clubhouse manager - casey newman, ccm 713.622.3667 ext. 2111 casey@thebriarclub.com asst. clubhouse manager - samantha van veen 713.622.3667 ext. 2102 samantha@thebriarclub.com membership - linda benson 713.622.3667 ext. 2159 membership@thebriarclub.com member billing - robin munoz 713.622.3667 ext. 2105 billling@thebriarclub.com catering & special events 713.622.3667 ext. 2155 cateringdirector@thebriarclub.com executive chef - michael powell 713.622.3667 ext. 2110 chef@thebriarclub.com aquatics - jon diller 713.622.3667 ext. 2126 poolmanager@thebriarclub.com fitness - rich andrae 713.622.3667 ext. 2134 fitness@thebriarclub.com
mission statement THE BRIAR CLUB is a private, member-owned recreational and social club where a community of families and individuals enjoy the highest standards of aquatics, fitness, tennis, children’s programs and quality cuisine. all programs are presented in attractive surroundings and a comfortable atmosphere, with service provided by a highly qualified, professional staff. Visit us online at: www.thebriarclub.com
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tennis - jan vick 713.622.3667 ext. 2147 tennis@thebriarclub.com youth - gina de pamphilis-eixman 713.622.3667 ext. 2133 gina@thebriarclub.com communications 713.622.3667 ext. 2104 communications@thebriarclub.com personnel - taisa reina 713.622.3667 ext. 2109 personnel@thebriarclub.com
Hours of Operation OFFICE HOURS
family pool hours
lounge dining
Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm (713) 622-3667
summer hours Monday Closed Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
lunch hours Tuesday-Friday 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
adult lap pool Monday-Friday 5:00 am - 9:00 pm Saturday 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Sunday 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm competition lap pool Monday-Friday 5:00 am - 9:00 pm Saturday 6:00 am - 8:00 pm Sunday 7:00 am - 8:00 pm the fitness center Monday-Friday 5:00 am - 9:00 pm Saturday 6:00 am - 8:00 pm Sunday 7:00 am - 8:00 pm tennis courts Monday-Friday 5:00 am - 9:00 pm Saturday 6:00 am - 8:00 pm Sunday 7:00 am - 8:00 pm the briar shop Monday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm Tuesday-Friday 8:00 am - 7:00 pm Saturday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm Sunday 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
stay tuned for fall hours! the kids club summer hours Monday 8:00 pm - 12:00 pm Tuesday-Thursday 8:00 am - 9:00 pm Friday-Saturday 8:00 am - 10:00 pm Sunday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
dinner hours Tuesday-Thursday 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm Friday-Saturday 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm lounge bar lunch & brunch hours Tuesday-Friday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Sunday Brunch 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
stay tuned for fall hours!
dinner hours Tuesday-Thursday 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm Friday-Saturday 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
the nursery
the bistro
morning hours Monday-Sunday 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
lunch & brunch hours Tuesday-Friday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Saturday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Sunday Brunch 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
afternoon/evening hours Tuesday-Thursday 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm Friday-Saturday 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm the hideout summer hours Monday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Tuesday-Thursday 9:00 am - 9:00 pm Friday-Saturday 9:00 am - 10:00 pm Sunday: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm stay tuned for fall hours!
dinner hours Tuesday-Thursday 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm Friday-Saturday 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm breezes Monday 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm Tuesday-Saturday 11:00 am - 9:00 pm Sunday 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
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Letter from the President will garwood, president the briar club Summer is now in full swing and the July 4th weekend represented a landmark in Briar Club history. By the time you read this letter we will have celebrated the grand opening of our new Family Resort Pool. It was long anticipated, but well worth the wait and all the effort. The pool is beautiful and is ours to enjoy for years to come. In a few short weeks all construction on the campus will be complete. The Barracuda Café should be fully operational by August, and shortly thereafter the Valet Entry and the street level Member Entry along Timmons will both be finished. Landscaping and our perimeter fencing will also be complete and the remaining interior construction fencing will be removed. In short, you will have your Club back. The final stage of the project involves installation of the Skybridge across Timmons Lane, connecting our two towers and providing direct entry from the garage to the second floor of the Clubhouse. Installation is estimated to require 3 months and is scheduled to be finished in mid-October. This will mark final completion of the entire project. (Fortunately, the Skybridge should not impact the Club campus but it will be disruptive to Timmons and limit traffic to one lane for much of the installation process). I encourage all of you to come often over the remainder of the summer and discover all that our new Club has to offer. If you find yourself longing for the beaches of Cape Cod, Aspen’s mountain glens, or the scenic hills of Santa Barbara, find happiness instead and great family experiences in your own backyard at The Briar Club. Hang out and stay cool at our amazing resort pool, have
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some fish tacos from our new Barracuda Café, and enjoy a cold beverage poolside. We are the place to be for the rest of the summer. JOURNEY’S END AND NEW ERA BEGUN Our three-year campus reconstruction has been quite a journey, marked by an array of challenges and extraordinary effort and perseverance. Teddy Roosevelt once famously said that “nothing truly worth having or worth doing comes easily.” This is certainly true when it comes to construction. The renovation project was a kind of urban jigsaw puzzle, and fitting together all the pieces challenged even the most experienced on our dedicated and talented construction team. As we reclaim our campus home and start to fully enjoy its new facilities, hopefully most of us will agree that it was all worth it. Over the next few months a sense of normalcy will return to Club life and operation. The fundamental underlying goal of the Master Plan was to build a world-class facility that would meet our needs for decades to come. The final cost of construction will come in at approximately $33 million. This amount is well above the levels envisioned in its planning stages. Throughout the entire process our construction team has worked very hard to deliver value on every Member dollar spent. I would like to recognize and thank all on our construction team: our stalwart Building Committee and our Club’s tireless General Manager and staff; Jeff Ryan and Alice Boedecker and our friends at Jackson Ryan Architects who have been with us since the beginning and designed such a beautiful and efficient campus; Steve Dishman and all at Brookstone who have worked so hard to manage this complex construction process and deliver our world class new facilities; and last but certainly not least Rick Conley, John Putnam and Pin Oak for the remarkable dedication, steadfast service and professional skill they provided as our project manager. FINANCIAL PICTURE: STRENGTH AT THE CORE At the conclusion of the Master Plan Project, we will have spent approximately $33 million and have an associated permanent mortgage loan from construction of $21.65 million. The remaining balance on the pre-existing loan which helped finance our $8 million Fitness & Wellness Center will be down to about $300,000 and completely retired in March 2017. Stepping back, we will have
spent roughly $41 million on capital improvements during the past 12 years, leaving a total debt of a little over half that amount. The Master Plan loan is a 15 year term loan with interest set at 5.22% and a 20 year amortization payment schedule. This is a good loan for the Club with fair and reasonable terms. The loan payment is projected to be $145,500 per month ,or $1,750,500 annually. To put this in perspective, this means approximately $125 of each Member’s monthly dues will be used to repay the Club’s debts. Initiation fee income will be used to pay monthly principal as well as to fund potential acceleration of loan principal pay down in the future. It will take a couple of years to restore financial flexibility, optimal liquidity, and return to our traditional conservative financial position. The Club’s operating cash flow remains strong and is poised to increase with construction completed and a fully operational Club. Continued strength in membership and development of our new second floor Clubhouse Banquet business represent key operating variables and provide the potential for considerable growth in Club income. We also have in place a line of credit and an additional shorter term credit facility that should provide at least $2 million in near term borrowing liquidity. The Club currently has about $600,000 in debt under its line of credit. Over the next few months, the Finance Committee and Board will make a thorough study of our finances and the fiscal 2017 budget. Ensuring that we are capable of covering projected expenses in 2017 with a margin of safety will require reviewing all options, including member dues which may increase in the range of 2 to 5 percent ($10 - $20) for 2017. The good news is membership growth remains robust. In May and June we welcomed 24 new members to the Club and with the Family Pool and campus renovation now finished we offer compelling value to prospective members. Banquet and Events have a world of potential, and could take off in fiscal 2017. Our facilities are beautifully designed and as modern and functional as any in town; and our location is second to none. Given the experience and leadership of both our General Manager, Daniel Moreno and Executive Chef, Michael Powell in highly successful banquet operations, I have little doubt we will thrive in our community’s busy market for events and galas.
AROUND THE CLUB Congratulations to the Briar Club Barracudas on another undefeated season! Our Barracudas went 6-0 and capped its season winning the Country Club Invitational Championships, despite having to swim all its meets away from home this year! What a great accomplishment for our young swimmers, and for Coaches Mycal Dédé and Tim Chung, and Aquatics Director Jon Diller. If you have not been dining at the new Lounge Restaurant and Bar, you are missing a dining experience that is on par with any in the city. Executive Chef Michael Powell, Sous Chef Emanuel Campos, and our great dining staff have brought a new standard to our cuisine and are doing some amazing things. Our new wine locker program and Wine Dinners have also been very wellreceived and offer great value and experience to our Members. I would like to recognize the leadership of Cletus Dodd, Chair of the Food & Beverage Committee, 2015 Chair Shannon Huff, Clubhouse Manager Casey Newman, and General Manager Daniel Moreno in all these efforts. Even little things like our new custom blend of Briar Club coffee are making a real difference and adding to the quality of our Members’ experience. Our economic success is ultimately directly related to Members utilizing our Club. Membership usage has remained remarkably healthy throughout construction, but with it all finally behind us I encourage you to come and check out all that the new Briar Club has to offer. I think you will be very pleased with what you find. CONCLUSION We are a Club that in many ways is constantly changing and adapting to the present and future needs of its membership. The last few years have brought a whirlwind of change, challenged us all, and positioned us for unparalleled future success. We have now done almost all that we can with our urban campus, stretching both spatial and financial limits. Our tradition as a family club remains constant. A world class country club with little pretension, that is relaxed, friendly, caring and dedicated to its Members and families. That will never change.
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Letter from the Manager daniel a. moreno, general manager/coo the briar club What an exciting Fourth of July here at The Briar Club! We were able to open the new Family Pool on Saturday, July 2nd. I would like to send a very special thank you to all the staff that helped with getting the pool ready for the grand opening. If you walked past the pool on that Friday morning before the opening, you would have thought that there was no way it was going to happen. Everyone was “hands on deck”, and I was so proud to be a part of such a motivated, “get-it-done” team. That being said, we had a very successful holiday weekend. Chef Michael Powell did a fabulous job providing a wide variety of menu items on the buffet all weekend. Our buffet count July 4th evening was well over 400 Members! To finish the night, we made our way over to the top floor of the Parking Garage to enjoy some fireworks and popcorn. Mark your calendars for next year’s Fourth of July Celebration, as it will be bigger and better than ever. A great way to finish a very exciting weekend! It is so nice to see the green construction fence slowly being removed from around the Club. I can only imagine how great it feels as Members to finally have your Club back! The landscaping process continues, and the Sky Bridge installation is right around the corner. We are well on the way of wrapping this Project up and being a full operating Club once again. However, it is great to see our new amenities being enjoyed. As I type, all three new tennis courts are being used, the Family Pool is hopping and the Kid’s Club is almost full. (By the way, if you haven’t taken advantage of the Kid’s Club yet, you are missing out!)
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The Briar Club has a new tradition coming its way. The Inaugural Presentation Ball will take place on Thursday, December 22, 2016. This event will be held in the Magnolia Ballroom, and will begin a new Club tradition for years to come. If you are interested in presenting your daughter or granddaughter at the Inaugural Presentation Ball, please contact the Club and we can provide you with all the necessary information. College juniors and seniors are also eligible this first year. Speaking of the Magnolia Ballroom, I would like to remind everyone that we now have incredible banquet space here at The Briar Club. Our very capable Catering & Special Events staff is here to meet all of your needs. Let Chef Michael prepare a special menu for your event. Whether it is a holiday party, wedding, small wine dinner or even a business meeting, we are here to help you through the entire process. As we begin to wrap up construction, I would like to send a huge thank you to the Building Committee here at the Club. Their dedication and hard work should not go unnoticed. These gentlemen have spent hours and hours each week working with our contractors and architect to make sure that we have the facilities we need. As we get more and more comfortable in our “new” home, I ask that if you have any comments or concerns please feel free to contact me at any time. We have many great things in store for the Club going forward so stay tuned! My door is always open even if you just want to visit!
August Club Events
dive in movie night ! august 5 at 8:00 pm
a to z winemaker event ! august 10 from 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
family bingo night! august 11 from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
BYOF (Bring Your Own Float)! We’ll provide the popcorn and lemonade while you watch a blockbuster family movie from the Competition Lap Pool!
Once upon a time, four friends met for a drink… and a few years later, these four friends produced their first vintage of A to Z Pinot Noir. Join Members and friends for a fun and lighthearted look at some superb Oregon varietals, complete with heavy hors d’ oeuvres, and a little wine education to balance it all out.
Join us in the Briar Club Ballroom for a delicious family buffet and a few rounds of Briar Bingo! Who knows, you might end up a winner! Bingo is a Club-favorite tradition, and we’d love to see your families there! Guests are welcome to attend.
This is a complimentary event. Guests are welcome!
PRICING: $65++ per person
PRICING: Adults: $24++ Teens (13-18): $16++ Kids (4-12): $11++ Ages 3 & Under: $1++
moonlight madness ! august 19 from 5 : 30 pm - 10 : 00 pm Join us in the Family Pool, Competition Pool & Sports Court for open family swim, pool games, Briar Island, and a poolside cookout all night long! BRIAR ISLAND (Competition Lap Pool) 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm POOLSIDE BUFFET 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm POOLSIDE & SPORTS COURT GAMES 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm PRICING: Adults: $24++, Teens (13-18): $16++ Children (4-12): $11++, Ages 3 & Under: $1++ the briar club
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August & September Club Events briar fun night: wipeout! august 20 from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Get ready to be WIPED OUT on the Sports Court with your friends at this wet and wild Briar Fun Night! For ages 5 & up. PRICING: $25++ per person includes children’s dinner Please Note: This is not a drop-off event. Parents & Guardians must remain on premises for the duration of this event. May we suggest dining reservations in the Lounge or Bistro? Inquire about dining reservations with our friendly receptionists at (713) 622-3667 or online at www.thebriarclub.com.
friday night live ! august 26 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Friday Night Live is BACK at The Briar Club this summer! Join us for a weekend celebration at the Club with complimentary hors d’oeuvres from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm and live music entertainment from guitarist George Coward! COMPLIMENTARY SNACKS AND HALF-PRICED DRINKS 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm LIVE ENTERTAINMENT FROM GUITARIST GEORGE COWARD 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
teen only pool party august 27 from 7 : 00 pm - 10 : 00 pm Briar Teens, bring your friends to the Resort Pool for an end-ofsummer celebration! Guests are encouraged! This event is for Briar Teens and their friends in 7th Grade and up. PRICING: Members: $20++ per person Guests: $25++ per person Please Note: Guests may pay separately from their Member sponsor with cash or check at the door.
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September Club Events
labor day celebration all-day september 5
little girls’ spa party! sept. 9 from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
briar night: superhero training sept. 17 from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
You’ve worked hard all year, and we think you deserve a party! End your three-day weekend off right with an allday Labor Day Celebration at The Briar Club! We’ll have allday swimming in the Family Pool, lunch and dinner poolside buffets, children’s activities and more for the whole family!
Manicures, Pedi and Sparkles galore ― these are the things we most adore! Briar Girls aged 5 and up are invited to join us for a mini Spa Party designed just for them!
Calling all Super Briar Kids with super skills and super suits! Come dressed up as your favorite Superhero for training, games and more!
Stay tuned for pricing and more scheduling details!
Ages 5 & Up PRICING: $25++ per child Dinner and Dessert Included!
Ages 5 & Up PRICING: $25++ per child Dinner and Dessert Included!
imagination inspiration: meet team smash! sept. 24 from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Come meet Team Smash - five amazing girls and one amazing horse! This event on the Briar Club Lawn will be a meet & greet with Team Smash, with learning about respecting people and their differences. Additional details to follow soon!
save the date - briar club fall festival! october 15 from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Save the date for the biggest Briar Club party of the fall! The Briar Club Fall Festival returns in October with carnival games and treats, family favorite fare, and much more inside our decorated campus! More details to come - stay tuned!
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Summer Guide to the Club: Helpful Tips for Enjoying Your Visits! Summer is the most exciting time to be a Briar Club Member, with all amenities and departments open for your enjoyment! On the following two pages, we have provided a helpful guide to enjoying your next visits to the Club, including information on the guest policy, Family Pool rules, nanny guidelines and more!
Family Pool Usage Guidelines • • • • • • • •
Careful and considerate behavior is asked of all Members and their guests. Hanging, sitting or jumping off pool ropes is not permitted. Kickboards are reserved for Lap Pool use only. Pool toys such as “noodles”, inner tubes, large floats, water guns and tennis balls are not permitted in the Family Pool and may be removed by the lifeguards at their discretion. Parents and Guardians must accompany and supervise all children ages 10 and under anytime they are in a pool area. All children under the age of 5 must be accompanied and supervised at arm’s length by a responsible adult in the Family Pool. Only children ages 5 and older may use the pool slide. Lifeguards do not monitor the Baby Pool. Only children ages 5 and under may use the Baby Pool, and only when accompanied by a Parent or Guardian.
the briar club rules for infant & child swim diapers Infants and toddlers must wear waterproof and/or designated swim diapers in all Briar Club pools (including the Baby Pool). Swim diapers must be changed every hour.
Nannies and Household Employees Nannies and household employees are permitted acces to The Briar Club for the sole purpose of accompanying minor children of a Club Member. When appropriate, guest fees shall be charged in the event any such household employee utilized Briar Club swim, tennis or fitness facilities. The Briar Club asks that all Members who employ nannies or household employees add them to their Membership account as an authorized person to accompany your child(ren) to the Club, for the interest of convenience and safety. The Briar Club has prepared a simple Nanny Authorization Form to facilitate this process, which is available at the Security Desk, the Clubhouse Reception Desk, or in the office of Linda Benson, Membership Director. You may contact Linda Benson with any questions regarding nannies or household employees at (713) 622-3667 ext. 2159 or membership@thebriarclub.com. 10
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The Briar Club Guest Policy The Briar Club always welcomes your friends, family and colleagues to our facilities as your Guests! We kindly ask that all Guests are accompanied by a Member or are participating in a Member-Sponsored event at the Club. Guest fees shall be charged to the Member’s account for the use of the Club’s Aquatics, Tennis and Fitness facilities. Guest fees do not apply for dining-only events. All Members and Guests are required to sign-in at the Security Desk. The Briar Club Guest Policy, extracted from the House Rules, is listed below to help you plan your next visit with Guests: Individuals may accompany members as guests up to 12 times per annum. The same individual may not exceed 12 guest visits per annum, even if visits are divided amongst multiple members. Parents and children of members and their respective spouses are exempted from this limit. Guests are not permitted to use any of the Club facilities except when accompanied by a member or as holders of a Guest Card as provided herein. Members are responsible for the behavior of their guests, including people attending membersponsored parties or activities, and are liable for any damage to Club property by their guests. Guest fees shall be charged for the use of the Club’s swim, tennis, and fitness facilities and are posted in the Club’s Newsletter. The following table summarizes visits that count towards the 12 visit per annum limit: subject to 12 visit limit: Individual Visit (25+ Years Old) - YES | Individual Visit (Under 25) - NO Parents or Children of Members - NO | Dining Only Guest - NO | Guest Card Holder (Up to 14 Days) - NO a friendly reminder: help us keep our towels at “home”! Every summer, we kindly ask for the cooperation of our Members in helping return our towels to their “homes” in the designated towel receptacles all around the Club. This helps us ensure that an ample amount of fresh towels are always prepared for your next visit. Thank you for your help!
Clubhouse and Dining Attire the clubhouse In general, the Club maintains a casual dress code in all general Clubhouse areas. However, no swimsuits or swim attire are permitted inside the Clubhouse. briar bistro Casual dress, including appropriate athletic wear, is permitted. Swim attire and swimsuits are prohibited. No sleveless shirts or caps on men are permitted. lounge bar Clean and neat casual attire is permitted, excluding athletic attire and rubber flip-flop shoes for both men and women. Bermuda style dress shorts may be worn year-round in the Lounge Bar only. lounge dining Dressy casual attire is expected, which excludes athletic attire, all shorts, caps and rubber flip-flops for both men and women (and sleeveless/collarless shirts for men). the briar club
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Membership Update
Welcome New Members!
linda benson director of membership
we are proud to welcome our new members who joined in january-june 2016 !
The countdown is ON!
Annika and Juan Miguel Bermudez Amanda Blackwell and Peter Schaeffer Max and Heather Bulk Tonja De Sloover and Adam Hricik Allison and Adam Flikerski Edward and Caroline Frantz Donald and Catherine Galletly Patrick and Morgan Garvey Kathleen and Peter Hays Scott and Karrie Hilliard Randall and Victoria Jamail Dash and Elizabeth Kohlhausen David and Courtney Lipp Jeffrey and Gina Luhnow Benjamin and Meredith Marshall Michael “Matt” and Catherine Matthews Ryan and Julie Mayo Austin and Brittany McDowell Susannah and Patrick McGown Jason and Emily Miller Jeffrey and Catherine Musslewhite David and Shannon Petrick Lucho Rossman and Jessica Sheets Howard and Karen Schneider Christopher and Peggy Seaver Kevin and Melissa Stryker John and Valerie Volpi Meggan and James Walsh Katherine Warren Scott and Yvonne Ziegler
What a difference three years has made at our Club! It seems like just yesterday that Equity Members were voting for the Project. That was November 2012! In the last three years we have added a new parking garage, three new tennis courts, built a beautiful resort-style Family Pool, and (at the time of writing) are soon to finish the Barracuda Café! Can you believe that we turned 67 this year? It’s okay to tell your friends that we’ve “had a little work done!” Earlier in June, I had the awesome opportunity to walk the new Pool property. All that I can say is WOW! The Pool is amazing! I can’t wait to hear the sound of FUN at the Pool again! Have you seen the high dive? It has been an exciting journey. A BIG thank you to all of you for your patience during this time. YOU are the reason that this is happening! My letter this month is about thanking you for all of your support during the renovations and for all of your membership referrals. YOU have made the Club what it is today and what it will become tomorrow. I am truly lucky to be your Membership Director. To
all our Members that endured the renovations; thank you! It was hard, but we made it! To our new Members just joining us; welcome to your home away from home. As I have mentioned before, the countdown is on! I will see you all around the Family Pool!
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Sponsorship Credits earn a $250 non-dues credit when you sponsor! Sponsor your friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members to become Members of The Briar Club! When you are listed as a sponsor on a Membership application, we show our appreciation with a $250 non-dues credit placed on your statement! We love growing our Briar Club family, and encourage you to share the Club experience with those in your circle!
Congratulations, Graduates! we are proud to announce the graduations of these special members of our club family. Graduation from high school and college is a very important and praiseworthy accomplishment in these young peoples’ lives, and we are happy to celebrate this milestone with their families, and with The Briar Club family at large. There is no doubt that each of these young individuals have a bright future ahead. To these and all other Briar Club graduates this year - congratulations!
alexis annette bailey Kelly and Randy Bailey Alexis graduated magna cum laude from Rice University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Cognitive Science and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Policy Studies. She will work for Deloitte, based in Houston, Texas.
tucker brown
emily elizabeth calkins
richard peter cancelmo
Kristen and Jeb Brown
David and Joni Calkins
Martha and Duke Cancelmo
Tucker graduated from Episcopal High School, and will be attending the Texas Christian University School of Business.
Emily graduated from Houston Christian High School, and will attend Texas Christian University. She is a National Honors Society member. Emily was Golf Team Captain, and was awarded Golf Team MVP, All-SPC Conference, and Academic All-State titles.
Richard graduated from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Combined Sciences (Environmental Science and Geology) degree. He has a minor in General Business.
cameron cash
catherine grace catechis
charles andrew dorfman
Michelle and Warren Cash Cameron graduated from St. Thomas High School, where he was a Senior Leader, Eagle Ambassador and threeyear varsity baseball player, earning Academic All-State, All-State 2nd Team, and All District 1st Team honors. He will attend Claremont McKenna College and will play for the Claremont-MuddScripps baseball team.
Chris and Barbara Catechis Catherine graduated from St. Agnes Academy, and will be attending Baylor University as a Dean’s Gold Scholar. Catherine also received the GS Gold Award. She is the owner/founder of Camp Great Friends and was a volunteer at Our Lady of Grace School in Kenya.
Scott and Laurie Dorfman Charles graduated from St. John’s School and will attend Sewanee, where he will play lacrosse for the Sewanee Tigers.
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andrew christopher duenner
kathleen knight duenner
stuart redman duenner
Kelly and Anthony Duenner
Kelly and Anthony Duenner
Kelly and Anthony Duenner
Andrew graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He will attend MIT in the fall of 2016 to pursue a Masters in Mechanical Engineering.
Kathleen graduated from Episcopal High School, and will attend Southern Methodist University.
Stuart graduated from Southern Methodist University with Bachelor of Arts and Bachelors in Business Administration degrees.
emma scott hagle
thomas edward harvey
hunter l. hasley
Paige and George Hagle
Bob and Vicki Harvey
Gregory and Jennifer Hasley
Emma graduated from St. John’s School, and will attend Scripps College after completing a gap year in Africa.
Thomas graduated summa cum laude from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Thomas is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
Hunter graduated from St. John’s School, and will be attending the Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science. Hunter will be competing as a thrower on the Columbia University Track & Field Team.
avery campbell hinrichs
dj jones
william clair kennedy
Liane and Fred Hinrichs
Dave and Socorro “Suzie” Jones
Joan Linsley (Grandmother)
Avery graduated from Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting. Next year, Avery will pursue a Masters in Accounting at SMU, and has accepted a job offer from KPMG in Dallas, Texas.
DJ graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science degree in Integrated Marketing Communications and a minor in Buseinss. He received an Academic Excellence Scholarship for all four years, and was a member of the Dean’s and Chancellor’s Honor Rolls. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order Fraternity and the Inter Fraternity Council (IFC).
William graduated from Bellaire High School, and will be attending Texas A&M University as an Environmental Geo-Science major with a Texas A&M Corp of Cadets Scholarship and the Enbridge Honors Scholarship. William received his Eagle Scout Rank, and is a member of the National Honors Society and National German Honor Society.
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elizabeth anne kim
haley jackson manley
conor joseph mckinley
Courtney and Tony Kim
Paige Jackson and Mike Manley
Misty and Jack McKinley
Elizabeth graduated from Carnegie Vanguard High School, and will attend Villanova University.
Haley graduated from Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Haley will begin an MPH in epidemiology at Columbia University this fall.
Conor graduated from Memorial High School.
alena isabel peters
emlynn adare smith
robert ray smith, iii
Timothy and Janet Peters
Anne and Rob Smith
Anne and Rob Smith
Alena graduated from St. Agnes Academy, and will attend Texas A&M University.
Emlynn graduated from St. John’s School, and will be attending Trinity University.
Robert graduated from Trinity University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, and a minor in English.
daniel sheridan walton Sheridan and Merrick (Rick) Walton
tessa virginia twiford
elly untermeyer
Kathy and Thomas Twiford
Chase and Diana Untermeyer
Tessa graduated from Episcopal High School, where she participated in the theater program. She will attend Louisiana State University.
Elly graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology. Elly minored in Arabic, and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Stanford Cap and Gown.
Daniel graduated summa cum laude from Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, where he was a member of the National Honor Society, the Key Club, the International Thespian Society and the varsity rugby team. Daniel will attend the Colorado University at Boulder Engineering Honors program on both Presidential Scholars and Engineering Merit Scholarships, and will major in mechanical engineering.
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Employee Recognition
please join us in congratulating our six employees of the month and quarterly employee leadership award recipient. The Briar Club honors one employee each month, nominated by Club Management, as the Employee of the Month to recognize a job well done. Please congratulate them when you see them next at the Club!
leadership award recipient: pat escoffery Pat Escoffery is the recipient of our first Leadership Award, which will be awarded each quarter to an employee who demonstrates exemplary leadership skills and dedication to the Club, their co-workers and their duties. Pat serves as our Head Receptionist, and has worked at the Club for 7 years. She has been an invaluable asset to Members and Staff during our past three months of transition, and earned this award for her positive attitude and steady work ethic.
jan. 2016 : endora miranda
feb. 2016 : aracely gonzalez
march 2016 : jose perez
Briar Shop Attendant Briar Club Employee for 5 Years
Women’s Locker Room Attendant Briar Club Employee for 7 Years
Maintenance Attendant Briar Club Employee for 7 Years
april 2016 : alma castelan
may 2016 : veronica alvarez
june 2016 : mariela flores
Women’s Locker Room Attendant Briar Club Employee for 6 Years
Laundry Attendant (And Various Other Positions Over the Years) Briar Club Employee for 22 Years
Pastry Cook in the Briar Club Kitchen Briar Club Employee for 12 Years
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Tennis Club News
OKTOBERFEST PRO-Ă„M
THE BRIAR CLUB OCTOBER 7-8 2016
james broach sportsmanship award 2016 - zoe nguyen The Tennis Department is proud to announce the winner of the 2016 James Broach Sportsmanship Award is Zoe Nguyen! Zoe displayed notable sportmanship, character and growth during the year, and our entire Tennis Department is proud to award her the honor. Congratulations, Zoe!
bc vs forest club challenge september 10
briar club pro-am october 7-8 , 2016
Come cheer on your fellow members as they play against The Forest Club in our annual tennis match!
Play with one of the 32 Tennis Pros and compete in this Clubfavorite annual tournament! This year’s theme is Oktoberfest, and we will have themed food, drinks and entertainment for our kick-off party on October 7!
A team of 12 men and 12 ladies have been chosen to play The Forest Club in a challenge tennis match that has been held annually for 28 years! Matches will be held on all Briar Club courts.
Limit 32 Registrants (16 Male, 16 Female) ENTRY PRICING: $400 per team Pricing includes favors, balls, food & beverages, and awards.
Register Now: Fall Junior Tennis Program Is your child interested in playing tennis? Our Junior Tennis Program pairs a small group of children with a Briar Club Tennis Pro for hour-long skill-building lessons. Small group sizes allow for each child to receive meaningful coaching from the Pro leading their group, while having fun along the way! FALL JUNIOR PROGRAM SCHEDULE Monday, August 22, 2016 to Thursday, December 15, 2016. Ages 3-4: Tuesday & Thursday from 3:45 pm - 4:30 pm, $20 per day Ages 5-8: Tuesday & Thursday from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm, $20 per day Ages 9+: Tuesday & Thursday from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm, $20 per day Bridge & Advanced: Tuesday & Thursday from 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm, $30 per day Please contact our staff in The Briar Shop at (713) 552-2121 or Mike Alcott, Head Tennis Professional, at headtennispro@thebriarclub.com, for more information about the program and how to register your child(ren). the briar club
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Aquatics Club News
“Congratulations on another undefeated season, ‘Cudas!”
The entire Briar Club family is proud to recognize the amazing achievements of the 2016 Barracudas Swim Team, including an UNDEFEATED season (with a schedule comprised of entirely away meets) and a firstplace finish at the Country Club League Invitational at the University of Houston! This year, the Briar Club Barracudas battled and defeated Houston Country Club, Lakeside Country Club, The Forest Club, Houston Raquet Club, The Houstonian, and River Oaks Country Club. Our Lil’ Barracudas did an amazing job this year as well, showing great progress and excitement for swimming as they prepare to join the Swim Team! Many congratulations to Jon Diller, Director of Aquatics, Coach Mycal Dédé, Coach Tim Chung, and all of our Barracuda Swim Team Coaches for their enthusiasm, preparation, and determination to our swimmers of all ages. We also recognize and thank the constant dedication of all Swim Team parents who volunteered at meets, coordinated practice schedules, and cheered on our swimmers at each meet. We already can’t wait for next year!
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Year-Round Swim Team: USA Swimming The Briar Club Aquatics Department has created a culture of success and enthusiasm about swimming that is hard to find elsewhere. Our Barracuda Summer Swim Team program has been undefeated for three years straight, which is largely due to our strong year-round swimming programs. Our USA Swimming program at the Club is led by Coach Tim Chung & Coach Mycal Dédé. They both work hard to provide the children with a challenging program that still remains fun and enjoyable. The Briar Club offers year round swimming programs for children of a variety of ages. Below are the following options for your child to choose from! for more information, contact mycal dédé, aquatics coordinator: (713) 622-3667 ext. 2126 or swim@thebriarclub.com GOLD GROUP - SEPTEMBER 2016 - JULY 2017 - $1600 The Gold group is reserved for advanced, dedicated swimmers who are making a commitment to improving their speed, technique and overall athletic ability. Practices include a dry-land workout Monday through Thursdays at 4:30-5:30pm and swim workouts Monday through Thursdays 5:30-7:00pm and Saturday mornings 8:00-10:00am. Gold level swimmers should make a minimum of three practices a week, and admittance into the group must be approved by Coach Tim. SILVER GROUP - SEPTEMBER 2016 - APRIL 2017 - $1250 The Silver group is our intermediate leveled group. Practices in the Silver group focus on technique over speed and mastery of all four strokes. Silver group practices Monday through Thursday from 4:30-5:30pm and Saturday mornings from 8:00-9:00am. There are no dry-land workouts for Silver group, except on special occasions. Silver group swimmers should come to practice at least twice a week. Swimmers who come to more than three practices a week yield the best results. Admittance into the Silver group must be approved by Coach Mycal. RED GROUP - SEPTEMBER 2016 - APRIL 2017 - $950 ($150 MONTHLY) The Red group is an introductory level group for swimmers under the age of 8. Within this group, swimmers will work on a different aspects of swimming such as drills, circle-swimming, dives and total mastery of freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke. The Red group is a place for swimmers to learn, not compete; technique will take priority over speed and endurance training. The Red group is a group designated to improve swimming ability in a fun and relaxed environment that aims to develop a deeper appreciation for the sport of swimming. The red group will practice, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4:30-5:30pm. Admittance into the Red group must be approved by Coach Holly. BRONZE GROUP - SEPTEMBER 2016 - APRIL 2017 - $950 ($150 MONTHLY) The Bronze group is geared towards novice swimmers, 9 years and older, who wish to improve their swimming ability in a non-competitive environment. Similar to the Red group, the Bronze group is a place for swimmers to learn, not compete. The Bronze group is a group designated to improve swimming ability in a fun and challenging environment that aims to develop a deeper appreciation for the sport of swimming. The Bronze group will practice Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 5:30-6:30pm. Admittance into the Bronze group must be approve by Coach Holly.
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Fitness Club News
Fitness Programs
rich andrae director of fitness and wellness
the bermuda triangle challenge july 15 - august 15 , 2016
Tips from the Fitness and Wellness Director on Goal Setting: “No One Plans to Fail, They Just Fail to Plan.”
During our Bermuda Triangle Challenge, you will use various pieces of cardiovascular equipment to “discover” the 20 Treasure Chests located around the island of Bermuda. The running/ walking distance has been measured on the map, so that once you complete the whole course, you will have been around the entire island of Bermuda!
80% of people do not have goals. Of that 20% of people who have goals, 80% of those people do not write them down. Only 4% of goals not written down are achieved. If you write your goal down, you are 42% more likely to achieve it. If you tell others about your goals, you are 50% more likely for success.
As you “travel” from chest to chest, you will accumulate points. Each point is worth $0.25. There are 100 points possible, and you cannot “capture” a treasure chest more than once. For every point you earn, you will receive a nondues Briar Club gift card to be spent anywhere you choose at the Club! In addition, all those who complete all teeny treasures will have their name put into a drawing for an additional $25 gift card!
If you make yourself accountable to your goals, you are 78% more likely to achieve success.
HOW TO ENTER For a $10 entry fee, you’re entered into the challenge and provided with the motivation to finish the course by our Briar Club Fitness Staff!
Make a written plan for your goals and track your results! Your Briar Club Fitness Staff cna help! Let us be “The Best Part of Your Day!”
strongest member competition september 1 - september 30 , 2016
Feel free to contact me anytime via email at fitness@thebriarclub.com.
See how much total weight you can lift during the month of September! See the Fitness Desk for more details.
dance class session ii - line dancing ! september 7 - october 26 , 2016 Our extremely popular Dance Class sessions are continuing this fall with Session II - Line Dancing! Every Wednesday evening from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm for eight weeks, join Robin for instructional classes followed by cocktails and hors d’oeuvres! PRICING: $260 per person for 8-week session Contact Stephanie Kampf at groupex@thebriarclub. com for registration information! 20
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Featured Fitness Member: Chris Boeker, Marathon Man! This quarter, the Fitness Department would like to highlight Chris Boeker, a Briar Club member with an impressive and inspiring list of marathon completions! Not only has Mr. Boeker completed 27 marathons, but he is also only one in about 600 people who have completed the six World Marathon Majors - Boston, Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York! In addition, he has done six half marathons (five completed with his daughters), 12 Houston Marathons and one Goofy Challenge. From Mr. Boeker: “In 2003, I had a wake up call during an annual physical where I was 60 lbs heavier than my current weight, so I decided to start getting physically active. Every race has had its unique challenges: from the terrain (Boston and New York--hills) to the weather (Chicago 2007--high 80s). I loved the Marine Corps marathon because it’s held in our nation’s capital, and includes running through The Mall. Oh, and the Marines yelling & cheering was/is probably the most motivating thing I have experienced in all of my treks. Making the promise to train and execute on the training schedule for all of these races and destinations has been extremely fulfilling as it has enabled my family to travel the globe! One of the most challenging facets throughout all of the training has been training in the Houston heat while preparing for the Fall r a c e s . During my most challenging race - Chicago 2007- officials literally stopped the race due to the heat. I was at mile 22 when announced, but officially finished. All marathons were unique in many ways - weather, crowd support location, etc. But all were Awesome! The most gratifying thing about running all of these races has been seeing my family at the finish line; and they have been at all! My next promise - finish Marathons on all 7 continents. 3 down (North America, Asia, Europe), and 4 to go! More to Come! Sydney in Fall?” if you don’t see Chris running through Braeswood, West U or River Oaks, he is definitely on the Briar Club treadmills or working out with Lisa Philson (his personal trainer at the Briar Club).
Featured Pilates Instructor: Dinee Peters-Bell Dinee has a true passion for fitness and the outdoors! Dinee participated in several sports throughout her childhood; it was only natural for her to pursue a career in fitness. Health and wellness has always played and integral role in her life. Dinee began as a personal trainer at Bally Total Fitness in 2002. While at Bally’s she was introduced to Pilates and yoga. She realized she had a love for group fitness and reaching more then one life at a time! Dinee found by combining Pilates, lights weights, and yoga into one class the combonation and technique saw quick results. From Dinee: “I became a fitness instructor to share the gift of health with others. My goal is to give each student the personalized experience and take them to the next level in their fitness journey.” When not practicing Pilates, yoga or teaching, Dinee enjoys running, biking, swimming and enjoying time with her family and dogs. Dinee is a Level III Certified Pilates instructor and a 200 hour registered Yoga teacher. She is also a certified personal trainer through AFAA. the briar club
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Member Special Events learn about booking events at your club! Take advantage of your beautiful new Clubhouse and plan your upcoming events in the modern, elegant atmosphere of the Club. Our dedicated Catering & Special Events staff will work directly with you to determine how to best execute your vision for your event. We are committed to providing artistry in every detail, utilizing our fine cuisine, superior standard of service, and versatile event rooms to make every event come alive with ease. We invite our valued Members to consider The Briar Club when planning your social, personal and business events this year and next! From weddings and graduation dinners, to business functions and corporate meetings, to galas, fundraisers and themed social gatherings...The Briar Club is the perfect place for all events! Please contact our Catering & Special Events team to schedule a meeting and tour of the facilities to plan your next event! contact us at: (713) 622-3667 ext. 2155 cateringdirector@thebriarclub.com
Plan Your Holiday Party Today! Corporate, family, or friendly – we would the opportunity to impress your guests by hosting your holiday gathering in one of our beautiful new spaces. Whether fun, festive, or formal, our versatile spaces and inclusive menus and packages will make planning this year’s gathering so very easy! Space is still available, but will surely fill up fast this fall. Call us today to reserve space and begin planning an unforgettable event!
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Did You Know? the briar club’s catering & special events department is equipped with many exciting, versatile and comprehensive features, giving the club the capability to provide an unforgettable event for any occasion. here are some of the numerous features of your club’s special event offerings, including... • • • • • •
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A full portfolio of menu offerings & packages Custom French linens in Ivory and White Bone china and contemporary glassware Neutral color palettes Built-in service bars in the Ballroom State-of-the-art Audio & Visual capabilities, including drop-down screens and projectors in larger spaces, large flat screen televisions, microphone pairing and overhead audio Indoor and outdoor pre-function space, including a wrap-around veranda off of the Magnolia Ballroom that offers expansive views of our beautiful campus On-site valet and ample parking in our secured Parking Garage Personalized planning and oversight of your event from beginning to end
Magnolia Ballroom Our most versatile room, the Ballroom is primed to accommodate any large event (weddings, galas, conferences, etc.), and can be divided in three sections for multiple event spaces. This room contains high tech A/V equipment throughout. seated capacity: 80-400 people dimensions 5,265 sqare feet
Azalea Room Located off our beautiful pre-function space, this beautiful function room is suitable for luncheons, dinners, conferences and meetings. This room contaings high tech A/V equipment. seated capacity: Up to 90 people dimensions 1,220 square feet
President’s Room This quaint and sophisticated meeting space provides a refined atmosphere for meetings, parties, luncheons and special dinners. This room contains high tech A/V equipment. seated capacity: Up to 40 people dimensions 715 square feet
Wine Room Available to book for Members only, this beautiful room on the Clubhouse’s first floor is a perfect choice for special lunches, dinners and meetings. This room contains high tech A/V equipment. seated capacity: Up to 18 people dimensions 312 square feet the briar club
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THE BRIAR CLUB 2603 timmons lane houston, tx 77027 www.thebriarclub.com (713) 622-3667
2016 briar club board of directors
president - will garwood committee vice president - rob traband membership secretary - clark lord house/legal treasurer - david mordy finance ex officio - rob sigler building, strategic planning cletus dodd entertainment/food & beverage shannon huff tennis kathleen o’reilly aquatics bruce derrick physical properties claire curtin youth paige hagle fitness
Upcoming Club Events rally the family: dive-in movie night ! friday, august 5 a-z winemaker event! wednesday, august 10 rally the family: bingo night ! thursday, august 11 moonlight madness ! friday, august 19 briar fun night: wet & wild wipeout ! saturday, august 20 friday night live ! friday, august 26 teen only pool party saturday, august 27 labor day celebration monday, september 5 little girls spa party! friday, september 9 briar fun night: superhero training saturday, september 17 imagination inspiration - team smash! saturday, september 24