The Maple Ridge Messenger 5-1-09
5/1/2009 6:27:34 PM
THE MAPLE RIDGE MESSENGER
The Official Newsletter of Maple Ridge Golf Club, Columbus, Ga.
MAY 1, 2009 EDITION
LOOKING BOTH WAYS Tom Kubik, General Manager
Looking Back … April was a much kinder month weather-wise and the Club should be fairly close to budget for rounds and revenues. We had a couple of rainout make up days from March that we know limited some playing time for our members and we appreciate your indulgence. We did open on two Tuesdays for member play and are trying our best to serve your needs. We have not yet made a determination on the wash out on #9, but should finalize the type of repair to be done, pending insurance participation or non-participation. Our contractor had some labor problems last month and has fallen behind on the bathroom renovation. He has assured me that he will pick up the pace and have us in good shape in the near future.
Looking Ahead … May looks to be a busy month with a load of activities being offered to you, our valued member. LGA & MGA Activities, Thursday Night Dogfights, Friday Night Couples, Junior Tournaments, member play on two Tuesdays, B A S H, Friday Night Dining, Memorial Day BBQ, and even a Corn Hole Tournament. Let’s not forget our Mothers on Sunday, May 10. Mark your calendars and plan to participate as much as possible.
As always … please let us know your thoughts and ideas to make Your Club the Best it can be. Thank you so much for your continuing support!
HIGH SCHOOL HEROES Gene Matthews, Head Pro & Mike Gill, Dir. of Golf
We have two openings for our upcoming Ladies Golf Clinics scheduled for May 5-6 and May 12-13, from 6-7:30 p.m. with a private lesson included. Instruction focuses on Putting, Chipping, Bunker Play, Irons and Woods. Cost is $150 per person, limited to five (5) ladies. Contact us to take part -- more clinics and workshops to come!
Congratulations to Columbus H.S. Maple Ridge members Jimmy Beck, Jason Hobbs, Jonathan Klotz, Kevin Meadows and John Howard on winning the AAA Region tournament and going to the State High School Championships! JV Blue Devils include Evan Gill, Kane O’Bryan, Mitch Blankenship and Joseph Chong. CHS girls golfers, including Maple Ridge member Jennifer Witczak, also vie for the State title.
Also going to State with Brookstone High School: Coach Marty Durden, Cates Culpepper, Robert Mize and Jayvee Alex Ball. From the Lady Cougars, Coach Dee Dee Branham and Amy Kang are making the trip. All are Maple Ridge members.
Representing the Northside High Patriots: Members Chris Campos, Travis Oestmann, Brandon Webb, Jeffrey Cook and Michael Cranston. Off the JV’s: Will Cranston, Austin Smith, Patrick Steed, Max Hewitt and Coach John Drew.
Across the Alabama border, Central High School’s Alex Harrell and Lena Lemieux will play in their State Championship. Other area high school players among the Maple Ridge membership: Harris County’s Bryant Matthews and Grant Carter, and Jordan Dean off the Tigers’ girls golf team.
MAY BE BUSY! Brianne J. Baggett, Sales & Marketing Assistant
Now that we have survived the drenching April showers, it’s time to spring forward into the beautiful month of May. This month is a busy month filled with numerous activities for the members. On May 9th there will be a LGA: AM Tournament followed by a JGA: Parent-Junior Tournament. This is also the 2nd “Potential Member Day” lunch and 1 PM shotgun, so if you know of anyone who might be interested in joining the Club, this is a great event to invite them to. Call me or Rick to reserve your spot(s)! The LGA holds its monthly tournament on May 4th. On May 21st, it’s the MGA’s Thursday 9-hole dogfight with dinner following (Shawn’s considering some mighty tasty beef tenderloin). There will be both JGA and MGA tournaments on May 23rd.
Also, on May 15th, 22nd, and 29th we offer Couples Golf (fun atmosphere) that will Tee-Off at 6 PM. Dinner afterward is optional, after a 6:15 Friday Night Dining seating.
May 25th is Memorial Day and this year we hope you spend this Monday at Maple Ridge. Golf in the morning -- We will be presenting a holiday “Corn-Hole” Tournament that we hope transforms into an annual event. The tournament will begin at 2 PM with an entry fee of $10! Bring the entire family for a fun day out at the Club!
By the way – congrats to Dave Pendleton, winner of one free year’s dues in the LGA’s “Pot of Gold” Drawing (Junior Girls Classic). Thanks to all who bought tickets!
Just a reminder… I am still looking for prospects for interviews for the website! If you are interested or want to nominate a friend email me at bbaggett@wcbradley.com or come by and see me! John O’Connor is next “In the Limelight”.
ROLL OUT THE HEAVY HITTERS! Rick Jacobson, Dir. of Sales & Mktg.
It’s been another good couple of weeks on the membership front. We’re pleased to welcome back, after a seven-year absence, Full Member Matt Hershman, a supervisor with Covington Credit Co. working mostly in metro Atlanta. Myung-Jin Jung, employed by Diversified Iron and Metal, is a new Weekday Member, and our newest Student Member is Grant Carter, a golfing freshman at Harris County High.
We’re expecting quite a few more new names and faces to add to the roster after our second “Potential Member Day” Saturday, May 9. This heavily advertised event groups up to 20 non-members for lunch, a 1 p.m. shotgun round, a cold drink after play and a chance to join Maple Ridge together for substantial group discounts on their initiation fees – all for just $25! New members can save as much as $1,250 on PMD!!!
Exciting news! Member Brent Burns of RE/MAX Prime Realty will sponsor both days of B.A.S.H.! What this means for entrants is more food and more socializing after the rounds! The 9 holes each of Best Ball, Alternate Shot, Scramble and High Score can be rehashed in a comfortable back-lawn setting. The housing market’s picking up, and we’re grateful to Brent for choosing our tourney as a marketing vehicle.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for five more major events here in 2009: the Chattahoochee Cup (June 13-14), Club Match-Play Championship (Aug. 1-2-8-9), 2nd Annual Chattahoochee Valley Amateur (Aug. 15-16), Club Championship Weekend (Sept. 11-13) and Ridgefest Invitational (Oct. 3-4). Last year’s sponsors retain first right of refusal. Please call me for details on these multi-media packages.
Maple Ridge Hackers softball update: Columbus Senior Softball League team is 1-1 after blowing a five-run lead in the bottom of the 7th last Thursday. A tight 3-3 game wound up a 12-11 nail-biter. Maple Ridge member Charlie Speakman played shortstop for our first opponent, whom we beat 12-10. We’re entertaining and injury-prone to say the least! Next game is 8:15 p.m. May 4 at Tillis Field off 13th Ave.
SAUTE & SIMMER WITH SHAWN! Shawn Robinson, Dir. of Food & Bev.
Hey! It’s that time of year again, when the weather is warm and pleasurable… why not take full advantage of that and let Maple Ridge take away the fuss and hustle of preparing a meal? From BBQ’s on the back lawn, to fancy dining in The Grille, we can do it all! Looking for a caterer for an upcoming event? We have you covered!
Remember our new cooking class; Chef Shawn will conduct a pre-registered cooking class scheduled for June 1st at 6 PM. Enjoy an evening full of food, fun, and friends while learning extensive cooking skills! We will be preparing Chicken Marsala, Sauteed Baby Spinach with Garlic and Bacon, and Pan-seared Fingerling Potatoes. I will pair a wine with the main course. Dessert will include Bananas Foster. Keep in mind that there are only 10 spaces available, so reserve your spot NOW! For more information contact Shawn Robinson at srobinson@wcbradley.com or 706.569.5180.
LET’S TALK TURF (Appearing on E-Mailed Edition) Doug Smith, CGCS