August 2024
Savor
MEMBER NEWSLETTER
Dellwoodian Friends, As I sat down to write this month’s newsletter reflection, I look out our front home office window. My husband Sam is hauling a**, zigzagging around the yard waving his arms over-head. He’s being chased by angry ground bees he’s trying to foam-spray-evict from our front flower bed. It’s a sure sign that August is here. The bees and the bittersweetness of summer’s last weeks are in full effect. I think about our summer thus far at Dellwood and am grateful for the memories we’ve already made, as well as what’s to come throughout the remainder of the summer. July brought us some quality (albeit aggravating) family time on the course, beautiful afternoons by the pool, an epic wine tasting event, and a heck of a fun couples 9-hole scramble on the 26th. The Solheim Cup was a big highlight with a great group of women golfers coming together for 36-holes of laughs and camaraderie. Several women who had never played in the event came out to join the teams, which made the event even more fun. We sure hope you’ll all be back next year. Congrats to the Blue Team—this year’s big winners!
For August, there’s even more excitement with numerous golf events for men, women and couples; more live music on the patio; the final sessions of junior golf and tennis; and dreamy days by the pool. The annual calendar, which is included in in this newsletter is an outstanding guide to what’s ahead. Take a look and get this stuff on your calendar. You can’t beat fun for a good time. Yours in bad golf, Brienna
From the President
By Brienna Schuette, Club President
I also think many would agree our course conditions continue to improve year over year. We are extremely fortunate to have such a solid foundation when it comes to Turfgrass Management crew, led by Superintendent Eric Peterson, Assistants Jeff Bohler & Nick Gunderson, and Mechanic Jon Domning. These four, along with their solid team (make sure to read Eric's article!), are responsible for these wonderful course conditions we've all been enjoying this past year, despite the record-setting rainfall we've overcome. If you see them on the course, I hope you take the chance to say hello! We have a lot to look forward to in August and beyond this year. Peg continues to push and promote Pickle Ball mixers and introductory events. Clayton and his staff have gotten creative with existing events to promote more participation in events (our 2nd annual "Ladies Play with the Staff" event on Aug 15 and a well-participated 1st year of Men's Club on Wednesday's). Katie and Brita and their teams have worked well together in pushing more fun events for our Members (Summer Concert Series and Divin' Dogs!). Chef Peter is constantly pushing the limits to offer our Members and Guests the best dining experience possible. Despite annual maintenance practices coming up (Green Aerification 8/19-8/21 and Fairway Aerification/Sanding in September), there is a lot of prime weather left for all things outdoors! We hope to see you all out taking advantage of everything offered here at the Club! If you are not yet following DCC on Instagram (@dellwoodcountryclub) or Facebook (@ Dellwood Country Club), please do! This is a convenient and interactive way to stay current with what's going on at the Club, as well as to get a glimpse of new menu items or specials like these. Cheers! -Pete
By Pete LaCoursiere General Manager
From Your GM...
The fireworks that kicked off this past month continued well past the 4th. July was packed full of golf, music, events and our B&G Member-Guest Tournament. Our team here put their heads down and worked extremely hard to ensure that each and every event was a success! The extra work put in by all is attributed directly to our Membership - your display of genuine appreciation is the reason why everyone is beyond willing to give their all, day in, and day out. It's a winning recipe that gives us all pride in our Membership of the Club along with our employment here as well. Beyond pride, it's a recipe that should give us all confidence that DCC continues to thrive and further establish itself as a prominent Twin Cities Club now and for years to come. If you've had a great experience so far this season, I'd encourage you to consider contributing towards our Annual Employee Scholarship Fund. We had over 30 employees submit their essays last year and expect even more this year. Employees that are either actively enrolled in school, have graduated in the last five years, have a tuition balance for their education, and have worked at least 100 hours this season are eligible. Your contributions go directly towards tuition balance payments for them and are very much appreciated by our staff. We know that this is one of many ways to support a workforce that returns year over year at Dellwood. These funds are distributed to eligible employees at our annual Employee Appreciation Day, held this year on August 11 (and weather-pending, at the Pool!). I will be joined by Michelle this year as we roll up our sleeves and grill out for our team. If you're interested in preparing or providing a dessert dish for the staff, please drop Michelle or myself a note prior to Sunday the 11th!
How has July come and gone? With no less than 5 sunny days too. July is a favorite month around here as we host some of our most beloved events, including the Black & Gold Invitational! We had a fabulous tournament this year with 4 days, 10 meals, 144 players, 20,000+ steps a day, but endless smiles! Thank you to all who played and big congratulations to Ken Kasprisin and his partner for winning it all. We had a great shootout with many talented teams fighting for the sought after trophy. This was my 9th B&G tournament, 6th as a manager, and with each one we encounter new ways to bring joy to all who played. We had some fantastic partnerships this year with some of our liquor distributors – notably Tito’s, Johnnie Walker, and Moet & Chandon. Shoutout to Johnnie Walker for pulling out all the stops for our very own JW lover, David Lage aka Grandpa. As we approach August, we start to say farewell to some of our seasonal college staff. This is such a bittersweet time for us as we have enjoyed having them over the summer but miss them during the off season! We have about 25 seasonal employees this year that will head back within the first couple weeks of August. Please don’t hesitate to wish them good luck with their school year if you see them at the pool, grill, or depot! We also ask you to have patience with our year-round team as we adjust to our staffing changes over the month. We look forward to August’s fun events including another night of Couples Golf, our annual Pro-Am, the Pro Duel, and play with the Pro’s night for Ladies Golf. Looking forward to seeing you around the club this month and as always, Cheers!
by Brita Van Guilder Food & Beverage Director
Food & Wine
From Catering & Events:
From the Pro
As we jump into August, we can’t forget how busy the club has been in every area this last month and it’s great to see everyone at the club. The weather was great in July, allowing a lot of golf to be played and with that being said, we were up 750 rounds this year. Women’s Solheim: We had 28 women play in this year’s Solheim Event and the teams were very evenly matched. The Blue Team beat the Red team by 3 points over 27 holes. The winning players were Sue Ryan, Bri Schuette, Leah Frantzen, Roxy Nelson, Beth Pilacinski, Mary Cox, Jolene Conard, Patty Callahan, Sandy Martin, Roberta Ginter, Maureen Marcoux, Florence Odegard, Cindy Peltier, and Carrie Horak. Great playing ladies and looking forward to next year’s event. Black & Gold: The Black & Gold Invitational was played July 17th– July 20th with 72 teams in this year’s event. I want to give a special shout-out to all the Dellwood Staff who helped make this a great event. We had unbelievable weather for this year’s event and the golf course was in absolutely perfect shape thanks to Eric and his staff. Congrats to all the flight winners this year and congrats to our 2024 Black and Gold Champions, Ken Kasprisin and Robert Dew. Phil Foley Flight- Brian Moores and Brett Stinson Peter Jacobson Flight- Joe Ritchie and Mike Lundberg Curtis Strange Fight- Keith Larson and Randy LaFaive Greg Norman Flight- Brad Bliese and Larry Douglas Arnold Palmer Flight- Zach Hansen and David Grun Aaron Oberholser Flight- Ken Kasprisin and Robert Dew Mark O’Meara Flight- Bill LeBlanc and Harrison Andrews Tom Lehman Flight- Tim Lawin and Charlie Cory Jack Nicklaus Flight- Bill Perpich and Scott Andriano Woody Austin Flight- Michael Janssen and Derek Solt Rod Pampling Flight- Don Odegard and Joe Morris Derek Holmes Flight- Steve Han and Brad Kirtz Thanks again to everyone who played in the 2024 Black & Gold Invitational.
Hello Dellwoodians! It’s been great to see all of your smiling faces enjoying yourself around the club, and at the different member events hosted in July. We have had fun creating great memories for members attending such events as the Black & Gold Invitational, live music on the patio, and many member golf gatherings. I have included some photo collages for you to take a look at. Thank you all for showing up! When it comes to the member events the entire Dellwood CC team contributes. I have the pleasure of working with all departments and Dellwood CC crew on many of the details that contribute to the planning and execution of each event. In addition, I also have the opportunity to focus on some of the details I personally find very exciting including: set-up, decorations, ambiance, and entertainment. When all of the fine details come together with great service, execution and amazing food at an event, it creates a feeling of enjoyment and satisfaction that keeps me tethered to the hospitality industry. So again, I say thank you all for showing up! And, thank you members for inviting your friends and being proud to show off our club, our Dellwood CC community. Please keep an eye out for the announcements of new upcoming events. The date for our new Whiskey & Cigars tasting event will be released soon! This is a partnered event with Keeper’s Heart Whiskey & Sodie’s Cigars on the DCC patio this fall. This is just the first of some new event additions. The DCC Events and Banquets team loves helping to create, and host amazing gatherings. We are actively booking the 2024, 2025 & 2026 calendars for weddings, holiday parties, galas, all-day business meetings and more! For information or to set-up a tour, please visit our web-site or call the Events department (651) 426-4155. We cannot wait to help create amazing memories for you and/or your loved one’s! See you around the Club! Katie Boyd
by Katie Boyd Director of Banquets & Events
by Clayton Johnson Golf Professional
Chef Peter Christenson Corporate Chef
Hello Members, What a summer we have had at Dellwood CC! July alone was host to so many fun events! The five-day Black and Gold Invitational Tournament, nights of live music on our patio, three Monday golf outings, four weddings, and many sunny summer days to have dinner on the patio and/or at the pool. Sprinkle in couple’s golf night, a few baby showers, an engagement dinner, and we’ve had quite the July in the culinary department! The annual Black & Gold Golf Tournament is most certainly our biggest event of the year. The entire culinary team looks forward to this event every year, as it gives us a chance to try new things like the Thai specialties served up with assistance from Chef Yia from The Brickhouse. We also love to spoil our members with participant favorite’s such as the breakfast buffets to start each day, seafood displays, fresh summer salads, perfectly grilled proteins, and more! I would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to everyone that has taken a moment to share kind words with me of appreciation and gratitude in regards to the food in the bar & restaurant, served during the week of Invitational, and every event over the past month. It takes an entire culinary team to create and execute the happenings around here at the club, and it is always a great pleasure to be able to pass on such great positive feedback to my team. While August may mark the slowdown of summer for some, we have no plans of turning down the heat in the kitchen anytime soon. The month of August will play host to many more golf outings, days at the pool, weddings, and more! Also, please continue to check out our weekly specials that start every Thursday in the grill! Now, let’s eat! Chef Peter Christenson
From the Kitchen
Tennis Juniors still has openings for the 3 week August session. Sign up through the app on the Junior Sports page. Classes are MON and WED Aug 5th -Aug 21st. Hitters: ages 8-10 8:45-9:45 Future Stars: ages 6-8 9:45-10:30 Pee Wees: ages 4-5 9:45-10:30 Players: Ages 11-14 11:30-12:45 Advanced JV and Varsity: 12:45-2:00 Fall after school tennis is a 6 week session on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning Sept 9th -Oct 16th. We will split the classes according to age .With the variety of schools ending at various times it's difficult planning specific hours for each age group, so sign up for time that works best for you by contacting Peg directly via email or text 651.246.1662. Cost is $300 a session. 3:15-4:15 and or 4:15-5:15 Ladies mark your calendar for Wednesday, Aug 14th Pickle Ball Tennis mixer! Drills and play from 5:00-7:00. The Club will be offering drink specials on the tennis deck. This is a great chance to meet other players. Cost is 25.00 member and 30.00 guest.To reserve your spot contact Peg directly. Lastly, myself and our coaching staff would like to say a huge thank you for all your participation with all the programs. We absolutely love working with all of you, and look forward to meeting many new faces as well. Without you there would be no us!!! Have an awesome August, and thanks for reading!
The “Dog Days of Summer” have arrived. Typically this is the time of year when turf grasses and golf courses see the most stress. I have always told staff and members that the 4th of July to the middle of August is the six weeks you need to be firing on all cylinders. It’s usually hot and humid which is stressful to turf in and of itself. When you add in the things that come along with that like higher insect and disease pressure, heavy rainfalls, stressed employees and the like, it is the pivotal point in the season. It is this stretch that generally makes or breaks your season. Over the last 10 or so seasons we have been fortunate enough to have 8 employees that have returned to work at Dellwood CC. They leave their families for 6 months at a time to come and help care for this property we call Dellwood Country Club. They are the backbone of what do and they have created the consistent playing conditions you have come to expect. Each of these men takes pride in what he does and loves working here. It is their hard work that allows us to do what we do so well. I just wanted to recognize these guys for their loyalty, hard work and dedication to keeping Dellwood CC great! They truly are the solid core of what we do on the Grounds Crew. They hail from a small town in southeastern Mexico called Chalcatzingo. Chalcatzingo is known for its ruins and is in the center of a mountain range. Pictured below from left to right in back are Esteban Peralta, Renato Peralta, Emanuel Barranco, and Danny Peralta. In the front row are Rolando Peralta, Reyes Barranco, Alejandro Barranco and Eric Peralta.
From the Courts:
From the Course
By Eric Peterson, Superintendent
by Peg Kelly Director of Tennis / Pickleball
Michelle Murray, Office Manager Brita van Guilder, Director of Food & Beverage
Member Since: 2020 Amenity Used Most: Golf, but we use it all! Favorite Menu Item: Farmhouse Salad w/ Chicken What I Enjoy Most about DCC: Women's Golf on Thursday nights! So fun to get out on the beautiful course with friends and stay for dinner & drinks afterwards. Little Did We Know.. I have been known to, how do I say this, out-drive my husband!
Blair Oklobzija
Paul Edwards
Beth Pilacinski
Clayton Johnson, Head Golf Professional Pete LaCoursiere, General Manager
Representing DCC Staff:
2024 Advisory Committee
Kate Gonzalez
Bill LeBlanc
Member Since: 2012 Amenity Used Most: Golf & Restaraunt Favorite Menu Item: Everything breakfast What I Enjoy Most about DCC: #1-Great golf events. #2-The people! I'm fascinated at how approachable members are and the respect everyone has for one another. Claim to Fame: I've had two aces at DCC on the same hole: #16 which was #7 the first time I aced it. The second one was with Driver, but hey, it was from the tips!
Lisa Kaler
Member Since: 2020 Amenity Used Most: Golf, Pool a close 2nd (thanks to my son Aksel, 7) Favorite Menu Item: Chicken Wings, extra crispy, buffalo sauce What I Enjoy Most about DCC: The welcoming nature of the Club. Very family friendly, accepting, no cliques,& the right balance of laid back, casual, and still nice. Claim to Fame: I once eagled Holes 5 & 8 and failed to break 40 on the front!
Member Since: 2022 Amenity Used Most: Pool is #1 Favorite Menu Item: I'm advocating to bring back the Tater Tatchos! What I Enjoy Most about DCC: I love the family friendly atmosphere and the many events that children enjoy participating in. Big fan of the sleigh rides! Claim to Fame: I once made a net hole in one on the second hole during the big Box Car Member-Member Tournament!
Sara Han
Member Since: 2009 Amenity Used Most: Golf. IMO it's one of the most alluring courses in the Metro Favorite Menu Item: Seared Ahi Tuna w/ Sweet Chili Sauce and Wasabi Aioli What I Enjoy Most about DCC: Dellwood Members have become second family. I've created lifetime friendships with men & women, young and old. Every summer I look forward to seeing the next generation partake in Junior Golf Camps. Claim to Fame: I aced Hole #12. On Mother's Day. AND in front of all my kids. That's tough to beat!
Member Since: 2016 Amenity Used Most: Myself: Golf. My wife Amanda & Kids: Pool Favorite Menu Item: Seafood Risotta & Oktoberfest Pretzels! What I Enjoy Most about DCC: The overall welcoming feel. I entertain a lot of customers and business partners at the Club and they all love the experience and look forward to coming back. All Family: Amanda and I have three boys, Miles (14), Oliver (12) & Calvin (10). They love hanging at the pool and enjoy the food!
Adam Larson
Member Since: 2020 Amenity Used Most: Golf Favorite Menu Item: Turkey Burger w/ Cranberry Aioli & Bootleggers What I Enjoy Most about DCC: Women's League on Thursday nights and Couples Golf Events. Lifelong friendships have been created through these events. Claim to Fame: My husband Steve & I won the Couples Club Championship in 2022!
Member Since: 2012 Amenity Used Most: Golf Favorite Menu Item: Big fan of our Turkey Burger, right behind that is the Ahi Tuna salad and the Filet. What I Enjoy Most about DCC: The group of 20 or so guys that gather on Wednesday's and Saturday's. Play a little 2 of 4 Net game. Great group of people. More About Me.. I enjoy wakeboarding, the outdoors, my new labrador and keeping busy in retirement.
DELLWOOD COUNTRY CLUB 29 East Highway 96 Dellwood, MN 55110 651.426.3218 (Clubhouse) 651.426.4733 (Golf Shop)