The Covey | July 2014
Alvamar Country Club's Monthly Newsletter
July Events:
July 4th- Pool Party!! *Starts at 11 AM, Grilling from 12-2 and games at 1:30!
July 4th- Annual Firecracker Golf Event- Shotgun at 9 AM on the Member's Course and an awards lunch in the banquet room!
July 17th- Family Game Night At The Pool- 5-8 PM
Welcome New Members!
Terrance & Deanna Phillips
Trene& Brandon Byrne
Jeff & Jo Morasco
Nitin &Daxa Patel
Richard & Kelly Valbuena
Njdeh(Nick) Asisian
&AdrinehMehdilshani
Richard & Kelly Valbuena
Lindsay & Traci Hoopingarner
Farrar, Kenneth & Carrie
Lori & Luke Sinclair
Ted & Jennifer Culbertson
Robert & Tonya Waller
Joan Kamm
Aaron & Whitney Webber
Brian Ayers & Courtney Shanks
Victor Rivas & Sarah Dillman
Enjoy Alvamar!
From our president..
So far we have managed to bypass the 100+ degree days of summer that we have
become accustomed to. That being said, I am sure the "Dog Days" of summer
are right around the corner. This year has brought some exiting changes to Alvamar including the new stone work on Hole #16 and the continued switch over of our bunkers to crushed quartz. If you have been out on the course lately I am sure you have seen that the bridge is failing on Hole #2, but rest assured that our very competent maintenance staff is already working on a new bridge solution.
I want to tip my hat to the many committees at Alvamar. The Alvamar Ambassadors launched the first ever Lawrence Human Society donation drive this year, asking our membership to donate blankets, towels, cat litter and toys to help a very worthy cause. I want to thank all of you that participated in this event. My wife and I had the pleasure of attending the Country Stampede this past week and we were able to socialize with the many great members of Alvamar while enjoying incredible food, silly photos in the photo booth and live music out on the patio. Many thanks to the Social Committee and staff for putting on this great event.
I would encourage everyone to check the Alvamar Calendar and try to make it out to one of these awesome events, I promise you won't be dissatisfied. I hope to see you soon at the 'Place to Play'.
Cheers!
Greg
Two be or not Two be
The answer is Two be!
As many of you are aware we have a bridge issue on hole #2. Golfers will notice that we are in process of building a temporary bridge that will allow us to continue play as normal. We have decided to take this opportunity and give number #2 a facelift of sorts, thanks to some generous donations from a select number of club members and an appropriation of operational dollars from Alvamar Inc. as well. You can expect to see over the next several months some wonderful upgrades to hole #2 that include a new permanent bridge that will be not only beautiful in its appearance but the standard by which other bridges will be measured over time around the Alvamar property. The other enhancements include a row of arborvitae trees that will run down the south side of number two that will hide the maintenance area from view of the golfers, and a landscaping overhaul behind the hole that will give the backdrop of number two a beautiful and inviting appearance. We will also replace and upgrade the right hand bunker with a new design and white sand that should make the hole something that all members and their guests will appreciate and remember. All told this estimated $40,000 project will create a gateway into the Alvamar member’s course that will truly be something special. I want to thank Alvamar Inc., Orion management, and our entire membership body for their support of the club, which makes important and necessary improvements like this possible. It is a true privilege to work in an environment where the care and improvement of our celebrated property is always a top priority. Thank you again for the privilege of serving all of you and have a Happy and Safe 4th of July.
Bryan Minnis
Director of Operations
A letter from Don Dunn..
It is awesome to be back at Alvamar! Alvamar has been a vital part of the Dunn family for over 25 years. We owe Alvamar much for how all of you have impacted our lives. When our family moved to Lawrence in 1989, Janice, David, and Jared took golf lessons from the assistant pro at Alvamar. Jared worked at Alvamar as golf outside and inside services and as a bartender for Alvamar events. Stephanie, Jared’s wife, worked several years as inside services at the golf shop. Jared and Stephanie met at Alvamar and married last October. Of course, you know David’s history as transportation coordinator, golf shop manager, manager of both courses and head golf professional, and as tournament sales director. Five years ago, Dick Stuntz allowed me to do an organizational assessment and an internship at Alvamar for projects in my Master’s program at Fort Hays State University. The “Place to Play” came from that assessment. When I stepped aside from pastoring after 33 years to work on my PhD in Organization and Management at Capella University, David hired me to do outside services and to be the first tee starter on both courses. While working as a starter, I had the privilege of talking with Scott Willette about my dissertation. Scott made a connection that landed me a large, global company as one of my research organizations. Now, post-PhD, Bryan Minnis has given me the privilege to be back at Alvamar as the Director of Quality Management. Most of you call me POPPS, so my role here is to be the Promoter Of the Place to Play or as Bryan likes to say: the “Police-er Of the Place to Play!”
My first task over these past three months has been to further define and identify our culture at Alvamar as the “Place to Play.” Through working with management staff and members, we have detailed what it means to be the “Place to Play as the lifestyle club in the greater Kansas City, Lawrence, and Topeka areas.” We are training all of our staff to be ambassadors of and to be held accountable for the following core directives:
P ride - in our appearance and character, in our work and our teammates, remembering this is “our” club.
L isten - to members, guests, managers, and teammates to address needs and concerns, so that we never settle but continually improve.
A ttentive – service in a welcoming and friendly attitude, as we are constantly aware of anticipating customer needs.
Y ou – are the front-line person to make the first great impression and a lasting impression on our customers.
I would like to suggest that these core directives are not just for paid staff, but also for all of us as members of Alvamar. This is our club and we should each be ambassadors of and hold each other accountable for PLAY. Think about these core directives in terms of our interactions with each other and with potential members.
As a way to recognize staff and members who promote the “Place to Play,” I will be giving out unique awards. Ask me about those awards or check out the display in the Pro Shop trophy case…five golden golf balls = one crystal trophy!
Thank you for the warm welcome that you have given me in my return to our club. I look forward to serving you and to serving with you at Alvamar, the “Place to Play!”
Ryan Spencer | Director of Golf Sales & Marketing
When I first arrived at Alvamar on a cold day in March I had a wonderful warm feeling. Everywhere I went I was greeted with a smile from a member or a co-worker. The feeling and overall atmosphere was very positive and genuine. When I was lucky enough to be hired by Bryan in February I thought “well now I have it made.” I was blessed and lucky enough to be at one of the premiere facilities in the Midwest, with great people and great members! Prior to working at Alvamar my perception was that this is a wonderful and special place. After working here and seeing what takes place from an up close and personal perspective, I can say that it is even more special and more wonderful than I had originally thought. My intention was to relocate from Kansas City to Lawrence, work hard and do everything possible to help make Alvamar the best it could be. That is why writing my final piece for the Covey is so difficult. I was not looking for any other employment and had no intention of leaving Alvamar. I was incredibly happy! With that said, an opportunity has been presented to me outside of the golf business. After careful consideration and numerous meetings, this is an opportunity I am unable to pass up. My last day will be July 7, 2014. I would specifically like to thank my co-workers who are absolutely amazing. The workload that these people have and the cheerful nature in which they embrace their daily challenges are absolutely incredible. To all the members that I have had the pleasure to meet, whether we were sharing a bite to eat, playing a round of golf, sitting on a committee, or just exchanging a laugh and a story in passing, I would like to say, thank you for being so wonderful to me in our short time together. I hope you have a wonderful summer and that our paths will cross again. Best wishes to all of you and your families.
Ryan
July Golf Updates:
-Eric Magnuson-
July marks the heart of the golf season. Many of you have developed a routine of playing or practicing. However, the mix of these two should be looked at to help maximize the effects of both for the betterment of one’s game. Practice should be planned out and be efficient. By taking the time to organize your practice it will take less time and be more productive. When playing we should look at the golf course and be realistic about what we are trying to accomplish on the course. I spoke with a few members this week and they reminded me about an article I wrote last year and I think it is important to remind everyone of these thought. Golf is a game where you have many challenges. The top 3 challenges for a golfer is the course, one’s self, and the other competitors. By taking these 3 challenges and putting them in the correct order, successful rounds of golf can be achieved more often. Playing the course is the first step. Understanding which holes lend themselves to your strengths and which holes are a more difficult. This is determined by length, shape, and hazards on the hole. By creating a plan on how you will want to play the hole is important for success. This is done by all successful golfers. An example from my game is #7 on the Member’s Course. I have the length to reach the par 5 in 2 shots, however it is not the best play for me. Weather it is from the green tees or the black tees the second shot does not fit my game very well. Because of this I do not hit a Driver off the tee and opt for a 3 wood. This allows me a large landing area and takes the options of going for the green out of the equation. By setting this plan I make less eagles, bogies, and double bogies but many more pars and birdies. Playing one’s self is the most difficult step in golf. You can create a plan or hit a bad shot but what you do next is the challenge. Taking and sticking with your plan is all about keeping your focus on the task at hand. Understanding the handicap system can help. First you are only supposed to shot your handicap 20% of the time. Secondly use your “strokes” in your plan. If you are an 18 handicap your par for a course in par plus the course par. The “course par” is not a realistic goal, it is a baseline for someone who is a Zero handicap. At Alvamar an 18 handicap should play to a par of 90. This is a terrific way to give us an indication of how we are playing compared to our game and not to what the printed scorecard says. Staying in control of our emotions and understanding our abilities is part of course management and self-management. Accepting that we will hit bad shots and not trying the miracle shot to recovery will also reduce higher numbers on the scorecard. Playing within yourself and thinking your way through all 18 holes is one of the biggest keys to successful rounds. Playing our competitor is our last challenge and can be the easiest challenge to overcome. If you take care of playing the course first and then are comfortable with yourself, your competitor should not have an effect on your play. You play with other to enjoy their company. This is another piece of self-management that each golfer needs to be aware of for a successful round.
We are asking forVolunteers for Monday, July 21 to help with the Web.com Midwest Qualifier. We have held this event over the past couple of years and have been rated one of the best hosts for the Web.com Qualifiers in the nation. With your help we can continue to be ranked on top. We are also looking for Volunteers for the “College Recruit” National Championship being hosted on the Championship Course July 29, 30, and 31. This is a new event for Alvamar and will showcase Alvamar and Lawrence to the national stage of junior golfers and college coaches.
Date to Circle on your Calendar:
ALL Thursdays – Ladies Hit and Giggle 5:00 – 5:30 Start depending on light and heat.
July 4th – Firecracker Scramble – 9:00 shotgun
July 19th – 20th – Guys and Dolls, tee times to be determined
July 21st – Web.com Midwest Qualifier
July 25th – Friday Night Guys and Dolls Envelope 9-hole Scramble, 5:30 shotgun.
July 29th – 31st – National Championship College Recruits (Championship Course)
-Paul Hooser-
The Championship Course practice facility will host a couple of exciting junior golf camps in July. July 8 – 12 we will offer a half day camp for the experienced junior looking to advance their golf game and skills. From 9:00-noon for four days we will focus on strengthening each golfer’s fundamentals as we work through the shot skills of the short game and full swing. The half day camp enrollment fee is $175. Contact myself to get your junior signed up.
Alvamar is a part of the Midwest PGA’s junior camps this summer. We are host to the Premier Elite full day camp for competitive juniors. In addition to a focus of golf swings and golf skills, the elite camp features daily on course time to discuss strategy and approaches for playing golf. Each camper will also get evaluations to take home in regards to equipment and physical ability. You may get your golfer into this great opportunity at Midwest.pga.com/summercamps/. I will be the lead instructor and additional Midwest professionals will be added as needed. The fee for the elite camp is $349.
Want more info or steps to sign up? Call Paul Hooser at 785-842-1907 or email phooser@alvamar.com.
Paul Hooser
Head Golf Professional, Alvamar Championship Course
July: Tee To Green
Tee to Green
July 2014
By Kent Morgison
As we are in the golf season, let us remember that golf cart traffic can cause damage to the course that is unsightly and expensive to repair. Tire ruts in soft, wet areas can take weeks to heal. Our policy is to only put restrictions, such as “Path Only” rules, in place when it is necessary to protect the turf from damage. Most generally, if we use common sense on driving and parking the golf cart, it will reduce the damage to turf grass.
This season we changed our cart policy and we do not allow carts in our rough areas. Most of our rough is cool season turf, and it also does not have irrigation. Therefore it is very difficult to get it through the hot Kansas summers. Keeping traffic out of these areas as much as possible will aid us in keeping our rough as healthy as it can possibly be as we head through the summer. Your maintenance department and fellow members appreciate your adherence to this policy.
Keep it in the Fairway!!!
Home Lawn “Tip of the Month”
July and August are “hang on” months for bluegrass and fescue growers. Both blue and fescue are cool season grasses with ideal growing temperatures around 70 degrees, so the 90+ temps of mid-summer are very stressful. Keep your mowing height as high as possible, water adequately and do not fertilize with nitrogen as that will increase your chances for summer disease and heat stress. Also, a couple of timely rains with a cool down following would be helpful as well!
ACCWGA Updates
A Note from ACCWGA:
The beautiful June weather has brought lots of you out for Tuesday play. Thanks so much for making this a fun golf season. Our July schedule looks great! It is as follows:
July 1: AQL (organized by Sheila Collier and Lisa Rueschoff)
July 8: Red, White and Blue Ribbons
July 15: Eclectic 1st Round
July 22: Eclectic 2nd Round
July 29th: Putts and Pars
Tee time is 8:30.Please join us!
A reminder: the ACCWGA 18 Hole Championship and 18 Hole Tournament are August 5th and 6th this year.We encourage every WGA member to play.
Respectfully Submitted
Carol Tomlinson
Hit & Giggles...
Hit and Giggle Golf:
After a slow spring start (due to weather) Hit and giggle is finally meeting every Thursday evening at 4:30-5pm . We are a non- competitive group of ladies who play a 9 hole scramble with a lot of laughs.Any golfers regardless of experience are more than welcome to come play. Afterward, the highlight is probably the wine and tacos or any food you order off the Alvabar menu. Great fun and a good way to meet other members of the club. Just show up at the pro shop at 4:30 or 5 and Jan Fox or Ruby Shade will be there to greet you. Golf cart will be used so we can all finish at the same time. If weather is bad (rain, lightening or stormy) the golf is cancelled. (Call the pro shop if uncertain)
A big thank you...
The Ambassador committee would like to thank all of you who participated in our collection drive for the Humane Society. Your contributions for the care of the animals is very much appreciated. We are looking forward to our next "good will" opportunity sometime in the fall. Thanks again!
Food & Beverage
Food & Beverage Update: July
The July 4th promises to be a fun filled day for everyone. Come out and enjoy our breakfast buffet in the Alvabar before teeing off in the 4th of July tournament. Your round will be followed up by a wonderful buffet from Chef Matthew. There is also a family pool party in the afternoon. This is the perfect arrangement for the entire family. Drop the kids off at the pool while you take in a round of golf on your member’s course.
While you are celebrating our Independence Day try this fun filled holiday cocktail of the month.
See you at the club!
-Jen Nuessen
White Wine-Berry Sangria
1 bottle dry white wine (I used Sauvignon Blanc)
1 cup lemon-lime soda
1/2 cup raspberry vodka
1/4 cup brandy
chopped strawberries
raspberries
blueberries
In a pitcher, combine wine, soda, vodka and brandy.
Put a few raspberries and a small handful of chopped strawberries into the bottom of each glass and muddle. Fill glass with ice, then top with sangria and a few blueberries. Stir.
AlvaBar Menu | Dinner Menu
Chef's Monthly Recipe
Here is a favorite recipe for summer grilling:
THAI PESTO:
4 CLOVES GARLIC
2 JALAPENOS SEEDED
ZEST OF 1 LEMON
2 CUPS BASIL
½ CUP CILANTRO
½ CUP ROASTED, SALTED, PEANUTS
¼ CUP SWEET COCONUT
½ TSP SUGAR
¼ CUP MINT
2 TBLSP MINCED GINGER
2 TBLSP LEMON JUICE
¼ TSP SALT
¾ CUP CANOLA OIL
Place all ingredients in blender or food processor, blend until smooth. You can use this on seafood, chicken, pork, beef. Just brush the meat before you put it on the grill, then drizzle it when it is cooked! Add a half cup of rice wine vinegar, 1 tsp sugar and a cup of oil and you can use it as a salad dressing, Enjoy!
Until next month, Good cooking. Chef Matthew.
Buffet Nights:
1st–Prime Rib
8th – Home Style
15th –Pasta night
22nd -Breakfast for Dinner
29th – Birthday Night
***Remember our Breakfast buffet on the fourth of July from 7:30-9.
Scrambled Eggs, Hash browns, Bacon, Sausage, Pancakes, Fruit,
Coffee and Juice in the Alvabar for $6.95
Ladies' July Bridge
Please call and make reservations with Phyllis Cross(785-840-9477) or Sally Davis (785-842-3726) Please have reservations made by Wednesday, July 9th.
July Calendar
Club Staff
bminnis@alvamar.com
Paul Hooser | Director of Instruction
phooser@alvamar.com
Eric Magnuson | Director of Golf
emagnuson@alvamar.com
Tyler Henderson | Assistant Golf Professional
thenderson@alvamar.com
Ryan Davis | Assistant Golf Professional
rdavis@alvamar.com
Jen Neussen | Director of Food & Beverage
jnuessen@alvamar.com
Kursten Minnis | Event Sales and Marketing Director
kminnis@alvamar.com
Chef Matthew Michel-Cox | Executive Chef
mmichel-cox@alvamar.com
Kent Morgison | Superintendent
kmorgison@alvamar.com
Valerie Woodhead |Director Of Accounting
vwoodhead@alvamar.com
Ryan Spencer | Director of Golf Sales
rspencer@alvamar.com
Amanda Hodges | Business Office
ahodges@alvamar.com
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Website: www.alvamar.com
Location: 1809 Crossgate Drive, Lawrence, KS
Phone: 785-842-0004
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alvamar.countryclub
Twitter: @AlvamarCC