Jan_Feb 2020

News from the Ridge

January/February 2020 Oak Ridge Country Club

Thanks for another great year at the Club!

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Oak Ridge Country Club Wow! Winter is here and the holidays have just passed us again! I hope each and

Established 1921
700 Oak Ridge Rd., Hopkins, MN every one of you was able to enjoy your holidays with health and family.

55305

Business Office: (952) 935-7721 From the Boardroom…we have had a couple of changes that should be announced.
Golf Shop: (952) 939-5460 We had one Board member resign his position, Mr. Jeff Robinson. Jeff, we thank
Starter: (952) 939-5461 you for your time, energy and contributions to Oak Ridge during your tenure. On
November 25th, the Board voted to appoint Mr. Phil Marks to the vacant seat.
Swimming Pool: (952) 939-5462 Phil has been a member of Oak Ridge for nearly 60 years. It is because of his long
Tennis Clubhouse: (952) 939-5463
Greens Department: (952) 938-6900

Club Officers history at the Club that I asked Phil to chair the Centennial Committee tasked to
President Gary Singer engage all aspects of developing events, themes and materials needed to
Past President Carole Kaplan successfully celebrate Oak Ridge’s 100 years in 2021. Phil has accepted this charge
Vice President Andrew Todd and is in need of your help. We are looking for members both young and old to
Secretary Howard Liszt serve alongside Phil. Please quickly submit your interest to either Phil or Jake
Treasurer Jason Sondell Hawley, General Manager, at [email protected] as this process needs
to begin. Additionally, Kevin Ryan and Gail Tilsner, co-chairs of our Golf Commit-
Board of Directors tee, are also searching for golfing members to round out their committee roster. We
Howard Chanen have a lot of important decisions to be made for the upcoming year and need qual-
Kara Frank ity representation from the membership. Please submit your interest to the co-chairs
Joe Gleason or to Jake. Thank you so much and we look forward to working together on Oak
Carole Kaplan Ridge’s next golf season and beyond.
Howard Liszt
Phil Marks I know these winter evenings are dark and cold. But Friday night Happy Hours
Jeff Noddle (4-6 pm) and Friday Family Fun Nights are a great way to quell your winter blues
Gary Singer
Jason Sondell
Andrew Todd
Gail Tilsner
Ellyn Wolfenson
Drew Zamansky

Committees with your friends and family at Oak Ridge. Family Fun Nights feature free dinner, a
Admissions / Member Relations movie and crafts for the kids and Happy Hours come with food and drink specials.
You can find all the details on the Oak Ridge website.
Joe Gleason
Finance Lastly, as we begin the new year, I’d like to thank all of my friends, peers and
family at Oak Ridge for your generosity and contributions to the Employee Holiday
Jason Sondell Party on December 16th. Ellie and I had the opportunity to represent the
Golf membership at the party and it was a great time! They started the event off by
performing a service project for the Ronald McDonald House Twin Cities. Our
Kevin Ryan, Co-Chair staff packaged 200 lunches to be served to the local Ronald McDonald houses the
Gail Tilsner, Co-Chair following day. Our staff is amazing and we all should be proud of the spirit they
brought to the fun that night!
Greens
Andrew Todd

House
Kara Frank
Long Range Planning
Kara Frank

Pool
TBD
Tennis
Ellyn Wolfenson

NReiwdgsefrEodmitothr:e I look forward to seeing each of you at Oak Ridge during Happy Hours and if
you’re enjoying the winter in the South, raise a glass and we’ll toast from afar.

Thank you,

Karey Wideman Gary

GENERAL MANAGER’S MESSAGE Oak Ridge Country Club

Staff

Happy New Year! Jake Hawley
General Manager

On behalf of all the staff here at Oak Ridge, I’d like to shout out the biggest THANK YOU we can Wendy Robinson
for all the support and generosity of the membership with regard to the Employee Holiday Party. It Director of Business
is through your contributions that we are able to gather together and enjoy an end of the year Administration & Finance
celebration to recognize each other for years of service and jobs well done throughout the year. I’d
like to highlight Sue Johnson in earning her 40 year service award! 40 years is amazing! Please Emily Sparks
take a moment to congratulate Sue on such an outstanding and long-lived career at Oak Ridge Human Resources
Country Club. Again, without the generosity of our membership, the gifts, the prizes and the
awards would not be a reality. I am proud and humbled to be associated with an organization that Jeff Wissman
performs such acts of magnanimity. Thank you. Assistant Contoller
Karey Wideman

Marketing &
Membership Director

I would also like to recognize all the staff that dedicates time to the organization and execution of Sue Johnson
the wonderful party. It is immediately apparent that these fine people have continually evaluated Service Manager
the process to arrive at what we experienced on 12/16. Tim Jones, Wendy Robinson, Erik Mitchell,
Kali Gonzalez, James Wagner, Jodi Lipschultz, Velma Whitehead, Karey Wideman, Kim Trzpuc, Kim Trzpuc
Justin Ellison, Katie Clark and Emily Sparks…Thank you for your service and thank you for your Catering Director
experience!
Tim Jones
Executive Chef

Josh Hildebrand

We began the evening with a service project in partnership with Ronald McDonald House Twin Sous Chef
Cities. In eight minutes, our staff built and packaged 200 boxed lunches to be distributed to the Darrell Scharber
RMH locations the next morning. All of the materials, packaging and food was donated to us by Beverage Manager
our vendor partners and they should be recognized as well for their impactful contributions. Litin
Paper, Swanson Meats, US Foods, Sysco, Reinhart Foods and Bix Produce all donated to the Ben Munyon
project. It was a fabulous spectacle to see our staff jump in line and start their own party by doing Assistant Dining Room Manager
something for someone else. I’d also like to thank our host for the evening, The Wild Boar in
Hopkins, for being so very accommodating to us and our event. They really make it a special Ed Bialek
night. It was an extraordinary way to finish off the year. Thank you so much! Director of Sports Activities/

Head Golf Professional
Eric Speck

Assistant Golf Professional

As we begin the new year, we have a lot work to do in many areas of the Club. One of these facets Katie Clark
is the events and activities we create and promote for the membership. Throughout the summer, Director of Merchandising
we had several people request that we revisit the Entertainment Committee of old. This committee
was tasked with getting members to come enjoy events at the Club by providing input and insight Todd Kranz
to the events and most importantly, serve as ambassadors of the club to reach out and connect with Golf Course Superintendent
each of you. The Entertainment Committee will be a sub-committee of the House Committee.
House Committee chair, Kara Frank, has asked Dr. Brad Sundick to lead the Entertainment Justin Ellison
Committee and he has obliged and will need help from all of you. On behalf of Dr. Sundick, I Assistant Golf Course
extend to you an invitation to contact me to serve on this committee.
Superintendent
Barb Meyer

Head Tennis Professional
Erik Mitchell

This segues nicely in to our calendar of events. Please check the website, your email and flyers Building Engineer
and posters around the club to hear about what is coming up. The staff puts a lot of energy into Steve Miller
building entertainment into everyone’s lives. We have a new event coming up on January 18th Pool Director

called the “SnowBALL”. Come spend a couple of hours outside with ice skating, sled dogs and

food! Don’t forget that we’re also your place to enjoy the Super Bowl. Who knows, maybe this is

the year the Vikings can pull it off?

Lastly, did you realize that today we are one day closer to the golf course opening than we were
yesterday? Every day is one day closer. Every day is one more day we don’t have to wait to benefit
from the labors toiled by so many. We’re one day closer from hitting that perfect tee shot, one day
closer to sinking the longest putt and one day closer to enjoying a cold beer in the Pub after a day
of golf. I can’t wait for the first golfers to set out on their first loop at Oak Ridge in nearly a year.
We’re one day closer. And tomorrow…? Yep, we’re one day closer.

Thank you for a wonderful 2019 and see you at the Club!

Jake

&Food Beverage hcoluubse
happenings

As 2019 ends, I would like to thank members and staff alike for the
introduction to the culture of Oak Ridge. As we move in to 2020, be on the
lookout for some new ideas we are creating. In January and February, there
will be a few weekends we will be testing out ideas for a new poolside menu.
Look to the advertisements below for dates, times and themes. We encourage
your feedback to help us build a menu and rebrand the snack bar for a fresh
approach to a fresh season.

Tim Jones
Executive Chef

1921 Pub FRESH EATS

Pop-upsWhere memories are made
and stories are shared

SMOKED FRIDAY, JANUARY 10TH
SATURDAY, JANUARY 11TH

Friday, February 7th
Saturday, February 8th

MEATS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 17TH
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18TH

ecvleunbts

January Events

MOVIE NIGHT Trivia Night

Friday, January 3rd Starts at 6pm Sunday, January 12th 11:30am-1:30pm

Snow BALL

feat. Raheel Raza

Wednesday, January 15th 6:30pm-8:30pm Saturday, January 18th 4:00pm-6:00pm

Reptile Night

Asian Night Friday, January 31st Show starts at 6:30pm

Saturday, January 25th 5:00pm-8:00pm

Family Fun Night & Happy Hour

kids every Friday night! DriSnpke&ciaFlsood
eat
FREE Movie
Night

February Events ecvleunbts

SuperbSoSUUwNPDAlEY,RFEBBPRUaAORYrW2NtDLy

A non-trademark-infringing

FAMILY PARTY!

Sweetheart Dinner
Friday, February 14th

Enjoy a romantic evening with your special someone or come as a group and
celebrate together. Featuring a special menu to order from and, of course,
a fabulous dessert

Reservations required. Call the Front Desk at (952) 935-7721

Omelette &

BWruafnflech Clubhouse Annual Shutdown
February 16 - March 16
Sunday, February 9th

10:00am-1:30pm

Lessons from Eric

coguorlfse Golf Notes

Greeting Oak Ridge Members,

It is difficult to start thinking about next golf season with the snow on the ground and the frigid temperatures, but the golf season is
hopefully just around the corner. I am currently interviewing candidates to fill two open positions on the golf staff. When the open
positions on staff are filled, I will send out introductory emails to the membership.

The new World Handicapping System will begin January 1st so you may see changes to your handicap before you even begin to
play this year. Here are five of the significant changes:

• Your handicap index will be computed on the best 8 of 20 scores.

• Net double bogey replaces equitable stroke control. The maximum score posted will be limited to a net double bogey
(par + 2 + and any handicap strokes received).

• Your handicap will be updated daily.

• Safeguards will be added to protect your Handicap index. The system will account for abnormal playing conditions, limit
extreme upward movement of a handicap index and reduce an index when an exceptional score is posted.

• You will have a playing handicap. Slope rating, course rating and par will be used to determine your playing handicap
allowing players to compete from different tees more easily.

Without a firm opening date for the golf course, the golf committee has not set any dates yet for golf events. We will meet in the
spring after Todd Kranz can establish a timeline for the course to open to set a 2020 golf schedule. We anticipate a reduced
schedule with any events being scheduled in August and September. The women’s association will begin the season at Braemar
Golf Course just like we ended the 2019 season. Women golfers will be able to sign up on the web page under the event tab to
reserve starting times on Tuesday mornings. The women’s association will have event games planned starting in May at Braemar,
until we open our golf course. The women’s association is also establishing a golf calendar with all their major events in August
and September. The reciprocal golf program will remain in effect until we open our golf course. Any changes in the process or
golf course will be added on the web page. Thank you for your patience with the process as we complete our re-grassing project.

The golf staff is planning a couple of member golf trips in February and April to help ease the pain of not having a course to play
at the beginning the season. We are looking at World Woods resort and Pinehurst as two possible destinations. Please watch your
emails for more additional information.

The HD Golf simulator has been popular this winter but there are plenty of unused times available. If you would like to reserve
time in the simulator you may go on Foretees or call the golf shop to do so. This is an excellent way to keep your game in good
shape and be ready for golf in the spring. We plan to schedule some competitive game nights as well as some club fitting nights
please watch your emails for details.

The current winter golf shop hours are 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Our inventory level is lower than what it
is during the season but we still have a great selection of sweaters, pullovers, shirts, slacks, and fleece pieces for women and men.
Remember we always can special order anything that you may need for that trip to a warmer destination or to get you through the
winter months. If there is anything that we may do to be of service to you, please call or email me at
[email protected].

Thank you for your support and patronage of the golf shop, enjoy your winter and I look forward to seeing you in the spring.

Ed Bialek PGA
Head Golf Professional

Kranz’ Corner coguorlfse

Greetings from Oak Ridge’s Grounds Department!

Now that snow has covered the ground, I figured it would be a good time to give a quick update
recapping where we finished up with the re-grassing and bunker projects. Given the amount of
work and weather we encountered, nearly 18” of rain from the start of the project, we are in a
great spot heading into spring 2020. The heavy lifting is complete and next spring will require
some touch ups to finish some of the detail aspects.

We finished shaping and draining all of the bunkers (added 100’s of feet of extra drainage in the
bunkers) and have 5 bunkers left to load with capillary concrete and 10 bunkers to sand. We
will continue sanding this winter as we can, and we will finish up the capillary concrete next
spring which should only take a couple of dry days to complete. My staff worked very hard
alongside Rodney, Dan, Dave, and the Golf Preservations crew lending a hand wherever
necessary to make this a success. We are very fortunate to have had these guys as a part of the
Oak Ridge team this year.

We also installed new drainage in the problematic low points on holes #14, 15 and 16 which
should really improve those areas. Additionally, we hardwired the in-ground sump pump on
#15 so when it does rain we will not need to haul a generator out to run it.

We have a couple fairways and a green that we seeded late that will need some time to mature
but overall regrassing went great. Our rooting depth on greens is pushing 5” which is very
exciting. Our old Poa greens would never root much past the 2-3” depth and having deeper
roots translates to healthier and tougher turf. As the greens continue to mature the roots will
only get deeper in the profile.

From all of us out by the #8 tee, thank you and enjoy your winters, wherever you are.

Thank you, *

Todd Kranz
Superintendent

gshoolfp

fashion

on the fairway

Happy New Year from the Golf Shop!!!

Stop down and check out our beautiful selection of apparel and accessories which will help keep you stylish
and warm this winter. You will find brands such as:

~Peter Millar
~Columbia
~Daily Sports
~FootJoy
~Straight Down
~Bugatchi
~Vineyard Vines

Keep in mind we have a wide assortment of catalogs to look through for special ordering.

~You can also shop online on the Oak Ridge Website!
https://www.oakridgecountryclub.net/Golf_(1)/Order_Form.aspx

Don’t forget about the savings you have with your Mill River pricing – you can save up to 50% off retail by
shopping in your Oak Ridge Golf Shop!

Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday

10am – 2pm

Oak Ridge Membership Info

Now is the Perfect time to join the Club
with no dues until June 1, 2020!

Please contact Karey Wideman, Membership Director for details!
(952) 935-7721 or [email protected]

Oak Ridge Country Club Friday Saturday

700 Oak Ridge Road, Hopkins, MN 55305 3 Movie Night 4
(952) 935-7721
Happy Hour
Sunday Monday Tuesday WednesdayThursday 10 11
12
Fresh Eats
january Clubhouse Pop up
closed
Family Fun Night
5 678 9 Happy Hour

Clubhouse Clubhouse 17 18
Smoked Meats
closes at 5pm closes at 5pm Pop up SnowBALL

12 13 14 15 16 Family Fun Night
Book Club Happy Hour
Superhero Clubhouse Clubhouse
Brunch 23 24 25
Asian Night
closes at 5pm closes at 5pm 30
Family Fun Night
19 20 21 22 Happy Hour

Clubhouse Clubhouse 31 The Reptile
Experience
closes at 5pm closes at 5pm
Happy Hour
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Clubhouse Clubhouse

closes at 5pm closes at 5pm

2 Superb Owl february 6 78
Party 13 Burgers & Malts
345 20 Pop up

Clubhouse Clubhouse Family Fun Night
Happy Hour
closes at 5pm closes at 5pm
14 15
9 10 11 12 Sweetheart
Dinner
Omelette/Waffle Clubhouse Clubhouse
Brunch closes at 5pm closes at 5pm Movie Night
Happy Hour
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