New Year Hopes For Scottsdale Country Club

Although I’m not sure 2015could get any better than 2014, I am (like always!) looking forward to what the New Year might have in store. What will the new year bring us – locally and globally, personally and professionally? Have you made New Year’s resolutions, set goals for yourself or dreamed about what 2015 might have in store for you? I actually started out this column the very same way last year…….going on to say “I’m anxious about some of the challenges but more so excited about the opportunities. What do I see on the horizon as it pertains to Scottsdale Golf Club, The Country Club at DC Ranch?” So let’s take a look back and compare what I saw on the horizon this to me last year and just how well my crystal ball may have worked!

• That, unlike most of the country, we’ll experience near normal weather over the next few months with more days above normal than below…..until we hit summer where they’re predicting average temps to be a couple of degrees warmer than usual? Yikes!

Remember last winter? Probably not….because we really had no winter on the Ranch last year! The winter and spring months were warmer than normal but then along came summer and, well, summer is summer!

• That our phenomenal spring weather will drive more demand for golf rounds, tennis court time, pool seating, fitness facility access and food & beverage experiences that we have ever had the privilege of trying to accommodate? (Yikes!)

Be careful what you ask for! Yes, we couldn’t have been much busier than we were during the months of February thru April….to the point we all heard comments about ‘maybe too many Members’!

• That your Scottsdale private golf club will continue to be the place where Members want to hang out, a place to be with like-kind of friends who have much in common, who share the same values and embrace a place “….where everyone knows your name?”

Nailed that one too! In fact, “…fun, family and friendliness” has become our brand and truly defines what makes Scottsdale Golf Club, The Country Club at DC Ranch so special. Give yourself a huge ovation for being such a terrific group of Members. Members are what make a great Club!

• That the demand for Golf Memberships will continue to grow….to the point that a limited supply will have the effect of increased resale prices for those that feel they must sell?

Supply and demand is an amazing thing – right? Recent Resale Prices for Golf Memberships have climbed to the mid-ninety’s and the Scottsdale Country Club Membership Committee has just proposed increases to both the Clubhouse and Sports Social membership classifications!

• That the clubhouse and golf course construction scheduled for the summer months will create an operational challenge not seen since the Country Club first opened its doors some seventeen years ago?

Well, that was certainly true…..and not much more I can say here other than to thank all of you for your phenomenal support as we took away your golf course for a month and made figuring out where and when you might find a cocktail or dinner a real challenge.

• That the challenges we’ll face during construction will open up new opportunities and that the “buzz” generated as we approach the annual Scottsdale Country Club Kickoff Party next Fall will be awesome?

Yes and yes!

• That the positive response to the efforts of Scottsdale country club Executive Chef Lenard Rubin and the culinary team will not only continue…….but the reputation will grow to a point in which we’ll be challenged to accommodate the demand for dining reservations?

Tried to get a reservation lately? Some might say (again!) to be careful what you ask for but, at least in this case, it’s ‘all good’!

• That we’ll overcome all the various challenges thrown our way, find new opportunities and continue to make every effort to exceed your expectations?

True and very true…..and we certainly hope your agree. More importantly, we thank you for your continuing support!

Oh yeah, I shared one of my New Year’s resolutions with you last year too – “I have no way of knowing how people really feel, but the vast majority of those I meet couldn’t be nicer. Every once in a while someone barks at me. My New Year’s resolution is not to bark back.”

Hhmm? Not sure I didn’t break that New Year’s resolution shortly thereafter! In any event, I’ll try again in 2015.

On that note, please accept my sincere thanks and gratitude for your generous contributions to the annual Employee Appreciation Fund. After sending a brief ‘reminder’, we went from a 665 participation rate to 80% within just a few days. As a result, your total contribution to the fund was $135,620! Every employee of the Club (except me!) receives a portion of this fund – calculated by dividing the total amount of funds available, after taxes, by the total number of months collectively served by the Club’s employees. Your generous contributions provided every employee with an appreciation bonus of $1,019! Please trust me when I say that your giving made a huge difference to many of our employees.
Until next time,