March / April 2024 Newsletter | Dallas Athletic Club

Management Team

General Manager

Brent Burkhart bburkhart@dacstaff.org

Chief Financial Officer Cassie Thames cthames@dacstaff.org

Executive Chef Michael Lamping mlamping@dacstaff.org

Events & Catering Director Madison Harden mharden@dacstaff.org

Membership Director Cari Wheatley cwheatley@dacstaff.org

Director of Communications Maribel Barbosa mbarbosa@dacstaff.org

ClubKids Manager Mila Luna mluna@dacstaff.org

Director of Retail Bridget Bartlett bbartlett@dacstaff.org

Assistant General Manager Phil Callahan pcallahan@dacstaff.org

Clubhouse Manager Macon Simonson msimonson@dacstaff.org

Assistant Clubhouse Manager Chris Guilhoux cguilhoux@dacstaff.org

Director of Golf Lance Patterson lpatterson@dacstaff.org

Golf Course Superintendent Travis Moore tmoore@dacstaff.org

Director of Tennis Natalia Prinz nprinz@dacstaff.org

Fitness Director Jeff Hoke fitness@dacstaff.org Massage

Board of Directors - 2023

President Lance Lane

First Vice President Matt Sisk

Second Vice President Don Gafner

Secretary

David Brock

Treasurer & Finance Committee Chair

Tim O'Brien

Governance Committee

Chairman

Kris Moldovan

House Committee Chair

Scott Dooley

Membership Committee Chairman

Whitney Ragsdale

Strategic Planning Committee Chairman

Warren Sibley

Golf & Grounds Chair

Paul Broome

Scholarship Committee Chairman

Jim Koch

Email the Board of Directors boardofdirectors@dacstaff.org

president's letter

As my term as President of the Board of Directors for Dallas Athletic Club is coming to a close, I want to take this opportunity to say what a great honor and pleasure it has been serving this Club and its membership throughout the last six years as a board member and the last two years as president.

When I think about where DAC is today, I am reminded of the changes we've made both physically and financially. We have revamped our facilities by adding the men's lounge and completely renovating the Elm dining room. Additionally, the new patio with an enclosed lawn now provides a space for families to enjoy dinner and other events at the Club. We've added two new tennis courts and renovated the tennis clubhouse. We have improved the golf facilities and the office space. The biggest accomplishment during the last year, of course, is the Gold Course renovation. Now that the Gold Course is open, I believe it is nothing short of spectacular. A lot of credit for the vision and the courage to change our Gold Course goes to the Board of Directors, Brent Burkhart, and Chet Williams. The biggest accolades are for our superintendent, Travis Moore. He and his crew accepted the

challenge and have been brilliant.

Furthermore, we have gone from no wait list for membership to a two-year wait with a current initiation fee of $45,000. The growth of our membership will continue to be strong as we look to the future and continue to improve our Club, and we have only become a more desirable country club in the Dallas area. The growth of east Dallas is directly attributable to our growth at DAC.

Also, our staff continues to get better every day. There is a constant march of one mindset which is to be the best we can be and exceed our members’ expectations. Brent and his team have created a process of instruction for continued improvement as we hire new people. They are always looking for ways to get better.

Again, it has been and honor and a pleasure to serve DAC’s membership these last two years. The growth of DAC and its future are in good hands. I am excited to see what the future holds for us all.

See you at the Club!

Lance Lane President

After 37 incredible years of dedicated service, we bid farewell to Donnie Millender as he embarks on a well-deserved retirement journey. Donnie's journey with us began in the golf shop when the Blue Course opened its doors. In 2003, he transitioned to the locker room, where his warm smile and dedication became legendary.

It's the camaraderie and spirit of unity among the members, employees, and management that have made DAC truly exceptional and kept Donnie here for so long.

As he embarks on this new chapter, Donnie looks forward to traveling and cherishing precious moments with his grandbaby. Donnie, your contributions and presence will be deeply missed, but your legacy of dedication and warmth will forever resonate within the halls of DAC.

Wishing you all the best in your retirement, Donnie!

FAREWELL!

Donnie Millender

membership

F

rom the Desk of Cari Wheatley

Last year, you found yourself enrolling them in DAC Summer Camp, and in the blink of an eye, you were assisting them with their college applications. Witnessing the growth of our youngest members within the Club remains a cherished aspect of the country club experience. The opportunity to register for Summer Camp has opened once again! Ensure that your DAC Profile is up to date with your dependents for a smoother sign-up process.

While we adore our youngest members, we also want to honor the Class of 2024 with a Senior Spotlight feature in our July/August newsletter! The deadline to submit your senior's photo, along with their current high school and college plans, is June 2, 2024.

CariWheatley Membership Director cwheatley@dacstaff.org

New addition to your family?

We want to celebrate our littlest new members!

Please e-mail cwheatley@dacstaff.org a picture of your newest addition along with their name and date of birth to be included in the following newsletter. I will also make sure they are updated in your DAC Member Profile!

welcome to our newest & littlest DAC member!

Elisabeth Kate Rettinger

February 5, 2024

Proud Parents: Sammy & Kathryn Rettinger Members since 2020

Updating Your Profile Photo on the DAC App

Take a moment to refresh your profile photo! Doing so not only helps us better connect with our members but also ensures accurate billing. For assistance or inquiries, feel free to reach out to Cari Wheatly or Maribel Barbosa.

These new members began their membership at DAC between December 2023 and February 2024.

Simon & Theresa Sanchez Athletic

Bryan Sansone & Britton Blough Resident Golf

Jody & Dana Daniel Athletic

James & Holli Park Resident Golf

Lance & Alexa Gooden Tennis

Jeremiah & Ashley Rader Athletic Cameron & Annie Weldon Tennis

Reed & Jennifer Wilcox Tennis

Patrick & Sarah Worley Tennis

Gold Course Renovation Update

Please look for our weekly updates and visit our course renovation page on the website for detailed project information, updates, videos, photos, and more.

TURF TALK: Courses in

the Spring

by Travis Moore, Golf Course Superintendent

Spring is always an exceptionally busy time of year for our golf and grounds maintenance operations. This year is no exception as we continue efforts to “grow-in” the Gold Course, prepare for future work on the Blue Course, and work to get all areas of the property in shape for a full golf calendar.

We are excited to have the Gold Course back open for play, and appreciate all of the feedback from golfers. However, we still have a ton of work to do in order to help all areas establish and mature. This is particularly true for our bermudagrass tees, fairways, and roughs. Keep in mind that while these areas normally “green up” in March and April - temperatures are typically not warm up enough to promote active growth and recovery from divots, cart traffic, construction related scars, etc. As a result, cart restrictions and limited tee-times will likely be necessary to some degree into at least early summer. In the meantime, we will continue efforts to improve drainage, fine tune the new irrigation system, plant additional screening plants, and complete routine maintenance across the property.

We are also actively working with Chet Williams to update the Blue Course Master Plan. Currently the plan focuses primarily on critical infrastructure upgrades such as: irrigation, cart paths, drainage, bank stabilization, resurfacing of greens, replacing bunker sand, etc. The plan

also calls for subtle design improvements including addressing any impacts of the “635 Project” on the 4th and 5th holes. This spring our goal is to determine the overall scope of work and begin scheduling construction. Tentatively, we are planning to begin replacing irrigation system components in late 2024 –which will not result in widespread course closures. Stay tuned for more exciting updates over the next couple of months.

Thank you for your continued patience and we look forward to a busy and fun spring golf season!

COURSE MANAGEMENT: Golf I Q

by Stuart Hendley, PGA Director of Instruction

This will be the first of a series of talks about course management. This is the time of year when I consider it to be the start of the golf season here in DFW when most golfers and not just the hard core serious golfers want to play and practice.

It’s very important to take the conditions you are playing into consideration as part of your thought process. For example most people haven’t been playing and practicing as much the previous three months due to holiday time, weather and course conditions. If we are a little rusty with our game, the lush green grass hasn’t fully returned and it’s one of those windy spring days, the scoring conditions can be difficult. Try thinking about quality of your shots (contact and direction) and not just score. Scores tend to go up for everyone in tougher conditions. If you’re hitting it solid and straight and your scores seem really high, you might need to check alignment, short game or be realistic about how far you hit the ball with each club.

Contact me or any of our other professionals if you need help with this or any other part of your game. See y’all at the course!

GOLF RULE:

Handicaps

by Eric Dye, PGA Assistant Golf Professional

In 2024, the USGA and R&A have made some significant updates to the WHS or World Handicap System in order to improve the formula used for our handicaps. The first major change is the WHS will now use an “expected score” formula to take nine-hole scores and adjust them to 18-hole differentials. This now means that players will not have to wait for a second nine-hole score to post in order for an 18-hole score to be calculated. The WHS uses data gathered from the previous year’s posted scores, which uses a model scoring formula for every handicap index for males and females. The new formula is built to account for a standard golf course, so the calculations are no longer course dependent.

The second major change we will see is that the WHS has shortened the minimum yardage for a course to be included in the course rating system. The old minimum yardages were 3,000 yards for an 18-hole course and 1,500 for a nine-hole course.

GOLF LESSON: Using Wrists in Chipping

by Ryan Bowey, PGA Head Golf Professional

One thing I hear all the time when people talk about chipping is to not use any wrists. While that may be true for some short game shots, I disagree with it for the standard chip shot.

The standard chip shot I would like to talk about is when the ball is just off the green and you use a wedge to chip onto the green. My wedge of choice is a 56°, but anything between 52° and 60° can be used. I think you must use a little wrist to develop feel around the greens. The key is to use your wrists at the correct time.

Now they are 1,500 yards for an 18-hole course and 750 yards for a nine-hole course. This is expected to allow roughly 700 par-3 courses in the U.S. to become part of the WHS system.

The last major change you will notice is that the PCC or “Playing conditions Calculation” will be showing up on your score entry page a little more often. The original model that was created in 2020 allowed for adjustments at a 5-10% rate, where we will now see in 2024 those numbers rise to more in the 10-15% range. This system is used when the WHS algorithm sees scores posted that are higher than normal with weather being a major factor in scoring, and keeps those scores from negatively affecting your index.

If you have any handicap questions, please come see us in the golf shop!

I use my wrists almost immediately in the backswing when I hit chip shots with a wedge. Many people use the term “hinge and hold.” The idea is to use some wrists in the backswing to allow the club to set, then no wrist at impact. This also allows for some shaft lean at impact, which is essential when hitting a golf shot. The shaft needs to be leaning towards the target at impact. When you use no wrists in chipping, there is very minimal shaft lean at impact. Feel free to ask me more in person!

EQUIPMENT HIGHLIGHT: Titleist Vokey SM10 Wedges

by Shelly Davis, PGA Class A Professional

Looking for some wedges?

Titleist just launched their new SM10 wedges and they look awesome! There’s nothing like fresh wedges to improve your play, especially when the wedges are Vokey Design SM10 to fit your needs. Improvements have been made for shot versatility, trajectory and distance control and maximum spin which are keys to great wedge play.

Ultimate Shot Versatility provides a flawless contact so you can be prepared for everything the course demands. There are six different grinds and four finish options to choose from.

Distance and Trajectory Control improves flighting and feel. You get a lower, more attacking ball flight that feels solid at impact with SM10.

Maximum Spin occurs because the grooves are cut to the edge to maximize spin. Grooves wear out over time so a heat treatment is applied to the impact area to double the durability of the grooves making it last longer.

Stop by the shop and be sure to check out the new SM10 wedges.

tennis

Congrats!

Shannon DeVilbiss & Lindsey Starnes

TENNIS

TIP:

What is the Lifespan of a Tennis Racket?

by Natalia Prinz, Tennis Director

How long a racquet lasts depends on many factors, including your level of play, how often you practice, and how often you re-string. The following indications are therefore approximate:

For players who play about 5 times a week, who re-string often and who hit hard: renewal every 1 to 2 years.

For players who play 3 to 5 times a week: renewal every 2 to 3 years.

For players who play 1 to 2 times a week without hitting hard and who re-string little: renewal every 3 to 5 years.

Winners of the Doubles Club Championship women’s B division. Shannon and Lindsey defeated Sophie MacFarlan and Tiffany Webster 7-5 6-4 in the final.

A Message from Natalia Prinz

Spring tennis is here! There is so much to look forward and we hope you and your families will be joining us on the courts. We offer programing suitable for players of all ages and skill levels. Stop by our shop any time and we'll help you find the perfect fit. It's best to begin as soon as possible and the spring weather makes it an ideal time to start. No matter where you are in your tennis journey, we are here to help you!

Natalia Prinz Tennis Director nprinz@dacstaff.org

These times may vary depending on your playing power, frequency of stringing, and visible racket wear

To keep your tennis racket longer, we recommend:

Leave your racket in a dry and temperate place to avoid sudden temperature changes (avoid storing it in your car trunk).

Systematically cut the rope when it is broken (the rope continues to “work” and the fiber of your frame too)

Use a tennis bag with an insulated pocket to ensure your racket suffers as few temperature changes as possible.

junior spotlight

Congratulations Agustin!

1. Favorite Dallas Restaurant? Sushi Axiom - he loves the fried tofu!

2. Favorite Activity in Tennis Class? Fireball

3. What do you do when not at tennis? Play video games

4. Favorite thing about DAC? The swimming pool

UPCOMING EVENTS

105 SOCIAL

March 8

MTA TASTING EVENT

April 19

MIXED DOUBLES TOURNAMENT

April 4-7

WTA MEMBER/MEMBER

April 26

Pierce Bowling Red Ball Junior

Congratulations to DAC Tennis Professional Agustin Moreno who was named assistant coach for Team Mexico Fed Cup. Agustin will travel to Australia to coach team Mexico in the next round matches of the Fed Cup competition in April.

fitness

STRETCH LESSON: 90/90 Stretch

This stretch is a must for all golfers! It’s one of our favorite stretches to help to open up the lats, the spine, and hips.

PART 2

Sit on the floor and bend one leg in front of your body with your hip rotated out. Position it so your lower leg and knee are resting on the ground. Your leg should form a 90-degree angle. Position your other leg beside you with your hip rotated inward and your shin and ankle on the ground. Bend your knee so your leg forms a 90-degree angle. Your back knee should be in line with your hip. Try to keep your back straight and resist the urge to bend to one side.

Hold this stretch for up to 60 seconds, breating deeply to relax into the position.

Rotate your upper body away from the back knee and place your forearms on the floor. In this example, our back knee is on the left, so we are rotating the upper body to the right.

Hold this stretch for up to 60 seconds, breathing deeply to relax into the position.

PART 3

From this position extend the left arm as far as possible.

Hold this stretch for up to 60 seconds, breathing deeply to relax into the position. Repeat on the opposite side.

VINYASA

AM

As a precaution, make sure you are able complete Part 1 in an upright posture before attempting Part 2 and 3. If you experience any pain or discomfort please refrain from trying this stretch.

MASSAGE THERAPY: New Team Member

Please join us in welcoming our new licensed Massage Therapist, Joy Khumphao. Joy comes to us with 16 years of experience, and expertise in multiple types of massage. Currently, Joy will be available for massages on Thursdays and Sundays. Contact Galen at 682438-1890 to schedule.

1.

3.

PART 1

dining & social DAC team update

spotlight on new roles and team members

As we head into spring, familiar faces will be stepping into new roles, alongside new team members bringing their skills to DAC

NEW team member

MACON SIMONSON Clubhouse Manager

Macon was born and raised in Georgetown, and graduated from Texas Tech University - a proud Red Raider!

Macon Simonson joins DAC with an extensive hospitality background and as a Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers with a level 2 certification through the Wine and Spirit Education Trust. His experience includes stints at several other well-esteemed clubs in Texas and Oklahoma.

Macon joins the team from Dallas Country Club, where he served as their Wine Program Manager and a Food and Beverage Manager. Prior to that, he served as the Assistant General Manager at Tulsa Country Club and Clubhouse Manager at Royal Oaks Country Club.

Outside of the Club Macon cherishes spending time with his wife, Lauren, and their three daughters.

NEW role

CHRIS GUILHOUX

Assistant Clubhouse Manager

Chris, who has been an invaluable member of DAC's Food & Beverage Team since 2016, has taken on various roles, most recently excelling as our Catering/Banquet Manager. Throughout his tenure, Chris has earned the respect and appreciation from both colleagues and management for his unwavering commitment to service.

Chris's journey in the realm of food and beverage began during his high school years, where he gained invaluable experience in dining and catering establishments. His passion for hospitality flourished when he joined DAC, initially as a server, and later exploring the art of mixology as a bartender. His dedication and hard work culminated in a well-deserved promotion to DAC's Catering/Banquet Manager. When the opportunity for the Assistant Clubhouse Manager role arose, Chris emerged as the perfect candidate.

When he is away from the Club, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, and exploring new restaurants and bars. Chris recently became engaged and is preparing to marry his fiancé Isabel in late August.

I am thrilled beyond words for this opportunity to execute service that will exceed your expectations. I will continue to provide the utmost care and hospitality to the membership as well as our DAC staff. Exciting changes are on the horizon that will enhance club life for everyone! Cheers!

"

In The Elm

Tuesday Date Night

Every Tuesday Evening

Enjoy complimentary ClubKids when you make your reservation in advance with the Front Desk!

Wednesday Family Nights

Every Wednesday Evening in The Elm Kids 12 & Under Eat Free!

March 6th

SEAFOOD NIGHT - $28

Fish & Chips, Popcorn Shrimp, Salmon Pina, Blackened Shrimp & Grits, Cheddar Bay Biscuits, Grilled Vegetables, Chicken Tenders, Fresh Fruit, Buttered Peas & Carrots, Sundae Bar

March 13th

BUILD YOUR OWN BOWL - $18

Assorted Grains & Rice, Marinated and Raw Veggies, Assorted Proteins & Sauces, Pita & Hummus, Samosas, Chicken Tenders, Smiley Fries, Fresh Fruit, Iceberg & Ranch, Sundae Bar

March 20th

CLUB FAVORITES - $18

Pecan Chicken with Country Gravy, Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans with Bacon & Onion, Mushroom Chopped Steak, La Prada Salad, TX Spinach Salad, Chicken Tenders, Smiley Fries, Fresh Fruit, Iceberg & Ranch, Sundae Bar

March 27th

SPANISH TAPAS NIGHT - $18

Mussels, Pappa Bravas, Jamon Serrano & Olives, Calamari Fritos, Berenjenas Frita, Pincho Moruno, Pollo Marroqui, Paella, Setas en Salsa de Jerez, Pan con Tomate, Chicken Tenders, Smiley Fries, Fresh Fruit, Iceberg & Ranch, Sundae Bar

April 3th

BBQ - $18

Smoked Pork "Wings", Brisket, Smoked Chicken Legs, Baked Beans, Corn on the Cob, Macaroni Salad, Cole Slaw, Potato Salad, Chicken Tenders, Smiley Fries, Iceberg & Ranch, Fresh Fruit, Sundae Bar

April 10th

BACON BACON BACON - $18

Deviled Eggs & Bacon, Bacon Wrapped Chicken, Bacon Wrapped Waygu Meatballs, Bacon Wrapped

Asparagus, Bacon Wrapped Pina & Jalapenos, Bacon Cheddar Mashed Potatoes, Cheddar Bacon Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing, Chicken Tenders, Smiley Fries, Fresh Fruit, Iceberg & Ranch, Sundae Bar

April 17th

MARIO BROS FAMILY NIGHT

$40 PER CHILD, $20 PER ADULT

Star Power Turkey Sandwiches, Mario & Luigi’s Pizza Station, Toad’s Stuffed Mushrooms, Bowser’s Flamin' Chicken Wings, Yoshi Eggs, Flower Power Veggies & Ranch, Donkey Kong’s Chocolate Covered Bananas, Princess Peaches WandFruit Skewers, Chocolate Island Assorted Chocolate Desserts, Chocolate Fondue, Sundae Bar

April 24th

BREAKFAST FOR DINNER - $18 Omelet Bar, Pancakes, French Toast, Waffles, Egg Benedict, Bacon & Sausage, Fresh Fruit, Sundae Bar

Steak Night

Every Saturday Evening, 5:00 - 9:00 pm

Prime Filet 6 oz., $42

Prime Strip Steak 10 oz., $42 or Prime Ribeye 14 oz., $46

Served with a Wedge Salad or Cup of Soup du Jour

All prime steaks are served with a Steakhouse Baked Potato and Fresh Seasonal Vegetable.

For dessert, enjoy a slice of warm pie a la mode or your choice of an ice cream sundae.

OR The Month’s Featured Steak

Dining reservations in The Elm or 19th Hole can be made online, on the app, or with the Front Desk at 972-279-3671.