I hope this letter finds each of you well, back from summer travels and ready for a change in season. We hope you were able to enjoy summer activities at the Club. Our kids’ golf and tennis camps were full, and the pool was a nice place to relax with friends or enjoy a book under an umbrella. The Gold Course is continuing to mature, and our members have given excellent feedback on the improvements made during its renovation.
Over the past 10 years, Dallas Athletic Club has invested $28 million in improving its physical facilities and member amenities. To put this into perspective, our members enjoy a unique, nonassessment membership here at DAC. Capital projects are strategically planned so we can continue to improve our Club year over year with careful financial management. Initiation fee increases, bank loans, and dues increases are an expected part of country club financial planning, and our Board and management team exercise great care in utilizing Club funds.
This year, we will embark on a renovation of the Blue Course. First phase improvement areas include, but are not limited to, a complete irrigation system overhaul, tees, new cart paths, and drainage. As with the Gold Course renovation, our pro shop will do its best to keep interruptions to play to a minimum. We remain fortunate to have another great course to utilize when one course is down. During this project, we plan to spend $6 million in the first year, and another $2 million in phase two of the project, spanning the following two years. The second phase will focus primarily on greens, bunkers, bank stabilization, and any design changes. DAC Superintendent, Travis Moore, will keep members up-to-date with messages and drone videos highlighting progress and improvements.
Other exciting projects on our Club grounds include the demolition and construction of tennis courts 1-4, as well as new court viewing decks, improved fencing, and new landscaping.
This fall will be an excellent time to reacquaint yourself with your Club and all it has to offer. Our management team is rolling out a “DAC Passport” encouraging members to try something new and utilize all available Club amenities: massage, yoga, dinner on The Elm patio, etc. Activities will be stamped as they are completed. The first six members to fill their passport will be eligible for raffle prizes. All participants who complete the passport will receive a copy of the DAC Centennial book.
Our fall calendar is full of annual events that are member favorites. The pool says farewell to summer with the Labor Day Pool Party (Sept 2). On September 7, the record will be tried at the Parent-Child Fishing Tournament. The Nicklaus Cup is played on September 13, and you can come out to enjoy fine wine and dinner at the Round Pond Estates Wine Dinner (Sept 19). Racquet wars begin on Sept 27-28 at the Tennis Pro-Am, followed by the Rally for the Cure charity event (Oct 6). Family fun, rides, and face painting at the Fall Festival (Oct 13) and the always-agood-time Tradition Member-Guest (Oct 17-19) round out October. Be sure to come out and enjoy the fun!
The Board of Directors and the DAC Executive Team remain focused on delivering a premier country club experience to each of our members. Our GM, Brent Burkhart, and his team are continuously striving to raise the standard of excellence on our courts, courses, and in the clubhouse. Please let a staff member know when you have an exceptional experience at your Club.
It is my pleasure to serve our Club and its members. I look forward to seeing you at DAC soon,
Whitney Ragsdale President
Celebrating One Year
Daniel Castillo
Kevin Link
Megan Sullivan
Sarina Tapia
Weston McWhorter
Celebrating Two Years
Jaden Lopez
Eric Ross
Kim Casali
Billie Hobbs
Sophia Sanchez
Celebrating Three Years
Teofilo Garcia
Alberto Rivera
Celebrating Four Years
Jamar Brown
Daniel Garza
Michael Lamping
Celebrating 5+ Years
Matthew Koss
Mateo Gonzales Barrientos
Milton Jeronimo Alvarado
Celebrating 10+ Years
Giovanni Ross
Roberto Madrigales
Hugo Galindo, Jr.
Evelyn Marquez
Roberto Gutierrez
Celebrating 20+ Years
Judy Bestwina
Jose Rocha
Enrique Garcia
Celebrating 30+ Years
Santiago Ramirez
2024 DAC Scholarship Recipients
We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 Employee Scholarships. Scholarships are given annually by the Communities Foundation of Texas who administers our Scholarship fund.
We want to thank all of our members this year who participated and helped make these scholarships possible.
The employees and management staff continue to be thankful for your support of the scholarship fund.
Jamie Ezpeleta University of Texas at Arlington DAC Scholarship
Angelica Rocha Texas A&M
Grace Brown Oklahoma State University
Patricia Rocha Capital University Law School
Grace Satterwhite Tulane University
F rom the Desk of Cari Wheatley
Are your email and contact details up to date for you and your family? Have you recently changed your address, phone number, or perhaps welcomed a new family member?
We need to maintain an accurate and updated membership database so we can keep you informed—whether it's about important membership news or upcoming events. We want to ensure you’re always in the know!
When we have the right information on file, we can better connect with specific members who are interested in relevant topics, ensuring you receive communications that matter to you.
If you used to receive emails but aren’t anymore, it’s possible that your information isn’t correct in our records or that you might have opted out by accident. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you need to add or remove any information from your profile.
CariWheatley
Membership Director
cwheatley@dacstaff.org
welcome new members!
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!
Gustafson June 8, 2024
Alessandro & Lindsay Cola Athletic
Thomas & Ashlyn Brown Tennis
Charlie & Amanda Templeton Athletic
Cole & Lauren Cammack Athletic
Joe & Amy Theriot Resident Golf
Jeff & Leigh Quilhot Athletic
These new members began their membership at DAC between July and August 2024..
Jeff & Linde Giddens Tennis
Kasey & Tyler Obenshain Tennis
Kenneth & Michele Sheets Athletic
John Wayne
Proud Parents: Stephy & Eric Gustafson Members since 2022
TURF TALK:
From Summer Heat to Fall Fairways
by Travis Moore, Golf Course Superintendent
We are all excited for the return of fall weather – perhaps none more so than our golf and grounds maintenance crew. Not only were they successful in keeping both courses in shape through the hot summer months – they did it while completing a tremendous amount of storm clean-up, establishing acres of new grass on the Gold Course, learning a new irrigation system on half the property, and maintaining an aging system on the other. Their dedication to improving playing conditions and aesthetics is commendable and I am proud to work alongside these men and women every day.
Soon, the days will be shorter and temperatures cooler - providing the growing conditions needed to allow our bentgrass greens to recover from the long summer. This is particularly true for the Gold Course greens – which will be one year old this September. As the greens get stronger, we are able to be more aggressive with our maintenance practices– resulting in faster and firmer putting surfaces. The bermudagrass on our tees, fairways, and roughs begins to slow down this time of year, but is still growing enough to provide color, definition, and good overall playing conditions. In short – it is one my favorite times of the year to be out on the course.
We look forward to a busy fall golf season and appreciate your continued support of our maintenance operations.
GOLF calendar
w w w
September/October w WGA/ Couples MGA/Men’s Club Events
WGA SENIOR CLASSIC
w w w w w w
September 4-5
WGA PATRIOTS & HEROES
September 11
NICKLAUS CUP
September 13
WGA SOLHEIM CUP
September 17-18
SELECT DRIVE BETTER BALL
September 20
TWO PERSON SCRAMBLE COUPLES GOLF
September 26
WGA MEMBER GUEST
October 9
2024 TRADITION
October 17-19
FOUR-PERSON SCRAMBLE COUPLES GOLF
October 24
WGA TRICK OR TREAT FOR THE CURE
October 30
Gold Course #17 - 2023
Gold Course #17 - 2024
GOLF RULE:
From Summer Heat to Fall Fairways
by Shelly Davis, Golf Professional
Do you know what to do if you need to take relief from an unplayable ball in a bunker?
When your ball is in a bunker, you may take unplayable ball relief using one of the four options shown in the diagram below.
When a player decides that their ball in a bunker is unplayable, the player has four options:
(1) For one penalty stroke, the player may take stroke-and distance relief.
(2) For one penalty stroke, the player may take back-onthe-line relief in the bunker.
(3) For one stroke penalty, the player may take lateral relief in the bunker.
(4) For a total of two penalty strokes, the player may take back on-the-line relief out side the bunker.
We are excited to announce our new partnership with Yeti, which will allow us to offer
their product line through Green Grass in late August. Our shop will be be carrying their products, which can be fully customized to meet your needs. Whether you're looking for personalized gifts or logo-emblazoned merchandise for your company, the possibilities are endless.
Please feel free to reach out to me via email or phone, or stop by the Pro shop to explore how we can assist you. We look forward to collaborating with you!
TURF TIPS:
Fall Turf Tips
by Travis Moore, Golf Course Superintendent
Fall is an important time of year for turfgrass – both on the golf course and at home. Continue reading for a few tips that will help keep your yard healthy into next spring.
Mowing Height: In general, it is a good practice to raise your mowing height by .5” to 1” in mid to late fall. The higher height will allow the plant to store more energy over the winter months and thus be healthier in the spring.
Irrigation: Remember to scale back your irrigation as we enter the fall months. Over watering in the fall is bad for your water bill and your turf. This is particularly true if you have St. Augustine or zoysia as excess moisture leads to fungal diseases such as Brown Patch.
Fertilizer: Properly fertilizing your yard in early fall will help to prolong green color, protect the turf during winter freezes, and promote early spring growth. Fall applications should focus on providing the turf with nitrogen and potassium. For example: 15-5-10 or 15-0-15 (N-P-K). Apply between ½lb and 1lb of nitrogen per 1000 square feet when your yard is still actively
growing. Avoid excessive fertilization as this can lead to increased disease pressure and other problems.
Weed Control: When average soil temperatures drop below 70 degrees it is time to apply a pre-emergent herbicide. These products must be applied before weeds germinate and will only control annual weeds. DO NOT APPLY a pre-emergent herbicide if your yard is severely stressed or if you are planning to over-seed. As with all pesticidesbe sure to follow all label instructions.
Disease Control: The most common disease that I see on zoysia and St. Augustine is “Brown Patch”. This disease causes thinned circular patches of light brown grass and is most active during extended periods of cool and wet weather. The following practices
have proven to help prevent disease development: avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization, reduce irrigation, control thatch, reduce shade, and improve drainage. Fungicides are also effective, but work best when used preventatively or at the first sign of occurrence.
Tall Fescue for Shaded Areas: If you have thin or bare areas in shaded portions of your yard – consider planting “turf type” tall fescue seed in September or October. Tall fescue has excellent shade tolerance and can handle heat and drought stress better than most other cool season grasses. Many areas planted to tall fescue require re-seeding each fall (at a lower rate), but will typically provide decent coverage throughout the year.
by Niki Davis, Director of Retail
A MESSAGE FROM NATALIA PRINZ: Back in Full Swing
by Natalia Prinz, Director of Tennis
We are back in full swing with team tennis for both juniors and adults. Our USTA, TCD, Metro, and Feeder teams are ready to compete in another exciting season. With a very busy fall schedule ahead, please make sure to secure your court reservations for your preferred play days.
Mark your calendars for our favorite event of the year, the Pro Am, which will take place on September 27th and 28th. Sign-ups are available on the app.
IMPORTANT dates
LOVE 60 BEGINS
September 5
USTA WOMEN’S
September 6 METRO BEGINS
September 7
USTA MEN’S
September 7 & 8
TCD MIXED BEGINS
September 8
September 10
LOVE 50 BEGINS
September 11
TCD THURSDAY BEGINS
September 12
TCD PICKLEBALL MIXED BEGINS
September 13
FEEDER LEAGUE BEGINS
September 13
Looking for fun evening plans? Our 105 tennis socials are always held on the second Friday of the month. We are looking forward to a fantastic season for Team DAC!
Natalia Prinz
Tennis Director nprinz@dacstaff.org
JUNIOR TENNIS School's In, Tennis is On
by Jason Melton, Junior Tennis Director
After School Tennis Programs for Juniors
It's hard to believe that schools are already back in session! The time flew by at DAC summer camps this year and we can't thank you all enough for allowing us to serve you! It has truly been our pleasure.
We are happy to announce that the fun doesn’t have to end! If your child enjoyed their time on the court with us we would like to invite you out to our after-school programs. It's our mission to provide fun and engaging programs that will not only give your child their daily dose of exercise but will also provide the fundamentals for a sport of a literal lifetime! Our ROGY progression system sets a great foundation and gives kids clear goals to work towards!
Our programs accommodate all levels of play 14 and under. Starting with beginner level Hotshots classes centered around fun and exercise designed to provide students with of basic ball tracking, racquet control, and hand-eye coordination. If your child has mastered the art of rallying then intra club Matches or Junior Team Tennis is the next step. Our Junior Team Tennis competition groups will be working on fine tuning techniques, footwork, along with structure and strategies of matchplay.
A special player shout out goes to Walker Valachovic and Oliver Valachovic. The twin brothers have committed to DAC Juniors three to four days a week last spring and were teammates on the 12U competition team who placed in 2nd overall in the spring season. They have decided to solely focus on tennis and will be training at DAC this fall full time for their school athletic credits. Awesome job guys, keep up the hard work!
Workout Tips
Fall is a great time to revamp your workout routine. Soon we will experience cooler weather which makes outdoor activities more enjoyable. The changing of seasons can provide new motivation. Here are some tips for making the most of your fall workouts:
1 Warm Up Properly Dynamic Stretches:
Before heading out, do a proper warm-up with dynamic stretches like leg swings, arm circles, and walking lunges to get your blood flowing and muscles ready.
Gradual Start: Ease into your workout to give your body time to adjust to the cooler temperatures.
2 Take Advantage of the Outdoors Hiking: Enjoy the more pleasant mornings and evenings by taking hikes. The uneven terrain can provide a good workout for your legs and core.
Running or Walking: Cooler temps make running and walking more comfortable. Explore local parks or trails.
Cycling: Fall is excellent for cycling; just make sure to dress appropriately for the weather.
3 Stay Hydrated
The cooler weather might make you less aware of your need for hydration. Continue to drink plenty of water before, during, and after your workouts.
FITNESS schedule
TUESDAY 8:30 AM 9:00-9:15 AM
WEDNESDAY
7:00-8:00 AM 8:00-8:30 AM BODY BURN POWER CORE VINYASA YOGA WITH VIRGINIA LOWER BODY WITH VIRGINIA
4 Set New Goals
Short-Term Goals: Set achievable shortterm goals to keep you motivated through the fall. This could be anything from running a certain distance, getting stronger on a certain lift to mastering a new yoga pose.
5 Mind Your Diet
Seasonal Foods: Incorporate fall superfoods like apples, sweet potatoes, and squash into your diet to fuel your workouts.
Balanced Meals: Make sure to eat balanced meals with a good mix of protein, carbs, and fats to support your energy needs.
6 Safety First Visibility: As days get shorter, make sure you're visible if you're exercising outdoors early in the morning or late in the evening. Wear reflective gear and consider a headlamp.
By following these tips, you can make the most of your fall workouts and stay on track with your fitness goals throughout the season.
THURSDAY
8:30-9:15 AM
FRIDAY 8:00-8:45 AM 8:45-9:00 AM 9:00-10:00 AM 10:00-10:45 AM
An Update from the Clubhouse Manager
by Macon Simonson, Clubhouse Manager
With the arrival of fall, we are pleased to introduce a new initiative to enhance your club experience—the DAC Passport. This program is designed to encourage members to explore all that our Club has to offer, from our tennis courts and golf course to our dining facilities and more.
Pick up your DAC Passport at the front desk or ask your server for one during your next visit in September. Collect stamps for each activity you complete. Complete your passport by October 31st to be eligible for one of six exclusive raffle prizes. And don’t forget—every member who completes their passport will receive DAC's special Centennial Book which commemorates our Club’s rich history. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Club this fall.
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!
September 4th
FAJITA NIGHT - $18
Beef and Chicken Fajita, Nacho Bar, Cilantro Rice, Chicken Tenders. French Fries, Fruit, Churros, Blue Bell Sundae Bar
September 11th
GRILL OUT NIGHT - $18
Pork Steaks, Grilled Chicken Legs, Grilled Salmon, Grilled Beef Medallions, Grilled Green Bean Salad, Grilled Vegetables, Lyonnaise Potatoes, Chicken Tenders, French Fries, Fruit, Blue Bell Sundae Bar
September 18th
MAGIC SHOW FAMILY NIGHT
$40 PER CHILD, $20 PER ADULT
Smoked Wings, Bone-In Wings, Boneless Wings, Pork “Wings” Wing Sauces, Dipping Sauces, Celery, Carrots, Waffle Fries, Spinach BLT Buffalo Salad, Chicken Tenders, Peas & Carrots, Fruit, Blue Bell Sundae Bar
September 25th
PASTA NIGHT - $18
Build Your Own Pasta Station, Chicken Parmesan, Chop Salad, Tomato Mozzarella, Parmesan Bread Sticks, Chicken Tenders, French Fries, Fruit, Blue Bell Sundae Bar
October 2nd
BBQ NIGHT - $20
Smoked Brisket, BBQ Ribs, Smoked Leg Quarters, Baked Beans, Mac & Cheese, Cole Slaw Chicken Tenders, Fries, Peas, Fresh Fruit, Bluebell Sundae Bar
October 9th
STIR FRY NIGHT - $18
Build Your Own Stir Fry, Orange Chicken & Rice, Beef & Broccoli, Sweet & Sour Pork, Twice Fried Rice, Hoisin Noodles, Stir Fry Vegetables Chicken Tenders, Fries, Peas, Fruit , Mochi And Bluebell Sundae Bar
October 16th
COMFORT FOOD NIGHT - $18
Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Pecan Fried Chicken, Turkey Tetrazzini, Pot Roast, Green Bean Casserole, Peas & Carrots, Chicken Tenders, Fries, Fresh Fruit, Banana Pudding, Bluebell Sundae Bar
Whole Roasted Pig, Picked To Order Variety of BBQ Sauces, Loaded Baked Potato Foil Packs, SlowCooked Beans, Green Beans & Ham Chicken Tenders, Baked Mac & Cheese, Fresh Fruit, Peas & Carrots, Apple Cobbler, Berry Cobbler, Bluebell 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.
DALLAS ATHLETIC CLUB
CLUBHOUSE
Tuesday - Sunday................................. 7:00 am - Close 19TH HOLE
Tuesday - Sunday............................... 8:00 am - Close
9 1/2 SNACK BAR
Tuesday - Thursday.....................8:30 am - 5:30 pm Friday - Sunday..............................8:00 am - 6:00 pm KITCHEN & THE ELM
Tuesday - Thursday ................... 8:00 am - 9:00 pm Friday ................................................ 8:00 am - 10:00 pm
7:00 am - 10:00 pm
............................................. 7:00 am - 8:00 pm FITNESS FACILITY
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm*
Tuesday - Saturday ............................. 5:00 am - Close Sunday ....................................................... 6:00 am - Close TENNIS PRO SHOP Tuesday-Thursday ...................... 8:00 am - 9:00 pm Friday-Saturday ............................ 8:00 am - 7:00 pm Sunday .............................................. 8:00 am - 6:00 pm GOLF PRO SHOP Tuesday-Sunday ................................7:30 am - 6:00 pm