BLACK DIAMOND DECEMBER 2023
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#BlackDiamondRanchFL | blackdiamondranch.com
MEET OUR TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Chris Major cmajor@blackdiamondranch.com 239-825-0124
DIRECTOR OF GOLF Dave McQuade, PGA Master Professional dmcquade@blackdiamondranch.com 352-746-3446
REGIONAL VP OF AGRONOMY Michael Pierce mpierce@blackdiamondranch.com 937-751-6486 FOOD AND BEVERAGE DIRECTOR Stacie Hein shein@blackdiamondranch.com 352-204-1221
DIRECTOR OF CONSTRUCTION Jeremy Onorato jonorato@blackdiamondranch.com 352-586-9986
EXECUTIVE CHEF Javier Mendez jmendez@blackdiamondranch.com 352-746-3449
GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT Ben Noland bnoland@blackdiamondranch.com 352-746-0404
DIRECTOR OF SALES Greg Betz gbetz@blackdiamondranch.com 352-453-5473
FINANCE MANAGER Michele Benson mbenson@blackdiamondranch.com 352-746-0254
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR Christine Steele csteele@blackdiamondranch.com 402-208-9454
WELCOME GENERAL MANAGER MESSAGE Chris Major Happy Holidays Club Members, On behalf of our dedicated management team, we want to express our sincerest gratitude for your support and loyalty to the Club. The Holiday Season is a time of reflection and appreciation, and we want you to know just how grateful we are for all that you contribute to the Club and our devoted associates. Speaking of our devoted associates, I especially want to recognize those of you that contributed to the voluntary Holiday Fund. This fund will be evenly distributed, based on hours worked for the year. It’s difficult to describe how much this means to so many of our associates. Again, thank you for making this special effort. Please note the information below and don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns. Chris Major Golf Grounds The Ranch officially re-opened on Friday, 12/1 at 9:00am with Sharron Rosenberg hitting the first drive. Her group of Margo Grodsky, Marie Salvio and Lorraine Carrier with Martin Courtois as the group’s forecaddie had an amazing round. With the cold front behind us, we will increase the rolling frequency on the greens which will improve green speed considerably. Please note that through 12/10, tee times will be available from 9:00am-11:00am and again from 1:00pm-2:30pm. We ask you to strictly adhere to daily golf cart driving instructions, make sure you have a sand bottle with you on each shot and fill your divot and one other, repair your ball mark and one other on each green and enter/exit each bunker where the sign indicates. Finally, you are welcome to take a preferred lie anywhere on the course except if your ball is in hazard or a bunker. We have received terrific feedback on the new playability, featuring the Tripp Davis bunkers and overall conditions. Please join me in thanking Ben and the entire maintenance staff for their incredible efforts and role in bringing the Ranch back on-line. Golf Operations Please join me in welcoming Christine Steele as our new Director of Membership. Her office is in the Welcome Center and her direct phone number is (402) 208-9454 and e-mail is csteele@blackdiamondranch.com. Although her office is at the Welcome Center, expect to see her fully engaged in all aspects of Club Life. I know she is anxious to meet you and assist you with your friends or family that are interested in joining Black Diamond Club life. Big news! Beginning in January, the BDLGA Ladies league will return to shotgun starts every Tuesday at 9:00am. In addition to these days offering a fun and competitive format, they will include a very nice Chef’s Choice buffet after play. Also, I am working with my counterpart now at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota on the best Tuesday in Q1 for an “away day” for Ladies Day. Please stay tuned for more details on what will be a very fun day. F&B Operations Tis the season…Please note the following days and dates where we will have very limited F&B offerings due to large member sponsored holiday parties. Thursday, 12/7, Friday, 12/8, Saturday, 12/9, Friday, 12/15 and Saturday, 12/16. On these days, we will offer food from a guest food truck from the Diamond Pit area and the Member Lounge will be open for drink service only. Although these events will impact several weekend dinner services, there is no impact on Tuesdays and our new comfort special for this night has been very well received. Also, look for a few changes to the small bite’s menu offered during our two Happy Hours each week on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Thank you as always for your patronage and we look forward to seeing you at our legacy events this month. Lifestyle Please note the following important upcoming events and social activities through December. -Christmas Golf Cart Parade, 12/6-Decorated carts are asked to arrive at Wade Hampton Village one-hour before dusk. Join us afterwards for Happy Hour and Small Bites in the Clubhouse. -Holiday Dinner, 12/7, 5:30pm-9pm. In addition to a wonderful menu, this special evening will feature youth Ballerinas from Art in Motion and the Inverness youth symphony during the cocktail hour and DJ Trae during and after dinner with dancing. *Reservations are required by COB on 12/4 and all seating will be at either eight or ten-person tables. $69 **Cocktail attire -Christmas Sing-Along with Diamonds in the Rough, 12/19 from 7:00pm-8:00pm in the Clubhouse. Come and enjoy Happy Hour and Small Bites and join in this festive occasion. -Holiday “Turkey” buffet with Nine & Dine, 12/22 from 5:30pm-7:30pm. *Reservations required by 12/19 by phoning or e-mailing membership concierge. -Christmas Eve, 12/24-Clubhouse will close at 1pm -Christmas Day, 12/25-All facilities will be closed -New Year’s Eve Dinner, 12/31, 5:30pm-9:00pm. You will enjoy an amazing, plated dinner, celebratory champaign toast and dancing to the sounds of the Rafael Abdalla Jazz Trio *Reservations are required by 12/26 and all seating will be at either eight or ten-person tables. $79 **Cocktail attire -New Year’s Eve Party, 12/31, 10:00pm-12:30am. Dance and ring in the New Year at the Welcome Center, *Limited capacity (60), reservations by e-mail only to communications@blackdiamondranch.com $25 **Smart Casual Attire
GOLF UPDATE "FROM THE GOLF SHOP TO THE FAIRWAY" Dave McQuade
Dear Black Diamond Members: On behalf of the entire Golf Operations Team, we wish all of you a Happy Holiday Season! This is a special time of the year for us as we get an opportunity to meet your families that may be spending the Holidays with you. Thank you all for the positive comments about the condition of the courses, and I am so happy that your patience and faith in us is paying off! What a wonderful time it is to be a member at Black Diamond Ranch!
Re-opening first foursome on the Ranch. Thank you Sharron Rosenberg for the incredible donation of $10,000 to the Black Diamond Foundation! Marie Salvio, Margo Grodsky, Martin Courtois, Sharron Rosenberg, Larraine Carrier
Lessons / Clinics / Golf Schools Both our Short Game Schools were filled up, and both
Pro Pointer “Fundamentals of Putting”
were very successful! We are now in the process of planning more Golf Schools which will be conducted in January. We will send out detailed information on these schools shortly. I am proud to have Sam Brackett joining us as he is an excellent instructor. Sam and I will be doing the schools together, in addition to us both doing private lessons. Of all the things Sam and I do here at Black Diamond Ranch, Teaching the Game of Golf is by far the most favorite aspect of our job! If you would like to have a lesson, just contact us and we will be happy to
Upcoming December Golf-Related Events December 2nd-3rd: Mixed Couples Club Championship December 5th: Ladies Day / Format- “Ka-Ching” December 9th & 10th: Senior, Super-Senior, & Legends Club Championship December 12th: Ladies Day / “Santa Scramble” & Luncheon / 9:00 Shotgun
help you improve your swing, cut strokes off your game, and make 2024 your Best Golf Year Ever! Holiday Sale! We will be conducting a Golf Shop Holiday Sale during the week of December 11th-15th, featuring our “Lucky Gift Box Christmas Tree.” During the Sale anyone spending $100 or more may pick a gift box from the tree which will range from 30%-70% off your purchase! This is an excellent time to take care of everyone on your Holiday gift list and also a great
December13th: Member Appreciation Day
opportunity to redeem your Golf Shop credit from tournament winnings. (This sale will exclude Hard
December 14th: XXIO Demo Day / 10:00-3:00 at the Practice Range
Goods and the 50% Discount Racks). Please stop by the Golf Shop and take advantage of this special
December 22nd: Nine & Dine / Scramble / 3:00 Shotgun / Ranch Front-9
Sale!!
NEW YEAR’S EVE
Dinner SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31ST
$79 PER PERSON
5:30PM-9:00PM
PASSED CRUSTINI WITH OLIVE TAPENADE (V) CEVICHE SHOOTER (GF) (SF)
SALAD POACHED PEAR, PECANS, FETA, GREENS, MAPLE VINAIGRETTE (N)
LAND & SEA ENTREE 6OZ. FILET JAVIER’S FAMOUS CRAB CAKE CITRUS RISSOTO CHARRED ASPARAGUS BEARNAISE SILENT VEGAN / VEGETARIAN OPTION
DESSERT CHOCOLATE FONDUE FOUNTAIN BAR CELEBRATORY CHAMPAGNE TOAST DANCE AND ENJOY THE SOUNDS OF THE RAFAEL ABDALLA JAZZ TRIO COCKTAIL ATTIRE RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED BY 12/24 BY CALLING 352-746-3440 OR EMAILING COMMUNICATIONS@BLACKDIAMONDRANCH.COM
FOOD & BEVERAGE
FEATURED RECIPE Javier Mendez
Ginger Bread Cookies Ingredients: Flour Spices: Ground cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg. Baking soda, salt, egg and vanilla extract: Molasses Brown sugar: To add some extra molasses-y flavor to the cookies. Butter: Softened completely to room temperature. (Optional) Orange Zest: The subtle citrus notes pair really nicely with the cinnamon. Directions: Whisk together your dry ingredients. Flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, cloves, salt and nutmeg. Beat the dough. Using either a stand mixer or a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add in eggs and molasses, and beat on medium speed until combined. Then gradually add in the flour mixture, and beat on medium-low speed until just combined. Chill the dough. Divide the dough into two equal portions, and form them each into a ball. Then gently use your hands to flatten each ball into a 1-inch thick disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerator for an hour or so until the dough is chilled but still slightly pliable. Roll and cut the dough. Unwrap one of the discs and place it on a lightly-floured surface. Use a floured rolling pin to roll the dough evenly until it is approximately 1/8-inch thick. Then use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes, re-rolling the dough as needed to cut out more. Transfer the dough shapes to to a parchment-covered baking sheet. Bake. At 350°F for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookies are crisp around the edges and on top. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling. Decorate: Once the cookies cool to room temperature, feel free to decorate them as desired with the icing (see below) and serve. Then dive in, or transfer them to a sealed container and store (or freeze) for later.
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GOLF COURSE UPDATE
AGRONOMY UPDATE Ben Noland Dear Black Diamond Members, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. What an after feast treat we had to open the Ranch course this week! We hope you all are excited as we are to get you all back on that fully overseeded course. As cooler temperatures approach the overseeded rye grass will continue to strengthen and fill in on the entire course. Throughout the next month you will notice our Agronomy team continuing to clean up landscaping beds and trim back trees and dial in the finer details of the appearance of the Ranch course. This coming week is a very exciting point of this multiple phased project. The Highlands pump house will get its much overdue upgrade. That should take 3 or 4 days to complete next week. Then without missing a beat the contractors will roll over to the main pump house on the Quarry/Ranch, where the entire pump station will be upgraded to. This part of the project will further increase our ability to irrigate at a much more effective and efficient manor. Out on the Quarry course you will see some winter projects as well. If many of you have noticed the infamous wet spot on the left of 1 fairway has been resolved. Bad drainage lines were the result of this. We will be repairing the drainage in front part of 14 fairway and 15 fairway and in front of the ladies tee on 18. Many have asked the status of the short course Diamond Dunes. We seeded the greens a few weeks ago and they are growing in nicely. The tees and surrounding turf in that area will be overseeded this week and will open soon. We are proud to be a part of your team to provide you with a amazing place to play the great game of golf, dine and call Black Diamond Ranch home!
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CLUB EVENTS
PAGE 10
December
MONTHLY EVENTS
WEDNESDAY
06
CART PARADE
One hour before dusk. Carts will meet at Wade Hampton Village. Join us for Happy Hour and Small Bites after.
10
SUNDAY
MENS & LADIES SENIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
Register online or in the Pro Shop!
20
WEDNESDAY
BIRTHDAY BASH
If your birthday is this month, come join us for a happy hour drink on us!
07
THURSDAY
HOLIDAY PARTY
Join us for Eggnog with the Ballerinas, Cocktails and Hors D'oeuvres with the Student Symphony, Dinner and Dancing with DJ Trae
09
SATURDAY
MENS & LADIES SENIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
Register online or in the Pro Shop!
14
19
22
31
The price for the Turkey Dinner will be included in the entry fee with 9&W for this event. All others $25 plus tax.
Party : 10:00pm-12:30am at the Welcome Center $25
THURSDAY
TRIVIA
Small bites menu Trivia begins at 6:30pm Call 352-746-3440 to make your reservation
FRIDAY
NINE AND DINE & TURKEY DINNER
TUESDAY
SING - ALONG
Join us for our annual Christmas sing-along! 7:00pm-8:00pm
SUNDAY
NEW YEARS EVE
Dinner : 5:30pm-9:00pm at the Clubhouse $79
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