BLACK DIAMOND JANUARY 2024
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#BlackDiamondRanchFL | blackdiamondranch.com
MEET OUR TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Chris Major cmajor@blackdiamondranch.com 239-825-0124
FOOD AND BEVERAGE DIRECTOR Stacie Hein shein@blackdiamondranch.com 352-204-1221
DIRECTOR OF GOLF Dave McQuade, PGA Master Professional dmcquade@blackdiamondranch.com 352-746-3446
EXECUTIVE CHEF Javier Mendez jmendez@blackdiamondranch.com 352-746-3449
DIRECTOR OF CONSTRUCTION Jeremy Onorato jonorato@blackdiamondranch.com 352-586-9986
DIRECTOR OF SALES Greg Betz gbetz@blackdiamondranch.com 352-453-5473
GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT Ben Noland bnoland@blackdiamondranch.com 352-746-0404
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR Christine Steele csteele@blackdiamondranch.com 402-208-9454
FINANCE MANAGER Michele Benson mbenson@blackdiamondranch.com 352-746-0254
WELCOME GENERAL MANAGER MESSAGE Chris Major
Dear Valued Club Members, Happy New Year! I hope this message finds you well. On behalf of our management team, we look forward to making 2024 a year to remember with memorable experiences, elevated services, and a vibrant club lifestyle. Please note the information below and do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions. Best wishes, Chris Major General Manager Golf Grounds I am thrilled to announce that we have selected Joey Halter as our new Director of Agronomy for Black Diamond Ranch. Joey most recently brings with him eight years of experience as the lead Superintendent at Timber Pines Golf & Country Club, a highly regarded private country club in Spring Hill, Florida. He holds a turf management degree from Rutgers University and is a Class A member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association. Joey's notable strengths are his expertise in annual overseed and transition, new construction and grow-in, Toro irrigation, developing junior leaders, and ensuring daily multi-course readiness for heavy AM volume. His attention to detail and ability to establish a culture of consistency and accuracy were evident during my visits to Timber Pines. Joey's wife, Jennifer, has been by his side for twenty-seven years, and they have two wonderful teenage children. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Joey as he becomes a part of the Black Diamond family. We have no doubt that he will continue the positive trajectory set by Michael Pierce and lead our agronomic operations to new heights. You can reach Joey at Jhalter@blackdiamondranch.com. Golf Operations Christine Steele, our new Director of Membership, is settling into her role extremely well and her funnel for new members is strong. Her office is in the Welcome Center and her direct phone number is (402) 208-9454 and e-mail is csteele@blackdiamondranch.com. Look for her exciting new member referral program announcement in the coming weeks. If you have a private golf cart or carts and purchased a trail fee for 2024, please see a member of the golf professional staff between 9:00am4:00pm, January 10th-12th and they will assist with affixing the 2024 sticker onto your cart or carts. F&B Operations I am also excited to announce Alan Gall as our new Sous Chef. Alan has extensive food and beverage experience including with Hyatt hotels and as a self-proprietor. Most recently, he worked at The Reserve at Lake Keowee, SC under German Master Chef Andreas Sellner. I know Chef Javier is excited and they are working on some tweaks to weekly programming now that I think you will enjoy. Thank you so much for your patience and patronage through a remarkably busy holiday event period. Lifestyle Please note the following important upcoming events and social activities through January. -Nine & Dine, “Southern Comfort” 1/12/24 from 5:30pm-7:30pm. Please enjoy a southern comfort dining experience with live entertainment featuring garden salad, fried chicken and shrimp, cheesy garlic grits, baked beans, buttermilk biscuits, and Chef’s Choice dessert with live entertainment. $30 pp, *Reservations required by 1/10/24 by phoning or e-mailing membership concierge. -Farmer’s Market, 1/20/24 9am-12pm with Black Diamond Staff Chili Battle. The Golf staff will battle the F&B staff for bragging rights on who has the best chili. There will be a small fee to taste and judge the two chilis with all proceeds going to the Black Diamond Foundation. *No reservations are required, and this will be offered to the entire Black Diamond community. -Diamond Sunday Brunch, 1/28/2024 from 10:00am-2:00pm. We invite you to this elegant new (last Sunday of the month) buffet and action station offering, with live music. $30 pp, *Reservations required by 1/26/24 by phoning or e-mailing membership concierge. -Lunch & Learn, 1/29/24 11:30am-1:30pm. Join us for a lovely chef’s choice lunch buffet featuring Terry Lagree, the master planner and original COO of Black Diamond Ranch. Terry will discuss the history and answer questions about the making of Black Diamond Ranch and the iconic Quarry golf course. $20 pp, Reservations are required by 1/28/24 by phoning or emailing membership concierge.
GOLF UPDATE "FROM THE GOLF SHOP TO THE FAIRWAY" Dave McQuade
Dear Black Diamond Members: On behalf of the entire Golf Operations Staff, we wish everyone a Happy and Healthy new Year! The Ranch Course is scheduled to be renovated in the Spring with new Greens, Fairways, and surrounds. This coming year the Quarry irrigation system will be upgraded, along with other agronomical improvements. This is also a great opportunity to make 2024 your best golf year ever, as we will be conducting Golf Schools, Clinics, and Private Instruction to help you improve your game! If you are serious about improving your game, it’s time to take some action! I have included the January golf-related events below, including Demo Days, Golf Schools, and a special “Roots” Trade-in Event. If you have any questions, please contact the Golf Shop (352-746-3446) and a staff member will be happy to assist you.
Dave’s “10” Fast-Play Tips! I know of nothing more disturbing in golf than to have a slow foursome in front of you, or a slow player in your group! It can ruin your day and wreck your score. I have listed below 10 ideas to improve your Pace of Play on the Course. If you follow these tips, you will cut more than 30-minutes off an 18hole round! 1. Play Ready Golf- Abandon the Honor system and whoever gets to the Tee first can hit. This also applies to fairway shots no matter who is “Away.” 2. Fill Out the Scorecard on the Next Tee- Not beside the green you just finished putting on. 3. Keep up with the Group in Front of Yours- Be aware that your correct position is immediately behind the group in front, NOT immediately in front of the group behind you! 4. Be Efficient on the Putting Green- Mark your ball and clean it as soon as you reach the Green, and line up your putt while others are putting so you will be ready when it’s your turn. 5. Limit the Practice Swings- Full Shot Practice swings are a waste of time and energy! 6. Do Not Mark a Two-Footer- Just go ahead and tap it in. 7. Be Ready to Hit When its your Turn- Calculate your distance and prepare for your shot while others are hitting. 8. Don’t Wait in the Cart for Your Partner- Drop him/her off and proceed to your ball. Nothing wastes more time than people sitting in the cart watching others play their shot. 9. Park the Cart in a Direct Line with the Next Tee- Parking the cart in a direct line to the next tee will eliminate having to walk extra steps to get back to the cart. 10. Never Leave the Cart Empty Handed- Even if your cart is 50-yards away from your ball, you should never set off to assess your shot while others are hitting without grabbing a couple of clubs. Most likely, one of the clubs you took from your bag will be the right one for your shot and you'll be able to play much sooner.
Pro Pointer “The Low Knockdown” Upcoming January Golf-Related Events Roots Golf Trade-In Day Saturday, January 6th 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. At the Practice Range. Bring in your old clubs and trade them in for Golf Shop Credit! No restrictions, no obligation, just a great opportunity to turn old clubs into Golf Shop Credit! Black Diamond Total Golf School #1 Wednesday, January 10th 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - All aspects of the Game will be covered- Putting, Chipping, Pitching, Sand Play, Irons, Woods, Course Management, and More! No matter what your handicap, this School is guaranteed to lower your score and provide you with more weapons in your golfing arsenal. Each Participant will receive a workbook outlining the curriculum, and a personal evaluation after the class. If you’re serious about improving your game, sign-up for this School! The School Tuition is $200. To sign-up email Dmcquade@blackdiamondranch.com or call the Golf Shop (352746-3446). Sign-up soon as class sizes will be limited. Nine & Dine Friday, January 12th - Scramble on the Quarry Front-9 at 3:00 p.m. followed by Dinner, Awards, and the Jackpot Joker Drawing in the Dining Room Member Appreciation Day - Wednesday, January 17th Black Diamond Total Golf School #2 - Thursday, January 18th 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Diamond Cup Four-Ball Match Play - January 19th, 20th, & 21st 2Person Teams, Double elimination Match Play Event Callaway Fitting Day Event - Wednesday, January 24th 10:00 - 3:00 at the Practice Range XXIO Demo Day Friday, January 26th - Come try out the #1 Rated Woods & Irons for the Country Club Golfer! XXIO Demo Day Friday, January 26th - Come try out the #1 Rated Woods & Irons for the Country Club Golfer!
Hole-In-One Club The Black Diamond Hole-In-One Club will be billed to all Golf Members’ accounts this week. Any HIO Club member that records a Hole-In-One will receive the following: 1. $100 F & B Credit 2. $100 Golf Shop Credit 3. A Personalized Hole-In-One Plaque Each time a Hole-In-One is recorded the HIO Club members will be billed an additional $5.00. All HIO Club Members are eligible to play in the Hole-In-One Club Tournament on January 27th which includes no entry fee and a reception after golf! Membership in the Hole-InOne Club is optional and is for the enjoyment of all Black Diamond Members.
FOOD & BEVERAGE FEATURED RECIPE Javier Mendez
Rosemary Salmon and Veggies Ingredients: 1-1/2 pounds salmon fillets, cut into 4 portions 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil or olive oil 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary or 3/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed 1 garlic clove, minced 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed 1 medium sweet red pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces 1/4 teaspoon pepper Lemon wedges
Directions: Preheat oven to 400°. Place salmon in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Combine oil, vinegar, rosemary, garlic and salt. Pour half over salmon. Place asparagus and red pepper in a large bowl; drizzle with remaining oil mixture and toss to coat. Arrange around salmon in pan; sprinkle with pepper Bake until salmon flakes easily with a fork and vegetables are tender, 12-15 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.
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GOLF COURSE UPDATE
AGRONOMY UPDATE Ben Noland
Happy Holidays Black Diamond Members As we close the book 2023 it has been quite a year for the golf course facility and team. The much-anticipated next phase of the renovation has been completed. Both the Highlands pump station and Main pump station upgrade and renovation has been completed. This upgrade allows us to be much more efficient in our water habits which will in turn allow us to grow stronger turf in the future. It will also save us on energy costs and cut down wasteful usage of the well and effluent waters. Winter temperatures have arrived at Black Diamond. As one can see most of the Bermuda is going dormant and slows its growth. But the emerald green overseeded tees and fairways of the Highlands and Quarry will keep the maintenance team hard at work mowing and maintaining the turf for play throughout the winter. Winter also brings in a time were we will continue to work and improve the conditions of all the DRA’s on the facility. The team looks to tackle some much needed tree work along these courses as well. We can not forget about the Ranch, as it has come a long way in the 5 months since the renovation project began. Course conditions continue to improve daily as the greens further grow in and take hold. Through the winter the Ranch to will see constant DRA improvements, and a detail clean up of the landscape beds and treescapes. We are excited about our new Director of Agronomy and continuing the positive agronomic direction in 2024.
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CLUB EVENTS
January
MONTHLY EVENTS WEDNESDAY
10
BLACK DIAMOND TOTAL GOLF SCHOOL #!1 9:00AM-12:00PM Tuition:$200
11
THURSDAY
TRIVIA
Small bites menu Trivia begins at 6:30pm Call 352-746-3440 to make your reservation
17
17
24
28
WEDNESDAY
BIRTHDAY BASH
If your birthday is this month, come join us for a happy hour drink on us!
WEDNESDAY
CALLAWAY FITTING DAY
10am-3pm On the practice range, register online or in the pro shop lobby.
12 FRIDAY
NINE & DINE / SOUTHERN COMFORT DINNER
The price for the Southern Comfort dinner will be included in the entry fee with the nine & dine for this event. All others $30
20
WEDNESDAY
SATURDAY
MEMBER APPRECIATION
FARMER’S MARKET
Join us for member appreciation day!
SUNDAY
DIAMOND BRUNCH
10:00am-2:00pm We invite you to this elegant new, last Sunday of the month buffet and action station offering live music. $30 pp
9am-12pm, stop by and pick up some fresh produce, local honey, and jams! Also, it’s a Chili battle between Golf and F&B staff. We need you to taste ($5) and vote. All proceeds will go to the Black Diamond Foundation
29
MONDAY
LUNCH & LEARN
“The history of Black Diamond Ranch” Join us for a lovely chef’s choice lunch featuring Terry Lagree, the master planner and original COO of Black Diamond Ranch. $20pp