April 2020 On Course Newsletter

FOREST HILLS

On Course

COUNTRY CLUB

April 2020

www.foresthillscc.net

GOLF COURSE MAINTENANCE UPDATE

FROM CHEF CRAIG’S KITCHEN

DIERBERG VINEYARDS VIRTUAL WINE TASTING

Scott Reynolds provides an in-depth look into various projects around the Club.

Craig shares his go-to recipe for pleasing a crowd.

Join the winemaker and vineyard owners on a unique experience from your home.

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Club Reminders Please be reminded that Forest Hills has developed the Forest Hills COVID-19 Task Force, consisting of several members of the Board of Directors, two past presidents, a physician among several others . The Task Force continues to meet on a regular basis to evaluate the ever-changing situations we are facing. Please pay close attention to the many different e-mail communications that are being sent out from Kevin Donovan and the Task Force as they will continue to meet and work to keep the membership informed of the operations of the Club.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Kevin Donovan directly at kevind@foresthillscc.net.

Online Registration for Junior Programs Now Available!

Interested In Information About Our Junior Golf, Swim & Tennis Programs?

Visit our website, www.foresthillscc.net for all of the 2020 golf, swim and tennis summer programs available at the Club! Members now have access to detailed information about all of our programs including schedules, calendars, rules, junior manuals, and more!

Summer will be here before we know it and we are gearing up for a great season at Forest Hills Country Club!

If you are interested in signing up your child for junior golf, swim and dive team or junior tennis, simply log into the Club’s website and find the Junior Program Registration tab – it will be the very first tab on the left hand side upon logging in. Registration will be open through Friday, May 15.

There are three separate forms for junior golf, swim and dive team, and junior tennis. You must complete a form for each category in which you would like to register your child. To register multiple children, you will need to fill out individual forms. Upon completion of the form, you will receive a confirmation email from the Club. If you wish to sign your child up for Future Juniors, the sign ups will be on ForeTees, not the Club website.

Club Reminders Have Exciting News To Share?

We encourage our members to share with us the interesting and exciting things happening in your lives! Please send your details to Ali Kaplan at alik@foresthillscc.net. We will do our very best to include your information in our upcoming newsletter. The deadline is always the 20th of the month.

Newsletter Prize Hidden within the pages of this issue and future issues, we have included a member’s number chosen at random. If you come across this number and it happens to be yours, contact Ali at alik@foresthillscc.net to redeem a $100 Gift Certificate good toward your next food and beverage purchase.

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President’s Column by Chris Swenson

christophercswenson@gmail.com

I am prouder than ever to be a member at the ‘Family Club of Choice’, and believe the term aptly fits as we confront today’s unprecedented challenges. While historically I viewed being the ‘Family Club of Choice’ as being a Club that is oriented around families and that our decisions reflect family values (e.g. we attract families as Members), I view it differently since COVID-19. I now believe being the ‘Family Club of Choice’ reflects that we are a family – the Forest Hills family. This includes Members, their families, our employees, and our employees’ families. Collectively, we are one family right now as we must rely on our group strength to get through this moment. This is not easy because we are a pretty large family and have different perspectives, priorities, life experiences, etc., but just like any family, we work through such differences for the common good and with a singular purpose. In this regard, I am impressed that so many of our Members and our employees have demonstrated their appreciation for where we are as a community.

So many of our Members are utilizing our curbside to-go food, which helps keep us more connected at a time when it is so hard to do so. The numbers have been mind-blowing (and the quality of the dinners has been outstanding). Not only is this a great amenity for our Members (and a much more convenient and efficient way of getting carry-out than any other public place that may be available), it allows more of our employees to continue to work and get the satisfaction of a job well done (and satisfying the Members who take advantage of it). Thank you, Chef Craig and your team, for making these wonderful meals available to us and doing so in a manner that takes into account the health and safety of our Members and our employees.

So many of our Members are utilizing the golf course, which also keeps us more connected at a time when it is so hard to do so. Even with the challenging weather, the numbers have been amazing (and the course is in great shape). Again, not only is the golf course a great amenity for our Members (and one of very few venues that remains open to facilitate it), it allows more of our employees to continue to work and get the satisfaction of a job well done (and satisfying the golfers who take advantage of it). Thank you, Marvin and the golf staff, for making this possible and doing so in a manner that takes into account the health and safety of our Members and our employees. Thanks also to Scott Reynolds and the grounds crew for taking care of the course and making sure the employees are provided a healthy and safe way to do so.

It is important to understand that all of the above teams are operating differently than they ever have before and this is not simply business as usual. Those employees deserve our respect and admiration for answering the bell every day and coming to the Club to create a great member experience, even if it is different than it used to be or limited. While many of us are able to work from home (and some of the Club’s employees are), all of the above teams need to be present to perform and have chosen to do so, despite the shelter at home order in place. We are very lucky and we should count our blessings for our employees that are causing our Club to operate – please remember this in your interactions with them.

Also, like a family, we have had some of our own internal differences. Members and employees are not used to the new, but necessary protocols that allow the Club to offer curbside to-go food and limited golf and it has created some challenges. I hope we are able to deal with these challenges like a family does, by putting aside our differences and focusing on doing the right thing and achieving the correct outcome. We are a family and we need to treat each other accordingly. If an employee requests you to do something to comply with a club rule or COVID-19 procedure, it is expected that you will do so.

As the Executive Task Force communicates on a daily basis, we remind ourselves that the alternative is closing the Club completely and not offering any limited services. While this would be a safe and easy answer, and many other clubs are doing it, we do not believe it is the right answer for this Club and for this family. In order to continue operating in the manner we are now, we need your help and need you to respect that the procedures that have been established and put in place need to be followed. These procedures are not optional and are not guidelines. They are there to protect everyone involved and I am sure we would all be incredibly saddened as a family if one of our family members, whether member or employee, ends up being exposed to infection because anyone selfishly ignored those procedures. At that point, we will not have an option to have limited offerings available and the Club will be closed.

Please do your part. Please respect each other. Please understand whoever you are interacting with has his or her own challenges and stress. Appreciate that we have limited offerings, rather than being completely closed. It is all about perspective right now and a lot of people have worked extremely hard for our Members and our employees to have the Club available to us and we should be grateful.

Special thanks to the Task Force who has spent an incredible number of hours helping us navigate this ever-changing landscape. I hope you have read the communications coming from the Task Force. We have worked very hard to try to keep you abreast of our efforts and how you are impacted. It would have been a lot easier on a lot of people to simply have closed the Club, but instead our leadership has made the investment of time, thought, and energy to try to make you still feel a part of this community, a member of the Forest Hills Family.

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Membership News by Ryan Schaben, CMP

ryans@foresthillscc.net

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Golf Course Update by Scott Reynolds, GCS

scottr@foresthillscc.net

We would like to share with all our Members how much we miss you. We miss the full parking lots, a full tee sheet, a full dining room. Most importantly, we hope you are all safe and healthy, and we look forward to greeting you upon your return. While you’re away from us, we want to let you know how hard we are working to follow safe sanitizing protocols within the Grounds Maintenance Department and on the golf course.

With regards to following safety measures of limiting contact with objects, we have removed many items from the golf course. All bunker rakes, ball washers and practice green flagsticks have been removed. Upon arrival back at the maintenance facility, all items were thoroughly sanitized with bleach and water before storing. We have raised the cup liners above the surface of the green to prevent another touch point while retrieving your golf ball. If your ball touches the cup liner, the putt is deemed “good”.

The Grounds Maintenance Staff have collectively developed work-related safety standards of operation during this time. First, we split the staff into 3 teams. This reduces the number of people per team down to 5, 4, and 4 respectively. Each team has a staggered start time, lunch time as well as departure time. The separation of each team is 30 minutes which allows each group to get ready and out of the facility before the next group arrives. The same concept applies for lunch and end of day departure.

During working hours, multiple sanitation steps are in place and required of each employee to adhere to for the protection of themselves and fellow teammates. Being the “Family Club of Choice” extends to our employees as well. No employee is forced to work should they choose to stay home. We want what’s best for everyone during this unsettling time.

We have been fighting rain the past several weeks and this has made it difficult to apply timely applications of pre-emergent fertilizers and finish our dormant zoysia spraying of poa annua control. Areas that have been applied show great kill of already germinated poa. We will get the heavier application equipment out once the ground dries out enough to prevent tire damage.

Treated poa showing positive kill.

Untreated poa annua.

This past February, we removed a very large oak tree in front of the left green side bunker at #7 green. This was needed to increase the amount of sunlight this green gets in the winter months. Here are a couple before and after pictures showing the increased sunlight hitting the green:

Before tree removal on #7 (November 8th, 8:30am)

After tree removal on #7 (February 29th, 8:30am)

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Grounds crew trenching to install drainage pipe to relieve saturated soil.

After trenching and installation of drain pipe, the grounds crew backfilled with clean rock, which allows water to quickly reach the pipe.

We installed drainage in the 3 parking lots across from the Clubhouse. This was important to eliminate underground water pressure before overlaying the lots with new asphalt.

We aerified the Championship greens on March 16th and 17th. Fertilizer has been applied to encourage quicker plant growth to speed up the recovery time. After 8 days, the greens are recovering well. Warmer soil temperatures will also be beneficial to accelerate the healing process.

The grounds staff will be working hard over the next month to get all timely applications completed on the golf course, wrap up current projects, finish carry-over projects not completed last year and start the routine maintenance of mowing. We look forward to seeing you on the course soon!

Message from the Pro by Marvin Herrod, PGA

marvinh@foresthillscc.net

I hope my message finds all of you and your families safe and healthy at this time. Time is something that has been a hot topic in the game of golf for years. Golf has been accused of taking up too much time, golfers have been accused of taking too much time to play, and time is scarce with all the activities that families are involved with. Working from home is the new normal and school has been suspended. Our Forest Hills Families find that “time” is something we have a plentiful supply of. Golf might just be the thing that helps fill your time.

Our team at Forest Hills Country Club is doing everything possible to create a safe place for our members to enjoy the game of golf at this time. As you have seen in e-mail communications, our FHCC Covid-19 Task Force has established the new COVID-19 golf rules we are operating by.

Hopefully golf will be something we can all have during this time. We continue to ask you to do your part to slow the spread of COVID-19- if you are sick or have been in contact with sick people, please stay home. Golf is a game that incorporates social distancing in every aspect of the game, but at this time we ask you to not touch the flagstick, bring your own towels, and bring your own non-alcoholic beverages to the course.

We ask you to please reserve your tee time on ForeTees, No walk ups are permitted to play. You can reserve a cart by selecting the mode of transportation “CA” option. If you use a golf cart, we have cart return areas that we ask you to park your carts and remove all trash. I am optimistic that soon we will be back to shaking hands after a round of golf, having group golf lessons, and gathering together for camaraderie. Now we need to be thankful for our blessings, be thankful for our Club, and when you get a chance, come out to Forest Hills Country Club to enjoy the game we all love. Our family at Forest Hills Country Club is here for your family.

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Club Events News Virtual Events Coming Soon!

Forest Hills Country Club has formed a ‘Family Club of Choice Task Force,’ who have been working together to create virtual content, events and ways to engage members during this time. There will be additional information coming via e-mail each week as we work together to get the details finalized. Many of these activities will be shared on our social media platforms, so please give us a follow if you don’t yet follow us on social media. As a reminder, we have both a public and a private Facebook page.

Below, you will find a sneak peek at our planned activities during the first week, which will begin Monday, April 6th. More information will be coming soon on additional details. We look forward to engaging more with our members!

Monday, 4/6

Tuesday, 4/7

Wednesday, 4/8

Thursday, 4/9

Mindful Monday

Arts and Crafts with Gina Parisi

Create-Your-Own Easter Egg Hunt & Craft Bundle

Easter Coloring Activities & Puzzles

The staff will share a mindful tip and/or activity to help set the tone for the rest of the week.

Our Director of Events, Gina Parisi will provide instructions on how to create a hopping bunny craft that you can make with basic essentials you have in your home.

Friday, 4/10

Saturday, 4/11

How to Make a Wine Spritzer

Easter Themed Scavenger Hunt

Staff member Nicole Walen will provide an instructional video on how to make this perfect spring and summertime cocktail. Kits will also be available for purchase.

During the week of Easter, members will be able to add a bundle (free of charge) to their carryout order, which consists of a pack of candy filled eggs to create your own egg hunt and assorted crafts .

We will be sharing a few kid-friendly activities you can download and print from home.

Give Us a Follow on Social Media

@foresthills_cc @foresthills_cc Public Page:

Colorful Easter eggs will be hidden along Forest Club Drive, which will all be viewable right from your vehicle. How many can you spot?

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@foresthillscc Private Facebook Page:

1. Search ‘Forest Hills Country club 2. Request to join

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Share Your

Photos With Us! We have so much more ‘in the works’ in addition to what has already been mentioned for the month of April, and we are working to finalize and plan additional events in the coming weeks.

We would love to see photos of your family participating in our upcoming events.

Email: hospitality@foresthillscc.net -orTag us in your post on social media

Together, Michael and Jiamin Dierberg, Winery Owners, and Tyler Thomas, Winemaker at Dierberg and Star Lane Vineyards, will lead you through an interactive and unique virtual experience in the comfort of your home.

You will have the option to taste up to 5 wines with the following choice of package: Package 1: Just the Whites ($39) ‘17 Star Lane Sauvignon Blanc & ‘16 Dierberg Santa Maria Chardonnay

Package 2: Just the Reds ($135) ‘16 Dierberg Santa Maria Pinot Noir, ’16 Dierberg Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir & ‘16 Star Lane Cabernet

Virtual Wine Tasting Featuring Wines by Dierberg Vineyards Saturday, April 25th at 6:00 pm Sign up on ForeTees with your Package Choice

by Sunday, April 19th

Package 3: Just the Dierbergs ($115) ‘16 Dierberg Santa Maria Chardonnay, ’16 Dierberg Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir & ‘16 Dierberg Santa Maria Pinot Noir

Package 4: The Whole Lot ($180) ‘16 Dierberg Santa Maria Chardonnay, ’16 Dierberg Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir & ‘16 Dierberg Santa Maria Pinot Noir, ‘17 Star Lane Sauvignon Blanc & ‘16 Star Lane Cabernet Add-On Item: Charcuterie Board for Two All wines will be available for purchase following the event.

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Catering Corner by Gina Parisi

ginap@foresthillscc.net

Greetings Members!

We sure do miss seeing each and every one of you around the Club. With everyone’s special occasions on hold for the time being, I have been spending a lot of time reminiscing on some of the Club’s brighter moments. Wow, have we had some fun over the past year! From our Seafood Boil, to the Haunted Autumn Extravaganza, our Father Daughter Beauty and the Beast Ball, Breakfast and Brunch with Santa and the annual Forest Hills Charity Gala just to name a few. I have also enjoyed getting to know a lot of you on a more personal level planning your families’ birthday celebrations, corporate dinners, anniversaries, baby showers and more! I am trying to remain positive and look at this situation as a time to research and brainstorm ideas for future events. I want you to know I am still available during this time to work with you on event postponement dates. Be assured Forest Hills is willing to be as flexible as possible to make sure your events go off flawlessly. We are determined to make your occasion special for you and your families! The day this all “ends”, you better believe our dining room will be packed and our private event spaces will be booked! In the meantime, stay well. See you soon!

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Member and Staff Photos

Charles Nance celebrating a hole-in-one during a round of golf after the new rules were put in place which raised the cup liners 1� above the hole.

Curt Spillers and Mike Manning enjoying 36 holes of golf on 3/21.

Rachel Schaaf enjoyed spending an evening at home teaching her kids how to play mah jongg.

Congratulations Josh and Jenny Matteo, who welcomed son, Hank Joshua, on January 10, 2020.

Hank is joined by big sister, Hallie.

FHCC Assistant General Manager Emma Gore and her husband Ryan found out from their gender reveal party in March that they are expecting a baby girl this July.

Morning Book Club by Bettina Esser

bettinaesser@earthlink.net

In consideration of the health of our members, the Morning Book Group will not meet in April; however, we have decided to extend our selections forward one month. Our choices for the next four months are: Wednesday, May 13 at 10:30 AM--Mistress of the Ritz by Melanie Benjamin. Coincidentally, Melanie Benjamin is scheduled to appear at the Assistance League Author's Luncheon on Saturday, April 25.

Wednesday, June 10 at 10:30 AM--The Great Society by Amity Schlaes.

Wednesday, July 8 at 10:30 AM--Three Woman by Lis Taddeo.

Wednesday, August 12 at 10:30 AM--The Girl from Missouri by John C. Spahn and Olga Shirnina. This book is a newly discovered autobiography of Jean Harlow, who was the daughter of a Kansas City dentist.

Please join us for an engaging discussion and lunch afterward. Discussion questions are sent in advance of the meeting and if you would like those questions, please email bettinaesser@earthlink.net.

Stay healthy!

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Heard Around the Hills So many of our Members are enjoying the curbside to-go meals that are being offered Wednesday - Sunday evenings and have reached out to share their feedback. We are so thankful to serve you and have received such a tremendous amount of support over the past couple of weeks. Below are a few of the comments we’ve received: “Our sincerest gratitude to the golf pros and restaurant workers, as well as all of the other employees working behind the scenes, for going above and beyond during this time- please know we appreciate all you are doing! Thank you!! “

“Thank you! This is the highlight of our weeks!”

“The enchilada, chorizo queso and dulche de leche were amazing!”

From Chef Craig’s Kitchen

why it’s great ...

“This is one of my favorite things to make, and it is so refreshing, simple and quick to whip up. I learned this dish from a gentleman years ago that would bring it in for his housekeeping crew. This is my personal go-to when bringing a dish to a party.”

“We loved the pot roast meal. We cannot believe you are making us so happy. It’s so easy in the middle of Coronavirus. You guys are the best, thank you for making this possible, we are so grateful!

This is the best.”

“The fish dinner was yummy.

Thank you.”

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Forest Hills Country Club 36 Forest Club Drive Chesterfield, MO 63005

If the electronic copy of On Course fails to meet your family’s needs and you would like to opt-in to receiving a physical mailing, please notify Ali at (636) 207-3512 or alik@foresthillscc.net.

We would love to hear your ideas, suggestions, feedback, or positive comments in regards to any and all things related to our Club.

To submit, email hospitality@foresthillscc.net

Club Contacts BOARD OF DIRECTORS Christopher C. Swenson President

Nicholas A. Licavoli Treasurer / Finance Chair

Patrick Wenstrup Golf Chair

Kevin Donovan

Clubhouse (636) 227-5030

General Manager 636.207.3515 ● kevind@foresthillscc.net

Office Fax (636) 227-2540

Craig Peterson Executive Chef 636.207.3518 ● craigp@foresthillscc.net

Golf Shop (636) 227-1528 www.foresthillscc.net

Marvin Herrod

Gina Parisi

Head Golf Professional 636.227.1528 ● marvinh@foresthillscc.net

Director of Events 636.207.3528 ● ginap@foresthillscc.net

Scott Reynolds, GCS

Jeremy Brown

Director

Grounds Superintendent 636.227.5044 ● scotts@foresthillscc.net

Events Manager 636.207.3535 ● jeremyb@foresthillscc.net

Alan M. Ruggeri

Julie Kennedy

Monica Knudtson

Controller 636.207.3513 ● juliek@foresthillscc.net

Office Manager 636.207.3514 ● monicak@foresthillscc.net

Robert R. Kimes

Director

Robert S. Wachter House Chair

Ryan Schaben, CMP

Ali Kaplan

Peter J. Arman

Membership Director 636.207.3545 ● ryans@foresthillscc.net

Member Communications / Marketing 636.207.3512 ● alik@foresthillscc.net

Emma Gore

Kevin Brennan

Membership Chair

Assistant General Manager 636.230.2507 ● emmag@foresthillscc.net

Swim Coach 636.227.1729 ● kbrennan@chaminade-stl.com

Matthew J. Ott

Bryan Arntz

Kyle O’Leary

Grounds Chair

Food and Beverage Director 636.207.3555 ● bryana@foresthillscc.net

Director of Tennis 636.628.1387 ● kyleo@foresthillscc.net

Vice President / Long Range Planning Chair

Lawrence R. Giglio

David A. Linenbroker

Chris Ballard

Dale Davis

Dining Room Manager 636.207.3532 ● chrisb@foresthillscc.net

Facilities Manager 636.207.3533 ● daled@foresthillscc.net

Swim & Tennis Chair

Lori Kalapinski

Erin Kramarczyk

Lawrence A. Thayer

Special Events Coordinator 636.207.3535 ● lorik@foresthillscc.net

Concierge 636.227.5030 ● erink@foresthillscc.net

Secretary / Privilege Chair

Zachary G. Smith

Governance Chair