Forest Hills April 2023 Issue of On Course

In Loving Memory

It is with deep regret that we inform the membership of the passing of one of our members, Bill Holthaus. Bill passed away on March 10, 2023, at the age of 69, after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia.

Well-known for his quick-wit and free spirit, he made friends easily and loved trading jokes and laughing at life. He was a long-time member of Forest Hills Country Club where, in addition to golf, he played gin rummy nearly every weekend. He also attended nearly every Forest Hills swimming and diving meet to cheer on his sons. He vacationed frequently at the Lake of the Ozarks where he enjoyed boating, water sports, and drinks with friends and family. During his youth and middle age, he was an avid motorcycle enthusiast and a skilled rider, pulling wheelies into his 50s. He also had a life-long love of dogs and fast cars.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and brother who will be missed dearly by many. We extend our thoughts and deepest sympathies to the Holthaus family during this difficult time.

Club News and Reminders

Now Open for Tuesday Lunch Service

The Club will reopen for a la carte lunch service on Tuesdays beginning Tuesday, April 4th and will remain open on Tuesdays from that date through the month of October. As a reminder, the Club is always closed for dinner service on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Lock Your Vehicles

Over the last couple of weeks, we've received reports of vehicles being broken into in our parking lots. Country clubs continue to be targets of theft in the area. Please remember to lock your vehicles when on club property and do not leave any valuables in sight, even if you'll only be away from your vehicle for a few minutes.

Updates/Additions to Club Rules

The Board of Directors has approved the addition of the following to the Club's Rules:

• Smoking Policy (update- page 2)

• Short Game Area Rules (addition– page 7)

• Bocce Courts Rules (addition – page 10)

• Hole #7 and #8 Local Rule

We encourage all members to familiarize themselves with these new additions. They can be viewed on the Club website.

Junior Registration for Golf, Tennis and Swim Now Available

If you are interested in signing up your child for Junior Golf, Swim Team or Junior Tennis, you will need to register now through the end of April.

Junior Golf and Swim Team registration will be on the website, at www.foresthillscc.net; however, all Junior Tennis registration will be on the ForeTees ‘Racquet Sports Event Sign Up’ page.

Please be sure to sign up all of your participants within that time frame to avoid any penalties. Reach out to Ali Kaplan at (636) 207-3545 or alik@foresthillscc.net if you need any assistance.

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 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.

Emma Gore

On Sunday, March 26th, Forest Hills Country Club held its Annual Meeting for the membership. For those of you who were not able to attend the Annual Meeting, I would like to provide an update.

The meeting had approximately 50 members in attendance. In addition to the current Board members, also in attendance were our newest Board of Directors: members Michael Buescher, John Mazzola and Robert Whiting. The new Board Officers for Fiscal Year 2024 were also announced: Charles Nance, Board Chair; Steve Sigman, Vice Board Chair; Laurie LambertHopkins, Treasurer; David Linenbroker, Secretary. Members of the executive management team were there to assist in presenting reports including Club Controller, Julie Kennedy; Membership Director, Ali Kaplan and myself.

Pete Arman welcomed our new Board members: Michael Buescher, John Mazzola and Robert Whiting; and wished the outgoing Board members, Matt Ott and Larry Giglio a sincere thank you for their service. I also wished Pete Arman a sincere thank you for his service and leadership as his term as Board Chair is complete.

Mark Forst gave the report on the status of the Club’s membership. Membership is at historically high levels with the 25 additional social spots added in January 2023, increasing cap from 125 to 150. Our golf membership remains full with fifty- nine on the waitlist. The Club implemented a golf deposit requirement in November 2022 which has helped in achieving a more realistic wait time, which we are estimating taking approximately 15 months. The current golf initiation fee is $30,000.

Treasurer, Zac Smith, provided the financial update for the past year and shared budget information as well as the Club’s financial performance over the past year. Zac also updated the membership on the creek, short game and bocce finances and future annual capital items approved for FY 2024. He noted that the Club will not be charging the membership an operational assessment (13th month) this year and that we have had the ability to fund phase 2 of the creek project and there will be no future assessment for an additional phase. He reviewed the FY 2024 budget and explained that the Club is forecasting a 5.5% increase in costs to operate the Club driven by increased labor costs, continued inflation, and supporting new amenities. These increased costs will be supported by cutting back the hours of operation in season and closing out of season in the 19th hole, adding a gratuity on club sponsored events and a dues increase of $30 a month for regular golf and $10 a month for social member effective April 1, 2023.

Charles Nance reviewed the Long Range Planning Committee’s progress during the past year. The committee is focusing on communications and continuity for the Club’s future by creating master plans for the golf course and common grounds and a master plan for the Clubhouse. The Golf Course Conceptual Mater Plan is complete and has been approved by both the Long Range Planning Committee and the Grounds Committee. Details of this Master Plan will be available on the Club website in the coming weeks. Charles also shared an update on the capital projects to date. The physical creek construction is complete and restoration of the Championship Course has begun.

Steve Sigman presented the results of the Long Range Clubhouse Master Plan Survey. Overall, the areas that have been identified by the membership needing future investment are the indoor dining areas: Fairway Room, Dutch’s Lounge and Double Dutch. The preferred indoor dining experience has been identified as “modern and vibing” and keeping a designated family dining area is preferred.

As General Manager/Chief Operating Officer, I provided the operations report which we will be focusing on in the coming months which highlights team development, developing new programming opportunities and welcoming new ideas. In order to keep abreast of member satisfaction, we will continue to send out pulse surveys every 3-6 months to keep our finger on the pulse of the member experience.

We have instituted a staff organizational structure which includes a club wide organizational chart. As well as developed goals and objectives for the various departments and implemented staff performance evaluations. We will promote staff development through education and training. A well-educated and trained staff provides a better member experience. We have a Human Resources professional on our management team that assists with employee retention, recruiting, onboarding, education and training and assisting in managing the performance programs in place. This allows us to better serve our staff and members. An area of focus in the next couple of months will be the food and beverage department and the Grounds Maintenance Department. We are welcoming a new leader to our culinary team, Executive Chef Michael Dority mid-April. We are committed to leadership and training with the goal being to enhance the member experience with a consistent, high quality product and a “Members First” service culture.

Additional Content Continued on Page 10

Tee by Ryan Martin, PGA

Spring weather is finally here, but most of our golf swings are rusty, and conditions can be difficult to play in. This month I will discuss a great way to fix both your impact position, and control your ball flight on those windy Spring days.

Great ball strikers all share a similar impact position with their irons. At impact, the shaft of their golf club leans forward slightly, giving the club face less loft than at set up. This allows the club to compress the golf ball for proper launch angles and spin rates. Doing this gives the player greater control of the ball flight, and will be beneficial on windy days.

To accomplish this, there are a few key elements that I need to explain. The first would be how your wrists and hands deliver the golf club down into the ball. Just before impact, the wrists should unhinge and release the club downward. Additionally, your lower body should have shifted weight into the front foot, and the hips need to rotate toward the target.

To further understand this, picture a hockey player firing a slap shot. This player would put weight into their front foot, and turn their hips towards the intended target like a golfer. Looking at a picture of them striking the puck, their stick would be leaning forward and flexing a bit. It can be difficult for golfers to do this because their hands are together and the wrists can flip or scoop through impact of the ball.

To improve impact, try firing a slap shot with one of your golf clubs. Hold a long iron with your hands split five or six inches apart, and do some slow practice swings pausing at impact. As you get to the impact position, you should feel weight shifted into your front foot and the club leaning forward. This will make golf shots feel much more solid, producing a very controlled ball flight, and you to hit more greens.

Lastly, it is bittersweet for me to announce that this will be my last article as I will be leaving Forest Hills to become the Director of Instruction at the Country Club of St. Albans. I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to grow and develop my passion for coaching golfers. My time here has been special and has allowed me to gain some wonderful friendships. Your support is very appreciated, and I hope many of you have a chance to visit me at St. Albans. While it is an exciting time for my family, I will greatly miss being a part of the Forest Hills family.

Hole In One News & Divot Team Recognition

Congratulations, Scott Lambert!

• Saturday, March 25th

• Hole #16

• 154 yards

• 7 iron

• Witnesses: John Durham, Steve Durham, Ron Miles

Interested in joining the Hole-In

-One Club?

Divot Repair Team Recognition

The Forest Hills Divot Repair Team always deserves recognition! The group meets every Monday at 1:00 pm to fill fairway divots.

If you would like to sign up for the Hole-in-One Club, please email Monica at monicak@foresthillscc.net. As a member of the Holein-One Club, you are billed $5 anytime a member of the Club makes a hole-in-one on the Championship Course. The total amount collected from those who participate is what the player is rewarded with when they hit a hole-in-one.

John Sherman, Terry Schad, Pat Hopkins and Dave Ganz

3118

Pete Geer and Charles Nance

Message from the Pro

by Jimmy Bals, PGA

With a spike in golf activity beginning in April, along with the new short game area planned to open in early May, this is a perfect time to review a couple of key policies. Please inform all golfing members of the family of these guidelines.

Attire: Males, junior players included, must wear shirts with a collar and the shirt must be tucked in. Females may wear shirts with or without collar. However, tee shirts are not allowed. Hats must be worn with the bill facing forward.

Signing in Prior to Play: All golfers must sign in at the golf shop counter prior to playing.

Short Game Area Guidelines

Guests: Only guests that are registered for a tee time are permitted to use the short game area. (This is also true for the driving range.) Guests may use the short game area no earlier than one hour prior to their scheduled tee time. Guests are not permitted to use the short game area after their round.

Juniors: Juniors must have a Privilege Card to use the area on their own. Juniors that do not have their Privilege Card must be accompanied by a parent.

General: Parking vehicles and golf carts on the street to access this area is not permitted.

Personal golf carts are restricted from parking in this area at any time. The Short Game practice area will open 30 minutes prior to the first scheduled tee time.

The last tee time shown on Foretees will coincide with golf balls in the Short Game practice area being picked up for the day

Etiquette: Fix your ball marks as you are able. Fill divots with sand. Avoid hitting several shots from the same area to minimize turf damage. Be respectful of others while practicing.

With golf season underway, we encourage reading of emails sent out via ForeTees from the Golf Professional staff. These emails will go a long way towards keeping you informed. We look forward to seeing everyone on the golf course after the cold March we just experienced.

Senior men kick off their 2023 golf schedule with four events in the month of April. The initial event is the popular opening

Three-Man Scramble on April 5th with an 8:00 am shotgun start, followed by an optional $15 lunch. The Golf Shop selects the teams for the Scramble. There will be a Regular Play day the following week, April 12th. The Senior Cup qualifier will occur on April 19th, with the top eight scores advancing to Round 1 the following week, April 26th. Those not competing in Round 1 will have a Regular Play day on the 26th. Let’s start the year off with a great showing for the Scramble.

Mixed Twilight Scramble

$100 Per Couple

Includes entry fees, prizes and dinner.

Sign Up on ForeTees

• Enjoy 9 Holes of Golf on our Championship Course

• Beverage Cart Available

• Couples and Guests are Invited

• Guest Fees are Complimentary

Saturday, April 29th

5:00 pm Shotgun

Dinner to Follow

Cart Fee Additional

Men’s Spring Opener

Saturday, April 22nd 11:30 am Brunch

1:00 pm Shotgun Start

Two Net Best Score Shamble

Additional Information Available on ForeTees

Appetizers will follow play on the Lower Patio

Wednesday, April 12th

7:30 pm Cocktails • 8:30 pm Performance

$50 includes – beer, wine, cocktails All proceeds benefiting the Moment Foundation

Senior Men’s Golf Association by Jim Harf

Upcoming Dining Events

Bocce Ball Happy Hours

Bocce Ball Happy Hour

Thursday, March 30th

Spring Leagues Begin Wednesday, April 5th

Upcoming Events

Reception Wine

Cacchiano Spumante Brut Rose

Forest Hills Wine Society

Wine Dinner

MASTROJANNI

Thursday, April 27th

6:00 pm Reception Wine

6:30 pm Dinner

$100 for Non Wine Society Members $80 for Wine Society Members

*Wine Society members will receive 20% off the price of all wine events.

Kentucky Derby

Saturday, May 6th • Adults Only 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm at the Pool Cabana

This event will feature:

Derby attire encouraged! There will be prizes for “Best Hat” and “Best Dressed Couple.”

Derby Themed Cocktails will also be available by signature.

Event Information:

● $28 / Adult (includes hors d’oeuvres).

● 48 hour cancelation policy applies.

● Drinks by member signature.

● Events will be canceled if inclement weather occurs.

Sign up on ForeTees

First Course

Asparagus Terrine

Prosciutto, Fresh Cheese, Herb Crostini Badia di Morrona Vermentino

Second Course

Veal Scallopini

Breakfast Radish, Spring Pea, Sauce Forestiere MastroJanni Rosso di Montalcino

Third Course

Pork Belly

Roasted Grapes, Parisian Gnocchi, Brown Butter MastroJanni San Pio

Fourth Course

Bison Filet

Pomme Purée de Robuchon, Shallot, Pistou MastroJanni Brunello di Montalcino 2018

Dessert Course

Praline Chocolate Tart and Pistachio Layer Sponge Cake Duo Vin Santo Badia di Morrona Vin Santo

Swimming Pool and Cafe Opening Day

Memorial Day Cookout

Monday, May 30th

Featuring DJ Utopia, Lunch and Dinner Buffets & More!

Evening Book Club by Tracey Bierman

traceylovestravel@gmail.com

Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 19th ● 6:00 pm

Evening book club will meet on Wednesday April 19th at 6:00 pm and we will be discussing Jacqueline in Paris, by Ann Mah.

Everyone is welcomed to the Evening Book Club. For those of you planning to attend your first Evening Book Club, here is all you need to know:

Sign up for the Evening Book Club on ForeTees or call the Club and RSVP. Join us at 6:00 pm as we start our evening together with “social “time. We enjoy a drink or two paired with dinner of your choice. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at (636) 536-2622.

Morning Book Club by Bettina Esser

Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 12th ● 10:30 am

bettinaesser@gmail.com

The Morning Book Club will meet on Wednesday, April 12th to discuss The Second Life of Mirielle West, by Amanda Skenandore and on Wednesday, May 10th to review Liberation Day: Stories, by George Saunders. On June 14th we will discuss The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post, by Allison Pataki. The meetings start at 10:30 am and continue with lunch. Interesting books about interesting women join us for engaging conversation.

Manager’s Report continued

emmag@foresthillscc.net

I covered details about what to expect in the next few months in regards to Clubhouse repairs including the swim locker room and protection of the fire suppression system. As well as new equipment arrivals, including a new 2023 fleet of EZGO golf carts which will include the GPS monitor and course programs.

We will be introducing some new programming opportunities this year including Bocce and Operation 36. Our first pulse survey will be addressing some opportunities for new events and activities. Please give us your feedback by participating in these short surveys. In the meantime, please contact me or any member of our management team if we can be of service to you and your families in any way.

There were questions posed throughout the presentation that were answered by the Board and management. The tone of the meeting was educational and upbeat.

Sincerely,

Emma Gore

Easter Weekend Events

by Kyle O’Leary

We are so excited to get back on the courts with all of you - whether you have never played, it has been a while, or you have been playing regularly, 2023 is YOUR year for Racquet Sports! All ages are welcome and encouraged to find your sweet spot this season - we are here to help.

With tons of excitement, I am happy to share that Frank Amanor, Dave Reinhart, Dragan Omcikus, and Filip Petrovic will be back in their roles again this year. They were all integral parts of our amazing season in 2022. Melanie Ridgway will also be managing the Chalet, and handling much of the day to day billing, planning, and purchasing - she's a rockstar, if you ever need anything explained!

When it comes to Junior Assistants, ours are hard to top! To name a few, Sarah Griege, Gabby Kennedy, Hudson Kohler, and Anna Dunn will be back to help with Junior Clinics and running the shop on evenings and weekends. Do not hesitate to ask them for assistance! We will also be welcoming Milos Vuckovic and Lucas Kzam this year - they are both fantastic college tennis players, and will be running some of our higher level junior and adult programs in the evenings and on the weekends.

As for me, I am as energized as ever going into my NINTH season at Forest Hills. Still just as proud to call the best country club in town, home. We have some really exciting changes in both Kid's and Adult's Programs this season. To mention a few, more Pickleball (and beginner pickleball) options, a weekday High Level Drills for tennis players, Summer Camp options in Session Two for Kids (July , and Pickleball Cardio!! Super exciting stuff. Please join us and let us show you how fun and rewarding these sports can be, for ALL ages!

Upcoming Events

Spring Pickleball Opening Day

Saturday, April 8th

5:30 - 8:00 pm

$30 per player • Sign up on ForeTees

Spring Junior Doubles Tournament

Saturday, May 20th 3:00 pm

$40 per team • Sign up on ForeTees

Pickleball Interclub

Week 1: Wednesday, May 3rd

5:30 - 7:00 pm vs. Westwood (at Forest Hills)

$36 per person • Sign up on ForeTees

Summer Racquet Sports Kickoff

Saturday, June 3rd

5:00 - 6:00 pm Tennis Games

6:00 - 7:00 pm Pickleball

$30 per person • Sign up on ForeTees

Mens Opening Night

Monday, April 17th

5:30 - 7:00 pm

All Levels Welcome!

$30 per player • Sign up on ForeTees

Ladies Tennis Opening Day

Wednesday, May 24th

8:30 am - 11:30 am

$50 per player • Sign up on ForeTees

Pickleball Interclub

Week 2: Wednesday, June 14th 5:30 - 7:00 pm vs. Algonquin (at Algonquin)

$36 per person • Sign up on ForeTees

Ladies Tennis Guest Day

Wednesday, June 7th

8:30 am - 11:00 am

$40 per player • Sign up on ForeTees

Spring Clinic Schedule

by Christy Ehrenreich

So exciting to see everyone back and ready to play golf. This year is going to be filled with fun activities. We have three new members at this time. Please look for Karen Peters, Jan Smith and Linda Trost to welcome them into our 18 Hole Ladies.

The 18 Hole Ladies would love to have you join us for a fun year of golfing events each week on Tuesdays. If you are interested in joining, please contact Leatta Phillips onmiwa16@yahoo.com or call 314-973-3067.

If you did not receive your 18-hole manual, you may pick one up at the front desk. This year on a “Regular Play” day, each player will be charged $5.00 to play in the game for that day. Only those members who tell the Golf Shop on the day of play that they DO NOT want to be included in the game will not see a $5.00 weekly game charge.

March brought us some great golf clinics run by the Golf Shop and Matt Swanson. Be sure to check ForeTees and go under ‘Golf Events’ to see all the opportunities for clinics. Matt’s mom, Kathy Swanson, will be in town for some special clinics too. They fill up quickly so be sure to check the clinics regularly.

Don’t forget to sign up for 18 Hole Spring Opener on April 18th at 8:30 am. Sign-ups are being accepted on ForeTees. Thanks to Tracey Carpenter, Carol Clifford, Joyce Jackson and Jane Loomes for planning this event.

Member-Guest is scheduled for June 20th at 8:00 a.m. Be looking for the flyer to come out in May.

There have been some changes to the Golf Pros who will be helping us this year. We welcome our new golf assistants to the 18 Hole Ladies Group. Matt Hood and Matt Swanson will be helping us this year. Looking forward to seeing everyone out on the course.

As Amy Alcot has said, “Concentrate, play your game, and don’t be afraid to win.” Let’s all be winners out there!

9 Hole Ladies Golf News by Rachel Schaaf

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 Kaplan at or alik@foresthillscc.net. Copies are also available in the Clubhouse lobby.

Club Contacts

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

David A. Linenbroker Secretary

Zachary G. Smith Director

Lawrence A. Thayer Governance Chair

Mark F. Forst Membership Chair & Racquets Chair

Laurie A. Lambert-Hopkins Treasurer / Finance Chair

Charles H. Nance Board Chair Long Range Planning Chair

Edward A. Dorch Golf Chair

Michael A. Flavin Director

Stephen A. Sigman Grounds Chair

Michael C. Buescher House Chair

John D. Mazzola Entertainment Chair

Robert M. Whiting Swim Chair

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

Emma Gore General Manager/COO 636.207.3515 ● emmag@foresthillscc.net

James Woods Interim Executive Chef 636.207.3518 ● jamesw@foresthillscc.net

Scott Reynolds, GCS Grounds Superintendent 636.227.5044 ● scotts@foresthillscc.net

Julie Kennedy Controller 636.207.3513 ● juliek@foresthillscc.net

Abby Le Director of Human Resources 636.230.2507 ● abbyl@foresthillscc.net

Ryan Schaben Assistant General Manager 636.207.3512 ● ryans@foresthillscc.net

Jimmy Bals, PGA Director of Golf 636.227.1528 ● jimmyb@foresthillscc.net

JT Tierney, PGA Head Golf Professional 636.227.1528 ● jtt@foresthillscc.net

Ali Kaplan Director of Membership and Marketing 636.207.3545 ● alik@foresthillscc.net

Clubhouse (636) 227-5030

Office Fax (636) 227-2540

Golf Shop (636) 227-1528

www.foresthillscc.net

Whitney Wendel Marketing and Communications

636.534.0371 ● whitneyw@foresthillscc.net

Chris Ballard Food and Beverage Director 636.207.3532 ● chrisb@foresthillscc.net

Adam Goad

Assistant Food and Beverage Director 636.207.3532 ● adamg@foresthillscc.net

Monica Knudtson

Office Manager 636.207.3514 ● monicak@foresthillscc.net

Alex Dorton Director of Events 636.207.3528 ● alexd@foresthillscc.net

Jon Cameron Events Manager 636.207.3535 ● jonc@foresthillscc.net

Kyle O’Leary Director of Racquet Sports 314.369.1153 ● kyleo@foresthillscc.net

Emma Knopf Concierge

636.227.5030 ● concierge@foresthillscc.net