Forest Hills On Course May 2023

In Loving Memory

It is with deep regret that we inform the membership of the passing of one of our members, Dee Sharp. Dee passed away on April 1st, 2023. Beloved wife of Jim Sharp and loving mother of Alexis (Lou) Asinger and Cortney (Scott) Marsden. Loving grandmother, sister, and friend to many.

Dee was an avid tennis player, pickleball player and was involved in the 9 and 18 Hole Ladies Groups at Forest Hills. She has been a member of the Club since 1999.

Dee was appreciated and loved, by all who knew her. She always put others, especially all her “girls” before herself. Dee was overwhelmed, and thankful, by the thoughts, prayers, and expressions of love from her numerous friends during her courageous battle. We extend our thoughts and deepest sympathies to the Sharp family during this difficult time.

Club News and Reminders

Congratulations to the Mauzy Family!

Congratulations to Mike and Missy Mauzy, who welcomed their son, Brooks, on February 12th.

Brooks joins proud big brother, Mason, 8 and was proudly welcomed by grandparents Tom and Laura Dean. We look forward to seeing your family around the Club!

Hours of Operation Update

Throughout the month of May, there are a few modifications to Club hours, most of which pertain to a la carte dining:

● Sunday, May 14th : Mother’s Day Brunch (Reservations Required) - Closed for Dinner Service

● Friday, May 19th : Closed for Dinner Due to Men’s Invitational (Open for Lunch)

● Sunday, May 28th : Closed for Brunch and Dinner Due to the Hamptons Party

● Monday, May 29th : All Club Facilities Open / A Limited Menu for a la Carte Lunch Service Offered / Lunch & Dinner Buffets Available on the Lower Patio

● Tuesday, May 30th : Golf Shop, All Dining Areas, Aquatic Center Closed

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 Whitney Wendel at whitneyw@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 Whitney at whitneyw@foresthillscc.net to redeem a $100 Gift Certificate good toward your next food and beverage purchase.

Gore

Spring is here and it’s great to see so many of you around the Club. The Food and Beverage Team did an exceptional job putting on great Easter events for our membership, their families and guests. During Easter weekend, we hosted over 1,400 members and guests between the Easter Fair and Easter Brunch. The children excitedly collected over 4,000 stuffed eggs at our Easter Egg Hunts and we served approximately 25 dozen doughnuts on our “doughnut wall” during Easter Brunch.

We are glad to have had the opportunity to welcome our new Executive Chef, Michael Dority, to the team just after Easter. He started on Tuesday, April 11th. He is settling in well and getting to know the team, the operation, and our members. If you haven’t had the opportunity to meet him yet, we are working on scheduling a “Meet the Chef” event to give you all an opportunity to meet and get to know him.

In other food and beverage news, we are very excited about the success thus far of our inaugural Bocce Ball Leagues. Ryan Schaben, our Assistant General Manager, has done a great job making sure that this has kicked off with a positive start. We thank all of you that have joined the league for your participation and hope that you are enjoying it as much as we are!

I would like to take some time to share a brief update on projects taking place around the Club. Our Facilities Maintenance Team has been hard at work making small improvements that you may have noticed. They have just finished sinking the large refrigeration unit behind the Men’s 19th Hole bar into the wall to allow for better utilization of space in this area. They gave the men’s Prefunction restroom a small facelift with updated lighting fixtures and new paint. Lastly, they are currently repairing the tile in the Ladies’ Locker Room that was disturbed from the sewage pipe leak repair last month.

The Swim Locker Room repair from our most recent sprinkler system pipe break is going well. Our contractor is moving along quickly with this project. We are working with our Designer and the House Committee to make some small improvements to this space as a part of the rebuilding, such as updated lighting fixtures, new paint and new front doors. We are hopeful that this space will be complete by Memorial Day weekend to reopen with the Aquatic Center.

The golf course restoration from the creek project is near completion. We frequently hear positive comments about the creek work and the aesthetic that it has brought to the golf course. As discussed in my February newsletter, the Club has realized savings in the creek project. This is because the eco-friendly and natural looking approach has had an added benefit of savings from the original budgeted cost of Phase 1,allowing us to complete additional Phase 2 areas to the project. As a result, the LongRange Planning Committee, Grounds Committee, Finance Committee, and the Board of Directors have all approved the completion of the final aspects of Phase 2 of the creek project. This will include the cleaning up of the stilling basin on Hole #17 by converting the current pond to a creek feature. In addition to this project taking place this fall, we will also be completing the remaining untouched bunkers to Better Billy Bunkers on the Championship Course. We will communicate additional details in the coming weeks and months as we approach the start date of these projects.

This captures renovated greenside bunker on Hole #9 that was completely untouched after we received 1.7” of rain in April. There was no sand movement on any of our Better Billy Bunkers after this large rainstorm.

Finished creek work behind hole #5 tee box. Sod was installed on Hole #5 late April .

Charles Nance

Fellow Club Members, we have a total of 2,562 regular users of our amenities here at Forest Hills. This is a large population considering our limited geography. To fully enjoy our time here, we each need to receive and reflect the respect a club member deserves. In this context, respect means that we must help others who come to the Club enjoy the best possible experience. To achieve this, we must respect our club traditions and rules.

Please remember to not leave litter behind for others to look at or pick up. This includes but is not limited to cigar, cigarette butts and other smokeless products. Please remind dependents and guests the importance of following club rules, and of respecting others while at the Club.

Golf etiquette requires that all golfers: fill your divots in the fairways, replace your divots in the rough, rake the sand traps, and fix your ball marks on the greens. Let’s all try to fill two divots and fix two ball marks for each one that we create on the course. The sand bottles in each cart can be used to fill divots, even when it’s a trail day. Over the past year, we’ve had a team of fellow members display extraordinary respect for the rest of us. A tremendous THANK YOU to the Monday Divot team for their efforts in improving course conditions for all of us. Let’s all try to help eliminate the need for this exceptional effort, simply, by following proper golf etiquette.

We are blessed with a dedicated professional staff. Our staff is present for the singular purpose of enhancing and improving our experiences at the Club. Let’s treat them with the respect that they deserve. Thanks for your ongoing commitment to Forest Hills Country Club.

Grounds Update

by Scott Reynolds, GCS scottr@foresthillscc.net

We have enjoyed a much better spring than the past two. The Zoysia has broken dormancy and the cool season grasses are filling in nicely. We had a very successful greens aerification process where the weather cooperated and some slight adjustments made all came together.

Our Upcoming Tasks Include:

• The Contractor will be finishing up restoration of damaged areas

• We will be fertilizing Zoysia fairways and tees

• The Team is working on green speeds getting quicker

• General mowing procedures

• Spraying for broadleaf weeds

The Short Game Area is maturing well and will be ready for Opening Day on May 10th. We are excited for this event. We have a lot of work left to do before the heat of the season but we are off to a good start. We will stay focused on the goals we have set, and the Team will keep moving forward.

The Grounds Team recently began mowing of all our warm season zoysia grass in the fairways and on our tees for the first time.

New sod installed near the large putting green, which will open on May 10th.

Accumulation of trash Mr. Nance collected from one day of play on the Championship Course.

As we begin a new fiscal year, it is a good time to reflect on the financial results for the past year, highlight capital enhancements made to the Club, and emphasize what is planned for the upcoming year.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, our operating costs were $5.2 million. This is 7% higher than our budget and 22% higher than the prior year. The cost increase was driven primarily by:

● Inflation – food, beverage, diesel gas/water, fertilizer, paper products, etc.

● Wages and Contracted Services – grounds and food service staff

● Additional Areas of Service - fully utilized in FY23 for the first time

● One-Time Costs – due to changes in leadership personnel (COO, AGM, Exec. Chef, etc.)

We have all experienced the inflationary changes either in our businesses, at the grocery store, or with our home utility bills. Even with additional recruiting and hiring resources, our ability to attract personnel with the current employment market was challenging. This caused us to turn to outside contract resources for the grounds crew, service personnel, and even dishwashers. For those we did hire and to retain our existing staff, the average hourly wage rate increased significantly. During the year, we added additional areas that were fully staffed for the first time, like the Pool Cabana, Tennis Chalet, and Pickleball Courts. Given the changes in Club leadership, including the General Manager, Assistant General Manager, Membership Director, and Executive Chef, we incurred one-time costs that will not be recurring.

While our Net Loss of $240,000 was roughly $101,000 greater than budget, we were able to manage to avoid a “13th month” operating assessment. Menu/event pricing, along with increases in dues during the year, reflect these inflationary and market conditions and allowed us to contain our losses. We closely benchmark our pricing and dues levels with our local peers and continue to provide a better valued alternative than the other clubs in our benchmark group.

Capital Enhancements

Substantial enhancements were made to our Club grounds and golf course during the year. Your feedback on the “Creek Project”, as it has fondly been named, is that we had a resounding success. Not only are we pleased with the aesthetic and functional results, but the costs were managed to a level significantly below budget. With those savings we were able to complete the entire Creek Project, what we had initially thought would be Phase I and Phase II, without a planned second assessment. On top of that, we had remaining funds to move forward with work on the Hole 17 pond and spillway improvements planned to begin in the fall after the golf season.

Beyond the Creek Project, we completed the Short Game Area and the Bocce Ball Courts. We all look forward to the opening of the Short Game Area. The initial results from the membership’s investment in Bocce Ball are very encouraging. We’re experiencing high levels of member engagement, as well as higher levels of food and beverage use on league nights.

With our capital funding, we completed an initial phase of work installing greenside Better Billy Bunkers (BBB). On the Champion Course roof repairs, HVAC repairs in the Café, 19th Hole furniture updates, and decorating updates to our lobby, corridors, Club Room, and employee restrooms.

Looking Forward to Fiscal Year 2024

We have budgeted $5.6 million, a 5.5% increase, in costs to operate the Club for the fiscal year that will end March 31, 2024. This reflects the continued inflationary environment along with market driven increased labor costs. Management has worked to minimize the need for contracted services by proactively recruiting grounds team and service personnel. This increase also reflects the new member amenities (Short Game Area and Bocce Ball). Increased costs will be supported by service hour reductions during targeted months, along with a 3% dues increase that went into effect April 1, 2023.

For Capital Projects beyond work on the 17th hole pond and BBB, our capital spending will be directed toward much needed new grounds equipment and golf carts. Additionally, our Swim Locker Rooms and sprinkler systems will be updated along with certain kitchen and IT systems. To enhance safety, our driving range net will be upgraded.

Thank you for your continued support of our Club. Your Board and Management team remain committed to delivering a highquality product at a reasonable market value.

Message

from the Pro

by Jimmy Bals, PGA

We are all looking forward to an active May after a windy, chilly April. The Short Game Area is opening early this month, the final touches of the golf course projects look great, the golf course is in excellent condition, and we have a wide selection of merchandise in the Golf Shop for men, ladies, and juniors. Stop in the Golf Shop and take advantage of your member pricing benefit. With the new practice facility, we ask you once again to review the guidelines.

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.

Please take a minute to read the emails we send out via ForeTees from the Golf Professional staff. These emails will keep you up to date on all golf-related news. We know spring is busy with family activities, so make sure to block off your calendar for some fun on the golf course. We hope to see you soon.

Member Golf News

Congratulations to both FHCC teams on their great play at the Gateway PGA Section Pro-Lady Event at Sunset Country Club on April 25th (pictured).

The team of Sandy Schwartz, Sara Gould, Elllie Yuska, and Jimmy Bals finished 1st in their flight.

The team of Lisa Schad, Tracy Coffman, Joyce Jackson, and Matt Swanson tied for 1st in their flight.

Congratulations to Scott Lambert and David Kirkman in their 1st place tie at the St. Louis District Golf Association Jack Geiss Two Man Championship! The Jack Geiss Two Man Team Championship is a one day four ball stroke play event, featuring one team from each District Club competing against the other District Club teams. The team typically consists of the Club Champion and Runner Up. There were 21 teams participating from the District. Great playing gentlemen!

Matt Swanson, Joyce Jackson, Tracy Coffman, Lisa Schad, Sandy Schwartz, Sara Gould, Ellie Yuska and Jimmy Bals

Senior Men’s Golf Association

by Jim Harf

Four senior men events have taken place since the last newsletter. In the first Regular Play event of the year on March 28th, Terry Schad took first place with a score of -2. Mike Spencer finished second, while Tim Trost took third place in a tie-breaker with Jim Harf. The popular 3-man scramble encountered increment weather on April 5 but five hearty teams managed to complete nine holes. The threesome of Terry Schad, Terry Gooding and John deGreck won with a score of -7. The team of Doc Schneider, Pete Geer, Ken Jeffries and Jim McGrath took second place, while the team of John Sherman, Pat Hopkins and Mike Flavin finished third. In the Regular Play event on April 12, Charles Nance won with a score of -5, outlasting Ed Mayuga in second place and Jim McGrath in third.

April 19th was the qualifier for the Senior Cup, where the top 8 scorers advance to three weeks of match play. Dan Behlmann took top honors with a score of -6 while the remaining seven qualifiers include John Sherman, Doc Schneider, Steve Seevers, Stan Grossman, Dave Ganz, Jim Harf and Pat Hopkins. A Regular Play event was also held on April 19th to include those who could not commit to three weeks of match place. Dan Behlmann won the event with John Sherman and Terry Gooding tying for second.

Junior Golf Update

Junior Golf is Looking for Paid Scorers

We are frequently looking for paid scorers to help with Junior Golf in June and July. If you or your dependent(s) are interested, we need to add you to our database. Please contact me directly at scoringjrgolf@gmail.com or Ali Kaplan at alik@foresthillscc.net and we can get you the link to the google form.

This is a great opportunity for high schoolers who are familiar with golf, to earn a little extra money in the summer.

Save the Date for the Following Events:

Mandatory Scoring Meeting

Sunday, May 21st • 4:00 pm

This meeting and Rules of Golf training session is mandatory for all parents and scorers in the Junior Golf Program.

Mandatory Privilege Card Holder Meeting

Sunday, May 21st • 6:00 pm

This meeting is mandatory for all juniors under the age of 18 that have earned their privilege card.

Junior Golf Member Guest

Wednesday, June 28th

● Tee times start at 1:00 pm

● Scramble Format: All players play in the same division. Tee sets will be determined by age of competitors.

Upcoming Events

Evening Book Club by

traceylovestravel@gmail.com

Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 10th ● 6:00 pm

We will be meeting on May 10th at 6:00 pm instead of May 17th due to a conflict with 9 & 18 Hole Girls’ Night Out. We will be discussing The Last Russian Doll, by Kristin Loesch.

Coming up on Wednesday, June 21st, we will be discussing Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano.

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 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.

Morning Book Club by

Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 10th ● 10:30 am

The Morning Book Group will meet on the second Wednesday of the month, May 10 at 10:30 to discuss Liberation Day, a series of short stories by George Saunders. Our June meeting will be on June 14 and we will review The Marvelous Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki. On July 12th, we will discuss The Address by Fiona Davis We look forward to seeing you then!

The meetings start at 10:30 am and continue with lunch. Join us for engaging conversation.

Kentucky Derby

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

bettinaesser@gmail.com

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) + = 18% Gratuity

● 48 hour cancelation policy applies.

● Drinks by member signature.

Bettina Esser

Tracey Bierman

Easter Weekend Events

Upcoming Racquets Events

Pickleball Interclub

Week 1: Wednesday, May 3rd

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

$36 per person • Sign up on ForeTees

Ladies Tennis Opening Day

Wednesday, May 24th 8:30 am - 11:30 am

$50 per player • 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

Junior Girls Club Singles

Tennis Championship

Sign up Deadline: Tuesday, June 6th

$25 per child • Sign up on ForeTees

Ladies Tennis Guest Day

Wednesday, June 14th 8:30 am– 11:00 am

$40 per player • Sign up on ForeTees

Beer Pong Tournament

Saturday, June 17th 6:00 pm

$40 per player • Sign up on ForeTees

Spring Junior Doubles Tournament

Spring Junior Doubles Tournament

Saturday, May 20th 3:00 pm

$40 per team • Sign up on ForeTees

Mens and Ladies Singles Club Championship

Sign Up Deadline: Thursday, June 1st

$25 per player • Sign up on ForeTees

Junior Boys Club Singles

Tennis Championship

Sign Up Deadline: Tuesday, June 6th

$20 per child • 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

Adult Child Tennis Event

Saturday, June 17th 1:00 pm

$40 per team • Sign up on ForeTees

Tennis Carnival

Mens Opening Night

Friday, June 23rd 10:30 am - 11:30 am

$25 per child • Sign up on ForeTees

Tennis and Pickleball Margarita Mixer

Tennis Carnival

Junior Tennis Appreciation Day

$40 per player • Sign up on ForeTees

Wednesday, June 7th 8:30 am - 11:00 am

Saturday, July 8th 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Thursday, August 3rd 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm

$10 per child • Sign up on ForeTees

$30 per player • Sign up on ForeTees

$25 per child • Sign up on ForeTees

Hole Ladies Golf

by Christy Ehrenreich

Happy May! So happy to be writing May newsletter. First, we kicked off the 18 Hole Ladies golf season with a fun spring mixer. Below are some pics from the day. Many thanks to Tracey Carpenter, Carol Clifford, Jane Loomes, and Joyce Jackson for chairing the event.

Onto May events. Be sure to sign on up ForeTees:

● Tuesday, May 2nd: Play with a Pro - Matt Swanson; 9:00 am tee time. The first 3 sign ups will play. There will be 2 alternates, because we know “life happens”.

● Tuesday, May 9th: Play with the Pro - Jimmy Bals; 9:00 am tee time. The first 3 sign ups will play. There will be 2 alternates

● Match Play sign up began on April 18th and the final day to sign up is May 16th. Actual match play begins Tuesday, May 23rd.

● Wednesday, May 17th is the annual Girls’ Night Out Event. 5:30 pm shotgun start. Ladies in 9 and 18 Hole Groups in addition to the Wednesday Evening League are welcome to participate.

● 18 Hole Ladies Member-Guest Tournament sign up begins May 20th on ForeTees. The theme is: A Day at the Movies. The date for the event is Tuesday, June 20th.

Should be a fun month for 18 hole ladies!

9

9 Hole Ladies Golf News by Amy Jung

by Amy Jung

amy.jung@att.net

amy.jung@att.net

The season has finally started. Rachel Schaaf welcomed the 9 Hole Ladies back at the happy hour on March 30th. Her introduction was part welcome, part information and part standup routine. Highlights minus the humor are the events of the season, a rule book and pace of play. She also let us know this would be her last year as president and Paula Ruggeri’s last year as vice-president. If any member of the 9 Hole Ladies is interested in stepping into one of these roles, please let Rachel know.

Spring Training was the theme for our first Prize Day on April 13th. Nick handed out a flyer with tips for warming up before a round. These tips are also useful for an impromptu practice session when there isn’t time to squeeze in a round of golf. This flyer is attached to the results email Nick sent on April 13th

Spring Training Results

LOW NET

Amy Larson, Courtney Birkel, Maureen Roth

LOW PUTTS

Kathy Wenstrup, Susie Holthaus

Banter about the Championship Course: The water hazard on Hole #17. This rule is noted in the rule book. It can still be confusing because it differs from regular play. On nine-hole ladies play, the drop zone may be used if a ball lands in the water. The drop zone is marked across the lake before the bunker.

What’s up next: Bring a Friend Day (stay for lunch) is on Thursday, May 11th. Girls’ Night Out, a multi-group event, is on Wednesday, May 17th. Please sign up for these events on ForeTees.

18 Hole Ladies Spring Mixer group photo

Judy Belew and Barbara Nance were ready for the Spring Mixer

Hole Ladies Golf News

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 Whitney Wendel at or whitneyw@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 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

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

Michael Dority Executive Chef 636.207.3518 ● michaeld@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

Whitney Wendel Marketing and Communications 636.207.3536 ● whitneyw@foresthillscc.net

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

Adam Goad

Assistant Food and Beverage Manager 636.207.3519 ● 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