UNICORN THE
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
DD
ear members, typically these articles are meant to recognize the continued progress we’ve made as a club, either by acknowledging the completion of various capital improvement projects, or the successful execution of our various golf tournaments or social activities.
But as we enter Spring, the Board would like to take this opportunity to recognize the efforts of our newest member of our management team, and congratulate one of our own on her exceptional achievement.
Don D’Ambrosio joined us as our new Director of Finance and Controller in midFebruary. He brings a wealth of financial experience to his role with over 25 years of experience as an accounting and finance executive, including as the CFO of various companies throughout his career. As part of the Board’s continued mandate to protect the financial health of our Club, Mr. D’Ambrosio has worked tirelessly over the past eight weeks to improve our financial reporting and accounting controls. He has been a wonderful addition to our management team, and I urge all members to welcome Don to the friendliest Club in Southern California.
Our own Patricia Wong, already a valued member of our management team for several years, has recently passed her final exam in the PGA Professional Golf Management program—with a perfect score no less—and was elected as a Class A PGA Professional on April 1st. For those of us who work with Patty on a daily basis, this is not at all surprising, as her excellence is constantly on display. This is an outstanding achievement, and one that should be recognized and celebrated. Please join me in congratulating Patty on her success.
I hope to see you at the Club soon.
R . C . H A R L A N
On Behalf of the Board of Directors
R.C. Harlan .....………………. President
Doug Bradshaw ……1st Vice President
Adrian Guerrero ..2nd Vice President
Doug Rowan …………………..Secretary
Chris Kiyohara ..…………….Treasurer
Dr. Rick Avila ………………………Chairman
Kristine Chung Chairman
David Esgro ............................Chairman
Corey Ford …………………………Chairman
David Liu ........…………………….Chairman
Luis Michel………………………….Chairman
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
CLUBHOUSE HOURS
Hines Grill and Terrace Dining
Breakfast
Tuesday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday 6:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Sunday Brunch
Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Lunch and Dinner
Tuesday - Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Snack Bar
Monday - Tuesday - CLOSED
Wednesday - Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Fitness Center
Monday 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday - Sunday 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Bryan Addis, PGA, CMAA General Manager/COO
baddis@friendlyhillscc com (562) 698-0331 ext 305
Nephi Diaz Director of Agronomy
nddiaz@friendlyhillscc com (562) 698-0331 ext 101
Jay Prestella, PGA Director of Golf
jjprestella@friendlyhillscc com (562) 698-0331 ext 307
Patricia Wong, PGA Director of Membership
pwong@friendlyhillscc.com (562) 698-0331 ext. 334
Peter Phan Executive Chef pphan@friendlyhillscc com (562) 698-0331 ext 324
Taylor Stewart Director of Sales and Marketing
tstewart@friendlyhillscc.com (562) 698-0331 ext. 207
Shawn Kurete Director of Food and Beverage
skurete@friendlyhillscc com (562) 698-0331 ext 312
Don D’Ambrosio Director of Finance and Accounting
ddambrosio@friendlyhillscc com (562) 698-0331 ext. 202
Jennifer Shorr, USPTA Director of Racquet Sports
jshorr@friendlyhillscc.com (562) 698-0331
GG1 7
A MESSAGE FROM OUR GM
B R Y A N A D D I S
P G A , C M A A
General Manager/COO
reetings Friendly Hills Country Club Members! I hope you are enjoying this edition of our Unicorn Newsletter and thank you all for your ongoing support of our wonderful Club!
First, I would like to take a moment to welcome the newest member of our Administrative Team, Don D’Ambrosio, who joined us in February as our Director of Finance and Accounting. Don is working hard to elevate our accounting practices and has brought great energy and an infectious personality to the office. I would also like to thank Sandy Lynch, who has been with us since mid-December in a temporary capacity to help us transition to our new accounting leader. This transition wasn’t seamless by any means, but overall, we hope you hardly noticed!
We just finished 2 smaller projects to start 2025, having poured new concrete cart path areas on Hole 1 and Hole 18, repairing root damage in both locations. Additionally, we replaced another 187 feet of chain-link fence along Villaverde, after rainstorms earlier this year caused that stretch of fence to fall.
Our Director of Agronomy, Nephi Diaz and his crew did an amazing job during our course closure in March, completing the aerification of all greens, tees and fairways in preparation for the 2025 season, which officially kicks off with the Men’s Unicorn Member/Guest on April 24th through 26th. The course is looking great and will certainly be ready for our premier Men’s event later this month and our FHWGA Fairway Festival soon after.
th
We have exciting news as our pool will open early this year! Beginning Saturday, April 19 , our heated pool and patio area will be open to the membership. Lifeguards will not be on-duty until Memorial Day weekend; therefore, diving boards will remain closed.
Congratulations to our Saturday Men’s Team Play who had a wonderful season! Way to go guys!
Thanks again for calling Friendly Hills your home Club and I look forward to seeing all of you around.
Director of Finance & Accounting
“I would like to thank everyone at Friendly Hills Country Club for welcoming me in my role as Director of Finance and Accounting. From my initial interactions with both the staff and members, I am impressed with the team culture and dedication to Friendly Hills Country Club’s continued success. Transparency and teamwork will be key as we navigate the financial landscape and achieve our goals. I look forward to our success as we build together.”
- Don D’Ambrosio
M E M B E R R E L A T I O N S
F F
rom intimate gatherings to lively celebrations, our events bring members together and make every moment at the Club special.
Our very first Sound Bath experience, Chef’s Table dinner, and the romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner & Dance all brought incredible energy and engagement from our members, making each event truly memorable.
Bingo Boogie Night was filled with laughs, endless dancing, and great company. Due to the positive feedback, we plan to incorporate more Bingo Boogie nights throughout the year! Another standout event was our sold-out Spring Wine Tasting, which once again proved to be a Club favorite.
As we look ahead, we’re preparing for one of our cherished traditions: the Easter Spectacular. Soon after, we’ll be celebrating with festivities like Cinco De Mayo, Mother’s Day Brunch, and Pinot & Paint.
For youngest members, our Summer Junior Sports Camp is just around the corner It’s the perfect opportunity for children and grandchildren to enjoy golf, tennis, and free swim while making new friends and unforgettable memories
Thank you for continuing to bring excitement, energy, and camaraderie to every event I look forward to creating many more memorable moments together this year
Director of Membership
Member Relations
Welcome Gabrielle Niko, our new Member Relations Coordinator! She is excited to ensure that all your event experiences are exceptional. Please join us in giving her a warm FHCC family welcome.
M E M B E R S C O R N E R
I highly encourage members to take advantage of the complimentary member portraits - reserve your spot through the Club calendar!
M E M B E R S H I P
pring is in full swing, and with it comes fresh energy and exciting things at the Club. I’m thrilled to share that we’ve welcomed several new members over the past month, and we’re excited to see our community continue to grow and thrive. S S
Membership is more than just access to our amenities - it’s about connection, camaraderie, and creating lasting memories Whether it’s attending our social events, participating in activities, or simply enjoying a meal at the Club, there are endless opportunities to get involved and make the most of your membership
If you see a new face around the Club, I encourage you to introduce yourself and help them feel at home. A warm welcome goes a long way in building the kind of community we’re all proud to be a part of.
Looking ahead, we have some wonderful events that are perfect for both new and long-time members. Be sure to check the Club website and Weekly Buzz for more information. If you have any questions about membership, referrals, or getting more involved, please reach out to me. Thank you for being an essential part of what makes our Club so special.
A T R I C I A W O N G , P G A Director of Membership
G O L F C O U R S E M A I N T E N A N C E
WWe hope this message finds you well and eagerly anticipating spring and summer golf at our beautiful Club.
At the end of February/ beginning of March we had our Spring aerification closure. We managed to accomplish many items that we had on our agronomic plan. We applied over 60 tons of sand and soil amendments in our green profiles. We aerified all tees, green surrounds and fairways followed up with sand top-dress. As per normal time constraints we managed to aerify our roughs after the closure. In some areas we utilized the kikuyu plugs to regenerate thin areas in the rough. The greens healing process took about 2 weeks. Also, during the closure we detailed bunkers, trimmed hedges and trees, eradicated weeds in the turf reduction zones, detailed the creek in between holes 1 and 17, repaired sections of cart paths, installed new section of fence along the border of the driving range and aerified and top-dressed the driving range tee
N E P H I D I A Z Director of Agronomy
As we head into the busy golf season, lets make sure we take care of our beautiful golf course by repairing divot marks on greens, fill divots on tees and fairways when possible and raking bunkers after use.
We are committed to providing the membership with the best possible golfing experience and these enhancements are a testament to that commitment. Thank you for your patience and continued support to your golf course maintenance team as we strive to elevate your enjoyment of our course
U P C O M I N G
B U N K E R M A I N T E N A N C E
For the month of April, it’s full steam ahead as we prepare for our coveted Unicorn Tournament and Fairway Festival Attention to detail is what we really strive for when we prepare for these events As soil temperatures begin to rise, you will start to see our warm season turf come out of their slight dormancy Combined with a little bit of wet weather, warmer temperatures and fertilizer applications our club will begin to shine We have planted around 300 hundred Salvia Mystic Blue flowers around the clubhouse and the first tee and sodded around 4000 square feet of kikuyu turf on high traffic areas for better turf coverage Gorilla Hair mulch will also have been applied to key visibility areas around the golf course
B Y J A Y P R E S T E L L A , P G A
Director of Golf
Confirm your tee time in advance and make it a point to arrive at the tee early with your golf equipment in order, ready to play Remember essentials like extra balls, tees, gloves and appropriate clothing for the day’s weather conditions
“Tee it forward” unless you are consistently able to reach greens in regulation from the back tees In other words, play from a set of tees that is comfortable for you one where you are more likely to hit lofted irons into greens instead of hybrids or fairway woods It is acceptable for players in the same group to play from different tees (The USGA Handicap System provides a formula for adjusting handicaps from different tees )
Match play, Stableford, best-ball, and other formats are easy and fun alternatives to individual stroke play because not every player has to hole out on every hole There are multiple resources online and in print to learn about the many different golf formats Try one out
On the tee it is usually acceptable for players to “hit when ready.” You can also save time by playing a provisional ball (Rule 18-3) if you think your original ball might be lost or out of bounds.
Once you are off the tee, think ahead Determine your yardage and make your club selection before it is your turn to play Very often, you can do this while others are playing, without disruption. If you take your glove off between shots, have it back on before it is your turn to play. Even a small step like this saves time.
F R I E N D L Y H I L L S
Pick your line of play once and trust yourself Try to take no more than one practice swing, then set up to the ball and play your shot Most importantly, be ready to hit when it is your turn. Be efficient after your shot too. Start moving toward your next shot promptly.
From club selection to pre-shot routine to execution, strive to hit your shot in 20 seconds when it is your turn to play. Help keep play moving at a brisk pace.
Don’t wait in the cart while your cart mate hits and then drive to your ball. Get out and walk to your ball with a few clubs. Be ready to play when it is your turn and then let your cart mate pick you up Or, drive to your ball after you drop your cart mate off and then pick him or her up after you hit
Your correct position on the course is immediately behind the group in front of you, not immediately in front of the group behind you Arrive at your next shot just before the group in front leaves the area in front of you If you are consistently not able to keep up and a gap opens in front of you, invite the group behind you to play through, irrespective of the number of players in the group
Mark your ball and lift and clean it when you arrive at the putting green so you will be ready to replace it when it is your turn to play You can usually line up your putt while others are putting, without disturbing them. Leave your clubs on the side of the putting green closest to the next tee, and leave the green promptly after holing out. Wait until the next tee to record your score.
P U T T I N G F I T T I N G
On the PGA and LPGA tours, the goal is to keep putts under 30 per round. Considering that the top players average around 69 strokes per round, it’s clear that more than two-thirds of their strokes happen on the putting green.
It’s interesting — I often have members come to me for driver or iron fittings, but rarely do I get requests for putter fittings. Never Compromise Putters has recently introduced an excellent and easy-to-understand fitting system designed to help both male and female golfers. Give me a call to schedule your fitting — and start saying goodbye to rounds with more than 30 putts!
- Jay Prestella, PGA
UPCOMING FHMGA SCHEDULE:
April 24-26
The Unicorn Member-Guest
June 7-8
Senior Club Championship
July 12
Presidents Cup
August 9-10 Hines Cup
September 5-7
Men’s Club Championship
September 13-14 Golf of Mexico
November 15-16 Member-Member
October 22
Partners Championship
JUNIOR GOLF SCHEDULE:
September 6
Junior Club Championship
September 27
Parent Child Championship
October 25
Halloween Scramble
APRIL 2025
U P C O M I N G !
Our FHWGA is off to a fantastic start this Spring! Our Team Play season is officially underway, and we’re thrilled to see so many members representing the FHWGA.
Our weekly Tuesday Ladies Day continues to grow, welcoming both returning members and new faces
It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the game, connect with fellow golfers, and sharpen your skills in a fun and relaxed setting. If you haven’t signed up for the FHWGA, we’d love for you to join us!
Mark your calendars for one of our most anticipated events of the season - the Fairway Festival MemberGuest Tournament, “Cowgirl Boots & Bling,” taking place on May 1st and 2nd. This two-day tournament promises exciting golf, fabulous fashion, and unforgettable memories
April 8, 10, 15
Ladies Club Championship
April 24
Team Play at Victoria
April 29
Team Play at FHCC
May 1-2
Fairway Festival
May 6
Team Play at Western Hills
May 18th
Mr and Mrs Tournament
June 17
Senior Club Championship
F O O D & B E V E R A G E
DDear Friendly Hills Country Club Members, I hope this message finds you all well and that you’ve been enjoying everything the Club has to offer this year.
I’m incredibly grateful to be part of such an amazing community and to get to know so many of you on a daily basis It’s truly an honor to be here
As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the Club experience, I’ve been focused on raising the standard of service through one-on-one training with our staff While there have been challenges, I’m pleased to hear from many of you that we’re moving in the right direction and the improvements are already being felt
I’m also excited to share some new offerings with you: We now have our very own private label FHCC draft beer, as well as cigars available for purchase Additionally, we’re upgrading the foam inserts in the patio chairs to ensure greater comfort as you relax after your round on the course
I wanted to thank everyone for joining our Spring Wine Tasting event on April 4th, which featured an exquisite selection of wines to taste and purchase Please note, all wine orders are due by Friday, April 18 Furthermore, we are now holding Taco Tuesday on the last Tuesday of every month I highly encourage everyone to sign up for these events, as they are what makes the Club such a special place to be a part of th
Thank you for your continued support I look forward to seeing you around the Club!
SHAWN KURETE Director of Food & Beverage
PETER PHAN Executive Chef
Hello members, we are off to a solid start for 2025! We had a successful Valentine’s Dinner at the Club, hosted a few Chef’s Table dinners, had a menu change, and rolled out a new dessert menu that we will be updating on a regular basis The kitchen team is currently testing out some new dishes and hope to share some new items with you soon
C
This flavorful sauce is very simple to make--simply measure and combine all the ingredients At our Club, it’s our go-to sauce for cooking the ground chicken in our popular chicken lettuce wraps and also serves as the perfect dipping sauce I often use it at home too; it has a long shelf life and adds a delicious kick to ribs, grilled chicken breasts, and stir-frys. Versatile and long-lasting, this sauce is a staple worth having on hand.
I N G R E D I E N T S :
1 cup hoisin sauce
3 cups thai sweet chili sauce
½ cup rice vinegar
½ cup sugar
2 tbs fish sauce
2 tbs soy sauce
1 tbs ground ginger
2 tbs white sesame seeds, toasted
½ cup ketchup
Have you ever pondered in the oil aisle of the grocery store? There are so many types and brands of oils out there. I will share some of my takes and types of oils that I use.
E X T R A V I R G I N O L I V E O I L
I would say EVOO is the most popular and frequently used cooking oil It also has a reputation as a healthy fat EVOO is known for its antioxidant content and large amount of monounsaturated fat which is linked to heart health EVOO is ideal in many cold type dishes like dips, dressings, and salads It is not ideal for sauteing at high temperatures Its smoking point is 375 F When EVOO gets passed the smoking point it, it degrades and gives an off-putting aroma and flavor It is not ideal for searing meat However, I do like to use olive oil for light sauteing, like if I am just sauteing some vegetables There are superb olive oils from Spain, Greece, and Italy Italy is the top producer of Olive Oils in the world There are some great Olive Oils produced here in our very own state of California I tend to gravitate towards the California produced Olive Oils Also, when you shop for Olive Oils, some bottles will say “early” or “late harvest ” Early harvest olive oils are more robust and are ideal for dipping or used to finish a dish A “late harvest” is typically milder and better used for general cooking
C O C O N U T O I L
Coconut Oil has a high smoking point which works well for sauteing, roasting and baking I generally like to use coconut oil more for greasing up pans for baking and its also great for pancakes!
C A N O L A ’ V E G E T A B L E O I L
Vegetable oils are a kitchen staple They have a medium high smoking point which is deal for sauteing, stir-frying, grilling, frying, and baking They also have a neutral taste which makes it very versatile In our kitchen for general cooking, I use a blend of canola and extra virgin olive oil We use several gallons of cooking oil every week Extra Virgin Olive Oil can be expensive, but most importantly, by blending the oils, it raises the smoking point of olive oil by introducing canola oil This makes your oil more suitable for stir frying and sauteing without your oil burning
S E S A M E O I L
Sesame oil is also a healthy oil with a mid-range smoking point. Its full of nutty flavor and is used as adding flavor in stir fry dishes. At the club we primarily use sesame oil for our Hot Sizzling Ahi Tuna and used to make our Ginger Sesame Vinaigrette.
A V O C A D O O I L
Refined avocado oil has the highest smoking point of all the plant base oils and unrefined avocado oil is one of the healthiest oils as it has a lot of good fats
P E A N U T O I L
Peanut Oil is most often used in a lot of Asian cuisines because the high temperature stir frying Its also great for large batch deep frying It is used quite commonly for fried chicken and French fries
S A L E S & M A R K E T I N G
TAYLOR STEWART
Director of Sales & Marketing
D D
ear Members, Spring has arrived, and we're excited for all the upcoming events and activities!
While the year started off slow, things are now in full swing starting with our first wedding of the year on March 15th We can’t wait to share the beautiful photos with you!
Not to mention – our 2025 golf tournament calendar is FULL! Golf tournaments are a fantastic way to give back to the community and support a great cause, all while showcasing the beauty of our course. We’re also thrilled to introduce our Banquet Captain, Sherri Villanueva. With a strong background in banquets and bartending, she has been an incredible asset to our team as we pick up momentum. If you see Sherri around the Club, be sure to say hello!
In other exciting news, Friendly Hills recently hosted a commercial shoot for AT&T on March 21st! This production featured rising golf star Rose Zhang and will air during the week of one of golf’s biggest events The Masters We’ve asked the production team to keep us updated on the air date, but be sure to keep an eye out!
Looking forward to a fantastic season ahead!
Friendly Reminder
We highly recommend making reservations for dining.
Please note the following seating capacities per membership:
The Terrace – Maximum of 8 guests Hines Grill – Maximum of 12 guests
For parties larger than 12 guests, please contact Taylor Stewart at tstewart@friendlyhillscc com to arrange a set menu
Additionally, please remember that outside food is prohibited on Club premises.
Thank you for your cooperation, and we look forward to serving you!
C K L E B A L L T E N N I S
& P I
INDIAN WELLS MASTERS 1000
T I T L E H E R E
Many of our tennis members and families recently enjoyed the world-class Indian Wells Masters 1000 event in the desert If you haven't experienced this incredible tournament, we highly recommend adding it to your plans for next spring
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TENNIS OPEN HOUSE JUNIOR SPORTS CAMP
Our annual Open House event will be held on Saturday, April 19th, at 3:30 PM. This year's event will feature fun games for kids, open pickleball play, a 'Hit the Prize' challenge, and a fast serve contest You'll also have the chance to test your skills against our Playmate Genie ball machine The highlight of the evening will be a professional exhibition singles match at 5 PM.
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Summer is just around the corner! Don’t forget to mark your calendars for our traditional summer sports camp, which begins on June 17th, followed by our popular tennis camp morning program throughout the summer These programs fill up quickly, so reserve your spot soon!
W R I T E R ' S N A M E
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Junior Tennis
Our junior tennis program continues to thrive. We're incredibly proud of our players who have joined the La Serna High School varsity team, including Richard Tellez Jr , Diego Chung, Marcus Kim, and Spencer Barney.
A special nod to Richie's dad, one of the dedicated coaches! We're also thrilled by the success of our Saturday morning Hot Shots program for 4 to 7 year olds, which is rapidly expanding our young player base.
HHAround the Courts
ello everyone, we've had an exciting few months, and we're looking forward to an even more vibrant spring and summer!
Despite the winter chill, enthusiasm on the courts has remained high, thanks to our popular Women's Tennis Association Wednesday events and socials
The pickleball courts have been buzzing with activity on weeknights We've streamlined our reservation system, ensuring smooth gameplay, and our Golf Shop is now fully stocked with a fantastic selection of shoes, paddles, balls, and accessories – everything you need to get in on the action!
A huge thank you to Lisa Esgro for organizing a wonderful dinner that brought our tennis and golf communities together, fostering new connections. She also helped plan the Sadie Hawkins mixed doubles mixer and dinner in March. What an awesome event!
J E N N I F E R A N N E
S H O R R , U S P T A
Director of Racquet Sports
Swim Team Info
The Swim & Dive team holds significant historical importance at FHCC, encompassing a substantial aspect of our Club life. From thrilling Swim & Dive meets to fun events, our team fosters an atmosphere of fun and camaraderie Member’s children and grandchildren are eligible to join the team. For more information on the 2025 season, join our Co-Swim Chairs, Ricky Hsin, Melissa Rudolph, Shannon Hammer, Gerald Hammer on Wednesday, April 16th, 2025 at 6:00pm in the Upper Level for a general meeting. We look forward to another memorable season –go Unicorns!
F H C C ’ S
F I T N E S S C E N T E R
We’re thrilled to see so many of our members taking full advantage of our beautiful Fitness Center! The upgraded space and equipment have brought fresh energy to the Club, and we love seeing it in use To ensure everyone has a safe, enjoyable, and respectful experience, we kindly remind all members to follow a few important Fitness Center guidelines:
Dress Code - Appropriate gym attire and athletic shoes must be worn at all times.
Equipment Placement - Do not move or reposition stationary fitness equipment
Safety First - If any equipment is malfunctioning or broken, please do not use it and report it promptly
Members Only - For safety and liability reasons, children and guests are not permitted in the Fitness Center
Key Fobs Are Not For Sharing - Please do not share your key fobs with others
Respect Your Fellow Members - Always wipe down equipment after use and be courteous to others
Thank you for keeping our Fitness Center clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone!
