UNICORN THE
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
DDear Members, As we embark on a new year, I would like to thank our previous Board President, Doug Bradshaw, for his leadership the past three years. During that time, we have successfully maintained a full membership, helping to ensure the financial health of our Club, while ensuring a full and thriving social calendar.
Our Club has also made tremendous capital improvements over that time, including our new Hines Grill, the completion of our fitness center, and continued improvements to our golf course. We all owe a debt of gratitude for the tireless work of Doug Bradshaw, our General Manager, and our current and former Board Members in constantly striving to improve our Club.
As we move into the new year, the Board of Directors continues to focus on enhancing member experience, while maintaining the fiscal health of our Club. We are excited to continue making progress on upcoming projects, including the Ladies Locker Room. Our commitment to continued improvement of all of our members’ experience remains our highest priority.
As we often say, but it bears repeating, our members are our greatest asset, and I look forward to seeing you all at the Club over the next year.
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 Director of Membership
pwong@friendlyhillscc com (562) 698-0331
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
Jennifer Shorr, USPTA Director of Racquet Sports
jshorr@friendlyhillscc com (562) 698-0331
B R Y A N A D D I S
P G A , C M A A
General Manager/COO
A M E S S A G E
F R O M
O U R G M
reetings Friendly Hills Country Club Members and Happy New Year! Welcome to 2025! I hope everyone had an amazing and safe New Year’s celebration.
As we move into the new year, it is always nice to reflect on the year we leave behind, and what a year it was at Friendly Hills Country Club! Our amazing Club took some huge steps forward in 2024 with the completion of a few major projects. Most prominent among these was the downstairs dining room, lounge, private dining room and restroom project. This massive five month undertaking completely transformed our member dining experience and added a true touch of class at the Club, to go with an already special terrace dining area. The Hines Grill and Waterfall Room will surely be cherished for years to come!
During this same period, we completely overhauled the driving range by laser levelling and enlarging the grass practice tee, adding a state-of-the-art range mat system and replacing the dated and overgrown hedge with a modern range net. This project brought our main practice area out of the 70’s, into the modern era and now rivals the practice range of any top private club you will visit.
< Continued
The summer months at the Club saw the start and finish of our tee-levelling and re-sodding project which completely revamped every teeing ground on the golf course. Having finished in September, we will see continued improvement to the condition of the tees as we enter Spring of this year, culminating in perfect conditions this summer!
These large-scale projects weren’t all we were up to last year as we embarked on many smaller, long-overdue projects. We replaced the filter system in the pool and saw an immediate improvement in the water quality for our swimmers. Course Superintendent, Nephi Diaz, completed our much-needed putting green sodfarm to the left of 12 green!
We replaced the fire sprinkler system throughout the main building, and we completely rebuilt the cart barn and bag storage roof. We added a sunshade awning to Tennis Court 1 & 2 as well as an awning over the water station. The golf course saw the addition of much needed benches throughout, as well as everyone’s favorite addition, the aesthetically pleasing split-rail fence!
Special thanks to all members, as your support is very much appreciated! We are looking forward to another great year and sincerely hope it is a year filled with joy and success for all of you!
See you around the Club!
M E M B E R R E L A T I O N S
Happy New Year, Members! 2024 has been an incredible year filled with memorable moments at the Club.
We had a very robust calendar year filled with exciting events, including Easter, Mother’s Day, our 4th of July Spectacular, and Breakfast With Santa--all of which were sell-out celebrations! This year’s Breakfast With Santa was especially magical, featuring a surprise visit from Mickey and Minnie.
Our final event of the year, the End of the Year celebration, was a night to remember. From blackjack and roulette to the Frank Sinatra performance, the energy was high, and the fun was endless.
As we welcome 2025, I’m excited to share that our calendar is already filling up with more fantastic events We can’t wait to build on this past year’s success and continue providing unforgettable experiences for you and your families Please check out the Club calendar for all upcoming events at www friendlyhillscc com
Thank you for making 2024 such a special year Cheers to another year of memories, festivities and celebrations!
Director of Membership
2 0 2 4
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights from our 2024 archive include Lunar New Year, Sake Soiree, 4th of July Spectacular, Gingerbread Night, Breakfast With Santa, and the End of the Year Celebration I look forward to another year of creating memories together at our Club!
M E M B E R S C O R N E R
ALFRED & TIMEA BARABAS
EDWARD & MARIA MEDINA
ALVARO & CLAUDIA BANEGAS
BRIAN & TOMOKO KITO
Director of Membership
While our Club continues to maintain full membership, we ’ ve had the pleasure of recently welcoming several new members to our Friendly Hills Country Club family.
NICHOLAS & VIVIANA GHIRELLI
HERNAN & WENDY PRECIADO
JAMES & ALANA TROST
JOSE & GRACE QUESADA
THANKS & EMILY SILACHAI
S O C I A L M E M B E R S
GABRIEL GARCIA
STEVE & JENNY RHEE BIN & DIFEI LI
MIGUEL & DENISE AGUILERA
ENRIQUE & MAYRA RODRIGUEZ
ADRINA & ROBERT SEDANO
YUKI & JUAN MAYORGA
CHRIS & MAISS RAHDER
LAURA & SAM UYENO
JOE & ASTRA VIVANCO
ANITA KO
SANTIAGO & CINDY ACOSTA
ARTURO & BEATRIZ BECERRA
KYLE & GIULIANA PEKO
WWe hope this message finds you well and eagerly anticipating your next round on our beautiful course
Over the past few months, the golf course maintenance team has been deeply engaged in maintaining and enhancing the course to ensure it remains in pristine condition. Preparing for the recent Member-Member Tournament was a significant focus, and the team dedicated considerable effort to achieving top-notch playing conditions.
Over the course of a month, we verticut and topdressed the greens, creating smooth surfaces that rolled at an impressive 13’ on the stimpmeter. To complement this, they reduced the fairway mowing height to under ½”, which provided excellent ball roll and a challenging yet enjoyable experience for members.
N E P H I D I A Z
Director of Agronomy
To further enhance the aesthetic appeal of the course, we installed split rail fencing on select holes, giving the golf holes a more defined and visually appealing look This project was completed in-house by key members of our maintenance team, and we are excited to expand this initiative in the future, adding more fencing to beautify the course even further
PATHWAY AND HANDRAIL REVITALIZATION
We are currently revitalizing the decomposed granite (DG) walk paths throughout the course Several paths have already been completed, with the goal of finishing all paths by February 2025 Additionally, we are replacing corroded wrought iron handrails to ensure both safety and long-lasting durability
Looking ahead to 2025, we are preparing for our spring aerification, scheduled for the end of February Key activities during this time will include:
Aerifying greens, tees, fairways, green surroundings, and roughs
Performing tree maintenance to improve sunlight and airflow
Managing turf reduction zones
Trimming the perimeters of the golf holes
A small but important project was completed at the chipping green bunker Due to frequent use, the bunker face had accumulated excessive sand We’ve stripped and recontoured the bunker lip to restore its original design This process will be repeated every 3 to 4 years to maintain optimal conditions
G O L F C O R N E R
B Y J A Y P R E S T E L L A , P G A
Director of Golf
PROPER WEDGES FOR FRIENDLY HILLS
For our Kikuyu conditions, it’s always a good idea to use a wedge with a higher bounce angle -- ideally between 12 to 14 degrees for chipping and pitching. In simpler terms, this means the trailing edge of the sole sits higher than the leading edge. This design helps the sole glide through the grass, preventing the leading edge from digging into the ground and causing fat shots.
Whenever it comes to bunker play, however, a wedge with less bounce -- around 4 to 8 degrees is recommended since our bunkers have relatively thin sand. Remember opening the face of a wedge naturally adds bounce.
I strongly suggest bringing your wedges into the Golf Shop and letting me or our Professional Golf Staff check them out We are here to make sure your equipment works for you and helps you play your best golf on the course
Join the Federated Seniors to play the best country clubs in the area! Contact the Golf Shop or Dave Esgro for more information and to join.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
January 27
Glendora Country Club
February 24
Red Hill Country Club
March 27
South Hills Country Club
May 5
Victoria Country Club
July 14
Lake Arrowhead Country Club
September 11
Oakmont Country Club
November 24
Friendly Hills Country Club
Please note that the split rail fencing on hole #10 is considered out of bounds. If ball is in bounds, there is no relief from the split rail fence. Please see below.
M P
Gerald Hammer & John Lantz Gerald Hammer & John Lantz Gerald Hammer & John Lantz
Javier Castro & Ryan Castro Javier Castro & Ryan Castro Javier Castro & Ryan Castro
JANUARY
U P C O M I N G !
FHWGA ended the last part of the year in style with all of the festive tournaments! We had a blast celebrating and enjoying all the festivities. As you can see by these pictures, FHWGA is all about friendships, golfing, and enjoying our time at the Club
We want to thank our Chairman, Judy Gibson for a great year!
We have so much to look forward to in 2025! If you’re not part of our FHWGA, please consider joining us Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a beginner, we would love to have you join our ladies group! Please visit the website to more details to our yearbook at www.friendlyhills.com/member-central/FHWGA.
riendly Hills Country Club is excited to announce the start of the 2025 PGA Junior League season! Junior golfers ages 13 & under will have the opportunity to compete in a fun team-oriented league against other teams in the area
We will have more information regarding registration, practices and matches in the upcoming weeks. Please check the Weekly Buzz for more information or contact coach Kevin Harter in the Golf Shop or through email at kharter@friendlyhillscc.com.
B E V E R A G E
G G
reetings, Friendly Hills Country Club Members! I hope everyone had a fantastic 2024 and made resolutions for an even better 2025 I’m thrilled to start the new year here with a fresh start F O O D &
Since my arrival at Friendly Hills, I have been met with nothing but warmth and support from both the staff and members.
Looking ahead, I am focused on enhancing the food and beverage experience for our members and create lasting memories for both members and guests.
Be sure to join us at the Hines Grill every Thursday and Friday from 5:00-8:00 p.m. for our Chef’s Weekly Specials. For the best experience, we recommend making a reservation.
And if your new year’s resolution doesn’t include alcohol, we’re offering a new monthly cocktail to pair with the specials Please see the flyer for our January specialty cocktails available for $15 per drink I make an effort to be visible to the membership daily, and I welcome any feedback, whether it’s a concern or compliment, so I can continue to serve you to the best of my ability
SHAWN KURETE Director of Food & Beverage
Reviewing the 2025 calendar, food & beverage will be available on th Monday, January 20th – Birth of Martin Luther King Jr. Monday, February 17th – President’s Day
Monday, May 26th – Memorial Day Monday, September 1st – Labor Day
All other Mondays remain closed unless otherwise noted. More information on hours of operation on these Mondays will be communicated through the Weekly Buzz.
I N T H E K I T C H E N
Hello Members, we wrapped up 2024 on a high note with a very busy December! The kitchen was bustling with holiday parties throughout the month, including Breakfast with Santa and, of course, our End-of-theYear Party.
Looking back over the past few months, we also hosted some remarkable events, such as the Clase Azul Tequila Dinner, our Thanksgiving Feast, and the Member-Member Tournament.
I’m incredibly proud of our kitchen team for their hard work and dedication, especially during the final stretch of the year. After a welldeserved break following the holidays, we’re recharged and excited to kick off 2025!
CHEF PETER PHAN
Executive Chef
U P C O M I N G
C U L I N A R Y E V E N T
Mark your calendars our first Chef’s Table Dinner is set for January 18, 2025!
I’m thrilled to present this specially curated dining experience Seating is limited, but don’t worry if you missed out this is just the beginning! I plan to offer more of these intimate, chef-crafted dinners in the future
In addition, we’re also planning some exciting Wine Dinners in the Upper Level, so stay tuned for more details
Lastly, keep an eye out for an updated Terrace Menu, which will debut by the end of January
We’re looking forward to sharing these memorable culinary experiences with you!
A T H O M E R E C I P E
RECIPE SPOTLIGHT:
I N G R E D I E N T S :
2 tbs canola oil
1 25 lbs ground beef
1.25 lbs prime rib/rib eye steak
1 large yellow onions, diced
1 oz garlic minced
1 oz jalapeno seeded and minced
4 oz canned green chili, diced
12 oz roasted red peppers, diced
2-28 oz canned whole peeled tomatoes
2 tbs ground cumin
1/4 cup chili powder
2 tbs oregano, dried
15 oz red kidney beans, drained
2 tbs beef bouillion paste
1 tbs red wine vinegar
1 tbs tabasco
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped salt to taste
PETER PHAN Executive Chef
This is our Club favorite recipe that you can recreate at home! “ ”
1.
2
In a large pot, over medium high heat, add the oil.
Add the ground beef and prime rib or ribeye steak Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the ground beef is browned and cooked through
3.
Add the onions, garlic, and jalapenos. Cook for 35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
4.
Stir in the green chilies, roasted red peppers, cumin, chili powder, and oregano Cook for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to combine
5
Add the tomatoes and beef broth Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 hour, stirring occasionally. Skim off any excess fat.
6.
Stir in the kidney beans, vinegar, tabasco, cilantro, and salt to taste Simmer for an additional 10 minutes
Serve the chili in soup bowls and top with cheese, sour cream, and scallions to your liking. 7
S A L E S &
M A R K E T I N G
TAYLOR STEWART Director of Sales & Marketing
H H
appy 2025, everyone! We're excited to share some great news with our members! First, be sure to check out our amazing Member-Member video click [here] to experience it for yourself!
On top of that, we had an incredible year of film shoots, with one of the highlights being our exciting commercial shoot for Jersey Mike's, featuring none other than Danny DeVito! It was an unforgettable experience, and we’re thrilled to share the video with you You can check it out [here]! We’re also thrilled to announce that a Rockstar Energy commercial featuring the talented Charley Hull was hosted at FHCC We can’t wait for you to see it, and we’ll be sure to inform everyone as soon as the commercial is ready for viewing.
As we look ahead to an exciting 2025, we're eager to share it with all of you! If you have any events in mind that you’d like to host this year, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Have a wonderful New Year!
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T E N N I S
P I C K L E B A L L &
Around the Courts
GGreetings, Members – As I look back at the last few months of 2024 and begin to look ahead towards the new year, I must express my gratitude to our amazing members The warmth and community we are building around racquet sports is really inspiring
I would like to mention a few highlights from this past year. First and most memorable is the start of the fall and winter Friendly Hills Women’s Tennis Association. The enthusiasm and excitement have been infectious to the whole Club and our numbers continue to grow. Second is the solid growth of the junior development programs running after school. We have many younger players learning about the game for the first time and others playing and winning tournaments. We also have some playing on their school teams and adults playing league tennis Our own mixed doubles team won its league and made it to USTA sectional play for the first time Last but certainly not least is the action out on the pickleball courts, which we hope will continue to grow and receive support Consider stopping by the Golf Shop to check out our new pickleball paddles, tennis and pickleball shoes, tennis accessories and more
Director of Racquet Sports
Upcoming
Looking forward into 2025, we will have events that will take us right up to the summer season Look out for event announcements in the Weekly Buzz and on our message boards. Look for equipment demo days, pickle-fest 2025 this spring, our opening day event, tennis exhibition match, kids’ night out and so much more!
