Last month’s article was on expectations. This month will focus on contributions. The club, officially the PRPC (Port Royal Plantation Club) is run by a volunteer board. I am fortunate to be
volunteering with a great group of fun, committed, energetic, and capable individuals. Per the by-laws, which incidentally I find no one reads until you get on the board, forms a nominating committee at this time of year with the sole task of
selecting five candidates for a two-year term on the PRPC board. Those candidates plus any individual nominations appear in the October Around the Clubhouse newsletter and are approved by vote in early November.
The board oversees an approximate twenty-one thousand dollar budget consisting primarily of your annual activity fees ($70 per member last year), some residual funds, and some nominal interest. Although it is the smallest budget most of our board members have ever managed, the fiduciary responsibility is taken very seriously.
Approximately 70% of the budget goes to support the social functions. Funds go for musical entertainment, DJ trivia, decorations, and specialty items such as the “leis” at the recent Luau. Anne Gerth, Social Chair, and her committees have done a fantastic job of mixing it up and trying to find fun activities that attract many of our members. Member socials and Trivia night have been hits and will be on the schedule again, the wine dinner not so much.
The balance of the budget is split almost equally between Men’s Golf, Women’s Golf and Racquet Sports, with a similar slice ($1,600) going toward the annual Heritage Invitational. This time of year, we regurgitate the discussion that everyone pays an activity fee and how do we optimize an equitable distribution
Again, I thank Dan Renbarger, Treasurer, and the board for their input and many contributions. The model is not perfect, and we could use some additional intelligence (artificial or otherwise in the process). We also recognize that travel, family, health, and numerous other commitments compete for your time and attendance at events.
As always, this is your club. Chef Curtis Epps and the kitchen staff are starting to show off their culinary skills, and the temporary serving staff is being used to ensure more positive overall “experiences”. Still a couple of hiccups on the phone/reservations systems, but they are on the “hit list”. Please continue to let me and/or the team know what we can DO for YOU! We, the Board, want to see YOU around the Clubhouse!
PS: Rory McIlroy’s second-place finish almost qualified for a new picture with my 3-month-old grandson “Rory Kirkpatrick.” Rory is playing well so stay tuned.
All the best, Dave
We begin J
Don’t forget to register for this fun event. At $10 per person, we fill up fast. We never know what delicious options Chef Curtis will be providing for our evening, so join us and be surprised
Our July 14 Food and Wine and Dinner has unfortunately been canceled.
Mark your calendar now for our August event. We will be featuring an Asian themed dinner on August 21st for $32 per person. What better way to beat the August heat! There will be something for everyone…shrimp, beef and broccoli, chicken, fried rice, noodles, veggie egg rolls, and miso soup. You can view the full menu in the weekly e-blasts.
If you missed our June Luau, you missed quite a fun evening! Over 63 of your fellow club members turned out for this great event We had live ukulele music, fresh Hawaiian leis, delicious Hawaiian themed food, a hula hoop and limbo contest, and Mai Tai’s Yes, it was hot, but as the evening cooled down, the party spilled out onto our beautifully manicured lawn.
The social committee exists to help make your club membership fun and to promote activities beyond great golf, tennis, and pickleball Come meet your fellow club members off the course and enjoy all our club has to offer!
See you Around The Club!
Anne
Written by Guy Suchy
What’s the greatest golf shot you’ve ever hit? Do you remember? If you’ve ever made a hole-in-one, is that your greatest shot? How about a long putt or clutch sixfooter to win a match? Chances are if you play golf and have played in any sort of competition, even a friendly game, you have a most memorable shot. Let me tell you about mine.
The year was 2005 The month was September It was the Member-Guest Tournament at River Run Country Club in Davidson, NC - the club I belonged to prior to becoming a full-time member here at Port Royal I remember the year distinctly because I had been diagnosed with and treated for prostate cancer earlier that summer and my mom passed away shortly before the start of the tournament.
My guest was my brother, one of the top amateurs in NY State in his youth. With everything that had happened that year, we dedicated ourselves to playing our best golf and winning the tournament. So after two and a half days of play, we had won our flight and made it to the final round of the shootout
If you’ve ever played River Run, you have recurring nightmares about the 18th holethe hole the shootout was on. While it’s similar to the 18th hole of Robber’s Row - par five doglegs right with water fronting the left side of the green, the 18th hole of River Run is on steroids. The water (small lake) runs the full length of the right side of the hole and you have to carry your third shot over the lake to an elevated green with three tiers.
That particular year, there was quite a large crowd around the green watching the shootout Some of those watching had been consuming adult beverages since early that morning, so they were quite boisterous After a good drive by me, my brother (alternate shot format), hit a solid middle iron shot leaving me about 135 yards to the middle tier with a pin tucked left, about 20 feet from the water’s edge. With a strong wind blowing left-to-right, I took my 8 iron and aimed at the left edge of the green, hoping a high left-to-right cut would ride the wind to the middle part of the green. Unfortunately, I pulled the shot and started the ball out over the lake to what was destined to be a watery grave. The collective groan from the crowd was actually comical and my brother had to turn away in disgust at my poor shot
What happened next was magical. Riding the wind, and a left-to-right fade (more like a slice), about halfway over the lake the ball turned and headed right at the flag. It hit about a foot from the cup and rolled six feet away. The groans turned to cheers and I actually remember seeing people jumping to their feet, clapping and cheering. Had to be the beverages. It could also have been those folks in the Calcutta who had bet on us.
The final result was my brother missed the birdie putt (more groans) and we lost the shootout by one stroke Even in defeat, however, I felt like a winner and still think about that shot every time I mess up my approach shot on No. 18 on Robber’s, which is quite often lately.
Now I bring this story up because I want to recreate that same memorable feeling for someone here during this year’s Member-Guest We are going to use the 18th hole on Robber’s Row for our shootout, and with food, beverages, and a boisterous crowd, I’m sure we’ll make someone’s highlight reel (maybe even mine, again)…
The dates for this year’s tournament are September 21 through 23. Joining me as Committee Members for the Golf are Rick D’Arienzo, Bill Hazel, and Jim Stauffer - all with experience with running past events. For the Social aspect, our Committee members are Lisa D’Arienzo, Joan Hazel, and Nancy Sheahan. Representing Heritage, we have Jay Rusch, Mary Grace Tabb, and Jim Henington.
The tournament is open to both Men and Lady PRPC Members and their guests. If you’ve played in the Member Guest in the past, I look forward to seeing you again. If this will be your first year playing - welcome!
Till next time, Guy
Written by John Strasburger
How ‘bout those fairways. . . tremendous improvement. Thank you Charlie, Jay & Mother Nature!
Another great turnout for our monthly Men’s Tournament. Ten 4-man teams competed in the ever-popular Step-Aside Scramble Format Drives were held to a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 5 per player.
Congrats to the team of Rick Gorski, Rick Keebaugh, Jack (it’s a great country) Schrader, and Jim Stauffer. These guys shot a very competitive (net) score of 56
Seventeen of our PRPC players teamed up with 17 PGA/LIV touring Pros; competing on total gross (Pros) and total net (PRPC members) in round 3 of the 2023 U.S. Open.
The team of Ron Tucker (70) & Scottie Scheffler (68) for 138.
Total prize money earned was $1,413,459 (split as $1,413,430 for Scheffler and $29 for Tucker)
The team of Rick Keebaugh (68) & Rickie Fowler (70) for 138
Total prize money earned was $738,963 (split as $738,934 for Fowler & $29 for Keebaugh)
. . . I think Ron & Rick need to hire better agents!
Note: Last month I failed to mention that my DD teammate, Dennis Darling, tied Bud Henry for 1st place in the 2023 PGA Championship Sweeps. Dennis & Bud both picked Brooks Koepka as their Pro.
and, speaking of Dennis . . .
From Jim Stauffer’s 6/24 Saturday recap of the “Members Tee” group play SHOT OF THE DAY:
On the difficult Robbers Row par four 11th hole against a strong breeze, Dennis Darling hits his drive into the right fairway bunker. The ball rolls up to the lip 190 yards out from the back, blue flag Unfazed, “DD” pulls out his 3 wood, standing awkwardly in the grass, ball in the sand against the edge, and stripes the ball to pin high just on the left fringe. Easy 2 putt par! Dennis received a great compliment from Don Muehlberger stating, “That was one of the greatest fairway bunker shots ever.” Lanny Bailey agreed.
It’s no wonder Dennis was one of Rick D’Arienzo’s strategic picks for the Designated Driverz (DD’z) Port Royal Men’s League Match Play team
Note: Super Men’s Day this July will be held on Saturday, July 15th. We intentionally scheduled a Saturday versus our traditional Wednesday in an effort to give men who are still working an opportunity to play.
Please Remember:
• fix divots and pitch marks
• don’t hit from freshly laid sod
• Post ALL your scores, 9 hole and 18 hole rounds
Our dear friend since 1999, Sheila Polite with an unbelievable memory and always a smile. A grandmother of 6-year-old triplets, WOW!
The 2023 PRLGA Board after a tough day on the golf course.
Front: Sophie Burger, Heather Stevens
Rear: left to right, Polly Jackson, Gay Halleman, Liz Bailey, Betsy Papale, Carole Howell and Cathy Grigoriou
There is some confusion about the hole-in-one prize requirements and so here are the rules.
Each year from January 1st. until December 31st. a hole-in-one may be made on either of our courses, Robbers Row or Barony. It may occur any day of the week providing there are two (2) witnesses to applaud the excellent shot and congratulate the shot maker. The round must consist of 18 holes in order to count
June is here and with it, is the arrival of the aerating of the greens, heat, humidity, and a lot of alligators in pursuit of happiness.
June 1st was supposed to be a low putt contest, but we switched it to individual play due to the greens being freshly punched.
We had 11 ladies play on a gorgeous morning playing on Barony
The winners were:
1. 2. 3
Cherie Bailey 33
Nancy Simpson 35
Joan Hazel 36
On June 8th, 13 ladies played and threw out their worst two holes.
The winners were:
Jo Ann Gibbs 20
Joan Hazel 22 (and a Chip In on # 9)
3.
Cherie Bailey 24
Jun h f i h ll ’ home. The views on bot his alligator arrived early to j nd when they heard what wa
Thank you again Mary Ann & Steve for your kabobs and hospitality!
On June 15th, the Low Putt Winners were:
1.
2.
Nancy Simpson 14
Nene Dreyer, Linda Gorski, and Mary Lou Murphy 16
Rhonda Heuple 18
3. Welcome our newest member: Nancy Sheahan.
Summer is here and it’s time to start thinking about our Member/Guest Tournament. The date has been moved to October 20-21. Our program includes a sit down dinner on Friday evening the 20th and a courtside continental breakfast and tournament play on Saturday morning.
This is our biggest event of the year for pickleball and tennis racquet members and we are looking to make this our largest one ever. Start planning and secure your guest co-player. We hope to have both men’s and woman’s tennis at intermediate and high levels and pickleball at member request. (Women, Men, Mixed.)
Dale and the tennis committee are excited and will begin planning the event the first week of July! Look for flyers and more information on meals and formats in this article.
The club will be resurfacing our clay courts in late summer / early fall. After playing USTA for the past couple of years and talking to other teams, we certainly can claim one of the best facilities for racquet play on the island. I know the club is researching how to add additional pickleball courts so we may host teams out of Port Royal and we appreciate the high standard the club maintains. Our upgrade list includes new nets for the tennis courts and the club is working on that and additional grooming tools for our members to leave the courts ready for the next players.
Member/ Captain Jamie Patterson has updated that the Port Royal Men’s 65 and over USTA team finished tied for first place and is awaiting the commissioner’s report on tiebreak rules and if the team will qualify for the state tournament
Written by Angelo Verde
If you are Member/Captain and would like your team reported on, please send me or Dale a note near the 20th of every month.
By Mark Kovacs, PhD, FACSM, CTPS, CSCS
Train Hard before the hot summer months start
Hydrate – Drink high volumes of carbohydrate and electrolyte fluids
Sodium- Consume high sodium food and drink- loss of sodium increases the likelihood of cramping.
Balanced Diet – Carbs, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals need to be at proper levels
Cooling – Use ice to keep the core body temperature cool before, during, and after play
Carbohydrates- Maintain blood glucose levels throughout the match/practice. Consume before and often during the match. Wear Sunscreen- Sunburns increase skin temperatures and make the body less efficient at body cooling.
BE SAFE and HAVE FUN OUT THERE!
1. 2. 3. 4 5. 6. 7.
Where did you grow up?
Birmingham, Alabama
In what year did you move to Hilton Head Island?
1992
What is your favorite car?
My Porsche
What is your most unusual talent?
None
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
Bo Jackson (also from Alabama). He had a poor childhood. Because of his dream, he became a famous dual sport professional athlete. After his sports career, he went back to Auburn to earn his college degree. Bo continues to give back to youth organization
What is your favorite spot in the United States?
Hilton Head Island
What is your favorite drink?
Vodka & Tonic
What is your favorite restaurant?
Pomodori Italian Eatery – Hilton Head Island
What is the title of your autobiography?
“The Life of a Blessed Man”
Five minutes of perfect happiness?
Spending time with all my friends
Answer to Last Month’s Quiz:
Who founded Hilton Head Island, in what year and what was his ship named?
Answer: Captain William F. Hilton founded Hilton Head Island in August 1663. His ship was named “Adventure."
The winners of last month’s quiz are Rick D’Arienzo and Mike Hall
Thanks to all those that participated!
