THE LINKS CLUB DIRECTORY
MAIN CLUBHOUSE PHONE NUMBER: 352.307.2362
KEY TEAM MEMBERS:
GENERAL MANAGER: Curtis Knight, PGA | cknight@hampton.golf
ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER & HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL: Bob Ried | bried@hampton.golf
SUPERINTENDENT: Rick Kerr | rkerr@hampton.golf
FACILITIES MANAGER: Victor Gierach
LEAD BARTENDER: Bob Frazier
FROM THE DESK OF THE GENERAL MANAGER
MESSAGE FROM CURTIS KNIGHT
cknight@hampton.golf
Hello, one and all – and thank you for your interest in The Links Club. I’d also like to express our gratitude for the time and energy spent reading our newsletter. We have received a lot of positive feedback regarding “The Link” (our newest form of communication), and what you now hold in your hands is the second edition. Hopefully, you will enjoy it as much as the first one. The overall goal of the management team (and staff) is to help everyone feel a little bit more like a part of our club, and we see this as a refreshing new way for us to talk directly with our own little family!
The pages that follow contain information directly associated with The Links Club. Some of the content may impact the reader, while some may not, but in either case, we hope you find it entertaining, educational and worthy of your time. Kindly remember that the on-site staff and those in the marketing department at Hampton HQ put this communication together solely for the benefit of Passholders, Residents and Guests. We do this for YOU!
There is quite a bit of content in the following pages, but I’d like to warn everyone that some information is missing. We try as a team to be unfailingly transparent, discuss and elaborate on things we know to be accurate and leave rumors, gossip and innuendo to those that thrive in that type of stuff. Hopefully, no one is looking through these pages for those things, as we had no room for it. What we do have is a great little club with a fun, casual, and welcoming environment, and no amount of perceived structural changes will do much to alter that. We do our best as a team to avoid falling into the “speculation” trap and would like to encourage everyone else the opportunity to do the same. It will make our daily experience much more enjoyable as we intend to focus on things we CAN control rather than things we can’t.
I hope everyone enjoys the perfect Florida weather over the next few months, along with the company and camaraderie of your neighbors and guests. Please feel free to swing in and say hi if there is anything we can do as a team to make your club experience more enjoyable.
Pars and Birdies,
Curtis Knight
The Links Club at Spruce Creek South's dynamic Annual Pass Program welcomes newcomers to a casual style of elegance that emphasizes the things that truly matter in life. It is not just the amenities that make The Links Club at Spruce Creek South one of the premier clubs in the area, but the Passholders, staff, food, and the activities combined to make The Links Club at Spruce Creek South a truly matchless place to call your own. Experience The Links Club at Spruce Creek South by contacting us at: 352.307.2362
SUPERINTENDENT’S CORNER
MESSAGE FROM RICK KERR
rkerr@hampton.golf
Greetings again, friends and compatriots! Spring is rapidly approaching, which brings about the opportunity (and need) for vigorous maintenance practices on all parts of the golf course. You can expect to see increased watering and fertilization in the coming months, among other things. We will also aerify, verticut and top-dress multiple areas of the golf course at an increased pace.
Most of the practices mapped out above are done “out of sight” of the golfer, but on occasion, we may run into each other. Please know that we are not out to ruin anyone’s day, and we will always do our best to yield to play whenever possible as we proceed with our course improvement work.
With this comes the understanding that the course will not always be in ‘ideal’ playing condition. In fact, there will be days upcoming when we will be rough, bumpy, sandy and/or saturated, and it will feel as though we’ll NEVER have good conditions again. Fear not—we are on it, and there is a plan for more sustainable “year-round” conditions.
On behalf of the entire maintenance crew and me, we’d like everyone to know that we are determined to take full advantage of the upcoming growing season to improve the overall playability of our golf course. Thanks to everyone in advance for their support and understanding as we go to work for you.
Rick Kerr
RIED’S WRITE
MESSAGE FROM BOB RIED
bried@hampton.golf
Hello Links Club! Bob Ried here again, hoping that everyone is healthy, wealthy and well this spring here in sunny Summerfield, FL. Spring has arrived, and we have a lot of exciting things coming up over the next few months, including the Men’s and Ladies’ Stroke Play Championship, the Memorial Day Scramble and the Men’s Match Play Championship, just to name a few. Come check out the bulletin boards in the Golf Shop hallway for more information on upcoming events and see past results.
We will soon be receiving our new fleet of golf carts, which will be a nice upgrade to our current offering. I hope that all of you have already (or will soon) taken advantage of the new synthetic tee line on the practice range, which looks fantastic and is a much better opportunity to sharpen one’s game or get a good warm-up before a round of golf.
As we continue to try and improve the course conditions, I would like to remind everyone of two things:
• One of the worst things for turfgrass quality is “compaction” caused by cart traffic. I encourage everyone to be aware that the poor lie you have near the green on the collars or in the approach is caused, at least partially, by folks not respecting the golf course and neglecting traditional cart etiquette. Additionally, the compaction your cart is causing contributes to your buddy’s poor lie behind you. PLEASE keep carts at least 30 feet away from greens and all four wheels on the cart path near tee boxes - no matter the reason or circumstance. I get it –we all hurt, all have physical issues (of some variety), and the mindless thing to do is drive as close as you can get to where the next shot will be played from. However, golf is still an activity that requires at least SOME walking. Thirty feet of room isn’t a big ask!
• I would also like to remind everyone about the importance of repairing ball marks on the putting surfaces and filling in divots with sand. Simply engaging in these two practices helps make a MASSIVE difference in course conditions over time, as the turf will repair itself much faster than it would otherwise.
We have a really good club and with your help we can continue to get better. Thanks in advance to all for your continued support and if anyone needs anything my door is always open. Until next time, take care and we’ll see you at The Links!
Bob Ried
FACILITIES UPDATE
MESSAGE FROM VICTOR GIERACH
Hello everybody…...Victor from The Links again! There isn’t much to report regarding the club’s structures, as we’re functional in most areas. We were forced to repair a coiling in the clubhouse to keep both heat and A/C available – and ownership did approve the spend of those dollars figuring you might enjoy some air conditioning for the months that are upcoming.
A few other items of note:
• Simply for an improved aesthetic and creation of atmosphere – there is a new sign above the bar. Hopefully, everyone will notice little things like that as it is all to improve your experience at the club. If you haven’t yet seen it – check it out!
• We installed a new toilet on the ladies’ side of the “turn facility” near the cart barn. We’ve been told it (ahem) functions a little bit better.
• We have replaced several lights throughout the clubhouse and have upgraded some additional items (signage, directionals, etc.) in that arena for increased safety purposes.
If anyone notices something we’ve missed, kindly let me or one of The Links Club Team Members know. We will do our best to address it promptly and look for solutions. Thank you to all, and let’s enjoy the rest of the fantastic weather before the summer heat wave arrives!
Victor Gierach
PUB NEWS
MESSAGE FROM BOB FRAZIER
Welcome back to the second edition of “The Link,” our newest way of communicating with our valued Passholders, Residents and Guests.
About Our Facility
To get the basics covered for anyone unfamiliar, we offer a casual environment to have a drink and a bite to eat after a round of golf or anytime during the day. Bar hours are from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, and we’re here 7 days a week. Michele’s Cuisine caters to the kitchen and serves daily food from 11:00 am to 6:30 pm.
Entertainment and Events
At The Pub, we offer a variety of entertainment (including local artists) with performances from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Music nights are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday weekly, and we’ve recently added a “Karaoke Night” on the second Sunday of each month for those who prefer to show off their talents!
Dining and Catering
The kitchen offers a pub-style menu featuring appetizers, salads and sandwiches. There are also selections (most days) to enhance your experience with some “outside the norm” options. We can also cater to your food needs for any event in our facility OR at your venue. Feel free to contact Michele herself to discuss your event needs at 502-645-5234.
The bottom line is we got you. If you are new to our pub, stop in, check us out – and enjoy our warm, casual home!
Bob Frazier
352.307.2362 | linksatsprucecreek.com