HEC November - December 2023

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

HOUND EARS CLUB COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

HOUNDEARS.COM

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

Hound Ears News

Table of Contents The Hound Ears Club is a place of casual elegance, authentic charm, and natural beauty in the lovely Blue Ridge Mountains.

Cover Photo By Ron Salati, Buzzard Cliffs

Club News From the COO/GM Club Updates POA Updates Property Services Employee Highlights Welcome, New Members!

Dining - Soups & Casseroles Upcoming Events Strategic Planning Update Photos Security Golf Fitness Kids Corner Calendar At A Glance Save The Date Hours Contact Us

02 03 04 07 08 09 11 12 15 17 18 20 25 28 29 31 32 33

Hound Ears Club Board of Directors: Kelly Propst, President Bob Hatley, Vice President Richard Morrow, Treasurer Mike Gaither, Secretary Danny Young, Member at Large Marie Blake Tom Fisher Diane Miller Richard Morrow Beth Parrott Eric Teeter Jason White

Editor: Sarah Peppel, Director of Communications

In that same spirit of progress, I’d like to recognize our committees and professional staff who have worked hard to submit their prioritized list of requested capital expenditures to the Finance Committee. Most of these recommended tasks focus on addressing deferred maintenance in existing facilities, as opposed to creating new amenities. The Finance Committee and Board now face the challenging task of recommending and

By Joseph McGuire, CCM, CCE approving a combined prioritized list of projects to move forward into 2024. This process is a great Chief Operating Officer/ example of your representative committees General Manager effecting positive change in our Club.

From the COO/GM

Special Thanks

Dear Members, I'd like to take one more opportunity to express my gratitude for the warm welcome I've received during my first three months at Hound Ears. Your support means a great deal to me and my family.

I'm pleased to inform you that our property owners have approved the recently proposed Amended and Restated Declaration of Restrictions. This allows Hound Ears Club to implement a Rental Oversight Program, a vital step towards ensuring everyone's safety and quality of life in our community. We'll be working this winter to evaluate guest management software options and define the role of the Rental Oversight Officer.

Looking ahead, I'm pleased to announce that we'll again be offering a series of off-season Food and Beverage events from January through April of 2024.

These gatherings have been designed to be provided by our few year-round F&B employees and, while not as elaborate as some of our summer events, are aimed at providing opportunities for our Members to come together during the winter months. We hope they provide a chance for our Members who stay at Hound Ears through the winter, as well as those who visit on weekends, to enjoy some time at the club with friends and family.

There will be eight events scattered over those four months. For more information about the off-season events, please refer to page 31 of this newsletter.

Before we transition into the holiday season, I want to extend a special thanks to our seasonal employees in Golf, Racquets, and Food and Beverage. Their hard work this summer contributed significantly to our Members' great experiences. We eagerly await the opportunity to welcome them back in the spring for another successful season.

I'm also happy to announce that the second phase of our golf course restoration project is underway. Through the upcoming off-season, we're focusing our efforts on enhancing holes #12 through #17 on our golf course. This includes revitalizing the greens, restoring bunkers, and installing new cart paths to improve your golfing experience. Allen Storie and his exceptional grounds maintenance team are collaborating seamlessly with Spence Golf Design on this effort.

Lastly, I humbly request that we continue to nurture the spirit of respect within our community. Treating each other, as well as our staff, with courtesy and consideration not only aligns with our values but also invigorates our team, ensuring a vibrant and welcoming environment for all. Please continue to INSERT QUOTE celebrate achievements openly and provide constructive feedback through the appropriate channels, fostering a culture of growth and positivity.

Thank you for your continued trust and support.

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Club Updates Golf Course Aerification We will begin aerification on all golf course areas in early November. This is a necessary step In keeping the golf course healthy and gives us the opportunity to apply fertilizers and soil amendments that are beneficial to the turf. Along with aerification, we will also be topdressing, removing golf course accessories to be refurbished over the winter months, tree trimming, and working on drainage and irrigation needs.

We ask that, during fall and winter play, our members continue to use the 90-degree cart rule.

Keep in mind that during the fall and winter, ball marks and divots don't recover because we are out of our growing season. Repairing will be very important during the off season. Please skip ahead of any project maintenance workers you might see throughout your round.

Mailroom Notice If you are leaving for the season, please notify the Mailroom by: emailing them at inn@houndears.com, calling at 828.963.4321, or, stopping by the front desk and letting them know when you are leaving for the season.

The mailroom will verify your contact information and your forwarding address to ensure that you receive all mail during the off-season.

Mailroom Hours: Sunday-Thursday - 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday & Saturday - 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Note: On January 1, hours change to: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Sundays

Board Governance Retreat On Friday, October 27, our Board of Directors attended a private club governance retreat instructed by Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace. This educational program is tailored toward private club stakeholders and has been presented to over 1,000 private clubs throughout the United States. It included an advanced Board Self-Evaluation tool to help identify key action plan items for the coming year’s focus and planning purposes. Our Board discussed key governance strategies that are consistent across the industry with the highest performing directors in their roles as board members. KK&W’s best practices are respected and regularly highlighted by leading industry publications and associations.

Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace are the leading recruiting and consulting firm in the private club industry and have been voted “Best Search Firm of the Year” since 2006 by “The Board Room” magazine. In addition to executive searches, KK&W offer a full range of consulting services. They are a founding member of the Club Leadership Alliance. Through this partnership, they work together with McMahon Group and Club Benchmarking to serve clubs in operational, financial, staffing, strategic, and facility aspects.

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POA Updates

POA Litter Sweep Volunteers What a great day with a wonderful group of volunteers. It was a lovely day and everyone came ready to work. Hound Ears Club appreciates all the volunteers, residents and members who make our special community even nicer. Thank you, wonderful volunteers, for your service.

-- Beth Davenport

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Hound Ears Club Employee Holiday Fund Each year, property owners and non-property Club members generously support the Hound Ears Holiday fund as a show of appreciation for Hound Ears staff. Our dedicated employees provide security, emergency response, mail distribution, snow removal, road maintenance, landscaping services and other essential services to keep our unique community operating for the benefit of all members. This fund is distributed based on hours worked. In 2022, $70,628 was raised and divided among 115 employees. The average contribution was $265.

Please make your contribution either by writing a check payable to “Hound Ears Club Employee Holiday Fund” or use the form below to authorize your gift to be charged to your Hound Ears account. Forms on pink paper were also sent out via mail to all property owners and non-property members. Please mail your check or the form to the admin office no later than December 4, 2023.

For your convenience, you may also fill out the following and take a picture and send to Sheila Sheppard at ssheppard@houndears.com.

Hound Ears Club Employee Holiday Fund Charge Authorization Note: If you are sending a check, it is NOT necessary to complete this form.

Please charge the amount of $___________ to my Hound Ears Club Account for the 2023 Hound Ears Club Employee Holiday Fund.

Signature: ________________________________________________________________________________ Please Print Name: _______________________________________________________________________ Member Number: ___________________

Date: _______________________, 2023

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POA

New Shingles!

The Architectural Review Committee (ARC), with full support from the HE Club Board and the Property Owners Association is pleased to announce the approval of a new shingle roofing option for all property owners here in HE: The PRESIDENTIAL SHAKE TL and the PRESIDENTIAL SHAKE® .

Aged Bark

Autumn Blend

Classic Weathered Wood

These asphalt shingles are rated Class A fire retardant, have the look of cedar shakes, and are readily available and priced at a much lower rate than cedar shingles. The ARC has approved the following colors; Classic Weathered Wood, Weathered Wood, Autumn Blend, Aged Bark and Country Gray. You can view these shingles on the manufacturer's website: Certainteed.com.

In addition, the ARC would also like to remind all homeowners that when considering painting your home, you must follow the ARC color selection process and complete a paint application form available from Darryl Eggers, Facilities Director. You can find more information on this process in the ARC Guidelines located on the HE website under Club Resources.

Weathered Wood

Country Gray - 06 -

Property Services

Yard Clean-Up & Home Maintenance

By Tom O’Neil Property Services Manager

Hose Bibs/Spigots This time of year, we remind our owners to disconnect their hoses from their outdoor spigots.

If they keep their hoses connected, there is a good chance the spigot will freeze and break. It happens to several homes each winter, so this reminder is very important.

Home Inspections We would also like to offer our services to inspect homes that have been vacant for 30 or more days. We will turn the water on and make sure everything is operational, there are no leaks, toilets flush properly, etc. We will check the house over for anything that might be damaged.

This service is $50.00.

Yard Work/Snow Plowing We also want to remind our owners to contact us if they want their yards cleaned up from leaves, or when applicable, driveway plowed and/or salted, and if they want their walkways and decks cleared. We can provide estimates if needed.

Garbage Pick-Up For the fall/winter season, Republic Services will pick up garbage on Mondays only.

Questions? Call Property Services at 828-963-6879 or email heproperty@houndears.com

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Employee Highlights & Updates:

Trevor Sutton, Director of Membership Trevor Sutton joined the Hound Ears team in April 2022 as Rental Coordinator. He has recently been promoted to the role of Director of Membership.

Born in South Carolina, Trevor has lived in the High Country since age 8. While in high school, Trevor managed the back-end of his father’s home inspection business, operating the website and online sales portion of the company.

Trevor later followed both of his parents’ footsteps and enrolled at Appalachian State University. He graduated with a degree in Applied Physics and minors in Astronomy and Geology. After graduation, Trevor decided that he loved the High Country and being close to family, which instilled a desire in him to develop a career apart from his degree. Trevor became a skilled landscape photographer, shooting amazing photos in Iceland, and later went on to start his own Real Estate Photography business. He studied real estate during this time and became a licensed real estate agent, which he now uses to work with Broker-in-Charge Rick Pifer and the Hound Ears Real Estate Team as an agent.

In Trevor’s free time, he enjoys cooking and fermentation. He regularly makes breads, ciders, meads, and even homemade syrups from his maple, apple, and cherry trees. He also likes movies and keeping up to date on technological advancements, especially those in the fields of Astronomy, Geology, and Computer Science.

Thank you, Julia Coslian!!

Julia Coslian joined Hound Ears in the Golf Shop in April of 2018 as a merchandiser and was with us for two seasons before becoming Membership Director in 2019. Since 2020, she has welcomed 121 new families to Hound Ears, raising our membership from 316 to 355, filling the membership cap, and starting a waitlist. Julia will truly be missed and we wish her well on her future endeavors.

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Welcome, New Members!

David and Debbie Hammond Sapp live in Pawleys Island, S.C. where Debbie has maintained a thriving residential real estate practice for over thirty-six years. David is a partner in an Atlanta-based, national law firm specializing in representation of hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare providers in medical negligence cases.

Debbie grew up in Spartanburg, S.C. and at a young age came to the High Country with her family to snow ski and attend summer camps where she enjoyed horseback riding and hiking.

She graduated from Presbyterian College and moved to the coast in 1987 to start her real estate career. David was born and raised in Atlanta and attended the University of Georgia (1980 AB in History; 1983 JD). He has significant experience in environmental, toxic tort, and medical malpractice litigation.

Debbie and David have two children, Carter age 31 who is recently engaged and works for Colliers International in Atlanta, and Mac age 25 who lives in Spartanburg and is starting a career in cybersecurity and internet technology. Debbie and David enjoy traveling, cooking, wine collecting, college football, hiking, and catching sunsets on the Waccamaw River and on their porch at Hound Ears. Debbie and David are excited to be new members of the Hound Ears community and look forward to meeting other members and becoming involved in the community.

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David Sapp and Debbie Hammond Sapp Please welcome our new members when you see them around the Club! Updated directory sections are available for download on the Member website under Club Resources Directory.

New Members Eric & Michele Goodwin now live in West Chester, Pennsylvania but consider North Carolina their true home. Both grew up in Albemarle, North Carolina and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

After a short two years in Charlottesville for Eric’s MBA at the University of Virginia’s Darden School, they moved to Charlotte to raise their two children - son, Gray (25) and daughter, Anna (23). Gray lives in New York City and works as a Senior Consultant for Guidehouse. Anna, a 2023 graduate of the University of Georgia, is enrolled in a post-graduate nursing program at Jefferson Health in Philadelphia.

Eric & Michele Goodwin

The Goodwins made an empty-nest detour to Pennsylvania for Eric’s role as Chief Information Officer at Universal Health Services. Michele helps oversee her family’s distillery in Albemarle.

They are excited to be new residents and members of Hound Ears Club and look forward to golf, pickleball, social activities, and dining with friends when they aren’t relaxing on the porch or walking the trails with their two rescue dogs, Lewis and Bella.

Profile Changes: Please note that you can make changes to your profile under “Edit My Profile” in the top right corner of the member website after logging in.

Changes are manually approved and may take a day or two to see reflected in your account. If you have any questions about accessing the member site, please contact Sarah Peppel, Director of Communications at 828-963-2134 or speppel@houndears.com.

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Dining

Soups & Casseroles To-Go Beginning November 6, order by calling the Front Desk at 828-963-4321, allowing at least an hour’s notice before pick-up.

Soups by the Quart $16 + tax

Casseroles $19 + tax

Creamy Tomato Basil Ingredients: tomatoes, cream, basil, oregano, celery, garlic, onion, salt, pepper

Baked Meat Lasagna Ingredients: ground beef, herbed ricotta, tomatoes, onion, celery, garlic, carrots, noodles, herbs/spices, mozzarella & parmesan cheeses

Chili Ingredients: beef, tomatoes, onion, celery, bell peppers, garlic, kidney beans, chocolate, herbs/spices, salt, pepper

Shephard Pie Ingredients: ground lamb & beef, peas, corn, green beans, carrots, onion, celery, garlic, potatoes, cream, butter, red wine, demi glace, herbs/spices, salt, pepper

New England Clam Chowder Ingredients: clams, potatoes, onion, celery, garlic, cream, herbs/spices, salt, pepper

Beef Stroganoff Ingredients: beef tips, egg noodles, crimini mushrooms, cream, grain mustard, shallots, garlic, sherry

Butternut Squash Ingredients: butternut squash, cream, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper Vegetable Beef Ingredients: beef, tomatoes, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, squash, green beans, corn, herbs, salt & pepper

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Upcoming Events

NOVEMBER WINE TASTING DINNER Sunday, November 19 - Cost: $50 (Ages 21+ Only) 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. at the Clubhouse Enjoy aromatic Italian wines and meet the wine maker from Tenuta Torciano Winery.

Attendees will also enjoy Tuscan appetizers, salamies, cheeses, bruschetta, bread and oils brought from Italy.

THANKSGIVING FEAST Thursday, November 23 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Clubhouse Open to members and their guests. $49 per person. $24.50 ages 3-12. Complimentary for ages 3 and under. Reservations are available now through November 21, by calling the Front Desk at 828-963-4321.

Chef Nick Davis is preparing all the holiday favorites including cider brined roast turkey, sweet potato casserole, pumpkin pie, and much more to tempt the tastebuds!

THANKSGIVING TO-GO ORDERS Thursday, November 23 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. for pickup at the Clubhouse Front Desk

VS

Open to members. Order forms will be available at the Clubhouse Front Desk and will be emailed to all members in November.

All orders will be available for pick-up at the Clubhouse Front Desk on Thursday, November 23, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

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DECEMBER HOLIDAY BRUNCH

Sunday, December 3 - Cost $32/Adult; $16 ages 4-12; Complimentary for ages 3 and under. Open to members and their guests.

11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Clubhouse Enjoy flavorful menu including: Kielbasa & Kale Winter Soup; Fried Chicken & Waffles Station; Omelet Bar; Carving Station w/ Herbed Pork Loin & Manhattan Filet; Fruit Salad; Mixed Green Salad (with pomegranate, strawberries, almonds, pickled carrots, chevre cheese, honey lemon vinaigrette); Mixed Vegetables; Hashbrown Casserole; Roasted Fingerling Potatoes; Bacon & Sausage; Scrambled Eggs; Assorted Cookies & Pastries

POLAR EXPRESS

Saturday, December 16 - Cost $43/Adult; $25 ages 4-12; Complimentary for ages 3 and under. Open to members and their guests.

11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Clubhouse All aboard the Polar Express! Children and grandchildren are invited to join us for train rides on the golf course, visits with Santa, kid-friendly activities, a showing of the Polar Express movie, and a buffet lunch. Pajamas are encouraged! Adults may ride the train with the children.

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GINGERBREAD HOUSE DECORATING

Sunday, December 17 - Cost $15 per gingerbread house 10 a.m. at the Clubhouse Enjoy a sweet time decorating a gingerbread house or two. Cost includes gingerbread house and candy decorations. Please indicate how many houses you need when registering.

HOLIDAY TO-GO PLATTERS Saturday, December 23 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Pick up at the Clubhouse Front Desk Open to members. Orders accepted Friday, December 1 through Friday, December 15 at 5 p.m. Order forms for a selection of to-go platters will be available at the Clubhouse Front Desk and will be emailed to members mid-November.

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY Sunday, December 31 - Cost $130 7 p.m. to midnight at the Clubhouse Registration open November 1 and closes December 29.

Open to members and their guests. Ages 21+ only.

Ring in the New Year with your friends and fellow members while enjoying live music by Continental Divide, heavy hors d’oeuvres and a champagne toast.

Black tie encouraged.

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Strategic Planning Update Season Winds up Important Milestones. Winter Ushers in Final Phase.

Contributions of the Club’s Leadership, Members, and Task Force are Key to Success

By Larry K. Tilson, Chair of The Strategic Planning Task Force (LKTilson412@gmail.com; 704-562-4979) As this season ends, the Task Force is winding up important milestones and launching into others this winter. Next season, Members will have an opportunity to review the proposed plan and share their feedback.

Articulating Members’ Expectations through a Mission, Vision & Values.

To capture the Members’ sentiment towards these critical components, we studied the results of our Member Surveys, sought Members’ perspective through a series of open forums, and pursued the viewpoint of past and current Board Officers and Directors. Through these valuable insights, we are finalizing our proposal for the Club’s Mission, Vision, and Values. It is through these three components that your expectations and aspirations will be articulated to the Club’s leadership.

In a word, the Club’s Mission delivers clarity – it is the North Star for the Club’s leadership. It articulates the value Members want to see from their Club. The Club’s Vision expresses the type of Club the Members desire and their expectations for performance. Lastly, the Values deliver guidance by defining specific principles and concepts the Members’ hold sacred.

We look forward to vetting our conclusions with you next season.

Delivering important findings to empirically shape the Club’s strategic choices, inform its capital investments, and guide its operational decisions.

We are finalizing nine in-depth analyses of the Club’s amenities and assets, ranging from sport amenities to food & beverage to the community’s infrastructure to its undeveloped land. These analyses are likely the most comprehensive ever compiled. Often, this is where organizations fall short in their planning process. They fail to sustain the discipline required for the research.

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(Continued on page 16)

(Strategic Planning Update, continued from page 15)

We have managed to stick with it, with a terrific team carrying our efforts forward to a successful conclusion. Members of the Strategic Planning Task Force have spent countless hours organizing and collecting data, individual Members have contributed their subjectmatter-expertise and shared their historical knowledge of Club, and the Club’s Senior Managers and departmental Directors have shared their expertise and data.

The results of our analyses will be in the final plan document.

Moving into Strategic Development this Winter We will leverage the findings from our analyses to engage the Board this winter in crafting strategic priorities. The first of these sessions was held on October 28, with a second one on November 10. The second round will be in January and February, with the final round in April and May. Over the winter months, we will also be completing our analyses of select operational areas, including the Club’s information technology, human resources, communications, and security.

Looking to Next Season Having spent the winter months finalizing the Strategic Plan, we expect to deliver a draft plan next summer and launch a series of Member Forums to vet the proposed plan and collect your feedback. We aim to have the plan in place next August to guide the Club’s leadership in its fall planning and budgeting.

We have already proposed a cascading framework to guide next fall’s work. But for now, we have this winter’s work ahead of us.

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Around the Club See more pictures in the Photo Gallery on the website.

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Security

Maui Wildfires of August 2023

By Mike Turnbull Director of Security

(@Matt McCann/Facebook)

Perhaps you saw the picture of the house with the red roof that was spared from destruction in the Maui wildfires, while all the homes around it were completely destroyed. It turns out the owners of that house made some minor adjustments that saved their property, including a new fireresistant roof and cutting down the foliage surrounding their home.

Their home was spared from destruction by following FireWise guidelines. Ironically, they made these changes to keep termites away from the home.

This is a good lesson for us all.

What you can do: To make your home safer, you need to prepare it to withstand embers and keep flames or surface fire from touching the home or any attachments.

The house is a wooden home, but they changed the landscaping surrounding the edge of the home from combustible mulch to stone, and the fire could not travel across the stone. These changes saved their home.

You can do this by: limiting the amount of flammable vegetation, choosing ignition resistant building materials and construction techniques, and conducting periodic outdoor maintenance within the three home ignition zones (HIZ).

The homeowners said that during the fire, branches six to twelve inches in length were on fire and seemed to be floating through the air in the wind. The sticks would hit a roof and start a fire or fall to the ground and catch the foliage around the homes on fire.

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Learn more about the HIZ at Firewise.org

Security

WILDFIRE WARNING! FIRE PIT SAFETY Only propane fueled in-ground or portable firepits are permitted at Hound Ears. No wood burning firepits will be approved. Wood burning outdoor fireplaces may be considered if approved by the County and ARC Committee.

TWO EXAMPLES OF FIREPITS THAT ARE ALLOWED IN HOUND EARS

Fire pits must be a secure structure in a safe place away from leaves and flammable material. No dish firepits that lay on the ground are allowed.

ALWAYS...

Get approval from the ARC before installing a firepit. If you are not sure if your firepit is in compliance, contact the Security Office at 828-963-4555 for a free inspection.

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Golf

On the Course

By Peter Rucker, PGA Director of Golf

Greetings from the Golf Shop. What a wonderful season it’s been. A special thanks to the Golf Maintenance staff for fantastic playing conditions and the F&B department for great food and service for all our events!

Our course renovations will continue as we rebuild greens on 13, 14, 16, and 17. Additionally, the 12th green will have some work as we soften some of the slopes. With this project, holes 12 through 17 will be closed for play. The front nine and holes 10, 11, and 18 are available for play for members and sponsored guests. While there is no regular maintenance during this time, please skip around any projects that may be underway so as not to delay or injure staff during their work.

Range balls are available during the winter as well. The balls are located at the side of the range building. Please refrain from hitting off of the regular teeing grounds on each side of the range and hit from either the mats or in the rough areas in front of the regular teeing grounds.

As always, I am available for whatever you may need during the off season. Have a healthy and happy winter.

Warmest wishes, Peter

Way to Go, Bonnie Alter!

Hole in One on #15, September 2nd

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Rule of the Month

Maximum of 14 Clubs USGA Rule 4.1b covers the limit of number of clubs allowed when playing a round of golf. Key points are: • You may start a round with up to 14 clubs.

• If you start a round with fewer than 14 clubs, you may add a club as long as it is timely and does not delay play.

• You cannot replace a lost club if you started with 14.

• You can replace a damaged club during a round, but only if the club was damaged during normal course of play and does not delay play.

• Penalty for breach of rule in match play is a penalty hole deduction for each hole played with a maximum deduction of two holes per round. This is not to be confused with a loss of hole played.

An example: Player A and Player B tee off on #1 and player A immediately realizes he has 15 clubs in his bag. He takes the extra club out of play and goes on to make a birdie on the hole.

Player B makes a par. The state of the match is even. Player A won the hole with a birdie, but had to apply the hole penalty, thus the match is square. If Player A had parred and Player B birdied, Player A would be two down after the first hole.

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• Penalty for breach of rule in stroke play is two strokes per hole in breach, with a maximum of four strokes per round.

• In either case, once a player is aware of a breach, the player must rectify the breach or be disqualified for the round.

Golf

Tip of the Month

Chipping and Pitching

Frankie & Kay Golf Classic Benefiting Hospitality House

A good rule of thumb when pitching or chipping is minimum airtime and maximum roll time. This means getting the ball in the air to the closest predictable surface and allowing the remainder of the shot to roll out to the hole. Often this is achieved by using a lower lofted club.

The basic chipping motion asks for a slightly open club face to the target and narrow stance with most of the weight on the front leg. While swinging backward and forward, learn to swing equally on each motion while maintaining weight on the front. The best motivator of the swing are the shoulders while keeping the hands soft.

Overall Winners: Lou Oberle, Lee Smither, John Hartley, Ken Hooper

The pitching motion is similar with some notable differences. Often the swing is longer, thus more hinging of the wrist.

Additionally, if you need to hit a higher and softer shot, loft is added by reducing shaft lean and the swing may be even longer still.

It’s still a good idea to swing the shoulders with soft hands while keeping the weight on the front foot.

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2023 Men's Member-Member Results

2023 Women's Member-Member Results

CLOSEST TO THE PIN Day 1 #5: John Metzinger - Hole in One #7: Antony Borthwick 4’5” #13: Mac Parrott 1’10” #15: Sandy Costa 0’2” Day 2 #5: Jimmy Tate #7: Al Price #13: Thom Goeken #15: Bob Salisbury

1’ 1’8” 6” 5’8”

Member-Member Overall Champion: Austin Northern & Thom Goeken

FLIGHT 1 1st Place Gross: Austin Northern & Thom Goeken 1st Place Net: John Porter & David Spivey 2nd Place Net: Kevin Walsh & Mark Hester

140 132 127

FLIGHT 2 1st Place Gross: Kabin Slay & Michael Drew 101 1st Place Net: Jimmy Epperson & Keith Crouch 132 2nd Place Net: Danny Young & Joe Muth 121 FLIGHT 3 1st Place Gross: Paul Riggan & Daniel Sperando 103 1st Place Net: Randall Bell & Anthony Sedberry 140 2nd Place Net: Jack Elledge & George Yoss 134 FLIGHT 4 1st Place Gross: John Metzinger & Doug Goodenough 1st Place Net: Ron Salati & Al Price 2nd Place Net: Jay Repass & Gary Gross

100 135 132

FLIGHT 5 1st Place Gross: Antony Borthwick & Bob Salisbury 1st Place Net: Jimmy Tate & Barry Baumel 2nd Place Net: Don Greene & Rick Saul

83 130 130 - 23 -

Teeing up in tartan on the first day and pink the second, the Hound Ears Women’s Golf Association played a “wee bit” of golf and raised $6,800 in support of the High Country Breast Cancer Foundation.

Overall Champions: Amy Cole & Kelly Propst - 58 Clan MacGregor Low Net: Sally Cozart & Margaret Rouse - 61 Low Gross: Amy Cole & Kelly Propst - 68 Clan MacDonald Low Net: Jane Kirkpatrick & Janet Schupbach - 65 Low Gross: Kileen Kaufman & Bonnie Alter - 76 Clan Fraser (9 holes) Low Net: Terri Broce & Debra Wagner - 34 Low Gross: Sara Wallace & Ann Lovern - 47 Putting Contest Sherry Morganstein Closet to the Hole: #7 Fran Hannah - 11' #13 & #15 Jane Kirkpatrick - 17'2"

Participants in the 2023 HEWGA Member-Member Tournament

12th Annual Veterans Golf Event Article by Nick Friedman On September 20, Hound Ears Club held its 12th Annual Veterans Golf Event. Since its inception, this event has provided breakfast, golf, and a celebratory luncheon for military veterans from the High Country. Since 2011, this event has been attended by over 100 High Country veterans. In 2023, more than 50 veterans participated, with veterans from WWII, Vietnam and the Gulf Wars.

The event is hosted annually by the Hound Ears Men's Golf Association to recognize local veterans. Though the history of the event, veterans have enjoyed competition and camaraderie along with a friendly rivalry between branches of service.

Participants have ranged from major generals to basic enlisted men and women.

Cadet Major Rogers, Cadet Major Lemos, Cadet Captain Elliot and Cadet Second Lieutenant Spencer presented under the leadership of Zachary Proenneke.

Hound Ears Member Jimmy Epperson, whose father flew over sixty combat missions in WWII, sang the national anthem and Director of Golf Peter Rucker led the participants in the pledge of allegiance.

After breakfast, guests enjoyed an opening ceremony highlighted by an ROTC color guard presentation of the flag. Company M, 4th Regiment of the National Society of Pershing Rifles of the Appalachian State University ROTC presented the flag.

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Several local businesses (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, New River Power & Electric, Peak Insurance, Johnson County Bank, Lifestore Bank, and Piedmont Federal) provided gifts for the veterans.

Fitness

Peloton, Cycling, Yoga, Meditation and more for Winter Workouts B× Mlchae Da« l g Dl«ec· « f Fl· e¯¯

At Hound Ears Fitness, we strive to offer a wide range of programs to help you be active and engaged, even when the leaves turn, and the temperatures drop. We have a valuable resource that's been right at your fingertips for some time now—our Peloton membership. Whether you exercise frequently, are recovering from injury, or are simply curious to add more activity into your life, accessing the complete library of Peloton programs is a breeze.

Peloton Benefits Flexibility & Choice. Whether you prefer early morning sessions to jumpstart your day, a midday pick-me-up, or an evening wind-down, the Peloton app is ready when you are.

Diverse, Hi-Quality Programs. Explore a wide range of fitness class experiences tailored to your interests and fitness level: invigorating yoga sessions, mind-calming meditations, heartpumping cycling rides, or muscle-building workouts. Peloton offers something for everyone.

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Fitness

Building Community & Connection. One of the best aspects of our Peloton membership is that it enables you to stay connected with your fellow Hound Ears Club members. You can virtually join group classes, share your fitness achievements, and enjoy the support of our fitness community from anywhere.

FITNESS CENTER OPEN Daily: 5 a.m. - 9 p.m.

How to Begin In our group classroom, you'll find a television waiting for you. Use the remote to turn it on to gain access to the Peloton app.

To access an instructional video we created, follow this link: https://youtu.be/Y9VRqGLmRGs? feature=shared Should you have any questions, our dedicated staff is happy to assist you.

As our fall/winter off-season approaches, your customized health & wellbeing journey can continue here. Hound Ears Club's Peloton membership is available year-round and has one purpose: to help you stay active, engaged, and connected in ways that fit your life. We invite you to experience the Peloton programming in our beautiful group classroom. New beginnings await.

Keep the fitness flame burning, and may this off-season be your healthiest one yet!

Warm regards, Michael Darling Director of Fitness

Reserve times to swim in the Endless Pool via the app, website or by calling 828.355.3360. Need an orientation of the Fitness Center? Feel free to call to schedule a time to come in.

Read about our massage therapists under the Fitness tab online.

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Around the Club

28th Annual Bouldering Competition On Saturday, October 7, the 28th annual Hound Ears Bouldering Competition was held at Hound Ears Rocks. This worldrenowned rock-climbing event attracts climbers from around the world and from every state in the U.S. each year. This year, over 300 climbers participated in the competition, which also serves as a fundraiser for the Carolina Climbers’ Coalition (CCC).

The Hound Ears Bouldering Competition is part of the Triple Crown Bouldering Series an annual fall bouldering event and fundraiser that showcases three of the very best outdoor bouldering areas in the eastern United States: Stone Fort, near Chattanooga, TN; Horse Pens Forty in Steele, AL; and, of course, the jewel of the series, Hound Ears in Boone, NC. This year, the Triple Crown celebrates its 20th Anniversary.

Proceeds from the Hound Ears Bouldering Competition have been instrumental in purchasing properties throughout the Carolinas and Virginia for preservation and recreational purposes. The simple mission of the CCC is to protect, expand, and preserve climbing access in the Carolinas and beyond. The Hound Ears Bouldering Competition has long been a cornerstone of the CCC's efforts.

The cool fall weather provided the perfect conditions for rock climbing, and the grandeur of the High Country was in full "early-fall" glory. Many commented on the sheer beauty of the area that we are so fortunate to call home. The Hound Ears Competition features participants of every skill level and age group, from "under-12" to the "Stone Master" category for those over 45 years old.

KIDS CORNER Help Grover find his treats!

UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS: December 16 - Polar Express December 17 - Gingerbread House Decorating See the online calendar for more information and to register.

Registration opens approximately 30 days before each event.

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ate!

eD Save Th

NOVEMBER SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

1

2

FRIDAY

3

SATURDAY

4 A La Carte Dinner & Take-Out 5:30-9PM

5

6

7

8

9

A La Carte Dinner & Take-Out 5:30-9PM

11

10

A La Carte Dinner & Take-Out 5:30-9PM

12

13

14

16

15

18

17 A La Carte Dinner & Take-Out 5:30-9PM

19

20

21

22

23

11AM Thanksgiving Feast & Takeout 2:00PM Clubhouse Closes

26

27

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29

A La Carte Dinner & Take-Out 5:30-9PM

24

A La Carte Dinner & Take-Out 5:30-9PM

25

A La Carte Dinner & Take-Out 5:30-9PM

A La Carte Dinner & Take-Out 5:30-9PM

30 Please check the online calendar for weekly events, Dining availablity, and registration!

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DECEMBER SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

1 5:30PM

Foscoe Fire Department Christmas Party

SATURDAY

2

A La Carte Dinner & Take-Out 5:30-9PM

A La Carte Dinner & Take-Out 5:30-9PM

4

3

5

6

7

9

8

11AM Holiday Brunch A La Carte Dinner & Take-Out 5:30-9PM

A La Carte Dinner & Take-Out 5:30-9PM

10

11

12

13

14

16

15

11AM Polar Express A La Carte Dinner & Take-Out 5:30-9PM

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17

19

21

20

22

10AM Gingerbread House Decorating

23

A La Carte Dinner & Take-Out 5:30-9PM

24

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3:00PM Clubhouse Closes

Clubhouse Closed All Day

7PM New Year’s Eve Party

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26

(A La Carte and A La Carte Takeout - NOT AVAILABLE on Dec 24 or 31)

27

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Please check the online calendar for times and registration!

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A La Carte Dinner & Take-Out 5:30-9PM

29

A La Carte Dinner & Take-Out 5:30-9PM

30

A La Carte Dinner & Take-Out 5:30-9PM

A La Carte Dinner & Take-Out 5:30-9PM

Save the Date - “Off-Season Events”

JANUARY

on

January 12: Lasagna Night - 5:30 p.m.

January 14: Winter Brunch - 10 a.m.

ea

ro

Y

FEBRUARY February 10: Chinese New Year - 5:30 p.m.

February 11: Super Bowl Viewing Party - 6:00 p.m.

February 24: Breakfast for Dinner - 5:30 p.m.

MARCH March 15: Southern Food Night - 5:30 p.m.

March 16: Warm Your Winter Lunch - 1:00 p.m.

APRIL April 6: Final Four Watch Party

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h ft

eD

g ra

HOURS Golf Shop 828.963.5831 Closed for the season.

Questions should be addressed to Peter Rucker at prucker@houndears.com

Clubhouse A La Carte Dinner Friday-Saturday, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

828.963.2111

Racquet Sports Pro Shop & Tennis Courts

*Open for drinks at 4 p.m.

Closed for the season.

Questions should be addressed to Eri Latimer at elatimer@houndears.com

To-Go Orders Available during dining facility hours.

Pickleball Courts

828.264.2615

Daily, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Please make reservations online or

Soups & Casseroles

call the Front Desk at 828-963-4321.

Available To-Go. Call the front desk to order.

828-963-4321.

Fitness Center Daily, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

See soups and casseroles options on page 11 of this newsletter.

Swimming Pool Closed for the season.

Hours are subject to change. Please log

Fly Fishing

into the member website for the most

Daily, sunrise to sunset, annually Reservations and fly fishing credentials or day passes are required.

Mailroom 828.963.4321 Sunday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Fridays & Saturdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Note: On January 1, hours change to: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Sundays

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up-to-date schedule.

contact us ADMINISTRATION Joseph McGuire, CCM, CCE COO/General Manager 828.963.2107 jmcguire@houndears.com Steve Morris Chief Financial Officer 828.963.2133 smorris@houndears.com Sarah Peppel Director of Communications 828.963.2134 speppel@houndears.com Mikalla Presnell Human Resources Director 828.963.2138 mpresnell@houndears.com Sheila Sheppard Director of Accounting ssheppard@houndears.com 828.963.2136 Trevor Sutton Director of Membership 828.963.2137 tsutton@houndears.com Staci Vestal Executive Assistant 828.963.2100 svestal@houndears.com

DINE Nick Davis Executive Chef 828.963.2109 nick@houndears.com Megan Johnson Special Events Coordinator 828.963. 2115 mjohnson@houndears.com Rhys Williams Clubhouse Manager 828.963.2116

CLUB LIFE Darryl Eggers, NCGC, NCHI, IFMA Director of Facilities 828.355.6376 darryl@houndears.com Tom O'Neil Property Services Manager 828.963.2122 toneil@houndears.com Lindsay Miller

rwilliams@houndears.com

Front Office Manager

play

lmiller@houndears.com

Michael Darling Director of Fitness 828.963.2218 mdarling@houndears.com Ty Harris, PGA Head Golf Professional 828.963.5831 tharris@houndears.com Eri Latimer, PTR, PPR Racquet Sports Director 828.963.6441 eri@houndears.com Peter Rucker, PGA Director of Golf 828.963.2176 prucker@houndears.com Allen Storie Golf Course Superintendent & Fly Fishing 828.963.2105 astorie@houndears.com

828.963.4321

Rick Pifer Broker in Charge 828.963.2135 rick@houndears.com Trevor Sutton Rental Coordinator/ Director of Membership 828.963.2130 tsutton@houndears.com Mike Turnbull Director of Security 828.963.4555 mturnbull@houndears.com