Holly Hills Country Club Newsletter March-April 2025

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CLUB DIRECTORY

General Manager

Mike Barrett, CGCS

Membership Director

Trish Flora

Head Golf Professional

Andrew Blockinger, PGA

Director of Instruction

Craig Balsigner

Executive Chef

Daniel Storm

Course & Grounds Superintendent

Dan Wildeman, GCS

Director of Food & Beverage

Susie Yost

Events Manager

Christine Quiambao

Controller

Michele Poulos

Marketing Manager

Katherine Lukaszewicz

SEAFOOD CHOWDER

EDWIN NUTAKOR Lead Line Cook

MARCH HOURS

DINING

Monday: Club Closed Grill

Tuesday: 11am-4pm

Wednesday-Friday: 11am-8pm

Saturday: 11am-4pm Sunday: Closed Lounge

Tuesday: 4pm-8pm

Wednesday-Friday: 4pm-9pm Saturday-4pm-8pm Sunday: 11am-8pm

GOLF

Monday: Club Closed Tuesday-Sunday Golf Shop: 8am-6pm Tee Times: 8:30am-5pm Range & Practice Facilities 9am-5pm

APRIL HOURS

DINING

Monday: Club Closed Grill

Tuesday: 11am-4pm

Wednesday-Friday: 11am-8pm

Saturday: 11am-4pm Sunday: Closed Lounge

Tuesday-Friday: 4pm-9pm Saturday-4pm-8pm Sunday: 11am-8pm

GOLF

Monday: Club Closed Tuesday-Sunday Golf Shop: 7:30am-7pm Tee Times: 8am-7pm Range & Practice Facilities: 8am-7pm

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES

Tuesday-Friday: 8am-4pm

SPECIAL HOURS

EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 20 Club and course will be closing at 4pm

Growing up in Ghana, seafood was always part of our meals, whether in flavorful stews or grilled fresh from the market That early love for seafood carried over into my career, leading me to explore new ways to highlight its natural richness.

This chowder, made with halibut, salmon, shrimp, and hearty potatoes, is my way of combining the freshness of the sea with a dish that feels like home Rich and brimming with flavor, it’s a bowl meant to be savored Whether you’re dining after a long day or simply seeking comfort in a spoonful, I hope this dish makes you feel at home just as it does for me.

INGREDIENTS 32 oz halibut 30 oz salmon

pieces of shrimp

tomatoes

onions

Dice up all the protein

Fine dice all the vegetables

Puree tomatoes and 1/2 onions in a blender and sauté the other half of onions and celery

Sauté vegetables until almost brown, add potatoes, cumin, allspice, paprika and garlic

Add tomato puree and simmer for 4 minutes

Add protein, stir for 2 minutes, then add 6 cups of water

Add the rest of the spices and let simmer for 15-20 minutes

Add salt and pepper to taste

Dear Member,

It's hard to believe I am starting my 4th year at Holly Hills, time truly flies We have made incredible improvements throughout our entire facility that benefit every member and their guests. 2024 was another very busy year with capital improvement projects, social and dining events, enhanced golf programming and improved golf course conditions

The Clubhouse received a fresh new look in the locker rooms, new HVAC for the Main Dining Room, new drapes and live plants, new refrigeration units in the lounge and several new coolers for the kitchen Progress on the Golf Course Masterplan continued as new irrigation was installed on holes #1, #2 tee, #8, #9 and #12. Golf course improvements included new bunkering around #1 green, #8 green, and #12 green along with new tees on #12. Topsoil, seed and erosion control has been installed throughout the driving range landing field and course including the large area between #1 and #10, the right side of #5 and large area by the cart path on #7. New sod has also been installed along many cart path edges and drainage has been installed and repaired in several fairways The rough was thoroughly overseeded this year and a new fertility program has been put in place to improve turf quality and playability

The weather this winter was cold and snowy which we haven’t seen in a few years which provided a nice break for the golf course The course was covered in snow for the majority of January and cold temperatures in February didn’t allow for much play. The snow cover provided good insulation for the newly seeded and sodded areas. We will be planning a divot filling gathering to kick off the season when the weather gets a bit better later this month This is a great event for members of all ages to come out to fill divots on the course while enjoying complimentary beverages followed by food and drink specials.

We moved our clocks forward this past weekend and posting golf scores in the handicap system begins March 15th. We have a full calendar of events scheduled for 2025 and we are already planning our summer kickoff with our Annual Hilltop Celebration

year at the KemperSports Leadership Conference in Chicago Again this year, we were members of the Par Club We also won the True Service Most Improved Member Satisfaction Award after improving our annual survey scores by 30 points from 2023 to 2024 Andrew Blockinger won the Emil Esposito, Golf Professional of the Year Award which recognizes his devotion and dedication to the game of golf I am incredibly proud of my entire team for these fantastic achievements; we are all committed to ensure your time at the club is enjoyable and it is a place you want to spend time with your family and friends.

I want to thank you for your continued support and dedication! The team and I are at your service and will continue to work hard to make sure that we are adding value to your membership every day, creating meaningful memories and opportunities for you to relax and connect with one another

See You at the Club,

MEET CHRISTINE QUIAMBAO

Starting as a server at Holly Hills Country Club in August 2021, Christine quickly showcased a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a passion for delivering quality service to members and guests These qualities did not go unnoticed, and it wasn't long before Christine was recognized and promoted to the role of Food & Beverage Supervisor in 2022, and then to Events Manager in 2023. With a relentless pursuit of knowledge and a desire to deliver exceptional events, Christine is on a journey of continuous learning and growth within the realm of event management She is excited to take on new challenges, embrace innovative strategies, and lead the team to success in creating extraordinary events that leave a lasting impact.

WINE WEDNESDAYS

Come on out on Wednesdays and enjoy special pricing on all wines!

We recently added several new wines to our growing menu. Wednesdays are the perfect time to come find a new favorite! A few to try: Meiomi Pinot Noir - priced at $42 is $21 on Wednesdays Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, regularly priced at $40 is marked down to $20 on Wednesdays Our Austin Cabernet is priced at $46 and featured at $23 on Wednesdays.

Discount is applied to the first bottle of wine purchased. Offer is valid Wednesdays - all day.

Wednesdays is also our Kids Eat Free night at Holly Hills! One complimentary meal for children 12 and under from the Kids Menu with purchase of an adult entrée from a la carte menu

Bring the family together on Wednesdays at the club and take advantage of these specials!

Christine Quiambao, Events Manager

WINE SELECTIONS

SPARKLING

Prosecco Split | 10

Chandon Garden Spritz Split | 12

Moscato D’Asti Split | 10

Taittinger Champagne | 105

Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label | 138

WHITE

Pinot Grigio 10 | 30

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 13 | 40

Kendall Jackson Chardonnay 11 | 34

Chalk Hill Chardonnay 13 | 40

Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay 15 | 50

Seeker Riesling 11 | 34

Terras Albarino 11 | 34

Le Garenne Sancerre 63

Sabine Bieler Pere Et Fils Rose 10 | 32

Jadot Pouilly-Fuisse 57

Illumination-Quintessa White Blend 110

RED WINES

Austin Cabernet 14 | 46

Austin Hope 115

Joel Gott Palisades Red Blend 11 | 34

Meiomi Pinot Noir 14 | 42

Coppola Merlot 12 | 38

Lote Negro Red Blend 77

Caymus Walking Fool 70

Orin Swift Abstract 78

Orin Swift Machete 100

Orin Swift Slander 105

Orin Swift Papillon 135

Hartford Court 85

Maggy Hawk 110

Penner Ash 110 Ramey 105

Caymus Napa 127

Duckhorn Cabernet 136

Faust Cabernet 102

Jordan Cabernet 114

Heitz Cellar Napa Cabernet 138

Silver Oak Cabernet 136

Stonestreet Cabernet 104

Quintessa 368

UPCOMING EVENTS

MARCH

3/5 Wine Tasting

3/7 All Things Ladies Golf

3/7 Lobster Night

3/13 Date Night

3/14 Country Line Dancing

3/15 Live Music at the Club-Hannah Michelle

3/15 Golf Champions Happy Hour

3/21 Lobster Night

3/23 Coco Movie Night

3/27 Date Night

3/28 Live Music at the Club: Damon Foreman

APRIL

4/9 Master’s Dine/Wine Dinner

4/19 Egg Hunt

4/20 Easter Brunch

4/24 NFL Draft Day

CLUB EVENTS

Thank goodness March is here! These past few months were a reminder of how cold and harsh a “real” winter can be for those of us who enjoy spending time working and playing outdoors. While we always expect some cold and snow cover here in Frederick, we can usually count on a stretch of warmer days each month This winter we did not get much reprieve from the harsh conditions.

With constant frozen ground and fairly consistent snow cover in January and February, we shifted our priorities from on-course work to mainly inside work. We have a variety of golf course accessories that need to be refurbished at the end of each season, such as tee markers, signs, and bunker rakes Our tee markers are custom made by our staff Cutting the wood into shape, painting, staining, and burning in the Holly Hills logo to each of them (152 in total) is labor intensive, but the end result is definitely worth it

The maintenance building offices, staff breakroom and bathrooms all received a fresh coat of paint this winter Other minor upgrades also took place, such as new flooring in the superintendent’s office (woohoo!), new cabinet and cutlery/condiment storage in our breakroom, and roof repairs for our building. We are continuing with overall facility organization by stepping into our equipment manager Mike Zeronis’s workshop Our goal is to try to modernize, clean, organize and make things flow better in this area. The mechanic’s shop at any golf course is really the heartbeat of the department; if we are lacking in equipment repairs

or preventative maintenance, our golf course conditions will suffer Mike has done many great things during his nine years at Holly Hills, and we are lucky to have such a dedicated equipment manager

Each winter I try to take advantage of the numerous opportunities that are available for continued education for turfgrass and golf course managers This year I had the privilege of attending the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Conference and Trade Show in San Diego. This event takes place once a year and includes incredible educational seminars, networking, and a vast trade show floor full of equipment The conference is designed to bring fresh ideas, new research, and the latest technology to golf course superintendents, managers, owners, assistant superintendents, turf students and equipment managers One of my highlights of the week was a field trip to Torrey Pines Golf Course, home to the annual Farmers Insurance Open, and host course to the 2008 and 2021 US Open It was great to see and hear from the Director of Grounds about the inner workings of their golf course maintenance division

The winter has been a productive time for us, but we really can’t wait to get back out and start mowing greens again!

Custom Tee Markers
Dan Wildeman, GCS Course & Grounds Superintendent

MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT

Celebrating Our 2024 Champions of Growth!

What an incredible evening we had at our Champions of Growth Cocktail Hour a true celebration of community, camaraderie, and club spirit! Thanks to the dedication and enthusiasm of our members, we welcomed 27 new families to our club through the 2024 Champions of Growth Referral Program Your passion for our club is what makes it thrive, and we couldn’t be more grateful!

Members enjoyed an elegant evening filled with delicious food, handcrafted cocktails, and exciting giveaways, all in honor of those who helped grow our club family. The highlight of the night? The much-anticipated Grand Prize Drawing, where we awarded six months of complimentary dues to one lucky referring family.

A heartfelt thank you to every member who participated yourreferralsarethefoundationof our vibrant community. Let’s continue to grow

Welcome NEW MEMBERS

Mark and Kathy Barber

Anthony and Allison Giampapa

Michael and Jennifer Gordon

Victor and Tonya Piccolomini

Efrain Perez-Bravo and

Pamela Castillo Martinez

Rich and Jade Derby

CHAMPIONS OF GROWTH

Kevin O'Connor

Tim Stolz

Mark and Megan Seiss

Dear Member

I hope you’re doing well and are as excited as I am for the upcoming golf season! After a long, cold winter, I’m thrilled to welcome you back to the course. With the warmer weather and the course coming to life, now’s the perfect time to dust off those clubs and get back to doing what we all love playing golf

We’ve got an exciting season ahead, and I’m really looking forward to all the tournaments and events we have lined up. This year, we’ve put together a schedule that’s full of competitive events and fun opportunities for players of all skill levels Whether you're looking to compete in our annual Champion of the Year series, enjoy some friendly match play during Twilight, get involved with our growing ladies' programs, or participate in our new themed social tournaments, there’s something for everyone. Take a look at the tournament calendar and start marking your calendars now I can’t wait to see you out there!

At the start of the season, we invite you to join us for our Fitting Days! These events are a great opportunity to make sure your equipment is ready for the season Whether you're looking to upgrade your clubs or simply fine-tune your set, our professional team and the companies fitting experts will be on hand to help you find the perfect equipment tailored to your game

As we start another season, I also wanted to remind everyone about some key aspects of golf etiquette Golf is a game of respect for the course and for each other and these small acts help ensure everyone enjoys their round:

Respect the Pace of Play:

Please be mindful of the pace of play, especially as we welcome more golfers back to the course Always be prepared to hit your shot when it’s your turn and keep up with the group ahead Please be mindful of groups in

front of you when approaching any blind shot areas. If you’re playing slower than the group behind, consider letting them play through.

Repair Divots: When you take a divot, please be sure to replace it properly. This means either putting the divot back in its original place or using the sand/seed mix in the golf carts to fill the hole Replacing your divots helps the grass heal properly and keeps the fairway smooth and level for the next player It’s a simple but essential act of courtesythatmaintainsthequality ofthecourse

Repair Ball Marks: For ball marks, these are typically made on the greens when the ball lands and causes a depression in the putting surface. It’s important to repair any ball marks, whether they’re yours or someone else’s, before you leave the green. Use a ball mark repair tool to gently push the edges of the depression back towards the center of the mark, then tap down any raised areas with a putter to level it off We have ball mark repair tools for free in the golf shop, please make sure youtakesomebeforeeachround

Rake Bunkers: If you find yourself in a bunker, it’s important to always rake the area after you hit your shot. Not only does this prevent the next player from facing an uneven, difficult lie, but it’s also a way to show respect for the course and your fellow golfers that play after you After raking, please place the rake half in- half out at the low entry point of the bunker

These little things make a big differenceinkeepingourcourseintop condition. Your attention to these details is truly appreciated, and together, we can keep Holly Hills lookingbeautifulallseasonlong.

UPCOMING EVENTS

MARCH 15

Men’s Ringer Rumble

MARCH 23

March Madness

APRIL 1

Ladies Operation 36 Start

APRIL 5

Men’s Opening Day

APRIL 6

Women’s Opening Day

APRIL 18

April Couples Event

APRIL 24

NFL Draft Day

FITTING DAYS

March 16 - Taylormade

March 21 - Titleist

March 22 - Callaway

It’s always great to see familiar facesoutonthecourse,andIcan’t wait to spend another memorable season with all of you. Thank you forbeingsuchanimportantpartof our club With so much in store this year from scenic rounds to exciting events I’m confident this willbeoneofourbestseasonsyet Myself and my team are looking forward to another amazing year togetherwithyouall!

WarmRegards

enjoys spending quality time with family and friend His primary objective within the golf industry is t deepen his expertise, expand the reach of the game and provide memorable and lasting experiences t all players

MASON SHIREY

3rd Assistant Golf Professional

ANDREW BLOCKINGER, PGA

KemperSports Golf Professional of the Year!

Mason Shirey is a lifelong resident of Walkersville, Maryland and a proud graduate of Walkersville H School His passion for go ol, and has been dedicated nd understanding of the on spends a lot of time ex nd teaching methods both me and to help others reach their full potential

Mason’s love for golf is rooted in his background as a hockey player, a sport he’s been playing since he was four. He is excited to bring the same passion and drive he has for hockey to the golf course and looks forward to sharing what he has learned with others who want to improve Mason is eager to earn his PGA Credentials, and is currently enrolled in Level 1 of the PGA Professional Golf Management Program. Outside of work, he enjoys watching sports and playing golf

We are immensely proud to announce Andrew Blockinger has been honored as the Emil Esposito Golf Professional of the Year at the Annual KemperSports Leadership Conference. This prestigious award, named in honor of KemperSports PGA Professional Emil Esposito, recognizes those who view golf not just as a sport but as a way of life much like Emil himself, who dedicated many years to teaching the game and embodying the ideals upon which it was founded.

Andrew has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and innovation in just two short years, transforming our club's golf program into a vibrant and inclusive community. He has revitalized our offerings, introducing several new programs from scratch and elevating existing events and services to new heights. His impact on our club has been profound, making golf a centerpiece of the overall club experience and significantly enhancing member satisfaction and engagement. We are incredibly grateful to have such a dedicated individual as part of the Holly Hills family, and we celebrate his well-deserved recognition among over 100 golf professionals in the KemperSports family who work tirelessly to grow the game.

Mike Barrett, Emil Esposito, Val D’Souza, Andrew Blockinger, Steve Skinner

Club Championship Matches (Championship Flight) September 6-7

Captains Cup Fall September 19-20

Ringer Rumble #7 September 27

Annual Member-Member October 2-4

Ringer Rumble #8 October 17

Holly Invitational October 18

Men’s Closing Day October 25

MIXER GOLF

April Couples April 18

May Couples May 30

June Couples June 27

July Couples July 25

August Couples August 22

September Couples September 26

Cross Country Tournament November 7

Superintendents Revenge November 14

WOMEN’S GOLF

All things Ladies Golf Info Session March 7

Ladies Opening Day April 6

Game Night May 16

Black–Eyed Susan June 21

Ladies Wine & Nine July 18

Triple Classic August 16

Club Championship Qualifying August 1–24

Club Championship Matches (Championship Flight) September 6-7

Women's Closing Day October 19

Operation 36 Spring Semester April 3-May 22

Operation 36 Fall Semester TBD

WOMEN’S WEDNESDAY EVENTS

Wednesday Night Women’s Golf Begins May 7

Par 3– Partner Event June 25

Flag Day July 2

2 Player Scramble September 10

JUNIOR GOLF

Parent-Child Tournament July 6

Junior Club Championship July 27

PGA Junior League Apr 3 June 11

JUNIOR SUMMER CAMPS

Little Tykes Golf Camp June 10-13

Junior Golf Camp Session #1 June 17-20

Junior Golf Camp Session #2 August 5-8

UNAFFILIATED CLUB EVENTS

MSGA Team Matches

A-Team Matches TBD

B-Team Matches TBD (Select Saturdays After April)

FITTING DAYS

Taylormade Fitting Day March 16

Titleist Fitting Day March 21

Callaway Fitting Day March 22

Mizuno Fitting Day TBD

PHOTO GALLERY

Valentine’s Day Dinner
Mike Kuster Live Music
Happy Hour
Valentine’s Day Dinner
Adult Trivia Night Moana 2 Movie Day

RSVP

RSVP

APRIL

CLUB ACCOMPLISHEMENTS

Holly Hills Awarded Most Improved Member Satisfaction

We are thrilled to announce that Holly Hills Country Club received the TrueService Most Improved Member Satisfaction Award within the KemperSports private club portfolio.

Our commitment to exceptional customer service is at the heart of everything we do This award reflects our team's dedicated efforts over the past year to enhance the overall member experience, ensuring every interaction is enjoyable and memorable.

We thank our team for their dedication and our members for their continued support This recognition fuels our drive to set even higher standards of service. We are excited to continue our mission of delivering outstanding service and creating a welcoming environment for all our members and guests

Congratulations to everyone at Holly Hills!

HOLLY HILLS WINS

BELOCAL’S

BEST GOLF COURSE AWARD

For the third year in a row, Holly Hills has been selected by the Frederick Community as the Locally Loved Best Golf Course! Thank you to BeLocal Frederick, our fantastic members, and the surrounding communities for your ongoing support

HOLLY HILLS IS HONORED TO BE IN THE PAR CLUB AGAIN THIS YEAR!

We will continue to work hard to make sure that we are adding value to your membership every day, creating meaningful, lasting memories, and opportunities for you to relax and connect with one another

We can’t wait to see where 2025 takes us!

Jermey Goldblat, Mark Freemont, Heather Margulis, Mike Barrett

Enjoy our gorgeous, newly renovated ballroom, convenient location with incredible views, customizable menus, and dedicated staff who will assist you in creating an amazing event. From brunches and luncheons, to dinner and dancing, big or small, our experts will work to plan an event to exceed your expectations.

Members receive complimentary room rental.

—GUESTEVENTSAREWELCOME—

SCAN

Christine Quiambao, Events Manager (301) 694-8322 ext. 111 | quiambao@hollyhillsgolf.com

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Holly Hills Country Club Newsletter March-April 2025 by kempersportsmarketing - Issuu