MCHENRY GOLFCLUB NEWSLETTER
WHATTOEXPECTINTHISEDITION:
From the GM’s Desk
Dining Offerings at the Club
Upcoming Events
Recent Event Highlights
New Golf Shop Merchandise
Refreshed KemperCollection
KemperSports Hole-In-One Promotion
Superintendent’s Update
FROMTHEGM’SDESK
Dear Members,
August was an exciting and eventful month as we edged closer to the fall season. We enjoyed fantastic weather, memorable events, and a golf course that continues to shine with lush fairways and firmer, faster greens.
To cap off the Labor Day holiday weekend, we were honored to host two incredible events. First, we celebrated the retirement of our very own member, Master Chief Dan McKenna, who concluded an impressive 32-year career in the U.S. Navy. Congratulations on this remarkable achievement, and a heartfelt THANK YOU for your dedicated service.
Secondly, we held the thrilling 2025 Calcutta event, which ended in dramatic fashion with a playoff finish.
Events Update
We kicked off September with one of the season ’ s most exciting competitions the 2025 Calcutta. With numerous cash prizes being awarded, 12 teams competed over two days (36 holes) in a Stableford format, the event was packed with competitive spirit and exciting moments The top two teams battled it out in a playoff on hole #10 to determine the winner.
To help us grow and improve this fantastic event, a short participant survey will be coming soon your feedback is greatly appreciated!
Also, don’t forget to register for the rescheduled “Heaven and Hell” event and “Hard Course Day” both are now open for registration on ForeTees
Food & Beverage Update
The halfway house is nearing completion and once finished we look forward to offering expanded food and beverage options during your round
Looking ahead, we invite you to celebrate the conclusion of a terrific 2025 season at our “End of Season Bash” on Friday, October 3rd Be on the lookout for more details we hope to see you there to toast a great year together.
Our Continued Focus
As we move into autumn, we anticipate cooler temperatures, vibrant fall foliage, and ideal course conditions. Our team remains committed to excellence in service and experience for all members. Please keep an eye out for upcoming club surveys Your feedback is crucial in helping us understand your needs and expectations, ensuring McHenry Golf Club remains a truly special place for everyone
Let’s enjoy the beauty of fall golf and finish out the season strong.
Play well, play fast, and enjoy!
Warm regards,
Rick Sutton, PGA
GM / Head Professional
Don’t miss the chance to enjoy a fun night of delicious food, drinks and good company!
Friday, October 3rd 6:00pm
Cocktail Hour & Hors D’ oeuvres 7:00pm
Buffet Dinner
Make Reservations Online Through Foretees Click Under “Events” to Reserve a Table!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Heaven and Hell
September 27th Tee Times start at 9:00 AM
2-Person Teams
Format: Front 9 - Scramble Back 9 - Better Ball Hole Locations, Size, and Quantity will vary throughout the golf course. Teams may be comprised of Men, Women or Mixed.
Players may sign up as a pair or individually. The Golf Shop will assist in pairing up golfers that register as individuals.
Registration available via ForeTees.
Hard Course Day
October 4th Tee Time Start at 9:00 AM
Our final event of the season. Our maintance crew will wake up on the wrong side of the bed that morning and set up the golf course to be as challenging as possible Players will sign up as individuals and then be separated into teams by handicap (ABCD). A percentage of your handicap will be applied based on your ABCD position in the field (25/20/15/10). There will be separate divisions for the men and women. Strokes will be added to your score for any complaints about pin placements
Registration is available via ForeTees.
KEMPERSPORTSHOLEIN-ONEPROMOTION
Make a Hole-in-One. Win a Getaway to Streamsong.
From June 1 through December 31, 2025, golfers who make a hole-in-one at McHenry Golf Club—or any participating KemperSports course—are eligible to win a golf getaway to the award-winning Streamsong Resort in Florida.
The prize includes:
One-night stay
One round of golf at any of Streamsong’s award-winning courses (including cart when available)
To be eligible:
You must register before your round
Your hole-in-one must occur at a participating KemperSports course between June 1 and December 31, 2025
One winner per qualifying ace
The trip must be redeemed by December 31, 2026. Additional terms and blackout dates apply.
Click HERE to register and learn more!
SUPERINTENDENT’S UPDATE
Dear Members,
As we move into the second half of September, I'm pleased to report continued progress in our golf course conditioning efforts.
We’ve completed aerification on the greens and tees, and fairway aerification will take place in the coming weeks. We are not pulling plugs, so the disruption will be minimal, and the course will remain highly playable This sets us up for a fantastic fall golf season, and I encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the beautiful conditions
Course Improvements & Maintenance
The grounds crew continues to work on repairing summer-damaged areas through sodding, plugging, and seeding.
Fairways were fertilized on September 12th, and the tees will be fertilized next week.
Additional work will be done on tees 5, 6, 8, 9, and 12 to soften the surfaces, making it easier to insert a tee into the ground bringing them in line with the rest of the tee boxes.
The greens are currently under an aggressive plant growth regulator program, which I’ve successfully used throughout my career. While the collars may appear off-color temporarily, they are very healthy, and the appearance will normalize with a few more applications.
Bunker Condition Update
We’ve also addressed the firmness of the bunkers by adjusting our raking method. I believe the improvements are noticeable, and I’d love to hear your feedback on how the bunkers are playing now
Welcome to Our New Superintendent
I'm excited to welcome Ben Ludwig to our team as the new Superintendent. Ben comes to us from Bull Valley, where he served as superintendent for 7 years. A lifelong McHenry resident—who happens to live just east of our driving range—Ben brings both experience and passion to the role. He will be working closely with me to continue elevating course conditions and is eager to learn the practices we have in place at McHenry Golf Club. I’m confident he’ll be a fantastic addition to our team. If you see someone new on the course, it’s likely Ben feel free to stop by and say hello! Let’s make the most of this beautiful fall season. I look forward to seeing all of you out on the course.
Warm regards,
Bob Lively Golf Course Superintendent
