Important insight about the upcoming season from your General Manager 2025-2026 Tournament Schedule linked on page 6
Update on several landscape projects around the course on page 8
Board of Directors
Meg Taylor President & Long-Range Planning and Governance Committee Chair
Brian Corcoran Vice President & Membership Committee Chair
Tom O’Shane Treasurer & Finance Committee Chair
Mark Siewert Secretary
Shannon Antonini
Jim Drobnyk Golf Committee Chair
Beth Foster
Jim Grant House and Entertainment Committee Chair
Jeff
Damon Williams General Manager
I hope this message finds each of you healthy, happy, and enjoying a successful summer. As we enter September, the team is anticipating the return of our membership. Your presence brings energy to the club, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to another exciting season at Lemon Bay
As you receive this, both the course and clubhouse are closed for our annual September closure. This downtime is essential, allowing us to make final preparations for the golf course and clubhouse while giving our staff a chance to recharge before the busy season begins
It has been an incredibly productive summer at Lemon Bay, both on and off the course. Every department has been working hard to prepare for the season ahead and improve efficiencies wherever possible. On the golf course, Eli and his team have continued the long process of recovery from last year’s storm surge damage. I am pleased to share that an additional 280 trees have been planted, the majority of which are palms Many of you may have seen the drone video sent out in August, which highlighted these plantings and the areas that will be converted to screenings before the season begins It is a very exciting time for your golf course
Inside the clubhouse, September is also a time of refreshment and renewal. With the guidance of Mrs. Taylor, the Long-Range Planning Committee, and the expertise of our designer Abbey Harms, we are updating several areas to enhance your experience. Improvements include new carpet, entryway furniture, a refreshed bar top, ceiling fans, wall backsplashes, shutters, and fresh interior paint designed to enhance both the ambience and comfort of the clubhouse
We are also addressing the exterior of the building with complete repainting I often refer to painting as a building’s
aligns with industry trends. A recent report by CMAA Florida and Club Benchmarking projected a median dues increase of 8% for golf clubs this year
It’s also important to note that Lemon Bay’s dues remain well below regional averages The local median for operating dues is $16,900 (ours will be $14,750), and for capital dues, $5,300 (ours are $2,500). That means our total annual dues are nearly $5,000 below the regional average. Even with this increase, our operating budget reflects a projected loss of approximately $278,000.
This year we are introducing a new dues reduction program that recognizes both age and tenure, effective with the start of our fiscal year on November 1st. Members who reach age 80 with 20 years of membership will now receive a 15% reduction in annual dues At age 85 with 25 years of membership, the reduction increases to 30%, up from the previous level of 25%. The existing level of 50% reduction at age 90 with 20 years of membership remains unchanged. Eligibility will be determined each year based on age and tenure as of November 1st. This program is designed to honor our most tenured and dedicated members while providing recognition at earlier milestones than before.
The most pressing long-term challenge for Lemon Bay continues to be membership growth Hurricane Milton slowed progress by impacting the real estate market and reducing the flow of new residents into the area. However, thanks to the efforts of Hannah, our Membership and Marketing Director, and Mr. Brian Corcoran, our Membership Chair, interest has begun to rebound. Their outreach has introduced more prospective members to the unique community that is Lemon Bay, and we are optimistic for the year ahead.
Looking forward, we have a fantastic slate of social events planned for October Friday Night Bites returns on October 3 and will continue most Fridays throughout the
Hannah Madison Membership Director
Connecting on and off the Course
Fresh Faces, New Activities, and Club Highlights
And just like that the summer turns to fall! We’re excited to begin our next season with new and familiar faces. It was a steady summer for membership, so keep an eye out in upcoming Eagle Speaks for new member annoucements, including
this edition’s: the Meyers! Make sure to click their photo below to read their biography.
e Schouten, Brent ards, John Lynch, O’Shane, Jeff oms, Brian Corcoran, h Smith, Jeff Mack Randy Ruberg after a morable round at the ric Oakmont Country Greetings from the Greens
This season, we are creating more opportunities to meet and mingle with fellow members. Join us on Saturday, January 17 for the New Member Mixer, or at the newly-formed Pickleball Group organized by Doug Lambert (more info on Pin Board). th
Maggie Van Sickle, Tom Castle, Randy Van Sickle and Susan Castle playing their home course, Eastward Ho!, in Chatham, MA
Thank you to the following members for generously sponsoring new members this summer: Bob Johnson, Peter Powell, David Gulick, Bill Sackett, Jay West, Bill Amoroso, Brian Corcoran, and Robert MacGillivray Your support is instrumental in helping our community grow stronger and more connected!
Cathy Kenvin-Russo
walking by a cliff on the mountaintop fairway at McLemore’s Highlands Course in Rising Fawn, GA
Tod Johnson and friend Ross at Northeast Harbor Golf Club in Maine, on what was once voted one of the toughest short courses in the world
Tim & Frances Price
Growing the Game with Heart
PGA Commends Ryan for his Impact on Junior Golf
We are thrilled to announce that our very own Ryan Hartnett, PGA Head Professional at Lemon Bay Golf Club, has been honored with the Junior Golf Development Award of 2025 by the Southwest Chapter of the PGA.
This prestigious recognition is awarded to a PGA member who demonstrates outstanding leadership in junior golf and a true dedication to growing the game—and there is no one more deserving than Ryan.
I was a little boy, something Ryan and I have shared over the years as he speaks about his own father. Today, it’s heartwarming to watch Ryan continue that tradition with his own children, Jace, Brinley and Teegan.
Ryan’s journey with Lemon Bay began at just six years old when he joined the A Better Shot program. Who could have known then that the young boy picking up a club for the first time would one day become our Head Professional? His love for the game is something I admire; to be a PGA Professional requires passion and truly caring about growing the game.
Ryan’s passion for junior golf is unmistakable. Whether he's leading clinics or offering one-on-one time to our junior players, he brings heart, energy, and encouragement to every interaction. His story resonates with our young golfers, who see in him and they realize what they can become. His ability to connect with these juniors is what makes him a true role model.
Personally, I’ve always loved the game, and that passion traces back to time spent with my dad when
Passion is a powerful thing—it comes from within. And in Ryan, that passion shines through every day. This award is a celebration not only of his personal achievements but of the spirit of Lemon Bay Golf Club. We are proud to have such a dedicated, professional leader guiding our program and inspiring our community.
Congratulations, Ryan! You make Lemon Bay proud. Warm regards,
Ben
Lemon Bay pride is international! Walter Edwards shows off his favorite Lemon Bay dog toy from Canada. Stop by the golf shop for your pup’s newest toy!
Ben McCoy Director of Golf
Ryan Hartnett Head Golf Professional
Dear Members,
Countdown to Season Launch
Key Dates, Golf News, and Helpful Tools to Make the Most of Your Time at the Club
Fall is in the air, and with it comes the start of another great season at Lemon Bay Golf Club. From refreshed fairways and trees to new events on the calendar, there’s plenty to look forward to as we welcome everyone back. As a reminder, all offical leagues will begin after November 1 . st
Summer has flown by, and as the back-to-school season arrives, we send our best wishes to two very special young men, Matt Jakoby and Wyatt Seckell, as they head off to their first year of college. Both have been a part of our Better Shot Junior Golf Program for many years before joining the Lemon Bay Team as Greencaps, and it has been a joy to watch them grow into the outstanding individuals they are today. We are incredibly proud of them and excited to see what the future holds!
How to Use Online Tee Times
To help you get the most out of the new tee time system, click on these quick tutorial videos:
How To Create A Tee Time
How To Navigate The Tee Sheet
New Events Page
Buddy/Family List
AnnualSeptemberClosure
The Golf Course will be closed for annual maintenance from Tuesday, September 2 through Sunday, September 28th, reopening Monday, September 29th. During this time, the Golf Staff will be available on-site from 8:00 am to noon, Monday through Friday, to assist with reciprocal tee times and any other golf-related needs.
Click here to see the reciprocal list. Click
Matt Jakoby (left) will be attending the University of Central Florida, pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering Wyatt Seckell (right) is attending Florida Gulf Coast University, studying Professional Golf Management. Both Matt and Wyatt are recipients of A Better Shot Junior Golf Scholarships, and we extend a heartfelt thank you to the membership for making this possible.
WOMEN’S IN
We are excited to announce that Lemon Bay will be joining the the FSGA Women’s Interclub Competition, which is a state-wide net, match play competition. The competition runs six consecutive weeks (Wednesday afternoons) both home and away between Lemon Bay, Riverwood, Venice Country Club and Sarasota National starting in January through February. The Lemon Bay team roster will be maxed at 12 players, with only four players and an alternate committed each week. The overall winner of our region progresses to state championship rounds in March. Carolann Raub and Polly Flinn have agreed to be cocaptains for the Lemon Bay Team. If you have a love for competition, an understanding of match play rules and would like to be considered for the team, please feel free to contact them prior to October 1st.
Lemon Bay Joins FSGA Women’s Interclub Competition!
From Pasta Nights to Party Lights
Fresh Menus, New Events, and a Renewed Commitment to Service
We’re excited to welcome our members back soon! Our staff has been working hard this summer updating our menus and preparing for your return to Lemon Bay.
We have a fantastic lineup of events planned for the upcoming season, starting in October. First up is Par for Pasta on October 23rd a delicious, chef-attended "build-your-own pasta bar," where you choose your ingredients and we cook it fresh right in front of you
Next, on October 30th, don’t miss one of our most popular events: Musical Burgers and Bingo a night of great food, music, and classic bingo fun. Then, on October 31st, we’re hosting a
special Halloween-themed Friday Night Bites. Come in costume and enjoy spooky drink specials and festive bites!
Looking further ahead, we’re thrilled to announce a special event featuring The Green Flash of Boca Grande on March 26th. This popular island band will be performing live at an outdoor event you won’t want to miss.
There’s still plenty to do before we reopen at the end of September. We’re giving the club a small facelift to enhance its ambiance, and we’re confident these updates will make your experience even more enjoyable.
In addition, we’ll be focusing heavily on staff training within our Food & Beverage department to ensure we’re delivering the highest level of service possible when you return.
We can't wait to see you all again and share another great season together!
Michael Durett F&B Director
Eli Rahz Director of Agronomy
Rooted in Progress
Over 270 trees, 2,000 grasses, and a plan for stronger, smarter turf—see what’s new on the course.
The maintenance team has been hard at work again this summer. Following recommendations from our course architect, Drew Rogers, the team has been diligently working on several landscape projects to define key areas, break up long sightlines, and improve the aesthetics outside the main corridors.
Course&LandscapeRefinements
This summer, we have planted over 270 trees, primarily palms, which have shown greater resilience to the pressures of three major hurricanes in as many years. We also removed over 75 dead trees that didn't survive those storms. These efforts are part of a broader plan to improve the overall health and visual appeal of the course. Additionally, we have installed new lighting in the parking lots and are currently planting over 2,000 ornamental grass plants to add texture and definition to the landscape
TurfHealth&Playability
September Outlook SeptemberOutlook
We are excited to share our plans for September, which will further prepare the course for the upcoming season. We will complete the final plantings and begin trimming and cleaning up the palm trees across the property. Our team will also expand existing landscape screenings and touch up those that are already in place
To get the course ready for the start of the season, we will begin lowering the height of the rough. The longer rough we've maintained over the summer has allowed for deeper root growth and stronger turf, which will result in a more durable and playable course for everyone. We also plan to make a slight modification to the #2 tee by reducing its width to improve traffic flow and will enhance the hummocks on hole #7 and add new ones on holes #7 and #8.
The storm surge last summer significantly impacted our soil structure and fertility. Since then, our maintenance programs including core aerifications, targeted fertility, and pest control have focused on mitigating those effects and preparing the course for a great season. I've only recently started to feel that we are approaching the turf health levels we had at this time last year As you return for the season, we'll continue to focus on turf health with an eye on playability, and we intend to provide far better playing conditions than we could last season, thanks to the membership's understanding and patience.
Incaseyoumissedit, we're excited to share new drone footage captured on August 11th that highlights several of the enhanced areas across the course! Click the video to view!
Financial Transparency: Quarter 3
Balance sheet highlights, income performance, and how operating dues fuel club functions
Below is a detailed description of the information provided for the Q3 2024 – 2025 draft financials
TheBalanceSheet
The Balance Sheet provides a snapshot of the club's financial condition at a specific point in time It shows what the club owns (assets), what it owes (liabilities), and the difference between the two (equity or net assets). In essence, the balance sheet provides insight into the club's financial health, indicating its ability to meet its obligations and manage its assets efficiently. This information is crucial for club management and members to make informed financial decisions.
The results and graphics below are DRAFT financial results for the current fiscal year through the first three (3) quarters (11/01/2024 – 07/31/2025).
TheP&LStatement
Bryan Hawn Controller
The P&L (Profit and Loss) statement, also known as an income statement, represents the club's financial performance over a specific period It shows the club's revenues, expenses, and the resulting profit or loss The P&L statement provides insight into the club's financial health and helps management make informed decisions about budgeting, cost control, and financial planning.
YourDuesDollars
The pie chart below is a representation of how your operating dues are allocated. This includes the net effects of the revenue and expenses produced in Facilities & Administration, Golf Activities & Maintenance, and Food & Beverage.
Facilities & Administration represents the costs associated with the clubhouse, non-golf maintenance staff, insurance, professional services, and administration.
Golf Activities & Maintenance is broken down into two categories. Golf Activities includes our Pro Shop, Green-Cap, and Golf Professional Staff along with all golfing revenue and merchandise sales.
Golf Maintenance includes the maintenance staff, chemicals, fertilizer, equipment leases, and landscaping on the golf course.
Food & Beverage represents the net effect of our F&B operation
More than Golf: Summer Recap
Our 2025 summer program has come to a close and the support from our members has been remarkable. With almost 200 kids each week, it took not only a strong staff of coaches and volunteers, but also Lemon Bay members Carolann Raub, Joe Zarba, Chrissy & Ron Lee, and Eileen Glover, who helped weekly by taking groups out on the course On the final day, we hosted the local PGA Drive, Chip & Putt qualifier with 143 juniors participating 92 of them from our ABS program. This event is open to junior golfers ages 7–15 and is the first step toward the finals held at Augusta National during Masters week. Six of our A Better Shot juniors advanced to the sub-regionals, which will take place later in August. After a morning of golf, all juniors were invited to our annual carnival, with water slides, dunk tank, water balloons and Ryan’s favorite – hit it to win it putting game. Michael’s team provided a great cookout. Everyone left with a prize and cherished memories.
Education is a major part of our summer program. This year, we hosted two special events.
Easton Green, from Bishop Verot in Fort Myers, presented his Capstone project on teaching kids about skin cancer and preventative measures He handed out almost 200 caps for kids to wear, along with
sunscreen Did you know golfers are 2 5 times more likely to develop skin cancer?
Fifth Third Bank conducted a six-week course for our juniors: students aged 9–12 participated in the Young Bankers Program, and students aged 13–18 participated in the Finance Academy. The photo shows our top two students Daisy Szady and Mia AraujoLawson recognized for completing the course. This engaging, animated program teaches money management and financial literacy through lessons
the students complete at home, followed by weekly reviews with Fifth Third staff Both the juniors and their parents enjoyed the program, with parents often learning alongside their kids This is another way A Better Shot helps educate not only youth but also their families.
On a final note, I’d like to thank all our members. Our program would not exist without your support from allowing us to use the facilities to donating shoes and clothing. Your generosity is deeply appreciated!
Watchout DanBoever!
Watch junior golfer Addison Borg getting tips from our own Ben McCoy His teaching abilities expand well beyond the normal lessons!
The Campbells and friends golfing their way through Scotland, including at St Andrews, thanks to a winning bid at last year’s A Better Shot live auction!
Lemon Bay Pin Board
Employee of the Month Employee of the Month
September: Amy Pesavento
In just three months, Amy has made a big impact as a server and bartender. Her friendly personality, kindness, and professionalism shine through every shift, making her a favorite among both members and staff
Originally from Winfield, Illinois, Amy moved to Florida three years ago. She and her husband, a custom home builder, recently finished renovating their home and have been happily settled in for the past year. In her free time, Amy enjoys motorcycle rides along the coast with her group from the Moose, exploring spots like Casey Key and Siesta Key. When it’s time to unwind, you can find her out on the water for a casual boat day or getting creative by painting
October: Joe Palladino
Since joining the Golf Course Maintenance Team in March, JP has stood out for his hard work, positive attitude, and dedication to keeping the course in great shape. Originally from Eastlake, Ohio, he’s quickly become a valued team member, known for his passion for golf, love of video games, and great sense of humor. JP has created lasting memories at the club and even picked up a few nicknames along the way, like “Joey Boots” and “Collar Joe.” We’re proud to recognize him for his contributions and the energy he brings to the team every day.
Staff Work Anniversaries
John Graig - 12 years
Tom Fisher - 10 years
Scott Stauber - 9 years
Mike Hartnett - 5 years
Eli Rahz - 4 years
Mike Dravecky - 4 Years
Tom Kenney - 4 years
Jim Elison - 2 years
Lisa Yagle - 2 years
Rob Yagle - 2 years
Chris Ingalls - 1 year
Lemon Drop, Talon Cup, & Eagle Invitational registration opens
Course opens at 9:00am
Reciprocal play ends
Course opens at 9:00am
Book Club at 11:00am
Course opens at 9:00am
Course opens at 9:00am
Friday Night Bites
Fellowship Athletic Event. Course opens at 1:15pm.
Par for Pasta Burgers & Bingo
Friday Night Bites
Friday Night Bites
Friday Night Bites Happy Halloween!
Friday Night Bites Halloween Edition!
Staff Contacts
General Manager, Damon Williams
damon.williams@lemonbaygolfclub.com
Ext. 202
Director of Golf, Ben McCoy
ben.mccoy@lemonbaygolfclub.com
Ext. 208
Head Golf Professional, Ryan Hartnett ryanhartnett@lemonbaygolfclubcom
Ext 207
Director of Agronomy, Eli Rahz
elirahz@lemonbaygolfclubcom
Ext. 217
F&B Director, Michael Durett
michael.durett@lemonbaygolfclub.com
Ext. 204
Controller, Bryan Hawn
bryanhawn@lemonbaygolfclubcom
Ext 214
Membership Director, Hannah Madison hannahmadison@lemonbaygolfclubcom
Ext. 205
Hours of Operation
Golf
Golf Shop: 7:00am - 6:00pm
Practice Facilities (Tues-Sun): 7:00am - 6:00pm
Practice Facilities (Mon): 8:00am - 6:00pm
Golf Course (Tues-Sun): 7:30am - 6:00pm
Golf Course (Mon): 9:00am - 6:00pm
Dining
Lunch: 11:00am - 3:00pm
Bar Service: 11:00am - 6:00pm
Administration
Accounting (Mon-Fri): 9:00am - 5:00pm
Membership (Mon-Fri): 9:00am - 5:00pm
Executive Director of A Better Shot, Cindy Claude cindy.claude@lemonbaygolfclub.com
