EAGLE SPEAKS
Last Call! There’s still time to register for the Women’s Member-Guest, the Lemon Drop Tournament. See page 7 for info. What really happens during Maintenance Mondays on page 12. Join us for a new dining event: Grapes on the Green. Details on page 10.
Board of Directors
Meg Taylor President & Long-Range Planning and Governance Committee Chair
Brian Corcoran Vice President & Membership Committee Chair
Tom O’Shane Treasurer
Mark Siewert Secretary
Shannon Antonini
Jim Drobnyk Golf Committee Chair
Beth Foster
Jim Grant House and Entertainment Committee Chair
Jeff Mack Greens, Building, and Grounds Committee Chair
Dear Members
Damon Williams General Manager
I hope this message finds everyone well and that the new year has started on a positive note for you and your families. Hard to believe we are already into February, I hope those New Year’s resolutions are still
intact (or at least still within reach!).
February gives us the perfect opportunity to celebrate some outstanding accomplishments within our Lemon Bay community. First and foremost, big congratulations to our Lady Golfers on their tremendous victory in the Friendship Match series against Gasparilla Inn and Coral Creek They not only played exceptional golf, but they also showcased the sportsmanship, camaraderie, and sense of community that truly define Lemon Bay Be sure to check out the championship plate proudly on display in the Golf Shop
Another exciting moment to recognize, congratulations to Mitch Smith on recording the first hole-in-one on #17 since the course renovation! What an incredible achievement and a moment that will certainly be remembered. Here’s hoping this is the first of many more aces to come, for Mr. Smith and for the rest of the membership.
I am also pleased to report that the club has had a very strong start to the season. Energy around the property has been high, participation has been excellent, and our calendar is filled with exciting golf, social, and dining events in the weeks ahead. It’s been wonderful to see so many familiar faces and quite a few new ones enjoying everything the club has to offer.
As we look ahead toward May and the entirety of the season, we have an incredible schedule of social and golf events planned, and I am truly excited about what lies ahead
Club Event Highlights
Some of the highlights on the calendar include:
Taco Thursday (our first) – February 12th
Valentines Dinner – February 14th
Grapes on the Green (another first!) – February 19
Casino Night – February 26
The return of the popular Lobster Night – March 5th
30th Anniversary A Better Shot Cocktail Party & Tournament – March 20–21
Island Fest at the Bay (yet another first) – March 26, featuring The Green Flash and favorite foods from Gasparilla Island
Annual Luau Night – April 16
Additional details on all these events will be shared in this, and upcoming issues of Eagle Speaks.
Golf Event Highlights
We also have an outstanding lineup of golf events planned, including:
Superbowl 9 & Dine – February 7th
Ladies Lemon Drop – February 23–24
Talon Cup – March 12–14
Superintendent’s Revenge 9 & Dine – April 18
The Superintendent’s Revenge is always one of the most fun (and challenging!) events of the season, and I can assure you that Eli and his team are already hard at work in the “lab” coming up with creative ways to test this membership
As always, we look forward to seeing you at your club very soon. But if you haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy one of our dining or social events lately, I encourage you to make Lemon Bay part of your regular rotation. Our team takes great pride in the experiences we create and always enjoys sharing them with our members. Thank you for being such an engaged and supportive membership.
Damon Williams
Strengthening Our Membership Community
New connections and continued enthusiasm
It has been an active 2026 for membership, with an increase in inquiries, and applications rolling in steadily. It’s always encouraging to see strong interest in the Club, and it’s a testament to the experience our members help create.
We also kicked off the year with a successful New Member Mixer in January, welcoming approximately 60 attendees, including 16 new members, along with their sponsors, the Membership Committee, and members of the Board of Directors. It was a wonderful evening and a great introduction to the Lemon Bay community for our newest additions.
We’re especially pleased to share that one of our Preview Members recently committed to full membership! During their time at the Club, they’ve enjoyed our golf and dining events and, most notably, the friendly and welcoming atmosphere that makes this community so special.
If you know someone who would be a great fit for the Club, please feel free to share my
LadiesFriendshipMatches LemonBayGolfClub(all3matches!)
Caddyshack9&Dine
OverallWinners:TeamCzervik
BestDressedTeamSmails: Carol&RobertBingham
BestDressedTeamCzervik: TimDanahy&GerryPena
contact information on the back cover. I’m always happy to arrange a tour or a prospective round.
Captain’sCup TeamSilverkings
Men’s1-dayMember-Guest: EagleInvitational
Gross:JoeMcGowan&JuddGregg
Net:WalterBeatty&JohnPeckskamp to our January Tournament Winners
115Years 5Years
Hannah Madison Membership Director
OF THE
OF LEMON BAY GOLF CLUB
TUESDAY, 3:00 PM @ THE CLUBHOUSE MARCH 10, 2026
Ben McCoy Director of Golf
Captain’s Cup 2026
Reflectionsononeofourmostmeaningful tournaments
The sun had just begun its slow slide toward the horizon when the 7th Annual Captain’s Cup stirred to life. The light was golden, the air familiar, and the feeling unmistakable was more than a tournament. It was a tradition.
The Captain’s Cup bears the name and spirit of
something far deeper than winning.
heart, he reflected on his friendship with Phil Woods and what the Captain’s Cup truly represents. His words weren’t about scores or trophies, they were about respect, tradition, and honoring a legacy. The room listened closely, reminding me that this competition was rooted in Phil Woods, a Lemon Bay member for more than 25 years and a man who loved two things deeply: the game of golf and the people who played it. It was Phil who first christened the rival teams the Loggerheads and the Silver Kings sparking a rivalry that has only grown stronger with every passing year.
More than 70 members gathered for the weekend’s festivities. The competition began Friday afternoon with a Par 3 contest that was equal parts, fun and formidable. In the Captains flight, Tom O’Shane & John Lynch tied with Mike Schouten & Dan Shannon at three under par. The Woods flight ended in a tie as well, with Billy Johnson & Tim Hull matching Mike Cowdrey & Brian Gangnier at one under. In the Phil flight, Ron Coughlin & David Hunter and Mark Siewert & Dan Hoppe claimed the win at plus one.
Then Silver Kings Captain John Lynch took the floor. Direct and confident, he spoke with the assurance of a team aware of its history. With a nod to the Silver Kings’ longstanding success, his message was clear: belief, focus, and the expectation of victory. His team was ready.
When golf began, the Silver Kings showed exactly why they have been so dominant over the years. They played steady, made clutch putts when it mattered most, and rose to the moment. The Loggerheads fought hard and never backed down, but when the final scores were tallied, the Silver Kings claimed their largest victory to date.
Even in defeat, the Loggerheads remained resolute competitive, committed, and already eager for another chance at the trophy.
As the sun dipped away, the group transitioned into a lively cocktail party Stories flowed, glasses clinked, and the pairings for Saturday’s main event were announced. Teammates clustered together, rivals exchanged knowing smiles, and the buzz of anticipation filled the room.
Friday night, however, belonged to the captains. Loggerheads Captain Tom O’Shane spoke first. Calm, prepared, and clearly speaking from the
So, looking ahead to 2027, two familiar names take the helm as captains Mike Schouten will lead the Loggerhead, steady and confident, while Larry Herman will command the Silver King, carrying on the proud spirit of competition and fellowship. Together, the script will continue. After all, there is nothing quite like a friendly competition among good friends, played in the spirit of the game Phil Woods loved so dearly.
This Month in Golf
What a fantastic start to the season at Lemon Bay! We’ve seen tremendous participation in league play and events, and the energy around the club has been outstanding. As we head into the heart of prime golf season, the course is truly shining. The greens are rolling beautifully, and the fairways and rough are lush, healthy. We look forward to welcoming you and your guests out to the club!
February is shaping up to be a big month on the calendar, with plenty of opportunities to compete and get your name on the trophy wall! The Honey Cup Match Play kicks off this month, followed by the Net Club Championship during Men’s and Ladies’ Days in the first week of February. We’ll also be hosting the always-popular Member–Member, so grab your best partner and get signed up today.
LemonBayLadiesCrowned 2026FriendshipMatchChampions!
Congratulations to the Lemon Bay Ladies on bringing home the trophy in the 2026 Ladies Friendship Match! After three spirited matches hosted at Lemon Bay Golf Club, Coral Creek Club, and Gasparilla Inn, our ladies rose to the top and claimed the championship. Well done, ladies! Final Scores:
Ladies Member-Guest
Lemon Bay ladies, we are nearing last call to register for the Ladies Member-Guest, “The Lemon Drop” a signature event you won’t want to miss!
Lemon Bay Golf Club – 951 (Champions!)
Coral Creek Club – 931
Gasparilla Inn – 885
Ryan Hartnett Head Golf Professional
Course Maintenance Closure
Sunday, February 15:
Course Closes at 3:00 PM
No play will be permitted after this time
MitchSmith
Congratulations to Mitch Smith on recording his second career hole-in-one on Hole #17 during the Men’s Day Quota Game on Wednesday, January 14 ! Playing from the II Tees and staring straight into the wind, Mitch struck a perfect 4-hybrid that never left the flag and found the bottom of the cup. An f th
Men’s Member-Guest
Don’t miss the premier men’s event of the season! The Talon Cup Men’s Member-Guest brings three days of great competition, outstanding course conditions, and unforgettable camaraderie. Team up with your guest and enjoy championship golf, top-tier hospitality, and the tradition that makes this event a member favorite every year
Golf Etiquette – What It Is & Why It Matters
Golf etiquette is the unwritten code that helps ensure the game is safe, enjoyable, and moving at a good pace for everyone It includes being aware of other players, respecting the course, and positioning yourself in a way that does not interfere with play.
Safety – Hole #5
We have recently seen golfers leaving their walking carts on the #5 tee and then walking back into the line of play. For everyone’s safety and pace of play, we kindly ask that: If play is in progress on the #5 tee, please walk around the green to the Hole #6
Do not walk back toward incoming play
Position walking carts off to the side and out of play
Thank you for your cooperation and for helping keep the course safe and enjoyable for all.
Pace of Play Reminder
Maintaining a good pace of play keeps the round enjoyable for everyone on the course. To help, please: Be ready to play when it’s your turn.
Keep up with the group in front of you.
Limit practice swings and unnecessary delays.
What’sHappeninginthe DiningRoom
TacoThursday,Valentine’sDinner, CasinoNight,andmore
Michael Durett F&B Director
February has arrived quickly, and we have another exciting lineup of events planned for the month ahead.
On February 6th, join us for our first Friday Fish Fry, featuring delicious Walleye along with live entertainment.
On February 12th, we’re introducing a brandnew event Taco Thursday with a taco and fajita bar plus plenty of other great offerings.
Another new event takes place on February 19th with Grapes on the Green. Enjoy a wine tasting on our event lawn along with a fun glow
golf putting contest during the evening.
We’ll wrap up the month on February 26th with Casino Night, always a member favorite.
Don’t forget, we are open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings featuring our Bites Menu, and Sunday Brunch is available every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you at the club!
Best regards, Michael Durett
Eli Rahz Director of Agronomy
Maintenance Monday
A behind the scenes look at how the golf course maintenance team prepares for the week ahead
Each weekday, our dedicated grounds crew arrives at 5:30 a m to prepare the course for another great day of golf. The first 3–4 hours are focused entirely on setup:
Daily mowing of greens
Twice-weekly mowing of tees, fairways, and approaches (with one cut on the rough)
Daily tee service: moving markers, filling divots, and cleaning tee signs
Daily green care: policing the parking lot, changing cups, repairing and sanding ball marks, and clearing debris from surrounds
Morning bunker raking
Click here to see a typical Monday routine as a Lemon Bay Maintence Staff.
On January 19th, we closed the course for a full day to apply a pre-emergent herbicide and fertilizer a critical step to keep weeds at bay and maintain the vibrant playing conditions our members enjoy.
A one-day closure frees up all seven staff members who would otherwise be handling daily tasks like changing cups, moving tees, and raking bunkers. This allows the team to tackle important projects that are difficult to complete during normal play. Thanks to the closure, the crew was able to:
Vent the greens with solid-tine aerifiers
Spray the rough
Train new staff on equipment operation
Mow pond banks
Rake screening areas
Edge greens to prevent encroachment
We know a course closure can be inconvenient, and we truly appreciate your understanding. Whenever we need to step away from daily play, our priority is to make every hour count delivering maximum benefit to the course. The pre-emergent application on the 19th will help keep Lemon Bay weed-free and looking its best through the remainder of the season. Thank you for your continued support it allows us to maintain the high standards you expect and enjoy. As always, feel free to reach out with any questions about course care.
Eli
Understandingyour Club’sFinances Aninsidelookatclubtrendsinthestate
Currently at Lemon Bay we have roughly 300 members who pay operating dues. These dues pay for everything from the payroll of our team members to the fertilizer that keeps the grass green, to the electricity that powers the clubhouse. To plan how to pay for all these operating expenses, we can’t multiply our full operating dues by our membership count since there are several dues’ levels at the club For example, if you have been a member at Lemon Bay for 25 years and you are over 85 years old when the fiscal year (November 1 ) starts, you are automatically enrolled into paying 70% of the operating dues If you are 90 years old at the start of the fiscal year and have been a member for 20 years, you are automatically enrolled into paying 50% of the operating dues. This policy is meant to encourage our longstanding members to continue to be a part of the Lemon Bay family even as their usage of the club may be dwindling. st In the club industry, operating dues drives operations at the club. The industry standard to look at operating dues is to look at the club’s Full Member
Club Metrics by RSM
Equivalent (FME). This year at Lemon Bay we projected our FME to start at 281 and gradually rise to 287 by year end with the goal of meeting or exceeding the operating budget (Loss of $360k). We looked at how much we think the club will cost to operate by collaborating with our team members, looking at macro-economic trends, collaborating with our members and talking with other industry professionals to understand club trends In Southwest Florida, according to RSM’s trends analysis, the average membership level in Florida was 846 with an FME of 731 and full operating dues of $20,300 The average membership level in Southwest Florida was 748 with an FME of 585 and full operating dues of $16,900. Lemon Bay is currently at 315 and 277 FME with full operating dues of $14,750. Keep in mind, most clubs also have capital dues which at Lemon Bay amount to $2,500 for the full cost of membership of $17,250 at Lemon Bay. These dues are in addition to operating dues at other clubs as well.
Bryan Hawn Controller
30th Anniversary of the A Better Shot Foundation is next month!
The A Better Shot Foundation is marking this milestone with our annual Cocktail Party and Auction on Friday, March 20th, followed by a fun Par 3 Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 21st Friday will feature an exciting live auction along with our popular Raffle Board, packed with incredible items and experiences As we near the event, let’s spotlight some auction and raffle items there’s always something new to look forward to. You won’t want to miss the chance to bid on an experience of a lifetime!
Golf trips to:
Oakmont CC & Laurel Valley GC
Merion Golf Club
Streamsong Resort
Gasparilla Inn
Featured items:
Lab Grown Diamond Solitaire pendent
Scotland trip
Pat Wright photo on canvas
Fishing trips – Tarpon or Back Bay
Budweiser Yacht – 3 hr cruise for 18 people
Private Dinner with Chef Michael
Elmore
Playing lesson with Ben for 3
Lemon Bay Pin Board Lemon Bay Pin Board Employee of the Month
Jason Garland
On January 12th, our Book Club hosted a special “Meet the Author” session with Lemon Bay member, Whitty Ransome. She spoke about her book, Why Girls’ Schools Matter, sharing insights from her years of advocacy and discussing the path forward for women and girls in society. Thank you to all who attended this special meeting.
Staff Anniversaries
Ryan Karsten: 4 years
David Carvalho: 4 years
John Miller: 4 years
Jason Garland has been a valued member of our Golf Course Maintenance Team for the past 2.5 years. A local from Englewood, Jason brings a strong work ethic and genuine pride to everything he does on the course His consistency, attention to detail, and team-first attitude help keep our grounds in excellent condition day in and day out. Outside of work, Jason races RC cars, a hobby that reflects his hands-on nature and appreciation for precision. When asked to share a favorite memory from work, Jason summed it up best by saying, “It is all fun here ” That positive outlook and enthusiasm are felt by everyone around him and make him a great teammate to work with We’re proud to recognize Jason for his dedication and contributions!
Tournament Schedule
February
3rd Honey Cup Matches
3rd 9:00 am
4th 9:00 am
Ladies 18-hole Net Club Championship
Men’s 18-hole Net Club Championship
7th 10:00 am Callaway Demo Day
7th 3:00 pm Superbowl 9 & Dine
13th14th 8:00 am Gross Club Championship
17th 9:00 am
18th 9:00 am
23rd24th
Ladies 18-hole MemberMember
Men’s 18-hole MemberMember
Ladies Member-Guest “Lemon Drop”
March
3rd Play for PinkGasparilla Inn
10th 9:30 am
12th14th
Ladies 9-hole MemberMember
Men’s Member-Guest “Talon Cup”
21st 9:00 am A Better Shot Tournament
26th 10:00 am Ping Demo Day
28th 10:00 am XXIO and Callaway Demo Day
April
8th 3:00 pm Masters Par 3 Event
10th 9:00 am Hank Wright Clinic Event
18th 3:00 pm Superintendent’s Revenge 9 & Dine
Saturdays&Sundays 3pm-8pm Clickhereformenu
SundayBrunch Sundays10am-2pm Newspecialtydrink eachweek! Clickheretoviewmenu
FirstFridayofEachMonth LiveMusicbeginsat 5:30pm Grab-and-GoGrille Mondays&Thursdays Orderthroughtheradio on#9Tee
Tuesdays&Wednesdays Menuitemschange weekly
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
Ext. 203
