Happenings
Note from the P resident Kathy Fernandez At the start of our new year we are delighted to welcome our new members, welcome the return of many of our seasonal members and yet we will miss our members who are unable to return at this time. Although we all wait in anticipation of an effective vaccination to aid in the control of this virus, we also must remember that we have much to be thankful for. Thanksgiving is the November holiday, and while we have experienced much anxiety and heartbreak resulting from this pandemic, we must remember to count our many blessings. Our LCGC has maintained a safe environment for continued golfing on a beautiful course, offered meals whether take-out or at the club on a regular basis, and has even been able to create safe options to have some fun group gatherings such as the special dinners, movie nights on the driving range and the summer championship!
President
Keith Billings Vice President
Roger Rose Secretary
Don Greenhalgh Treasurer
Bob Koepka Green Chairman
John Dowley Long Range Planning Chairman
Paul Feick
We are thankful for our dedicated management staff and all personnel, who continue to offer service with smiles and the personal touch. Our members are also part of that blessing, some of whom may have been reluctant to wear masks or use divided carts, all came around to realize that we are in this together, and must rely on one another to maintain a safe and healthy environment. The other group of members to be thankful for, are the loyal members who, for various reasons beyond control, are not able to return now, but continue to demonstrate loyalty to the club during these difficult times.
Membership Chairman
Finally, I wish to thank the Board and the Committee members. We have probably broken the record for the largest number of special Board Meetings in the history of the club! While the renovations to the Greens and Locker room and Pro Shop were scheduled, the pandemic and concerns regarding potential financial issues required lengthy discussions and number crunching. Every committee was required to create a desirable outcome, from the Building and Greens committees for the renovations; the Golf Committee for the summer reciprocal program, the Membership Committee for recruitment and retention, the House Committee for finding creative ways to make social distancing fun, Governing to make sure we were within our boundaries and the Finance Committee for pulling the numbers together.
Leo McMahon
On Thanksgiving Day, wherever you may be, count blessings. Our blessings are always more numerous than our losses, and what we look forward to as we greet each new day. Thank you everyone, for your membership, your friendship, your concern, and your participation as we begin this amazing crazy new membership year! Kathy Fernandes
James Haldenby Building & Premises Chairman
Carla Kutsher House Chairwoman
General Manager
Steve Yager Director of Golf Course Maintenance
Jason Brown Director of Golf
Mihai Ripanu Clubhouse Manager
Christine Rigg Controller
Michael Dolan Membership Director
House November brings our thankful farewell to hurricane season and our joyful welcome to returning members who we have missed over the past summer months. We head into this new SEASON grateful to be in sunny Florida amidst familiar faces while we await a return to our old normal. No matter what, Lost City Golf will continue to be our home away from home, a place where we can always feel comfortable as well as safe. Beginning November 1, we will be open for lunch seven days a week, from 11am to 2:30pm (Saturday till 3pm) with an improved a la carte menu and daily specials. Dinner will be served both indoors and outdoors three nights a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday as well as available for pickup or delivery on those evenings.
ALL DINNERS WILL REQUIRE ADVANCE RESERVATIONS INCLUDING PUB NIGHT.
Given the Club’s ban on standing and drinking in the bar area, a socially-distanced “Cocktail Lounge” will be set up in the Grill Room for drinks before dinner on Monday evenings and after TGIF play on Fridays. Of course, you are welcome both evenings to have your pre-dinner drinks at your dining table. Our ever-popular Monday Night Mixer will feature our traditional a la carte menu with weekly specials and live piano music that will play softly while you enjoy your dinner and friends. Wednesday will continue to be Pub Night with Happy Hour from 4pm to 6pm offering a $1.00 off all beverages (dine in only). Come and enjoy delicious wings, sliders and more with the Kitchen open until 8pm. Along with our pub menu available every Wednesday from 5pm to 8pm, Wednesdays will also alternate bocce, trivia and outdoor movies. Friday night dinner following TGIF will not be a buffet but rather served a la carte with a choice for all three courses — appetizer, entree and dessert. Last but not least, Sundays will continue to feature an a la carte lunch menu with Brunch Specials including Eggs Benedict and a Smoked Salmon Platter, accompanied by Tailored Bloody Marys and Mimosas.
We will start off November with Bocce/Whiskey Tasting on Wednesday, November 4 from 4 to 6pm at the bocce courts. Trivia Night returns Wednesday, November 11 with our Veterans Day theme so brush up on your history knowledge! I’m happy to report that our first outdoor movie night this year was a great success. “Ford vs Ferrari” was enjoyed by all attending, a film that really kept your interest with its many-leveled storylines. And having snacks and drinks available at our driving range bar was truly a plus — nothing like a glass of wine midway through a movie. That said, we have scheduled our next movie night for Wednesday, November 18. The film is “Game Night,” an action/comedy sure to please. Pub menu will be available both dine in and take out with the movie beginning at 6:30pm. Don’t miss it! Thanksgiving this year on November 26 will offer both dine in and take out options. Our culinary team is planning a traditional feast for you to enjoy wherever you’re most comfortable. Reservations for Club dining will be available every 15 minutes with times starting at 12:00pm until 4pm. Should you wish to take out dinner, the cut off date for ordering is November 19, with orders available for pickup between 10am and 1pm. Reservations are essential for dining at the Club and can be emailed to reservations@lostcitygolf.com.
House As a general reminder, on all occasions please both make reservations for dinner and order takeout early so our culinary team can prepare to best satisfy everyone’s needs. We continue to make the safety of our members and staff our top priority in the new normal we are adjusting to. Thank you to the House Committee for all their hard work planning this year’s special events. It has certainly been a challenge! As always, we appreciate any comments and suggestions that you may have to help us make Lost City Golf Club the Best Golf Club in Palm Beach County.
PS – Those of you who did not
attend our Friday night Halloween dinner, missed a salmon entrée the equal of any thre- star restaurant. Kudos to Chef Glenn for a delicious and beautiful plate.
The House Committee is so excited with our plans for the Welcome Back Party — 6 Feet of Separation — on Saturday, November 21! When we started planning back in the summer, we knew we had two priorities — fun and safety — and we brainstormed accordingly. Our scheme for a fabulous night covers all bases. Plan on a 5:30pm arrival while it’s still light. Those of you who live in Atlantis and have your own golf cart at home, drive them over and check in with us for your “table” number. Those of you who store your carts at the club or use a club cart will have them set up alphabetically for you when you arrive. (Social members or those for whom golf carts are a problem, will have a “dining” table set up for them outside on the patio — please speak to Mihai.). Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served during the “cocktail
hour” behind the clubhouse and you can drive around and chat/visit with everyone; doing this in your cart maintains social distance so masks are optional. At dinnertime, group your carts around your table number and socialize with your tablemates as always. Bar service will, of course, be available throughout. Chef Glenn has been hard at work planning a creative/ easy to eat in your cart menu that is a real stunner! Such fun and so different! Dress is country club casual, although ladies may want to reconsider high heels. And, of course, there will be music and dancing for those so inclined but we will have enough space that dancing 6’ feet apart will not be a problem. We are looking forward to a rolling good time but will surely miss our Canadian friends who are prevented from traveling here by COVID restrictions.
Green Report We are at the start of the new season and into the beginning of the preparation stages for the renovation next summer. We have already placed deposits to reserve the grasses needed for the renovation, as the turf farm only has a limited amount for a couple of renovations per year. We began spraying out the rough on 10/20/20. There are several reasons for doing this before the season, and for those of you who may have missed the previous email explaining the reasons, I will list them again for you to understand why we are doing it. 1.
We will have more time and less play to divert from the course being sprayed out in October vs. March.
2.
We will get a lot better kill in the existing rough if we spray out early and continue through the season hitting any spots that try to come back. In turn, it will provide less competition for the new grass growing in the spring, therefore less contamination in the new grass.
3.
If we wait until we close on April 1st, we won’t be able to start any work in the rough until May which leaves us a very short time to do the work, sprig in the rough and grow it in before the rains start in the summer. We are unable to get the sprigs from the sod farms as they usually start flooding at the end of June and through July with heavy afternoon rains.
There will be grass in the rough to hit out of, but it will just be brown/tan color; the tees, fairways approaches, and greens will all be green. It will resemble a desert course as far as appearance goes. We have not sprayed out the green surrounds as you will see, so there is space to leave the fairway to get to the cart path. Extensive traffic over the same area over and over after it has been sprayed out will only result in zero grass and bare areas. In addition to all this, we will also be starting a new fertilizer program for the winter months which is supposed to improve the fairway turf quality throughout the season. We are looking forward to a great season with a bright future for the club!!!!!
Please remember to fill divots with green sand and repair ball marks on the greens. Also, please discard cigarette and cigar butts properly.
Sincerely, Steve Yager, Bob Koepka and Greens Committee
Women’s Golf Association Welcome back to all our northerners who are returning for our 2020-2021 season! We have a wonderful schedule planned and we look forward to having super participation, great competitions, and lots of camaraderie among our members! Lets seek out and welcome many new members who are joining our Lost City family this Fall! We encourage any new golfing members to please join us on November 10 for our OPENING DAY GOLF AND LUNCHEON! Please do not forget to sign up by contacting Stevie Davenport (steviedport@bellsouth.net)!
The Annual LCGC Women’s Match Play, originated by Donna Howell, will continue in 2021! This will be the seventh year. Entry fee is still $15. Collection and sign ups will begin in December. Please contact Pat Cmarik at the Club or by email before January 6, 2021. More details will follow.
Women’s Opening Day Our OPENING DAY is November 10th. Open to All 9 Hole Ladies and 18 Hole Ladies Please remember sign up and respond to Stevie Davenport!! 9:00 AM Grab & Go Breakfast on the Patio 9:30 AM 9 Hole Scramble ABCD for both 9 Hole Ladies and 18 Hole Ladies
RSVP Email Stevie Davenport at steviedport@bellsouth.net THE WOMEN’S SUMMER CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP Sending a big shout out to Barbara Lilley for defending her title as Summer Club Champ by shooting a 77 and 76 to win the GROSS title. Congratulations to Martha Greenhalgh who shot a consistent 86 and 85 to capture the GROSS runner up position! In the Net division Marcie Albright shot a lights out 92/64 and 98/70 to win the overall NET Title! Barbara Anderson shot 112//78 and 102/68 to tie Pat Cmarik who shot 100/75 and 96/71 for 2nd NET tie! CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE WINNERS AND PARTICIPANTS! It was a beautiful weekend and lots of great competitors turned out! BRUSH UP On the new 2019 rules of golf by searching for the youtube video called NEW GOLF RULES 2019 ( the 20 BIGGEST CHANGES)! It only takes 9 minutes-and is quite informative! Know the rules of golf so you will be confident and relaxed on the course! Have fun and no peeking! Mary Lou Neagle ASST TOURNAMENT CHAIRMAN. 774 238-6074.
Lost City Golf Club 2020-21 WGA Golf Schedule November 3 Hate ‘Em; Individual (Throw out worst net par 3, 4, and 5 of the round); A/B/C/D 10 Opening Day; 9 Hole Stand Aside Scramble; ABCD 17 Pro Team; Red vs Blue Team; Pinehurst Match Play; Pick your partner 24 Color Me Par; Player whose color is in the hole is the score to count; AC/BD
December 1 Presidents Cup Round 1 (Tuesday); Individual Stroke Play; A/B/C/D 3 Presidents Cup Round 2 (Thursday); Individual Stroke Play; A/B/C/D 8 Nassau; Front 9, Back 9, and Over All Winners; A/B/C/D 15 Nines; Better Ball of Partners on Front 9, Pinehurst on Back 9; AB/CD 22 Teal, Green, Gray; Individual Play from different color tees; AC/BD 29 Firecracker; Low Gross plus Low Net Score each hole of Foursome; AB/CD
January 5 Cha, Cha, Cha; 1 BB par 3’s, 2 BB par 4’s, and 3 BB par 5’s; ABCD 12 Partner Better Ball Championship Round 1; Pick your partner 19 Partner Better Ball Championship Round 2 26 Open Play (Can Am week)
February 2 Better Ball of 2; A/B/C/D 9 Member-Guest; Details to follow 16 Team Stableford; Combined net points of foursome; AB/CD 23 3 Best Balls of 6 Random Holes; AC/BD
March 2 Best Trios; 3 par 3’s, 3 par 4’s, 3 par 5’s ½ handicap (Team) 9 Odd Holes; Only the odd holes count; A/B/C/D 11 Club Championship (Thursday); Championship Flight Only 16 Club Championship; All Flights 18 Club Championship (Thursday); All Flights 20 Club Championship Finals (Saturday); All Flights 23 Pro Team; Red vs Blue Team; Pinehurst Match Play; Pick your partner 30 Awards Day & Closing Luncheon; 18 Hole Stand Aside Scramble; ABCD
Nominees for Membership Tom & Linda Becraft Anderson Libert & Jessica Pairdiris Chris Cavanaugh & Staci Miller Carl Scheitrum John & Cynthia Dover Anthony & Debra Polera Edward & Debbie Maass Michael Maxwell & Kara Miller David Dzurick Frank Kujan Andy & Bernick Berger Jose Duran Jay & Anne Boodheswar Steve Dougherty Adam Bienstock Tim Ellis Derek & Elise Sirhal David Bennett Lloyd Meisels Ron Lees
Brad Gould Paul & Carole Klein Maria Guoth & Eric Lichtenstein Douglas Bookbinder & Elizabeth Ehrlich Jane Speakman & Stephon McGregor Peter & Cynthia Sykes Robert Arciero Sanford & Janet Howard Keith Hoersch William Benda John Page Jay Berman Steve & Susan Kronheim Donald & Mary Evenson Robert C. & Colleen McManamon Betty Wallace John Bailey Michael & Candace Stedem Mark & Lisa Brown Mark & Deborah Mathieu Dan & Tracy McCarthy
The Atlantis Literary Society will be meeting on
Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 9:30am
at The Lost City Golf Club clubhouse. We will be discussing The Silent Patient by Alex Michailides. Depending on the number of attendees we will either meet outside or inside with lots of social distancing available. In accordance with county and club rules, masks will be required in the clubhouse except when you are eating. Individual continental breakfast will be available. Cost will be $10 per person. Please RSVP to Martha Greenhalgh at mgreen144@aol.com or 617-947-2713. We look forward to getting back to something that seems “normal�.
Have you taken the Cart Survey?
Please do not assume that we know what you want. Copy and paste: https://s.surveyplanet.com/2SsOwlhWj Thanks
The Masters November 12th-15th
Welcome back to a new and exciting season. We have many events scheduled with some new registration methods in place to keep everyone as safe as possible. Tournaments Ladies’ Opening Day – Tuesday, November 10th, signup through the Golf Genius email or by notifying the Golf Shop: this event is a 9 Hole Scramble starting at 9:30 a.m. for both the 18 hole and 9 hole ladies groups. TGIF – November 6th will start back our TGIF events; 3:00 p.m. Shotgun • With this being our first introduction to Shotgun starts since March, we ask that everyone do their best to stay spread out when in the staging area and on the practice facility. You can sign up for this event by emailing the names of your team to lostcitygolftimes@gmail.com and please indicate your dining preference, ie. dine-in, patio, to go, etc. 40 Thieves – November 18th; 8:30 a.m. start with tee times. Each month will be a unique format to play and meet new members as well as playing with your professional staff. Signup will be sent through a Golf Genius invitation. WGA Presidents Cup – Tuesday, December 1st and Thursday, December 3rd, signup will be sent through a Golf Genius invitation. Men’s Presidents Cup – Saturday, December 5th, and Saturday, December 12th, signup will be sent through a Golf Genius invitation. Please feel free to call us in the Golf Shop to register for any event. If you are not yet in town, and want to play in an upcoming tournament call (561) 966-7626 to register.
GOLF COURSE CARE We ask that all players do their best to protect the turf they are playing on by using the cart paths as much as possible. Handicap Flag Rules: • Carts must remain outside of the staked area in front of the green unless in the process of driving to the back of the green to park. • Carts are never to be driven between a green and a greenside bunker. • Flag must be visible to other players. Let’s be sure to keep carts on the paths at the tees and greens for all the courses to protect the grass in the most common played areas. Finally, repair your ball marks on the greens and any other ball marks you see as you wait for your turn to putt.
Professional Staff Jason Brown – PGA Director of Golf Toby Schmidt – PGA Assistant Professional Golf Services Peter Bocchi Marc Cassidy Austin Corcimiglia Brandon Pomykacz
Good News from the General Manager We are a small private golf club that intentionally operates a little differently than our larger private club neighbors. We pride ourselves on treating our members in a personal manner. Our Food & Beverage Team Member-Gabrielle Kavanaugh is an excellent example of this core value. Thank you Gabbie for being a role model for all of us!! And a big welcome back to Cassandra Dupar, who has returned to her position as Member Concierge! We are always looking for operational edges. One example is our Electrostatic Disinfectant Spray Technology (Used at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Delta Airlines and Four Seasons Hotels) which improves infection control and the spread of Covid 19. It also reduces the amount of time it takes to cover and disinfect all surfaces, including hard-to-reach areas. Another item is our Thermal Imaging Photo Drone Technology (Used in Farming Industry). Thermal image photos will allow us to be more precise in our irrigation, fertilization, and other practices which will result in healthier turf for less money. Michael Dolan-Membership Director reports 405 Golf Members!! Steve Yager-Golf Course Superintendent is juggling several items in preparation for our coming season. He reports that Rough extermination is underway, and we put down deposits for Tif-Tuf Rough Turf Sprigs and Tif-Eagle Greens Turf Sprigs which will be planted during the summer of 2021 and ready for the following season. MacArthur Golf Club in Hobe Sound is using Tif-Tuf Turf in rough, Celebration Turf on fairways with Tif-Eagle Turf on greens, so it is reassuring to know that other premier golf clubs in South Florida are using this same grass combination. Our monthly fairway fertilizer program is working well, and fairway conditions are much better than last October. As previously mentioned, we will be using Thermal Imaging Technology to help us be more precise in our fertilizer, chemical, and water applications. Additionally, root pruning was completed which will allow us to transplant many oak trees to more strategic locations in the summer of 2021. And finally, the Initial Scope of Work was sent to several Golf Course Construction Contractors to complete the scheduled renovation.
Mihai Ripanu-Clubhouse Manager & Glenn Cinguina-Executive Chef report that they are prepared for our new season! We welcome two new team members in our kitchen, Marvin James, Grill Cook and Mel Omier, Sautee Cook. Congratulations to Server Michael Mayar, who was promoted to Assistant Dining Room Manager, and a welcome return to Guido Mosca, who is back in a custodial position and doing a fine job on Sundays and Tuesdays. Recent successes were noted for the Feast of San Gennaro 63 diners with rave reviews; Movie Night success, 31 for the movie, good time, and great weather and Oktoberfest success, 61 for dinner, and a good time had by all. Reminder: There will be a new Lunch Menu starting November 1. Jason Brown-Director of Golf has been busy tracking the numbers along with everything else! Jason reports that our rounds of golf for 2019-2020 are equal to 2018-2019 despite our course being shut down for 6 weeks in early spring, we had 63 players (51 men and 12 women) play in the 2020 Summer Club Championship, and 40 players participated in our Feast of San Gennaro Member-Member. As for personnel changes, a warm welcome to Chris D’Andrea who is joining our golf professional team and Brandon Pornykacz who will join our outside golf service team, both will remain for our winter season.
Please read and abide by the Covid 19 Reminder Signs posted all around our staging areas, practice areas, and clubhouse exterior. Christine Rigg-Club Controller reports that Club Members who have selected the Monthly Option for paying their Annual Dues will receive their invoice in the first week of November. Thank you to all of our Club Members for keeping their accounts current. Alex Perkins-Building Maintenance Superintendent has returned from a foot injury To assist in health safety, we electrostatically disinfected our clubhouse, cart barn, and all interior furnishings/equipment in October. In addition, the outdoor dining chairs and tables were all painted and outdoor heaters were purchased to expand our outdoor dining program this winter. We have also negotiated a deal with Comcast to upgrade our phone, cable, data, internet services, and equipment while lowering our monthly payment. Thank you to Mike, Kate, Steve, and Alex for working as a team. As some of you may know the staff at the Lost City Golf Club is extremely competitive but at the same time compassionate. We are striving to be the best golf club in Palm Beach County. Being the best means operating efficiently AND genuinely caring for our club members and teammates. We are looking forward to an outstanding winter season. Enjoy every swing!! Leo McMahon
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10th is Opening Day for the Women’s Golf Association. All 9-Hole Lady Golfers are invited to participate in the Opening Day 9-Hole Scramble. And golfers and non-golfers are invited to the special Outdoor Luncheon following golf. A Grab’N Go breakfast will be available on the patio at 9:00 AM, followed by a 9:30 AM start. Please RSVP to Stevie Davenport if you plan to golf or if you just plan to attend the luncheon. steviedport@bellsouth.net . Sign-up sheets will also be posted near the Pro Shop. This is always a fun event to officially opens the season!
The Annual LCGC Women’s Match Play, originated by Donna Howell, will continue in 2021! This will be the seventh year. Entry fee is still $15. Collection and sign ups will begin in December. Please contact Pat Cmarik at the Club or by email before January 6, 2021. More details will follow.
Starting Tuesday, November 17th, our regular weekly 9-Hole play will begin at 10:00AM. One of our Club Pros usually offers a brief golf clinic at 9:30 AM sharp, before play begins. Topics include short game, putting, rule changes, swing and more. Golfers, don’t forget to sign up by Monday AM before each weeks game. Or you may email the Pro Shop. If you are returning to golf after a long hiatus or are a beginner and don’t feel ready for regular 9-Hole play, just add “Practice Group” next to your name on the posted weekly sign-up sheet. Our Practice Group plays only 4-5 holes after the 10:00AM start of the regular 9-Holers. The Practice Group is relaxed, stress-free and score keeping is optional. And don’t forget, all our Nifty Niners ( non-golf members), are invited to join us for lunch each Tuesday after the morning game. All LCGC women members are welcome to join the 9-Hole Ladies as a golfing member or Nifty Niner. Golfers’ dues are $50 a season & Nifty Niners’ are $20. All are invited to our three special party luncheons, can serve on committees and on our board. If you are a new club member, the 9-Hole Ladies is a fun place to meet new friends & feel part of the Lost City community.
20-21 Party Luncheons Tuesday, December 8th - Holiday Party Tuesday, February 16th - Winter Fun Tuesday, March 23rd - Member Guest & Spring Fest We are talking about having our parties outdoors to comply with safety regulations & will keep you updated on our plans. 9-Hole Ladies ’20-’21 Board Members: Co-Presidents : Dorothy Ballantyne & Linda O’Malley Treasurer: Patty Schmelzer Event Chairs: Nanci Jackman, Patti Train, Mary Lou Vowteras Secretary: Eileen Sullivan Nifty-Niners Rep.: Merle Zamboni We are looking forward to another fun season with our 9-Hole Golfers & Nifty Niners! Come Play With Us!