JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024
THE RIVER REPORT ________________________
PETE DYE RIVER COURSE OF VIRGINIA TECH
YOUR CLUB
CLUB CONTACTS
HOURS OF OPERATION
CLUBHOUSE AND ADMINISTRATIVE
PRESTON’S RESTAURANT* Monday I CLOSED Tuesday I CLOSED Wednesday I 11:00am - 8:00pm (Bar 10:00am - 8:00pm) Thursday I 11:00am - 8:00pm (Bar 10:00am - 8:00pm) Friday I 11:00am - 8:00pm (Bar 10:00am - 8:00pm) Saturday I 11:00am - 8:00pm (Bar 10:00am - 8:00pm) Sunday I 11:00am - 5:00pm (Bar 10:00am - 5:00pm)
GOLF SHOP* Monday-Thursday I 8:00am - 5:00pm Friday-Sunday I 8:00am - 5:00pm
Michael Abraham | General Manager mabraham@petedyerivercourse.com Fran Davis | Business Manager / Special Events fdavis@petedyerivercourse.com FOOD AND BEVERAGE Abigail Johnston | F&B Manager ajohnston@petedyerivercourse.com Anastasia Kramer I Executive Chef chef@petedyerivercourse.com GOLF
PRACTICE FACILITIES Open 30 minutes prior to first tee time Closes at dusk Sundays I Closed from 5:00pm
Michael Abraham | PGA Director of Golf mabraham@petedyerivercourse.com
CLUB NUMBERS Main Office Golf Shop Restaurant Special Events
GROUNDS
540.633.6732 540.633.6732 540.633.2667 540.633.1807
DJ Shively | Assistant Golf Professional dj.shively@petedyerivercourse.com
Greg Caldwell | Golf Course Superintendent greg.caldwell@petedyerivercourse.com
*Hours are subject to change
IN THIS ISSUE Your Club...……………….….....….….....…............….........2 The Corner Office...................................................3 On The Links............................................................4 2024 Golf Calendar................................................5 Turf Talk.....................................................................6 What’s Cookin’?......................................................7 Club Events..............................................................8 Of The Month...........................................................9 Instructional Tips.................................................10 Event Calendars...................................................11 McConnell Golf Property Map..................12-13
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THE CORNER OFFICE Dear Members, Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a great holiday season and New Year! We are really excited about the outlook for 2024 and all it has to offer at The River Course. As we come out of the holidays, I like to make goals for the New Year—not resolutions. Resolutions are made to be broken, but goals are made to be achieved. I set a goal in four categories: financial, family, faith and fitness. Once I establish my goals, I share them! When you share them, you’re allowing those you share them with to hold you accountable, which may help you in not losing sight of those goals. As golfers, we can have lofty goals! However, are those goals realistic and obtainable? Are they measurable? Don’t say, “I want to get better.” Instead, say, “I want to break 90 this year.” Next, come up with a roadmap on how you can accomplish that. A goal without a strategy is a pipedream. I have many goals for The River Course this year. Not one of them is ‘to get better.’ What I do want is to create an exceptional experience for members! How do we do that? By offering a variety of golf and social events, by providing service excellence, and by executing our events to the fullest of our capabilities. In 2024, we look forward to new golf events, a women’s golf association, a men’s evening league, a couples league, a wine club, and so much more. I look forward to seeing each of you at our events this year and am always wanting to hear your feedback. Thanks again for your continued support, Michael Abraham, PGA Master Professional General Manager / Director of Golf The Pete Dye River Course mabraham@petedyerivercourse.com
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ON THE LINKS Happy New Years to all! I hope everyone had a great Holiday season. We have a very full golf calendar that we’re excited to showcase this year. The next page of this newsletter shows each event along with the date. Our kick-off event this year is going to be the Hokie Ball, which will consist of three-person teams and a draft party the night before. I’m getting ahead of myself though; before that event is our first ever Super Bowl Golf Tournament! Depending on the weather, we’ll play at least 9-holes of match play golf. Keep an eye out for more details. The beginning of the year also signifies renewals on certain things: Pushcart Storage ($100 - space is limited) USGA Handicap Fee ($45) Locker Rental ($60) We ask that you renew your USGA Handicap fee prior to January 15. After that date, if you haven’t renewed, we’ll have to turn your GHIN# off until you renew. Other big events/leagues that are happening this year is the reformation of the Women’s Golf Association, a Men’s League on Thursday nights, and a Couples League on Friday nights. Finally, if its too cold outside for you, the simulator is available to be rented out at $20 per hour. This is a fantastic way to keep your game in shape during the winter! We hope to see you out at the Club often this year! Let’s make 2024 a great year to be a member at The River! DJ Shively Assistant Golf Professional dj.shively@petedyerivercourse.com
February Golf Events Super Bowl Tournament Saturday, February 10 - 12pm Shotgun* Format: Match Play. Players we be split among two teams. Each team representing a team in the Super Bowl. Players with similar handicaps will be paired against one another. If you win your match, you earn 7pts for your team, a tie earns 3pts. The team with the most points will win! Sign-up by 3pm day prior *Weather may make it a 9-hole event
Save The Date Member/Member | April 26-28 Member/Guest | July 12-14 Club Championship | August 10-11
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Pete Dye River Course 2024 Golf Schedule February
10
Super Bowl Golf Tournament
April
6 10 26-28
Hokie Ball Master’s Par 3 Shootout Member-Member
July
12-14
Men’s Member-Guest
August
10-11
Club Championship
September November
22 22
Ryder Cup Turkey Shootout
*Events may be subject to change Thursday Night Men’s League:
Hit N’ Giggle:
May 9 May 16 June 6 June 13 June 20 June 27
May 17 May 24 June 7 June 21 July 19
July 18 July 25 August 1 August 8 August 16
August 2 August 16 September 6 September 13
All times starting at 5:30pm for weekly formats!
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TURF TALK
As we head into the heart of winter, here are a few updates from November and December 2023. Entering November, we were extremely dry for that time of year. Our area was categorized on the edge of a moderate-to-severe drought. This caused several issues, including higher than normal irrigation usage on the golf course, local wildfires, and burn bans in our area. Thankfully, since November 21, we have received nearly five inches of rain to ease the drought. In November, we began cleaning up the black tee rock outcropping on hole six. All plants were sprayed with non-selective herbicides and removed. The trees will be pruned to allow for more sunlight on the tree surface. Mulch was added in between the rocks, around the steps, and around the base of the rocks. Lastly, the shrubs around the small rock near the orange and maroon tee were removed and bulbs were planted for some spring color. We are very pleased with how it turned out. Every year, we clean up the riverbank, trimming back the grasses and weeds, pruning tree saplings, and removing debris. While working on hole 13, Assistant Superintendent Will Holcomb and Wally Heinzlemann spotted a ruffed grouse... a rare treat these days. According to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, ruffed grouse populations have steadily declined over the past two decades. This demonstrates the importance of maintaining good environmental stewardship. Thank you for your support as we strive to improve every day. Regards, Greg Caldwell Superintendent greg.caldwell@petedyerivercourse.com P.S. - Greg was the recipient of the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America, Virginia Chapter, Environmental Stewardship Award! He received this honor through his commitment to ecological balance, wildlife conservation, and exceptional course maintenance, symbolizing a harmonious blend of his love for golf and environmental stewardship. -Michael Abraham
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WHAT’S COOKIN’? CHEF ANASTASIA KRAMER
ABIGAIL JOHNSTON
I cannot thank each of you enough for being so warm and welcoming in my transition to The River! I’ve really enjoyed meeting many of you and truly appreciate the feedback you’ve been giving me.
Happy New Year! I hope everyone enjoyed time with their friends and family. Where to begin! How about this? We are EXCITED for what we have planned in 2024. Birthday dinners, Wine Club, Paint Nights, Trivia Nights, live music, and more!
Late 2023, I created a new lunch and dinner menu which are in full swing. For January and February, keep your eye out for our Wine Dinner and Valentine’s Day Dinner. I will also be creating a special Valentine’s Day treat: golf ball-shaped chocolate truffles that will be the perfect gift for that golfer in your family!
In this newsletter are flyers explaining Birthday Dinners and the Wine Club. If you have any questions on those, please see myself or Michael.
I did want to give you a special recipe to try out as well:
The first event of the year will be a Paint Night hosted by Terri Welch. Then, we’ll have birthday night, a wine tasting, and a wine dinner, with both wine events sponsored by Chateau Morrisette. We also hope you join us for a Valentine’s Day event in February. More details on this to come!
White Chocolate and Strawberry Pot De Creme for 2 Ingredients 6 ounces or ¾ cup white chocolate 2 large strawberries 2 large eggs (room temp) ½ teaspoon lemon zest ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract Pinch of kosher salt ½ cup heavy cream
I hope to see you around the Club soon! Abigail Johnston Food & Beverage Manager ajohnston@petedyerivercourse.com
Instructions 1. Add your white chocolate, strawberries, eggs, lemon zest, vanilla, and salt to a blender. Pulse until your chocolate has broken up significantly. 2. In a small saucepan, add your heavy cream. Heat over medium low heat, until the cream is steaming. Do not bring to a boil. Remove from heat. 3. With the blender running, slowly pour in your heavy cream. Blend for 1-2 minutes or until completely smooth. 4. Scrape down the sides of the blender. Pour the mixture evenly between two glasses and place in the fridge to set for 3-4 hours.
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CLUB EVENTS
Super Bowl Party Sunday, February 11 5:00pm-11:00pm Join us for our own Super Bowl Party featuring food and drink specials, raffles, giveaways, and games!
Valentine’s Day Dinner Wednesday, February 14 Two options for dinner: Special A La Carte Menu OR Dinner for Two (Preset Menu) Pricing and more details to come!
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OF THE MONTH... MEMBER OF THE MONTH Margaret Mullin
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH BJ Graham
PDRC: How long have you been a member? Margaret: 18 Years PDRC: What‘s your favorite hole at The River? Margaret: #9 PDRC: Best round you‘ve ever played? Margaret: Best score was a 79! PDRC: Who‘s in your dream foursome? Margaret: Annika Sorenstam, Patty Berg & Phil Mickelson PDRC: What’s in the bag? Margaret: Callaway Driver, Wilson FW woods, Callaway Hybrids, Wilson Irons and a Ping Putter.
PDRC: How long have you worked at PDRC? BJ: Since 2021 PDRC: What department do you work in? BJ: I work in the golf shop two days a week. PDRC:What do you like to do for fun away from PDRC? BJ: My guilty pleasure is to shop. That’s why I work at The River! I also like to read. PDRC: Favorite memory from PDRC? BJ: I love the people I work with. It’s a great atmosphere and great environment to be around. PDRC: Are you a golfer? What’s your best score out here? BJ: No. I am not a golfer, but my husband, Ken, golfs enough for the both of us!
COOKIES OF THE MONTH
THE RIVER REPORT
January
February
Gingersnap Cookie
Peanut Butter Heart Cookie
by Lynn Hart, Pastry Chef at Raleigh Country Club
by Dyriek Shaw, Sous Chef at Treyburn Country Club
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INSTRUCTION Happy 2024, River Course family! I hope 2023 brought you happiness, prosperity, and a lot of great golf! We are so grateful for the support that everyone has shown our Academy since our humble beginning. Our Academy has seen many new faces join this winter, and we’re excited for the opportunity to help as many people as possible to better enjoy the game of golf. For the first time ever, for anyone who may be interested in developing their game in this off-season, Operation 36 is now available to be played on our GCQuad simulator! Thanks to Operation 36’s partnership with GSPro, anyone is now welcome to play our style of golf virtually without having to be a part of our program. We would like to invite our membership and patrons to try us out and let us know what you think, as hopefully we can offer some Op36-style tournaments and challenges to spice up everyone’s golfing experience as a compliment to the course’s very successful simulator league! As a reminder, anyone is welcome to participate in our on-course events throughout the year without needing to be enrolled in private lessons or group classes, and we would love to help everyone see what their strengths and opportunities are on the course through what we do best! Know What You Do and Why I’m a firm believer in teaching my students the why’s and the how’s. As an instructor, I cannot be with you every range session, nor every round. I feel it’s imperative that golfers know what they are doing, why they are doing it, and how to correct it. For starters, there are nine (9) ball flights. Depending on your club path and the club face position, your ball can do one of nine things (assuming a right-handed golfer): Path: Over the Top - Club Face Closed (Pull-Hook), Club Face Square (Pull), Club Face Open (Pull-Fade/Slice) Path: Square - Club Face Closed (Draw), Club Face Square (Straight), Club Face Open (Fade) Path: Inside Out - Club Face Closed (Push-Draw/Hook), Club Face Square (Push), Club Face Open (Push-Fade/Slice) Knowing what your ball is doing, i.e., starting left, going right, is the first part in knowing HOW to fix your swing. -Michael Abraham, PGA Master Professional
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CALENDARS
January MONDAY
1
Course Closed
8
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
2
3
4
5
6
7
9
10
11
12
13
14
19
20
21
Paint Night
15
16
17
18
Birthday Dinner 22
23
24
25
Wine Tasting
26
27
28
Wine Dinner
29
30
31
February MONDAY
5
12
TUESDAY
6
13
WEDNESDAY
7
14
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
1
2
3
4
8
9
10
11
Super Bowl Golf Event
Super Bowl Party
16
17
18
23
24
25
15
Valentine’s Day Dinner 19
20
21
22
Birthday Dinner 26
THE RIVER REPORT
27
28
Wine Tasting
29
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PDRC buzz Never miss out on a club event, the latest McConnell Golf news or the chance to share your member experience. Stay connected to Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech and McConnell Golf on social media and join the conversation today.
Chip Runyon My favorite group to play in! @petedyerivercourse
@mcconnellgolf
@rivercourseofvt
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THE RIVER RIVER REPORT REPORT THE
Zack McCoy Saturday is for the boys!
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