MGC MonthlySeptemberMagazine2022
Contents GM GeneralAugustWhat’sStrategicUpdate.............................................................4-5PlanUpdate............................................6-7New...........................................................8-16Photos....................................................17-29Information..........................................30-32
Joseph “JJ” Wagner, CCM, CCE General Manager jjwagner@minneapolisgolfclub.com 952.525.2526 Dear MGC Members,
Personnel – Many of you know that our Food and Beverage Director, Jared Grubor, has accepted a new position at Minnesota Valley CC. I have had several interviews for his replacement, and I hope to name our new staff member soon. Colleen Bakker, our Controller who was hired in December is also leaving MGC at the end of September. She has done an amazing job replacing our former long-time Controller Lisa Kvigne. We wish Colleen the very best for her future. I’ll keep you posted on the search for our new Controller. Travis, our Maintenance Manager, has moved to Duluth with his daughter and will be missed –he was a great asset to all departments at MGC. Travis hired an assistant during the summer, Rob Hodg es, who will be taking over the department. We are in good hands with Rob. Having changes within our key staff positions gives us an opportunity at the Club to update job descriptions, which in turn makes our staff more productive and accountable, so we look forward to onboarding engaging new employees. At this time of year, we are also saying goodbye to many wonderful staff as they return to school and we look forward to their return next year.
Employee Holiday Bonus – In previous years, a communication has been sent for members to donate what they can for the MGC Staff Holiday Bonus. Traditionally at private Clubs, a dollar amount is set,
The staff and I sincerely hope your experiences this summer were exceeded, and many great memories were made. It’s been a very busy summer and I have important information to pass on to you as we head into our fall season.
GENERAL MANAGER
On behalf of our entire MGC team, thank you for all your support and we look forward to seeing you at the Club soon.
Pulse Survey – Many of you have already received a 10-question quick survey from me in the past couple of months. Your feedback helps us identify ways in which we can improve our services and enhance your experience. I email approximately 15 members each Monday or Tuesday (randomly selected by an office staff member) who visited the Club the week before. These surveys continue to help me, the staff, committees, and Board to better serve you. They include questions on F&B, golf experience, golf course conditions, pool, etc. and it only takes a few minutes. The overall results have been encouraging but always have helpful information on ways we can improve. One suggestion received is that Grill staff is sometimes looking at their cell phones too often. We have enforced this rule with staff and have seen an improvement. The suggestion was also made to return some “old” menu favorites like Quesadillas and a steak sandwich. We recently added those items to the menu. Another suggestion was to improve our tequila offerings - like Codigo. Codigo has been ordered and will be offered at the bar. Your comments are invaluable -- please keep them coming … this is Your Club!
Lobsterfest – Last week I had fun polling the membership on which night they’d prefer coming to our October Lobsterfest. I received a nice response and great excitement about the event. At press time, the two dates are actually pretty close … I’ll send a follow-up soon. Thank you all for your responses.
Joseph “JJ” Wagner
and a communication is sent in early October giving members the opportunity to increase or decrease the suggested amount or opt out altogether. The Board has unanimously approved the suggested donation per membership of $150 for the Employee Holiday Fund for 2022. Partici pation is easy – if members don’t opt out, the charge will be automatic, and the Club will have a nice balance to award a Holiday Bonus to our hardworking employees. I estimate this format will greatly increase our bonus pool for this year, at a very important time since employee retention is critical. Please watch for a communication from me and the Board in early October.
• Prepare a plan for when our bunkers, which are nearing their end of life and are replaced, improve playability for all golfers
Please click HERE to review some important FAQs developed for the Golf Course Enhancement Plan.
As you know, the Club has been working with golf course architects Jeff Mingay and Christine Fraser over the past two years on a Golf Course Enhancement Plan, with the goals of:
ThankCities!
As you are aware, the Board along with our Strategic Planning and Facilities Committees have been working diligently to identify and address member’s desire for; improvements to our clubhouse, expanded dining options and additional amenities offered (to name a few).
• Improving the function of the course for Jared and team to present the course with optimal conditions more consistently
Here are some very exciting updates from your Strategic Planning Committee for Pillars I, II and IV. Please keep in mind that any investment in MGC which would necessitate a member assessment will have to be approved by the membership by a majority vote.
Pillar I – Invest In The Golf Course To Ensure An Elite Golf Experience For All Level Of Players
• Enhancing the course’s distinctiveness with a focus on MGC being recognized as one of the top courses in the Twin Cities
You to Matt Gibb, Green Committee Chair, the Green Committee, and John Morioka, Pillar I Lead, for their hard work over the past 2 years to develop a future plan for our golf course that will continue to delight our members, burnish our golf reputation, and ensure MGC’s positioning in our competitive market and the state.
We’re excited to announce that the Board unanimously approved the recommendations detailed in the Golf Course Enhancement Plan (Plan) during the August Board meeting. The Board, Green Committee and our architects met on multiple occasions over the past two years. We also solicited feedback from the membership that was incorporated into the approved plan. In total, we made modifications on 11 holes from the original proposal from Jeff Mingay that was presented at MGC this past winter. At this point, this is truly “our plan” as a Club and is a great roadmap for MGC and to help us attain the status of being a top golf course in the Twin
Pillar II – Upgrade Amenities To Turn Weaknesses Into Strengths
SEPTEMBER 2022 STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE
We will update the boards in the Grill with the approved Plan (Click HERE to view) and have also posted it on the member website.
Objectives for this pillar include:
• Build a continuous content library for our digital social media marketing
Check out this link to see some of JDD’s work. https://jddstudio.com/designs
• Fireplace Room/Rosburg Room Renovation
Strategic Planning Committee: Jocelyn Anderson, Andy Bauer, Jeff Callinan, Jay Christiansen, Rick Ellingson, Robert Jackson, John Mackiewicz, John Morioka, Jeff Newhouse, Tom Whaley, JJ Wagner
To help accomplish our “develop marketing content” objectives we are pleased to share that we have partnered with Matchplay, a firm that specializes in club marketing and promotion. They have identified a professional photographer who will be at MGC from 8/319/2 to capture the essence of our course and clubhouse via drone and traditional photography. The drone work will help us create a “Hole by Hole Golf Course Flyover” video to provide prospective members (and guests!) a “bird’s-eye” view of our fantastic course. This video content will also aid us in developing content to use in future Social Media Campaigns around member acquisition efforts (golf enthusiasts, social, family) as well as promote MGC for potential outside events (weddings, office parties, external golf tournaments, corporate meetings etc.). We plan to develop themes and content this winter to use in our Social Media Marketing refresh in Spring 2023.
•
• Explore and expand informative video content
We hope you are excited about the work that is being done to ensure MGC’s future over the next decades. Your MGC Board and Strategic Planning Committee wish to thank you for your current engagement and future support. Your questions may inspire future FAQ’s! Stay tuned for more updates
• Ballroom Refresh
in the coming months!
We are pleased to announce the Facilities Committee recommended and the Board unanimously has approved the engagement of JDD Studio to create schematic designs (Phase 1) for a potential renovation of the clubhouse. The committee engaged 4 firms to submit RFP’s (request for proposal) to articulate their initial vision on components integral to fulfill the wants and needs of current and future MGC members. 3 firms were interviewed and 2 of those firms were brought back for second rounds. The Facilities Committee and Board members involved ultimately selected JDD as the firm to complete Phase 1 of our design work. JDD recently completed architecture and interior design work for White Bear Yacht Club and Woodhill CC, both of which were very impressive.
This design work is also intended to optimize our clubhouse space for our members use as well as attract outside events. The work once identified and approved will be completed in several phases. We would like to recognize and thank Tom DeAngelo, who’s vision for MGC’s future created the foundation for the Facilities Committee to follow over the next many years that will delight our members and exceed their high standards. Thanks also to Tom Whaley, Jeff Callinan, and the Facilities Committee for their commitment to completing this important work.
• Grill Remodel and Patio Expansion
Pillar IV – Fortify Brand Positioning As A Top-Tier Golf Club In The Market
• Create and incorporate a ‘tagline’ to help MGC own a unique position in the minds of consumers”
The Membership Committee submitted many great tagline options which were then reviewed by the Board. Where Tradition Meets Today was chosen as our official MGC tagline and will be used on our external website and future new member acquisition marketing materials.
This phase will enable MGC to solidify our facility plans and enable the committee to establish accurate estimates on costs, scope, and timing. JDD will provide renderings, plans and visuals of what a renovation of MGC could look like, the scope of which includes: Pro Shop Relocation and Simulator Addition
WHAT’SNEW?
Matt has worked at MGC for 4 years. He grew up in Eden Prairie and attended Eden Prairie High School. Matt is now a student at St. Thomas University. He enjoys the fun atmosphere at the Club as well as the members and his co-workers.
Rob is in his first year at MGC and is making a GREAT first impression. He grew up in San Jose, California and went to Santa Clara High School. Rob enjoys working at MGC because of the people he works with and the people he works for. He’s also a fan of the food (Employees of the month are able to order off the member menu for the month, so Rob has been able to tryout several dishes).
FUN FACT: Matt is a member of the St. Thomas University Golf Team
Rob Hodges - Maintenance
EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH
Matt Armstrong - Outside Golf Staff
Jack Hillen Caitlin Hillen On behalf of the entire Club, we would like to welcome our newest members to MGC
Smith Sheri Smith
Blake
Congratulations to Ben Pitzl & Rorh Straus, Champions of MGC’s Drive, Chip, & Putt Competition Ben Pitzl 9-11 y/o Champion Rorh Straus 6-8 y/o Champion
BOOK CLUB
The MGC Book Club meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. for dinner & discussion. All ladies are welcome to join us! Feel free to email Katie Sisel at kdsisel@ gmail.com for information about joining. September book selection is The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Please join us for dinner and discussion on September 1st at 6:30 p.m..
October 6th Book Club at 6:30 Book: Carolina Moonset by Matt Goldman Author Visit open to everyone at the club! He was also a writer on Seinfeld! Book signing following the discussion Author Visit open to everyone at the club!
Congrats to MGC Member, Robbie Newbold. Robbie shot 69 (-3) to claim Co-Medalist with 2 others moving on to the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship at Erin Hills Sept. 10-15. See artice ed_to_US_MidAmateur_at_Erin_Hillshttps://www.mngolf.org/News/Tylke_Hanstad_and_Newbold_Headbelow:
AUGUST PHOTOS
2022 Club Championship Flight Winners Men’s Championship Flight - Robbie Newbold (+3) Women’s Championship Flight - Ava Hanneman (+9) Women’s Stableford Flight (Gross) - Nancy Bartsch (46 Points) Women’s Stableford Flight (Net) - Margaret Koop (79 Points) Men’s Super Senior Flight - Dave Mingo (+10) Men’s 1st Flight - Rob Koop (+6) Men’s 2nd Flight - David Yesnes (+14) Men’s 3rd Flight - Nate Shields (+17) Men’s 4th Flight - Chuck Riesenberg (+20) Men’s 5th Stableford Flight (Gross) - Troy Jensen (+26) Men’s 5th Stableford Flight (Net) - Alan Roessler (+5)
Robbie Newbold
Ava Hanneman
Koop David Yesnes
Rob
Margaret
Koop & Nancy Bartsch Dave Mingo
Nate Shields Chuck Riesenberg Troy Jensen Alan Roessler
The Invitational 2022 Invitational Champions Nick and Richard Schroeder
2022 Invitational Flight Winners
Being
culture Transparency in
The Mission of Minneapolis Golf Club is to maintain our legacy of good stew ardship, provide an exceptional golf club experience, grow the membership, and continually enhance our reputation.OurVision
Continuous
and Accessibilityguests
Superior service standards A diverse, equitable
Minneapolis Golf Club Mission
Core Values - MGC is committed to: improvement of facilities, amenities and programming an elite golf experience social environment and welcoming atmosphere for member families to golf and leisure facilities an employer of choice and inclusive communication and governance
The Vision of Minneapolis Golf Club is to be one of the premier private golf clubs in the Upper Midwest. MGC offers an exceptional golf experience on our classic Park/Ross course with welcoming members in a relaxed family friendly atmosphere.
Delivering
A strong
Tuesday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Hours of DiningOperationHours
- Sunday:
- Friday:
Pool Hours Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day
Weather Permitting
Tuesday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. p.m.
Saturday & Sunday:
Golf Shop Hours Tuesday - Sunday: Open one hour before the first tee time to 7
2022 Board of Directors Andy Bauer - President Jocelyn Anderson - Vice President Jeff Callinan - Secretary Rick Ellingson - Treasurer Tracey Donesky - Board Member Jon Fitzgerald - Board Member Troy Jensen - Board Member Dan Maholias - Board Member John Morioka - Board Member Tom Whaley - Board Member MGC Management Team Joseph “JJ” Wagner - General Manager Dan Simpson - Head Golf Professional Jared Keller - Golf Course Superintendent Jared Grubor - Food & Beverage Director Tyler Hanlon - Executive Chef Nancy Johnson - Director of Catering & Events Anna Vanderlinde - Membership Director Colleen Bakker - Controller Travis Rudolph - Head of Maintenance
MINNEAPOLIS GOLF CLUB 2001 Flag Ave S. Minneapolis, MN 55426 www.minneapolisgolfclub.com