The Birchbark
Governors
Mark George
Vice
Governors
Katie Izzo
Gregg Speaks
Matt Pappas
Pat Flynn
Don Lough
General
Peter Swick
A letter from our GM
2024 Orchard Lake Country Club Family Campout: A Cherished Tradition
It’s hard to believe that Labor Day has already come and gone, marking the end of summer and the beginning of a new season. Yet, amidst the transition, it’s time to reflect on one of Orchard Lake Country Club’s most beloved events—the annual Family Campout.
This year’s campout was truly special, featuring an exciting first: a tour of Apple Island. For the first time in recent history, families had the chance to explore this historic gem, wandering through its untouched landscapes and hunting for treasures. It was an enchanting experience, blending history and adventure for both kids and adults.
The fun didn’t stop there. Our campout was packed with memorable activities, including tubing on the lake, a late-night movie screening in the pool complete with concessions, and classic s’mores by the fire pit. The weekend wrapped up with a breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and perhaps a few beverages, ensuring that everyone, especially the dads, started the day refreshed and ready for the next round of excitement (or not so much).
While the campout may seem like a simple tradition, it’s these cherished moments that truly highlight what makes Orchard Lake Country Club special. We are more than just a club with exceptional amenities; we are THE premier family destination in the metro area and the Midwest. Events like these remind us of the value in creating lasting memories and celebrating the essence of family togetherness.
Here’s to many more years of campouts, cherished traditions, and the wonderful family experiences that define us as the benchmark for family enjoyment.
All the best,
Peter Swick
Peter Swick General Manager
OLCC BB
Orchard Lake Management Team
Administration
Peter Swick General Manager pswick@orchardlakecc.com
David Simpson Clubhouse Manager dsimpson@orchardlakecc.com
Marty Agnello Controller magnello@orchardlakecc.com
Nicole Petrone
Membership Marketing Director npetrone@orchardlakecc.com
Beth Deaton Website Administrator bdeaton@orchardlakecc.com
Carol Molina Director of Human Resources cmolina@orchardlakecc.com
Hospitality
Tyler Colman Executive Chef tcolman@orchardlakecc.com
Sarah Harris
Catering Director sharris@orchardlakecc.com
Atara Krakoff
Assistant Catering Director akrakoff@orchardlakecc.com
Greg Stangis Food & Beverage Director gstangis@orchardlakecc.com
Nathalie Fregonara Banquet Manager nfregonara@orchardlakecc.com
Jill Viculis Director of Dining Services jviculis@orchardlakecc.com
Tom Kruszewski Fitness Director tkruszewski@orchardlakecc.com
Golf Operations
Brian Sleeman PGA Head Professional bsleeman@orchardlakecc.com
Aaron McMaster Green Superintendent mcmaster@orchardlakecountryclub.com
John Gilbert Golf Services Manager jgilbert@orchardlakecc.com
Racquet Sports
Lincoln Wirgau Racquets Director lwirgau@orchardlakecc.com
Lakefront
Kevin Fogarty Swim Team Coach
Doug Irey Pool Manager direy@orchardlakecc.com
Paige Loskill Waterfront Director sailing@orchardlakecc.com
Orchard Lake Country Club
OLCC MEMBERSHIP
SEPTEMBER
Save the Dates
Thursday, 12 Past Governors’ Golf & Dinner
Thursday, 19 Krupp Brothers Wine Dinner
OCTOBER
Friday, 4 Glow Golf
Sunday, 6 Kids’ Etiquette Class
Sunday, 6 Annual OLCC Family 5K Walk/Run
Friday, 18 Fall Wine Tasting
Wednesday, 23 Caddie Banquet
Saturday, 26 Family Halloween Party
NOVEMBER
Friday, 1 President’s Party
Wednesday, 20 Ladies Night Out/ Holiday Boutique
Thursday, 21 Ladies Holiday Boutique
Thursday, 28 Thanksgiving Buffet
DECEMBER
Thursday, 5 Annual Meeting
Saturday, 7 Santa Brunch
Sunday, 8 Santa Brunch
Friday, 13 Holiday Lunch Buffet 13 – 15 Detroit Grand Prix Platform Tennis Tournament
Saturday, 14 Christmas Cheer
Sunday, 22 Going Out with a Bang!
SEPTEMBER
A La Carte Dining
Lunch 11am - 3pm
OCTOBER A La Carte Dining
3pm
- 7:00pm
OCTOBER Tuesday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm Saturday & Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Welcome New Members
Active (MiW)
Ziv and Danielle Weizman
Rockbridge Growth Equity – Partner
Children: Mia, Noa
Social
Robert & Alexandra Huffmaster
Accordion – Associate
Children: Maxwell, Archie
Not Pictured
Active (MiW)
Subash & Monica Chandra
The Benchmark Company – Managing Partner
Children: Avi, Riyan
Active (MiW)
Silas and Bridgette Klarr
Social
Brian Wenzel
Atwell, LLC - CEO
Children: Ashley, Justin, Brittany, Elizabeth
Tennis Finals Dinner Party
OLCC BB FITNESS
Run the Lake 2024: NEW DATE October 6th
Join us October 6th, 2024, for the Fourth Annual Run the Lake 5K and Kid's Fun Run. Yes, our event has been pushed one week back to accommodate for a golf event on September 29th. Proceeds benefit The Friends of the Children - Detroit. Registration includes a custom ¼ zip jacket, finisher's medal, awards, food and refreshments, as well as raffle prizes for donations. This is a unique OLCC event and all members are welcome to participate, and guests are welcome too! You do not have to be a runner! Come on out, get some steps and support a great cause. Register via runsignup.com or with Tom Kruszewski in the Fitness Center.
2024 Labor Day Fun!
OLCC BB
A Letter From the Golf Pro
Brian Sleeman PGA Head Professional
Women’s Golf
The morning temperatures are dipping a little and the promise of great fall golf is in the air! September and October are opportune times to enjoy some cooler weather, fabulous course conditions, and even a little fall color in the trees as we head later into the season. We look forward to seeing you all out on the course this fall, which is highlighted by some programming favorites for everyone...
The Blue Lake Cup was dealt an unfortunate hand with some heavy rainfall prior to its original date in July, but we’re looking forward to offering a great member-guest experience on the new dates of September 10-11. It is followed immediately afterward by the Solheim Cup event on September 12, back for its second year and sure to maintain its popularity in a friendly, team-based format. The month wraps with the Women’s Closing Day event on Thursday, September 26, marking the end of the Thursday morning golf series. Our closing meeting is on October 3, where we’ll look back at the year that was and make some early plans for a great 2025.
Men’s Golf
On the men’s side, September offers two primary events contested in a similar format but with a different team structure. I’m referring to the Ward Cup on September 13, a one-day member-guest, and the Colt & Alison on September 29, a one-day member-member. Each event features 27 holes of team play across three different nine-hole formats (scramble, better ball, and alternate shot), and both promise ample fun and camaraderie. Looking a little further ahead, the Hard As It Gets tournament is scheduled for Sunday, October 20, promising plenty of laughs and head shaking as we play in a scramble from the tips to 18 of the toughest hole locations on the course. Line up your buddies and prepare for one of the toughest and fun rounds of the year.
Junior Golf
Though the return of the school year means the end of most of our junior golf programming, After School Golf offers the chance for our golf-engaged youngsters to continue developing their game on weekday afternoons throughout the month of September. Small class sizes ensure plenty of dedicated time
with our coaches, so please consider joining us to enjoy some fall golf together. Should the schedule not work for your son or daughter, Junior Golf Leader Dominic DiLisi is also available for private and group lessons on your schedule.
Couples Golf
There are also great opportunities to enjoy some co-ed golf through the fall season, including Couples League, which concludes at the end of September. Glow Golf is an annual hit and takes place this year on Friday, October 3. Join us for a lively and casual dinner before heading out into the darkness in your glow gear for a modified par three course and mini golf experience under the stars!
All are also welcome and encouraged to join us for the Caddie Banquet on October 23. This is a can’t-miss event celebrating our top caddies from the season with their families, and John Gilbert is always an entertaining and engaging M.C. Please consider showing your support through your attendance and/or donations to ensure this event continues to grow in celebration of the relationship enjoyed between our members and the young people who walk the fairways with us each season.
Course Care – Bunkers
One of the most beautiful (and penalizing) features of our golf course are the bunkers guarding the greens and fairways, and they only become more difficult and less fair when players leave a mess behind them. It is our individual and collective responsibility to maintain the bunkers at their best, and that means raking our footprints and other marks when exiting the bunker.
To minimize damage, please ensure you always enter and exit from the lowest point of the bunker (not necessarily the nearest point to the ball), and then use the technique of lowering the handle and pushing the sand forward to fill in your tracks. This avoids piling up the sand in the perimeter of the bunker and leaving the middle – from where most shots are played – too shallow. Lastly, please leave the rake outside the bunker and parallel to the line of play when finished. Please spread the good word to your playing partners, family, and guests to ensure the bunkers play their best and easiest throughout the season. Please let us know if there’s anything we can do to make your fall season more enjoyable, and we’ll look forward to seeing you out on the course!
Brian Sleeman PGA Head Professional
2024 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND
2024 GIRLS CLUB CHAMPION – JOSIE VANDENHAUTE
AGES 11-12: REAGAN PENROD
AGES 9-10: IVY HONER
AGES 7-8: KENZIE ROCK
2024 BOYS CLUB CHAMPION
– JOHN HOFLEY
AGES 13-14: ANGELO PALAZETI
AGES 11-12: JASPER GLANCE
AGES 9-10: CAMERON ROCK
2024 WOMEN'S CLUB CHAMPION – MEGHAN GATWARD KEMP
NET DIVISION: ABBY GORDON
2024 MEN'S CLUB CHAMPION – GREG DAVIES
FLIGHT 1: KEGAN BORLAND
FLIGHT 2: ROBERT NUNEZ
FLIGHT 3: JOE HARDIG
FLIGHT 4: RON HUMENNY
YOUNG ADULTS (18-25): RYAN O’ROURKE
MEMBER -CADDIE TOURNAMENT
Our second annual Member-Caddie Tournament featured 20 members and 40 caddies for a nine-hole scramble followed by a casual cookout and party in the Picnic Grove. Thank you to the members who donated their time and some of the prizes for this year’s caddie raffle – we hope to continue to grow this event, and if you missed it this year, please consider joining us next time for some fun!
The Family Scramble was a sellout in its second straight year and offered a fun and outside-the-box game for kids and adults of all ages. Thank you to everyone who joined us on Sunday, August 18!
Family Scramble Tournament
END OF AN ERA
As each summer fades into fall, we say goodbye to many of our seasonal staff as they return to school and eye the next chapter in their lives. We were fortunate this past summer to have one more season from three of our all-star golf staff members, each of whom we were fortunate to watch grow up as they rose through the ranks of caddies, golf services, and even a professional internship with the golf program. Rachel Yuhas completed her summer internship with us in early August and has returned to Concordia University in Ann Arbor for her senior year. She was also a long-time caddie and completed her last loop on the bags of Jim and Brendan Gatward during the 2024 Blue Coat.
Rylie Yuhas has returned to Adrian College after another great season, and we are actively trying to sell her on an internship for next year! Abbey Zahra – one of our Evans Scholars – has returned to the University of Michigan where she’s beginning her junior year, and Katie Grewe, another long-time caddie and golf service staff member, is back at the University of Dayton in Ohio. Thank you to all four of these young ladies for adding so much to the golf experience over these last many years. It’s bittersweet watching them move on and we know they will all continue to be successful in their academic career and beyond!
RACQUETS
Fall Racquets Report
Our junior tennis season has ended for the year. It was a great summer filled with so many smiling faces and kids learning the game of tennis.
We hosted inter-club finals this year and it was a great event. The kids played hard and finished as runners-up. OLCC had the most kids playing than any other club in the league. We had 4 flight winners this year:
CHAMPIONS
Girls 14s Doubles: Gigi Giudici & Grace Kalkanis
Girls 14s Singles: Karishma Vakhariya
Boys 10s Singles: Noah Kemp
Boys 18s Doubles: Asher Langwell & John McKany
FINALISTS
Boys 14s Singles: Jacob Finkel
Boys 18s Singles: Frank Salzeider
Mixed 14s Doubles: Sofia McKany & Benjamin McKany
CONSOLATION CHAMPIONS
Girls 12s Singles: Kira Singla
Events like this cannot be made possible without the great members we have here at Orchard Lake. Here is a list of our sponsors we had help with our tournament, that we would like to thank one more time:
White Sponsors
-Peach Lab
Pro V Enterprise
-Beauty Culture Med Spa
-Motor City Orthopedics
-Bowman Auto Group
-Grid 4 Communications
-Bill Brundage Realtor
-Zimmer Biomet
-Luxe Homes Design and Build
-The Vakhariya Family
Gold Sponsors
-The Kemp Family
-The Mckany Family
-Crest Automotive
Silver Sponsors
-The Kohn Family
-Inland Strategies/The Spencer Family
Family Sponsors
-The Batras
-The Birds
-The Chons
-The Jallads
-The Kalkanis Family
-The Tallingers
-The Senior Tennis Group
-The Higgins Family
-The Singlas
-The Cloptons
-The Meters
-The Fifes
-The Greens
-OLCC Golf Program
-The Howes
-OLCC Swim Team
-The Pachlas
-OLCC Sailing
-Querubin & David Smith
-The Harringtons
2024 Junior Tennis Interclub Finals Champs
OLCC BB RACQUETS
Lincoln Wirgau, USPTA
Director of Racquets
Paddle season is approaching. Men's/Ladies League night will begin the week of October 7th with Open Play during Monday and Tuesday nights. The league will officially kick off the week of the 14th and will run until the week of December 16th. The league will
be the same format as the previous season with drinks and snacks available.
We will also be running both Men's/Ladies inter-club paddle leagues. The ladies will be held Thursday morning with the DLPTL, and we are working on the Men's league date/ times. Along with the Detroit Grand Prix event we will also be hosting an NRT event for all the local players to play in the season for both men and women. The date on the NRT is Nov 16-17th and the Date for the Grand Prix is December 13-15th. New this year we will run a Wednesday morning Ladies ladder during the season starting the week of Oct 14th for those who cannot play at night.
Pickle ball season is also approaching. We will run a nighttime league on Tuesday evenings starting at 6:30pm and a daytime league on Thursdays starting at 10am. The nighttime league will run on September 10th, 17th, and 24th, as well as October 1st and 8th. The daytime league will be on September 12th, 19th, 26th, and October 10th and 17th. For both leagues, each team must sign up with a partner and we will need a total of 12 teams to run the league.
Lincoln Wirgau, USPTA
Director of Racquets
Fall Sailing Report
Happy Fall Y’all!
What a season… I want to begin by saying how grateful I am for everyone for being so incredibly supportive of me taking over this directorship role. I can only hope to have made you all proud.
Throughout this summer we have had quite the variable experience. From an insurmountable amount of days with no wind, to many umbrella-breaking storms, we now rest at the end of the summer able to look back and reminisce about it all.
This year we welcomed many new and returning faces down at the waterfront, a fact I could not be more excited about. While schedules were packed and there were times we were unable to get a full fleet out for our league nights, we had our Jim Leslie, Around the Island, and most recently our Skippers Invitational Regattas almost, if not, completely full. Truly a sight to see.
Throughout this year we had many other great feats expanding beyond the walls of our club. Mike Blinstrub, Grant Glover, Suzanne Thomas, Steve Briggs, and myself all competed in the 100th running of the Bayview Mackinac Regatta! A wonderful accomplishment for our membership, and even greater, Mike finished first in his class! It was so exciting to see his team receive their award, even more so as he proudly displayed our OLCC burgee on his hat during the event. Kudos to all our OLCC sailors who participated and will continue in off-shore racing events this year.
As I’ve taken over this position and become more keenly aware of all the niches and details that come with it, I am overwhelmed with excitement for the opportunities that lie ahead. Already, we are planning to introduce new training programs and workshops to continue developing the skills of
our sailors. Our goal next year is to build on this year’s successes and ensure that our sailing program remains a beacon of excellence and enjoyment. I am so proud of our Jr sailors who relentlessly showed up during fair and foul weather to sail. It has been remarkable to see their exponential progression, and I am looking forward to the amount of beginners who will move up into intermediate and intermediates who will move up to advanced!
In closing, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to the waterfront program’s success this year. From our talented sailors to our dedicated coaches, volunteers, and supportive members, your collective efforts have made this year unforgettable. As we prepare to set sail into the new year, I am confident that the momentum we have built will carry us to even greater heights.
Here’s to smooth sailing, fair seas, and continued success in the coming year!
All The Best,
Paige Loskill Waterfront Director
Paige Loskill Waterfront/Sailing Director
OLCC BB EVENTS
From the Kitchen
Tyler T. Colman Executive Chef
Dear Members of Orchard Lake Country Club,
I hope this message finds you well. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for making my first summer as Executive Chef here so memorable. Having spent 11 wonderful years at this club, this year stands out as truly special, thanks to all of you.
From the moment I took my first cooking class at the age of five, I knew this was my path. Being part of this extraordinary club and working with such an amazing membership is a dream come true. We are more than just a club; we are a family, and Orchard Lake Country Club is a place like no other—truly the most beautiful club.
This summer has been an incredible journey as we have built a talented team of culinarians dedicated to delivering exceptional dining experiences. I am excited about the future and look forward to many more seasons of fun, food, and festivities with all of you.
I also want to remind our members that we are here to make your dining experiences special and unique. If you have any requests or are looking for something particular, please feel free to reach out to me. We are more than happy to accommodate most requests.
Thank you once again for your support and for being part of this remarkable journey.
Warm regards,
Tyler T. Colman Executive Chef
Can you pick out the celebrity chef?
OLCC CATERING
Special Events Wrap Up
Wow, what a summer! As we look back on these past few months, it's clear that this was one for the books. We kicked things off with a bang, diving right into a whirlwind of special events. We had 7 weddings thus far along with a large amount of baby showers, bridal showers, first communions and birthday parties. Each one was a unique celebration, and we loved being a part of so many special celebrations.
But that’s not all—we had our annual camp out, and it was a huge hit! It was awesome seeing the lawn dotted with colorful tents and families soaking up the evening’s fun. There’s something magical about seeing everyone come together like that, sharing stories and laughter under the stars while enjoying a movie while floating in the pool!
On top of that, our sports scene was buzzing with activity. From our Players tournament and the Blue Coat tournament to our swim events we really brought our A-game. We also had he pleasure of hosting tennis finals this year, and despite some less than ideal weather, our players really brough their all. Seeing the dedication and passion of each player, and witnessing the hard work they’ve put in, made the whole event truly memorable. With all the sports that took place this summer, it felt like every week was packed with excitement and cheering crowds, and it was fantastic to see so many members getting involved and enjoying themselves.
In a nutshell, this summer has been filled with a whole lot of action, but we would not have wanted it any other way. Thanks to all of you who participated and made it all possible. Your enthusiasm and presence made every event a tremendous success and we hope to see all of you join us at the rest of the events we have planned for the year.
As we look ahead, there is no shortage of fun that’s coming our way this Fall! It’s shaping up to be an amazing season, and we can’t wait to jump into everything we’ve got lined up.
We look forward to a visit from Michael Gutenplan, the incredible mentalist, who is sure to wow us with his mind-reading talents. We are positive that he will keep everyone mesmerized for the entirety of the show!
Our annual Family Halloween Party is right around the corner on October 26th, and we’re gearing up for a spooktacular time. This years theme is Villains and we will have some special characters joining us. From costumes to activities and everything in between, it’s going to be a blast for the whole family. Get those creative costumes ready because it’s going to be an afternoon to remember! We are bringing back our Daddy Daughter Dance this year for an enchanting evening on November 8th and we hope all you fathers grab your daughters and come dance the night away with us.
So, gear up for a fantastic Fall filled with mind-blowing magic, wicked Halloween fun, a special princess dance and so much more. We can’t wait to share these exciting moments with you!
-Atara Krakoff & Sarah Harris
Atara Krakoff & Sarah Harris Catering Team
OLCC BB EVENTS
OLCC EVENTS
OLCC CALENDAR
