Newsette Dec 2013 - Jan 2014

Meridian Hills Country Club

Newsette

www.meridianhillscc.org December 2013 / January 2014

FAMILY

CHRISTMAS PARTY DECEMBER 15TH 4:00PM 8:30PM

JOIN US FOR THE WENDY REED TRIO, CARRIAGE RIDES, LIVE REINDEER, CRAFTS, FACE PAINTING, SANTA & MRS. CLAUS, DINNER AND MORE.

NO A LA CARTE

IN THIS ISSUE Message from new President, Bill Smith page 2 Message from new Membership Chairman, Tom Foster page 4 Welcome Back Party page 7 Jack’s Final Holiday Open House page 8 Poinsettia Tree sign up back cover

Message from the President Board of Directors

Another successful year is coming to a close and I want to thank all the outgoing board members, officers, committee chairs, and William E. Smith III committee members for their commitment and good work. I welcome President all our members who are returning to continuing positions or filling Toby McClamroch vacant volunteer positions and appreciate their contributions and Vice President leadership in 2014. While member volunteers are key stewards of a Jim Litten successful club, without the leadership of a general manager like Steve Vice President Roper, along with his superior staff, the excellent service at Meridian Kristin Altice Hills could not be provided.

Our member and staff leadership has produced strong financial Jim Dodson Bill Smith results in 2013. Active ongoing membership recruitment coupled with Tony Snider Club President attention to details in daily operations is the reason for our financial Erica Mobasser strength. While 2013 was a record year for attracting new members, recruiting new Jim Sinclair members in 2014 will be equally challenging. Our goal is to meet or surpass the 2013 Jim Zoccola membership performance. All of us can help our membership committee attract new members by bringing friends to the club to experience Meridian Hills first hand. As Mark Linden - Treasurer Jessica Bex reminds me, “rarely has anyone joined the club without visiting first”.

Jeff Kirk - Legal Counsel

Let us remember that members and potential members come to our club not only for the fine dining and social activities, but to enjoy our tennis and golf Management Team facilities. Under the continued leadership of Ludo Aaron, the tennis and paddle Steve Roper, CCM, CCE tennis programs are growing. His creative programming and enthusiasm attract new General Manager members and engage our current members.

Ludo Aaron

Our golf professional staff will experience a major change in 2014 with Head Tennis Professional Jack Barber transitioning to Golf Ambassador while Michael Bembenick becomes Jack Barber our Head Professional. I know we all wish them both maximum success in their Head Golf Professional new roles. We are fortunate that Jim Hess and his staff will continue to provide Jessica Bex outstanding course conditions at our club.

Membership Director

Besides a sterling membership roster, the high quality facilities and service Rhonda Daly at Meridian Hills make it a premier country club. Our staff does a fine job of Assistant F & B Manager maintaining the service level, but facilities need constant attention and improvement; Ashley Goldman therefore, our board will make capital spending on facility maintenance a priority Communications Coordinator in 2014. Balancing the necessary capital spending while reducing debt is not an easy Jim Hess challenge, but by focusing on long range planning and member priorities, I believe Golf Course Superintendent this challenge can be met.

Tim Leonard Finally, as 2013 comes to an end, I sincerely wish all of our members and employees a Dining Room Manager safe, healthy, and happy holiday as we anticipate another memorable year at Meridian Stephanie Martin Catering & Events Coordinator Hills Country Club.

Joe Miller Executive Chef Patrick Necessary Banquet Supervisor Jan Pyritz Accounting Manager Meridian Hills Country Club 7099 Spring Mill Road Indianapolis, Indiana 46260 317.255.2496

22 Dec2013/Jan2014 Dec2013/Jan2014

Sincerely, Bill Smith

Season’s Greetings from all of us at Meridian Hills!

Have a safe and Happy Holiday Season from our family to yours. www.meridianhillscc.org

Message from theGeneral Manager

The holidays are upon us; the club is beautifully decorated for the season and will put all in “the spirit” of how special this time of year is. The month is booked with parties, both lunch and dinner. Please remember, some dining venues that are not normally used for private parties will be used during this time of year to accommodate members as much as possible.

2 ~ President’s Message 3 ~ Message from the gm 4 ~ Membership Update

We will begin this month serving a limited menu on Sunday and Tuesday evenings. Over the winter months, dining traffic in the evening is reduced and in an effort to minimize waste and control labor costs, we will monitor this approach.

10-11 ~ Calendars

Table of Contents

5-7 ~ Upcoming Events 8-9 ~ Golf News

Steve Roper, CCM, CCE General Manager

We will utilize some local charities, like Wheeler Mission and Second Helpings, with some of our leftover food from parties and buffets when possible. The staff is also adopting families for turkeys at Thanksgiving and gifts for Christmas. And, thank you to the membership for your generous gifts to the Holiday Christmas Fund. These funds are shared with the employees to whom it means the most. Thank you for making them and their families’ holiday brighter!

12 ~ Club Hours 13 ~ Poinsettia Tree Form

The club will be open for New Year’s Eve and close January 1 through January 14, reopening Wednesday, January 15th. A “Welcome Back” party is scheduled Saturday, January 18 with cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, music and dancing.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

CLUB CLOSED

January 1st, 2014 - January 14th, 2014 Re-opening on January 15th

Dining Reciprocity: Columbia Club 767-1361 Woodland Country Club 846-2588 3 Dec2013/Jan2014

Woodstock Club 926-3348

As has been the case for several years, the Club will be closed for two weeks in January for our annual Club maintenance projects. The Club will close beginning Tuesday, January 1st and will reopen on Wednesday, January 15th. All facilities will be closed except for the Fitness Center and Paddle Tennis courts. Dining reciprocity has been offered to our members at the Columbia Club, Woodland Country Club and Woodstock Club. Please call each Club for hours of operation and for reservations.

www.meridianhillscc.org

Membership Update

I would like to welcome Adam Broderick, Linda Ford and Adam Seger to the Membership Committee and thank them in advance for their service to the club. I am honored to be selected as Chairman of this committee and I look forward to serving the club in this capacity. Together as a committee we will continue the growth of our fabulous club.

Tom Foster

Membership Committee Chairman

As a member of Meridian Hills it is your responsibility to recruit potential new members by contacting family, friends and business acquaintances to join our great club. With this in mind, commit yourself to bring 1 new membership candidate to our club because membership is the lifeblood of Meridian Hills. Once you have a candidate please contact Jessica Bex to set an appointment for a club tour.

On behalf of the Membership committee I would like to wish all of your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Sincerely, Tom Foster

Welcome New Members

Please help us welcome the following new members who were accepted as Members of the Club in November.

SMITH, Mr. Victor (Kathleen) HUSE, Mr. Craig (Jill) Secretary of Commerce, State of Indiana St. Elmo Steak House One North Capital Avenue 127 South Illinois Street Indianapolis, IN 46204 Indianapolis, IN 46225 5520 North Meridian Street 6823 Fox Lake North Drive Indianapolis, IN 46208 (317) 384-1222 Indianapolis, IN 46278 (317) 418-3578 Resident Clubhouse Resident Clubhouse Sponsors: Jim Morris and Jim Schellinger Sponsors: Kevin Stitle, Brian King,

Dan Ryan and John Lewis

Halloween Costume Party Winners 1ST PLACE: CHERYL BRIM

Cheryl’s winning costume idea (an MHCC Golf Cart) was inspired by 11 year old, Gretchen Betz 4 Dec2013/Jan2014

2ND PLACE: JOEL JENKINS

3RD PLACE: ANTWAIN WEEDEN

Race car Driver

Zombie Football Player

www.meridianhillscc.org

Upcoming Events

CANDLELIGHT DINNER SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2013 COCKTAILS AT 6:00PM & DINNER AT 7:00PM

WITH VOCALIST MATT ROUSH

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED $55.00 PER PERSON NO A LA CARTE AVAILABLE 5 Dec2013/Jan2014

www.meridianhillscc.org

Upcoming Events

6 Dec2013/Jan2014

www.meridianhillscc.org

Upcoming Events

Saturday, January 18th Beginning at 6pm

Join us for an adult only night of winter fun in the Clubhouse.

Tasty food stations will be located in each dining venue, the drinks will be flowing and we will have music & dancing.

MEMBER CHARGE BAR CHEFS SELECTION OF HEAVY HORS D’OEUVRES MUSIC AND DANCING Can’t find a sitter?

No problem, we have a kids only party hosted by the Kid’s Club.

PIZZA BUFFET CRAFTS & ENTERTAINMENT

RS V CAL P VIA LIN PHO G2 55 NE BY -24 96 7 Dec2013/Jan2014

ADULTS: $35 PER PERSON KIDS (4-10): $12.95 TWEENS (11-13): $14.95 www.meridianhillscc.org

Golf News * JACK’S FINAL CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE * --Balloon Sale-Save the Date: Thursday, December 5th 5-8pm

Please RSVP in the Golf Shop for the biggest sale of the year! The balloon sale will be back and great discounts will be had throughout the shop. Christmas inspired gift wrapping will be available for every purchase.

Please stop by so Jack and his staff can wish you a Happy Holidays and thank you for a great season!

Golf Shop Reminders

• All golf shop Credit MUST be used by Sunday, December 22nd • If you need your clubs for the months of January and February, BE SURE to pick them up before the New Year!

• Special Orders are no longer available on most goods as Jack has Closed many of his merchandise accounts

Golf Shop Christmas Schedule Sunday, December 22nd Open from 9am – 5pm Monday, December 23rd CLOSED Christmas Eve CLOSED Christmas Day CLOSED Thursday, December 26th CLOSED Friday, December 27th Open from 10am – 4pm Satirday, December 28th Open from 10am – 4pm Sunday, December 29th Open from 10am – 4pm Monday, December 30th Begin Winter Shutdown

*The Golf Shop will be CLOSED during the months of January and February. We will re-open Saturday, March 1st, 2014

Golf Shop Emergency Contacts If you have any questions or need anything from the golf shop please contact any of the individuals below.

Michael Bembenick michael.bembenick@gmail.com 574-274-0057 Alex Poley alexpoley@outlook.com 937-416-8070

Toughman Challenge Results

Friday, November 15th Place Team 1st Bill Nie, Jeff Lockwood, Don Levenhagen 2nd John Morrical, Larry Martin, Brian Wiegel 3rd Boyd Zoccola, Bobby Hebert, Bill Winingham

Individual net Skins Score 65 66 66

*Tie breaker* Hole #15

8 Dec2013/Jan2014

www.meridianhillscc.org

Hole 1 3 5 9 10 12 14 15 16 17

Name Jon Spadorica Bob Hebert John Morrical Bill Winingham Doug Braly Ken Wolff Doug Braly Fritz French Don Levenhagen Don Shelbourne

Score 3 2 3 3 3 2 3 2 3 3

A Letter from Jack Barber

Golf News

Dear Members, Time sure flies by when you are having fun! I am so grateful to the membership and the club for the wonderful relationship that we have had during my time as your PGA Professional. I take great pride knowing that I have been only the 3rd professional since 1940.

I am truly excited about my new role as your Club Ambassador. Some of my responsibilities include:

- Providing Golf instruction

- New member engagement

- Helping long-time members get better use of their club membership

- Serving as your ‘expert’ for golf and recreational travel plans

- Playing golf with all levels of the membership As I get back to full health, I am excited to begin playing the game competitively. Whether it is a local pro-am, or national tournament, I will always represent Meridian Hills in the highest regard. I wish the entire membership a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year as we all look forward to a prosperous 2014.

May God Bless, Jack and Becky Barber and Family

Update from your Incoming Professional Members of Meridian Hills: As the 2013 season comes to a close, I want to take a moment and provide an update on my preparation for 2014:

- I have met with 15+ vendors, reviewing new apparel and equipment lines for 2014. Much of the spring and summer merchandise concession has been put on order. Next year’s fashions have shown very well, and I think you will enjoy the product mix the golf shop will offer!

- The golf operations organizational structure has been determined, and the search process has begun for your new team of Assistant Golf Professionals. The interest in coming to work for our club has been tremendous, and I am nearing decisions on multiple positions. Look for more details introducing my team in the early part of 2014.

- We have consulted with multiple golf shop design companies in looking for ways to improve the layout and ambience of the golf shop. Potential changes could be made over the winter season to improve my staff ’s ability to provide service, while creating a more inviting, warm retail experience to you and your guests.

- I recently joined the Golf Business Network, which is an acclaimed organization that is dedicated to helping 450 select professionals around the country adapt to new and changing trends in the golf industry. I will have access to enhanced resources, best practices, and build relationships that will help prepare both me and our club for the future of the ever-changing landscape that country clubs have become.

Lastly, I want each and every member to know how much I appreciate the support I was given during the interview process to become your next golf professional. The outreach was unbelievable! I am grateful for the opportunity to lead our club into the future and will continue to provide the outstanding golf experience that each Meridian Hills member and their families have come to enjoy.

Happy Holidays, Michael Bembenick 9 Dec2013/Jan2014

www.meridianhillscc.org

December 2013 SUNDAY MONDAY 1 2 Sunday Brunch Clubhouse 10am - 2pm Closed Gingerbread House Decorating

Limited Dinner Menu 8 9 Sunday Brunch Clubhouse 10am - 2pm Closed

3

TUESDAY

Limited Dinner Menu

Meridian Hills Country Club WEDNESDAY 4 Pasta Night: Lasagna

Ladies Book Club 12pm

10

Limited Dinner Menu

11

Pasta Night: Chicken Picatta

17

18

Limited Dinner Menu

Pasta Night: Cheese Manicotti

Friday Night Prime Rib Buffet

SATURDAY 7

12

13 Friday Night Prime Rib Buffet

14

19 Ladies Duplicate Bridge, 10:00am

20 Friday Night Prime Rib Buffet

21

27 Friday Night Prime Rib Buffet

28

Candlelight Dinner (no a la carte)

Dinner Special: Fried Chicken

no a la carte for dinner 23

Clubhouse Closed

24

Clubhouse Closed

25

Clubhouse Closed

26

Dinner Special: Veal Liver & Onions

Closed for dinner

Limited Dinner Menu

FRIDAY

Dinner Special: Veal Liver & Onions

15 16 Sunday Brunch Clubhouse 10am - 2pm Closed Family Christmas Party

29 Sunday Brunch 10am - 2pm

6

Dinner Special: Fish & Chips

Limited Dinner Menu

22 BRUNCH ONLY 10am - 2pm (no a la carte)

THURSDAY 5 Ladies Duplicate Bridge, 10:00am

30

Clubhouse Closed

31 New Year’s Eve Party

Reminder the Club will close beginning Wednesday, January 1st for our annual club maintenance projects. We will reopen on Wednesday, January 15th

January 2014 SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Meridian Hills Country Club WEDNESDAY 1 Clubhouse Closed

THURSDAY 2 Clubhouse Closed

3

FRIDAY Clubhouse Closed

SATURDAY 4

Clubhouse Closed

Reminder the Club will close beginning Wednesday, January 1st and will reopen on January 15th for our annual club maintenance projects

5

6 Clubhouse Closed

7

8

Clubhouse Closed

9

Clubhouse Closed

Clubhouse Closed

10 Clubhouse Closed

11 Clubhouse Closed

Clubhouse Closed

Reminder the Club will close beginning Wednesday, January 1st and will reopen on January 15th for our annual club maintenance projects

12

13 Clubhouse Closed

14 Clubhouse Closed

15 Clubhouse Closed

Pasta Night: Chicken Parmesan

Reminder the Club will close beginning Wednesday, January 1st and will reopen on January 15th for our annual club maintenance projects 19 Sunday Brunch 10am - 2pm ONLY

20

Clubhouse Closed

21 Limited Dinner Menu

Closed for dinner

17 18 Friday Night Welcome Back Prime Rib Buffet Party

Dinner Special: Fried Shrimp 22

Pasta Night: Shrimp Diablo

Closed for dinner

26 Sunday Brunch 10am - 2pm ONLY

16 Ladies Duplicate Bridge, 10:00am Chairwoman: Ann Dugan

23

24 Friday Night Prime Rib Buffet

Dinner Special: Veal Liver & Onions 27

Clubhouse Closed

28 Limited Dinner Menu

29 *Fiesta Night*

30

31 Friday Night Prime Rib Buffet

Dinner Special: Fish & Chips

25

Club Hours of Operation Member Services Desk 317.255.2496

Tuesday - Sunday 9:00am - 5:00pm Managers Office 317.255.2497

Tuesday - Sunday 9:00am - 6:00pm Steve Roper, General Manager sroper@mhcc-indy.com

Accounting Office 317.251.3636

Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm Jan Pyritz, Accounting Manager janisp@mhcc-indy.com

Jessica Bex, Membership Director jessicab@mhcc-indy.com

Golf Pro Shop December Tuesday-Sunday: Monday Closed

317.255.3369 9:00am - 5:00pm

Tennis Pro Shop

317.860.1630

Kids Club

317.255.0605

Ludo Aaron, Head Tennis Professional ludoaaron@gmail.com

Dining Hours

Lunch

Tuesday - Saturday 11:30am - 2:00pm

Dinner

Tuesday - Saturday 5:30pm - 9:00pm

Sunday

10:00am - 2:00pm &

Sunday Dinner 5:00pm - 8:00pm

*Reservations can be made by calling 255.2496*

Catering 317.860.1536 Stephanie Martin, Catering & Events Coordinator slowry@mhcc-indy.com

Food & Beverage

Membership 317.860.1556

317.860.1534

Rhonda Daly, Food & Beverage Manager rhondadaly@gmail.com

Fall Hours Friday & Saturday Evening: 5:00 pm - Close ** In the evenings, if there are no children in the Kid’s Club by 9pm the Kid’s Club staff will lock up and leave for the night. Should there be kids, the staff will stay until the last child is picked up.** Reservations recommended

Fitness Center

Monday - Sunday 6:00am - 9:30pm * Call Marcus Bastianelli at 317-373-4321 to schedule your MHCC orientation for unlimited access.*

Tim Leonard, Dining Room Manager tleonard@mhcc-indy.com Patrick Necessary, Banquet Supervisor pnecessary@mhcc-indy.com

visit us on the web at www.meridianhillscc.org

12 Dec2013/Jan2014

www.meridianhillscc.org

MERIDIAN HILLS POINSETTIA TREE A Time for Remembering...

Again this year, a beautiful seven foot tall red poinsettia tree will be built in our front Foyer. This tree has become a MHCC tradition; it made its first appearance in 1990! The tree is made possible by the contributions of our members to remember someone very special in their lives. The donation of $12.50 to cover the cost of the poinsettias can be billed to your account.

The beauty of this tree is enjoyed by everyone who visits the Club during the holidays.

NAME: __________________________________________________ IN MEMORY OF: _________________________________________ MEMBER NUMBER:_______________________________________

If you’d like to be a part of our tree building project for 2013, please fill out this form and return it to Jan Pyritz.

(The charge of $12.50 will be billed to your account.)