S ACountry H A Club LEE
TOM TOM
October 2023
LEADERSHIP TEAM BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LESLIE LUDLOW GENERAL MANAGER/COO LESLIE@SAHALEE.COM
SCOTT HEYDON - PRESIDENT
BRYAN NICHOLSON DIRECTOR OF GOLF BRYAN@SAHALEE.COM
TYLER DION - VICE PRESIDENT MARYLE TRACY - SECRETARY TOM DIMECO - TREASURER MIKE DENTON BILL BONNELL NORMAN CHEUK KIM SHEK PETER ZOBRIST
COMMITTEE CHAIRS BRIAN SELBY - GOLF WHITNEY FRYKMAN - GREENS BRETT VANDENBERG - FINANCE MARCIA MARTIN - HOUSE JAY KIRSCHENMAN - MEMBERSHIP JEANNE LINK - RULES AND HANDICAP BEAU CLINE - JUNIOR GOLF TYLER DION - CHAMPIONSHIP DAVID LAROCQUE - LONG RANGE PLANNING JULIANNA KIRSCHENMAN - SOCIAL MARCIA MCAFEE - WOMEN'S DIVISION
CHARLIE SCHAUWECKER AGRONOMY DIRECTOR CHARLIE.SAHALEE@GMAIL.COM SIEMON SLAGTER FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING DIRECTOR SIEMON@SAHALEE.COM DEANN ANDERSON DIRECTOR MEMBERSHIP DEANN@SAHALEE.COM CALEB KRAUS HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL CALEB@SAHALEE.COM ADRIAN SIBUG CULINARY DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE CHEF ADRIAN@SAHALEE.COM ALEXA MENDOZA FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANAGER ALEXA@SAHALEE.COM SARAH FRANTZ DIRECTOR OF EVENTS & COMMUNICATIONS SARAH@SAHALEE.COM VINCENT CUCINELLI DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES VINNY@SAHALEE.COM LAURIE COLEMAN ACCOUNTING ADMINISTRATOR LAURIE@SAHALEE.COM
October Events October 14 October 15 October 15 October 20 October 20 October 21 October 22 October 25 October 26 October 26 October 28
President's Message from Scott AAnd this glorious weather continues. What a fall for golf! While the majority of Men’s and Women’s events are behind us, the club was still very busy in September hosting several outside golf and banquet events. The Sahalee team continues to impress. We are in the final stages of planning a Team appreciation event, scheduled for October 21st starting at 4pm. We all have so many great Sahalee experiences that were made possible by this amazing team. Leslie and I felt it only fitting to have an event where Members served and celebrated Sahalee Team Members, expressing our appreciation for all they do for us. An email went out earlier this week that outlined all the different ways you can get involved as every expression of appreciation matters. September Past Business First order of business in the Board’s September meeting was electing a 2024 President. As previously announced in the notice of Director nominations, Norman Cheuk has graciously agreed to take the helm as Sahalee’s 2024 President. If you don’t know Norman, he is smart, thoughtful, and takes Sahalee’s Mission and Values seriously. His only agenda is strengthening Sahalee during his tenure for a brighter future. As I have observed Norman in Board conversations, one of the things I most appreciate about him is his ability adjust his thinking based on others’ viewpoints or new information that may come to light. He also does an exceptional job of leading through debate; he brings and keeps teams together through lively and productive discussions.I’m confident Norman will be a great leader for Sahalee. September was another encouraging month for Sahalee’s membership efforts. Since June 1st, we’ve experienced a favorable trend of an equal number of members (7) adding their name to the “To Leave” list as have removed their name from the list. There are two favorable aspects to this recent activity: 1) The member departure rate, annualized to 21 members leaving, would represent less than 5% attrition. If this trend continues, it will represent a significantly lower trend for Sahalee – a key goal for the Board this year. Over the past decade we’ve averaged closer to 8% to 9% 2) With the removals matching new additions, we seem to have achieved a level of equilibrium. To me, this signifies a growing level of confidence and value members experience in their club. We are also beginning to experience the early stages of members appreciating the value fuller Sahalee membership has to offer with a few ‘upgrades’ of membership. You may recall, a key component of the new membership categories introduced earlier this year was to create a natural pipeline for members to convert as the perceived more value in their Sahalee experience and as their life situations may change. Over the past two months we have seen 3 such upgrades. Please welcome all our new members for October: -One Proprietary Membership transferred from Mark Marshall to his son, Mark Marshall & his family. -Three new Preview Members: Veronica & Brian Mankinen, Steve Wagner & Kara London, and Hal Matthews (converting from Social to Preview). -Five new family Dining Members: Greg & Lisa Christison (have lived in Sahalee for 26 years!!), the Chinoy family, the Milton family, the Bakker family, and the Bergstrom family. -One new Social (sport) Membership of Josh Tyndell who converted from a Dining membership.
The Board reviewed the long-range capital plan (through 2040) put forward by the Finance Committee. Led by our Controller Siemon Slagter, the Finance Committee has done an amazing job at evaluating the many details and variables that go into a long-range capital plan. The short story is Sahalee is on solid financial footing as it relates to our Capital Account – we are on track to be in a position to pay off the Club’s debt when it’s due in mid-2031. Thanks to our 2021 refinancing strategy, the club is collecting more in interest than we are paying. We plan to share this plan with the Membership at an Open Forum on November 2nd. Lastly, the Board briefly reviewed recommended improvements to the Junior Executive and Senior membership categories by the Membership Committee.There are financial implications to these changes and so they will be shared with the Finance Committee for their review and recommendations. October Business In October, the Board will evaluate if, how, and when to move forward with recommended changes to the Junior Executive and Senior Membership improvements. We will also conduct a review of the membership strategy we developed in January.Lastly, we will begin preparations for Sahalee’s annual meeting scheduled for November 14th at 4pm.We will continue to offer an online attendance option for registered members as this has dramatically expanded access and attendance. With Norman Cheuk voted as President-elect, he and I will be coordinating activity to assure a smooth and effective transition with minimal disruptions to ongoing Board work. Congratulations again to Norman! Sahalee is in great hands with his leadership and with our amazing Board of Directors. Sincerely, Scott Heydon Club President
The Sahalee family warmly welcomes our Golf Members!
MARK MARSHALL AND FAMILY PROPRIETARY GOLF MEMBER
STEVE WAGNER AND KARA LONDON PREVIEW GOLF MEMBERS
VERONICA AND BRIAN MANKINEN PREVIEW GOLF MEMBERS
HAL MATTHEWS SOCIAL TO PREVIEW GOLF MEMBER
The Sahalee family warmly welcomes our Social and Dining Members!
TYNDELL FAMILY DINING TO SOCIAL FAMILY
MILTON FAMILY DINING MEMBERS
CHRISTISON FAMILY DINING MEMBERS
KIM/YU FAMILY DINING MEMBERS
BERGSTROM FAMILY DINING MEMBERS
CHINOY FAMILY DINING MEMBERS
BAKKER FAMILY DINING MEMBERS
Monthly Message from Leslie Ludlow, GM/COO
In what seems to be a blink of the eye, the season is officially over, and fall is here! Before the transition into our “off season” with events happening once or twice per week rather than once or twice per day, we had the Grand Finale to 2023 in the form of the return of the SPC. The amount of gratitude for all the volunteers, staff, members, and spectators who showed up and showed out cannot be overstated. It was an incredible weekend that was the product of an effort by so many. The influx of appreciation from the coaches post tournament was absolutely stunning! So, thank you to entire Sahalee Membership for your support in helping relaunch what is quickly becoming known as one of the best college tournaments in the country after just the first iteration of the new Sahalee Players Championship! In addition to all the activity on the Golf/F&B side of the house in September, Deann hosted two SMA Taco Tuesday Community Appreciation Events that had a total of over 250 people in attendance between the two weeks. The goodwill that the Club is creating with our community neighbors is astounding based on the feedback we are continuing to receive and the number of long-time community members who are now joining the Club for the first time. Some of these new members have lived in Sahalee for decades but are now just joining because of the intentional effort the Club is making to connect with the community. The momentum Deann has created over the past 4 months since the official launch of our new membership categories has allowed us to welcome 31 NEW members with 3 upgrades in September and October. For context, in 2021 & 2022, Sahalee had a total of 10 new members join in this same period- both years combined. The investment that we are making in proactive outreach will continue to pay dividends as the momentum is continuing to increase in velocity with each passing month. In total, we have had 137 sales YTD between new members and upgrades. While we will have a miss in the dues at year end, primarily due to the later than budgeted actual sales, I would anticipate that we will easily exceed 150 membership sales this year. What is even further encouraging is heading into 2024 we have a robust pipeline of Proprietary Members due to our Preview Membership Program. Since this program began on September 1st, we have had 12 new members take advantage of this opportunity and we anticipate exceeding 15 by the end of the year. Additionally, new members are often the best source of new members and as we continue to tap into new social circles this has an exponential effect on the acceleration of membership sales. As we continue to add members to our reimagined Dining Membership, we are also ramping up our past “off-season” offerings. In addition to continuing with the theme nights (Prime Rib, Pasta, Mongolian) that we brought back in 2023 and expanding our Wine Tastings to twice per month, we are adding several new events this year. There are now monthly health and wellness offerings, a rebooted Kid’s Club in the form of Milkshake Club, Chef Table concepts, Glow Ball, Santa’s Brunch and we will be turning our menu for the 3rd time this year at the beginning of November. Our goal this year in Food & Beverage has been to continue to expand offerings to give you more reasons to come and enjoy your Club home. As we look at the financials, the story is clear that we are achieving those utilization goals. Through September, Food & Beverage is ahead of an already aggressive revenue budget YTD by over $155k and over $560k better in revenue compared to 2022. While we have many areas of improvement in front of us, the direction we are going in seems to be in a positive direction. As we enter the more strategic time of year, we are looking forward to working through all the ways we can improve our services, product quality, and offerings to continue to elevate your member experience every time you enjoy your Club Home. The goal as we look to 2024 is not perfection, but rather to be in daily pursuit of being a little bit better than we were on your previous visit. Cheers,
Leslie
Membership Director Deann I want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the incredible members of the Sahalee community who joined us at our neighborhood socials in September. You really know how to make an event come alive! The turnout was absolutely amazing, and we couldn't be happier with the level of camaraderie and connection we witnessed among everyone who attended. From delicious bites to refreshing cocktails, and even a bounce house for the kids, there was something for everyone to enjoy. But what truly warms our hearts is that these socials have brought us closer together as a tight-knit community. We're thrilled to announce that six new Sahalee residents that participated in the event(s) have decided to join our family, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome them into the Club. On that note, I wanted to remind you about our fantastic referral program that can make your membership even more enjoyable! By referring new members to join our club, not only will you be helping us grow and create an amazing community, but you'll also receive some awesome rewards. When you refer someone who joins as a new member, you'll receive a premium Sahalee Swag bag filled with goodies as a token of our appreciation. It's our way of saying "thank you" for being an advocate for our Club! But that's not all! You wouldn't want to miss out on our special thank-you party, exclusively for those who take part in the referral program. It's going to be an unforgettable event full of fun and surprises. And here's the cherry on top – for every person you sponsor, you'll get an entry into a drawing to win FREE dues for a whole year! Imagine enjoying all the perks of membership without worrying about the fees. We're dedicated to growing Sahalee Country Club with amazing new members with whom you'll love spending time. So don't hesitate to share this opportunity with your friends, family, and colleagues who are looking for the premier club experience in the Pacific Northwest. If you have any questions or need assistance with referrals, feel free to reach out. I am always here to help. Let's continue instilling even more pride within our Sahalee membership by creating an even more vibrant and exciting community together! Cheers,
Deann
PREVIEW
A"FALL IN LOVE WITH SAHALEE" PROPRIETARY MEMBERSHIP Sahalee Country Club organizes a full calendar of golf and social events. This may include tournaments, clinics, social gatherings, and educational programs aimed at improving golf skills or fostering social connections among members. Preview Members have access to Sahalee Country Club's nationally ranked 27-hole championship golf course. This allows them to enjoy regular rounds of golf and participate in tournaments or competitions. Preview Membership includes access for children up to the age of 18, allowing families to enjoy the club's amenities together. Preview Members have the option to add their spouse and children aged 18-25 for golf access, potentially for an additional fee. This allows the whole family to participate in golf activities and enjoy the course.
CLUB ACCESS INCLUDES:
Unlimited access to our 27-Hole Championship Golf Course Complimentary usage of our Swing Studios Fitness Center Advanced Reservations to Social and Golf Events Unlimited Access to our practice facility Locker Room and Lounge Waived Private Room Rental Fees World Class Instruction Concierge Program for Booking Tee Times at Clubs across the Country Delicious Bites and Refreshing Beverages in our Runyan Dining Room /Acton Bar
SAHALEE Join the Referral Program and Enter To Win A YEAR OF FREE DUES!
ALL First Joining Referrals receive a Sahalee Swag Bag filled with items, totaling $1000 value! Members Also Receive an Account Credit in the Amount of 10% of Initiation Fees Paid For All Proprietary Sponsorship Members Receive an Additional Ticket in the Drawing to win FREE Dues for a Year For All Subsequent Referrals
For More Information: Contact our Membership Director, Deann Anderson by 12/31/23 425.868.8800 Ext. 301 or at Deann@Sahahlee.com
THANK YOU! Thank you to our members that have already provided referrals, we look forward to celebrating you at our Gala in 2024! Andy Lindsey Norman Cheuk Beau Cline Peter Koong Bob Bailey Scott McCammant Bob& Mitzi Fritz Shawn Schoonover Dave Caple Stephen Bean Doug Wilson Trevor Roberge Dwayne and Dana McIntosh Deok Choi Eric Varness Daniel Waggoner Glenn Fourie Tom Baxter Harry Shedd Dino Rossi Shardul & Erin Kiri Chris Falco Karishma Kiri (10) Colin Clark Mark Schoonover Kari Sokol Miles Otoupal Mark Steen Morgan Bell Bobby Adams Nina Lindsey Pat Bettin
We can't wait to add even more members to the guest list across the rest of 2023!
Letter From Bryan Nicholson, PGA Director of Golf As the vibrant hues of autumn take over the golf course, the crisp air and the beauty of the foliage make for an incredible backdrop throughout the Sahalee campus. With the fall aeration now behind us, and the course recovered, there are many great golf days ahead at the High Heavenly Ground. With El Nino now in control of our weather pattern, the long-range weather experts are insisting that this will be a drier and warmer autumn and winter season. I don’t have a crystal ball to know what that will mean, but hopefully we are able to keep the frost delays away for a little while longer. September was an incredible month of golf highlighted by the renewal of the Sahalee Players Championship. I have personally enjoyed many proud moments throughout my tenure at Sahalee, and this Championship fully displayed the incredible spirit and amazing sense of community within our Club. The energy throughout the weekend created an atmosphere of hospitality and excellence that our players, spectators, and staff will certainly remember for years to come. Twelve of the top men’s collegiate golf programs featuring many players amongst the best amateurs in the world made the trek to Sahalee for the first time. The golf course proved to be a formidable test for the players, with only 3 golfers in the field out of the 72 players able to finish under par. This is a testament to the amazing course conditions that were presented to the players by our fabulous agronomy team, and a reminder that rough and firm greens (not always length) challenge the very best players in the world. The Illinois Fighting Illini Men's Golf Team finished at 1-under par, winning by eight shots over second-place finisher Arizona State, who fired 7-over for the 54-hole Championship. Our partner and host school, University of Washington Huskies finished in solo third place at 10-over but had the best score of any team in the final round. Arizona finished in solo fourth place at 12-over, and Duke rounded out the Top 5 at 16-over. In the individual competition, Preston Summerhays of Arizona State defeated Illinois freshman, and Bellevue resident, Max Herendeen. Summerhays finished 5-under after rounds of 72-67-72. Herendeen also finished 5-under after rounds of 74-64-73 but lost in the playoff to Summerhays to finish in solo second place. With the victory, Summerhays received an exemption into the Fortinet Championship outside Napa, CA where he made his first PGA Tour cut in six appearances. I gave Preston a ride to the 18th tee for his playoff against Max, and I asked him about his week. “Man, this place if freaking unbelievable. Such a fun golf course, and a great golf experience. I’d love to see the PGA Tour play what we just did, I don’t think they could do much better!” His Coach, Matt Thurmond, said, “What a great test of golf Sahalee is.You will not find a better conditioned course to play.”
The success of the Players Championship would not have been possible without the dedication, enthusiasm, and tireless efforts of our 150+ incredible volunteers, including the SPC Committee. Everyone played a pivotal role in making this championship a resounding triumph, and I cannot thank everyone enough for your unwavering support. Team Sahalee’s contributions left an indelible mark on the championship and in the hearts and minds of so many of our teams. Kim Shek deserves a big thank you for her incredible efforts and organization of our volunteer army throughout the Championship. Now, we look forward to beginning the campaign to recruit our volunteer army for 2024, and we hope that everyone that volunteered had an experience that was enriching and fulfilling as so many have expressed. Pivoting a bit, as we head into the final month of the official golf season, there are still some competitive and social golf experiences for everyone to enjoy some fun. Our Divisional Guest Days highlight the end to the season, and the Men’s Division will recap their 2023 activities with Awards Day on Wednesday, October 11. Calling all members for a fun co-ed Glow Ball on Sunday, October 15 which promises to be a fun opportunity to test your luck hitting a golf ball in the dark! Later in the month, on Saturday, October 28, the Men’s Division is hosting a “Turkey Shoot” scramble which will be a Superintendents Revenge competition. Rumor has it that the Director of Agronomy, Charlie Schauwecker is challenging everyone against his team in the event. I can also say that the Golf Professionals are not going to be outdone, and there may be a team or two from the shop that are going to take on all challengers. Come join us to round out a great 2023 tournament season. I’ll leave you this month with some insight into your bunker game. I’ve given a lot of bunker lessons in 2023, and for most amateur’s greenside bunkers are hard. They typically present a larger challenge than greenside rough. Just how much of a difference is between bunkers and rough? The chart below shows how many shots harder it is from the bunker compared to being in the rough for players of various handicaps. For example, for a zero index, they average .3 more shots on a 10-yard bunker shot than a 10 yard shot from the rough. You will notice that from each distance, the “challenge” of being in the bunker compared to being in the rough is about the same across skill levels. Overall, bunker shots inside 20 yards will average about a quarter shot higher than shots from the same distance in the rough.
What conclusions can you draw from this chart? First, this is why it is important to shy away from bunkers. It’s harder to score from a bunker compared to being in the rough. We want to hit as many greens as possible, while balancing bunker avoidance. If you are going to miss the green, in many situations you are better off being short sided in the rough, than in a greenside bunker. Second, it’s impossible to avoid bunkers, so you need to spend time working on this part of your game. How much time do you spend practicing this skill? If rarely or never, this is low hanging fruit. You don’t need to spend a huge chunk of time on bunker play, but if you are not spending ANY time on this skill, find a way to work it into your practice plan! Cheers to a great start to the fall season, and we look forward to seeing you and your family with their clubs on the tee! Fairways and Greens,
Bryan
2023 Golf Calendar OCTOBER 10/11 SMD AWARDS DAY 10/15 SOCIAL GOLF FALL FLING 10/28 SMD TURKEY SHOOT
Thank you hosts!
THIS PICTURE SUMS IT UP FOR US. THEY FELT LIKE FAMILY FROM THE FIRST NIGHT. WE FELT VERY COMFORTABLE AROUND THEM AND DID NOT WORRY ABOUT SHARING ALL OF OUR HOME WITH THEM YES WE WOULD HOST AGAIN THESE SMILES YOU SEE WE’RE CONSTANT -ROBINSON FAMILY
KPMG Women’s PGA Player Spotlight With just a little over 8 months until the Women’s PGA Championship returns to Sahalee, we continue our series of player introductions as we lead up to big event! This month, we meet Lilia Vu! Vu’s breakout season has her in position to become the first American to win the Rolex LPGA Player of the Year Award since Stacy Lewis in 2014. Before Lewis won it for the first time in 2012, no American had won that title since Beth Daniel in 1994. As the LPGA season heads down the final stretch, Vu holds a 21-point advantage over Celine Boutier and Ruoning Yin with a total of 154 points. Lydia Ko won last year’s POY Award with 180 points. Currently the No. 1 player in the world, Vu is a three-time winner on the LPGA this season including two majors (Chevron and AIG Women’s British Open). Vu first picked up a golf club at the age of seven, and later attended UCLA where she studied political science. As a Bruin, she was named Pac-12 Player of the Year and was the world number one amateur in the world in 2018! Vu’s career continued to blossom as a professional, winning three times on the Symetra Tour, which is now known as the Epson Tour, the LPGA’s feeder Tour. Vu appeared at the Solheim Cup earlier this fall in Spain and represented her country in the competition for the very first time. We look forward to welcoming Lilia to Sahalee next June!
Lilia Vu
Learn to Curve the Golf Ball Ryan Benzel
In my newest video, I talk about Learning to Curve the golf ball. This can be a simple process to learn with a little time and effort on the practice tee. You will also find this extremely helpful when navigating the trees around Sahalee! First, you must identify your TARGET LINE (TL)…the line from your ball to your intended target. Next, you are working to create your START LINE (SL) to be to the right for a draw / left for a fade of your TL. Adjust your body to align parallel to your SL with a clubface still square to your TL. The clubface will be ‘closed’ for a draw and ‘open’ for a fade in relation to your SL. Finally, swing normal to your aligned SL and watch the ball curve! Please connect with me if you want to add this to your game or refine what you already know. Email to setup a lesson at ryan.benzel@sahalee.com
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Aces, Eagles, and Great Shots
Karishma Kiri made a hole in one September 12th! Hole 8 East, hit a 6 hybrid from 121 yards!
Scott McCammant and his playing partners from his HIO on 9 South on September 3rd!
Turf Talk with Charlie As we move into October, fall is certainly in the air on the golf course(s). We’re experiencing more frequent rainfall, nighttime temperatures dropping into the 40’s, and the cedars and maples are beginning to shed their fall foliage. As we look forward to these autumn months, the forecasted El Nino climate pattern may result in slightly warmer than average temperatures and a modest decrease in precipitation compared to a normal year. With that said, I’ll be keeping my rain gear handy for the foreseeable future! Poa vs. Ryegrass Turfgrass areas at Sahalee are primarily comprised of two major grass species, annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Poa, the more dominant turf species, makes up most of all turf areas at Sahalee including 100% of our putting green surfaces. The problem with Poa is that it is not commonly produced as seed or sod, requiring alternative grass species to be used when turf areas need repair or restoration. For this reason, we utilize perennial ryegrass as the seed in our divot mixes and ryegrass sod when returfing project areas. In most areas, having a mix of turfgrass species is nonproblematic and often beneficial; however, it can lead to inconsistencies especially near our Poa greens and collars
Our approaches (the areas immediately in front of greens), are maintained as similarly to green surfaces as possible for consistency on delicate chips, pitches, and low rolling shots into the green. As ryegrass has migrated into these areas, it creates not only aesthetic issues, but also potential surface inconsistency for greenside shots. Because of this, a selective herbicide application was made to the approaches in September with excellent ryegrass control results. Pictured is the approach area short of 1 North green. Note the darker ryegrass plants throughout turf before the control application (top), and the uniform Poa turf coverage after (bottom). Moving forward, our programs will include spot ryegrass control applications to keep these areas near green surfaces clean and consistent. See you on the course,
Charlie
A Note from our SWD Captain This is my last article for the year, as Julie Reid will be taking over the SWD Captain reins for next season. It’s been quite a ride for me as this 2023 marks my 40th year of membership. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d grow up to be SWD Captain! Looking back over highlights of the season, we started our year of success with “Saturday Winter Golf” for those brave enough to dress in warm layers, lead by Sue Ursino. She also was responsible for the 5 “Winter Golf Seminars” on a variety of subjects, valuable for both new and seasoned golfers. Once the regular golf season started, we began with a Season Opener mixer, open to all female golfing members of Sahalee with the Pro Shop putting together foursomes. This allowed us to meet and play with others outside our “usual groups” and was a great way to welcome newcomers. From a survey taken in the late fall, ladies made it clear they wanted more “mixers” and we made it happen several times. The very next day, we launched the first of our 4 major tournaments, Captain’s Cup, under the direction of Jeannie Link, a match play format spanning our entire golf season. We nearly doubled the participation from 2022 and we were off and running with enthusiasm! In May we launched a new event, “Swing Day Mixer” and had nearly 50% of our members playing in teams of 4. June was our annual Spring Field Day, complete with costumes for our “Spooky Spring Field Day” theme with the co-leaders GG Mitchell and Susie Wilson and 60 players enjoying team play, followed by a raucous Horse Race. We held the second of our 4 major tournaments, President’s Cup, under the direction of Jeannie Link, in June and on the heels of that was a highly successful Invitational, chaired by incoming Captain, Julie Reid, “Partners in Crime”. The competition was fun and innovative, along with a challenging putting contest and concluded with a fine dinner and a rockin’ dance floor! Paula Miller and Trina Kain charged forward with our two-day Member/Member event in August and broke another participation record from 2022. With a theme of “Two Friends”, we played a Chapman format on the first day and Best Ball the second. Again under the direction of Jeannie Link, our third and fourth of 4 major tournaments, Club and Senior Club Championships were held jointly with the Men’s Division over an August weekend and we celebrated our victories together. This freed up the course for other players during our busy season and made it less stressful for our course maintenance crew. A bit earlier than usual due to the aerification schedule, our “Three Queens and an Ace” Fall Field Day (another popular mixer) was held in August and we nearly tripled the number of players from 2022. Sonja Grusz and Mary Love Mattox led the way with this theme, and we had a record number participating in the Horserace which was quite the mayhem after we placed our bets with the help of the Men’s Division volunteers. “Aloha from Hawaii” was the theme of our Guest Day in October and we broke another record with 79 players as compared to 44 in 2022. The expert planning of Peggy Halbert and Pari Jonwachirachi was an event to remember with creative décor, a fabulous luau luncheon after starting the morning with mimosas on a fog-covered golf course which cleared into a 70 degree sunny day! The team winners are pictured along with the “Flamingo Girls” who won the costume contest.
Our final event of the year is the Celebration Luncheon on Tuesday, Oct. 17th with a unique program, special guests, topped off by revealing the “Most Improved Golfer”, “Outstanding Contribution” and “Most Inspirational” winners. Peggy Halbert, Paula Miller and Fatima Siddiqui are co-chairing this celebration and they have great plans for the end-of-the-year party! We clearly had momentum building throughout our season, with members who were friendly and enthusiastic! Thank you to all who helped make this one a season to remember; it was definitely a team effort with innovative ideas from Assistant Pro Laura Kraft and her team. It’s been an honor to serve as SWD Captain and a memorable year for me. A special thanks to all of you who stood by me with your years of wisdom, knowledge and experience as I navigated some fairways, greens and long, wet rough! Marcia McAfee SWD Captain
Sahalee Wine Gala
Our premiere wine event, just in time for the holidays.... And for the first time ever - we are doing it not once, but twice this year! Over 20 different wineries will be sampling th current vintages and our members will enjoy the best available pricing when ordering. Chef Adrian and his culinary te will provide heavy appetizers to keep everyone satiated throughout the evening. Guests are welcome and can order wi through their sponsoring members' accounts. A sneak peak to some of your favorites joining us this fall: DeLille Mark Ryan Daou Chimney Rock Justin Quintessa and many many more! Cost:$75 Price Per Person | Includes wine tastings, appetizers, & more! Reservations: Reserve your spot now on the Sahalee App. or contact Alexa@Sahalee.com Members and Guests Welcome!
Spirit of Wellness
Skin Care, Yoga, & Meditation Experience the perfect blend of self-care and serenity at our "Spirit of Wellness" event. This unique gathering is designed to rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit through a harmonious combination of skincare, meditation, and yoga. 5:30pm - Start with a Skin Care Workshop: Discover the secrets to healthy and glowing skin with expert guidance from skincare professionals. Receive a skin assessment to learn about your unique skin and receive product recommendations for radiant skin from SkinSpirit (and get a goodie bag!). 6:00pm - Yoga Classes: Immerse yourself in the world of yoga with rejuvenating classes suitable for all levels. Enhance flexibility, balance, and overall well-being while practicing under the guidance of our certified yoga instructor, Krista Kline. 7:00pm - Meditation Sessions: Find inner peace and mental clarity as experienced meditation instructors guide you through calming and mindfulness exercises. Explore techniques to reduce stress, enhance focus, and connect with your inner self. Herbal Teas and Refreshments: Sip on soothing herbal teas and enjoy healthy refreshments designed to nourish your body during the event. Embrace the "Spirit of Wellness" and embark on a journey toward a happier, healthier you. Cost: $25 | Members and Guests Welcome! Reservations: Reserve your spot now on the Sahalee App. or contact Sarah@Sahalee.com Limited spots are available, so be sure to reserve your spot in advance to ensure a tranquil and enriching experience. Dress Code: Please wear comfortable clothing suitable for yoga and meditation. What to bring: Please bring your own Yoga mat
Monthly Milkshake Club Calling all young adventurers and milkshake enthusiasts! Join us at the Milkshake Club for Kids one Friday every month from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm for an evening of fun, games, crafts, and delicious treats! Sahalee is thrilled to host this special event where kids can let their imaginations run wild while creating lasting memories and friends while parents hit the course or enjoy a meal at the Clubhouse! Here's what you can expect: 1. Exciting Activities: From crafting to group games and yard games, we have a wide range of activities planned to keep your little ones entertained throughout the evening. Let their creativity shine with beading, coloring, and other fun paper crafts. Other fun activities may include giant Jenga, corn hole, and even bubble wands! 2. Mouthwatering Macaroni Buffet: We know that kids love macaroni and cheese! That's why we're offering a delectable macaroni buffet with a variety of toppings that will make their taste buds dance with joy. *If your child has allergies, please contact sarah@Sahalee.com at least 5 days prior to arrange a special meal! 3. Milkshakes: As a special treat, each child will receive a vanilla or chocolate milkshake. We believe that no evening is complete without a sweet indulgence! 4. Safe and Fun Environment: We are excited to announce our new partnership with Baby Boss, a well-established childcare service dedicated to providing exceptional care for children. We are excited to encourage friendships between the kids of Sahalee, while parents and guardians have peace of mind knowing that their little ones are in capable hands. Together with Baby Boss, we are committed to ensuring an enjoyable experience for every member of our community. More information about Baby Boss can be found on our App. or contact Sarah@Sahlee.com with any questions! Cost, Inclusions, and Registration: $45 per child | Your little one will enjoy three hours of non-stop fun, engaging crafts activities, a scrumptious dinner buffet with macaroni and cheese delights, and the cherry on top – a milkshake! During this time, we do require a parent or guardian to stay on site, so we invite you to make a dinner reservation and enjoy a meal at Sahalee, or a tee time and hit the course! Space is limited to 20 with ages 3-12 years old welcome! Registration is required by signing up on our Sahalee App through your event portal. Once you sign up expect an email with FAQs and the Code of Conduct for you to review. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity for your children to socialize, play games, unleash their creativity, and enjoy delicious treats in a safe and welcoming environment. Let the adventure begin! The Sahalee Team
Guest Day Champions
Thank you to all who participated in our Men's & Women's Guest Days! Our gentlemen enjoyed a two-man best ball competition. Congratulations to Mike & Mark McNaughton on clenching the win! Our ladies had a blast with their theme, Aloha from Sahalee! Congratulations to our scramble champions, Karishma Kiri, Veronica Mankinen, Nancy Rogers, & Karen Bailey! Also, a big shoutout to Kim Gunning and her team for winning the costume contest!
SMA Taco Tuesday
November Events
November 2 November 3 November 4 November 10 November 14 November 18 November 19 November 22
November 23
Save the Date
December 2
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December 15
December 16
December 20
December 31
Host your event at Sahalee Looking for an event space? Invite your colleagues, friends, and family to Sahalee! We are excited to welcome you to Sahalee and invite you to host any kind of event here! Our facility can accommodate small meetings, corporate parties, and even large banquets in our elegantly renovated ballroom. You and your guests can enjoy a delicious meal from our new catering menu, along with special cocktails that we have created with much care. Enjoy the elegant background of our renovated interiors while hosting your events. We’re sure you’ll make wonderful memories here at Sahalee. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like more information. We look forward to having you with us soon!
Contact Sarah Frantz Director of Events and Communications sarah@sahalee.com
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