January February 2021

THE LEDGES

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2021

Cliff Notes

The Ledges

Cliff Notes Newsletter

HOURS OF OPERATION DINING

Monday: Closed Tuesday - Friday: 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.

Saturday: 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.

Sunday: 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

ADMINISTRATIVE

Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

POOL Closed for the season THE TWENTY-TWO Closed for the season

CONTACT INFORMATION Clubhouse 256-883-0860

Guard House 256-883-1901

Pro-Shop 256-883-4191

The Twenty-Two 256-479-7753 ••••••••

STAY CONNECTED Like us on Facebook at theledgescountryclub and follow us on Instagram at @theledgesclub to find out news and information on upcoming events. Another great way to stay informed is to subscribe to our email list. Email kmartin@theledges.com if you need to be added to the list.

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32 Castle Down Drive HSV, AL 35802

Jim Ausley Chief Operating Officer jausley@theledges.com

Jim Howell Director of Agronomy jhowell@theledges.com

Craig Bocking Director of Instruction cbocking@theledges.com

Dave Lux Director of Food & Bev. dlux@theledges.com

Rob Clark Director of Golf rclark@theledges.com Phillip Collier Executive Chef pcollier@theledges.com Jordan DeBonis Assistant Golf Professional jdebonis@theledges.com Leigh Ann Evans Club Administrator leighann@theledges.com Greg Harnage Assistant Golf Professional gharnage@theledges.com

Katie Martin Director of Communications kmartin@theledges.com Sarah Melendez Member Relations Coordinator LCA Admin smelendez@theledges.com Terry Wilbanks Director of Membership twilbanks@theledges.com Arlene Zanlunghi Events Coordinator azanlunghi@theledges.com

While the Food and Beverage department took a big hit in outside events, it was encouraging to see how members responded to the take-out, meals to go, and grocery orders when the club was closed for dining. The membership showed great faith in the club, putting your trust in the staff to provide a clean and safe environment when there were so many uncertainties. When traditional dining reopened, it was remarkable to see how many members quickly returned and showed their support during a time when restaurants were struggling.

CLUB UPDATE FROM

JIM AUSLEY SIGHTS SET HIGH FOR 2021

I was optimistic as we entered 2020. From the growth the city of Huntsville was experiencing, to the recognition for hosting the Huntsville Championship, The Ledges team worked to position itself to have a record year. Then in March of 2020 the pandemic hit, presenting us all with uncertainty and new challenges, but what happened at The Ledges during 2020 was just incredible.

At the beginning of the pandemic, it was projected that club would lose up to 5% of our membership.

Instead, our membership increased by 10%, a net gain of almost 100 members, which is the biggest increase in The Ledges history.

Additionally, our golf rounds increased by 30% during a time when play was limited and many Monday golf outings were canceled.

Our team has done an outstanding job adhering to safety procedures and doing all things necessary to keep the clubhouse a safe place for all with daily temperate checks, wearing masks and gloves, constant sanitation of surfaces and communicating any exposure.

Our Facilities Manager James Venable leads an often unnoticed and under appreciated team. During this pandemic, James and his staff have played a key role in maintaining a clean clubhouse.

In addition to the normal housekeeping, repairs and general maintenance, James instituted a stringent sanitation plan which included, and they still perform, the nightly fogging of all rooms in the clubhouse with a FDA approved and food safe disinfecting solution. His team continues to sanitize all flat surfaces and doorknobs, and ensures masks and hand sanitizer is available for all members, guests and employees. They have done all of this and more to ensure our members and their guests feel comfortable coming to the clubhouse and can enjoy their club.

None of us knows what tomorrow may bring, but I do know that with such a supportive membership and a high caliber staff, The Ledges is continuing to move in a positive direction.

TE E I NG O F F WITH

ROB CLARK I hope everyone had a great holiday season and has rested up for what we have in store for 2021.

Coming off the most unusual year in my 30 year career in the golf business, I thought I would share our impressive numbers with you.

In 2017 we had our best year ever in rounds when we did 19,050 rounds. We had perfect weather and a stretch of no rain for almost 60 days during primetime golf season. In 2019 we did just under 18,000 rounds. The weather in the first quarter was very wet, but we came back very strong. In 2020, we started out with bad weather and then COVID hit.

We finished at 23,000 rounds for the year. It is a little misleading because our growth in membership was hidden by COVID. We did see a spike in play because people were not traveling, but we also saw a significant growth in our golfing membership.

Across the board we saw growth in every segment of our golf program. Ladies golf was one of our biggest successes with over 40 new ladies in the program. Couples golf was next with a large growth in our Nine, Wine and Dine program with over 40 players. This year, you will see upgrades to our schedule in these two categories.

The Ledges Academy saw a 300% increase in activity, and this is what excites me the most.

This is a great indicator of people wanting to improve their golf games. Trackman technology is the single best game improvement vehicle that I have seen in golf. The information when used properly can accelerate one's game so much. To learn more about Trackman and Trackman memberships, reach out to me and I will be glad to give you some sample programs aimed at improving your game.

This year will be an exciting year for our club and members. We have a full schedule in place for all golfers. Our annual golf booklet should come out in February with the schedule of events, golf classes and information on the LA Juniors. Make sure to mark your calendar for all the events that you wish to play in this year.

Another exciting thing coming this year is the PGA Tour Korn Ferry Huntsville Championship.

It will be great to see these tour players come play our course. There are still some volunteer options available and you do not have to be a golfer to volunteer. We would love to have your support during this event.

THE LED GES

13 FEBRUARY

SATURDAY

CLASSIC CAESAR SALAD NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER SURF AND TURF TRIPLE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE TRIFLE Dinner Reservation Deadline: Wednesday, February 10 $100 per couple, Seating Times: 5:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Available as a take and bake option: Orders due Wednesday, February 10

OMELET TE STATION • BACON & SAUSAGE SAL AD BAR • COMPOSED SAL ADS RAW BAR WITH SHRIMP AND OYSTERS HASHBROWN CASSEROLE • WAFFLE BAR CORN AND CRAB CHOWDER •NY STRIP GNOCCHI • SALMON FLORENTINE CHICKEN PICCAT TA & MORE KIDS BUFFET DESSERT BUFFET

SWEETHEART BRUNCH F E B . 1 4 , 1 0 A . M . - 2 P. M .

A D U LT S : $ 3 5 . 9 5 + + , A G E S 6 - 1 2 : $ 2 1 . 9 5 + + , A G E S 5 A N D U N D E R F R E E

SOMM SERIES

JAN. 13, 6:30 P.M. Oysters/ Sparkling Sake Chilled Cucumber Noodle Salad, Seared Scallop/ Cucumber Sake Tonkatsu Ramen/ Unfiltered Sake Lemongrass Panna Cotta/ Junmai Ginjo

$40 per person

The Nutcracker Brunch with Huntsville Ballet's Sugar Plum Fairy November 29, 2020

Santa Brunch December 6, 2020

G RE E N RE P O RT F RO M

JIM HOWELL I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and is looking forward to the 2021 golf season. Last year we had record golf rounds and membership growth which is very positive during a tough business year. The golf industry was held together with record play and nationwide golf became a game that everyone enjoyed and grew to love.

The Agronomy team started golf course improvements in December by adding drainage to several tee area surrounds and fairways. Last year we installed 4500 linear feet in 1, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 12 fairways which has made significant improvements in removing moisture issues. We plan to continue installing drainage systems on 1, 14, and 15 fairways to improve playability.

This year the greenside bunkers on 3, 5, 9 and 11 green complexes will have the old sand removed and replaced with new bunker sand approved by the USGA. We are fully complete in installing the Better

Billy Bunkers system on all our traps, however over the years of edging and sand build up we will modify some areas and fingers to improve aesthetics and playability.

Our cart path repair projects are on the way by replacing broken and settled areas on the golf course.

We completed some of the paths on 3 tee and created a new turnaround for the lower tees for easier access. The schedule is to repair as many damaged areas as possible on the course before the season begins. I’ll keep you updated.

I would like to thank our membership for the continued support of the Agronomy team. As you know last year had several challenges for us by adjusting daily procedures and staff levels through strict guidelines. I am very proud of the staff who worked through the challenges and remained healthy in order to provide our members a well-conditioned golf course.

SIGN UP FOR THE LA JUNIORS TODAY! The LA Juniors are broken down into two categories: Legacies and Elites Golfers will be placed into a category based on age and ability.

PRICING: Legacies: $200/month Elites: $100/month

SCHEDULE: The season will begin Tuesday, March 16.

Legacies will practice Tuesdays from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. Starting June 7 and until July 28, Legacies will practice on Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Elites will practice Thursdays from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. Starting June 7 and until July 28, Elites will practice on Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Sign up by emailing Jordan DeBonis at jdebonis@theledges.com

C AZU AL A OP EN ER COC K TAIL F IR ST F LIGHT

T HIR D F LIGHT

SILVER

GOLD

AHI TUNA TOSTADA

MOLE BRAISED SHORT RIB, SPANISH RICE, GREEN CHILI PINTOS

SECON D F LIGHT SILVER

FOURT H F LIGHT

TAMALE

MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE

$40++ PER PERSON

CHURROS

F E B R U A R Y 2 4 , 2 0 2 1 - 6 : 3 0 P. M .

WINE TASTING 6-7:30 P.M., FREE FOR V.C.

SOMM SERIES: SAKE 6:30 P.M., $40++

BOURBON TASTING 6:30 P.M., $35++

ROBERT BURNS DINNER 6:30 P.M., $70++ | $50++

STEAK AND SEAFOOD NIGHT

STEAK AND SEAFOOD NIGHT

SWEETHEART BRUNCH 10AM-2PM

SUPER BOWL PARTY $25

FAT TUESDAY BUFFET

WINE TASTING 6-7:30 P.M., FREE FOR V.C.

SOMM SERIES: SOUTH AFRICA 6:30 P.M., $40++

TEQUILA TASTING 6:30PM

SCOTCH TASTING 6:30 P.M., $35++

BOURBON TASTING 6:30 P.M., $35++

STEAK AND SEAFOOD NIGHT

STEAK AND SEAFOOD NIGHT

VALENTINE'S DINNER 5:30-9PM

FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE

32 Castle Down Drive Huntsville, AL 35802 theledges.com

Robert Burns Dinner January 21, 6:30 p.m.

Scotch Broth Soup Aultmore “Of The Foggie Moss” 12 Year Old Smoked Trout Salad Spey River “Rum Cask Finish” Haggis Stuffed Filet Kavalan “Distillery Select” Tipsey Laird Trifle Glenmorangie Cake “Limited Edition” $70++ with scotch and $50++ without