Life & Times. Governors. Committee Chairs. Estero Country Club at The Vines February 2017 Mission. February Events

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1 Life & Times Estero Country Club at The Vines February 2017 Mission Estero Country Club provides a welcoming environment for its members, families and guests through exceptional golf, dining, tennis, fitness, lifestyle and social experiences. February Events 2 Men s Golf Guest Day, 1:00 Shotgun 2 Gin Group, Cocktails 5:00 & Dinner 6:15, Gin 7:00 3 Men s 3.0 Tennis Invitational Tournament, 12:00 3 Dinner Entertainment by Keys Duo, 6:00-9:00 4 Buddy/Buddy & Laverne/Shirley Golf Tournament 6 Town Hall Meeting, Clubhouse Master Plan, 9:00 7 Aim Point Greens Reading, 8:45-10:45 7 Book Club, 1:00 8 ENHLGA Invitational Golf Tournament, 9:00 Shotgun 8 Turkey Buffet, 5:30-8:30 9 Ladies Quarter Auction & Luncheon, 11:00-2:00 10 Super Sunday Bramble Pairings Party, 5:30 11 Buddy/Buddy & Laverne/Shirley Golf Tournament 11 Valentine s Day Dinner Dance with Alter Ego 12 Super Sunday Golf Bramble, 1:00 Shotgun 13 Clubhouse Master Plan Vote Meeting, 9:00 15 Reservations Open for St. Patrick s Day Dinner Dance, 9:00 15 Kick the Sugar Habit Free Presentation, 1:00 15 New Member Mingle, 6:00 16 Ladies Tennis Invitational Tournament, 8:30 16 Gin Group, Cocktails 5:00 & Dinner 6:15, Gin 7:00 18 Free Fitness Equipment Orientation, 9:00 18 Buddy/Buddy & Laverne/Shirley Golf Tournament 18 Dinner Entertainment with Joe Johnson, 6:00-9:00 20 Fishing Tournament, 8:00 20 & 21 Ladies Golf Invitational 22 Prime Rib Buffet, 5:30-8:30 23 Cobra Demo Day, 10:00-2:00 23 Mexican Train, 7:00 25 Buddy/Buddy & Laverne/Shirley Golf Tournament 26 Employee Scholarship Fundraiser Scramble & Dinner, 1:00 28 BINGO & Buffet, Buffet 5:30-7:00, BINGO 7:00 Board of Governors Skip Loper - President Bob MacDougall - Vice President Barry Freedman - Secretary Tom Spaeth - Treasurer Karen Adair Paul Clark Don DiBrita Mike Kennedy Margo Newell Committee Chairs Finance - Tom Spaeth Golf - Paul Clark Greens - Mike Kennedy Grievance - Karen Adair Heritage/Memorial - Karen Adair House & Entertainment - Don DiBrita Legal & By-Laws - Tom Spaeth Long Range Planning - Barry Freedman Membership & Marketing - Margo Newell Personnel - Karen Adair Property - Bob MacDougall Tennis - Skip Loper

2 President s Report Skip Loper skiploper@comcast.net At our Board Meeting held on January 16th, we discussed, among other things, the results of our recently completed external audit and the status of our plans for both the Clubhouse and Course: External Audit: there were no significant findings or deficiencies. Our financials are fairly stated and in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures (GAAP). Master Plan for the Clubhouse: you have received a comprehensive brochure which details the plans, the timing and the funding required to complete this project. In addition we have scheduled a further informational meeting which will take place on Monday, February 6th, at 9:00 AM to answer any last minute questions you may have. The actual vote will take place on Monday, February 13th. You may vote in person at that time, or via Proxy which must be received at the Club prior to February 13th. To proceed with a project of this magnitude, it is essential that everyone vote! Course Renovations: the detailed plans - hole by hole - have been posted on our website. As previously communicated, work will commence next year and necessitate the course being closed for approximately six months beginning in April, Your Board has accomplished what you have asked for: namely to develop an affordable plan which addresses shortcomings (the need for more casual/outdoor dining options, expanded lifestyle options, etc.) nearly 2/3 of you identified in the surveys taken in 2014 and We have done that. Now we need 100% of our members to say "yes" or "no" by February 13th. A Letter from the Treasurer In accordance with the quarterly reporting requirements discussed in Article IX, Paragraph 1, Section C of the Club s Bylaws, I am pleased to provide summary data on our current financial condition. Accordingly: Operating Results: We are two months into our new fiscal year. Through December 31, 2016, our net operating loss was $35,697, which was $53,543 favorable to budget and $36,983 unfavorable relative to the same period last year. Due to downgrades and resignations, operating dues and trail fee revenue have fallen short of 2016/2017 budget targets but we anticipate that the addition of new members during season and proper expense management across all departments will offset said revenue shortfall. Balance Sheet: Our Balance Sheet continues to be extremely strong. Current Assets are $374,395 higher than a year ago due to a higher cash balance. Current Liabilities are $122,195 less than a year ago due to a decrease in our equipment loan payable. This year s golf course equipment package was lower than the historical average so the replacement items were purchased outright using Capital funds. Capital: As of December 31, 2016, year-to-date Capital expenditures total $117,882. This includes new security cameras for the clubhouse, a range ball washer, three pieces of golf course maintenance equipment and monthly payments on our existing capital leases. FYE 10/31/16: The annual audit was conducted in November, 2016 by RSM with no material discrepancies identified or adjusting entries warranted. Should anyone wish to review the 2016 Audited Financial Statements or current-year Balance Sheet/Operating Income Statements, feel free to contact our Controller, Dana Aerts. Tom Spaeth, Treasurer 2

3 Valentine s Day Dinner Dance Saturday, February 11th, 2016 Music by Alter Ego Cocktails Available at 5:30 5:30, 6:00, 6:30, 7:00 or 7:30 Dinner Reservations Dinner Music 7:30-8:00 Dance Music 8:00-10:30 Casual Elegant Attire (Jacket for Men Required) No Denim Guests Welcome 72 Hour Cancellation Policy Limited number of 10 top tables available (Dietary restrictions required 72 hours in advance) Tennis Report Tom Funk, USTA tennispro@@esterocc.com It is Tennis Invitational time! This is a great time to invite that special friend to the Club for tennis, food & fun. Our Ladies Invitational is Feb 16th; we have coffee and tennis in the morning followed by a delicious lunch and prizes. The second annual 3.0 Men s Invitational, being held February 3rd, has some tough competition this year. Sign-up on ForeTees or check with Tom and Renee for any questions or information. Team play is once again moving at full speed. We had a great fall season and the teams are looking forward to keeping up the winning match play right up until the finals in March. Remember to attend team clinics & work outs. Try to practice with one or two specific partners and be patient in your matches. Once again, I would like to commend all our league teams on their game play and positive attitudes. For those players who are into social play, our events and times are as follows: Monday thru Thursday - Morning Drop-Ins - 7:30am to 9:30am Tuesday Night Mixed Play - 6:00pm Saturday Fast Four Mixed Match Play - 11:00am to 1:00pm On a final note, I encourage all members, who have an interest in Pickleball, to join the Staff on Thursdays from 1:00 to 2:30 for social and match play Pickleball. We have one Party/Match for fun each month during the season, along with practice and free clinics each week. We have a group of players who love to see new players and welcome them into the game each week. So, don t be shy come and join the fun or just come and take a look. Have a great February and I will see you on the courts. Upcoming Tennis & Pickleball Events 1st Tuesdays - Palm Room Come and join the group for Lunch & Discussion 3 We will meet at the Club for lunch at 1:00 with the meeting to follow. If you are not available to attend, but are interested in joining, please call Club member Linda Redd, February: The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalb - February 7th March: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Bachma - March 7th April: The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson - Meeting date April 4th Open to all ECC members. Men s 3.0 Tennis Invitational Tournament Friday, Feb. 3rd, 12:00 Ladies Tennis Invitational Tournament Thursday, February 16th, 8:30 Pickleball Practice & Play Thursdays 1:00-2:30 Sundays 9:30-11:00 Tennis Hours of Operation Monday-Friday 8:00-3:00 Saturday-Sunday 8:00-1:00

4 Membership Report Colleen Sowerby, Membership Sales Director We are off to a fast start this year and are welcoming new members each week so far in The colder temperatures are driving them to SWFL and we are glad to see the climate change this year in the North is contributing to more visits in the area. Since our new fiscal year, we have welcomed 8 new golfers, 2 new social members and 1 new tennis annual member. We are very excited to also welcome our renters (27) and our new trial members (5). We have more trial members this year than last, and we hope that they all decide that Estero Country Club will be their new home away from home. They have been resoundingly welcomed by the Ladies and Men s Groups and we thank you for the ECC friendly welcome! Don t forget to continue to watch for blue tablecloths in the dining room it is the newest member s first visit to the Club when you see the colored cloths. Thank you also to our members for continuing to refer their friends, family and associates to the Club for membership inquiry we are seeing an uptick of referrals this year also. Thank you for the support. Welcome New Members Please extend a warm greeting to the newest members of our ECC family. Michael and Theresa Brodie Golf Estero Michael and Theresa live in West Bay and are very excited about joining our family of membership. They spend parts of the year in Farmingdale, New York. Both are golfers and can t wait to hit the links at ECC! John and Jeanette King Golf Bonita Springs John & Jeanette are avid golfers and Jeanette loves tennis too! After finishing building and now moving into their Bonita Lakes home, they are ready to hit the links and courts. When not in SWFL they enjoy their home in Charlestown, RI. They previously were members at Monteclaire CC in VA. George and Susan Micros Social Southwind George and Susan have made the big decision to move to paradise for season from Webster, NY. George has been in the finance world. Susan is looking forward to meeting new friends at ECC. Paul and Dorian Schnirring Golf Silver Oaks Paul & Dorian have moved from Punta Gorda where they lived at Burnt Store Club. They are avid boaters and golfers. From the moment they drove into The Vines, they found the community and people friendly. After looking at other communities in the area, they knew The Vines was the place for them. They will be full time residents. Joe and Kate Scott Social Southwind Joe and Kate come to The Vines from Portland, CT. Joe is a principal at an air equipment company and Kate is a nurse. They will be splitting their time until retirement in SWFL and CT. Please also welcome our newest Trial members: Dr. Prab and Aruna Prabhakar from Shadow Wood Preserve 4

5 Dietary Restrictions Kick the Sugar Habit Learn: Why you have cravings Why cravings feel out of control What to do to conquer your cravings Aenean a magna vel pede vestibulum rhoncus. Nulla cursus orci quis tortor. While we notice that some members and/or guests may have allergies and/or dietary restrictions, we ask for advance notice of your dining/dietary needs so our Culinary Team can prepare a satisfying meal and accommodate any special requests. If there is an allergy that we can note in our records, we would love to have that information for proper food preparation. Thank you for your assistance. Chef@esterocc.com / Foodservice@esterocc.com Join Health Coach Amy Rybicki & Fitness Coach Rita Pociask for this Complimentary 45 minute presentation Learn practical ways to kick the sugar habit without giving up sweetness, so you can experience a transformation that gives you your best body, your best moods, and your best life ever. Mauris ante urna, congue in, venenatis eu, dictum vel, justo. Donec neque. Nam tincidunt leo a nisi placerat congue. Sed nonummy, diam non ornare auctor, enim Date: Wednesday, February 15 th, 1pm elit commodo ipsum, in dapibus pede nisl nec urna. Donec dictum facilisis turpis. Presidents Donec quis Room ipsum. Maecenas Sign quis up odio on eu ForeTees erat lacinia sodales. under Events Hosted By: Thursday, February 9th, :00am - 2:00pm Shopping Lunch Served at 12:00pm Auction 12:45pm $19++ for lunch $3 for each paddle (cash) Shopping open to All Members - Cash or Credit Cheddar Bay Biscuits Petite BBQ Chopped Chicken Salad Smoked Chicken, Crisp Romaine and Iceberg Lettuce Mix, with Roasted Corn, Bacon, Diced Tomatoes, Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Drizzled with BBQ Ranch Dressing Topped with Crispy Tortilla Strips Cinnamon Ice Cream and Churros for Dessert Quarter Auction - Bring a roll or two of quarters (A game where bidders play for prizes valued at typically $12 to $50 or even higher! Casual or Theme Attire 72 hour cancellation policy applies. Dietary restrictions required 72 hours in advance. Reservations starting, Wed., Feb. 15th, 9:00 am. Limited number of 10 top tables available Vendors to give door prizes for Auction Proceeds from Auction paddle sales ($3 each) & 50/50 Raffle to benefit the Harry Chapin Food Bank Every $1 donated allows them to distribute $6 worth of food! (Bring extra cash for shopping and 50/50) Guests Welcome - 72 Hour Cancellation Policy Applies Make Reservations in Dining/Events Reservations on the website. *Dietary restrictions required 72 hours in advance. 5

6 Superintendent sreport Nathan Gingrich Feast or Famine Last year at this time, we were experiencing the wettest winter in recorded history. In January last year, we experienced in excess of 13 inches of rain! As of the writing of this communication, we have had less than an inch of rain totally in the last 100 days. The good news, in our more recent trend, is that warm dry conditions are excellent for playing golf. At present, our day lengths are short and temperatures have been very moderate, which even with our current rainfall deficit, has not manifested itself in dry areas on the golf course. However, if this dry trend continues into March and April, where our day lengths become longer and our temperatures increase, we will begin to see dry areas on the course. These dry areas will first show themselves on the crests of our mounds which obviously dry out more quickly than our low areas. We will utilize our irrigation system and handwater as much as possible however, at some point there is no substitute for the real thing! One other point is that Bermuda grass, which we have throughout the property has many strengths, most of all its ability to tolerate drought stress. While other turf when it turns brown is dead, Bermuda grass merely lies dormant waiting for rain when it will regain its color. While I hope that this dry trend corrects itself, it is most likely here to stay and we will experience some dry looking turf. Please know that we are doing everything in our power to lessen the impact of drought conditions and understand that we have the one of the most tolerant grass types in the world to drought so mother nature has prepared our turf for just this occasion. Club Guest Rule Change Club Rule E-1, Item 6 Members are welcome to invite guests, but please remember that non-member residents of The Vines and Belle Lago, as well as non-residents, are only allowed to use the Club and its facilities 6 times each Club fiscal year. The exception to this rule is visiting family members. (The above rule changes do not affect our members who have House Guests. The current policy applies. Please complete a House Guest form each time you have a guest. The House Guest form is distributed to all departments as communication to expect and welcome your guests at the Club. House Guest forms are available in the administrative office.) Club Rule K, Item 2 Day guests may only use the Club and its facilities a total of 6 times each Club fiscal year. This includes but not limited to, golf, tennis, sporting activities, fitness, dining, all events and lifestyle activities. Tuesday, February 28, :00pm BINGO Starts Bingo Buffet Reservations available 5:30, 6:00 & 6:30 pm in ForeTees Dining Events or call the Club. No a la carte menu available. No need to make a just BINGO reservation. Buffet to include: Cobb Salad Station, Shrimp Escabeche House Fried Tortilla Chips and Salsa Southwest Chicken Eggroll with Cilantro Sour Cream Chorizo Potato Skins with Cheddar Cheese, scallions and Ranch Dressing $ Mexican Flatbread Yucca Sticks with Roasted Garlic-Cilantro Dip Tres Leches Cake General Manager s Report Craig Rollinson, CCM, CCE CASUAL ATTIRE We are in full swing now that it is February. Because we are in season, the Club can be extremely busy. I would suggest booking early for tee times and dining, so you get your first choice of day and time. Reservations are always encouraged for dining so Chef and Alidor can properly staff and deliver superior quality and service. If you have any dietary needs or restrictions, please call in advance so we can accommodate. Many of our members have restrictions and Chef Justin always more than adequately accommodates. There are two fairly new rules that Committee & Board have recently approved. The guest rule (shown in blue to the left of this article) protects the integrity of membership and the below golf cart rule change allows members to lend their carts to other members and the Club when special circumstances arise. Rule #11 under Private Cart Rules - Amended An annual trail fee will be charged for private golf cart(s) (limit two carts per membership) as determined by the Club. The trail fee includes use of the golf cart only by members who have private golf cart privileges. All other persons except members with private golf cart privileges will be considered guests and are subject to payment of the prevailing golf cart fees. Members with private carts may ride with each other but may not loan their cart to other members or to guests, except as authorized by the Head Golf Professional under special circumstances. 6

7 Golf Report Ben Pittman, PGA Well, season is now in full swing as you have no doubt noticed, and we are working hard to make sure that your experiences here at the Club are good and memorable ones. A good deal of the work that we do to that end is dedicated to merchandising the Golf Shop, from selecting and purchasing the products to processing, displaying and special ordering the things you want to buy. One of the many perks of being a member at Estero Country Club is the ability to purchase merchandise from your Golf Shop at amazingly low prices. Why? Our Mill River Pricing structure, but Mill River can be either a blessing or a curse; depending on how well it is run by the operations staff and how well the membership utilizes it. What is Mill River pricing? Simply put, with Mill River pricing we take the wholesale price that the vendor charges us and we only mark it up 10%-15%, whereas most clubs will mark up that same item 70%-100%. A basic Fairway & Greene shirt that cost $75-$85 at another club would only cost you about $50 here! Right now the latest and greatest driver from Callaway, the Big Bertha Fusion, is selling for $399 at the retail golf shops... your price here is only $329! You avoid the headache of getting in the car and dealing with traffic to go to a store where you are just another customer only to stay home and deal with friendly staff that knows you well AND save $70! Obviously this begs the question, why would an Estero CC member shop anywhere else?, especially when you take into account the fact that merchandise sales play a big role in generating revenue to help fund overall Club operations. Every dollar spent in the shop helps fund activities at the Club. If we do not generate the revenue from merchandise that we have projected, then the rest of the Club has to figure out how to either replace that revenue stream or to make cuts to make up the difference. Our goal is to maximize the merchandise operation so that it makes financial sense for the Club to keep offering you such a fantastic amenity. To help us continue to offer this great program, please come to us for all of your golf merchandise needs. When you spend your dollars here on campus it benefits the entire Club; you will get great prices on everything you purchase, and the Club is able to support the operations that make this Club what it is. On behalf of the membership, myself, and the entire staff, thank you for supporting your Golf Shop! Congratulations! Skip Loper December 26, 2016 #17 Steve Bennett December 27, 2016 #17 Ann Shapiro January 5, 2017 #17 Sandy Dalrymple January 12, 2017 #5 Gregg Shires January 15, 2017 #8 Greg McCall January 15, 2017 #8 We had two members in the same group, in the same cart, on the same hole, score a Hole-in-One! Gregg Shires hit first with a 6 iron from 164 yards off our 8th hole from the blue tees and the ball hit about 8 feet to the left of the hole and rolled in. Next on the tee, Greg McCall, with a 7 iron, same tee, almost a replay of the shot both holed it! This was Mr. McCall s 10th hole-in-one & Mr. Shires has had 5. The odds makers say it is 50 million to 1 that this could occur, but on Sunday, January 15th right here at Estero Country Club it did! Upcoming Golf Events Men s Guest Day Thursday, Feb. 2nd - 1:00 Shotgun ENHLGA Invitational Wednesday, Feb. 8th, 9:00 Shotgun Buddy/Buddy & Laverne/Shirley Saturdays, Feb. 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th Super Sunday Golf Bramble Sunday, Feb. 12th Ladies Invitational Practice Round - Sun., Feb. 19 Tournament - Mon. & Tues. 20th & 21st Employee Scholarship Fundraiser Scramble Sunday, Feb. 26th, 1:00 Shotgun 7

8 Employee Scholarship Fundraiser Scramble Sunday, February 26, 2017, 1:00pm SHOTGUN Member/Guest Event $45 inclusive BBQ BUFFET TO FOLLOW GOLF, NON-GOLFERS WELCOME BIG PRIZES BIG SURPRISES One prize for women & one prize for men PUTTING win a new putter Proceeds will benefit our Employee Scholarship Fund CHIPPING win a golf bag DRIVING win a TV CLOSEST TO THE PIN - $$$$$$$$ 50/50 Raffle Sign-up on ForeTees or call the Club