McCall Golf & Country Club. McCall Matters

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1 McCall Golf & Country Club McCall Matters Page 1 General Manager s Letter Bob Casler March is here and it looks like we have escaped the snow and ice that was so prevalent last year. With the golf season fast approaching along with daylight savings time we will be in full swing before you know it. Over the winter we have been sprucing up the Clubhouse and meeting rooms for the upcoming season. I would like to thank everyone who has called, ed or just dropped by to give me the thumbs up on our Gourmet Dinner & Wine Pairing Celebration that kicked off our centennial year here at McCall. A special thanks to Bill Shields and Chef Bill Bodek along with our staff for their dedication to the event. You guys and girls give a new meaning to teamwork. The food was great and the service was impeccable, so if you missed this event mark your calendar for our next centennial event. Joe Candelore, Darrin, Tony and Drew have done an amazing job during February coordinating the ongoing outside project. As you know safety is always first and these guys were on top of everything during the excavation and transportation of all the soil even right down to making sure the dirt and mud was kept out of and away from our building. Nice job guys! During March, the Grille at McCall will open each weekend from 8:00 AM till 3:00 PM for breakfast and lunch. Coming soon an all new menu starting in April. We are going to celebrate St. Patrick s Day with a traditional dinner on March 14 th from 5:00 PM till 8:00 PM. Call Bill Shields early for your reservations as this event will be a sellout for sure. Breakfast with the Easter Bunny is right around the corner and will be held on April 1 st. Look for a flier coming out soon. We plan to keep our focus on the membership throughout the season. Our Pro Shop is also gearing up for an all new season. During March, our Pro Shop will be open from 8:00 AM till 4:00 PM Tuesday thru Sunday and closed on Mondays. We plan to kick off the season on April 14 th with our Opening Day Scramble. Sign up for our Tuesday Night League that will begin on April 17 th followed by dinner in the clubhouse. Eric our Golf Pro will be happy to get you involved whether you are a new member or just new to tournament play as well as introducing you to other members. In our catering department, March is the beginning of the busy season. Our spring is filling up nicely so if you are looking for graduation parties especially in June you need to think about it now as June dates go very quickly. For accommodations, please contact Lisa Mills at meetatmccall@mccallgolf.com. For the month of March, I will continue our membership promotion so please contact joe.candelore@mccallgolf.com. If you sponsor a new Associate Member, you will save $200 on your dues for This member must be a new member or not have been a previous member here for at least four years. Remember this is your Club so let s work together to secure the future of McCall. Let s make our Centennial Year the best ever! Bob

2 Page 2 McCall Matters The Centennial Report George Shicora, Committee Chairman In last month s article I wrote that Kelly s Field was dedicated to the 15 PECO employees who died in France during WWI and was named Howard McCall Field in honor of Captain Howard McCall, who died in combat in I also pointed out that Howard was the son of Joseph P. McCall, President and ultimately CEO of PECO. In this month s article I d like to give you a bit more background on Howard C. McCall. Howard Clifton McCall was born in Philadelphia on March 15, After high school he matriculated to the University of Pennsylvania where in addition to his studies he participated in a number of extracurricular activities. He was the center on the football team, the catcher on the baseball team, participated in other undergraduate activities and was a leading amateur golfer in the Philadelphia area. According to The Pennsylvania Gazette, he was loved and admired by all his classmates and friends. After completing his undergraduate studies he continued on to Law School, again at the University of Pennsylvania. Shortly after the United States entered World War I he went to an officers training camp and was subsequently commissioned a captain and later assigned to the 59 th Regiment. Quoting an account from one of his second lieutenants from The Pennsylvania Gazette, I was with Captain Howard McCall the afternoon of the 19 th of July, He took charge of the first wave that went over,--advanced behind the tanks. He was armed with a service rifle and used it continually during the advance. The tanks were destroyed and he advanced ahead of the rest of the battalion. He fell (was shot) within 40 yards of the enemy s line while advancing, and with a few men left, at double time---shot through the neck and face. This engagement took place near Chezy, France. The hero for whom McCall Field was named was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously. February 11, Four-Course Gourmet Dinner The first event of our five significant Centennial Celebratory events was held on February 11, It was a BYOB four-course Gourmet Dinner at a cost of $100/couple. To say that it was well received would be a dramatic understatement. The event was attended by 110 members and guests and from the post event comments it appears everyone had a very good time. The staff arranged for a vendor to provide complimentary wine with our hors d oeuvres, the four-course dinner was exceptional, a cash bar was available and a DJ provided music for dancing. It was truly an enjoyable evening. Proposed Celebratory Events During 2012 and in celebration of McCall s 100 th anniversary, we are in the process of fleshing out four additional events for our members and their guests. Please note on your calendars the following events. April 14, 2012 Our Opening Day Scramble This will be our fairly traditional Opening Day event with a few added wrinkles such as a commemorative ball mark for all participants and most likely one or two additional side contests within the main Scramble format with cash prizes.

3 Page 3 McCall Matters The Centennial Report George Shicora, Committee Chairman June 30 & July 1, 2012 Centennial Celebration This weekend is being targeted as the big centennial weekend for the Club. While the complete details for this weekend have not been fleshed out as yet, the following ideas have surfaced in connection with such a weekend. On June 30, we plan to hold a golf tournament to be known as the Howard McCall and Veterans Tournament, substituting in 2012 for our Summer Scramble. We re attempting to have an automobile prize for a hole-in-one as well as having some new cash prize contests. On Sunday, July 1, we plan to have a dedication of a plaque, monument, gazebo or whatever is chosen to commemorate the Club s anniversary milestone. In addition, we plan to hold a family event with a barbeque, music, games and possibly rides for children. The last two major events for 2012 are still in the planning stages but the dates have been determined and they are October 14, 2012 (Closing Day Scramble) and December 15, 2012 (Year End Gala).

4 Page 4 McCall Matters The Golf Course Joe Candelore, Director of Golf & Facilities They say opportunity knocks many times but we just don t answer all the time. We had always wanted to flatten out the area behind the clubhouse to make it usable for more events outside. Watching people trying to eat and drink while the table and chairs were at a 45-degree angle was funny at times but not good for business. If we could level the area off, it could lead to a patio and possibly a tent to hold certain events. These discussions came and went all the way back to Joanna Johnston, but always costs and resources got in the way. Then last November, guess what? Opportunity knocked and I was just smart enough, just by a little, to answer. It was Tom who works for James Morrissey and they were involved with building new ball fields at St. Joe s new campus on the Montco side of City Line Avenue. Tom said that Morrissey might be responsible for removal of a large pile of soil and did we have anywhere we could use it. At the same time, the Club was having meetings for McCall s 100 th anniversary and there was an interest in setting up a gazebo behind the Club to mark the celebration and also help with future events. So the answer was yes we could use the soil. Over the next several weeks we talked back and forth, I showed him what we wanted to accomplish, and we came up with a scheme to make it happen at no cost to the Club. Now I should mention it was a lot of soil, maybe 500 truckloads but we came up with a plan to take it all. Then I did not here from Tom for a month. He had told me it might be possible that the soil could be left at St. Joe s but he thought that was just a small chance, but when I did not here from him I thought the deal was off. Then on February 8 th he called and said they were ready to go so on the 14 th trucks started rolling in 50 to 60 a day. They came and dumped and the dozer operator just kept pushing it back so we could get it all on site. Our plan is to level off behind the clubhouse and have a site for the gazebo. We will also redo the practice area and cover up the old volleyball courts and develop a short game practice area. It all won t happen over night but it will happen fairly quick. It is already taking shape. Stay tuned. Out on the course, Darrin and Drew have been continuing with tree work and also rebuilding some bunker banks. They are also doing some painting of meeting rooms in the clubhouse. The tear drop and tombstone paint is almost gone but not quite. Tony is busy in the shop finishing equipment maintenance so everything is ready to go for the season. One bad thing about good winter weather is that the damage to the course is unreal. Ball marks not being fixed and divots not being replaced are outrageous. I can t believe our own members can show such disrespect for their own Club, but they do. If it does not change, the course will show the effects of this abuse in the spring, so it is up to you, the member, to change your behavior. The crew strives everyday to make this a better place for you. Take heart, we mowed the greens last Thursday and aeration time is just around the corner. As always, thanks for being a member of McCall. Joe

5 Page 5 McCall Matters The Pro Shop Eric Figueroa, PGA Golf Professional March Hours Mondays - Closed Tuesday thru Sunday - 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM The 2012 golf season is a short time away and with this weather, it seems like the season has already started. I feel like that is all I should say about the weather so that I don t jinx anything. With that said, we have a lot in the works for It is our centennial year. Many great events will take place throughout the year. Please keep an eye and ear open for the announcements of these events. Without jumping too far ahead of ourselves, please take a look below at what is in store for March and April. I hope you can join us by participating in all or few of these events. Bag Tags The Pro Shop will be open full time in March. Please stop by and get your bag tag for We ask that you get your tag before heading out to play. Dues can be paid in the Pro Shop. The 2012 dues amounts are as follows: $425 (Employees & Annuitants); $75 (Juniors); $1,875 (Associates); $2,835 (Associate Family Membership includes spouse and two children) and $450 (Associate Junior). Spring Scramble The Opening Day Scramble will be held on Saturday, April 14 th and is open to all members and their guests. The format will be 5 person teams and the field will be limited to 26 teams. A full buffet breakfast will be served at 8:00 AM and the Scramble will start promptly at 9:30 AM. Lunch and prizes will follow the event. Payment for this event must be made by Sunday, April 8. Please call the Pro Shop to reserve your spot. As you know, we only have 12 riding carts. Please reserve your carts ahead of time. If your payment is not received by April 8, your cart reservation will be lost. Please make sure to get your payment in as soon as possible. Cost for the Scramble is $50 for Members and $65 for Guests. Tuesday Night League Everyone who has played in the golf league last year should be receiving his or her entry form shortly. Please turn in your form as soon as possible. There are only 80 spots and they do fill up quickly. New members are encouraged to call the Pro Shop for details and registration. The Pro Shop can be reached at The Tuesday Night League will start on April 17 and run for nine weeks. The price for the league will be $35. GAP Matches The first tee will be closed from 8:30 AM until 11:00 AM on the dates listed below. If you are planning on playing these days, you must tee off before 8:30 AM or after 11 AM. Rick Bunn will be the captain of the first team, Roland Thomas will be captain of the second team and John O Rourke will be the captain of the third team. The 2012 schedule is as follows: McCall 1 McCall 2 McCall 3 April 22 Yardley Yardley West Chester April 29 Overbrook Tavistock Meadia Heights May 6 Penn Oaks Llanerch Honeybrook

6 Page 6 McCall Matters The Pro Shop Eric Figueroa, PGA Golf Professional VIP Pass The VIP Pass will be offered once again this year. Please do not miss out on this great opportunity. There is no deal like it ANYWHERE! Here is how it works: 1. Cost is $100 and you receive a $100 in merchandise % discount on all apparel, accessories and guest fees for the season % off all equipment purchases (off retail price only). 4. 5% off a dozen golf balls. 5. $3 off cart fees This is what you call a no brainer. No retail store will ever come close to this deal. The Pro Shop will be offering the following clothing lines: Antigua, Cutter & Buck, Monterey Club, Page & Tuttle, Greg Norman and Nike. We will also carry Nike shoes, socks and rain wear. Nike equipment will be well represented in the shop. Nike and Titleist balls will also be available. We have accounts with all major brands and can special order anything you may need. Just remember that the initial $100 must be used up by the end of the year. Any balance will be forfeited come January 1. Golf Lessons Golf lessons are available by appointment. Please contact me at to schedule a lesson. Now is a great time to get your game in shape for the 2012 season. Clinics (Adult & Juniors) and group lessons are being created as we speak. Please keep an eye out for dates, times, and details. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding lessons, clinics, and group lessons. Eric

7 Page 7 McCall Matters Golf Committee Report Bob Murray, 2012 Chairman Here is the point where I usually roll out a worn cliché about it finally getting close to golf season. Well, there s double good news here (1) you won t have to put up with that cliché and (2) the weather has been almost unbelievably good so far this year the golf season has actually already started. I hope that you ve been able to take advantage of our good fortune to play some early season golf. No matter what occurs until the actual start of spring, we are way ahead this year. The 2012 McCall Golf Event Schedule was approved at the February 22 Golf Committee meeting and you will be seeing it shortly. Please take note of the several course and 1 st tee closings listed there. If you have any questions, contact the Pro Shop. The entry forms for this year s Tuesday Night Golf League will be coming out within the next two weeks. Be sure to sign up quickly so as not to be disappointed. We are looking forward to another great season, starting on April 17. Also, signups for the annual Spring Scramble, April 14, will open on March 1. The GHIN handicap system will reopen for 2012 on April 1. If you were lucky enough to play in one of the warm weather states, those rounds should be posted for your handicap. Remember that the USGA/GHIN/GAP handicap membership is included in your McCall golf fee so you should take advantage of this service. I would like to invite anyone who is new to the handicap system or wants to start taking advantage of their membership, to contact me for a little one-on-one talk on how to use it and how to get their handicap up and running a little quicker. Another reminder, you need a valid handicap to play on one of our GAP Teams, to play in either the Tuesday Night or Thursday Night Golf Leagues and to participate in many of our tournaments. I am still open for your input on what you would like to see covered in future McCall Matters articles. The Golf Committee has already met during the first two months of the year. As always, members are encouraged to attend or to send their comments, questions or suggestions to a Committee Member (yours truly included). The meeting schedule for the rest of 2012 is April 18, June 13 (annual ride-around-tour), September 12 and December 5. Meetings are held at McCall on Wednesdays at 5 PM. A phone-in conference call arrangement is available for these meetings. Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP) Once again I would like to encourage you to take a look at the 2012 GAP event schedule, which is posted on their website at gapgolf.org, and make plans to play in one of their many, varied events. As with just about everything going on around McCall, contact the Pro Shop, myself or one of the other Committee Members for further information. Additional GAP Information Registration is now open for the spring edition of the Golf Association of Philadelphia s Winter Series. Venues include Brookside Country Club (sold out), Whitford Country Club (March 14), Laurel Creek Country Club (sold out) and Blue Bell Country Club (March 28). Cost is $35 per person, per event. Entrants are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Let your game speak up during the normally quiet, off season months.

8 Page 8 McCall Matters Golf Committee Report Bob Murray, 2012 Chairman The Winter Directory is still available on the GAP website. Launched in 2011, this feature lets golfers know what courses are open for play during the colder months. It also includes rates and hours of operations for facilities throughout the region. Check out the GAP Winter Directory before planning your next golfing adventure! The Golf Association of Philadelphia offers various seminars to educate and invigorate its membership. They include the Rules of Golf, the Presidents Council and the College Golf Seminar. Now in its eighth year, the Presidents Council, set for March 28 at Waynesborough Country Club, allows club leaders to address and discuss hot-button issues affecting their clubs and memberships as well as the golf business overall. Our Centennial year is under way, starting with the great dinner held on February 11. Kudos to all the staff for another great job!!! (Please see the Centennial writeup elsewhere in this issue.) Also, I d like to ask you to add to my list of suggested New Year s resolutions (see my section of the January Matters) - a pledge to take part in our upcoming Centennial celebration activities. Here is hoping that you have already paid your bag tag fee (during the discount period of course) and your meal assessment, and that you came in to pick up your 2012 bag tag. Now all you have to do is get out on the course, YOUR course, for some early season golf. If the weather continues to be this nice, it will almost be like stealing. Hope to see you out there. Bob

9 Page 9 McCall Matters Golf Team Report Bill Flick, 2012 Chairman As we really approach golf weather, all the venues for the GAP matches have been announced as follows: First Team Second Team Third Team Yardley Yardley West Chester Overbrook Tavistock Meadia Heights Penn Oaks Llanerch Honeybrook Another reminder that the balance of your GAP match fee must be paid in full prior to the first match. The team captains have sent out a preliminary schedule for the matches. If you have any issues, please contact the team captains. Bill

10 Page 10 McCall Matters Women s Golf League Mary Lawler, President The Women s Golf League will be starting its 75 th season this year. Opening day will be Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 8:30 AM. This will be followed by our annual Spring Luncheon at 12:30 PM in the Fireplace Room at McCall Golf & Country Club. If you would like more information about attending the luncheon, please call Elaine Costagliola ( ). We are always looking for new women to join the 18-hole group or the 9-hole group. IF you would like more information about joining the Women s Golf League, please call Mary Lawler ( ) or Debbie Valinsky ( ). Mary Tennis Bambi Dudley Want to get fit and have fun at the same time? Try tennis! If you want to learn, we love to teach. We offer group lessons where you can meet new friends. Contact Bambi Dudley for more information at or me at corporatetennis@comcast.net. Bambi

11 Page 11 McCall Matters Conference Center Bill Shields, Food & Beverage Director Well the winter is finally coming to an end and I am looking forward for the upcoming golf season. I know that you are all aware by now that the Club has instituted a Food & Beverage Minimum that you are required to spend at the Club. I am looking forward to the Grille Room being more active this season with the minimum going into effect in April. Myself, Bob and Chef Bill are working on new menus for the Grille this season for your enjoyment and we will be ready for your business once the Club reopens back up in full swing in April. Our next scheduled Dinner Buffet will be held on Wednesday, March 17 th from 5:00 PM till 8:00 PM. Please call me to reserve your table or me at bill.shields@mccallgolf.com. Special Reminder The Grille Room will be open only on Saturdays and Sundays during the month of March from 8:00 AM till 3:00 PM. I ask if you are planning on coming over and you have a party of six or more to please give me a call so that I can reserve a nice table for you and your guests. Always remember if you have any suggestions to help us keep improving the operations here at McCall you can me at bill.shields@mccallgolf.com or stop by my office. Bill

12 Page 12 McCall Matters Events & Marketing Update Lisa Mills, Marketing Director Another four weeks of nice weather and we will be in the clear for spring! Our Bridal Show which was held on Sunday, February 12 was a success! We had twenty different vendors and twenty brides and their entourages attend. I have gotten feedback from several vendors which are already having positive results as a direct effect from the show. I would like to thank all who participated and contributed to our first Bridal Show. Coming up in March we have Bonner s Mothers Club, a bridal shower, two baby showers, a birthday party, St. Joe s Hockey Banquet, a wedding, Llanerch Fire Company and the Regina Angelorum Academy. We will also have numerous weekday PECO events. April s calendar is quite full. We start the month with Breakfast with the Easter Bunny on Sunday, April 1. On Saturday, April 14, we begin our golfing season with the Spring Scramble and on April 21 we have our second wedding of the season. During April we will also have an anniversary party, a communion party, a baby shower and GAP team matches. We have reviewed our existing marketing and advertising opportunities and have decided to make a forward move from print mediums to mostly online opportunities for 2012, focusing on weddings primarily. We are also looking to create a video of McCall which can then be put up on youtube.com to further our exposure online. We are also currently advertising on facebook.com. Our events calendar is filling in nicely. We have several openings for events during March, April and May. June is now beginning to fill with weddings and graduation parties. During the summer we have several weddings in July and August. As always, you may contact me at or meetatmccall@mccallgolf.com or stop by and see us to arrange a date for your particular event. Now is the time to book any event you are looking for in 2012 or Lisa

13 Page 13 McCall Matters Culinary Corner William Bodek, Chef With an unseasonable warm winter we have been having, hopefully March will not roar like a lion. Anyway, with a steady month here at McCall, we are in the process of changing our Grille Menu for the upcoming season. If you have any suggestions, please fill free to let me know what you would like to see available on our new menu. Our Grille will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM during the month of March. Our next Dinner Buffet Night will be on Wednesday, March 14 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a St. Patrick s theme. The menu will be Potato Leek Soup, Irish Potato and Cabbage Slaw, Sliced Baked Ham with a light glaze, Stuffed Cabbage Casserole, Cabbage, Boiled Parsley Potatoes, and an Irish Sweet Table. Buffet price is $13 per guest. As you probably know, this event will sell out quickly, so don't hesitate to call and reserve your table. With that in mind, our recipe of the month will be Potato Leek Soup. Potato Leek Soup Ingredients 6 potatoes, peeled and cut into large pieces 8 leeks, whites only, thoroughly washed 3 stalks celery, roughly chopped 1 medium onion, peeled and quartered 1 bay leaf 2 quarts chicken stock 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 4 ounces (1 stick) melted butter 1 cup heavy cream 1-1/2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme leaves Salt and pepper Directions In a large pot, place potatoes, four of the leeks (reserving the rest), celery, onion, bay leaf and chicken stock and bring to a boil, about 15 minutes. Continue to boil until potatoes are soft. Chop the remaining four leeks. Mix flour and butter in small bowl to make a roux for thickening the soup. Add the remaining leeks, roux, cream, fresh thyme, and salt and pepper. Remove bay leaf. Using an immersion blender (or in batches in a blender or food processor), blend soup until smooth. Pour into a medium pot and simmer for 20 more minutes until soup has thickened and serve. Chef Bill