Volume IV, Issue I, April 2016 And then there were three... On The Inside: Page 1: Triple Play Cards Available Page 2: WBL Introduces New Dir. of Golf Page 3: Changes for 2016 Page 4: Changes Continued Page 4: Meet Gregg Schernicker Page 5: Don t Forget These Dates Page 5: Fish Fry Frenzy Page 6: Early Season Golf Tips Page 6. WBL s Junior Golf Program Page 7. Mother s Day Special at Camelot Page 8: Proshop Specials Page 8: In Loving Memory Page 9: Member Invitational Days Page 10: Changes at WBL s Page 10: The Lighter Side of Golf Page ll: Tri Course Series (Camelot) Page 12: Tri Course Series (West Bend Lakes) Page 13: Tri Course Series (Horicon Hills) Triple play cards available for limited time For those of you looking for something a little different in the way of golfing bargains, we are now offering an excitingly new approach, The Triple Play Card. With this card, you will receive four, 18 hole rounds at each of our three family owned courses. The rounds can be played during normal play, either 1 round at a time or use the multiple punches and take your friends. However, play is restricted from leagues, outings, and other special offers. This is up to a $564 Value, but you can purchase all 12 rounds now for only $300.00. The cards can be purchased at all of the 3 pro shops, but are only available for a limited time. Some restrictions apply. The passes may not be split into 9 hole rounds. The punches on the card are only good for the course marked. Cards are for open play only, any time during the week and may be used on weekends after 1:00 p.m. if tee time is available. These cards would make an excellent Mother s Day, Father s Day, or Graduation Gift for the avid golfer who likes to play a variety of courses in the local area or for friends who want to share the cost.
Page 2 With the departure of long time Director of Golf Paul Ley, late last year. General Manager Chris Merkel and the owners have again gone outside the family to fill this key position. After a long search and some very interesting interviews, Chris narrowed his choices down to a short list of qualified candidates. The final task was to decide which one would best meet the needs of West Bend Lakes and it s members and guests. After our interviews of the candidates we all decided that Adam Leu would be the perfect fit for our position. Adam has a long history in the golf industry, in both Wisconsin and Florida. He has worked at many established courses such as The Bull, University Ridge and Westmoor CC. At a young age, Adam was always at the golf course. He started picking the range, caddying and working in the bag room. It was then he realized he wanted to make a living in golf. During his career, he was fortunate to have worked with some of WI s most respected PGA Professionals such as Allan Mitchell, George Schiro and Tony Coleman. He credits his knowledge of the business and love of the game to these mentors. Adam has extensive experience teaching players of all ages and abilities. He coordinated and served as an instructor at several golf academies, focusing on golfer development programs and course management. He also has a wealth of experience in tournament management, marketing, merchandising and player relations. As The Director of Golf/Head Professional at West Bend Lakes, Adam and his staff will continue the Merkel Family tradition of creating an enjoyable and memorable golfing experience and by providing first class service in a family atmosphere. ADAM S LESSON RATES To contact Adam: Individual 30 Min. $40.00 Series of 5 $175.00 1 Hr. $50.00 Series of 5 $200.00 Junior 30 Min. $25.00 Series of 5 $100.00 Group Lessons 2 Golfers $40.00 ea. 3 Golfers $30.00 ea. 4 Golfers $25.00 ea. 5-8 Golfers $20.00 ea. West Bend Lakes: 262-675-9922 Cell Phone: 920-287-9036 Email: wbladamleu@gmail.com
Page 3 Page 2 2016 THE YEAR OF CHANGES This year, if all goes as we expect, we are planning for major changes at all our family of courses. We hope that by the time of this writing, our expansion struggles will have come to an end, which will allow us to refocus our efforts on improving play. We have made major improvements in our membership program with the inclusion of all three courses in your membership fee. For the daily fee player, we have added the Triple Play Card which greatly discounts the rate for people wanting to travel between our courses. With the addition of the Fish Fry at Camelot, you can now enjoy a casual fish fry at all three facilities. The new score cards have been unified to make it easier for the average player to use our cards. Tee markers have been unified in color and so has the placement of flags on the green. All to make it easier for the regular player. Laura and Jim have been busy working with local businesses to enhance our advertising efforts and to keep our costs at a reasonable level, thus allowing us to keep rates low. Please note those local advertisers who support our facilities, and when shopping there, let them know you saw their advertising at our courses. Although we want our courses to be similar in nature, we do not want them to be clones of each other. With that in mind, we would like to make the greens play more alike at all 3 courses. That means that we will have to do some additional work at The Lakes on perhaps rolling the greens, etc. West Bend Lakes is physically removing a large number of trees which were lost to the Emerald Ash Borer. It is amazing how this has widened the fairways. Once the trees have been totally cleaned up, we will begin on a carefully planned planting program. We will also be working on several of the poorest tees to make them more playable. Cart paths will be a continuing project and we have made arrangements to pave the entrance of the driveway some time in June. Horicon Hills has trimmed around a number of the pine trees and helped to clean up shots to make it easier for the golfer to score. More trees were taken down over the winter and perhaps a few more will have to come down. The first tee is coming in well and should be in play this summer. Gregg is confident that he will have the irrigation system completed by mid-summer. Small projects in the clubhouse have been completed as well. The Golf Club at Camelot continues making minor changes to the drainage system. The main hall was redecorated. All three courses will emphasise a commitment to aeration and leveling of the tees. Continued on P. 4
Page 4 (2016 Changes Continued from page 3) Along with all these changes, the clubs purchased over $400,000 in new equipment to better serve the needs of the public. Some of this equipment will be kept at the individual courses, but the more specialized equipment will be moved, as needed, so that all 3 courses can take advantage of its unique applications. Horicon purchased two, like new, rough mowers. New they sell for $65,000 each. Camelot purchased a new sprayer for $42,000 and a new trim mower for $37,000. West Bend Lakes purchased a like new trim mower, hand tools and chain saws for over $25,000. We also purchased 9 like new shop carts for an additional cost of $35,000. A new blower and aerator were also purchased to be used at all three courses for approximately $25,000. To avoid shortages, additional power carts totaling nearly $40,000 were also purchased to add to our present fleet of carts. As most of you know, Nick Bannick has taken a position at the Country Club of Green Bay this season. While we will miss him and his enthusiasm, we understand it is quite an advancement for him and are proud that we were able to help him attain this new position. As soon as we were sure we were losing Nick, we started the search for his replacement. One of the things we were looking for in the new superintendent was for him/her to have a strong working knowledge of our new irrigation system. With that being one of our major objectives, we found several qualified candidates interested in the position. Gregg Schernicker However, none of the other candidates shared his passion. With Gregg s many years of experience, we are already ahead of our projected completion of the irrigation system. We should be fully operational by mid summer rather than mid-season 2017. Gregg also loves to golf and you will see him in several leagues and the Sunday Tri Course Tournaments. When you see him, be sure to stop in and welcome him to the family.
Page 5 Don t Forget these Dates! Friday Night couples League Opener...(WBL s)...april 29 MS Open...(WBL s)...april 30 TRI COURSE TOURNAMENT Opener...(GCC)...May 1 C TRI COURSE TOURNAMENT...(WBL s)...june 5 Tuesday Member Invitational Starts...(GCC)...June 7th Stars and Stripes...(GCC)...June 14 Customer Appreciation Week...(WBL s)...may 31-June 3 Big Bang Outing...(WBl s)...july 9 TRI COURSE TOURNAMENT...(HH)...July 10 Jingle Bell Open...(WBL s)...aug 1 Club Championship...(GCC)...Aug 20, 21) Tough Pin...(GCC)...Oct 9 Lee s Thank You Outing...(GCC).. to be announced (PLEASE CONTACT THE PROSHOP FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY EVENT) We Are Cooking Too The Horicon Hills Fish Fry Wide Menu Variety 4:30-8:30pm Call 920.643.2000 for reservations
Page 6 EARLY SEASON GOLF TIPS WBL s Director of Golf The 2016 golf season is finally here to stay! (We Hope). Since many of you may have had little or no swings or putts during the off season, I wanted to offer some tips to get you off to a great start this year. Try to get into golf shape by walking, jogging or going to the gym a few times before that first round. You will not get fatigued as easily and feel more powerful with the lower body. Get your clubs re-gripped and ready for action. New grips will make your set feel like they did when you first purchased them. Old worn out grips will only make the game more difficult even for those with a great swing. Set personal goals for yourself. If you are a high handicapper or scratch golfer, we all would like to play better and have more fun. For some a target score ie: to break 90 is a goal. Others may just want to learn how to hit a bunker shot. Regardless of your goals, I would be happy to help you achieve them with a lesson or series of lessons. Put in some practice time. Most of us know what areas we want to improve in. However, just hitting balls at the driving range will not make us better. By addressing our weaknesses and with the help of your club professional, we can practice properly and with a purpose. Many early season injuries occur by not warming up our golf muscles. The lower back, hamstrings and shoulders are often areas that needs stretching before swinging a club. Dress for the conditions. We have all experienced spring golf in Wisconsin. Cold, wet, windy weather is more common then warm and dry. By layering and investing in quality apparel we can extend the season and beat the elements. By utilizing these useful tips, everyone can get a fresh and positive start to the new season. Remember golf is a game we can play our entire lives, so let s enjoy our time on the links. Whether it s a chilly 39 degrees in March or 90 degrees in July, The more you play, the luckier you get. West bend lakes junior golf program Conducted by Golf professionals Adam Leu and Paul Ley SESSION 1 (2-3 PM) MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS June 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29 (5) 1 Hour Lessons Plus 3 Hole Scramble and Lunch June 29th 2-4 PM $50 Per Child/$40 Per Member This program offers kids the opportunity to learn proper swing fundamentals, short games, rules & golf course etiquette. Both 3 week programs consist of 5 one hour lessons on a Monday & Wednesday and end with a 3 hole scramble and awards luncheon. SESSION 2 (11AM-12PM) MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS August 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24 (5) 1 Hour Lessons Plus 3 Hole Scramble and Lunch August 24th 11AM-12PM $50 Per Child/$40 Per Member
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Page 8 CHECK OUT OUR PROSHOP SPECIALS! ALL 3 SHOPS FULLY STOCKED AND READY TO GO!! NEW ITEMS ARRIVING DAILY!!! WE ARE THE PLACE TO BEAT!!!! IN LOVING MEMORY The Merkel Family would like to extend their deepest sympathy to the families of two long time employees who recently lost their lives passed away their warm smiles and caring ways. Ellis Krell, who worked the proshop desk at West Bend Lakes for over 10 years recently died of a heart attack. He especially enjoyed working with our senior and evening leagues and was always ready with a joke. Bonnie Garces worked for years at the Golf Club at Camelot in their food service program. Although most of what she did was behind the scenes, you would often see her big smile at the grill during outings and weekend events. She died after a long battle with cancer. ELLIS KRELL BONNIE GARCES
Page 9 The Golf Club at Camelot West Bend Lakes Horicon Hills Presents Member Invitational Days Tee Times on Tuesdays from 7:00 AM until 9:00 AM 18 Holes with Cart, Food Voucher and Hole Prizes Cost: Members $20.00 Member Guests: $30.00 This Special Invitational will rotate between the three courses starting on June 7 th at The Golf Club at Camelot Each group must contain at least one member. Any twosome can be paired up with another twosome that day. Must make reservations by the Saturday before. Course can open up tee times in the time slot of 7 AM to 9 AM to the public starting on the Sunday before. Planned Schedule June 7 th *********************************************West Bend Lakes June 14 th (Off at all 3 Golf Courses due to Stars and Stripes Golf Outing At Camelot. Join us in that outing benefiting our local veterans.) June 28 th ********************************************Horicon Hills July 5 th **********************************************Camelot July 12 th ********************************************West Bend Lakes July 19 th *********************************************Horicon Hills July 26 th *********************************************Camelot August 2 nd *******************************************Horicon Hills August 9 th *******************************************West Bend Lakes August 16 th *****************************************Camelot August 23 rd *****************************************Horicon Hills August 30 th *****************************************West Bend Lakes September 6 th **************************************Horicon Hills September 13 th ************************************Camelot September 20 th ************************************West Bend Lakes
Page 10 The crew beginning the process of re-planting trees at WBL s BRIDGE RISES! The well needed bridge over the concrete swale on the 14th tee at WBL s was completed last fall. Constructed of steel I beams, anchored in concrete and using treated 2 x 10 s the structure should last for many years to come. The bridge will allow players to cross the swale without hearing the girlish screams of members like Jeff Werner, when they get their feet wet or think they see a grass snake. Here we see Superintendent Tom Merkel rolling #8 green while getting an assist from GM Chris Merkel s son Cameron. Congratulations to Tom, Luke and The Crew for a job well done.
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