Category 1 - Club Events

Town & County Club Vincent Tracy The Club held a Family Fishing Derby complete with prizes, food, fun, and fish. The event needed to be a low cost event that generated revenues. The 20,000 gallon pool was neutralized and transformed into a trout pond. Member’s hosted family and friends, and the club even booked a children’s birthday party for 25 kids. The Executive Chef and his culinary team cleaned, wrapped, and bagged the anglers catch. The Club offered a picnic style buffet and nearly every participant stayed for a fish-free lunch. Everyone from the guest to the staff had a great time filled with laughs and anticipation of who would catch a single gold trout worth $25. WINNER!!!!

The Club at Mediterra Michael D. Seabrook This musical Broadway style production was written and directed by a member, with 50 cast members from the Club. Originally designed as a one night show, high demand for tickets compelled an additional night. Both nights were sold out with an audience of 180 each night. Patterned on Broadway how tunes, the lyrics mimicked the Mediterra lifestyle. The show enhanced camaraderie and created lasting relationships among members. This was the spark that ignited many ideas for subsequent parties at the Club. A pre-show silent auction and the sale of DVD’s and logo’d items raised $60,000 to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Ocean Reef Club Paul M.G. Astbury Members were asked to nominate chefs from their summer clubs to be considered as an honoree at Ocean Reef Club’s inaugural Taste of the Club Nation. The ten finalists, with several accompanied by their general managers as well as members, came to Ocean Reef to help recognize and celebrate the fine dining offered in America’s private clubs. The honored chefs also prepared a one-of-a-kind dinner that was much appreciated and that will be long remembered by those in attendance.

The Country Club of Virginia Tom Osborne Traveling Centennial Prints: In order for all members to have an opportunity to view the canvas and paper giclee prints, we moved the framed sample prints around to different buildings on the Club campus for our members to enjoy and have the opportunity to purchase.

Riverside Yacht Club Courtney A Wetzel Our “Sail for the Gold” fundraiser has been an event of great pride for Riverside. The response of our membership (through volunteering, attending, and donating) exceeded the committee’s initial goals. It was an opportunity for members to renew their support and commitment to sailing.

Tippecance Lake Country Club Paul N Kornfeind Low budget-high impact family club event

Farmington Country Club Wayne Hall 2008 will mark the second year of the Home Improvement Seminar. This free event is held in the house maintenance building where our friendly house maintenance staff walks members through various household problems and their easy fixes. Because our staff is already well verses in these problems and solutions, there is no extra training required. An easy to follow manual is given to each member that attends the two hour seminar and a mock bathroom and drywall setup is erected for hands-on instruction.

Manasquan River Golf Club Tim Doyle This annual event is most anticipated by the membership. Golf season has ended, but the weather is golfing weather. The reason it has become an annual event is because it is the men versus the women. This event is always sold out.

The Fort Worth Club Michael Thackerson The Fort Worth Club Boxing Night includes the transformation of the Club’s ballroom into an arena that serves for several bouts of boxing by Golden Glove fighters. Special equipment is used to remove the 82-year-old crystal chandelier from the center of the room, and an entire boxing ring is moved in. A fabulous steak dinner and martinis add to the lure of this elite event.

The Carnegie Abbey Club Stephen M Downes First Time Ever- Graff Jewelry Event: A London based company with an international reputation of excellence; Graff Jewelry provided an opulent display of their finest and most popular collections never before seen outside their stores and valuing more than $30 million. This event elevated the level of expectation of Club Events by offering an exclusive opportunity not found anywhere and providing our members with the opportunity to play “dress up” for the event. A private event held only for our Membership, this high profile fundraising event benefited our local Newport Hospital raising community awareness and fostering lasting relationships. This was showcased in our local newspapers with favorable coverage. The Club generated revenues of our Food & Beverage and Event Departments as many of our Members enjoyed dinner in our dining room after the evening of cocktails and hors d’voeur.

Mountain Air Country Club Andrew Singleton The Mountain Heritage Festival is an annual event we hold for our membership to showcase local heritage, arts and crafts. Our membership gains an opportunity to see, touch, feel, smell, and taste the proud heritage of local community and extended areas of Western North Carolina. We provide games for adults and children that are common of the local area, as well as foods that are authentic to Western North Carolina cuisine. The artisans and crafters display their wares and may demonstrate their craft.

Chevy Chase Club Frederick H Nixon Our “Nantucket Night” proves to be extremely successful in many respects, enhancing our Club’s operation. Between multiple departments, we were able to establish the concept, and with each department’s expertise, our final product surpassed our expectations. With the combined involvement of Catering/Banquets, Beverage, Culinary, Engineering, Greens and Grounds, as well as Golf Maintenance, we were able to create a setting using various materials from every area of the property which brought our theme to life. The interdepartmental communications, teamwork, and camaraderie that this event generated enhanced our Club’s operations.

Ansley Golf Club Mirja D. Haynes This event had humble beginnings, but has grown into one of Atlanta’s best sporting and social events. Not only does it bring the Membership together in planning the event and raising money for a great cause, it also draws considerable community attention and allows us to showcase our club to potential members. Our membership and Staff come together to make this one of the premiere charity fundraisers in the region.

Farmington Country Club Barrie Holt After looking carefully at what people do to celebrate New Year’s Eve, we noticed that family style events were very popular in the area. Our Camp-outs on the North Lawn had been successful, so we decided to try a “Camp-in.” Members arrived through the Ballroom entrance to a room that had been set with an outhouse, cut logs at each campsite with a lantern and trees. Pine straw was spread throughout the room to give it a woodsy feel. We also prepared a balloon drop and hung a clock that read two hours a head of schedule. This event was extremely popular with members who have children. It eliminates the need to find a babysitter, creates time for the family to enjoy being together, and gives parents an opportunity to celebrate at the Club.

The Country Club of Virginia Tom Osborne Club Team Cocktails: We held an exclusive adult party for all players (tennis, golf, ect.) that represents our Club on club teams (USTA, Suburban Leagues, Annual Cup Competitions). It was an opportunity to celebrate sportsmanship and success, and recognize the Club’s involvement in the community.

Riverside Yacht Club Courtney A Wetzel In honor of our Scottish chef, we hosted our first Robert Burns Supper as a final event, which was sure to lively, before our three week shutdown. Though it could be considered a “cultural” event, it was intended to be a fun evening for members to interact. The result was a great evening of camaraderie.

The Misquamicut Club Philip Koretski The annual Home Run Derby at the Beach Club has become one of our signature events during the summer season. The event is as popular with adults as it is with children. This event gives us the chance to bring families together for an evening full of fun, food, and of course baseball!

Woodholme Country Club Mitchell Platt Based on the popular television show, the club hosted an “Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?” night. This event enhanced the connection between that demographic group and the club.

The Country Club of Virginia Chris Marcussen Movie night on the lawn: We purchased a 12-foot inflatable screen to show the motion picture “The Queen” on a beautiful May evening. It was timed the week the film released on DVD to capture an audience that may have missed it in the theater. For one price members were able to enjoy keg beer and “gourmet” movie fare delivered tableside.

Tahoe Mountain Club Kathy Cork In honoring Tahoe Mountain Club’s commitment to the environment and creating great memories for Members, the Adventure Series was born. With a true four season experience, Tahoe Mountain Club designed this program to share our appreciation of the natural environment of the Sierra. From a Club perspective, it is a minimal cost to the Club. We utilize the hobbies and expertise of our staff outside their normal scope of duties. Staff members from multiple departments have the opportunity to share their knowledge with the members. And, it showcases our Club and the variety of amenities we have on-property and in the community.

Rhode Island Country Club Jules Olley With a new management team in place we wanted to create a unique experience and provide outstanding service at our annual member guest. The first evening is a stag night. We brought the service to the golfer by moving everything to the front of the club on the course. Golfers enjoyed a golf skills challenge and food and beverage service.

The Country Club of Virginia Tom Osborne We invited the Board of Directors and their spouses each quarter to enjoy an evening competing in a putting contest or a game of golf croquet on the grand lawn under the lights, or even at a chef’s table in the kitchen. Lots of action, fun, and food for all.

Westmoor Country Club Joseph C Coon Annual Camp Out: This event enhanced our club’s operation by contributing to the family bonding of our members.

Victoria Country Club Chris Stewart The idea for this event came from watching Iron Chef America. We knew we could do this at our Club and incorporate our members into the event as contestants competing against each other.

Rolling Rock Club Simon Carey We wanted to be the first party of 2008 commemorating the 250th Anniversary of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. Our New Years Eve Dinner and Dance was chosen to highlight this occasion and the “Three Rivers Queen” theme was chosen. Members from around the country attended this historic New Years Eve party.

Granite Club Mary Elizabeth Sullivan Capturing the Spirit chronicles a year in the life of the Granite Club. Recipes include traditional Club dishes and holiday favorites, as well as exquisite European cuisine served in the Club’s Fine Dining Room. It is a collection of over 70 recipes that have been adapted and tested for home cooking. It was conceived as a gift to members in celebration of achieving a new culinary milestone at the Granite Club. Another key goal is to raise the profile of the Granite Club in the city, the industry and hospitality colleges as we will experience significant staff shortages in the future.

The Country Club of Virginia Tom Osborne Easter Box Lunch: We offered an “Easter brunch/lunch to go” to accommodate more members on Easter. Members can enjoy their lunches together on the grand lawn or drive up to our to-go tent, pick it up, and take it anywhere they want. This program brings in members who might otherwise not attend our Easter lunch.

Riverside Yacht Club Courtney A Wetzel Riverside’s second Archives Dinner gave the membership an opportunity to view some of our oldest documents, including early charters and rosters, as well as reminisce about their early days as members. Due to an overwhelming number of requests, the display was available for two extra days.

The Country Club of Virginia Chris Marcussen We created an autumn event with a good old-fashioned Pig Pickin’ and Oyster Roast. This event has grown into a CCV tradition. For one price members can enjoy a plentiful buffet, oysters and pig roasting stations, keg beer, and party favors for the adults and children.

The Peninsula Yacht Club Loraine Vienne “Pirates of Peninsula” weekend has created a cohesive club event for members 4-100. It has provided a venue for all members to participate in weekend activities around a central theme. It has brought in a large amount of revenue for the dining room bar.

The Country Club of Virginia Tom Osborne Centennial Cookie: We created a signature cookie to have at every member function and Club event to honor the Club’s centennial.