August 5, 2022
Dear Geneva National Members,
I hope your summer this far has been memorable and legendary, in true GN style! While the spring started out a bit cool, we’ve enjoyed ideal golf weather since the calendar flipped to June. Along with a change in temperature has come quite a few transformations to the Club, which I hope you’ve enjoyed as well. Here’s a quick recap:
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- Our team welcomed 24 golf, hospitality, turfgrass, F&B, and culinary interns from 17 different universities across the nation and launched a new staff training program designed to provide elevated and enthusiastic service to our Members and resort guests.
- GN opened The Dance Floor, a Himalayas-style putting course flanked by a bocce court, lights & surround sound, Baggo, and firepits. In just a month’s time, this one-acre golf playground has garnered more than 2 million media impressions across all platforms.
- Our Grounds experts revamped and redirected the tee boxes on Player 1 and Palmer 1 for better playability. You may have noticed your first shot has improved on these holes; I know mine has!
- The Triple Crown and Pentacle committees, in tandem with the GN staff, put on two of the most memorable member-guest events in GN’s history. The attention to detail, camaraderie, course conditions, and culinary presentations were topflight.
- We contracted and completed the full renovation of the two of six on-course Cottages, which now mirror the open, airy interior design of GN’s new Suites. These two models (pictured below) have opened to rave reviews.
- The poolside offerings at The Ridge Hotel were expanded to include five private cabanas outfitted with plush lounge furniture, flat screens, beverage chillers, and exclusive catering. I can confidently say this is the best outdoor pool experience in the area – and the only commercial outdoor saltwater pool in Wisconsin.
- In early July, we popped the cork on Destination GN’s annual Food & Wine Festival and hosted several themed tasting events including Putts & Bubbles, a popular new addition to the fest repertoire. I hope you didn’t miss Chef Ryne’s paella. It is out of this world!
- The Culinary team received a new shelf oven that bakes multiple pizzas with an even more delicious crust. (Pizza nights are Mondays & Wednesdays, FYI!)
- The Player greenside Better Billy Bunkers have settled, and the consistency of all bunkers has improved. By popular demand, the rakes are back!
- Grounds added red stakes with green tops to delineate no play/no entry zones, allow for a 1-stroke penalty drop, and protect homeowner property. I understand the straight hitters at the club might not love this decision, but overall, this change has been most welcome.
- The Wellness Center welcomed $150,000 in new state-of-the-art Life Fitness equipment with new tracking data for enhanced cardio workouts and will soon add Peloton bikes to the training lineup. Two new group fitness/personal trainers, Lori Scotney & Doris Hyerczyk, also joined the Wellness Center. And for you Lululemon fans: GN is now an authorized dealer.
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No doubt, we are focused on continually improving the property and experience for our Members, resort guests, and staff – and we’re only midway through the season. There is still a lot of summer to savor and golf to be played. Check out what is coming up at the Club:
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- On August 25, Geneva National’s Dance Floor will host the first annual Wisconsin State Putting Championship sponsored by Meridian Putters. Approximately 100 amateurs – including GN Member putting champion Tim Bourke -- will compete for Wisco’s top putting honors.
- The Member-Staff Classic takes place Sunday, August 28. This is a great time of celebrating the associates who have served you all season and includes the presentation of the Member’s Club scholarships. Gift card and cash donations are welcomed and can be dropped off in Charlie’s office.
- The fall Divot Party is slated for September 1. These events have been popular with Members and Grounds alike – as Kevin & staff are very appreciative of your efforts!
- GN’s three signature courses will be rated by the WSGA as well as re-handicapped for 2023.
- Construction of the Paloma Cantina, alongside The Dance Floor, is underway and slated to be completed by the end of the season. Thank you for your patience and patronage of our pop-up Dance Floor outlet in the meantime!
- Some $100,000 in new asphalt will be installed in the next 45 days to improve cart travel and aesthetics. (Please balance your expectations; $100K doesn’t buy much asphalt these days, but it will be a noticeable improvement!)
- We also look forward to new landscaping to enhance the arrival experience and surrounding areas around the GN Clubhouse. A landscape architect is currently in the planning stage of the project. We will continue to provide details as the master plan comes together.
- Our Grounds team still awaits the arrival of maintenance equipment for the native grass area. This equipment, ordered in September 2021, will be used to create enhance the visual texture and contrast on the courses.
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As we prepare to bid farewell to our current interns, we already are recruiting for 2023. All in – with housing, training, recruitment, and paying some of the highest intern wages in the Midwest -- the Club has invested approx. $1 million USD in the intern program. By recruiting upcoming talent, we deliver a higher level of service at GN. This isn’t an easy task considering the current shrinking and ever-competitive labor market.
I want to take a moment to thank you for the way you have welcomed and invested in these students this year. From wisdom shared to rounds played, you have been an integral part of the intern experience here. Indeed, the results of our recent intern survey confirm that our interns have loved working for the Membership at Geneva National.
Our staff echo these sentiments. Still, there are occasions where member behavior crosses the lines. When this happens, we document and record such instances in Member files and issue warnings and suspensions when warranted. In the simplest terms, if a Member’s behavior prevents other Members from enjoying the Club or staff from feeling respected, action will be taken. We appreciate everyone’s awareness as we anticipate a staff shortage from Labor Day through Halloween. Please be patient with the team who is present and remain dedicated to the Member experience. We also thank you advance for understanding and complying with a new smoking ban to be implemented on the Member and Resort verandas. This outdoor dining space does not provide enough distance from the restaurant doors to legally permit smoking.
In a couple weeks, many of us will gather to remember Pamela and Garth and all that they have meant to the Club and to each of us personally. August 18th is their Celebration of Life. While there certainly will be tears, we ask that you treasure the gift of knowing this truly inspirational couple and share their stories with smiles.
Lastly, I want to thank you for valuing two-way communication and embracing the Member Listening Sessions. Your input helps me prioritize and zero in on areas for improvement as well as recognize excellence in our ranks.
In appreciation,
Glen Murray, Chief Operating Officer Destination Geneva National gmurray@palomaresorts.com | 262.245.7087
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