McCall Matters
August 2009
We are now into the month of August. This summer has been one of the coolest I can remember. Unfortunately June was heavy with rain but July was just gorgeous. If you have not made plans to attend the Nine and Dine, now is the time to do so. Besides a great day of golf, the food is another reason to attend this event.
I want to thank Carol Malkin from Medifit who conducted the blood pressure screening back in June and also Dr. Jill Melsha who did the stress screening on July 15th. Dr. Jill Melsha is a chiropractor whose office is located in Villanova.
The Thursday Night Golf League is just around the corner. Contact the Pro Shop at 610-734-7903 to sign up. You do not need to be a great golfer for this event. You will be placed in a bracket with people of similar handicaps. After golf everyone visits The Grille at McCall for a bite to eat and a beverage of choice.
Fridays, August 14th, 21st and 28th are TGIF at McCall (Thank Golf It’s Friday). This is a great promotion is for you to bring guests for golf. Included in their guest fees will be a $20 credit in the Pro Shop to be used that day. After golf, The Grille at McCall will be opened for Tommy’s Burgers and Fries. Reduced drink prices will be featured on these nights.
Congratulations to Jay Campbell in winning McCall’s championship bracket. Even if Rick Bunn would have won, you have McCall’s two best going head to head. Congratulations are also in order to Amy Dalessandro and ALL flight winners.
Here is something to think about. When we arrive in the winter months, is there anything we could do here at McCall for you enjoyment? Would a series of cooking lessons from our Chef be interesting? Would any show trips either locally or New York City, group tickets to a sporting event or a guest speaker is of interest? Please let any of our staff here know of any thoughts you may have. It will be fun for you as well as for us.
Stay Cool!
Chet Gratkowski, General Manager
Course Update
As I write this newsletter summer may finally be here. But with the weatherman calling for a chance of thunder boomers everyday, it may not be the best summer weather we can have. Out on the course we have everything fed and sprayed to get ready for the heat and humidity. Bugs and fungus love the humidity, when the turf stays wet for a longer period of time and the turf may be just a little stressed out. The extended moist period help the fungi thrive and develop into disease. The stressed turf makes it more susceptible to attack by insects. We scout everyday for signs of possible weak spots and then react before they become a real problem. For instance, we had a case of bumpy greens for about a week. It was like prickly heat on the greens. We had backed off some aggressive practices on the greens in prep for some summer weather. The only problem was the weather stayed cool with low humidity. It was like a slap on the face and it hurt a little. But you know what? That’s what makes taking care of McCall such a blast. You give it your shot, see what Mother Nature throws back at you and react to it and make adjustments. The course is a living thing, always growing and changing as we do our best to keep it the same.
Standing in the Pro Shop looking out the window my guys make it look easy, just cutting grass. But the real fun starts when you get out on the course, apply your knowledge, and make things happen. So as always, if you have concerns or questions, come talk to me. I will give you the correct 411. I would rather answer questions all day to you, my members, then to fight all week correcting wrong information. I am here to try and give you a positive experience. So here’s wishing you long straight drives, fast putts you can’t make and “happy” golfing. After all it is a game and supposed to be fun.
We would also like to thank all of those individuals that made donations in memory of our friend and co-worker Elfie Judge. An oak tree has been planted in her memory along the 7th fairway. Her daughter and son visited on Friday, July 24th and too were very appreciative.
Joe Candelore, Director of Golf
Pro Shop
Pro Shop Hours
Monday – 2 PM to 8 PM
Tuesday thru Friday – 6:30 AM to 8 PM
Saturday & Sunday – 6:30 AM to 8 PM
If the weather is questionable, call the Pro Shop at 610-734-7903 for daily updates.
There are still Gift Certificates for all the winners of previous tournaments including the Tuesday Night Golf League that need to be picked up at the Pro Shop.
Tournament Schedule:
Nine & Dine: August 7th - 9 holes plus Dinner – Cost: Members - $30; Guests - $50
Breakfast Invitational (Guests Welcome): Sunday, September 6th - 18 Holes, One best ball of foursome. 80% Handicap. Guests must have handicap. Breakfast at 9 AM and golf starts at 10 AM.
Lunch and prizes. Cost: Members - $35; Guests - $60
To sign up or for more information, call the Pro Shop at 610-734-7903.
Tuesday Night Golf League Final Results – Go to: www.mccallgolf.com
Tournament Results:
July 4th Flag Tournament Winners:
1st Place Robert Murray
2nd Place Harry Quinn
3rd Place Barrie Cole
4th Place Richard Bourassa
Two-Person Scramble Winners:
1st Place Dick Bourassa & Joe Silvestro
2nd Place Pat Durnin & Sam Lalor
3rd Place Chris Coughlin & Bill Flick
4th Place Ron Logan & Tony Greco
Men’s Club Championship
“A” Flight Winner “A” Flight Runner up
Jay Campbell Rick Bunn
“B” Flight Winner “B” Flight Runner up
Jude Scarpello John Logue
“C” Flight Winner “C” Flight Runner up
Mike Barr Chris O’Brien
“D” Flight Winner “D” Flight Runner up
Robert Murray Lee Bradley
“Hole-In-One”
Mark Hiscock on July 13th had that one great shot that we all dream of. From the back tee of the 6th hole he knocked one in with a wedge. Congratulations Mark!!
Jim McCormick, PGA Golf Professional
Women’s Golf League
The Women's Golf League would like to congratulate the winners of the 2009 Women's Club Championship at McCall. Amy Dalessandro won the low gross score and Elaine Costagliola won the low net score.
The Women's Golf League will be holding their annual Fall Luncheon on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 1:00 PM. It will be held in the Fireplace Room at McCall Golf & Country Club. If you would like more information about attending the luncheon or joining the Women's Golf League, please call Mary Lawler at 610-357-8456.
Mary Lawler, President
Tennis
For information, log onto www.mccallgolf.com to find out more about tennis or contact Bambi Dudley at 610-688-4974 or email her at www.corporatetennis@comcast.net.
Bambi Dudley
Conference Center
“Wow” here we are right in the middle of summer. Where has the season gone? Just the other day it was the 4th of July! Well the weather has been better than June and early July, which is a plus. I must say just the other day I had the pleasure of hopping in a golf cart and taking a ride on the golf course. Everywhere I looked it was very green and usually this time of year you are able to see some distress on the course. Well I must say we all should be grateful to Joe Candelore and his staff because the golf course looks awesome. Even looking around the clubhouse all the flowers and shrubs look great as well. So if you happen to see one of the guys stop them and tell them how nice the course looks.
I would like to thank everyone who attended the Two-Person Scramble all of your positive comments were well appreciated and very nice to hear. Chef Bill did an awesome job with the cold sirloin and seafood platter and how about the wonderful dessert. Thanks Bill, keep the good food coming. For everyone who has not had a chance to attend a Club event remember on August 7th we are planning another Nine & Dine. This will be another great event and a chance to bring a guest and show off your Club. I am confident you will leave at the end of the day saying WOW!
Robert Casler, Clubhouse Manager
Outside Events & Marketing Update
Parties, parties and more parties!
This June was busy with graduation parties, showers, birthday parties and more! Simpson Fletcher United Methodist Church, a new business client, had their first luncheon here at McCall on the 21st. GAP was back at McCall for their golf outing on the 22nd and Upper Darby School District had their first golf outing on the 11th.
In July we had two weddings, one on the 11th and the other on the 18th, a large rehearsal dinner, a family reunion and other fun events on the weekends. We also have a new business client, The Traveler’s Aid Organization of Philadelphia on the 26th. Besides the two weddings in July we have two coming up in September and one in October.
The fall calendar is filling in nicely. Just after Labor Day people refocus on getting back to business and our business picks up quite a bit. People are already booking their fall events for September, October & November and we have also booked several holiday parties. Please let me know of any date you need ASAP so you can be assured of getting that date.
This is the last week for you to take advantage of our out of the ordinary opportunity for holiday events called the “McCall Holiday Stimulus Package”. Chet has already sent the flyer twice to the membership in an email. Please let us know if you did not receive it and by all means feel free to pass it along to anyone you think would be interested.
Our marketing is in place for the remainder of the year. Each item will be reviewed at the time of renewal for consideration for next year’s budget.
We here at McCall will make planning your event as easy as possible for you. Contact me at 610-449-8326 or meetatmccall@mccallgolf.com and we’ll get started today!
Lisa Mills, Marketing Director
Culinary Corner
August is a very special month for me as I will be celebrating my first year as your Chef here at McCall Golf and Country Club. I would like to invite all of you on Thursday, August 13th for a special evening. I will be presenting a Pizza Station Buffet: Broccoli Rabe & Hot Sausage Pizza, Jersey Tomato Bruschetta Pizza, and Seafood Pizza. Pasta Station: Spinach & White Bean Cassoulet served over Penne Pasta and Grilled Chicken with a Carbonara Sauce served over Tri-Color Fuseli Pasta. Sandwich Station: Italian Meatballs in a Tomato Sauce and Sautéed Sausage with Peppers & Onions, and a Dessert Station. All for the low price of $10.
Chef Bill
August, 2009
