McCall Matters
September 2009
September…Football…final charge in Baseball…cooler weather…excellent time for golf…children back in school...does it get any better than this?
A big thank you goes out to Joe Candelore and his crew for the excellent job they did getting the place back in shape after the storms hit in late August.
Now that everyone is back from summer vacation, we here at McCall are in the process of planning the activities for the last four months of 2009. On Sundays, September 20th, 27th and October 11th join us in the Grille at McCall for Eagles Football. All these are home games and will start at 1:00 PM. After your round of golf, come in for a bite to eat and take advantage of the 2 for 1 beer special between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
Please note that the hours for the Grille at McCall for Labor Day, Monday, September 7th, will follow the regular weekend hours (7:00 AM – 4:00 PM). Beginning Tuesday, September 8th through the 30th the Grille at McCall will be open Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Saturday and Sunday hours are 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
Sign up for the Breakfast Invitational on Sunday, September 6th. Call the Pro Shop at 610-734-7903 for details. The food alone is worth signing up for!
Keep an eye out on McCall’s emails. A lot of activities for the next few months are planned. Speaking of emails, please help us out. Ask your fellow members if they are receiving the emails we send out. There seems to be at times a few that are bounced back to us. I feel bad if some of our members are not receiving our correspondence. If someone is not receiving them, have them give me a call at 610-734-7926.
Well, my time of year is here. If the Phillies get a closer, we will see them in the World Series. As far as the Eagles…I am looking ahead to next year!
Chet Gratkowski, General Manager
Course Update
I was in Longport, NJ, a couple of weekends ago, having coffee and talking with a good friend. We were talking about our kids, what they were doing or will do and wondering if their jobs would be cool. Then she said to me “I always thought you had the coolest job in the world.” I looked at her like she was crazy, but she continued, “Look what you do, outside taking care of a piece of property, you get to paint a living picture everyday.” You know, she’s right. I do have the coolest job at the coolest and most unique place in the world and up until the last couple of years, I thought the same thing, but I have let some of the golfers affect my attitude and way of thinking. I have approximately 600 good members, well make that 598. It is my pleasure to try and make McCall a great experience for you. I know I can’t please everybody all of the time, but the guys and I try to everyday. So thanks to you, our members from us the grounds staff, Darrin, Tony, Drew, Frankie, Frank, Angel and Apolinar, yep that’s all there is, for coming to McCall and calling it your Club. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my three marshals, Lenny, Jim and Billy, who have been making sure your water is chilled and your experience at McCall is also a good one.
The course is holding up okay with the heat wave and killer humidity. We have our rough spots, like #8 down in that d… hollow and a little dead in the roughs and fairways from the stress of play, but overall not too bad, a lot of blood, sweat and tears. On August 21st, 22nd and 23rd, we had a series of devastating storms. The course took on four inches of rain, was closed on Saturday and no carts on Sunday. All bunkers were washed out; the greens were soaked and full of algae. We lost the bridge to the back tees on #10. It will take a couple of days to recoup.
On Monday morning we came in to see several trees snapped off higher up and branches, leaves and debris everywhere. It seemed to be just at McCall. It cost the crew about three days of clean up and we were unable to do our regular tasks on the course. I just wanted to remind you my favorite time of the year is coming, “aeration”. Greens will start on the 14th of September and the more you scream the more holes we will punch. It shouldn’t be that bad. We will probably do the greens again right after the Fall Scramble but more on that later.
Joe Candelore, Director of Golf
Pro Shop
Pro Shop Hours
Monday - 2 PM to 7 PM
Tuesday thru Friday - 6:30 AM to 7 PM
Saturday & Sunday - 6:30 AM to 7 PM
If the weather is questionable, call the Pro Shop at 610-734-7903 for daily updates.
Stop by now and get ready for the winter months which are fast approaching. New merchandise will be coming in around September 28. The fall line will include Ashworth pullovers, fleece, turtlenecks, etc. Be sure to stop by and check it out! If you can’t escape the cold weather, you may as well be prepared for it!
Tournament Results:
August 7th Nine & Dine Winners:
1st Place Judy Devine
2nd Place Betty Oppenheim
Upcoming Events
Breakfast Invitational - Guests Welcome
Sunday, September 6th at 9 AM
Best Ball of Foursome - 80% Handicap
Members - $35 Guests - $60
First Tee will be Closed at 8 AM
Merion Mercy Golf Outing
Sunday, September 20th at 12:45 PM
First Tee will be Closed at 8 AM
Fall Scramble - Date Change
Sunday, October 4th
5 Person Teams, Guests Welcome
Breakfast at 9:30 AM, Golf at 10:30 AM, Lunch at 3 PM
Cost: Members - $35 Guests - $60 Course Closed until 3 PM
Fall Junior Classes
Camp coverage will include basics of the Full Swing, Short Game and some general rules. Each week we will also have mini golf games that help to enhance the learning experience. Guaranteed fun for all!
Classes start Saturday, September 26th. Classes run for 4 consecutive weeks. Age 8 to 15 starts at 12 Noon. Classes run for 60 minutes.
Cost: $50
To sign up or for more information, please contact me at 610-734-7924.
Jim McCormick, PGA Golf Professional
Women’s Golf League
The 2009 championship for the Women's Golf League was decided by a match play format during our league play. The winner of the 18-hole group was Ann Cole and the winner of the 9-hole group was Sue Hill.
Congratulations Ann and Sue!!!
The Women's Golf League will be holding their annual Fall Luncheon on Wednesday, September 30th at McCall Golf & Country Club. It will be held in the Fireplace Room at 1:00 PM. If you would like to attend the luncheon or if you would like some information on joining the league, please call Mary Lawler at 610-357-8456.
Mary Lawler, President
Tennis
For information, log on to 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
September is here and hopefully the rain and humidity will leave with the month of August. I hope everyone had a safe and fun summer. I am sure everyone is ready for the back to school adventure.
I would like to thank everyone who was able to come out for the Nine & Dine and Chef Bill’s Anniversary Party. Everyone who attended said everything was great and all had a good time! The food was amazing.
In the Grille and Sun Porch, business has been status quo. The first two Sundays we had so much rain it kept some people away. Our Thursday Night Golf League has started and the Grille Room will remain open till 8:00 PM every Thursday during the league. Chef Bill will be preparing a buffet each week. The cost of the buffet will be $10 and all members and guests are welcomed.
Our Halloween Fall Festival this year will be held on Saturday, October 24th. Please look for more information at the Club or call Kathy Cullen at 610-734-7901 or email her at kathy.cullen@mccallgolf.com.
In our Catering Department, September will be a very busy month. We start off with Exelon East NA-YGN on September 2nd followed by the Breakfast Invitational, our Senior Social Groups and Exelon Women in Leadership. We are fortunate to have the Diabetic Health Educators and the Wilson Wedding Reception followed by the Merion Mercy Golf Outing. People are now able to truly experience McCall at its finest. Don’t forget if you are in the process of looking for a venue look no further, contact Lisa Mills at 610-449-8326 or email her at meetatmccall@mccallgolf.com.
Remember my door is always open so stop by and say hello or stop by and give me some feedback so my staff and I can better serve the needs of YOU the members. Email me at bob.casler@mccallgolf.com.
Everyone, hopefully, enjoy the cooler weather!
Robert Casler, Clubhouse Manager
Outside Events & Marketing Update
During the weekends in August we had several birthday parties and showers. We also once again were able to host the PECO Softball Banquet on the 22nd and the Krinsky golf camp finished up the week of the 17th. The Riley Tennis Group will be continuing into the fall with us.
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 and November and we have also booked several holiday parties. Please let me know of any date you need ASAP so you can be assured you can get the date you want.
In September we have a busy schedule for the weekends with the Breakfast Invitational on the 6th, a wedding and a large luncheon on the 12th, and the Merion Mercy Golf Outing on the 20th. Besides PECO events during the weeks in September, we have Highland Park Elementary School returning for their annual luncheon, a graduation for the PJA School, and P.A.I.S.B.O.A. Annunciation Church and the Laurentians will be returning to start their new seasons.
In October, we have a class reunion for Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast High Schools, Omar Canty’s (our weekday Grille employee) wedding, a class reunion for Lamberton H.S., a wedding on the 10th, St. Joe’s softball banquet, a retirement dinner for World Communications Charter School, a class reunion for West Catholic H.S., a 40th wedding anniversary party, a birthday party and a shower. Also, Bob will be doing the Halloween Festival on October 24th this year, which was a great success last year. Don’t miss out book early! Reservations are a must!
Our holiday menus are ready for the season. Please contact me if your company, family or organization plans a holiday event and we can work together to have it here at McCall. 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.
Let us help make your next event a great one. Contact me at 610-449-8326 or meetatmccall@mccallgolf.com and we’ll get started today!
Lisa Mills, Marketing Director
Culinary Corner
I would like to thank all who attended my one year McCall Anniversary Night. It was a successful night. As you probably realize by now I enjoy creating “special nights” at McCall. Many members and guests have thanked me for creating such events. With September being very busy, I was thinking about a Family Day at McCall, which would be on Sunday, September 27, with a Brunch Style Menu from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. If interested, please email me at billybo@comcast.net with any suggestions for this event. Also we are in the process of creating an annual “Black Friday Day” where we would have a variety of vendors available for your Christmas Shopping along with an affordable buffet and beverages. If anyone is interested in obtaining a vendor table (Avon, Arts & Crafts, etc.) please call Lisa at 610-449-8326.
Chef Bill
September, 2009
