The Country Club at DC Ranch’s creativity and innovation has been the key to its success during Covid-19

Innovation keeps the Members and Employees engaged at The Country Club at DC during COVID-19

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (May 2020) Just as the city of Scottsdale anticipated its busiest month of the

year, the Country was hit with the sad news of Covid-19 and the closings of business. Without hesitation the employees at The Country Club at DC Ranch came together to create a full calendar of social distancing events to keep the members engaged and active.

Arizona’s Governor, Doug Ducey, declared the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy and Stay Connected” platform. Scottsdale private golf courses were approved as an essential business, so the course was allowed to stay open. The Club followed every social distancing rule and protocol to keep the members safe and healthy. As Dick Hyland, The Club’s Director of Golf stated “We don’t get mulligans in life so no rules can be broken, no matter who it might be.” With members at home with nothing to do, the tee sheet was and continues to be full every day. The Club has been grateful to have the opportunity to keep the members engaged during the challenging time. In fact, we predict golf will become even more popular than before, as people who had not played prior started doing so during social distancing as a way to be healthy and stay active.

While the golf course continued to stay busy, the kitchen and food and beverage department organized to-go parties, online cooking classes, coffee pick-up in valet, grocery service, homemade hand sanitizer, and holiday take home parties. The highlight for the members was the Quaratin-O, curbside, pick-up, parade party. Employees set up several stations where members would stay in their car and go through a drive-through party and pick up drinks, desserts, and food, all while live music played in the background. It was a true spectacle in making memories for the members Youth programming was essential with all the little ones at home. The youth department jumped on the opportunity to be creative and help the parents. Cooking contests, zoom craft parties, virtual workouts for kids, and pick-up art projects were perfect ways to keep the kids busy.

The Fitness and Wellness department started zoom classes, online seminars, and do it yourself home spa tutorials, while the social activities continued with online Happy Hours, book clubs, flower arranging classes, and online art lessons. The Country Club at DC Ranch was determined to keep its members informed through ongoing communication which included text messaging, videos, social media, and the Club’s very popular APP.

With the social distancing guidelines slowly loosening, The Club is now working on safely opening the other departments of The Club. The Scottsdale golf club prides itself on keeping and paying all of its employees during this time. The Country Clubs of the world have truly become the safe haven at this time and will continue to be. Because Clubs are typically small communities, we have the ability to keep people safe in small groups while keeping everyone informed.  Genuine, welcoming and warm in spirit, The Country Club at DC Ranch celebrates families and friends coming together to enjoy the best of times in a truly distinctive setting – including private golf clubs in Scottsdale on DC Ranch’s classic course layout, redesigned by Tom Lehman and John Fought. It is one of the most classically designed courses in the Valley – resulting in a golf experience that is aesthetically more interesting and strategically more challenging.

Poised prominently on a knoll near the McDowell Mountains, The Country Club at DC Ranch’s stunning 45,000 square-foot Ranch Hacienda Clubhouse combines the most charming aspects of historic Arizona architecture with those of great Western resorts of the 1920’s and 30’s. www.ccdcranch.com 480-342-7246

Private golf clubs in Scottsdale Enjoy the Start of the Winter Season

We have been asked by many to share our thoughts on how the opening weekend of golf went at the Private golf clubs in Scottsdale.

In summary, Private golf clubs in Scottsdale saw over 495 members enjoying the club for a round of golf with fellow members, and yes, practicing on newly over seeded 328 Bermuda turf on the tee.

We realize it might have seemed like the practice park was being renovated for a long time, but we believe it was worth the wait at Private golf clubs in Scottsdale.  We plan on opening the putting green and short game areas in time for the Rodeo, our member -member tournament this Winter, provided the weather continues to cooperate.

The Private golf clubs in Scottsdale over seeding went well with no major damage from the one and only monsoon we had this summer.

The greens were running at 11 and ½ on the stimpmeter on Friday. This was as fast as we opened with in many years and the result of not over seeding the greens for the third year.

Over the last few years at Private golf clubs in Scottsdale we made a concerted effort to improve the Bermuda grass on all turf areas which enabled us to over seed at a higher rate of 750 pounds per acre which is more rye grass than in many years.

As a reminder, the 2020 over seeding dates at  Scottsdale golf club are one week later than this year to take advantage of the best weather to over seed.

OFF CART PATHS:

We have worked diligently with the Agronomy Scottsdale golf club department to do what we could to keep carts off paths as soon as possible after over seeding but we need your cooperation.

PLEASE drive in the primary non- over seeded rough the entire length of the hole except when crossing the fairway to get to the other side.

We don’t want to go back to paths so, until we get the word we can drive anywhere, we need to follow the Scottsdale golf club Agronomy request.

THE HORSESHOE:

“Just because you can doesn’t mean you should” was the stance we took to not open the short course named the HORSESHOE over the weekend.

In short, we want to have the greens mature a little bit longer until it might be open when we host the Rodeo in a few weeks.

PRIDE OF MEMBERSHIP at Scottsdale golf club

We went out on some of the greens mid weekend and it looked as if a reminder of the clubs’ adopted course plan of Pride of membership which is, out of respect to all other golfers, fix ball marks on every green. The easiest way to fix one is to push the outside of the blemish to the center and tap it with the bottom of your putter.

Rake the bunker smoothly after your shot, first pull the sand toward your blemish and then push the sand over the area to smooth the depression, and rake your way out of the bunker.

The last of the main points is to fill the fairway divot with sand and seed from the divot bottles on the carts or from buckets on tees.

DO NOT fill divots in the rough as the bottled sand also contains seed which we don’t want in non over seeded rough.

PUSH CARTS:

This is a reminder to our push cart users at  Scottsdale golf club to abide by some simple rules to follow when you play.

Push carts are not to cross over or park or cross over any tees on the practice range or course.

Stay outside all green surrounds and never on collars or greens.

We need to keep them approximately 30 feet from green complexes and approaches.

These are in place so as not to create tire tracks in play areas, mostly in proximity of the greens.

MONDAY GOLF:

As in years past we permit the Agronomy team to complete project work such as fertilizing, verticutting and topdressing greens, putting out chemical applications etc., on Monday mornings before we open the 1/10 th tee times at 11;30 until 1:20.

Please understand we have to give this team ample time to preserve the proper Scottsdale private golf courses conditions we all enjoy.

Lastly, We will do whatever possible to maintain a pace of play at 4 hour or less for the enjoyment of all player.

Let’s all do our part to make each other’s member and golf experiences a memorable one at Scottsdale golf club.

Private Golf Clubs in Scottsdale Announces 2020 Inter-club Season

The Scottsdale Golf Club Men’s Interclub season is coming up quickly.  If you would like to be part of the DC Ranch Team, please let us know.  

There are 12 Private Golf Clubs in Scottsdale  that participate in our interclub.  We split into North and South divisions.  Each division will compete 6 times, once at each club in their division.  This year we are in the Private Golf Clubs in Scottsdale  South Division which consists of DC Ranch, Desert Highlands, FireRock CC, Troon CC, Boulders GC and Paradise Valley CC. 

The cost per event is $100 per player.  This includes guest fees, lunch and dinner at each of the Scottsdale private golf courses 

Format: Each Private Golf Clubs in Scottsdale team will split into 5 pairs.  Each pair will play a Net Better Ball with Stableford scoring.  Par is worth 2 points, Birdies = 3, Eagles = 4, Double Eagle = 5, Bogeys = 1 and Double Bogey or higher = 0.  All 5 two partner scores will be combined for our team score.  The team score will be added to our total team Score after each match for our season long total.  The 2 highest scoring teams at the end of the Scottsdale Golf Club season will play off with the North Division for the Championship. 

The Scottsdale Golf Club  , The Country Club at DC Ranch Team won the Interclub Championship in 2018!!!  Let’s win it again!   

If you would like to be part of the Scottsdale Golf Club team, please contact JT Hamamoto.  Attached is the schedule for the season.  Matches are during the week and usually start around 12:00 pm with lunch at 10:30 am and Dinner/Scoring ending at 6:30 pm.   

Scottsdale Country Club Summer Tennis Schedule

The final week of June our Scottsdale Golf Club Adult Tennis Camp. We had a lot of fun that week learning a different specialty shot each day as well as playing a lot of fun doubles drills and games.

Scottsdale Country Club Camp ran from 8:30-10:00 a.m. Tuesday-Friday. They signed up for 1, 2, 3 or 4 days. Cost is $30 per day or $100 for the week.

Please sign up on Scottsdale Golf Club Fore-tees as we just have 15 spots each day and we also need to plan for how many tennis professionals to have on court as well.

It is titled "Filling out your tennis toolbox" and will include drop-shots, lobs, mid-court volleys and spin serves. We hope to see you at Scottsdale Private Golf Courses

Desert Mountain Tennis Social

Please welcome our guests from Private golf clubs in Scottsdale Desert Mountain for a fun morning of tennis, food and drinks. We will play several rounds of fun tennis. We need to have a minimum of eight ladies signed up by Wednesday afternoon so please get signed up right away. It will be a fun morning of tennis and another beautiful day at Private golf clubs in Scottsdale.

There are still spaces available for the last week 1 and 3 of the junior sports camp for kids age 9-14. Week 2 and 4 are filling up quickly.  They had a fun, active camp for kids at Private golf clubs in Scottsdale.

Typical Camp Day at Private golf clubs in Scottsdale

8:20-8:30 a.m. Check in at the tennis courts

8:30 a.m. Fun tennis on the courts

9:30 a.m. Golf with the golf staff

10:30 a.m. Snack break

10:45 a.m. Tennis and pickle-ball games

11:30 a.m. Lunch

12:00-1:30 p.m. Sports and other activities including the Hideout

1:30 p.m. Swimming

2:30 p.m. Pick up at the pool

The camp led by Private golf clubs in Scottsdale Head Tennis Professional, Ryan Shomo. You do not need to be a seasoned tennis or golf player to do the camp!

The Summer at Scottsdale Country Club

At Scottsdale Country Club we are at the end of what I would call a very successful Winter season here at the Club, ready to head into our next season of fun where we fully launch our phase II enhancements.   Despite the many inconveniences that construction brought the Scottsdale Country Club, especially as it pertained to the amount of parking, everyone was able to enjoy another Season at the Ranch.  May is primed to be yet another busy month at Scottsdale Country Club.   Scottsdale Country Club kick off the excitement at the Club as we will also enter into the final demo of our Phase II enhancements in the old fitness center and Ladies Lounge.  While some of you may be leaving for the summer season, I can assure you that we will have plenty going on here at the Scottsdale Country Club  for those of you staying with us here in Scottsdale.  For those that will be leaving  the Scottsdale golf club  for the summer, we will be sure to keep you updated as to the completion of construction, which we expect in the Clubhouse to be middle July.  We will then start of the Private golf clubs in Scottsdale practice facility enhancements, which you have heard about from Dick Hyland, in June and taking us into the Fall for completion.   

 

As we enter our summer season you will continue to see full hours of operation at the Private golf clubs in Scottsdale"  , as we aim to keep those who will remain in the Scottsdale area dialed in.  For instance, our ever popular Taco Tuesday will be moving back to the Pool and will remain there through the summer season.  The Ranch House will be brought online fully this summer and will be open for breakfast Saturday and Sunday, lunch Tuesday through Sunday and dinner Tuesday through Saturday.  You will be hearing about these and more exciting events a Private golf clubs in Scottsdale during the coming weeks, but please know today that we are maintaining our hours of operation throughout May with the exception of closing on Mondays in order for the Maintenance team to work on the Scottsdale private golf courses after a busy winter of play. The continued extension of our operations at Private golf clubs in Scottsdale is poised to provide a tremendous amount of fun, family and friendliness so please make sure to see the coming communications from Cheri Farias.  

 

Please remember that as we open the new facilities at Scottsdale golf club and bring them fully operational, it is very important that everyone including your guests are aware of the updated rules and regulations which were put into place by the various Club committees and endorsed by your Board of Directors.  It is also important to know that your Club staff is fully aware of these updated rules and will be enforcing them accordingly in the coming weeks.  We ask that if you encounter and issues with another member not conforming to our rules, please inform the staff rather than trying to do so yourself.  Your support and cooperation with this is greatly appreciated!

 

We hope you enjoy the new facilities and please let us know if you have any feedback for us!

Scottsdale private golf course to open new Fitness and Performance Center

How excited are YOU for the grand opening of the  Scottsdale private golf course new fitness and performance center? Me too! As we forge forward with planning operations, we have a continuous goal to host fitness programming that offers something for everyone at Scottsdale private golf course

. Below, you will find a few, not all, with class description to come. The full-service menu and their descriptions will be posted to our website in early April, along with our first quarter fitness class schedule for Scottsdale private golf course.

Complimentary classes at Private golf clubs in Scottsdale  

• Daily Wellbeats® Fitness classes on demand via a 70-inch TV screen (Spin, Zumba, Barre, and many more)
• Guided Meditations (M-Sat.)
• Wellness Seminars
• Weekly outdoor cycling rides during optimal months.
• Weekly Facility Orientation.

Group Fitness at Private golf clubs in Scottsdale  

• Yoga (i.e. yoga basics, golf yoga, yoga flow, family yoga-all ages) 
• Golf Stretch Improve your strength and flexibility of the muscles used most during golf. Done regularly, these specific exercises will improve your overall general fitness and significantly enhance your golf game. 
• TRX Using webbing called a "suspension trainer" allows users to work against their own body weight. The field of suspension training is a form of resistance training that includes bodyweight exercises in which a variety of multi-planar, compound exercise movements can be performed for a total body sculpt!
• Aqua Fitness A FUN water workout in the new Scottsdale private golf course pool, that offers less impact on your back, shoulders and knees. This session will incorporate stretching, core and strength training in the pool, using water for resistance and comfort.

*24-hour enrollment is rewarded. $5 per class with 24-hour pre-enrollment, with a $20 no show charge. $15 walk in rate available if space is available.

Specialized Performance Training at Private golf clubs in Scottsdale  

SMPT (Stability & Mobility Performance Training) 

Affordable personal training for sports specific outcomes. These group classes offered at Private golf clubs in Scottsdale   are designed to help increase golf and tennis performance. Strength, flexibility, balance, rotary power, core stability, mobility, speed, posture and endurance is consistent with specific training, to maximize lifestyle health, game consistency and decrease risk of injury. SMPT is a customized, small group workout, led by a performance coach, Monday through Saturday. These classes will strategically utilize the fitness & performance facility, including outdoor space, weather permitting. You may attend as many weekly sessions offered with your monthly enrollment!  We ensure varying levels of fitness will be accommodated! Whether you want to train for golf performance, tennis performance, or lifestyle health and fitness, this specialized training class offers specific results, flexibility, affordability, accountability, and connection. 60 minutes.

• Enrollment includes a comprehensive baseline, group physical screen
• New program routines are designed around participants every 4-5 weeks for muscle adaptations
• 1:8 (trainer: client)
• Month to month enrollment 
• Clients enroll for desired class dates, 7 days in advance of each week’s consistent schedule.

*$199/month (unlimited classes per month)

Junior’s SMPT certification—ages 12-15.

If your children under the age of 16, desires to use the new facility at Scottsdale Golf Club,  this program is a regulated solution. Junior Stability & Mobility Performance Training offers our youth the opportunity to learn how to strength and use cardio equipment respectfully, in a performance facility. Students will learn foundational movement patterns that prepare and enhance their youthful bodies for lifestyle or sports specific fitness & performance training. Students will learn how to load properly, execute perfect form, and cultivate body awareness. Principle movements will include but are not limited to squatting, deadlifting, pushing, pressing, pulling, and dragging. Additionally, they will learn proper gym etiquette. After they have completed the certification process, they are signed off to be able to work out in the Club fitness and performance facility without a private trainer during staffed hours, before the regulated minimum age of 16.  

Scottsdale country club is most definitely a year-round Club

Is it hot enough yet for everyone out there? As I looked at the Scottsdale golf club tee sheet this morning and counted 42 total players for the day, I am reminded that we are firmly in the middle of our summer season with only the brave venturing out to the Scottsdale golf club links.

With that being said, we have seen a tremendous response to our Scottsdale golf club “Best Summer Yet” program which has resulted in a full kids camp, as well as record sales in our á la carte food and beverage offerings during the month of June. Members have continuously talked about how much they love the new small plate offerings on Wednesday evenings in the Bar and Lounge, and the Half Price Wine Night on Saturday evenings, among others.

For those of you that are returning to town in the coming weeks with the beginning of school, come out and join your friends and family at the Club! For those of you who have supported your Club throughout the summer day after day, it is quite apparent that Scottsdale country club is most definitely a year-round Club. As we continue on through the summer, the management team is putting its final touches on the Club calendar, which is on track to hit the presses at the beginning of September. We are also continuing on with our staff development program that I referenced in last month’s article.

Our Scottsdale country club staff is responding quite well to the coaching, and I look forward to improved results in the fall and beyond. In other staff news, I would like to congratulate Carter Keenan and Marie Frost who have taken on additional roles with the Club, serving as the first Assistant Managers in what is a new comprehensive program at the Club.

In their roles at Scottsdale country club, Carter and Marie will be focused in the daily food and beverage operation, managing the floor throughout service. In addition, they will be exposed to all of the other areas of the operation, including accounting, golf maintenance, golf operations, tennis operations, as well as building maintenance. The goal of this program is to develop the future leaders of our industry as they grow in their careers. We are very excited for both Carter and Marie, so please make sure to congratulate each of them when you are at the Club next!

Lastly, I would like to congratulate our Executive Chef Lenny Rubin who was, as you know, named ACF Chef of the Year for the Western Region. Recently, Chef competed in the national competition. While he came up just short, he did a tremendous job in efficiently creating four courses within an hour period! Having attended the competition, I can say that I am so very proud of his efforts, which only reinforced my feelings that the Country Club at DC Ranch is so lucky to have Chef Lenny leading our culinary team.



Chef is now focused on developing updated menus for the fall season and is excited to bring what he learned from this experience to the Ranch. As we wind down the summer, we are putting the final touches on our plan for the season and we look forward to seeing you all at the Club in the near future.

The Arizona State Men's Match Play Championship:

Monday and Tuesday August 22nd and 23rd are the qualifying rounds for the most prestigious State Am at Scottsdale Private Golf, The County Club at DC Ranch,  and the low 64 rounds qualify for match play throughout the remainder of the week with the finals on Saturday Morning August 27th.

You are welcome to come and watch some of the states finest amateurs, or better yet, if you have some free time and want to get involved, we could use some volunteers the first part of the week Scottsdale Private Golf Club.

Please call the golf shop if you are interested.

Scottsdale Country Club REVERSE PAR 3 CHAMPIONSHIP:

Wednesday September 14th also marks the second anniversary of the Reverse Par 3 Scottsdale Private Golf championship with a 3PM shotgun start.

To familiarize you with the format, we play the back 9 from 18 tee to 17 green and so on.
This was fun last year, so we are giving it a go again.


MISCELLANEOUS

Wednesday July 6th with a 3 PM shotgun start; this is open to all Scottsdale Private Golf golfers of any ability.

Saturday July 16th Scottsdale Private Golf Men’s Day: Format TBD for the 8:30shotgun start for all who wish to play at that time.

Wednesday August 10th with a 3PM Scottsdale Country Club shotgun start on the front nine.

The One Club Scottsdale Country Club Championship is back for year two, so which one club gets it done over these 9 holes? This is a bunch of fun, so be careful with your choice.

This Scottsdale Country Club foretees notice is certainly lengthy, but with our playing surfaces getting better and better throughout the summer, we think it’s important for all of our Scottsdale Country Club members to enjoy the events offered by our club through the summer months. We understand it can be toasty at times, but with proper preparation and quick play we anticipate our best summer yet!

Please let us know if you have any questions, and we hope you join in the fun this summer.

George Sokolis Farewell

George Sokolis, one our Scottsdale Golf Club PGA apprentice golf professionals who has been at the Scottsdale Golf Club  for the last three years, will be leaving the club to pursue additional education beyond the degree he currently has with the hopes of venturing into the business world.

If you happen to go through the Scottsdale Golf Club golf shop before his last day on Friday, please take a moment to wish him a fond farewell.

On behalf of not only all departments he worked closely with over the years, but the membership as well, we wish him and the entire Sokolis family the best.

Good luck George and thanks for all you did!

Scottsdale Golf Club RATES RECAP

Scottsdale Golf Club Summer rates for guests accompanying a member are $50. For $60, the guest can receive an included lunch from a set menu prior to their tee time. Drinks are excluded. A member may bring up to 7 guests, however this requires prior approval from the Scottsdale Golf Club golf shop.

Scottsdale private Golf Club CLUBHOUSE MEMBERSHIP GOLF :

Starting June 1St, Scottsdale private Golf Club Our BEST SUMMER YET program is encouraging all of our Scottsdale private Golf Club Clubhouse members to take advantage of their privilege to play 6  total  rounds of golf during the months of June, July, and  August for this summer only.

This offer for the remainder of summer was overwhelmingly supported by your Scottsdale private Golf Club Board of Directors.

We want you to experience this great game of golf at  a preferred Scottsdale private Golf Club  rate of $50.00 per round any day of the week on a space available basis. Simply start by calling the Scottsdale private Golf Club golf shop 3 days in advance of the day you wish to play, noting that starting times can be made after 11:00 each day.

You are also welcome to invite up to 3 guests, with their guest fee being $70.00 per person.

We hope to see all of our clubhouse members taking advantage of this opportunity over the next three months.

Scottsdale Private Golf Three P's

Over time I have tried to bring up a few topics which would set the Scottsdale Private Golf Club apart from many clubs in golf and I believe I have a few, which when we all buy into what they represent, we will set ourselves apart from the rest. Simply put, they are the three P’s 1- Scottsdale Private Golf Pride of Ownership: We will keep fresh in your mind with each newsletter , which mandates fixing ball marks, repairing divots, and raking bunkers smoothly. 2- Posting your scores: This keeps the Scottsdale Private Golf game and handicaps fair for all and the committee is being very diligent in keeping a close grasp on this practice. 3- Scottsdale Private Golf Pace of play: Can we ever say enough about this? To date I know of no one who has ever admitted he was a slowplayer, thus ruining the enjoyment of a round for others behind them, not to mention some might not finish their round in the maximum 4 hour time frame we request.

Some ask me why I play Scottsdale Private Golf course so fast and it comes from growing up and trying to get in as many holes before dark as possible, not to mention when I listened to my Scottish friends, they say the faster you play the more time to socialize after the round as opposed to during it. I believe players are not prepared to play immediately when it is their turn, and if you waste 30 seconds per hole, over the course of a round that is 9 minutes. I was asked how others could play faster so I have enclosed an article I wrote for a magazine with some pointers in an effort to help Scottsdale Private Golf members. I hope they help and if you have any questions, please come in and contact us. The last thing you want is a reputation that you are holding up the field! Enjoy your Scottsdale Private Golf round, and remember these three P’s.”

There are four critical factors that discourage new golfers from enjoying the game and keep current Scottsdale Country Club golfers from playing more than they do: the Scottsdale Country Club game needs to be more accessible for all, more affordable, more fun in order to attract new Scottsdale Country Club golfers, while pleasing the current Scottsdale Country Club golf enthusiast, and finally, there is the issue of slow play which we are addressing here. We need to teach or retrain Scottsdale Country Club players to help the problem of slow play. Even though golf is said to be a social game, perhaps playing faster will allow for more quality social time at the end of the round instead of during it. First, take a minute to prepare for the round by making sure all you need is easily accessible from your bag, cart, or caddie.
• Head covers, if needed on the clubs to prevent scratches, should be situated in the top compartment so they can be reached easily. If you don’t need the covers, put them in the cart or inside the bag.
• Group your irons for grab-and-go play. Have the mindset that every time you put a club in the bag, you take 1 to 3 clubs out based on what you know of your next shot. On an approach shot, you can typically guess which one of the three clubs will do the job.
• It is not imperative to put your club in the bag after every shot. Get in the cart with the cub in your hand and go to your next shot.
• While your cart partner is hitting his next shot, walk or drive to your ball and prepare to hit.
• Certainly getting accurate yardages is important for all players, so be swift in looking for a yardage marker, a hole location sheet or using a yardage device.
• On the tees and full swing shots, play when you are ready and it is safe to play. Be alert and get in the game!
• If in a bunker, rake your way out to a low point where it is easier to exit rather than climbing out on a steep slope.
• When driving to the green it is typically best to park your cart behind the green or the nearest exit point. Never park in front of the green where you are walking back into play after you have finished putting ultimately holding up the group behind you.
• In a perfect world, continuous putting would be in place. You putt out when it is your turn regardless of how far away from the flagstick your ball lays. Line up your putt from behind your ball only – that is where you typically get your first and best read of the green. Circling the hole aimlessly should be discouraged.
• Once you have picked up your ball marker, take no more than 15 seconds to hit your putt. The first player to hold out tends to the flagstick as all remaining putts are holed. Faster play also means more space for additional golfers. More golfers mean more activity at the club and the potential for more revenue, more new friendships, and possible business connections.

Faster play means more family and friends time. It will give you more time after the round for quality socializing. I have yet to listen to a golfer say they played poorly because they were asked to play faster. I have heard players say they had no rhythm, timing or flow to their round as they were continually waiting to hit their next shot. So, where does it start and who are the culprits for slow play? The first groups of the day set the pace and should be reminded of this. As they set the pace so follows the groups behind them. The old adage still holds true, it’s “keep up with the group in front of you,” not “stay in front of the group behind you.”

Each course should be timed by hole so players know where they should be relative to the time they started. Slow play is gradually eating away at everyone’s enjoyment of the game, and in turn, golfers find alternate things to do with their time. It is the game for a lifetime, but it shouldn’t take you a lifetime to finish a round. I was first introduced to golf as a caddie when we had a chance to play at the end of the ay, and our goal was to get in as many Scottsdale Country Club holes as we could before dark. As a foursome we could easily get in 18 holes in three hours walking and carrying our clubs. We need to get back to these times and take responsibility for our pace of play so every player at all levels can continue to enjoy this game for years to come. Of all the issues affecting our game, slow play is perhaps the easiest for all golfers to fix.

Country Club Scottsdale Golf Course Maintenance

The Country club Scottsdale weather this spring has been unseasonably warm and we are taking advantage of it by lowering the heights of our Country club Scottsdale mowers a little earlier than normal. This will increase Country club Scottsdale chances of a smooth transition back to Country club Scottsdale Bermuda grass. The amount of bermudagrass that is already present is a very encouraging start. Another phase of our Country club Scottsdale transition program is to slice the rough which will be done for the second time at the beginning of the month. We will be concentrating on trimming and detail Country club Scottsdale projects for the majority of the month culminating in ‘The Round Up’ at the end of the month. Thank you all very much for the many favorable comments and all the positive feedback regarding our course conditions this spring. Our main goal in golf course maintenance is to always provide the best possible playing surfaces that we can. When the weather cooperates and the turf behaves, the course can be a thing of beauty and a pleasure to play. It makes all the hard work well worth it and very satisfying. We hope you can all get in an extra round or two . . . see you on the course!

Scottsdale Golf Club Member Survey

We want to know what you are thinking! Once again this year, your Scottsdale golf club Board has chosen to work with the McMahon Group, a professional club consulting firm, to conduct a comprehensive Scottsdale Golf Club member survey.

We have a couple key objectives in conducting this survey. First, much of the feedback we get is on day-to-day issues or isolated events, and we know that sometimes the views expressed by one person may not represent the broader membership. A professionally done survey gives an opportunity for ALL of our members to be heard and for us to compare how our club is doing against national benchmarks, and to better understand how different membership cohorts are enjoying the club. Second, one of the key responsibilities of the Scottsdale Golf Club Board is to plan for the future. The membership survey will give us insight into your thoughts and priorities for the future direction of our club. When members approved Phase I of the Scottsdale Golf Club Facility Master Plan, there were several elements we elected to defer including renovation of our pool area, expansion of our kitchen and casual dining facility at the pool, an expanded fitness center with room for classes, and an expansion of our main kitchen area. In addition we continue to get requests for more space for small events, meetings and card games. We know that some of these Scottsdale Golf Club enhancements would add to the satisfaction of our existing members and will also make us more attractive to new members down the road (and in turn help to keep our resale price strong).

We also need your input on the timing of any future Scottsdale Golf Club enhancements – especially given the long lead times these types of Scottsdale private Golf Club projects require for planning, design and permitting. Is this something our Scottsdale private Golf Club members would like us to get started on now? In the next 3 to 5 years? The next 5 to 10? As you know, our club is already in an enviable position. Our last Scottsdale private Golf Club member survey showed that we are in the upper half of clubs nationally in terms of member satisfaction. And with our Scottsdale private Golf Club Clubhouse renovation and addition to our tennis facility, we know that our members are enjoying the club more than ever. While costs and expenses inevitably rise each year, our club continues to be in good shape financially.

Our most recent benchmarking against other clubs of our type nationally, shows that we are in the upper half for most financial metrics. The only debt we have is for the member-approved expansion, which is being serviced as scheduled and will be retired over the next 52 months. Our current debt to asset ratio is in the best quartile of clubs of our type. And our current financial position is healthy, meaning that we can cover our operating expenses and fund our capital maintenance needs. So we are in a good position as we plan for the future, and continue to move our club experience to even better levels. Expect to see your invitation to participate in the Scottsdale private Golf Club membership survey in late April. I hope each of you will take time to respond. We look forward to hearing from you!

Scottsdale Golf Club Upcoming Events

We hope you have been enjoying the exceptional Scottsdale Golf Clubweather we’ve been experiencing over the past few weeks!  We would like to take a moment to remind you of some of the upcoming events at the Scottsdale Golf Club.

The Scottsdale Golf Club Stroke Play Club Championships are in full swing with the Senior Championship leading the way last weekend.  Congratulations to our 2016 Scottsdale Golf Club Senior Champion John Poole who put together two remarkable rounds of gross 70-69 to capture his second title in four years.  In the Super Senior Championship Jack Benton seized the gross title in a 3-player sudden death playoff with Jack Fairfield and Bob Haney.  Way to go Jack!

Scottsdale Golf Club Net Senior Club Champions also played outstanding golf.  Congratulations to Bill Carder for winning the Scottsdale Golf Club Championship flight, Larry Moore on his first flight victory and Bob Haney in the Super Seniors.  If you see them around the Club please take a moment to compliment them on their remarkable play.

We look forward to crowning our Scottsdale private Golf Club Ladies Club Champion this coming weekend and the Scottsdale private Golf Club Men’s Stroke Play Champion next Saturday & Sunday.  If you have yet to register for the Scottsdale private Golf Club Men’s Club Championship please be reminded that TODAY is the deadline.  We are hoping for a record turnout this year.  Please keep in mind that the Scottsdale private Golf Club tournament is flighted and played from multiple tees so players of all abilities are encouraged to participate.  The Scottsdale private Golf Club Championship flight will be contested from the Black tees both gross and net with the first and second net flights being played from the Scottsdale private Golf Club Blue and Blue/White tees.  We hope you sign-up to play.

2nd Annual Scottsdale Private Golf DC Ranch Masters Par 3 Contest and Masters Week

We are also excited for our 2nd annual Scottsdale Private Golf DC Ranch Masters Par 3 Contest in conjunction with Masters week on Wednesday, April 6th.  This 9-hole individual and team Scottsdale Private Golf competition was a big hit last year and again will have plenty of action to keep your interest.  With Scottsdale Private Golf Men’s and Ladies’ tees, closest to the hole competitions on every hole and optional gross & net skins we expect this fun event to be very well received.  Scottsdale Private Golf Players may form their own groups or the Scottsdale Private Golf Staff will be happy to pair you.  This year’s Scottsdale Private Golf Registration is now available on ForeTees or by calling the Golf Shop.  The entry fee of $35 per player includes a BBQ buffet following play.  Don’t wait to sign-up as we expect available spots to go quickly.


Our weekly Scottsdale Country Club Ladies Instruction clinics continue to be held each Tuesday from 1-2 PM.  Each session addresses both full swing and short game components at only $20 per Scottsdale Country Club student.  Please register on ForeTees under the events tab and bring your friends.  The more the merrier!

Scottsdale Country Club Junior Golf instruction is also available on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30-11:30 AM and Wednesday play days on the Golf Course from 4:00-5:00 PM.  We love seeing your youngsters learning this great game and encourage them to bring their friends as well.  Please help us by registering your children on Scottsdale Country Club ForeTees so we can be prepared with the appropriate amount of instructors.

As we continue with the most active time of year at the Club please be reminded that the Scottsdale Country Club Golf Shop has the responsibility to pair two-somes and singles on the tee sheet to give all Members the opportunity to enjoy 18 holes of golf.  We also appreciate your continued support of our Scottsdale Country Club Pride of Ownership programs.  Thank you for filling your divots with sand & seed, fixing ball marks on greens, properly raking bunkers and maintaining pace of play at four hours or less.

2016 Premier Scottsdale Country Club Member-Guest tournaments

It’s time to sign up for our 2016 premier Scottsdale Country Club Member-Guest tournaments at the Country Club at DC Ranch. This year, we have added an additional tournament, The Chill, to be played Friday & Saturday, January 8-9. Like the Scottsdale Country Club Round-Up, the Chill will provide an exceptional Scottsdale Country Club tournament experience, but will be shorter (two days) with an optional practice round. The Round-Up, April 27-30, will remain the same, with a five 9-hole Match Play format, at a cost of $1,400 per team. The Chill will be played in stroke play formats of Select Drive Better Ball and Better Ball with a $900 per team entry fee. Additional optional competitions will surround each tournament to peak your interest.

The Scottsdale Country Club Round-Up field will continue to be selected from the point list we have used for years. The Scottsdale Country Club Chill field will consist of teams selected based on the following priorities: (1) the waiting list from the previous year’s Round-Up, (2) next from members with points on the point list but who did not play and were not wait-listed for the previous year’s Round-Up, (3) next teams will be selected by lottery from all remaining Scottsdale Country Club Full Golf Members who did not play in last year’s Round-Up, but who wish to play in the Chill, and (4) finally, if the field is not full, by lottery from Country Club Scottsdale Members who played in last year’s Round-Up, regardless of whether they are in this year’s Country Club Scottsdale Round-Up.

Each calendar year, points will be allocated based on either your participation in a Country Club Scottsdale tournament, or your failure to get into one or both events pursuant to the rules below. Entry into both tournaments will become available on the same date, Tuesday, November 3rd, 2015, on ForeTees or by calling the Country Club Scottsdale Golf Shop. The time and date on which you register has NO bearing on your position in the field.

• The entry deadline for BOTH The Round-Up and The Chill is Tuesday, November 17, 2015.
• As described above, your points as of the most recent Round-Up will be used to select teams.
• A Member can only play in ONE of the events in a given calendar year, unless his second choice event is not fully subscribed.
• Even if a Country Club Scottsdale Member plays in both events in a calendar year (because one was not fully subscribed) he will receive the maximum of 1 point for that year.
• A Member may register for both events, but must prioritize which event he prefers to play in at the time of registration.
• A Country Club Scottsdale Member playing in either or both events will receive the maximum 1 point for that year.
• A Member who signs up for but does not get into either event for a full year will receive the maximum 2 points for that year.
• A Country Club Scottsdale Member who signs up but does not get into any event for two consecutive years will receive 3 points for the second year he does not get to play.
• A Member who signs up for either event, is selected, but withdraws, shall receive no points for that event, and if it is the only event for that he signed up for in that year, he will receive no points for that year. A Member who withdraws from one event, may not use his points to prioritize his entry in the other event.

The schedules of events for both tournaments and the current points list are attached for your planning needs. Once the entry deadline has passed the Professional Staff will be able to confirm your position in the respective tournament fields, and will publish them on Thursday, November 19th so that you may make plans with your guests. We are excited about the additions to our Gentlemen’s Member-Guest programs and look forward to hosting you and your special guest this season.

State Medallion Tournament

Cactus League Ladies Interclub team play gets underway on November 5th vs. Troon Country Club. If you are interested in competing this season and are not already receiving the team communications please contact our Scottsdale Golf Club Team Captain Val Hope at valhope1@gmail.com so she can add you to the list. Scottsdale Golf Club Team uniforms are available thru the Golf Shop for those who do not already have them. We are looking forward to repeating as Cactus League Champions for 2016 and need your help!

We will again be holding qualifying for the State Medallion Tournament with the help of our AWGA representative Val Hope. The State Medallion Tournament should be one that stirs up some excitement among our Scottsdale Golf Club Lady golfers as it is regarded to be on a similar level as our Scottsdale Golf Club Club Championship. It may not be as grueling a competition as the Scottsdale Golf Club Club Championship, but the rewards of winning this tournament place the winners in the state spotlight…representing our Scottsdale Golf Club. Our state medallion winners, in addition to winning a prestigious medallion, are also invited to represent DC Ranch in a competition of state medallion winners at the end of the year.

The State Medallion competition is open to all Scottsdale Private Golf Club Lady Members who maintain a Scottsdale Private Golf Club DC Ranch handicap index and will consist of two (2) best gross and two (2) best net 18-hole rounds out of a designated four (4) rounds. Players need not participate in all four rounds to be eligible. Determining the winner on the basis of the best two rounds out of four is intended to give players the maximum opportunity to produce two good scores, not to eliminate those players who cannot play all four rounds.

The four qualifying dates for the State Medallion tournament are November 19, 21, 24 & 28. Scottsdale Private Golf Club Players wishing to qualify must indicate their intent to do so prior to the start of play by informing the Golf Staff or signing up online via Scottsdale Private Golf Club ForeTees.

The gross and net winners of the Scottsdale Private Golf Club DC Ranch State Medallion tournament will move on to compete as partners in the AWGA State Medallion Club Team Tournament to be held on January 16th or 17th, 2016 where they will represent Scottsdale Private Golf Club DC Ranch against other state medallion winners from Clubs all over the state.
We anticipate that this season of Ladies golf at the Country Club at DC Ranch will be the best yet and look forward to seeing you all at the Club. If you have any questions, suggestions or ideas please don’t hesitate to contact any of your Professional Staff.

Scottsdale Country Club Ladies Day

Scottsdale Country Club Ladies of ALL levels and abilities are encouraged to play in the Scottsdale Country Club Ladies Day as this is all about fun and camaraderie with your fellow Lady golfers. We are especially excited (or maybe nervous…) for the December 10th Beat the Scottsdale Country Club Pro format in which we hope you all plan to play and take a shot at some bragging rights for the season!

Other Scottsdale Country Club Ladies 18-hole organized play is available on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. If you are interested please contact the Golf Shop so that we can put you in touch with the different organizing Scottsdale Country Club Members of each group.

The Scottsdale Country Club Lady Niners 9-hole organized play will take place each Monday beginning November 10th with tee times beginning at 10:40am each week and alternating play between the front and back nine holes. The Country Club Scottsdale Niners play non-competitive social golf, providing you the opportunity to meet other Country Club Scottsdale Lady golfers, have some fun, and enjoy our Country Club Scottsdale beautiful golf course. Players of all levels and abilities are welcome! Participants often gather after play for lunch in the Clubhouse. Registration for the entire season is also available on Country Club Scottsdale ForeTees under the “events” tab.

Our Country Club Scottsdale Lady Niner golfers also participate in the Northeast Valley Niners Interclub. No 'joining' obligation, no handicaps required, just sign up for the outings and enjoy golf in a non-competitive format, topped off with a glass of wine and appetizers following play for only $35 per player. It’s fun, it's social, it's non-competitive... and you have the opportunity to play with other like-minded golfers at clubs like Ancala, Boulders, Legend Trail, Desert Highlands, Anthem, Rio Verde, Tonto Verde, TerraVita and Troon Country Club. We also get to show off our beautiful Country Club Scottsdale course and clubhouse on January 25th when we host the event. If you are interested in joining the Lady Niners and receiving their communications please contact the coordinators Barbara Baker at baker.barb@gmail.com or Joanne Stock at j.h.stock33@gmail.com

Scottsdale Golf Club Ladies’ Golf 2015-2016 season

As we begin the Scottsdale Golf Club 2015-2016 season of Ladies’ Golf at The Country Club at DC Ranch we want to ensure that you are aware of all the playing opportunities and activities available at the Club. Please take a moment to read below and familiarize yourself with this year’s Scottsdale Golf Club programs and upcoming events.

We have been delighted to have numerous requests to increase the frequency of our Scottsdale Golf Club Ladies Instructional Clinics and provide more opportunities to introduce new players to the game. Beginning November 17th and continuing thru April organized instruction will be available on Tuesday’s from 1:00–2:00pm bi-weekly, and Thursday’s from 9:30-10:30am on opposite weeks with the exception of holiday’s and conflicting tournament dates.

Our qualified Scottsdale Golf Club Professional Staff is dedicated to helping you play better golf and have more fun and we are looking forward to everybody’s participation regardless of your current level of play. Sign-ups are available online thru ForeTees or by calling the Scottsdale Golf Club Golf Shop. Individual instruction is also available and can be coordinated with your Professional of choice. Please contact the Scottsdale Golf Club Golf Shop for rates and availability.

The Solheim Cup, our biennial competition between Scottsdale Private Golf ,Club The Country Club at DC Ranch and The Silverleaf Club, is scheduled to be played this December 2nd & 3rd. 12 Ladies will represent DC Ranch in this year’s competition and must qualify for the team the week of November 15-21.

Scottsdale Private Golf Club Players wishing to qualify must indicate their intent to do so prior to the start of play each day by informing the Scottsdale Private Golf Club Golf Staff or signing up online via ForeTees. Qualifying rounds must be played with other Members who can attest their score. Scottsdale Private Golf Players may designate a minimum of one day and a maximum of two days to qualify with the better of the two scores counting as their qualifying score. The qualifier format is Individual Net Stroke Play. The 12 players with the lowest net qualifying scores will move on to compete in the 2015 Solheim Cup.

Our 18-hole organized Scottsdale Private Golf Ladies Day will be held on Thursday’s throughout the season with play beginning with a 9:00am shotgun start, with optional lunch following golf. Sign-ups for the entire season are available on ForeTees under the “events” tab and we ask that you register by Tuesday prior to each event. Attached please find additional details along with the schedule of play dates and games for the season.

Country Club Scottsdale Member/Guest tournament and USGA Rule 14-1B

Since our last Scottsdale Country Club newsletter communication, I can certainly see most of our Scottsdale Country Club membership has arrived for the season, if our initial Scottsdale Country Club golf events are any indication. We are very fortunate you support our Scottsdale Country Club tournaments as you do, for most all of them are full field events. It started with our Scottsdale Country Club opening day shotgun starts, and most recently we finished our Country Club Scottsdale Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Rodeo member/member tournaments. We are confident the Country Club Scottsdale Ladies field will grow in the next few years, as we are seeing that more Country Club Scottsdale women are picking up the game through our clinics and nine-holers and are venturing down the path of the 18-hole round. Those ladies who played this year mentioned how fun it was to meet and play with members they never knew.

The Gentlemen’s Rodeo had a full field which was terrific, which also meant everyone was able to play. It has always been my belief the five-match format is best for a member-member event so you get to play with different fellow members every nine holes. Every division was very competitive and results are enclosed for your review.

Due to the extremely popular Round Up Gentlemen’s Member/ Guest Tournament each April, we added an additional 2-day Country Club Scottsdale Member/Guest tournament January 8th and 9th, 2016, and you guessed it, we have a full field signed up already. Again, thanks for your support.

We knew this day would come sooner or later when the USGA will implement as of January 1, 2016 Rule 14-1B which prohibits anchoring a club when making a stroke regardless of the club, a type of stroke, and regardless of where they are made on the course. Belly putters or long putters are still permitted – they just can’t be anchored to the body. A player may hold the club against his/her forearm or hand in making a stroke (Matt Kuchar) as long as it does not go beyond the elbow joint.

If you have any questions as to whether your current stroke has an anchor point, please contact your Country Club Scottsdale professional staff for clarification. Please be reminded there is no local rule which overrides this USGA rule and we are told by officials you cannot post a score if you are anchoring your club.

Scottsdale Country Club 2015 Men’s Interclub Matches

This is a final reminder to respond if you would like to participate in this year’s Scottsdale country club Men’s Interclub matches.  Please reply to this email or to Drew Darrow at ddarrow @ ccdcranch.com with your interest in playing as well as your shirt size no later than Friday, October 16th.  Our first match takes place on Wednesday, November 18th at Scottsdale country club Desert Highlands so team uniforms must be ordered as soon as possible.

This season’s matches have been scheduled as follows:

1. November 18 & 23 vs. Scottsdale country club Desert Highlands Golf Club
2. December 7 & 9 vs. Scottsdale country club Troon Country Club
3. January 7 & 11 vs. Scottsdale country club Scottsdale country club Desert Forest Golf Club
4. February 4 & 8 vs. The Mirabel Club
5. March 14 & 25 vs. Scottsdale country club The Boulders Golf Club

It is important to mention that Scottsdale private golf players of all abilities with handicap indexes ranging from scratch or better to 21.0 are encouraged to participate in the Interclub.  Scottsdale private golf Golf courses will be set up between 6,200 – 6,400 yards.  The more balanced our team is with a range of handicaps the more competitive we will be.  Keep in mind the whole idea is to have fun while meeting new people and playing other Scottsdale private golfcourses in a friendly competition.

The Scottsdale private golf team selection process has been tweaked again this year in an effort to field as competitive a team as possible, as well as eliminate the amount of last minute cancellations we have experienced the past few years.  These last minute withdrawals not only leave us scrambling just to field a team but they also result in a less balanced, less competitive team due to handicap inequities against our competitors.  Therefore, we have abandoned the pre-season commitment form used in the past and will be asking for players to confirm their interest in playing in BOTH the home and away matches on a monthly basis.

It has been agreed upon by all participating Scottsdale private golf clubs that their teams will be chosen in a similar manner.  Scottsdale private golf Players who are available to play in both the home and away match each month will be divided into A, B & C groupings according to their current handicap index at the time of selection.  Three players from each handicap group will then be drawn to represent DC Ranch for that month’s matches.  Every effort will be made to include as many members as possible throughout the season and afford everyone on the team equal playing opportunities.

As is the case each year, a few changes have been made to the East and West divisions giving us the opportunity to play some different clubs than last year.  We will compete in the West division against Scottsdale private golf club Desert Highlands, Troon Country Club, Desert Forest, Mirabel and The Boulders.  Come seasons end we hope to be on top of the division and face the winner of the East division in the Championship match to be scheduled in April.