Sue Moline-Liberty Will Chair Nominating Committee

Eight time Northland Women's Invitational Champion and former club president (2003-2005) Sue Moline-Liberty (shown at the right with husband Brian) will chair this year's Nominating Committee. The committee of five shareholders or their spouses are charged with submitting a ticket of candidates for the office of the President and members of the Board of Directors, except the Representative of the Women's Golf Committee, for the upcoming year.
A list of all nominees will be mailed to each member of Northland at least 30 days prior to the annual member meeting in June.
Shareholders or their spouses are eligible to be members of the Board of Directors so long as that shareholder's membership rights are not forfeited.

Clubhouse Membership Limit Set At 200

Northland has it all – including one of the top-ranked golf courses in the nation, dynamite culinary, a top-tier membership base and a brand new clubhouse coming in just a few short months.
With all the excitement being generated, it is no wonder the Northland Membership Committee recommended, and the board has since approved, a 200-member capacity limit on clubhouse (social) memberships. Only 30 memberships remain. The NCC membership committee thinks it is highly likely we will sell all 30 memberships by the time we open the new clubhouse.
We are inviting you to refer your friends and associates for membership at Northland prior to the club’s June grand opening date. Anyone that you sponsor now is eligible to join at the $300 initiation fee and will be invited to the much anticipated, grand opening week events currently being planned by the Northland Special Events committee.
Once the 200-person capacity is reached, candidates for membership will be put on a waiting list until the board decides that we can open up a limited number of memberships again.
The Membership Committee is not setting a capacity limit for golf at this time due to great course access for our existing members. Resident golf members may still join, for a limited time, at $6000 before the initiation fee returns to its full rate of $8400 on June 1.
Please contact Membership Director Ann Robertson direct at (218) 428-5178 or email her at arobertson@northlandcountryclub.com should you wish to recommend and sponsor a new member.
UPDATE: New Members Welcomed: Northland Country Club wants to welcome Thomas & Nancy Hay (Non-Resident Golf - North Oaks, MN & Tequesta, FL) and Jennie & Rodney Gordon (Pre-Resident Golf - Superior) as the newest members of the country club.

UPDATED: No Skiing? How About A Game Of Mini-Golf During The Blizzard?

Superintendent Chris Tritabaugh reports that the golf course is ready for cross country skiers and snowshoers....and with the forecast for the next 48 hours calling for near blizzard conditions, today might be just the day to get out for a quick outing.
Chris says the course has been tracked for the traditional cross-country skier, and he has also added a 1/2 mile loop for free style skiers on the 9th hole.

Mini-Golf: Looking for something to do indoors during the upcoming blizzard? Here's a link provided by member Tom Bell that might offer some entertainment:

New Flags, New Scorecards, New Software For '07

There will be new flags, pins, scorecards and new online reservation software at Northland this season. The Green Committee, PGA Pro Joe O'Connor and Superintendent Chris Tritabaugh have spent several months reviewing new options which were approved last night by the board of directors. The new flag design is shown at the right.
The new scorecards offer a slightly different design; when folded, player names will still be visible when scores are being posted on the back nine. The paper stock is also of a non-glossed finish to allow for easier entering of names and scores.
You should also expect to see new member bag tags and guest bag tags at the course this season.
Following an extensive review by the Games and Green Committees and PGA Pro Joe O'Connor, the board of directors has chosen Foretees<<--learn more here, based in the Twin Cities, as the provider for a new online reservation system. Foretees is used by some of the finest private clubs in the country. Its reputation for quality service, numerous features, ease of use and integration with the Northland website were primary factors in the selection process. The new reservation system will not prevent members from calling the pro shop to reserve a tee time. According to O'Connor, the new system will improve overall pro shop efficiency and communication with members and their guests. Take a moment and review the company website which has an entire section donated to frequently asked questions about its many features.

Board Adopts No Smoking Policy

By a unanimous vote last night, the NCC Board of Directors passed a no smoking policy for the entire new clubhouse facility. The smoking ban will extend to all interior areas, including the locker facilities, and will also be in effect on the building's attached outdoor decks and verandas.
Smoking will still be allowed on the exterior patio and pool areas.

Construction Update

Construction of the new mulit-million dollar clubhouse at Northland is on schedule with few problems to report, according to the latest update provided by Shane Johnson of Johnson Wilson Constructors. Johnson briefed the board of directors at their monthly meeting last night. According to Johnson, virtually all of the electrical and mechanical work has been completed in the building interior. Johnson expects the building to have permanent power installed early next week when he also expects the building to be fully insulated. All interior walls have been put in place and much of the second floor is ready for painting and paneling. Johnson also reported that permits have been applied for and materials have been ordered for the pool cabana. Workers are expected to begin the final exterior clubhouse work within the next month.

Honorary Membership For Fred Lewis

Fred Lewis, believed to be the longest term member of Northland Country Club, was granted an honorary membership last night by the board of directors. Mr. Lewis, 87, is retired from the North Shore Bank of Commerce and spends much of the winter with his wife Mary at their home in Florida.
Mr. Lewis' grandfather, G.G. Hartley, was one of the founders of Northland Country Club.

Northland Quick Poll - New Poll Posted

Here are the results of last week's Quick Poll on equipment and apparel.This week's Quick Poll, available on the right side of the page, concerns the posting of scores following your round of golf at Northland Country Club. Some private clubs across the country have mandatory posting policies, especially those with league and event play a prominent part of the golf season. There have been reports that some clubs will resort to posting a score of par for those members who did not record their score following their round. What do you think? Should the pro shop require the posting of scores, and if you don't register your score, should the pro shop post a score of 71? Or the score for 9-holes depending on whether you have played the front or back nine? Take this week's Quick Poll and look for results next Monday.

Board Agenda - February Meeting

Here's the agenda for tomorrow night's monthly board meeting:

NCC Board of Directors
February 27, 2006

1: Call to Order - Cameron Fryer, Vice President
2: Financial Report - Tom Holmstrom, Controller
3: Clubhouse Construction Update - Shane Johnson, Johnson Wilson Constructors
4: Membership Committee Report - Ann Robertson, Membership Director
5: Green Committee Report - Dr. Tim Smith
6: Games Committee Report - Dr. Steve L'Abbe
7: Clubhouse Manager Report - Gary Schneider
8. Food & Beverage Committee Rerport - Duke Skorich
9: Grounds Report - Chris Tritabaugh, Superintedent
10: House Committee Report - Cameron Fryer
11: Director of Golf Report - Joe O'Oconnor, PGA Professional
12: Women's Golf Committee Report - Karen Baresh
13: Old Business
14: New Business

The meeting will be held in the Wisconsin Room of the Kitchi Gammi Club beginning at 5:30pm. Among the new business items to be discussed will the process by which new board members will be nominated for selection at the annual meeting in June. If you are interested, or know of another member who would enjoy serving on the board of directors, look for updates on the Nominating Committee in the next few days.

Well....Anyone Want To Ski, Snowshoe Today?

This is what many of us have waited for.....a fairly good snowfall overnight has given us the first real opportunity of the season to use our cross country skies and snowshoes. So, anyone heading over to Northland for a few quick loops?
Depending on where you are in the city this morning, you're either able to move around fairly easily - or you're socked in with drifts of three feet or more. Around the upper part of the golf course, the snow is fairly deep and still blowing and drifting; a blizzard warning is in effect until Noon today (See further details and the forecast in the weather underground site on the right)
With today's snowfall - and the forecast calls for more next week - it's possible the grounds crew will begin grooming and tracking the cross country trails. Check back early in the week for updates.

Northland Caddie Awarded Evans Scholarship

UPDATED
Northland Country Club received word this afternoon that Andrew Ahlfield of Duluth, a caddie for the past two seasons at Northland, has been awarded one of just four Evans Scholarship<<--more here and here to attend the University of Minnesota.
Andrew, 17, has been attending classes at UMD full time this year under the Post Secondary Education Option, available to high school students with academic excellence. Andrew began part-time at UMD last year while completing his home-schooled studies. He is currently carrying 11 credits with a 3.889 GPA.
Andrew is returning as a caddie at Northland this season, but hopes to be more actively involved in other duties; Evans scholars generally return to their home clubs during the golf season.
Andrew plans on pursuing a career in Mechanical Engineering at the Twin Cities campus of the U of M.
For the past four years, Andrew has been actively involved in many service activities, volunteering for the Fruit of the Vine Food Shelf and attending two ten-day outreach trips to impoverished areas of Mexico. He also co-hosts computer parties for his church and has started a personal business with in-home computer consulting/repair.
Andrew's parents are Dan & Janice Ahlfield. His brother Jeremy (15) is also a caddie at Northland and it's expected that younger brother Isaac (12) may also join the caddie ranks.

Click either of the links above to learn more about the Evans Scholarship. Each year, Northland members contribute to the program and other former Northland caddies have greatly benefitted from the program.
We expect to add additional information to this story, but Northland wants to congratulate Andrew for his achievement. As noted earlier, just four Minnesota students were awarded the scholarship this year.

Is This A Brush Wolf, Timber Wolf, Coyote?

Northland members Dick & Bea Levey took this photo early Saturday morning from their home on London Road. It sure looks wolf like. Perhaps you have some idea exactly what species it is.
This morning's Duluth News Tribune also had a story - and photo gallery online - about the hundreds of Duluthians who are venturing out on Lake Superior each day to take advantage of the smooth ice sheet. (See the Sunday post below). Duluth schools are on vacation this week and the story should only increase the number of skaters and others each day until winds and wave action break apart the ice.

Northland Women's Leagues Will Be Featured In Area Woman's Magazine

Although the publication issue hasn't yet been decided - it could be April or May - the women's golf leagues at Northland will be featured in an upcoming issue of Woman Today magazine, formerly Area Woman.
Because of the magazine's deadlines, photos for the upcoming issue were taken today. Several groups of Northland members were present at the golf course today for the photo shoot, including those seen in this photo: Pat Fride, Leslie Gramstrup, Margo Rathke, Karen Andresen, Sandy Nelson and Bea Levey.
Other women taking part today were Tracy Link, Kathy Marinac, Marty Buscaglia, Shirley Staples, Lane Smith, Jackie Qualio and Pam Roth.
We'll provide an update once it's announced when the story will be published.

Cell Phone Survey Results - New Quick Poll

Here are the results of last week's Quick Poll. The results indicate many poll respondents believe cellular or mobile phones should not be allowed on the golf course or in the new clubhouse; there are still significant numbers who believe Northland should not impose any ban on the phone use.
This is one of the more sensitive issues private clubs are coping with across the country and it has generated considerable discussion locally.
Our next survey isn't at all controversial, unless you're one of those who tries to hide some of your purchases. This survey concerns the amount of money you spend each year on new golf equipment and apparel, including clubs, balls, shoes, shirts, pants, etc.
Golf industry surveys indicate that American golfers spend an average of $2,400 each year on golf, but this includes all expenditures - even fees. This week's survey only includes equipment and apparel, not dues or fees.
The survey is posted on the right side of this page.

Duluthians On Ice

Temperatures in Duluth today were near 20 degrees, allowing hundreds of Duluthians - and others from the Upper Midwest on their way home from their weekend up north, no doubt - to take advantage of something that is fairly rare....a walk on Lake Superior. Entire families were out, some ice skating across the lake to the Wisconsin side, others hugging the shoreline. These photos (remember to click the image to view it full screen) were taken this afternoon near Brighton Beach on Highway 61 and show the crowds of people on the lake, many armed with cameras to take photos of the ice ridges that line the shore. Several dozen fish houses were also scattered on the ice, some seemingly miles from shore, others closer by. As any Duluthian knows, these conditions could change rapidly with a change in wind direction. So, if you're up for what might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, drive down to the shore and experience the beauty of our city from a unique vantage point.

Winter Cold Blast Ends - Still No Significant Snow In Sight - New Weather Data Added

Despite the dark sky in the photo at the right, little snow fell today on much of the golf course, even at the higher elevations. Grounds crew members have had the cross country ski tracking equipment ready to go, but there's just not been enough cover to warrant any action.
The extended forecast calls for some snow in the next few days in the region, but little is expected around Northland.
In the past few days, the weather reporting link on this site was changed. After some additional research, we chose the Weather Underground service. If you click "full forecast" or "detailed forecast" you'll see incredible weather details and a host of weather related services and general tourist information about the region, including photos.
If you've got the time, check out the personal weather stations links near the bottom of the linked page that are updated every 15 minutes. There is an incredible amount of meteorlogical information presented for some of Duluth's neighborhoods.
The new weather service also contains a link to NEXRAD Radar.
The site also contains a Travel Planner link that contains historical weather data for any location. All you need to do is choose a location and enter the dates of travel to receive incredible weather details about what you might expect.

Construction Update - Safety Warning Repeated

It's been a few days since we've provided an update on construction of the new clubhouse facility at Northland. Virtually all of the current activity is taking place inside the new multi-million dollar structure. Activity outdoors is limited now to the completion of the verandas and decks that will line two sides of the building.
With so many crew members involved in the construction process indoors, members are once again reminded that these working conditions can sometimes be dangerous and should avoid making visits to the construction site.
Clubhouse Manager Gary Schneider continues to be very impressed with the construction timetable and the willingness on the part of the building crews and developers to make subtle design changes. Many of the changes will allow for greater flexibility in food/beverage service for members. In recent days, the locker room and private lounge for women was also expanded and the walls for the private dining areas have been put in place.
According to the construction timetable, work is expected to begin on the remodeling and rennovation of the pool cabana.before the end of February. A complete construction update will be presented to the board of directors at the February 27 meeting.

Dates Set For Northland Job Fair

As the opening of the new clubhouse at Northland draws near, it's time to begin the process of hiring employees to staff the facility. The first step will occur May 2-3 when Northland will sponsor a job fair for prospective employees.
According to Clubhouse Manager Gary Schneider, close to 80 employees will be hired for the season, with many of those staff members hired as a result of their job fair attendance. Northland must replace a majority of both the kitchen and wait staff.
The job fair will be held in two sessions on each of the days, from 9-11am and again from 1-3pm. the job fair is tentatively scheduled to be held in the first level of the Duluth Congregational Church at 3833 East Superior Street.
If you know of someone interested in employment at Northland, remind them of the dates for the job fair. We'll provide a reminder notice as the date approaches.

Playing In Florida? The Desert? Scores Should Still Be Posted

A short article in the current Minnesota Golfer reminds us that we're still obligated to post our golf scores even though the system at Northland no longer accepts them; there are ways to post the results of the round.
Any MGA golfer down south or out west should still post his/her score. According to the USGA Handicap System Manual "scores made at a golf course in an area observing an active season must be posted for handicap purposes, even if the golf club from which the player receives a Handicap Index is observing an inactive season" (Section 6-2).
The article offers some tips on how to accomplish the posting: 1) scores can be posted at www.ghin.com to your GHIN record if your home course allows Internet posting. The Handicap Index is updated in the spring, at the time of the first Minnesota handicap revision. 2) If you have two different GHIN numbers (one from each state golf association), please contact the MGA to merge the two records. 3) If you have an MGA GHIN number and a handicap membership in another state (one not using GHIN), contact the Minnesota Golf Association and your out-of-state association to link the two.
If you need more information, you can call Allyson Wopata at MGA - 952.345.3977 or allyson@mngolf.org.

Quick Poll - Cell Phone Ban?

This week's Northland Quick Poll will allow for a continuation of comments begun last week in response to another topic. If you regularly follow the comments sections under some of the stories, you've noticed quite a bit of discussion about a ban on cell phones at Northland. Some of the premier private golf clubs in the country have placed a total ban on the phones on their properties; others allow the phones to be used on the patios around the clubhouse, but not in the clubhouse or on the golf course. This week's Quick Poll - unscientific as always - give you an opportunity to vote on the issue. The poll will now restrict each computer to just one vote every 7 days; previously, the limit was one vote each 24 hours.
Here's a sampling of recent articles on the cell phone issue (click each for the full story)

News that the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews will ban mobile phones from this year's Open Championship at Carnoustie

More about R & A decision here....

Cell phones…a curse or a blessing! ‘Tis one or other, depending upon your point of view. But one thing is certain there’s no one policy at private clubs across the country. What is reality for using cell phones in today’s private club environment? It seems to be as much a cultural as a policy decision. For example, cell phones are allowed in the vast majority of places today, why not private clubs? Is it because of the private club culture, particularly the culture of long-established clubs with older memberships? Many older clubs are absolute in their policies passed by the board of directors regarding cell phones. They are verboten…banned…forbidden!


Just below this, you'll see the results of last week's Quick Poll on breakfast.

Sunday Money: Golf Is $62 Billion Industry

Here's an article from today's New York Times, part of which states:

On the whole, the golf industry in the United States generates $62.2 billion a year in sales, which covers everything from tourism to course operation, according to Joe Steranka, chief executive of the PGA of America.

Over all, the PGA is estimating only very small growth in some parts of the industry. Last year was the first in six decades that the number of course closings (146) exceeded new openings (119), the PGA said Here's the rest of the story...

Entertainment, Food & Beverage Committees Meet Next Week To Continue Planning For Grand Opening Schedule Of Events

Although an exact date for the Grand Opening of Northland Country Club's new clubhouse has not been set, two committees have been working to plan the member events that will occur.
The Entertainment and Food & Beverage committees are each meeting this next week to continue their efforts.
Developers have been cautious in their assessment about when final work will be completed, but the committee efforts have to continue; it's possible the clubhouse opening is just four months away.
While the committees have discussed a wide variety of entertainment and event options, the next step is to start to finalize some of the efforts. Among the many questions to address: How many days should the grand opening last? How many of the events should be held for members only? How many golf events should be scheduled, and what formats should be played? Should one day be set aside for historic dress, including on the golf course? Should some of the events require formal attire?
As always, your recommendations and suggestions are welcome.

Minnesota Golfer Ad Generates Interest

Membership Director Ann Robertson has been busy this past week responding to inquiries from golfers across the country who have seen the Northland advertisement in the current issue of Minnesota Golfer; two membership packages were even sent to Florida golfers who indicated they would purchase membership for themselves or other family members living in Minnesota.
The ad, seen on the right (click to view full screen), offers non-resident memberships at a 50% savings for a limited time only. As reported on this site earlier, there are a limited number of non-resident memberships available.

Search Continues For Original Documents

Northland Country Club would like to thank Pat Maus, Curator with the Northeast Minnesota Historical Center for providing us with the drawing we've posted above, a drawing from 1923 that was preserved by Richard Griggs, former University of Minnesota Regent and Northland member. Mr. Griggs was instrumental in assisting much of the development of UMD. The drawings of Northland were contained in his personal papers and retrieved from his estate in 1984.
Northland Superintendent Chris Tritabaugh is submitting copies of the document to representatives of the Donald Ross Society and others with an interest in Ross-designed courses who have expressed an interest in reviewing them.

News Update: Spring Point Project Holds Grand Opening Of New Research Facility

We'd like to thank the New Richmond News for the following story about the Spring Point Project; Northland Country Club member Tom Cartier is the organization's president.

The pigs are coming.

Spring Point Project’s new diabetic research facility in New Richmond is nearing completion.

The first pregnant pigs will soon arrive at the bio-secure building near the New Richmond Regional Airport. According to plans, facility veterinarian Adrienne Schucker will perform c-sections on three sows next week, and the first 30 or so babies will be passed into their hyper-clean home through a sealed hole in the birthing room.

From that moment forward, the babies will grow, reproduce and create a pathogen-free source for pancreatic islet cells.

“Happy, disease-free pigs,” Schucker explained. “That’s what we want.”

As the pigs grow, Spring Point officials will continue to work on gaining Federal Drug Administration approval for the transplantation of islet cells into humans. FDA approval is expected by 2009.

Researchers hope that the procedure will provide an eventual cure for diabetes, which affects millions of people worldwide.

Spring Point supporters gathered Wednesday for a grand opening celebration next to the building. Channel 9 News anchor Jeff Passolt, a diabetes sufferer himself, served as the program’s emcee.

Tom Cartier, president of Spring Point(<<-more here), told a crowd of about 150 that the ink was just drying on a $6.2 million grant awarded by the Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation.

Joining forces with the foundation, which has been searching for a diabetes cure for years, will help speed the process toward clinical trials, Cartier said.

“We’re close to the end,” he said. “We have a group who has an undying dedication to this project.”

Cartier also thanked the city of New Richmond for their help in bringing the Spring Point facility to Wisconsin. He thanked Mayor David Schnitzler for the support provided by city staff through the permitting and construction process.

Michael Gretschel, president of the Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation in Washington, D.C., said they’re glad to be part of Spring Point’s efforts.

“I like to refer to the Spring Point Project as the beginning of the end,” he said.

Bernard Hering, professor with the Diabetes Institute of Immunology and Transplantation at the University of Minnesota, said now that the research facility is completed, “it puts a lot of pressure on us scientists.”

“We have to make islet transplantation work,” he told the crowd.

After noting the officials opening of the building, dignitaries were offered a tour of portions of the facility, if they agreed to don hair nets, face masks, surgical booties and smocks.

For more on the opening of the Spring Point facility, see next week’s New Richmond News.

Golfer Enjoyment Equates To Golfer Retention

In a response to a nationwide decrease in the number of golf rounds played since the turn of this century, the golf industry has developed numerous programs to attract more people to the game and to keep them coming back. Some early indicators suggest the programs are having a positive impact. But a recent survey from Golf Digest (<<---learn more here) indicates golf facilities might want to reconsider how they invesat their resources to retain golfers. According to the survey, the top factor in driving golfer satisfaction is not necessarily how one plays, but where one plays. When asked to rate a battery of factors that led to their enjoyment and satisfaction, the highest rated factor was well-maintained greens and bunkers, followed by well-maintained fairways and tees.
The survey also revealed that enjoyment is more about conditioning than challenge. Golfers indicated by a nearly 9 to 1 ratio that they would prefer to play a course that is in very good condition, but not as challenging as opposed to a course that is not in good condition, but is very challenging.
Of course, it's fair to ask whether golfers will put their money where their collective mouths are. Apparently they are. By a more than 2 to 1 margin, core and avid golfers said they would pay 25 percent more in green fees for a "better conditioned golf course" over a "better designed course layout." The survey suggests that if customer satisfaction is a desired goal, than investing resources in enhancing course conditions is the right choice.
Click the link or image above to read the full report.

Membership Director Responds To Question

Northland Country Club Membership Director Ann Robertson takes a moment to respond to the following question posed earlier on this site:

Q.

Is there any exclusivity to membership? In other words, can anyone with the money become a member? I thought, at one time, members had to approve applications, or at least be informed of applicants, so if there was an objection, a member could blackball an applicant. Who decides who is allowed to join, or do we just take anyone?
By the way, I do not mean to sound elitist by asking, I'm just wondering. Some clubs (I believe the Kitchi) do have the ability to disallow an applicant for no reason.

A.

Thank you for your very thoughtful question. All prospective members must submit an application, signed by two existing club members acting as sponsors, before being approved to active membership status. The application is presented to a ten-person board who then votes on an official ballot -- marking “approved” or “not approved” by each applicant’s name. Two or more negative votes shall exclude any applicant from membership. Applicants for membership, rejected at any meeting of the Board, shall be ineligible for six months thereafter. In case of failure of election, the Secretary will return any monies deposited with the club.
Each member of Northland Country Club receives a membership roster in June after the annual board meeting. The amended articles of incorporation of Northland Country Club are included starting on page 65 of the current 2006 roster. Article VI. Membership Sections 2 and 3 detail the “Applications for Membership” and “Election of Members” process (see pages 72-73).

For additional membership questions, contact Ann at (218) 428.5178 or arobertson@northlandcountryclub.com

Copies Of 1923 Documents Discovered

Dr. Tim Smith, Green Commitee Chair, is heralding the discovery of documents detailing the 1923 Donald Ross drawings of Northland Country Club. "This is historic," said Dr. Smith, when presented with the copies. "We have investigated the archives of the Donald Ross Society and elsewhere and have never been able to find this kind of evidence," said Dr. Smith. "I am almost at a loss for words to explain how important this discovery is to Northland."
The copies of the 1923 drawings, and those of the 1937 drawings of the first irrigation system at Northland (click images to view full screen), were recently discovered by Superintendant Chris Tritabaugh and Assistant Superitendant Tracy Pearson. The discovery has only added to the mystery of what might have happened to the original documents of the Ross design for Northland.
"I have been to the Tufts Archives at Pinehurst," said Dr. Smith, and I've spoken with the Donald Ross Society. Until this point, we've not been able to find these documents detailing the work Mr. Ross did for Northland. This is incredible. What a find!" The documents were unveiled at a special Green Committee meeting held Monday evening to discuss golf course projects for 2007.
If you review the design documents, you'll note that Mr. Ross called for the course to be played at 6,559 yards, a distance that is between the current white and blue markers at Northland. If you closely review the documents, you'll also note the shape of the greens is considerably different from the current design. "We really are going to closely examine these documents," said Dr. Smith. "There are just so many exciting options to investigate and explore."
The committee established some primary budget requests for the new year, established some priority projects and discussed equipment needs. A full committee report will be presented to the board of directors at its February 27 meeting. In other committee action, Northland PGA Pro Joe O'Connor and the committee are recommending an online tee reservation system for the 2007 season. "Most of the finer private clubs in America have adopted the system we're recommending," said O'Connor. Look for additional Green Committee highlights in the next few days.

99 New Members In '06

Northland Country Club added 99 new members in 2006. Membership Director Ann Robertson , who began her duties in late January last year, reports that the club added 60 new golf members, 5 new pool & tennis members and 34 new clubhouse members.
For those of you who receive the Minnesota Golfer magazine, you'll note the advertisement for non-resident golf memberships for Northland is included. Ann has already received an inquiry about membership because of the ad. Fourteen of the new members last year were non-residents. Northland's fees remain an attractive alternative for many Twin Cities metropolitan area golfers seeking private club membership.

Poll Results - New Quick Poll

We've posted the results of last week's Quick Polls above (if you click the image you can view it full screen) - thanks to those who participated. The results indicated the Pro Shop should be responsible for the caddie program; most members pay their caddied $25 or less for 18 holes; and poll participants believe anonymous comments should be allowed on this site. As you can see by looking on the left side of this page, we've also added a new Quick Poll. As the preparations are being made to re-open the new kitchen at Northland, we'd like to know what you think about adding breakfast service. Should the club offer daily breakfast service, service only on weekends, or don't you believe we need to add the breakfast? If you think breakfast should be added, what time do you think it should begin - especially on weekends?

Construction Update

With virtually all attention now directed to completing the interior of the new clubhouse being constructed, there are few opportunities to report on exterior work. As can be seen in this photo taken last this afternoon, crews have begun installing the decking for the new verandas. Later this month, the remodeling effort will begin on the new pool cabana.
Earlier this week, Shane Johnson of Johnson Wilson Constructors provided a construction update to the board of directors, reporting that the entire effort is still on schedule. In the photo at the right, workers are completing work for the new food service elevator that will supply product from the kitchen to the upstairs member lounge and dining area. Other crews are completing electrical wiring, plumbing and ventilation work. Interior wall construction will begin as soon as that work is completed.

Josh Stotts Back On The Job

Northland Country Club is pleased to welcome back Josh Stotts as the Food & Beverage Service Director. Josh left Northland in 2006 to help club members James & Mary Kay Berarducci open their Va Bene bistro along Duluth's Lakewalk. Josh began his new duties today and will assist Club Manager Gary Schneider and Executive Chef Mike Schueller in the selection of new china, silverware, stemware and wine for the new clubhouse.