Happy New Year

E-Statements Available

Quite a few members of Northland have already signed up to receive their monthly statements by e-mail. The new service is available to all members with a current email address on file with the office. If you haven't already signed up and would like to participate in the program, please contact the office today.
You can also let the office know if you would like to be added to the list of members who receive the periodic emails about activities happening at the club.

Trails Groomed This Morning

The cross-country ski and snowshoe trails at Northland were groomed this morning...just in time for one final outing in 2008.
The map at the left shows the trail system that is in place this year. If you haven't already printed it from the earlier version we posted, you can click the image to get a full look at it. As you'll note, on the upper part of the golf course, there's an inner and outer loop to enjoy.

Pasta Tonight For Family Night

Attention Turns To New Year's Eve

Have you finalized your New Year's Eve plans? do they include the fabulous night planned for Northland members.
Two floors of food and entertainment await members this year. If it's a four-course meal and a 17-piece swing band - we have it. If your taste is more towards a fabulous array of appetizers and rock music - we've got that, too.
Call the office today to reserve a table on either floor - and then it's up to you if you want to switch back and forth all night. Complete details were mailed earlier, but the office has more information if you need it.

Season's Greetings

Christmas Sale Ends At 5:00 - Ribs On The Menu For Family Night

A check with the golf shop indicates there are many specials still available this afternoon if you need a last minute Christmas gift item. How about buy one-get one FREE on Straight Down clothing? There are great savings throughout the shop on women's and men's clothes and golf equipment. The golf shop offers free wrapping and closes today at 5:00.
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Too tired to cook this afternoon? How about stopping over for Family Night at Northland? On the special menu tonight:

Barbecue Ribs

The ribs will be served with Jo Jo Potatoes, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, Corn Bread and dessert. Service starts at 5:00.

2008 Photo Contest

Did you take a picture at Northland Country Club this year that you think is an award winner? If so, we'd like you to submit it to our 2008 Photo Contest. The winner will receive a $50 Gift Certificate.
The rules are simple:
1) Submit your entry be January 3. Photos can be delivered to Membership Director Ann Robertson...only digital files will be accepted for this contest
2) Photos must be clearly identifiable as having been taken at Northland Country Club
3) Judges will narrow the entries to a group of three finalists
4) The final entries will be posted on the blog site and Northland members will be able to vote on their favorite
5) Voting will begin January 5 and will remain open until January 11 when the winner will be announced
6) Photos will be judged on how well they capture the spirit of life at Northland and can of people enjoying themselves, or the property including the golf course, pool, and any other location at the club - during any season. Maybe you've got one of sledding or the John Beargrease last winter, or perhaps a fun day during the golf season.
If you've got a picture you're proud of, send it off to Ann Robertson. You can link to her email address by clicking her name on the right hand side of this page.
Good luck.

NCC Board - Green Committee Announce New Course Master Plan Process

All members of Northland Country Club are receiving a letter from the Board of Directors and the Green Committee announcing a new master planning process for the golf course.

The letter begins:

The Board of Directors and Green Committee are excited to announce they have approved the hiring of Mr. Ron Prichard, a renowned golf course architect and a foremost expert in Donald Ross restoration, to create a Master Plan for our golf course. A Master Plan is a road map for our golf course.
You can read the entire letter here.

We've created a separate link for additional information about Mr. Prichard and the planning process. You can read all of the information here.

You can learn more about Ron Prichard here.

The services of the Donald Ross Society were helpful in selecting articles to share with Northland members. Among the articles are one authored by the Ross Society listing the organization's golf course restoration guidelines. Other articles include: "Old School Design," "The Pitch for Preservation," and "Shady Trees and Sticky Club Politics."
Just click each of the links or titles above to read them individually.

We've also added a direct link to all articles that we'll keep active. You'll notice the link on the top of the right hand side of this page. All you have to do is click the image to go to the articles.
If you have comments about the master planning process, we welcome them. Just click on "Comments" underneath this article.

Late Shopping Bargains At Golf Shop

Here's a reminder that the golf shop at Northland has many great bargains available for last minute shopping.
Whether it's new equipment or clothing, you'll find savings up to 50% off. And, there's selected items available at an unbelievable 2 for 1.
Don't forget - the golf shop also offer free wrapping.
The golf shop is open every day from Noon to 5 until December 23.

New Cross-Country Trail Map

(Click map to expand full screen)

Northland's turf management staff has completed the initial preparation for the x-country ski trail system on the golf course. This involved running the snowmobile around the course to pack the base for the trails. Tomorrow the crew will head out with the groomer and begin grooming the trails. Like last year, the trails will be groomed double wide. One side with tracks for skiing and the other without tracks for those who like to use the trails for snow-shoeing.

There are some changes to the trails this year. The most obvious being a starting loop on the front lawn of the clubhouse. From this area you will be able to access every area of the trails. If it becomes necessary to change the trails for any reason, Superintendent Christ Tritabaugh will re-draw the map and post it here and on the turf management blog.

In the map above. the blue line is the main trail, with access points at the clubhouse and on #3 near the maintenance building. The red trail represents the upper loop.

Christmas Day At NCC - Two Buffet Seatings

In case you haven't yet seen the menu for the Christmas Day Buffet, we've posted it above.
Don't forget there are two seatings from which to choose: the first begins at 10:30am - the second starts at 1:00pm.
Call the office today to reserve your table.

Tuesday's Family Feature

Blizzard Over - Have You Confirmed New Year's Plans? - Party All Week At NCC

Northland is open again after Sunday's blizzard conditions forced the clubhouse to close. The office is open and operating today - and is ready to take your reservation for New Year's Eve.
All Northland members received the formal announcement of the event over the weekend. Look it over and then call the office to let us know which of the exciting options is right for you.

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Don't forget there's a full week of activities at Northland beginning with Family Night on Tuesday.
Wednesday and Thursday is time for Happy Hours beginning at 5:00 both nights.
On Friday, it's the newest of Northland's events - 1/2 price on selected bottles of some of the club's finest wines.

Blizzard Closes Northland

All activities at Northland are canceled for Sunday and the club has closed for the day.

New Year's Eve At NCC - Two Floors Of Activity - Something For Everyone

The Entertainment Committee at Northland has put the finishing touches on the New Year's Eve Party - what a celebration!
Members and their guests can choose from two floors of activity. If you prefer a traditional black-tie dinner and 17-piece Swing Band for dancing then you'll want to make reservations for the Ballroom floor. If a spectacular buffet and rock & roll music suits your taste, then you'll want to be on the Member's Floor.
There's a dessert buffet for everyone and limousine service for those who'd rather not drive home.
All members will be receiving an invitation in the mail, but you can call the office today to make your reservation and to find out additional details.

Sarah LeClair Completes Level Two - One More Stage For PGA Class "A"

Sarah LeClair, the assistant golf professional at Northland, recently completed the second stage of three on the way to obtaining her PGA Class "A" Certification. Sarah completed the training at the PGA Education Center in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
During the second phase, Sarah had to complete seven different assignments, including classes in customer relations, business operations planning, turfgrass management and swing analysis.
Sarah intends to complete her course work following next year's golf season at Northland. She'll need to complete tests involving employee supervision, swing philosophy, inventory control, merchandise management and even food and beverage management. There's also a 15-minute presentation and interview phase. We all wish her great success as she continues the education.
Sarah will be at the pro shop for the next few weeks assisting in the holiday sale.

Saturday - Breakfast With Santa

We're just days away from one of the more popular of all events at Northland - Breakfast with Santa.
This year's event will begin at 8:30am this Saturday.
Each of the children attending the event will get a chance to tell Santa just what they'd like for Christmas. And, each child attending will get a present from one of the Santa elves.
If you haven't already confirmed your reservation, do so today. Call the Northland office at 525.1941.

Golf Shop Holiday Sale

PGA Pro Joe O'Connor and the golf shop staff wish all Northland members the best of holiday greetings and want to help you celebrate the season with a spectacular holiday sale.
The golf shop has savings up to 50 percent off on golf equipment and clothing items. There's even a buy 1 - get 1 free sale on "Straight Down" wool sweaters and pullover fleece and "Footjoy" performance fleece jackets.
The golf shop sale begins December 12 and continues through December 23. There's even free gift wrapping. The golf shop will be open daily from Noon to 5pm.

Ladies Luncheon Photos

Here are just a few of the photos taken today during the annual Ladies Holiday Luncheon. You can click each of the images to view them full screen.

Ladies Holiday Luncheon - Tuesday 11:30am

The annual Northland Ladies Holiday Luncheon will be held on Tuesday. The social hour will begin at 11:30am with lunch served at 12:30pm.
There are only a few reservations left - if you have made a last minute decision to attend, please call the office early Tuesday morning. Guests are invited to attend.
If you haven't already, please also alert the office to your choice of entree.
Look for photos of some of the attendees on Tuesday afternoon.

Northland Receives Worldwide Exposure

Northland Country Club has received some more attention from the Turfnet Media Network, which distributes news worldwide to golf course superintendents.

Molasses diet might help reduce thatch

by John Reitman

Although use of molasses in golf turf management is a relatively new practice, its use in the agriculture industry as a low-cost nutrient and sticker for pesticides is a trick that is nearly as old as Donald Ross himself.
In golf, molasses has gained popularity as part of organic fertilization programs and as a possible tool in the battle to reduce thatch. However, the latter point has been the subject of some debate.
A recent release on the PACE Turf Web site acknowledges that the sugars in molasses can promote microbial growth, but goes on to say there is little scientific research on the topic. And what research has been conducted has been inconclusive. In short, according to the PACE document, “the jury is still out” on molasses’ ability to reduce thatch.
Chris Tritabaugh, superintendent at Northland Country Club in Duluth, Minn., has heard all that before. And although he acknowledges he is no research scientist, he recognizes that molasses used as part of an overall organic feeding program produces positive results.

Click here to read the remainder of the acticle.

Wednesday-Thursday Happy Hours

It's the holiday season and Northland is trying to make things brighter by offering food and bar specials on Wednesday and Thursday nights beginning at 5:00.
Each week, the culinary staff and bartenders will develop specials to delight the senses. Special holiday drinks are now in vogue and available.
Join in the action from 5:00 to 7:00.

Volunteers Ready NCC For Holidays

Northland members will find the clubhouse ready for the holidays thanks to the impressive efforts of eight volunteers who worked Sunday and Monday to decorate the entire facility. While the decorating was completed these past two days, other efforts took many days to get decorations ready for display.
Northland wants to thank Barbara Klatzky for leading the team effort which included Mignon Fryer, Judy Ledingham, Barb Gaddie, Patty McNulty, Linda Jeannette, Linda Balach and Ella Anders. Ella is the mother of Barb Klatzky and Linda Balach.
Among the decorating highlights, a tree filled with sugar cookies which will delight the children who attend the upcoming Breakfast with Santa.
Please thank these volunteers for their generous donation of time, energy and creative sense after you see the results of their wonderful efforts.

NCC New Year's Eve

Plans are being finalized and will be announced shortly for New Year's Eve at Northland.
The NCC Entertainment Committee has announced there willl be two floors of activity with two distinct forms of entertainment on each floor. The committee and culinary staff are finalizing their fabulous menus - a separate menu for each floor.
Are you planning to attend the New Year's Eve celebration? Early reservations are now being accepted. Call the office at 525.1941 today to secure your table.

Tuesday's Family Night Menu

Country Clubs Fight Exodus

The Wall Street Journal featured a news article today about country clubs and the struggle some are having to maintain membership. Here's how the article begins:

More people are lining up to get out of private clubs these days than are lining up to get in, or so it seems. Many of the 4,400 private golf and country clubs in the U.S. are doing just fine, but one can sure get the impression that the situation is universally dire from listening to club managers and golf-industry consultants discuss the state of clubs in today's economy. For instance, you hear a lot of talk about the "walkaway" risk.

You can read the full Wall Street Journal article here.