Production Crews Arrive - "Perfect" Weather

A production crew with an international flavor arrived at Northland today in what the director called "perfect" weather for the commercial they will film tomorrow. (See the story below). Director Ekaf Eman (front in photo) hails from Poland, and admitted our weather today is exactly what she had hoped for when the commercial client scheduled the production for Duluth. "Our timing couldn't have been better," she said as crews began setting up around the Northland pool. "We wanted a fresh snowfall and we sure are getting it. It's absolutely beautiful."
The crew is filming a commercial on the effects of climate change. The client's name has not been released.

National Exposure For Northland - Climate Change Commercial Filmed On Wednesday

Conditions couldn't be setting up better for the production of a national commercial at Northland on the effects of climate change. Production companies will arrive tomorrow to set up for Wednesday's filming at the pool area.
The weather forecast is calling for the possibility of up to 6 inches of new snow or more. The fresh snowfall will assist the New York production crews who will also be filling the pool with nearly 17,000 gallons of hot water to prepare for the commercial.
Filming will get under way at Noon on Wednesday. A limited number of Northland members could be asked to assist in the production by becoming "extras" who will be filmed in the pool along with some of the actors that will be flown in. If you're interested, plan to show up at about 11am with swim wear.
The commercial is designed to show the effects climate change is having on our lives by mixing the wintry weather with a typical summer activity.

NCC Adds To Tennis Staff - NEW! - Tennis, Pizza & Pool Nights

The 2009 tennis season at Northland Country Club might still be a few weeks away, but there's exciting news to announce. Head tennis pro Wells Patten has added yet another first-rate coach to his program, part of the overall effort to improve the Northland experience.
Lee Kruger has agreed to come on board to manage the junior tennis program. Lee is in his fifth year as the girl's c-head coach at East High School, and has been the head tennis professional at Longview Tennis Club for the past five years.
The 2009 tennis program officially begins in early June.
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New for 2009 are the Tennis, Pizza & Pool Nights. Interested members should contact Membership Director Ann Robertson to sign up or to request additional information.

The entire summer season will kick off on June 8 when Northland hosts a "Meet The Pros Night." This will be a great opportunity to meet the professionals working at Northland. Pizza and refreshments will be served beginning at 6:00pm. Please confirm your attendance with Ann Robertson.

UMD Bulldogs On TV Again Tonight - Northland Reservations At A Premium

The UMD Bulldogs pulled off a stunning conclusion to their hockey game Friday night against Princeton, scoring two goals in the last 40 seconds - including a goal to tie with only 8/10ths of a second remaining to force overtime - and going on to win by a final of 5 - 4.
Northland Country Club will provide live coverage of tonight's game against Miami of Ohio beginning at 8:00pm.
Reservations are strongly encouraged - last night, every available table was taken as a large group of members turned out to watch the game broadcast only on ESPNU, which is not available to most cable television customers.
If you'd like to be part of the action, call to reserve now. Additional seating will be provided but we can't guarantee you'll get a table without an early reservation.

NCC & UMD - Tonight's Game Available

Thanks to the generous donation of two Northland members and Charter Communications, Northland will have the live broadcast of tonight's UMD - Princeton hockey game from Williams Arena in Minneapolis. This game is not available to area residents who don't have High Definition capability or satellite receivers.
Northland thanks Todd Wentworth and Joe Biondi of the Northland's News Center for taking the lead with Charter, which will deliver and install five receivers throughout the club in time to receive tonight's 8pm broadcast.

This will be a busy night at Northland, so reservations are suggested. In addition to the hockey broadcast, there's the menu special featuring one pound of fresh split Alaskan King Crab legs. This feature sold out Wednesday night and is expected to generate much interest again tonight.

Also tonight, it's Friday Wine Night with half price specials on some great wines. On tonight's list:

Deloach Pinot Noir
Earthquake Zinfandel
Martin Ray Chardonnay
Smith & Madrone Reisling

Four great specials to enjoy tonight, perhaps with the King Crab.
As we mentioned, this will be a busy night at the club so reservations are encouraged.

Are You Posting Spring Scores?

If you've already played somewhere this Spring, are you posting your scores? We have a direct link to the USGA's online scoring site so you can post before Northland opens for the season. All you have to do is click the image on the right hand side of the page and you'll be set to go. You will need your GHIN Number to post these scores. For most of you, you'll find that number on the front cover of the Minnesota Golfer magazine. If you can't find the information, you can always search here at the Minnesota Golf Association website.

Alaskan King Crab Special

How does one pound of split Alaskan King Crab sound for dinner tonight?
That's the special on the Northland menu tonight as Chef Michael Scheuller has just received a fresh shipment.
This special will continue through Saturday. As always, reservations for dinner are appreciated.

Don't forget that Northland also features a special Happy Hour each Wednesday and Thursday night from 5:00 to 7:30. There are always appetizer and drink specials.

RSVP For Easter Buffet

We're posting the menu for the fabulous Easter Buffet at Northland on Sunday, April 12. This is always one of the more popular and well attended events at NCC, so it might be wise to RSVP today. You'll get to choose either the 11:00am or 1:00pm seating. Contact Event Coordinator Jennifer Kolenda at the Northland office or send Jen an email by clicking her name under Contacts on the right hand side of this page. You can click the image to view it full screen.

Where Are You Going With Those Clubs, Joe?

Duluth, 7:15am, 32 degrees

Joe Jeannette and Tim Smith

Sure, it was only 32 degrees at the time the photo above was taken, but there were brighter skies and warmer temperatures to the south, and by the time the photo on the right was taken, temps were in the 40's and it was time for these Northland members to kick off the Spring golf season.
In this case, the group traveled to Forest Lake to play at Tanner's Brook. By the time the round was over, temperatures had topped out at 60 degrees.
More regional courses will open next weekend, but the season at Northland is likely still three weeks or more away. Some warmer temperatures and expected rains will help speed up the thawing process.

Golf Clubs Feel Pinch Of Economy - NYTimes

The New York Times published the following story today about effects the economy is having on private country clubs. The article has some statistics from current research.

Behold the golf country club, a place of privacy, exclusivity, privilege and markdown bargains.
Bargains? Markdowns?
Although many restrictive private country clubs traditionally recruit members by invitation only, this month......read the article here

Golfweek's Best - Full Listing

Golfweek Magazine has updated its website and the full listing of the best classic golf courses in the United States is now available. Click here to see the Top 100. You'll be able to see complete listings for all of Golfweek's rankings at the online site. As reported last week, Northland is now ranked #84 on the list, rising three positions in the past year.
We've also added a direct link for future reference - just click the Golfweek image in the right hand column.

Here's yet another reminder about the 2010 GolfWorld Magazine contest to rank the best private clubs in the United States. Remember, Northland finished 15th on this listing last year. You'll have until July 31 to complete the rating forms. Just click here to participate. Unlike the Golfweek ranking which is done by professional course raters, GolfWorld offers readers a chance to rate the best courses they play each year. There are 13 rating categories. If you click the image of the GolfWorld magazine in the right hand column, you'll see the listing for the top 50 private clubs in the United States.

This might be the perfect opportunity for you to mention Northland to friends or relatives who have thought about joining Northland. With our ranking among the best in the country, why not have them contact Membership Director Ann Robertson to dicuss membership opportunities. Ann can explain the special membership offers that will expire at the end of March. Resident members will receive a $1400 discount on initiation fees and non-residents will be able to receive a 50 percent discount on initiation. But hurry....this offer expires at the end of the month. Ann's contact information - including her email address - is available in the right hand column. Just click her name to send a message.

Committee Volunteers Wanted

If you would like to be more involved in the happenings at Northland, here's a great opportunity. There are several openings on some of the standing committees at the club - including the Entertainment Committee, Food & Beverage Committee and the Communications/Marketing Committee.

These committees generally hold one meeting each month throughout the year, assisting the staff in providing input from the membership about a variety of topics.

If you'd like to serve, please contact the office and they can direct you to the committee chairs who will provide you with meeting schedules.

As the club gears up for another busy summer season, this is the perfect opportunity for you to become involved in planning the many events that will occur and to offer your opinions about club operations.

Tim Moriarty Photo Winner

We'd like to congratulate Tim Moriarty, the winner in the recent photo contest based on pictures taken at Northland in 2008. Tim took the winning photo from the 14th green overlooking Lake Superior.

We're beginning a new contest for 2009. If you see something at Northland that's worthy of a photo - whatever the season and wherever on the property it might be - please submit it to Membership Director Ann Robertson. So, it might be a picture during the Beargrease, on the golf course, around the pool or at the tennis courts - keep the camera handy and submit your entry.

NCC St. Patrick's Day

Northland gets in the Spring Spirit with a special menu for St. Patrick's Day.
Beginning with lunch at 11:00am, you can enjoy traditional Corned Beef & Cabbage with Soda Bread. And then, beginning at 5:00pm, the culinary staff will add a Lamb Tenderloin Stew. You can top this off with a special treat - Bailey's Irish Creme Cheesecake.
As always, reservations are encouraged.

Northland Moves Up In Golfweek Ranking

Golfweek is out with its 2009 rankings of the best golf courses in the United States - and Northland Country Club has risen to #84 on the list of The Classics, those golf courses built before 1960. Last year, Northland was ranked #87.
Overall, Northland received a ranking of 6.82 on the 10-point scale. The rankings are compiled based on the opinions of nearly 475 course raters who travel across the country to play both the modern and classic courses that make up the nation's best.
These rankings were just released and are so new that Golfweek hasn't yet posted them to its website. As soon as it does, we'll provide you with a link to read the entire story and to view the individual rankings.

Welcome Back! - Club Is Open - "E" News - "Compost Tea"

Thank you for your patience as we conducted our annual cleaning and maintenance projects. We also want to thank the staff members who participated in the work, and Scott Anderson who directed much of the maintenance efforts.

Normal food and beverage service and hours resume today at 11am, in advance of the latest winter storm that is expected to arrive later this afternoon. You can keep abreast of the latest weather warnings here. As of 9am, the prediction was for an estimated 3 to 5 inches of snow in Duluth, with greater snow amounts and near blizzard conditions later tonight. With resumption of normal hours, this means Happy Hour will be observed Wednesday and Thursday, and don't forget the special half price Wine Night on Friday.

In recognition of the Lent season, Chef Michael Schueller has ordered a fresh shipment of West Coast Dover Sole. All members are invited to try this featured entree starting this afternoon. The culinary staff will feature additional fish choices through Easter.

The recent changes in the economy have spurred clubs to make the transition to electronic communication – including e-statements and email notices. By reducing printing/postage expenditures we are able to increase member awareness while decreasing costs for our members.
We are thrilled at the high number of Northland members who have opted for e-delivery of their monthly statements. For more information contact controller Tim Holmstrom at tholmstrom@northlandcountryclub.com.

A 2009 golf and events calendar is posted on our website www.northlandcountryclub.com. Should major events change or be added, we will send out member e-notices. If you have a new email or have not yet registered, please email arobertson@northlandcountryclub.com.

Additional NCC website resources include Superintendent Chris Tritabaugh’s Turfgrass Management Blog. Chris has a new post today about compost tea, made with one of the latest purchases that will further improve overall turf conditions at Northland. You can also see the newest photo of Olive on the site.
Northland continues to feature an on-line tee time reservation service available to all NCC golfers. Please contact the pro shop at (218) 525-1970 to sign up for “ForeTees” or to receive a tutorial. You'll also note that the blog features a direct link that allows you to post your scores online should you fail to do so following play.

We know that a few of our members may not use the internet. If this applies to you, contact membership directorAnn Robertson at (218) 525-1941 so that we may find an alternative for you. We will continue to mail out postcards for all of our special events.

You Pick The Winner - New 2009 Contest

We've narrowed the entries in the photo contest down to two finalists - time for you to pick the winner.
Which of the following entries do you judge to be the best? Neither of the photos have been altered in any way; they're exactly as they were when sent to us. We're not disclosing the names of the photographers, yet - but the winner will receive a $50 gift certificate from the club.
Take a moment and vote - we've posted a poll on the top right hand side of the page. We'll keep the voting open until March 15. For voting purposes, we'll call the top one Sunny Day and the bottom photo Cloudy Day. You can click each image to view it full screen.It's our intention to have another photo contest this year. So...bring your camera along this season and when you see something around the club that you think is worth remembering, take a photo and send it to Membership Director Ann Robertson. She'll save them and at the end of the year we'll let you vote for a winner.

Northland's Newest Evans Scholarship Winner

Northland Country Club is pleased to congratulate Amy Sienko on her recent selection as a recipient of the Evans Scholarship.
Amy is a senior at Duluth East High School and has been active in Northland life since she began as a caddie in the 9th grade. This past year Amy worked on the banquet crew and the turf management staff.
Amy also recently placed 7th in the Minnesota High School Alpine Ski Championships. She was featured as Prep Athlete of the Week in the Duluth News Tribune and on WDIO-TV.
Amy is the daughter of Becky Sienko. She will attend the University of Minnesota this coming Fall where she intends to major in Physical or Occupational Therapy.
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Amy's selection as an Evans Scholar marks the first time in club history that two of our applicants have been awarded the prized scholarship. Nate Fremling received word of his acceptance just weeks ago. You can scroll down to see the February 5 story about Nate's selection.

If you'd like to know more about the Evans Scholarship, you can click here to read about the program. Northland members are very active in supporting the scholarship program. Dr. Kevin Treacy leads the local effort to raise funds for the program. If you'd like to be more involved, leave a message for Dr. Treacy with the Northland office.

Club Closed Until March 10

Please remember that Northland Country Club is closed this week for maintenance and cleaning. If you find you'd like to volunteer your talents at touch up painting, etc., contact Scott Anderson who is leading one of the work crews. You can leave a message for Scott at the office. Bar service in the JR Link Grill will open at 3pm each day - there will be no food service until the club opens again on Tuesday, March 10.