Ahhh. A Perfect Duluth Day

59 degress at 10:30 and not a cloud in the sky. Is this the start of another great "Duluth Day"? Maybe this is a day to spend an afternoon at the pool - or could it possibly be time for a round of golf? Maybe some tennis. However you spend the day, think about ending it at Northland with Half Price Wine Night. Food & Beverage Manager Josh Stotts has put together some nice wine features for you to pair with one of the new menu items prepared by the culinary staff.
The outdoor decks have been busy so if you'd like to reserve a table, we suggest you call the office so you won't be disappointed.

Additional Aerification Underway

The turf management staff has begun aerifying the tees and approaches on the golf course. All work should be completed by the end of the week.
On Monday, the crews will begin fairway aerification.
Look for updates on progress here or on the turf management blog.

Six Days Until Annual Membership Meeting

Are you making plans to attend the Annual Membership Meeting?

The meeting will be held next Tuesday night, June 2 beginning at 5:30pm. If you are planning to attend, it would be helpful if you were to call the office to register so staff can make certain there's enough seating - and to prepare enough food for those who attend.
The meeting will included reports of committees and the election of new officers.

Men's Event At 9am

It's Memorial Day - the only formal activity at the club today is the Men's Holiday Event that begins with a shotgun start at 9am.
The weather forecast calls for a mostly cloudy day in the Twin Ports with daytime highs in the 50s along the shore. There's rain to the north.

Course Projects Updates

Superintendent Chris Tritabaugh has updated members on some of the latest projects taking place on the golf course, including some changes along the fence that borders the 12th hole and Glenwood Avenue.

This past week the Turfgrass Management Staff has completed the planting of 100+ Engelmann Ivy plants along the fence on #12. The Engelmann was selected for its ability to stand up to the tough conditions along Glenwood St., its ability to cover the fence in relatively short period of time and the red coloring of its foliage in the fall.
Read the rest of the story here>
Chris also takes some time to explain in greater detail the recent green aerification process and the benefits we'll see from this maintenance. He also pays some closer attention to the green on #16.
Read the entire story here>

NCC Pool Open - If Weather Cooperates - New Poll Menu Options This Summer

The Memorial Day weekend traditionally marks the official opening of the pool at Northland - so, provided it gets to 63 degrees by 11am, the pool is available for member use. Just to be sure, it would be a good idea to contact the office.
Northland has some activities planned for children again this summer. Contact Membership Director Ann Robertson to learn more about the Summer Kids' Pool Camp and watch for weekly sign-ups to begin in early June.
Swimming lessons are also available. Contact Pool Director Amy Pillsbury for further details.

While at the pool this year, be sure to check out the new pool menu options. The staff has put together some exciting options for all age groups.

Are You A "Fan" or "Friend"

We announced recently that Northland now has its own page on Facebook - the world's largest social media/networking site. For those of you with a Facebook account, have you taken the opportunity to become our "fan" or "friend"?
We know many of you who are regular blog readers have, but what about more of you joining in this? We provide regular updates and Facebook does have some features not available on this blog. You will need to create a Facebook account - but it's so easy to do. Facebook is a great way to connect with friends or reconnect with those who have dropped out of your life for one reason or another. Once you create your account here at Facebook.com, just search for Northland Country Club and become our fan.

High Tech Irrigation

Here's an article from this morning's New York Times you might find interesting. It begins......

In seven years of overseeing every root and blade of grass on the grounds at the Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa., Matt Shaffer has built a reputation on innovation and conservation. An early advocate of course playability over aesthetics, he long lived by the maxim “the drier, the better.”

Read the entire article here>

We suggest you also take a moment to look more closely at the graphic - here>

Memorial Day Weekend At NCC

It sure looks as if the weather intends to cooperate for this Memorial Day weekend - it's not always been the case.
The weekend kicks off with the Fabulous Friday Steak (& Chicken) Fry. The fun begins with a 4:30 shotgun start for members and guests planning to get in 9 holes of golf before dinner. Remember, any guest who always stays for dinner will play golf for free. The social hour begins at 6:30 with dinner served at 7:30. Please call the office today to secure your reservation. The feature is Filet Mignon.
There's plenty of golf over the holiday weekend. On Sunday, couples will play beginning with a 1:00 shotgun start. It's a best 2 of 4 with one ball counting from each couple. Please make your reservation with the pro shop - if you like, the pro shop will pair you with another couple.
On Monday, there's more golf. Men begin with a shogun start at 9am. Women will begin with a 10:30 shotgun. Each of the formats will be the best 1-2-3. Call the pro shop to register.

Men's League Tonight - Happy Hour At 5:00

It's time to kick off another Men's League season at Northland. Play begins this afternoon with a 1:30 shotgun start.
This morning's cloud cover is expected to move out and temperatures should come to the mid 60's by tee time.
This year's league features two divisions - and, there will be a playoff in each division before final champions are declared.
If you're not on a team and would like to participate, please let the pro shop know - there are always opportunities to sub for a player who is unable to make the Thursday date.
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Don't forget - Happy Hour begins at 5:00 tonight with food and beverage specials in the J.R. Link Grill. Why not celebrate (or mourn) the round with your fellow competitors.

Junior Golf Poll Final

A slight majority of Northland members who took the recent poll concerning the expansion of the Junior Golf program at the club supported the changes...53 percent of those voting approve of allowing member's grandchildren and the children of social members to participate in the Wednesday classes.
Thank you for your participation in the online survey. Look for another poll about an issue impacting Northland soon.

Sneak Peak At Evans Scholarship Article

The Woman Today will soon feature an article about Northland's two new Evans Scholarship winners, Amy Sienko and Nate Fremling, shown in the magazine photo on the right. Here's how the article begins:

The quest for higher education can be an expensive one. If you need proof, just head to any local business open past midnight and ask one of the friendly yet beleaguered young staff members how many papers they have due this week and watch them wince. With rising tuition costs and a troubled economy, America’s students need all the financial help they can get. Thankfully, here in the Northland, there are opportunities for every type of student.

Read the remainder of The Woman Today article here> The magazine, published by Northland member Patrick Sherman will be on area newsstands soon.

New Update On Course Work

Superintendent Chris Tritabaugh has posted a new entry to his blog about the progress being made to some of the work that was begun last year on a few tee boxes.
Here's how his latest entry begins:

In September of 2007 we renovated the turf around the tees boxes on the 4th and 9th holes. The turfgrass planted in these areas were two species of fine fescue; hard fescue and sheep fescue. Over the past 18 months or so I have addressed these areas on numerous occasions and always asked for patience as we waited for the plants to mature and produce the seed heads that make unmowed fescue so beautiful.

Read the entire entry here>

Northland Extends Sunday Service

Now that the golf season has officially started, it's time to extend the Sunday service hours for food and beverage. You'll find the new Sunday menus below.
We offer the same great brunch menu from 10:30am to 2:30pm...and present the new Pub Menu from 2:30pm to 7:00pm. As the season gets fully underway, it's possible we will extend the Sunday evening hours to accommodate members.

It's Opening Weekend

It's the official start of the golf season on Saturday with the annual Opening Event for both men and women.
The men will have a shotgun start at 9:00am. Women will teek off at 10:30am.
The format for the event is the best 2 of 4. Sign up at the golf shop or call to register at 525.1970.

Steak Fry Kicks Off Fabulous Friday

The Northland Fabulous Friday party season kicks off next week with the always popular (and, usually sold-out) Steak Fry.
The fun begins at 4:30 with a shotgun start for golf members and their guests. As always, if the guest stays for dinner the golf is free. If you intend to golf, please sign up with the golf shop.
The social hour begins at 6:30pm, with dinner at 7:30.
On the menu, grilled steak (Filet Mignon) or grilled chicken, salad bar and the always special Baked Potato Bar with all the trimmings.
New this year - Beth's Creative Dessert Station.
Cost for the entire evening is just $30 per person. As always, reservations are encouraged. Call the office today at 525.1941.

Cross-Section Of Northland Members On Restoration Committee; Comments Are Welcome

As has been reported, the Board of Directors has secured the services of noted golf course architect Ron Prichard to develop a master plan for the possible restoration of our golf course. Recently, the process moved forward with the formation of a Restoration Committee which will meet and review Prichard's findings and suggestions. This committee's first meeting was held recently to discuss their expectations.
Over the summer, Mr. Prichard will periodically visit Northland and will meet with the committee to review his findings. The committee members have agreed they will assume responsibility for informing and educating other members of the club about these visits.
It is expected this entire process will be completed in mid-September 2009, at which point the committee will review all plans, and vote whether to formally present the findings to the club membership for its approval and adoption into the Bylaws. Adopting the master plan into the Bylaws will preserve the continuity of the golf course design for the future.
In selecting the members of the Restoration Committee, a concerted effort was made to establish a cross-section of members with varied opinions. The committee members are listed below. All Northland members are encouraged to engage the committee members in dialogue so all views are represented as this process unfolds over the course of this season.

NCC Restoration Committee
Dr. Tim Smith, Co-Chair
Ray Peterson, Co-Chair

Jim Abelsen, Nick Alworth, Lisa Anderson, Scott Anderson, Huck Andresen, Karen Andresen, Tom Bell, Ken uck, Tom Cartier, Darryl Coons, Joe Jeannette, Judy Ledingham, Doug Lewis, Diane Link, Bob Magie III, Gregg McCall, Frank Mertz, Bart Olek, Dr. Bill Rudie, Mitch Sill, Duke Skorich, Bruce Stender, Ginger Strom, Jay Thomas

The committee has also included members of the Northland professional staff, including: Chris Tritabaugh, Golf Course Superintendent; Joe O'Connor, PGA Golf Professional; Jake Ryan, Assistant Golf Course Superintendent; and, Sarah LeClair, Assistant Golf Professional.

You can read more about the Master Plan by clicking the Master Plan image in the right hand column of this page.

What's With The Stakes And Paint?

Something new for golfers to wonder about on the golf course in the last couple of days. While some might have guessed based on past experience, it seems as if there are some additional areas that are now impacted.

What's this all about?
Click here for the explanation>

Irrigation Update - And, A Horticulture Lesson

Superintendent Chris Tritabaugh has updated members on the start-up of the irrigation system at Northland. Here's how his update on his blog begins:

One of the most "interesting" times of the year for all of us on the Turfgrass Management Staff is starting up the irrigation system. Last year the entire process took us about three weeks. This is a process should only take a couple of days, at the most. This season its going better. Well sort of...After about 4 days of working on getting the system started we have the following tally.
Read the entire post here>

Chris also took some time to offer us a little horticulture lesson. Here's part of the story:

As we stood there we wondered why one of these six trees was out of sync with the others. Turning to the west we noticed the large silver maple shown below. The shade cast on the buckeye late in the day, by the maple was effectively shortening the length of daylight and thus lowering the temperature of the soil and air around the buckeye causing its leaves to be a few days behind the same species of tree just yards to its north and south.
Read the rest of the story here>

Opening Luncheon Today

Happy Mother's Day

It's always one of the more popular days of the year at Northland - today's Mother's Day buffet offer two seatings.
Call the club this morning if you've made a last minute decision to attend either the 11am or 1pm seating.
You can see the fabulous menu offerings by scrolling down the page and clicking on the menu we posted earlier.

Where's The Flag?

Superintendent Chris Tritabaugh has the answer to what has happened to the American flag and Northland flag that have been missing this Spring. You can read the explanation here>

Chris also has taken the time to put together the aerification schedule. Some new practices will be put into effect this year, and you can read the entire story on the turf management blog site. Just click the link above.

Titleist Number 1 At NCC - New Survey Concerns Junior Golf Program

It's clear from the polling that ended this morning that Titleist is clearly the Number 1 golf ball at Northland, with 66 percent of all poll respondents selecting it as the ball they play most often. In second place was Bridgestone with 18 percent, followed by Callaway and Nike, both played by 3 percent of members.

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We've posted a new poll for members concerning the Junior Golf program. As was recently noted (see story below) the Board of Directors has approved a new policy. Grandchildren - those between the ages of 7 and 18 - of all golf members and the children of social members are now eligible to participate in the Wednesday event. The cost for the program is $60. There has been some member discussion about this change - we'd like to know what you think. Take the poll which is posted on the right hand side of the page.

Northland Not Alone In Experiencing "Coyote-Wolf"

Duluth News Tribune reporter John Myers has a story in this morning's paper about the "coyote-wolf" that is seen virtually everyday on the golf course. Here's a segment of the story:

DNR Conservation Officer Kip Duncan said he has taken several reports of wolves in town, including a recent account from a woman saying she and her dog were followed by one when walking through Northland Country Club golf course.

“She said the wolf really wouldn’t stop following them. She thought it seemed interested in her dog,’’ Duncan said.

Read the rest of the story here>

Greens Get Increased Maintenance

Superintendent Chris Tritabaugh and the turf management staff have begun more extensive maintenance on the green surfaces at Northland - a practice that will make the surfaces even better. Golfers who have played already this year might question how they could be made any better, since most have remarked they seem to already be in mid-season form.
Here's a link to read what the staff is up to>

Coyote? Wolf? Still A Thief

Well, here's one for the books. In recent days, the maintenance crew has discovered some of the tee markers on the course were missing. Strange that someone would want one. Turns out someone is actually something - in this case, the culprit is the coyote/wolf that has taken up residence at Northland.
Read the entire story here>
Also, take a moment to view the slide show that Chris has begun, showing scenes of some early work on the course this Spring.

NCC Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of members of Northland Country Club will be held on Tuesday, June 2, at 5:30 p.m.
During the meeting, members will review the financial report, elect new Directors and review reports of the standing committees.
The nominating committee has nominated the following individuals:

Ken Buck - President
Directors - 3 year terms
Marti Buscaglia
Bill Juntunen
Dan Markham
Tom Cartier

The meeting will be held in the ballroom at Northland.

Meet Owen Johnson

The Northland Country Club family congratulates Shane and Sara Johnson - the proud parents of "Owen" who was born yesterday. This is the couple's first child.

Remember, if you have a special occasion you'd like to share with club members, contact Membership Director Ann Robertson.

Northland Has New Facebook Page

Northland is expanding its public profile with the creation of a page on Facebook, the world's most popular social networking site.
You will need to create a Facebook account to access the site, which will be used to help promote Northland events.
The Facebook page offers members another opportunity to get to know each other more closely.
Once you join, just search Northland Country Club and you'll be able to become a fan of the site to receive regular updates.

Do You Have A Favorite Ball?

We've posted a new Quick Poll for you to participate in - this one concerns your favorite type of golf ball. Take a few seconds to respond.
The poll is presented on the top right hand side of the page, just below the ForeTees logo. The poll will stay active until May 8.

GolfWorld Rankings - Your Chance

This week's issue of GolfWorld reminds its readers to participate in this year's golf course rankings, and offers an early look at some of the category leaders in this year's balloting.
The No.1 ranked private facility is Aronimink GC in Pennsylvania. You'll recall, Northland finished 15th in this category last year, with readers judging Northland on 13 different criteria.
We'd like you to participate in this year's ranking. If you click here you'll go to the GolfWorld website, where you can rate any course you have played or will play this year. It just takes a few moments. The site will be active until the end of July.