Many clubs throughout the state offer instruction website and our email / social media messaging to programs during the remedy that .” off-season for golfers
Elsewhere in the county , Eisman Golf Academy at of all ages . Laurel Hill continued its full range of services . It offers everything from indoor / covered instruction to club fitting in its EGA Performance Lab as well as maintaining a thriving Junior Golf instruction program . This year Oakmont Golf Center , through the Everybody Golf School , also proceeded with its robust winter instruction through private , semi-private , small group lessons and junior camp settings .
Food and Drink
To his credit , Carmen is thinking beyond pure golf .
“ We also are working on creating packages that include food and beverage that will create a more social atmosphere rather than a purely instruction-based environment . In 2020 we introduced special programming that revolved around food & beverage , specifically alcohol ,” he says . “ At the time this endeavor was labeled Sip Series at Laurel Hill . The first special event held onsite was Sip & Scotch . We had a Scotch whiskey expert present a few whiskey tasters paired with Scottish appetizers that Laurel Hill ’ s chef prepared . The event sold out .
“ The next event was to be Sip & Paint , but COVID derailed that and we took a hiatus . The plan moving forward is to resurrect this food and beverage initiative but make it golf division-wide with potentially all seven of our courses hosting a Sip Series event . This could range from Tap Takeovers to Sip and Paints to concerts on the range to 9 and Dines , etc . Obviously , this initiative isn ’ t necessarily geared only toward winter programming , but we will certainly orient most of the events toward the winter months to keep interest in our food and beverage offerings top-of-mind ,” Carmen says .
Stepping Up
Finding new ways to engage members and enhance their experience is an ongoing effort .
“ All clubs have stepped up their games ,” says Lindsay , acknowledging that green grass institutions must offer more than golf to stay alive . “ Simulators are clearly one way . Thirty-five percent sim usage allows them to pay for themselves .”
Another way is to cater to today ’ s active lifestyles . Many of Virginia ’ s well-heeled clubs like the Country Club of Virginia , Farmington , Hermitage , Willow Oaks and Trump National have invested heavily in large-scale fitness centers allowing members to stay in shape for their return to the greensward .
Indoor simulators have helped increase member engagement at many Commonwealth clubs .
For the Fun of It
As the PGA is quick to remind us , golf has its “ Silly Season .” In the Commonwealth that assumes many forms , some of them strictly social with a heavy spirit component . In December , Powhatan ’ s Mill Quarter Plantation held its 45th annual Arctic Open . Fifty teams playing two-man best ball vied for $ 4,000 in pro shop inventory prizes amid scrumptious food , roasted oysters , Fireball ( cinnamon flavored whiskey ), brandy and the like . “ It ’ s been a big hit over the years ,” says Mill Quarter owner David Daniels .
Butterscotch schnapps and Irish cream have been a staple at Evergreen Country Club in Haymarket for the last 30 years . There , upwards of
140 Greater-Washington superintendents have gathered for a four-man scramble featuring fun , fellowship and festive activities . This past year players flew in from as far away as Florida and California to partake in what has become “ a really big wind-down event for superintendents and agronomic associates ,” says Bo Jumbercotta , event organizer and regional sales account manager for Landscape Supply .
In January , the Golden Horseshoe in Williamsburg , a colonial town which celebrates Christmas in grand style , celebrated its 25th Millenium Golf Classic . “ It ’ s a great competition and since 2000 it ’ s done nothing but gain momentum ,” says head professional Jeff Winters . Two-man teams compete in a shamble one day and better ball the next vying for golf shop vouchers and bragging rights .
On Super Bowl Sunday in February , the Golden Horseshoe conducted its 17th annual Tailgate Tourney , a four-man scramble that sold out in four days .
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MARCH / A PRIL 2024 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 25