L O N D O N H U N T A N D C O U N T R Y C L U B CLUB LIFE magazine INSIDE 60 SECONDS WITH FALL SUPER FOODS SETTING GOALS RECIPROCAL CLUBS GOLF COURSE MASTER PLAN ISSUE NINETEEN FALL 2019
HUNT CLUB HOLIDAYS E XPER I E NC E T H E E XCEPT IONA L T H IS HOL IDAY SEASON Thanksgiving Brunch October 14 C ontac t the Club to book your pr ivate f unc tion dinner res er vations take out order or to sig n up for a Club e vent Men s Christmas Party December 4 Women s Christmas Party December 5 Children s Christmas Party December 15 Victorian Christmas December 23
L O N D O N H U N T A N D C O U N T R Y C L U B CLUB LIFE magazine INSIDE 60 SECONDS WITH FALL SUPER FOODS SETTING GOALS RECIPROCAL CLUBS GOLF COURSE MASTER PLAN ISSUE NINETEEN FALL 2019
Board of Directors PRESIDENT S MESSAGE Peter Channer peter channers com After a wonderful busy summer the days are slowly getting shorter the nights cooler and don t look now but the leaves are starting to turn colour This personally is my favourite season of the year playing golf with a sweater in a cool breeze with the sun shining It also happens to be a great season for us in retail The golf course has never been greener with the help of Mother Nature and the diligent work of Jayson and the grounds crew The Club has been an active place this summer with golf rounds up as well as tennis court bookings showing increases Our fitness section continues to grow and there is now talk about the potential to expand the facilities sometime in the future The Canada Day celebrations again posted another record attendance Special thanks to management and all the staff who orchestrate this tremendous annual event On behalf of the Club I d like to welcome all our new Members in 2019 I hope you re enjoying and using all the facilities available to you at the London Hunt and Country Club A special thanks to all your sponsors for introducing you As there tends to be a bit of attrition each year we have a few openings for Membership available and would encourage you to reach out to potential applicants and introduce them to our Club This can be done by speaking with Jon Nusink or Brandie Cooper for applications and or questions The Membership Committee under Chair Tony Bedard is always working towards keeping a full Membership roster with innovative creative ideas If you have any thoughts or suggestions please contact Tony or any of the Membership Committee members Last month after speaking with a few newer Members that have joined in the past few years their number one regret is that they didn t join sooner 3 The Club Champions and Match Play Champions from the golf sections have secured their titles Congratulations to them as well as all participants Tennis Championships will be determined this month and the Trap Section can hardly wait to christen their newly renovated Trap Chalet which I recently had a tour of and can confirm it is certainly worth the wait We now enter our Club on a newly paved driveway that takes us through the gates to the new angled parking by the Clubhouse Additionally a right turning lane has been added for an easier exit And it all came in under budget to boot With this complete we will next be turning our attention to the Tennis Chalet lot and main parking lot in future years Thanks to all the Members for their patience during the few days of inconvenience We have a few Capital Expenditures in our not so distant future that will clearly secure the London Hunt and Country Club s position as not only the premier club in Southwestern Ontario but in all of Canada The main expenditure just around the bend is the Irrigation replacement project which is long past due along with the Golf Course Master Plan Ad hoc Master Plan Committee Chair Doug Mackenzie s article in this issue will update and inform you on the plan s progress and where to we go from here After attending several meetings and walkabouts I for one am excited to see the enthusiasm of this committee and the design team of Mike and Chris Hurdzan Additionally for future consideration House Committee Chair Bob Difruscia and the Committee have been working with the Mackaywong Group from Toronto to develop a Restaurant Master FALL 2019
Plan which will feature a new enhanced Grill Room as well as other dining improvements their lunch Hats off to Jayson Deb and all the guys and girls of the grounds crew From a financial perspective it s anticipated that the Club will end the year in a favourable financial position once again The Board will have met for their annual Strategic Planning Session to review the 2019 plan and to prepare for the 2020 action plan setting priorities for the coming year As well we will meet to review the Long Range Capital and Financial Plan to plan for all future capital expenditures Please continue to enjoy your Club this fall whether it s at the golf tennis fitness trap or dining facilities Also let s be thankful to all those who continue to make you and your family s experience as Members of the London Hunt and Country Club exceptional And don t forget to bring a sweater when you come to the Club it s getting cooler out As an update regarding the Hunt section of the Club the original activity which we are named for has undergone change recently For those Members who haven t experienced the Hunt it has been a rich tradition since the inception of the Club in 1885 and one of the annual highlights for Members was the traditional Thanksgiving Day Parade of the horses and hounds around the oval at the Clubhouse In 2017 the Board of Directors of the Hunt Club made the difficult decision to withdraw funding to the Hunt Section at the end of 2020 Unfortunately we have been informed that because of recent changing circumstances the Hunt section will not be hunting this season as planned which would include the Thanksgiving Day Hunt parade after brunch this year I plan to update the Shareholders more with further developments on this part of the Club as they are available in the future Peter Channer Club President Yours respectfully As President one of the tasks each year is to assist with barbecuing burgers and hot dogs for the grounds crew who along with Jayson and Deb punch the clock at 5 20 a m each morning to start the daily task of maintaining and perfecting our pristine golf course It was a pleasure to watch them interact with each other and see how appreciative they were to myself Jon and Chef Tom for 4 FALL 2019
Fall Report Jon Nusink GM COO jnusink londonhuntclub com If you are expecting this Club Life submission to begin something like this the evenings are getting cooler as we begin to close off another season at our Club with memories of lush grass crisp Chardonnay on the terrace and the distant laughter of children enjoying the summer camps you will be sadly disappointed In fact we re only merely turning the page to another busy and exciting time of year at the Club We re not going to talk about the leaves changing and dying off nope there is a lot that is new at the Club and a few exciting months ahead The paving project is finally complete and we have a new entrance to the Club on Oxford St with a turn lane for those of you who were tired of waiting for the rest of us that insist on turning left the gates have a fresh coat of paint the Massage Room is complete and taking bookings for RMT the Trap Chalet is very near completion and preparing for the shooting season to begin mid October 13 of this year s 15 weddings are taking place in the second half of the calendar year and we have a jam packed social calendar for all ages to round out the rest of the year Membership levels are always a primary focus for us and the roster is currently very healthy However we currently have ten Resident Shareholder spots available September and October have traditionally been an active time of year for us to welcome new Members Statistically approximately 80 of our new Members have been members at another club before joining us and we are getting to the time of year where they start thinking of where they want to be next spring Encouraging prospective Members to join now gives them a great opportunity to enjoy the Club and experience the best of the holiday season with their families This fall we will be reintroducing our Group Incentive Program for new Members When we offered this in 2015 it successfully welcomed three groups of new Members to the Hunt Club family so we will be offering it again until the Resident Shareholder Category age 40 is full or until February 28 2020 The principal terms of the Group Incentive Plan are as follows offer is for groups of three or more new Member families who are proposed and apply for Resident Shareholder Membership at the same time all new Member families apply and are vetted through the same process currently in place including the requirements for a Proposer a Seconder and references the incentive is a 5 000 credit to the Entrance Fee for those new Members who choose to pay the Entrance Fee in one installment For those who choose the 5 or 10 year options a 5000 credit will be applied to the final installment On another note through conversations with a number of prospective Members most are quite aware that we will be undergoing improvements to the golf course in the near future I sensed a bit of apprehension for joining from some of these Members due to the worry that the course would be out of play for a season and they might prefer to wait a couple years until the work is done It is important to note as you will read in the Master Plan update in this issue that the disruption to play is very minimal and there is in fact no reason to delay It s a common theme that I hear from newer Members that they always state they wish they had joined the Club earlier The best way for the Club to enjoy a full roster and to recruit new families is through our existing Members If you have someone who you think would be a great addition to the Club please let me know I would love to meet them and answer any questions they have Since the last issue of Club Life Magazine we have welcomed the following new Members Samir and Souylah Kadri The Kadris are new Resident Shareholder Members They are the owners of an auto 5 FALL 2019
business who are active in the Nazem Kadri Foundation raising money for charities in the community They have five children two will also be joining Rayanne age 11 and Rema age 17 They were proposed by Cam Law and seconded by Mike Peerless Randal Graham and Stephanie Montgomery Graham The Grahams are new Resident Shareholder Members Randall is a law professor and novelist and Stephanie is a retired lawyer currently working on her PhD in psychology They were proposed by Cathy Purdom and seconded by Lynne Leitch Stephanie and Scott Robinson The Robinsons are new Intermediate 35 39 Members Scott is a Commercial Insurance Broker with Arthur J Gallagher and Stephanie is an Emergency Physician at Stratford General Hospital They were proposed by Dan Ross and seconded by Peter Johnson Jamie and Jodie Campbell The Campbells are new Resident Shareholder Members Jamie is a Portfolio Manager with BMO and Jodie is studying Computer Programming Together they have son named Tanner age 10 and Jamie has twins who are 20 years old and are away at school They were proposed by Bill Smyrnios and seconded by Brad MacDougall Please join me in welcoming the newest Members to the Hunt Club family Believe me when I tell you that one of the hardest most time consuming jobs a GM has to do is administer a Club s dress code I kid you not It is literally impossible to please everyone and appease everyone s sense of fashion modern trends and dress appropriate for a prestigious Club Hopefully you have seen the eNews which announced our amended dress code Overall there are not a lot of changes from the last version but it will be better to follow and easier for staff to assist Members with You can find a pdf version of it on the website under Members Home Resources For the second year we have been able to award a 500 scholarship to a staff member to put towards school expenses This year we received seven essay submissions The essays are judged by the management team and the winner this year was Matthew Papparella Papps as he is affectionately known at the Club began working here in 2013 as a dishwasher He is currently a cook and is finishing up his studies in kinesiology at University of Waterloo His hope is to be accepted into the physiotherapy program at Western University this coming winter He wrote that the Club has taught him the value of perseverance hard work and leadership This showed me that I can achieve any goal I can set my mind to and this self belief has helped me to achieve many other goals I have set for myself Best of luck to all or our Members and staff who are returning to school this September In the coming months you will see notices inviting you to put your name forth to volunteer for one of the Club s committees We are very lucky to have over 120 Members that volunteer their time to help make the Club what it is It was once said that volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy You vote in elections every couple years but when you volunteer you vote every day about the kind of community you live in I welcome anyone who is interested to submit your name Each year at the Men s and Women s Christmas parties funds are raised through raffle and draw prize proceeds and donated to a local charity Through our Member s generosity we have been fortunate to donate between 6000 and 10 000 each year to a great cause in London If you are associated with or would like to nominate a local community focused and registered charity please do so by contacting me for a nomination form or download it from the link in the weekly eNews The deadline for submission is September 16 2019 Enjoy the change of seasons in the coming months It s often the best time on the golf course and tennis courts while the sun is still shining with a crisp subtle breeze at your back See you at the Club In Memoriam Bishop John Michael Sherlock January 20 1926 August 12 2019 6 David Millard Grant July 8 1931 August 29 2019 FALL 2019
Fall Super Foods Michael Stark Executive Chef mstark londonhuntclub com With fall upon us we tend to change the way we eat as the change in season brings a new bounty of fruits and vegetables from around the world and our own backyard Some such as sweet potatoes are common while some are less familiar and many are considered Super Foods Kumquats are a citrus fruit that are small and tart They contain more vitamin C than other citrus and are packed with antioxidants They also contain protein which is rare in the fruit world Kumquats are meant to be eaten whole with the peel They can be very tart and a little bit bitter when eaten whole They are also very nice when sliced thin and added to a salad or stew for a punchy flavour Pumpkins and squash are filled with fiber and contain vitamin A and C While many are familiar with squash and how to prepare it few are aware of pumpkin s great flavour and how easy it is to cook I recommend trying a roasted pumpkin soup whose flavour is much more interesting than squash Pomegranate is a super food that is very high in anti oxidants and vitality boosting nutrients While it can be challenging to eat as it is very messy it is worth the hassle Eating pomegranate by itself can very tedious so adding it to other foods is great way to utilize it Try putting it on a salad or using it in a beurre blanc with fish The rich deep colour also makes the perfect accent to many fall dishes Rutabagas well known within North America are a staple and favorite amongst the Nordic nations They are similar to turnip but much smaller and have more of a cabbage flavour They are high in vitamin C potassium and manganese and are great cooked or shredded finely over a salad Rutabagas are more nutrient dense than other similar root vegetables and contain less natural sugars as well 7 Brussels sprouts are a favourite for fall or despised depending on the audience Brussels sprouts are nutrient dense and create a complete protein when combined with whole grains which is rare For those who dislike this vegetable because of the flavour roasting the them with a bit of bacon or butter will usually make them more palatable Pumpkin seeds are one of the most nutrient dense super foods available They are high in protein high in fiber iron heavy packed with anti oxidants and contain high amount of unsaturated fatty acids Additionally the seeds contain large quantities of zinc which is great for fighting off colds Although people often roast their pumpkin seeds this will greatly diminish their nutritional qualities They are best left raw and sprinkled on salads or as a simple snack Turmeric is a great super food that is a natural anti inflammatory and aides in weight loss Fresh turmeric can be found in most grocery stores and looks like a miniature ginger root Turmeric adds a distinctive flavour to foods and a unique colour Fresh turmeric is the best option to get all that it has to offer nutritionally To encourage you to enjoy some of the fall super foods I noted above I am including a recipe for a fall super food salad I hope you enjoy it Fall Super Food Salad Ingredients Five whole kumquats One medium butternut squash Half a medium pomegranate Half cup pumpkin seeds One small knob turmeric fresh One red bell pepper One red onion Three green onions Four tablespoons cold pressed grapeseed oil Two tablespoons rive wine vinegar Salt and pepper to taste FALL 2019
Method 1 Peel and remove the seeds from one butternut squash Cut into half inch cubes and toss with two tablespoons of grapeseed oil and roast in oven at 350 F for 20 minutes or until soft Remove and chill in fridge for at least 20 minutes 2 Cut the red pepper and red onion into small dice less than a quarter inch and slice the green onions thin Place this into a mixing bowl 3 Add the chilled cooked squash into the bowl with the peppers and onions then add the pumpkin seeds 4 In a separate bowl grate the turmeric with the finest grater you have and add in the vinegar and remaining grapeseed oil You may want to add some honey at this point if you enjoy a sweeter dressing 5 Toss the salad with dressing and add salt and pepper Check for seasoning and re adjust accordingly 6 Place the salad in a presentation bowl and add thinly sliced kumquats and the pomegranate seeds 7 This salad can be made several days ahead of time and will benefit from a day in the fridge to allow the flavour to come together Just refrain from adding the kumquats and pomegranates until you are ready to serve as these will bleed colour into the salad 8 FALL 2019
Rum Underrated Sipping Spirit Chris Carnegie Director of Food and Beverage ccarnegie londonhuntclub com When we find ourselves wanting to enjoy a spirit straight up to sip we instantly think of scotch bourbon and Irish whisky For good reason the big three are absolutely delicious and offer a wide range of flavour profiles In essence whiskeys are the king of sipping spirits That being said let s not count out the incredible range of the island spirit rum The reason rum tends to get put on the back burner as a sipping spirit largely has to do with what we associate with rum To many of us rum seems to be the ultimate spirit to mix When you hear the word rum it almost seems natural to say rum and coke or perhaps you think of Pina Colada Daqueri Dark and Stormy or Mai Tai Definitely tropical inspired although rum can be made anywhere it is predominately made in tropical locations such as Jamaica Cuba Trinidad and so on All rum is the product of sugar cane which is why rum all rum has some character that may seem like sweetness without necessarily being sweet Whatever rum is being produced it starts with cane that is then pressed to remove excess water and either fermented immediately to make rhum agricole or boiled to create a molasses by product from which most types of rum are made The sugarcane itself is the main component to what gives rum a complex but still very neutral backbone Rum like many spirits can benefit from aging Even so called white rum can be briefly aged and then charcoal filtered for clarity Depending on whether a rum s been pot distilled e g Jamaica Barbados or column distilled Cuba you ll want to age it more or less aggressively And when rum is aged which it often is it s aged briefly in previously used wooden casks for climate control Rum is generally made in warmer climates meaning any reaction between spirit and barrel is going to happen more rapidly Various forms of rum include White Gold Spiced and Dark Dark rums are aged the longest offering fuller flavour profiles which are ideal for sipping solo On Thursday October 10 Bacardi Portfolio Brand Ambassador Kris Bahamondes will be offering a rum tasting to further educate and heighten palates with some exceptional aged rums If you are interested in attending this event please contact myself or Ginny Leyten to reserve a spot for this amazing evening 9 FALL 2019
60 Seconds With C AR D P LAY I N G TR A P A ND SKEET SHOOTING GOL FER DON WHITE Campfire or fireplace Fireplace A chance to relax and let your mind be still SOMETHING YOU MISS Family and friends from years gone by that are no longer with us Many had an impact on my life B E S T WAY T O S P E N D A D AY Breakfast with my bride of many years Pat trap and skeet shooting in the morning a game of gin at lunch golf in the afternoon dinner with my family and grandchildren watch the news and jeopardy duplicate bridge at night watch the sports I taped during the day and fall asleep in front of the fireplace First thing you do in the morning Make sure my elbows aren t touching pine Your Rat Pack The many family and friends that my wife and I have made as Members of the Club and through the golf community including Dan Maue Mac Wilson and Gary Cowan pictured with me here 10 Best lesson you ve learned Listen before reacting YOUR FIRST JOB There were many part time jobs I had while going to school but making Hollywood Mufflers for cars at Robinson Welding and Marine in Brantford was the most fun You would have loved to hear the sound they made Title of the book about your life Short Person Loved Life Had Fun SUNRISE OR SUNSET Sunrise Another chance to challenge the world and make new friends Favourite Hunt Club tradition The Opening Cocktail Reception held each year Thanksgiving will be remembered for the Hunt that took place at the command of the Masters of Foxhounds And of course celebrating Christmas with family and friends an especially magical time at the Club F i n i s h t h e s e n t e n c e f a m i ly means Everything to my wife and I FALL 2019
Golf Course Master Plan Doug MacKenzie Chair of the Golf Course Master Plan Committee dougmackenzie18 gmail com I am very pleased to provide an update to the much anticipated Golf Course Master Plan Our Committee has been hard at work all year in developing and refining a plan with Hurdzan Golf that will pave the way for course enhancements that will strengthen our reputation and enjoyment by all Members What is being planned First and foremost we are developing plans to install a new irrigation system To ensure the system meets our current and future needs we undertook a long range golf course plan with the assistance of noted architect Dr Michael Hurdzan The objective of the plan is to increase the enjoyment of the course for players of all abilities The plan will also allow the irrigation system to be designed to accommodate any proposed changes to the golf course Why do we need to do this Water is the critical factor in maintaining the health of our course Our irrigation system is 38 years old well beyond its expected useful life of 25 years Our control systems are unreliable it is common that one green can receive ample amounts of water overnight while another might receive none due to malfunctions and inefficiencies In addition we are experiencing many broken pipes wearing of critical parts and sprinkler head failures Modern systems allow spot watering whereby a particularly dry area can be treated Currently our only options are to water a large area of fairway or green or water by hand With water use restrictions becoming 11 FALL 2019
more of a concern every day we must be able to manage it effectively We all recognize that we have a very good golf course However there is an opportunity to make it even better There have been three areas of focus after irrigation system replacement improvement of bunkers consideration of course lengths and shot variety Our bunkers are very large and deep with virtually all of them unlined They are difficult to play from and to maintain The current sand is significantly contaminated with dirt which does happen over time and is exacerbated by washouts We need to replace the sand and this is an ideal time to consider design changes On some holes we believe the fairway bunkers are a greater challenge to the average or shorter hitter and may be better placed deeper on the hole We learned a great deal from our 2000 design that in retrospect created maintenance and playability challenges that were not fully appreciated when the work was originally undertaken Now is the time to make those adjustments We want to provide tees that provide a variety of challenge interest and enjoyment for players of all ability We are considering adding a set of tees that would aggregate approximately 4 500 yards an improved set of tees that would be around 6 000 yards and an opportunity to lengthen two or three holes that would benefit longer hitters What will this cost and how will we pay We have preliminary estimates for the irrigation system that are in the 2 5 to 3 0 million range We expect to firm up numbers and the scope of work in the coming weeks The Board has been setting funds aside for this project and as of June 30 an approximate total of 2 25 million has been earmarked A detailed plan will be presented to Shareholders in the coming months for Shareholder approval With respect to any work arising from the long range plan such as bunker and tee changes the various recommendations of our architect are still being considered Over the balance of this year we expect to finalize a recommendation the associated costs and method of funding in conjunction with the Finance Committee Again this will require a Shareholder vote before proceeding which will most likely be held in spring 2020 12 If approved we believe work on irrigation and golf course changes could be completed simultaneously so that all the work can be completed in the most efficient and effective manner minimizing disruption to the Membership When will this work be done and how will my ability to play be impacted The plan calls for completing the work in two phases to minimize the disruption to the Membership The timing of the current plan would be September 2020 May 2021 Back nine work completed The full front nine would be open for play May 2021 August 2021 The full 18 holes would be open for play as usual September 2021 May 2022 Front nine work completed The full back nine would be open for play May 2022 The full 18 holes would be open for play as usual What is the process from here The irrigation system replacement is critical and needs to be addressed in the very near future It would be ideal to secure a fall 2020 start With regards to the bunkers drainage pond work and course enhancements the Architect s summary is on the Club website for Member review It is our hope that we can set a date in November for a follow up town hall presentation with Dr Hurdzan to go over other course improvements and answer Members questions Management and the committee will continue to work through Member feedback as well as the costing and logistics to develop a more complete presentation to the Membership and Shareholders Stay tuned for key dates for presentations and a Shareholder vote Will the irrigation work be separate from the bunker and remaining work No For most holes the bunkers drainage systems irrigation systems tees and other enhancements should be addressed simultaneously thereby reducing cost and disruption to the Membership Can we just fix the irrigation system While we address the irrigation issues we believe it will be more efficient and less disruptive to the Membership if we proceed on both projects simultaneously FALL 2019
What is the opinion of our Consulting Architect Dr Michael Hurdzan Many of the suggested improvements are focused on improving the infrastructure to complement the longterm maintenance This is the irrigation surface and subsurface drainage bunker sand and liners fairway lines teeing areas ponds and trees Long range health of the golf course is best assured by great drainage and just about all of the above infrastructure items are tied together by the drainage network of greens drainage bunker liners better grasses ponds and surface drainage These elements taken together are best protection against winter damage and summer decline Our point is that not all of the improvement work is for the golf experience alone The other part of the improvement process is while improving the infrastructure to also make the golf course more playable for all members both today and into the future This means making the golf course more forgiving for high handicap playerss while not taking away the challenge for the lower handicap players Much of our recommended improvements are to put the fairness and fun back into the golf course for all golfers In terms of the character of the London Hunt and Country Club I would say that the current character evolved over time as other designers put their mark on it and in fact our planned improvements are more in character with the original Robert Trent Jones design than what exists now The heart and soul of the golf course is the routing and that will not change for it is peripheral items that we are adjusting Today there is more emphasis on fast firm greens consistent sand surfaces and well drained fairways than ever before and to achieve those qualities means the London Hunt must see some change We often hear concerns that change will alter the course s character but from my experience once these Members understand or play the improved golf course they never want to go back to pre improvement conditions on some bunkers is intended to make the hazard a bit more intimidating because there would be no bluegrass rough to stop the ball Trading a reduction in the size of greens to achieve better surface drainage also improves the character of the course because it increases shot value and allows for better playing conditions If one looks objectively at the course they will see a pattern or formula for the bunkering that makes it predictable less strategic somewhat boring and offers but one way to play the next shot Our goal is to increase the diversity of challenges strategies shot values and options for all golfers Will the greens be changed Over the past several years Jayson Griffiths and his team have worked diligently to improve the health of our greens administering a variety of methods and practices I think we can all agree they are in the best condition we ve seen for many years perhaps ever There remain areas that need to be addressed but with the dramatic increase in sand into these first generation USGA greens we are seeing much healthier grass There are areas that may need to be shaped for better drainage with added slope in spots and there may be greens that are reduced in size by minor amounts to allow for the flow of water off the surface The wholesale re grassing of greens is therefore not being considered at this time However with the new infrastructure in place the completion of that work would be a much more straightforward process in the future should it be deemed necessary Members wishing to see the current plan and other information are reminded to see the page on our website under Members Home Resources Golf Course Master Plan Further updates and notification of key dates will be announced as they become available Enjoy the next few months of fall golf There might be less sand area but it would be more strategically integrated to selected target areas The roll offs around the green are to offer a milder form of hazard that also offers alternative ways to play the next shot rather than with a sand wedge The roll ins 13 FALL 2019
THANKSGIVING BRUNCH MOND AY O C TO B E R 1 4 Eat visit GIVE THANKS Reservations from 10 30 a m 2 00 p m Dress code Club Casual no jeans jacket recommended Adults 42 00 Children 12 and under 20 50 Children 3 and under free Register with Ginny Leyten at gleyten londonhuntclub com please note there will be no parading of the hounds this year Club Social Table Introducing the Club Social Table Are you single or a couple looking to join other Members in a social atmosphere For future Club events we will put together a table for just this purpose Just indicate your desire to join this table when making your reservation We hope to see you there
Grounds Report Jayson Griffiths Golf Course Superintendent jgriffiths londonhuntclub com It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations if you live near one The past 8 seasons at the London Hunt and Country Club have provided 8 individual units of observation This J R R Tolken quote from the fantasy classic The Hobbit speaks to the necessity of identifying risk in any thorough plan When arriving in London during the winter of 2012 my family and I had the excitement and trepidation of any new journey Looking back the 25 years of turf experience prior to my arrival provided learnings and challenges that one hopes to draw from for the next journey Gloria Steinam said Without leaps of imagination or dreaming we lose the excitement of possibilities dreaming after all is a form of planning We forget that a plan is a document that puts structure around an idea But without that vision to set the plan in motion there really is no point in following through Steinam understood that before there is a plan there is a dream That s the first step in any plan Living in London has been life changing for our family and children Opportunities provided have not been taken lightly It is with this sense of responsibility I approach the craft of Greenkeeping fiercely loyal to the London Hunt and Country Club brand Recently many Members have approached me to vocalize their satisfaction with the state of the golf course the greens especially Upon thanking them I know we can always do better for the greens and speak to the turfgrass saying we can help make you stronger The fundamentals of growing consistently healthy exceptional turf begins with a solid foundation Sunlight Soil Air and Water These 4 pillars need to be equally strong in order to deliver a playing surface resilient to environmental limits Eight seasons ago the playing surfaces you play on today did not exist With the help of a knowledge based TEAM a report card was created to grade these parameters plus other facets surface drainage internal drainage traffic entrance exit points pin locations On a grade scale of A to D the key growing environments averaged a C Most green sites suffered from morning sunlight depletion and received below average grades The ability of a plant to produce life giving energy is akin to the ability of earning income to meet fixed living expenses An example can be seen with the 14th green which upon my arrival had very weak summer strength was disease prone and susceptible to chronic cold injury The removal of non native declining Austrian Pines and ornamental Crab Apple trees instantly provided relief from the dark We can say with evidence the 14th green has become one of the healthiest and consistent greens on course Most lower grade points were given to sunlight but equally deficient is DRAINAGE The greens collar perimeter surfaces have been altered over time specifically architect Rene Mueller adjusted surface grades post Robert Trent Jones which were not corrected by Rees Jones in the early 2000 s Holes 1 3 12 17 were softened in addition to mounding which prevents much needed surface water drainage during spring and summer rains and winter snow melts My predecessor Bob Pattinson collected many reports over his tenure A few weeks ago one 15 FALL 2019
caught my attention dated May 1994 from the pre eminent Michigan State turfgrass professor Dr Joe Vargas which cautioned and sighted the chronic problem of winter injury specific to crown hydration and surface drainage M EET T H E A RT IST E M M Y AWA R D W I N N I N G I N T E R NAT I O NA L LY AC C L A I M E D ST EVE T R AC Y NOVEMBER 12 13 6 00 9 00 P M Ironically these critical weaknesses were exposed 20 years later to the day due to the catastrophic winter of 2014 Nearly 92 of the green surfaces perished under cover of 3 thick block ice over 100 days during frigid 25 C temperatures This life changing greenskeeper experience truly identified the need to address poor fundamentals to better strengthen the reliability of the Hunt Club greens Environmental change is ever present We believe the measured inputs taken the past 5 seasons have certainly helped improve and mitigate these risks Abraham Lincoln once said Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four hours sharpening the axe He speaks to never neglecting the time and effort necessary of due diligence before action Looking back at the 2019 golf season I am truly thankful for the opportunities provided Waking up to the smell of fresh cut grass the sparkling glimmer of morning dew the crack of a well struck tee shot and the unknowns of the day ahead are blessings for which we are grateful On behalf of the entire Grounds Team I wish to extend my sincere appreciation for the resources and support provided to make each year a success We are truly thankful to Membership In the spirit of Thanksgiving we wish everyone a tremendous fall golfing season 16 H U N T C LU B B A L L R O O M V I S I T T H E O N L I N E G A L L E RY w w w s t e v e t r a c y a r t c o m 519 204 7801 info stevetracyart com FALL 2019
Reciprocal Clubs Tim McKeiver Head Golf Professional tmckeiver londonhuntclub com Here at the London Hunt and Country Club we are fortunate to have some wonderful reciprocal clubs across Canada and the U S In all cases our Members can play these courses at no charge once arrangements have been made though the Pro Shops From west to east our reciprocal are as follows VICTORIA GOLF CLUB Victoria British Columbia Surrounded by west coast beauty with 5 holes nestled along the Strait of Juan de Fuca on the mighty Pacific Ocean and sea views on most of the rest you ll become inspired to play again and again With 125 years of rich history the oldest golf course in Canada on its original location rings true as we pay homage with a modern twist on every carefully designed hole THE CALGARY GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB Calgary Alberta The Calgary Golf and Country Club s course beside the Elbow River is the oldest private course in Alberta still being played on its original site GLENCOE GOLF CLUB Calgary Alberta With 45 holes the Glencoe Golf Club has lots to offer The Forest s quiet lowland walk is going to challenge the best player and please the member who wants to play a full round filled with fun There is a unique mix of holes straightaways doglegs left and right in the spruce forest and open meadow holes over rocks creeks and ponds with a great variety of shot making challenges With 27 holes featuring the Lakes Slopes and Bridges Nines the Meadows has an interesting and more elevated terrain that will challenge beginners and experienced players alike RIVERSIDE COUNTRY CLUB Saskatoon Saskatchewan Riverside is a classic blend of traditional design with large mature trees contributing to the parkland setting Riverside s golf course is an 18 hole par 72 course with 7 tee boxes The outstanding scenery and panoramic prairie views have not changed since Riverside Country Club was established in 1912 by a group of Saskatoon businessmen who wanted a golf facility that reminded them of Britain s best courses ST CHARLES GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB Winnipeg Manitoba Donald Ross and Alister MacKenzie are names associated with the greatest courses in golf Augusta Pinehurst Cypress Point Oakland Hills These are the courses that defined the game Only at St Charles did their paths connect with Ross and MacKenzie each creating nine holes that together merge into one of the best courses in Canada Stanley Thompson prot g Norman Woods completed the club adding nine holes to bring the total to 27 Having hosted the most prominent golf events in Canada St Charles has been consistently tested by the best ESSEX COUNTRY CLUB Windsor Ontario Essex is a wonderfully crafted classic Donald Ross design that has continued to stand the test of time Known for excellent course conditions and fast smooth greens Essex continues to be a truly memorable experience for all who play it WESTMOUNT GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB Kitchener Ontario Designed by renowned architect Stanley Thompson Westmount is one of Canada s premier golf facilities Westmount Golf and Country Club boasts a stunning 18 hole championship course in the heart of KW Since its opening in 1931 Westmount has been consistently ranked among the top 15 courses in Canada The gently rolling terrain of this parkland course guarantees you will almost never hit from a flat lie Instead you can expect a Westmount lie 17 FALL 2019
L O N D O N H U N T A N D C O U N T R Y C L U B CLUB LIFE magazine INSIDE 60 SECONDS WITH FALL SUPER FOODS SETTING GOALS RECIPROCAL CLUBS GOLF COURSE MASTER PLAN ISSUE NINETEEN FALL 2019
Setting Goals Adam Baranowski Director of Tennis abaranowski londonhuntclub com At the beginning of 2019 I started to have this itch for the first time in eight years It was constantly on my mind I wanted to start playing and competing again I had two events I wanted to put on my schedule the ITF Senior Championships July 5 7 here at home and the Steve Stevens Canadian Senior Nationals August 18 24 in Toronto Once I decided I wanted to play these two events I told myself I was going to stick with it and go for it I was taught that if you make a promise you better follow through with it It s about being accountable Nothing is easier than talking about a goal but not doing anything about it You can develop bad habits very easily I knew it would not be easy to make this happen to train as much as I could be a father of 6 and still be a Director of Tennis and all the obligations that come with it It wasn t really until two weeks of the ITF Senior Championships here at home that I started to play train and when I say train I mean having a quality hit for an hour 3 4 times a week with either Robbie or one of our Members I followed a similar plan before the Senior Nationals as well When Nationals finally came I thought I was as ready as I could have been I had no expectations but in the back of my mind I wanted to go deep in both 40 and over draws singles and doubles If you are competitive from an early age you continue to be no matter what you do in life The courts were dry and uneven with way too much Har Tru applied I realized I had been spoiled for so many years It made me appreciate our courts even more how they are kept each day and how much space there is between them No word of a lie I had to suck my stomach in to walk between adjoining nets to the other side of the court Imagine if two players where serving at the same time from two different courts one on the ad side the other on a deuce side Returners were running into each other calling let as they avoid being hit by the incoming ball I knew little about my opponent except that he had flown all the way from Alberta to play As we started to rally he looked as good as anybody I knew very good It wasn t until the match started that I had a chance to expose his weaknesses A plan started to reveal itself as the match progressed It s easier if you have enough tools in your toolbox I knew going into this event I had to keep everything clean and tidy no three sets please It s the style of play I used in my playing days I tried not to waste time or energy so I was ready for my next potential match That was my plan to go deep in the draw A few days later I found myself in the semifinals for both singles and doubles Keeping with the routine stretching before and after each match keeping to myself staying away from chatter noise and just focusing what I needed to do I stuck with my plan which thus far had worked As I was pulling into the Toronto Lawn Tennis Club my excitement started to grow Seeing players from the past catching up with colleagues meeting new ones that s what it s all about it Memories of playing on a competitive level re surfaced quickly Walking into the semifinals doubles match first my partner and I knew we had our hands full We were playing a home favourite that had played together since they were kids As the match got deeper so did the cheering for the home favourites During the second set live jazz music suddenly began on the next court It could have been a major distraction but we focused and forced a third set As I walked unto my first match I realized I was preparing on the wrong surface back at home I should have practiced and trained on a surface that resembled more a of sand box than a tennis court When I say third set I mean a 10 point tiebreaker It means every point counts and there is no room for error My partner Alessandro Gravina Head Tennis Professional at 10 X Hotel in Toronto knew 19 FALL 2019
the significance of each point We started the tiebreaker well but after a couple of loose points and some lucky let cords we were out of the tournament That s how fast it happens The following day we had to put that loss behind us move on and get ready for our singles semifinal match I felt good and was ready Or so I thought Playing that match it felt like I was playing multiple players not just my opponent Rodrigo Exchegeray from Mexico who was also a crowd favourite because we were at his home club We were deep in the first set and suddenly I felt my calf become as tight as my fist That was not a good sign I knew then I had to win the match in two sets if I wanted a shot in the final It was a constant battle within myself the crowd and my opponent After 2 5 hours of this tug of war I was running on fumes and unfortunately lost the battle I went back to the fitness area to stretch and contemplate what had happened out there Being defeated is not easy but fortunately it is the best teacher It makes you think about what you could have done differently what worked and what didn t It does not cost anything except a bruised ego that will last for a while The following day I was scheduled to play for a 3rd place play off but unfortunately had to pull out I could barely walk that day never mind play It was for the best to head back home and get back to reality ha whatever that is Looking back I would not change a thing I would still compete in both those events putting myself out there Even if it made me uncomfortable I would still get out there and play It is so easy to just turn on the cruise control and flow through life do the same thing day in and day out BUT stepping out of your comfort zone is good for you Doing something that makes you uncomfortable also makes you sharp So the question is what are you waiting for JUST DO IT 20 FALL 2019
New Fall Fitness Tracey Machesney Fitness Manager tmachesney londonhuntclub com What a beautiful summer we had The Fitness Center was quieter as many Members took advantage of the warm weather enjoying their workouts outdoors and or engaging in the many outdoor sports activities provided at the Club Despite this the Summer Fitness Series was a huge success From a Healthy Cooking class to a Kangoo class to a Trigger Point Therapy Workshop the Members enjoyed working up a sweat and trying something new together Building on the success of the Summer Fitness Series I am excited to bring some of these popular classes to the fall fitness schedule Kangoo will be offered a few times a month on Saturdays at 8 30 a m Registration is required for this class which can be done on the website or by contacting me Pound will be offered every Wednesday evening at 6 30 p m on the opposite days Kangoo is scheduled for on Saturdays at 8 30 a m Registration is required for this class this can be done on the Members website or by contacting me Registered Massage Therapy is now available at the Club Along with Fascial Stretch Therapy these services are provided by Body Restore owned and operated by Rui Saraiva in our newly renovated Massage Therapy Rooms located between the Fitness Centre and the Women s Locker Room Members can book services online at https bodyrestore janeapp com by phone at 519 7199895 or by email rui saraiva95 gmail com Charges for services will be billed to Members accounts and Members will be provided information for insurance submission on request directly from Body Restore The Fitness Centre has grown in so many ways since its opening in September of 2015 and it will continue to grow with trending fitness classes health and wellness services and exciting fitness events throughout the years Be a part of it all by joining a fitness class pushing yourself in the weight room enjoying a relaxing massage and so on Contact me to get more information about what the Fitness Centre has to offer A new offering this September will be Essentrics This trending class is taught by Sharon Culliton a healthcare researcher and educator with over 20 years of professional and academic experience in the areas of health and aging quality of life e learning and patient and student education Sharon s belief in focusing on our present and future health makes me very excited to have this added to the calendar on Thursday from 9 30 to 10 30 a m and beginning in October Tuesday from 9 30 to 10 30 a m as well In addition to Kangoo and Essentics the following classes have been added to the fall calendar Full Body Pump Mon and Wed 9 30 10 30 a m Rise and Grind Tues and Thurs 6 30 7 30 a m Power Yoga Tues 6 30 7 30 p m Thurs 10 3011 30 a m Slow Flow Yoga Sun 10 30 12 00 p m Wed 10 3012 00 p m Thurs 6 30 8 00 p m Sat 10 30 12 00 p m Parent and Child Yoga Oct start Wed 5 30 6 30 p m children ages 5 12 21 Photos from the Summer Fitness Series FALL 2019
EV E N T S A T A GLA N CE SEPTEMBER T E NNIS C LU B CHA MPI ONSHI PS SI NG L ES September 7 8 Men s Women s and Juniors SP E AKER S ER IES BOB MA XWELL I I September 12 This Speaker Series welcomes Bob Maxwell to the Club to share his Mt Everest expedition ski expedition to the South Pole and future plans I September 13 A night out with friends and fellow Members to enjoy a 9 hole fun scramble drinks on the patio live music and food N I NE AND WINE T E NNIS C LU B CHA MPI ONSHI PS D OU B LES I September 13 14 15 Men s and Women s SP RING B ANK CYCLE TOUR I September 15 Enjoy a scenic ride through beautiful Springbank park followed by lunch at the Club L A DIES BR IDGE OPENI NG DAY I September 18 An opening day event offering lunch before play W OMEN S C L OSI N G DA Y I September 19 A 9 hole shotgun start at 4 00 p m followed by dinner Dinner only option available I September 27 An evening of glow in the dark golf just for Intermediates I N T ERMED IATE GLOW GOLF I September 27 A night out with friends and fellow Members to enjoy tennis followed by dinner and drinks F R I DAY NIG HT MI XER 22 FALL 2019
EV E N T S A T A GLA N CE M E N S C LOS ING DA Y I October 4 5 A great way to celebrate the end of another season COOKOU T IN THE CLE A RI N G I October 5 A rare opportunity to experience the beauty of the outdoors while not sacrificing comfort and excellence as the culinary team prepares a variety of dishes on open fire cook stations B A C AR D I R UM TA STI NG DI NNE R I October 10 Bacardi Portfolio Brand Ambassador Kris Bahamondes will be offering a rum tasting to further educate and heighten palates with some exceptional aged rums I N T RODU C TION TO SHOOTI N G I October 12 A great opportunity for new shooters to learn from experienced shooters everything from gun handling safety to shooting targets T H ANKS GIV IN G BRUN CH I October 14 An annual Club tradition of Thanksgiving brunch 23 I October 18 Enjoy cocktails dinner and live entertainment at the Main Clubhouse to celebrate the end of the season with fellow tennis enthusiasts T EN N I S C L OSI N G DI N N ER OCTOBER SU E T H OM P SON C EN T EN N T I A L TR O P H Y A N D OP EN I N G C OC K T A I L P A R TY I October 18 Members and guests are invited to compete in this 50 targets at 16 yards event G ERM A N I N SP I RED F EA T U RE M E N U I October 18 to 27 German food is rich hearty and delicious and many top German dishes make great comfort food which make it the perfect cuisine to feature heading into fall Make reservations to dine between October 18 and October 27 to enjoy an Oktoberfest menu with friends and family C H I L DREN S H A L L OW EEN P A RTY I October 27 An event for Junior Members including crafts goodies and entertainment FALL 2019
EV E N T S A T A GLA N CE NOVEMBER DEC EM BER EV EN T S SA V E T H E D A TE M E ET T HE AR T IST STE VE TRACY I November 12 and 13 Meet Emmy Award winning and Internationally acclaimed artist Steve Tracy Stay tuned for paint workshops in February 2020 SP A NIS H F EATURE MENU I November 15 to 24 Spanish food is full of flavour and character From tasty tapas to superb seafood and traditional roasts food in Spain is all about making the most of the best local produce Join us in the Glenmore November 15 to 24 for a Spanish inspired feature menu that is sure to please I November 24 Members and man s best friend are invited to the Club for a morning of socializing with other Members and dogs D OG D AYS OF FA LL Experience the exceptional with family and friends this holiday season There s something for everyone so be sure to reserve early to avoid disappointment M EN S C H RI ST M A S P A RT Y Wednesday December 4 I W OM EN S C H RI ST M A S P A RT Y I G I N G ERBREA D C OM P ET I T I ON I Thursday December 5 Sunday December 8 C H I L DREN S C H RI ST M A S P A RTY Sunday December 15 OF F I C E C H RI ST M A S L U N C H ES Thursday December 19 and Friday December 20 V I C T ORI A N C H RI ST M A S Monday December 23 I I I The holiday season will be here before you know it and there s still time to book your Christmas party here at the Club Whether it s with friends family co workers or social clubs the London Hunt and Country Club can cater to all your holiday needs Please contact Ginny Leyten to inquire about space 24 FALL 2019
L O N D O N H U N T A N D C O U N T RY C L U B JUST4JUNIORS HISTORY OF HALLOWEEN Halloween has also been associated with the Celtic festival of Samhain or Summer s End During medieval times in Ireland and Scotland the Samhain festival was held at sunset on October 31st and lasted through daylight on November 1st It marked the ending of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the dark season Some people believed that during Samhain a door was opened from the underworld and it let the spirits or ghosts into our world During Samhain people would put out food and drinks in front of their homes for the spirits and ghosts did you know The word witch comes from the old saxton word wica meaning wise one Similarly the day after Halloween is D a de los Muertos the Day of the Dead It is celebrated in Mexico and other parts of Latin America People who are from Mexico celebrate the festival in other countries as well The festival is celebrated to remember loved ones who have died
HARRY HOUdINI did you know famous magician Harry Houdini died on Halloween in 1926 Harry Houdini was a Hungarian born American illusionist and stunt performer who was famous for his sensational escape acts He was a big star in Europe and they called him The Handcuff King escaping from the worst of tangles He would free himself from jails handcuffs chains ropes and straitjackets often while hanging from a rope in plain sight of street audiences In 1912 Houdini introduced his most famous act the Chinese Water Torture Cell in which he was supposed to be upside down in a locked glass and steel cabinet overflowing with water He had to hold his breath for more than three minutes Houdini performed the act for the rest of his career He once even made an elephant disappear wow do you know who these magic celebrities are did you know The term magic is Greek It is derived from mageia dIY MAGIC WANd For supplies all you need are a wooden dowel black and white nontoxic acrylic paint painters tape and a paintbrush Tape of the ends of your dowel to cover the end sections that you want to be white in the end Then paint the whole middle section black After the paint is dry remove the tape on the ends Now wrap tape around the edge of the unpainted tips to keep your white paint from crossing over on the black and paint both ends of your dowel white Tada You have your very own magic wand