Greetings from the Pines Country Club!
The Pines Country Club, Inc. enjoyed a successful 2012. Our membership census included 412 golfers and 65 pool members. These numbers made it possible to modernize the facility, reduce long-term debt and operate profitably within a dues structure that is very competitive with private clubs of comparable quality in the mid-Atlantic region. The club is doing well.
The Boston Beanery became the club’s new food and beverage tenant in April of 2012. While our golf course and pool remain members-only, our restaurant and bar are open to the public. This tenancy has been popular and mutually successful. Consider meeting your friends at the club for watch parties. The Beanery will ensure it is a festive occasion.
Changes to the clubhouse facility are under way, including construction of a fireplace and new booth seating in the restaurant. The club contracted with Davis Kitchen & Tile to completely remodel the restroom facilities, too, so you know they will be nice. Everything is scheduled to be completed well in advance of the 2013 golf season, so remember this when March Madness rolls around.
In 2012, the club replaced some of the heavy equipment used by Mike Bogroff’s grounds crew including a new 46 h.p. multi-purpose Kubota tractor. If you played golf at the Pines you know the excellent conditions persisted along with the fine weather very late into the year. Our financial plan calls for replacement of the original (1971) single-line irrigation system with a modern multi-line programmable system that will provide more coverage and greater efficiency. Such a system will make one of the best courses in the region better still. The club’s progress in reducing long-term debt these past five years has brought us steadily closer to this goal.
Capital improvements in 2012 included new lighting for the front and rear parking areas, new paving of the front parking lot (136 vehicle capacity), enlargement of our pool and overflow parking areas and extensive grading work on the driving range. The driving range now offers a series of three target greens at measured distances as well as upgraded hitting stations on both tiers.
The golf facility was busy in 2012. The Junior Clinic program enjoyed another successful season and the Ladies’, Men’s and Senior Men’s associations were all well attended. The club also hosted several popular golf events, including two team match-play competitions. Club associations and events are great ways to make new friends and find playing companions.
Golf is already under way for 2013. Our award-winning Head Professional, Russell R. Reid, installed a simulator in the downstairs of the clubhouse in February of 2012. The winter league is getting started. The simulator is also available for private use on a reservation basis, just call the pro shop: 304.296.3466.
Pool memberships for 2012 sold out in March and we anticipate the same for 2013, so don’t wait. The pool opens Memorial Day weekend and closes Labor Day weekend. You can also book the pool for private events, just call the club’s business office: 304.296.3462.
Our Social Committee organized several successful events in 2012 and the 2013 calendar is currently being planned. Look for news on a Valentine’s Day event on February 15 (a redemption opportunity in case you got busy and forgot), a spring fling event, an end-of-season event as well as holiday and New Year events. The Boston Beanery folks are great collaborators with us on these events, so be sure to come out and have fun with your friends at your club.
We are expecting a great 2013 and we appreciate your membership. See you soon.
Charles J. Crooks
2013 Board President