Garden to Table Initiative at Green Bay Country Club

By GBCC Sous Chef Joe Sonderegger

Assorted cherry tomatoes from the GBCC Gardens

As many of you may have noticed over the past two years, our garden has expanded. Our goal is to bring you more fresh and local products, so we figured why not right outside the doors of GBCC! We have been incorporating a large variety of herbs and vegetables from our very own gardens into our lunch and dinner menus. Each year the gardens will change slightly to bring new and improved flavors to the dishes we prepare each and every day for our members and guests.

Here is a list of what we currently have: 38 Tomato plants with 6 different varieties, Sweet Basil, Thai Basil, Purple Ruffle Basil, Chives, Garlic Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary, Parsley, Sage, Tarragon, Thai Chilis, Jalapenos, Swiss Chard, Kale, Beans, Peas, Mint, Cilantro and Edible Pansies.

You will find these ingredients in items such as; pesto, bruschetta, mojitos, caprese salads, sauces, vegetable sides, plate garnishes, soups and many other menu items; especially in our weekly features. We hope you have noticed the quality and freshness that our garden has provided this summer.

Stay tuned for details about our “Farm to Table” dinner in October!

Pesto! Our herb garden includes six different varieties of Basil as well as over 15 other herbs.

Green Bay PGA Junior League All-Stars Win!

Submitted by GBCC Director of Instruction, Lucas Hana

The Green Bay PGA Junior League All-Stars defeated the Sheboygan All-Stars 8-4 at Oneida Golf and Country Club on Monday, August 7th. The Green Bay All-Stars were lead by a dominating performance from Max Reis (GBCC) and Ryan Darling (Oneida) who went undefeated 3-0 in their matches.

Next up the Green Bay All-Stars play the Wausau All-Stars on Sunday, August 13th at Mascoutin in New Berlin. If they win both their matches on Sunday, they would play at University Ridge on September 2nd for the state finals.

 Team GBCC consists of MaxReis, Grace Durkin, and Triston Behrend along with 3 juniors from Oneida and 4 juniors from Thornberry Creek.

Eclavea Hits an Ace!

Anthony Eclavea had a Hole-In-One on Saturday, August 5th. Congratulations, Anthony!

 Hole #13
Blue Tees, 179 Yards
4 Hybrid

 His playing partner, Mehul Doshi, hit his ball within a foot of the hole just before Anthony hit his ace!

Check out the drone video of Hole 13:

Completed and Upcoming Grounds Projects

By Golf Superintendent Ben Larsen

It has been a busy two months for our grounds crew! See below for some of our completed projects as well as the projects planned for the month ahead..

Landscaped Clubhouse Beds

Removed Yardage Plates

Added Aeration to #18 Pond

Added More Sprinkler Yardages

Additional completed projects include:

• Aerified Fairways 
• Planted Annuals  
• Fertilized Rough 
• Detailed Golf Course 
• Sprayed Fescues 
• Removed Brush 
• #17 Ravine 
• #16 Tee

Projects that we will be working on next month include:

• Landscape Clubhouse Beds 
• Add #17 Maintenance Cart Path 
• Spray Phragmite & Re-seed 
• Repair #3 Low Area adjacent to Creek 
• Remove Brush

This Summer's Weather and the Impact on the Course

By Golf Superintendent Ben Larsen

For the first half of summer, the average low temperature for the months of June and July have been 57 and 60 degrees; while the average high temperatures have been 78 degrees and 82 degrees. Comparing this year’s temperature averages with the historical average, for the month of June and July, is 3 degrees warmer. However, the big difference between this year’s start of summer with the historical average is the amount of precipitation. This past June and July we totaled 10”, while the average total for June and July is 7.4”.

A view all too common this summer……rainy and cloudy.

Not only is the total accumulation higher but the frequency as well. In fact, 27 out of the 61 days we have received rain; that’s just below an average of receiving rain every other day. A couple of positive results from the amount and frequency of rain we have received this year. First, as of today, we have used approximately 55% less irrigation than a typical year. Secondly, since adding seed to the divot bottles, the divot recovery has been much more quick and successful. Pictured below is an example of how the frequent rains have help germinate and keep alive the seedlings in the middle of the divot, while the sides grow together.

 Frequent rains have help germinate and keep alive the seedlings in the middle of the divot,
while the sides grow together.

However, with the above average rain, temperatures and humidity, comes slower and less desirable playing conditions, mainly on the greens and fairways.  From a playability standpoint, rain will soften the playing surface and slow ball roll.  How the Grounds Department lessened the issue is this past June we aerified the fairways.  By introducing ½” holes into the ground, we were not only speeding up the drying process but also providing a void for the surface water to get underground quicker.  For greens, we have increased the frequency of sand topdressing and verticutting. 

Verticutting greens provides a more upright stand of turf

Topdressing greens will firm the surface 

The result, when both verticutting and topdressing greens are performed, is the turf stands more upright with a firmer surface. The more upright the turf, the less amount of turf friction you experience (less friction = more ball roll).

Tennis Tip: More Doubles Play Strategy

By GBCC Director of Tennis, Coach Rob LeBuhn

When executed correctly, the down-the-line shot in doubles is a great way to end the point. If your opponent leaves the alley open, taking the ball down the line is a quick and efficient way to end the rally. Some important tips to remember are staying low, using top spin, and reading the play. Staying low is imperative because you are hitting over the highest part of the net and you need to be able to lift the ball up when swinging through. Using top spin keeps the shot controlled and the ball in the court. Reading the play allows you to commit to your shot. If the opportunity is not there, do not feel compelled to take the down-the-line shot, but hitting it in the ally is a great way to mix up your shots and keep your opponent off balance.

Drive, Chip and Putt Results

On Monday, July 31st we hosted over 100 golfers ages 7 to 15 from all over Northeast Wisconsin and the UP for the Drive, Chip and Putt Qualifier! Three Green Bay Country Club golfers advanced to the next stage of the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at University Ridge in Madison, which will take place this Saturday. 

• Evelyn Cloud won the girls 10 to 11-year-old division 
• Emma Santos and Faith Flynn finished first and second respectively in the girls 14 to 15-year-old division. 

Best of luck girls and a huge thank you to the volunteers that came out to be a part of  Drive, Chip and Putt at Green Bay Country Club!