2007 "picture year-end" highlights

As 2007 draws closer to an end, there have been many events and celebrated good times at the Club. Our Clubhouse hosts an average of ten parties and events a week. With so many reasons to join the Club and meet new people, some of these photos capture only a glimpse of the genuine fun we all have at CTCC. From bus trips to the NC Art Museum to the Cowboys vs. Packers football night to karaoke night to Texas hold’em to the Pro Shop party to the 4th of July celebration, St. Patrick’s day, Black-Tie events, numerous golf tournaments, pool parties, dance classes, bands, plays, choirs, etc…our events fit any age, any lifestyle, with only one requirement: enjoy every moment.

Santa Visits Trace

The Annual Carolina Trace Christmas Party was a great success. Many friends and family members attended the event and brought their children and grandchildren, totaling 96 children participated in the festivities. Everyone enjoyed all of the games, gifts, face painting, making Christmas cards, Reindeer Dust and, of course, Santa! The delicious cookies were generously donated by the Ladies Nine-hole group and the WGA, and the Club provided hot chocolate for everyone. Many thanks to all of Santa's helpers who made the day possible: Phil and Carol Petraglia, Kay Law, Jerri and Jim Hey, Dick and Carol Philbin, Bo Dilorenzo , Bill Ahlgren, Linda and Jerry Decsi, Bill Guwang, Arlene Gilbert, Barb Morgan, Sharon Morris , Jean Wright, Barb Gobeille, Diana Magyar, Scott and Carolyn Schaeffer, and our wonderful Assistant Manager, Jenny! It was another special Carolina Trace Tradition!

WGA Awards Ceremony

The Women's Golf Association celebrated their end of year breakfast meeting. Special highlights include Kathy Dyre wearing her gold medal that she won playing with her partner, Mary Buchanan, in the North Carolina State Special Olympics Fall Games, the Most Improved Golfer for 2007 went to Carole Philbin, and Head Golf Professional, Mike Krick, presented a special Pro Award in appreciation and dedication for the game of golf to Marie Inzerillo.

Golf Aerobics Program at World Gym

Head Golf Pro, Mike Krick has developed a golf aerobics program to keep your game sharp through the winter. To improve your golf game there are three main areas to work on, technique, physical strength and flexibility. This program covers all three areas in a concentrated workout that takes a little over an hour. The classes are held Monday through Thursday. If you are interested in signing up for the next series of classes in January and February contact Mike in the Pro Shop. As Mike states cleverly, “The fastest way to improve your swing is to eliminate the ball.”

Pro Shop Happenings

Graduation!

Brock White and Micah Vugrinec, our friendly and talented Assistant Golf Professionals, will be graduating from Methodist University on December 15th with a Bachelor of Science degree, with a concentration in Golf Management. Congratulations to "long-ball" Brock and "Maverick" Micah!

Have you seen the Pro Shop Window Displays?

The golf professionals plan each decorative detail for the display windows, and they have combined golf equipment, Trace heritage and the holiday season. Be sure to attend the Pro Shop Christmas Party on December 12th at 4:30 PM, where you'll find great deals, gift wrapping, great food and you can pick up the 2008 Golf Calendar.

Living Legend, Conti gets her 15th hole-in-one

Diane Conti has achieved a record that most amateur golfers dream about. On November 6, 2007 Conti hit her 15th hole-in-one on the 16th hole of the Creek Course at Carolina Trace Country Club. Conti has been recognized in many newspapers and magazines, and is certainly a living legend at Trace. In keeping with tradition, after each hole-in-one, Conti foots the bill at the bar for her group in celebration! Fourteen of her fifteen holes-in-one have been at Carolina Trace Country Club on both the Lake and Creek courses. Her first hole-in-one was on the 7th hole of the Creek course in 1988. By 1995, Conti had a Grand Slam of aces on each of the par-3's. She's been playing golf for thirty years and is still excited and shocked with each hole-in-one.

Pembleton wins the Ladies 9 hole Championship

Congratulations to Ginny Pembleton for winning the Ladies 9 hole Championship.

Trace the Fall Season

Many North Carolinian's enjoy the mild, four-season climate, but the fall season is especially captivating at Carolina Trace. Currently, it is 3:10 PM on November 21st (not August, but yes, almost December) and the weather forecast is sunny at 75 degrees Fahrenheit. In North Carolina, we golf year-round and enjoy indoor and outdoor events year-round. NC is one of the most attractive states in the country for outdoor enthusiasts. If you live at Trace, you know you live at one of the most beautiful, friendly and connected communities in North Carolina. If you do not own a home at Trace... you should!

Fantastic Dance Instructors

Instructors (and members) Scott and Carolyn Schaeffer worked with forty-two members who signed up for the six week series of dance lessons of the Carolina Shag. During the lessons, Scott and Carolyn work with each couple allowing dance partners to learn the steps together. The 2007 Dance class proved to be fun with a great group of enthusiastic members. The Schaeffer’s were introduced to dance as a hobby in 1994, which developed into traveling the country to dance in about eight competitions a year. The Schaeffer’s have competed in dance competitions all across the United States and Canada; in 2003, they won first place in the World’s Championship in Nashville, which is represented by thirty countries. The Schaeffer’s are experienced in many dances, including the Waltz, Cha Cha, West and East Coast Swing, Rumba, Polka, Fox Trot and the Carolina Shag. Their passion for dance allows them to continue learning and perfecting their technique. Not only is dancing a great cardio workout, it is a fun way to connect with your partner. Another series of dance lessons will begin in 2008 with an introduction to the Rumba, Fox Trot and more Swing and Shag!

Oktoberfest was a blast!

Oktoberfest was held on October 30th at the Club and our members had a wonderful time. The dining room was decorated for the traditional event with authentic German food and beer. Oktoberfest was a great way to welcome the fall climate to North Carolina with a festive celebration.

Can you shoot your age?

It is incredible to shoot your age, and we have three talented members who can shoot their age. Karl Heidinger shot his age,"68," Mike Manolios shot his age, "84," and Wally Harris shot his age, "92." In 1986, the PGA Tour began keeping track of the statistics of shooting your age. Congratulations to Heidinger, Manolios and Harris on this great accomplishment! (Heidinger) (Manolios) (Harris)

Bluegrass Concert

Carolina Trace Country Club held a Bluegrass concert that was attended by over 150 members in the main dining room. The band, Bluegrass Experience, performs professionally throughout the U.S. and was named the World's Champion Bluegrass band. The band features 4 lead singers, tight instrumental work, great harmony, and a diverse selection of traditional favorites of re-engineered folk and rock songs, along with original material. Band members shared information about the history and evolution of bluegrass music too. This was a great concert enjoyed by those who have followed bluegrass music for years, as well as for those who experienced authentic live bluegrass music for the first time.

Sunday Couples Championship

The season ending event of Sunday Couples is the Championship Tournament, played October 27 and 28 by 37 couples. Congratulations to Low Gross Winners Marcia and Lee Connor posting an impressive 154, pictured on the left. Congratulations also goes to Low Net Winners Jan and Fred Heins, who posted the Tournament low net score of 122. Making the scoring more admirable was the fact that 18 holes of the Championship were played as Pinehurst Alternate Shot (often referred to as Divorce Golf). The next season of Sunday Couples golf will kick off with play starting in February when new Co-Chairs Shelia and Bill Fox join Co-Chairs Sue and Rick Hodges.

Ladies Who Lunch

The Ladies Who Lunch is one of the Club's fun social groups that meets once a month for lunch, music and casual conversation. Assistant Manager, Jenny Allred prepares a special drink for each meeting. If you attended October's meeting you could enjoy the Baltimore Zoo, a drink that puts the "happy" in "happy hour." Special thanks goes to Ann Ashton, Cass Clinger and Jenna Miller who welcomed and invited Marketing Director Sara O'Leary to October's social gathering. All new members of the Club had a personal invitation to attend October's meeting. Due to the upcoming busy holiday season, the LWL will meet again in January. This is a great group to join--no reports, no minutes, just a very fun social gathering.

Cooking Demonstration with Chef Marty

Executive Chef Martin Shapter prepared a one hour demonstration on how to prepare low-fat, low-calorie meals while not compromising taste for the upcoming holiday season. It can sometimes feel the 'battle of the bulge' is a battle too tough to fight, especially around the holiday's. But, Chef Marty demonstrated how to produce low-fat foods in a timely manner that fulfills your craving for a delicious holiday meal. During the demonstration, Marty prepared a low-fat, low-calorie sun-dried cranberry Waldorf salad, sweet & spicy pork tenderloin, and a low-fat, low-calorie pumpkin cake. Members who attended the cooking demonstration could take home many recipes and were able to get tips on other holiday meals to save time and calories.

Wood Carving Class

For the past five years, world-class wood carver Rich Smoker, a renown instructor and judge, visits Carolina Trace Country Club to teach a class on wood carving. This year, Members had the opportunity to carve and paint two different types of ducks. Member Marjorie Schmidt had convinced Smoker to come to Trace and teach a class five years ago, and he has been coming to the Club ever since then. Schmidt use to take lessons from Smoker in Ocean City, Md. The hospitality of our Members is truly one-of-a-kind. Many other wonderful Members also host Smoker and treat him to dinner during his visit.