Vacation Club Spirit Winners

The Vacation Club Spirit is a program started in 2007 for members to submit digital photographs of places they visited around the world displaying CTCC apparel. The two prize categories are for pictures taken the farthest distance from Carolina Trace and the most interesting/unique picture with certain criteria that compliments the photograph. The department heads had a special meeting to vote for the 2007 prize winners from more than thirty photo submissions. This year, first place winners receive a $100 credit to the Pro Shop or the Grille Room, Runner-up winners receive a $50 credit to the Pro Shop or the Grille Room, and those that received honorable mention may choose a bottle of wine from the wine list.

Congratulations to 2007 VCS prize winners: FARTHEST DISTANCE, 1ST, Todd and Louise Spofford at an Internationally recognized park, Featherdale Wildlife Park, in Sydney, Australia with a Koala; RUNNER-UP, Gene and Rita Pasztor at the bow of the Statendam in the Port of Burnie, Tasmania, Australia; HONORABLE MENTION, Don and Ann Karrer on the Great Wall of China; MOST INTERESTING/UNIQUE, 1ST, John and Marjorie Schmidt on a tour of Alcatraz prison at the entrance to the prison cell block; RUNNER-UP, Allen and Karen Parelius in Llasa, Tibet; HONORABLE MENTION, David and Mary Ann Feavel inside the Misty Fjords, Ketichan, Alaska with a waterfall in the background, Bill Green, Connie Green, Florence Kaisen, Sally Grocott, Lee McGivney, Glen McGivney in Lhasa, Tibet, in front of the Potala Palace, and Jim and Sharon Morris in Kalispell, Montana with CT flag in a hot air balloon.

VCS program for 2008: We will announce the winners twice a year, in June and December. Members may submit up to five photos per year, and all photos must be emailed and been taken in 2008. Photos are placed in two categories and then criteria for narrowing to a winner is utilized. For example, your chances to win increase by the frequency and visibility of the logo, in addition to the location, background and unique elements about your photo. Remember, all members are eligible to submit photos, so make sure you have purchased new CTCC apparel for your next vacation.

Farthest Distance from Carolina Trace

1st place Todd and Louise Spofford at Featherdale Wildlife Park in Sydney, Australia with a Koala

Runner-Up

Gene and Rita Pasztor at the bow of the Statendam in the Port of Burnie, Tasmania, Australia

Honorable mention

Don and Ann Karrer on the Great Wall of China

Most Interesting/Unique Photo

1st place

John and Marjorie Schmidt on a tour of Alcatraz prison at the entrance to the prison cell block

Runner-up

Allen and Karen Parelius in Llasa, Tibet

Honorable Mention:

David and Mary Ann Feavel inside the Misty Fjords, Ketichan, Alaska with a waterfall in the background.

Bill Green, Connie Green, Florence Kaisen, Sally Grocott, Lee McGivney, Glen McGivney in Lhasa, Tibet, in front of the Potala Palace.

Jim and Sharon Morris in Kalispell, Montana with CT flag in a hot air balloon

New Years Eve Party

Members enjoyed an elegant evening with Filet Mignon or Chilean Sea Bass, samples of eight special wines and a champagne toast at midnight to welcome the New Year. Chef Marty prepared a feast with many tasty delights including his favorite, bananas foster. New Years Eve was a black-tie optional dinner and dance party with the music provided by Quadraphonix Combo.

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!