Holly Hills Club Life Newsletter March-April 2026

CLUB LIFE

March/April

CLUB DIRECTORY

General Manager

Mike Barrett, CGCS

Membership Director

Trish Flora

Head Golf Professional

Andrew Blockinger, PGA

Director of Instruction

Craig Balsinger

Executive Chef

Daniel Storm

Course & Grounds Superintendent

Dan Wildeman, GCS

Director of Food & Beverage

Susie Yost

Events Manager

Christine Quiambao

Controller

Michele Poulos

Marketing Manager

Katherine Lukaszewicz

Creating a spring menu has always been my favorite culinary ritual Spring cuisine celebrates renewal a perfect time for dishes that blend freshness, balance, and vibrant flavor The Soy-glazed Salmon over a delicate ramen broth from our upcoming Spring Menu is a perfect example of this. The dish pairs the rich, buttery texture of seared salmon with the umami depth of soy, ginger, and a touch of honey

SALMON PREPARATION

Pan-sear 5 to 6 oz fillets skin side up approx. 3 minutes

Place seared fillets skin side up into a 350-degree oven for 3 to 5 minutes

Serve over zucchini noodles and top generously with ramen sauce

Zucchini noodles, or Zoodles, can be purchased in most grocery stores or prepared at home using a mandoline, cheese grater or spiralizer.

CLUB HOURS

MARCH

DINING

Monday: Club Closed Grill

Tuesday: 11am-4pm

Wednesday-Saturday: 11am-8pm Sunday: 11am-4pm Lounge

Tuesday: 4pm-8pm

Wednesday-Friday: 4pm-9pm Saturday-Sunday: 4pm: 8pm

DINING

GOLF

Monday: Club Closed

Tuesday-Sunday Golf Shop: 8am-6pm Tee Times: 8:30am-5pm

Range & Practice Facilities 9am-5pm

APRIL

Monday: Club Closed Grill

Tuesday: 11am-4pm Wednesday-Saturday: 11am-8pm Sunday: 11am-4pm Lounge

Tuesday: 4pm-8pm

Wednesday-Friday: 4pm-9pm Saturday-Sunday: 4pm-8pm

GOLF

Monday: Club Closed

Tuesday-Sunday Golf Shop: 7:30am-7pm Tee Times: 8am-7pm

Range & Practice Facilities: 8am-7pm

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES

Tuesday-Friday: 8am-4pm

SPECIAL HOURS

EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 5

Club and course will be closing at 4pm

SAUCE INGREDIENTS

2–3 lbs pork bones (neck bones, trotters, or a mix)

1 onion, halved

1 head garlic, halved

1 knob ginger, sliced 2 tbsp soy sauce

Optional: chicken wings for extra collagen

SAUCE DIRECTIONS

Cover the bones with water, boil 10 minutes, drain, rinse

Add bones back to a clean pot with onion, garlic, and ginger.

Cover with water and boil hard (not a gentle simmer) for 2–4 hours

Strain and season with soy sauce and salt. Add tare (seasoning sauce) when assembling the bowl

The soy glaze works beautifully as a tare.

I am celebrating my five-year anniversary at Holly Hills this month and I am proud of the transformation and incredible improvements we have made. Time flies, and our team is excited the snow has melted and we are gearing up for a fantastic 2026. Last weekend was very busy as warmer temperatures encouraged members to dust off their golf clubs and get out for their first round of the year Dan’s team did a great job getting the course ready for play and the greens were rolling great. Andrew’s team also did a superb job getting the carts and golf operation ready for a very busy day On Saturday, we had live music in the Main Dining Room along with Oyster Night, and every table in the Lounge and on the terrace was filled Thank you to Susie and Daniel’s teams for getting the terrace ready and welcoming everyone back after a very cold and snowy winter.

The weather in January and February was cold and snowy which provided a nice break for the golf course The course was covered in snow for most of the winter and cold temperatures didn’t allow much play. Snow cover provides good insulation for newly seeded and sodded areas, so we are starting spring feeling good We will be planning a divot filling gathering to kick off the season when the weather gets a bit better This is a great event for members of all ages to come out to fill divots on the course while enjoying complimentary beverages followed by food and drink specials.

We move our clocks forward this weekend, Sunday, March 8 and posting golf scores in the handicap system begins March 15 We have a full calendar of events scheduled for 2026 and we are already planning our summer kick off with our Annual Hilltop Celebration on Saturday, May 23. This is an afternoon filled with games for the kids, great food, and drinks, ending with a spectacular fireworks display We also have a fun-filled calendar of events planned for the summer events including, Sunday Fundays at the pool, the Summer Concert Series on the hilltop, Drive-in Movie Night, Family Game Night, Trivia Nights, Poolside Bingo and much more.

Our team took advantage of some great continuing education in the off season Andrew, Brent, Mason and Ryan all attended the PGA Show in Orlando, FL, in January. Over 30,000 industry professionals and 1.1 million square feet of exhibitor space kept everyone very busy. Susie headed to Anaheim, CA, for the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) World Conference and Club Business Expo The conference is a strategic platform where toptier vendors, solution providers, and service companies come together for education, networking and planning for club management professionals Trish will be headed to Chicago later this month for a marketing summit at Bolingbrook Golf Club in Bolingbrook, IL The summit will focus on sales strategies, marketing and communications and will include KemperGolf, KemperClubs, KemperDestinations and KemperVenues. Dan attended the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Conference and Trade Show in Orlando, FL, last month The education conference and trade show offer unparalleled professional development and networking opportunities for golf course managers. The show has over 18,000 attendees with over 500 vendors on 428,000 square feet of trade show floor

I want to thank you for your continued support and dedication! The team and I are at your service and will continue to work hard to make sure that we are adding value to your membership every day, creating meaningful memories and opportunities for you to relax and connect with one another

Mike Barrett, CGCS General Manager

FOOD & BEVERAGE NEWS

Liam McFadden Bartender

Susie Yost

Director, Food & Beverage

Liam McFadden brings a touch of Southern hospitality back to his hometown After heading south to the University of South Carolina to study Hospitality Management, Liam discovered his true calling behind the bar in 2022. Since then, he’s been honing his craft and "shaking things up" with precision and flair If you’re looking for the perfect pick-me-up, Liam recommends his signature Espresso Martini his absolute favorite drink to build

A die-hard sports fan, Liam is always down to talk stats and scores while he pours your drink Whether you’re a regular or a first-timer, Liam is ready to welcome you to the Lounge and mix up your go-to favorite.

When he’s not crafting cocktails, you’ll likely find him perfecting his swing on the golf course with his friend Marcus Smith, whom he beats every time

MARCUS SMITH

Bartender

A Frederick native through and through, Marcus joined the Holly Hill family last year with a wealth of local energy and a competitive spirit Growing up as the third of four brothers, he learned early on how to hold his own in a fast-paced environment a skill that serves him well behind the bar and as a server

Marcus has been honing his craft for four years now While he’s a master of the classics, his true signature is the Smoked Old Fashioned, a drink that is as much about the performance as it is the flavor With golf season just around the corner, he’s looking forward to hearing about your latest rounds and talking shop while he pours your post-game drinks.

When he’s not at the club, you’ll likely find him playing basketball, football, or catching a game with his best friend, Liam McFadden though he says he is definitely the more handsome of the pair.

UPCOMING EVENTS

MARCH

3/1 Family Interactive Movie Night 3/5 Mixology Class

3/6-27 Fresh Catch Friday

3/12 Live Music & Oyster Night

3/19 Pickleball Social

3/20 Flower Bar Workshop

3/20 Hurricanes Movie Night

3/22 Kids Magic Show

3/27 Country Line Dancing

3/27 Guest Bartender Night

APRIL

4/3 Fresh Catch Friday

4/4 Egg Hunt

4/5 Easter Brunch

4/6 Masters Themed Golf Outing

4/8 Masters Dinner

4/11 Mixed Doubles Pickleball Tournament 4/16 Live Music & Oyster Night

4/16 Pickleball Social 4/23 Wine Dinner 4/26 Kids Trivia Night

MARCH FEATURED COCKTAILS

The Mulligan

Featuring Ryder Cup Limited Edition

Elijah Craig Small Batch

Transfusion

Tito’s | Ginger Ale | Grape Juice

Water Hazard

Vodka | Blue Gatorade | Lemonade | Lemon Lime Soda

AVAILABLE ANYTIME, ALL MONTH.

$5 off during Happy Hour, Friday-Sunday, 4-6pm.

on ’t Miss

GUEST BARTENDER NIGHT

FRIDAY, 3/27 4PM-6PM

The Pro Shop Team will be on hand to craft your favorite cocktail!

SUPERINTENDENT’S UPDATE

WINTER COURSE MAINTENANCE

Between the biting frost and the shorter days, this past season has been challenging, and I am eagerly looking forward to the first signs of spring and the smell of fresh-cut grass. After such a long, demanding winter, we all deserve to get outside and enjoy some sunshine and golf

Since the property has been under snow cover for four consecutive weeks from late January through the end of February, our team has been busy working on inside projects such as equipment repairs, sharpening mowers, refurbishing signs and tee markers, as well as detailed maintenance planning for the upcoming season When the snow clears, our main focus over the next four weeks will be to clean up the golf course and get it back in top condition for when the weather improves The high winds that followed the January snowstorm resulted in a huge amount of tree debris scattered throughout the golf course, and we have been busy clearing it as quickly as possible.

Another downside of having snow cover is that we are unable to access the entire course to do our normal goose patrol duties. Canada Geese are just one example of the beautiful wildlife for which our golf course provides a habitat However, we don’t exactly want them residing on our fairways and greens for extended periods because of the large amounts of waste they can deposit if not monitored Keeping the greens, fairways, and bunkers clean will be a primary focus of our spring preparations.

One positive result of having the golf course frozen and snow covered for this long is that it has received a nice break from divots and cart traffic. Winter play on the course is nice when possible, but with the grass being completely dormant, it does not recover from the normal wear and tear until the grass begins to grow again. While this has been an extreme winter with very cold temperatures and snow cover, we do not expect any damage to our turfgrass I fully expect our shortly mowed turf areas and all the new sod from the fall projects to come out of winter very healthy. The snow cover is good for the grass, as it insulates and protects it from frigid temperatures and harsh winds. The ice layer on top of the snow is also not a concern. If the ice layer was directly on the grass for 60-90 days, this could certainly cause some problems In northern regions of the country, ice cover on putting greens can be a major problem, since the ice cover will eventually suffocate the grass plant, whereas the snow is porous and does not completely cut off the oxygen supply

Dan Wildeman, GCS Course & Grounds Superintendent

Dan Wildeman, GCS Course & Grounds Superintendent

See you on the course! Scan to follow

MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT

Trish Flora, Membership Director

CHAMPIONS OF GROWTH: HONORING OUR 2025 MEMBER SPONSORS

In February, we hosted a very special evening dedicated exclusively to a remarkable group of members those who helped grow our Club by sponsoring new members in 2025

The Champions of Growth Celebration was our way of saying thank you to the individuals who believe so strongly in our community that they invited others to experience it as well. Growth at a private club isn’t just about expanding numbers it’s about strengthening culture, enriching connections, and welcoming like-minded families who enhance the membership experience for everyone. The evening was filled with gratitude, camaraderie, and celebration Members had the opportunity to connect with fellow sponsors, reflect on the positive momentum at the Club, and enjoy a night designed entirely in their honor It was a powerful reminder that our best ambassadors are the members who live and share the Club experience every day

The highlight of the evening was our Grand Prize Drawing for six months of complimentary dues The excitement in the room grew as we gathered for the announcement, and congratulations once again to our winners Kevin and Sandra Carl! It was a thrilling moment and a small token of appreciation for the significant impact our sponsoring members have made.

To each member who introduced a new family to the Club this year: thank you. Your confidence in the Club and your willingness to share it with others fuels our continued success and ensures a vibrant future We are proud to celebrate you as our 2025 Champions of Growth and we look forward to continuing to build something exceptional together. For full details on how you can be a part of our Champions of Growth program follow this link

Cheers, Trish Flora

For more information, please contact Trish Flora, Membership Director at tflora@hollyhillsgolf.com.

VIEW CLUB DRESS CODE

Susanna Camalier and Christopher Lemon

Stephen Sokol

Ronald Ecton & Suzanne Dolney

Roger and Lisa Kessler

Kyle and Molly Frazier

VIEW CHAMPIONS OF GROWTH BROCHURE

G O L F U P D A T E

Andrew Blockinger, PGA

Head Golf Professional

2026 GOLF EVENT SCHEDULE

MEN’S GOLF

Twilight League Registration Opens

March Madness Match Play

Ringer Rumble #1

Opening Day

Twilight League Draft Night

1977 Cup Qualifying

Ringer Rumble # 2

Derby Day Qualifier #1

King of the Hills Qualifying Begins

Sr Club Championship Qualifying

The Founders Cup

Holly Hills Stableford Championship

Ringer Rumble #3

Men's Invitational (Member-Guest)

Derby Day Qualifier #2

Ringer Rumble #4

Better Ball Classic

Club Championship Qualifying

Captains Cup

Ringer Rumble #5

Twilight Playoffs - Elite 8

Club Championship Matches

Twilight Playoffs - Final 4

Holly Team Challenge

Ringer Rumble #6

Derby Day Qualifier #3

Twilight Finals

Stroke Play Championship

3 Club Challenge

Derby Day

Ringer Rumble #7

Annual Member-Member

Ringer Rumble #8

Holly Invitational

Closing Day

MIXER GOLF

May Couples

July Couples

August Couples

September Couples

Superintendents Revenge

Cross Country Tournament

February 6

March 21

March 22

March 28

March 31

April 1 - May 3

Apr 19

April 25

May 1 - May 31

May 1 - May 31

May 8

May 22

May 23

June 4-6

June 13

June 19

June 26

July 9-12,14,17-19

July 10 & 11

July 12

July 21

July 25 & 26

July 28

July 31

Aug 1

Aug 1

Aug 4

Aug 8-9

Aug 14

Sept 12

Sept 26

Oct 1-3

Oct 16

Oct 17

Oct 24

May 29

July 24

Aug 21

Sept 11

Oct 26

Nov 7

LADIES GOLF

Ladies Golf Kick-Off

Ladies Opening Day

Black Eyed Susan Tournament

Ladies Hilltop Cup Qualifying

Queen of the Hills Qualifying

Game Night

Ladies Hilltop Cup & QOH

Matches

Ladies Summer Classic (1-Day

Member-Guest)

Club Championship Qualifying

Club Championship Matches

Partner-Par 3 Challenge

Triple Classic

2-Player Scramble

Closing Day

WGA EVENTS

WGA Opening Day Scramble

WGA Ladies Invitational

WGA Flag Day

WGA Better Ball

WGA Championship

WGA Closing Day

JUNIOR GOLF

Spring After School Programs

PGA Junior League

Summer Weekly Golf Programs

Little Tykes Summer Camp

Junior Summer Camps

Parent-Child Tournament

Junior Club Championship

Fall After School Programs

CLUB EVENTS

Divot Filling Party

FITTING DAYS

Callaway Fitting Day

Mizuno Fitting Day

Titleist Fitting Day

March 13

March 29

April 18

April 1–May 3

May 1–May 31

May 15

May-September

June 27

July 9-12, 14, 17-19

July 25 & 26

July 29

Aug 15

Sept 9

Oct 24

May 7

June 18

July 2

August 27

October 8

October 15

April-June

Apr 4-June

June-August

June 16-19

June 23– 26

July 5

August 2

Sept-Nov

May 1, July 17 & August 28 (4:30-6pm)

March 14 (10am-2pm)

April 11 (11am– 3pm)

June 12 (10am-4pm)

HOLLY HILLS PHOTO ALBUM