DECEMBER 2025 NEWSLETTER
MCHENRY GOLF CLUB NEWSLETTER WHAT TO EXPECT IN THIS EDITION:
From the GM’s Desk Member’s New Years Eve Event Pro Shop Notes Superintendent’s Update
FROM THE GM’S DESK Dear Members, With the New Year on the horizon, we bid farewell to 2025. There is much to be thankful for as we reflect on the past year—the continued transformation of McHenry Golf Club, the positive trajectory we are on, our dedicated team, and most importantly, you—our members. These are just a few of the many reasons our club continues to thrive. We conclude the year on a high note with both our Holiday Party and New Year’s Eve celebration, while eagerly looking ahead to what 2026 will bring for McHenry Golf Club and its membership. Events Update We are already planning a fun and engaging lineup for 2026, with events for all members to enjoy. Please keep an eye out for the full 2026 events calendar, which will be released during the offseason. Food & Beverage Update Following a wonderful and festive Holiday Party, we look forward to closing out 2025 with our New Year’s Eve event on December 31st. Please see the event flyer for details and RSVP information. Our Continued Focus As we prepare for 2026, our key priorities include: • Hiring essential team members • Developing a vibrant and exciting events calendar • Executing off-season projects on schedule • Completing and opening the Kitchen and Restaurant If you have any questions regarding membership for 2026, please do not hesitate to contact Corrin or myself. We are happy to walk through any details with you. I hope everyone enjoys the holiday season as we close out the year, and I look forward to seeing you in 2026. Happy Holidays to all! Warm regards, Rick Sutton, PGA General Manager / Head Professional
PRO SHOP UPDATE With this year being such a significant period of transition, it’s easy to reflect back and overlook the many small accomplishments along the way—especially with so much happening simultaneously across multiple areas of the club. The Golf Shop underwent remodeling at the beginning of the season, followed by a number of organizational and functional changes throughout the year. Despite the dust and constant adjustments, I believe we all did an excellent job ensuring the season ran as smoothly as possible. This season also provided many great opportunities to earn and use Pro Shop Credit, from exciting and competitive events to the fun Squares Boards we introduced this year. We hosted several successful sales—including Memorial Day, Father’s Day, and Black Friday—all of which contributed to a strong retail season with the debut of our new logo. Next season will be filled with even more opportunities and events, so get ready! Looking ahead, my goal is to continue improving the Golf Shop experience by tailoring our offerings to meet members’ needs while maintaining an efficient, welcoming environment. Throughout the offseason, I will be thoughtfully selecting each piece of apparel and equipment, working diligently to create a cohesive yet diverse shop with options for everyone. The shop will feature a variety of brands, including returning favorites at MGC as well as new brands making their debut. Overall, I plan to offer a broader selection, with an expanded assortment of logoed items such as water bottles, scorecard holders, and other accessories. On a personal note, I have grown and learned a tremendous amount this past year, and I would like to sincerely thank each of you for your continued support. This was my first year hiring and training new employees, as well as being more hands-on with merchandising and the day-to-day management of the shop. I’m eager to continue learning, gaining new skills, and improving the overall operation of the Golf Shop here at McHenry. I’m truly excited for what next season brings, and I look forward to seeing you back on the first tee and in the Golf Shop. Whether you’re stopping in to pick out new gear or simply to say hello, it’s always a pleasure to have you. Your continued support and feedback are genuinely appreciated! Happy holidays - see you in 2026! Anna Spatol
BLACK FRIDAY SALE Friday,Nov 28 through the remainder of the year! Select apparel items - 50% off!!
Hats and Clothing - 35% off Golf Bags, Shoes and Accessories - 30% off Golf Clubs - 20% off Golf Balls and Gloves - 15% off
REMINDER! Pro Shop Credit MUST BE SPENT by the end of the calendar year!
SUPERINTENDENT’S UPDATE As we close out another golf season, I want to take a moment to reflect on the past year and share what’s ahead for the winter months. It’s been a busy, rewarding season for our maintenance team, and I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together. Looking Back on the Season This year brought its share of challenges, from weather extremes bringing periods of drought and flooding to the daily demands of keeping the course in top condition. Thanks to a dedicated staff and the continued support of our members, we were able to complete several important projects that will benefit the course for years to come. Some highlights from the season include: ·Improvements to turf quality on greens, tees, and fairways through consistent cultural practices that included sodding and seeding projects to weather damaged turf during the year. ·Tree maintenance and selective removals to enhance turf health and course sight lines ·Upgrades to the irrigation system through expanded coverage, hardware upgrades (new controllers and radios) and software upgrades enabling better weather monitoring and water use control ·Completion of a much needed remodel of the irrigation pump house ·Drainage improvements to #1 fairway ·Completion of the first phase of the #9 pond and creek project ·Reclamation of the back 40 acres dump/wetland area ·Demolition of the old maintenance building ·Addition of a new soil bins ·Continued focus on course conditioning while improving the overall maintenance facilities and equipment fleet These efforts often happen early in the morning or behind the scenes, but they play a major role in the daily playing experience. I appreciate your patience during maintenance work and your feedback throughout the season. Winter Projects Ahead While the course may be quieter over the winter, our work is far from done. The off-season gives us the opportunity to focus on projects that are difficult to tackle during peak play. This winter, our plans include: ·An expansion of the main maintenance building to enable better storage of our equipment and machinery ·Restoration of pond banks on holes #5 and #9 ·Equipment annual maintenance and overhauls to ensure reliability and free up time next season ·Tree trimming and removals to improve airflow and sunlight ·Continuation of the #9 pond and creek project Weather always plays a role in what we can accomplish, but our goal is to use this time wisely to set the course up for a strong start next year. I’d like to thank our maintenance team for their hard work and commitment throughout the year. I’d also like to thank the membership for your support, understanding, and appreciation of the work that goes into maintaining the course. On behalf of the entire grounds crew, we wish you a safe and enjoyable winter. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to welcoming you back in the spring and continuing to improve the course in the year ahead. See you next season, Benjamin Ludwig, Golf Course Superintendent
820 N JOHN STREET MCHENRY, IL 60050 OFFICE: (815) 385-1086 PRO SHOP (815) 385-3435 WWW.MCHENRYGOLFCLUB.COM CBLAKE@MCHENRYGOLFCLUB.COM