Life & TimesMission

Estero Country Club provides a welcoming environment for its members, families and guests through exceptional golf, dining, tennis, fitness, lifestyle and social experiences.

January Events1 Bloody Mary Open, 10:00 Shotgun5 Gin Group, Cocktails 5:00 & Dinner 6:15, Gin 7:006 Tennis-Backwards Bloody Mary Mixer, Dinner 6:00 7 Tennis-Bloody Mary Mixer, 8:307 Couples Golf Championship, pm tee times7 Saturday Dinner Begins, 5:30-8:308 Couples Golf Championship, pm tee times, dinner to follow8 Sunday Breakfast Buffet Begins, 10:00-2:0010 New Member Orientation, 10:0010 Book Club, 1:0011 Italian Buffet, 5:30-8:3012 Reservations Open for Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance, 9:0012 Pickleball Match Party, 1:00 12 Mexican Train, 7:0014 Big Band Night with Stardust Memories17 Author Mix & Mingle Wine Social, 4:0018 Cobra & Callaway Demo Day, 10:00-2:0018 New Member Mingle, 6:0018 Gin Group, Cocktails 5:00 & Dinner 6:15, Gin 7:0021 FREE Fitness Center Orientation, 9:0021 New Year Tennis Tie-Breaker Tournament, 1:0021 Karaoke Night, 7:0024 BINGO & Buffet, Buffet 5:30 - 7:00, BINGO 7:0025 Prime Rib Buffet, 5:30-8:3026 Silk Painting Class, 1:0026 Canasta, 7:0027 Dinner Entertainment with Joe Johnson, 6:00-9:0028 Member/Member Golf Tournament, 8:00 & 1:00 Shotguns29 Member/Member Golf Tournament, 8:00 & 1:00 Shotguns with BBQ Buffet to follow30 Fishing Tournament, 8:0031 Ping Demo Day, 11:00-3:0031 Committee Volunteer Appreciation Party, 5:30-7:00

Board of

GovernorsSkip Loper - PresidentBob MacDougall - Vice PresidentBarry Freedman - SecretaryTom Spaeth - TreasurerKaren AdairPaul ClarkDon DiBritaMike KennedyMargo Newell

Committee ChairsFinance - Tom SpaethGolf - Paul ClarkGreens - Mike KennedyGrievance - Karen AdairHeritage/Memorial - Karen AdairHouse & Entertainment - Don DiBritaLegal & By-Laws - Tom SpaethLong Range Planning - Barry FreedmanMembership & Marketing - Margo NewellPersonnel - Karen AdairProperty - Bob MacDougall

Tennis - Skip Loper

Estero Country Club at The VinesJanuary 2017

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President’s ReportSkip Loperskiploper@comcast.net

Select Mondays, January - MarchJan. 30, Feb. 20, March 20

Meet in the Breezeway at 8:00am andfish in any Vines lake until 10:30.

Fisherman must return to the Breezeway at conclusion of contest each week.Fish to be measured by contestant.

Please bring your own ruler.Categories:

MONTH: LONGEST FISH / MOST FISHSERIES: LONGEST FISH / MOST FISH

Pick a Lake & Cast - Catch & ReleaseCall Norm Berger with questions and to sign-up.

ECC Fishing Contest

Tuesday, January 24, 2017BINGO 7:00

Seasonal Salad StationAntipasto Skewers

Vegetable and Cream Cheese Pinwheels

Korean Beef SatayCoconut Shrimp with Coconut Orange Marmalade

Pigs n Blanket with Grained MustardFried Fish Bites with Lemon Caper Tarter Sauce

Assorted Dessert Bars

Bingo Buffet Reservations available 5:30, 6:00 & 6:30 pm

in ForeTees Dining Events or call the Club.No a la carte menu available.

BINGO to start at 7:00pm.No need to make a “just BINGO” reservation.

$15++

On behalf of the Board, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and a joyous, healthy 2017.As we collectively begin our trek into 2017, January becomes a key month: •Youshouldhavereceivedanoticethatwearebeginningtheprocess to choose 3 new Board Members to replace Mike Kennedy, Skip Loper and Bob MacDougall whose 3 year terms will expire on March 6th when we hold our Annual Meeting and Elections. The Nominating Committee, composed of Bob MacDougall (Chair), Larry Augustyn, George DeAngelis, Margo Newell and Joe Schoellkopf, is charged with selecting the 3 best candidates. As always, any member may complete an application, obtain the required signatures and run from the floor. •TheMasterPlanfortheClubhouseisnearingcompletion.Weanticipate presenting the final proposal for a membership vote in mid-February.2017 promises to be an exciting year and will be critical in defining thefutureofourClub.Weneedyourinputandinvolvement.

Buffet to include:

Fresh Seasonal Fruit Display

Assorted Mini Muffins, Pastries, Toasts with Jellies and Jams

Norwegian Smoked Salmon, Mosaic of Condiments and Mini Bagels

SunHarvest Fresh Squeezed Juice Station; OJ, Cranberry and V-8

Applewood Smoked Bacon

Sausage Thyme Links

Corned Beef Hash

Breakfast Potato (changes weekly)

Eggs Benedict

Pancakes/French/Biscuits and Gravy (rotation)

Chef ’s Station

Made to Order Eggs and Omelet Station

Freshly Made Waffles with Whipped Butter,

Strawberry Sauce and Vermont Maple Syrup

$13.00++

Serving January - April 9th

Sundays - Starting January 8th10:00am - 2:00pm

Bar Menu available 11:00 - 2:00

Breakfast Buffet

$5.00 Bloody Marys $3.00 Mimosas

Tennis ReportTom Funk, USTAtennispro@@esterocc.com

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Happy New Year,As we begin the winter tennis season, I invite everyone to check your emails and calendars for all the fun events Tennis and Pickleball have coming up.We have Team play, Mixers,Invitationals, Fast Four, Drop-ins and so much more for you to participate in. I encourage all our players to stop by and see us in the tennis shop for updates on Matches, Events and Social play.PleasecheckwithusforusingtheForeTeessoftware.Thissoftware gives you information as well as the ability to reserve courts, register for events, book lessons and team clinics. Just a quick recap of the fall season; our teams played very competitively, in fact most of the teams finished in the top half of their divisions. The short fall season is a great warm up for the winter season we are playing now. For anyone wishing to play social mixed tennis, we still have the Tuesday night mixed event at 5:30pm and the Saturday Fast Four at 11:00am. I wish you a great 2017 and hope to see you on the courts.

Upcoming Tennis & Pickleball Events

Tennis Backwards Bloody Mary Mixer

Dinner - Friday, January 6th 6:00Mixer - Saturday, January 7th 8:30

Pickleball Match PartyThursday, January 12th 1:00

New Year Tennis Tie-Breaker Tournament

Saturday, January 21st 1:00

Pickleball Practice & PlayThursdays 1:00-2:30Sundays 9:30-11:00

Tennis Hours of OperationMonday-Friday 8:00-3:00Saturday-Sunday 8:00-1:00

All materials provided: silk scarf, 8” x 70” pre-stretched on frame with your design of choice

pre-drawn, bamboo art brushes, stretching frame, silk dyes and paints, media to move the dyes

& art instruction. Choose Traditional Flower, Contemporary Flower, Poppies, Calla Lily, Eye of the Peacock, Dragonfl ies, Butterfl ies, Sunfl owers, Geometric/Modern Shapes, a suggestion of your choice or free hand your own design. When you

register, please indicate the style of design you would like to paint and Jenny will pre-draw

the design.Use your silk as a beautiful scarf to wear, add

tassels and make it a table runner, use as a wall hanging or as a window valance.

Jenny takes the silk scarves on their frames to her home where she removes them from the frame to heat set them. Aft er heat setting, she washes them with professional silk dye detergent and

rinse. Th e scarves are then ironed, packaged and shipped back to the student.

Class size limited to maximum 10 students.

$67 includes all materials as well as postage for scarves to be delivered to the Club for student pick up. An additional fee of $4 if student would

like it mailed directly to their home.Any level of interest or ability welcome.

Pre-payment registration required and will be billed to your Club account.

Please sign-up on ForeTees or call the Club.

www.facebook.com/WissotaArt

Painting on Silk Scarf Art ClassThursday, January 26th 1:00pm

Participation will need to be guaranteed in advance to secure tickets at group rates.� e Club will have to pay the deposits required by end of September 2016

to have this opportunity available to our members as a group. Sign-up under the Dining/Events Tab online or call the club at 267-7000.

RiverdanceSUNDAY, JANUARY 15TH, 2017

6:30pm $75 per ticket

THEATRE NIGHTS 2017Barbara B. Mann

Orchestra Level Group Seating - Transportation is NOT provided

ChicagoTUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH, 2017

7:30pm $72 per ticket

Purchase your tickets today! Limited avaibility. Tickets are yours once purchased.

Terry Fator became a household name in 2007 when he won Season 2 of "America's Got Talent" with his unique brand of entertainment that combines singing, comedy and unparalleled celebrity impressions. A� er 25 years of honing his skills at county fairs and venues across the country, the Dallas-bred entertainer's big "AGT" win at age 42 catapulted him into the upper echelon of entertainers, landing him at No. 2 on Forbes' list of the top-earning comics.

Terry FatorSATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH, 2017

8:00pm $79 per ticket

Participation will need to be guaranteed in advance to secure tickets at group rates.� e Club will have to pay the deposits required by end of September 2016

to have this opportunity available to our members as a group. Sign-up under the Dining/Events Tab online or call the club at 267-7000.

RiverdanceSUNDAY, JANUARY 15TH, 2017

6:30pm $75 per ticket

THEATRE NIGHTS 2017Barbara B. Mann

Orchestra Level Group Seating - Transportation is NOT provided

ChicagoTUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH, 2017

7:30pm $72 per ticket

Purchase your tickets today! Limited avaibility. Tickets are yours once purchased.

Terry Fator became a household name in 2007 when he won Season 2 of "America's Got Talent" with his unique brand of entertainment that combines singing, comedy and unparalleled celebrity impressions. A� er 25 years of honing his skills at county fairs and venues across the country, the Dallas-bred entertainer's big "AGT" win at age 42 catapulted him into the upper echelon of entertainers, landing him at No. 2 on Forbes' list of the top-earning comics.

Terry FatorSATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH, 2017

8:00pm $79 per ticket

Only 7 tickets remaining,please call the Club to

reserve your seats.

Participation will need to be guaranteed in advance to secure tickets at group rates.� e Club will have to pay the deposits required by end of September 2016

to have this opportunity available to our members as a group. Sign-up under the Dining/Events Tab online or call the club at 267-7000.

RiverdanceSUNDAY, JANUARY 15TH, 2017

6:30pm $75 per ticket

THEATRE NIGHTS 2017Barbara B. Mann

Orchestra Level Group Seating - Transportation is NOT provided

ChicagoTUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH, 2017

7:30pm $72 per ticket

Purchase your tickets today! Limited avaibility. Tickets are yours once purchased.

Terry Fator became a household name in 2007 when he won Season 2 of "America's Got Talent" with his unique brand of entertainment that combines singing, comedy and unparalleled celebrity impressions. A� er 25 years of honing his skills at county fairs and venues across the country, the Dallas-bred entertainer's big "AGT" win at age 42 catapulted him into the upper echelon of entertainers, landing him at No. 2 on Forbes' list of the top-earning comics.

Terry FatorSATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH, 2017

8:00pm $79 per ticket

It’s the Holiday Season, so I hope everyone is enjoying friends & family whether here in Florida or at your very cold northern homes.AsweapproachJanuary,theClubisgettingreadytowelcome25familiesthatwillberentingandenjoyingtheClubthisseason.Pleasemake sure you reach out and give them that big ECC family welcome! Keep in mind that many of the annual renters turn into being owners and members at ECC. In fact, over the past 3 years, 7 homes have sold to past renters who are now owners/golf members here at ECC. Our rental program, which allows owners to rent and transfer their member rights to the renters, is great for the Club’s exposure and quite lucrative for those members wanting to supplement their Florida expenses. If anyone has been contemplating renting their home and transferring their golf membership to the renter, there has always been a short supply with a high demand during season. If you have any interest, please inquire with Colleen Sowerby, Membership Sales Director. By now, each of you has received a letter from the Nominating Committee asking for applications to run for a Board of Governors position. This is a 3 year term which is the ultimate way to serve your fellow members. I encourage you to give it consideration and, if so inclined, complete the application and return to Lisa Dillinger at the Club. Volunteering is the foundation of great clubs like ours!Happy Holidays and we will see you soon at the Club!!

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Membership ReportColleen Sowerby, Membership Sales Directormemberships@esterocc.com

Please extend a warm greeting to the newest members of our ECC family.

Carter and Deb SmithGolf – Belle LagoCarter and Deb, who recently retired and are now full time residents, are looking forward to golf being part of their time in Estero. Carter and his son own a chain of bowlingcentersintheMadison,WIarea.

Gerda WhylandSocial – Vintage TraceGerda joins us from the great state of New York. She has moved to Estero to be near family and is looking forward to making new acquaintances at The Vines and ECC.

General Manager’s ReportCraig Rollinson, CCM, CCE

Please also welcome our new Trial Members -

David&LucilleKerl,Skip&DianeLePola,Bob & Marilyn Mallett, James & Sharon Lowry

Annual Tennis Member Lisa Shantz

HappyNewYeartoallourmembers.Wehopeyouhaveanexceptionallygreatyearwithfamily,friendsandfellowmembers.Whetheron the golf course, tennis courts or at one of our many events at the Club; come experience your Club and all it has to offer.As you will note in this month’s newsletter, the guest policy has been changed to reflect “who we are in 2017” and not when the Bylaws werewrittenover30yearsago.Withtheguestpolicychangingslightly,thereisnobettertimetoaskyourfriends,wholovecomingtoECC,tobecomeamember.WelookforwardtohavingthemjoinusaspartofourfamilyofmembershipatECC.Last year, the first quarter marked a time of slow real estate transactions. Now that things are settling down and the election frenzy is over,uncertaintyinthemarkethasdiminishedandmoreoptimismistrending.Wearehearingfrommoreprospectivemembers,andmoreclosingsareoccurringinTheVinesandBelleLago.Ifthecoldweathersnapscontinue(PolarVortexandSiberianColdFronts)itwillalsocreatemoreSWFLvisitsanddiscoveryofourgreatClubandcommunity.Wehavearecordnumberofrentersandtrialmembers who have signed up this year – and we hope we see more of them become equity members after their great experiences with us.Each January, we provide you with a recap for the previous fiscal year (ending October 31, 2016) and here are the numbers. Last year we finished with 294 golfers, 58 sport and 145 social members. Contributing to that were 18 new social, 5 new sport and 14 new golf members to ECC. Pleasewelcomeournewestmemberslistedinthisnewsletter-don’tforgetwhenyouseethebluetableclothsintheDiningRoomitisthe first time one of our newest members are with us…please stop by and welcome them to the family.

Gregg and Sandra FrieheGolf – Vintage TraceGregg & Sandra recently sold their home in MN and are moving to The Vines full time. They have rented with us the last couple of years, fell in love with the community, and the people and now join our family of members. Gregg played at Deer Run Golf Club and goes by the nickname Dutch or Louie.

Welcome New Members

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Nightwith Stardust Memories

Saturday, January 14th, 20176:00 Cocktails - 6:30 Dinner - 7:30 Performance

� e Stardust Memories Big Band is comprised of some of SW Florida's � nest musicians, and was created to carry forward the legacy of this true and original American art form.

� e band plays the original arrangements made famous by the great bands and band leaders, including: Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Woody Herman,

Glenn Miller, Buddy Rich, Doc Severinsen, Artie Shaw and many, many more!

MenuWatercress Watermelon Salad

Watercress, Watermelon Duo, Feta Cheese and Lemon Dressing

EntréePorcini Filet and Scallops

Sauce Perigordine, Sweet Mango Butter, Herb Roasted Red Potatoes and Carrot Wrapped Haricot Vert

DessertKey Lime Napoleon

Graham Cracker Crumbs, Whipped Cream and Fanned Strawberry

(Dietary restrictions required 72 hours in advance)

Members Only, Tables of 8 (limited tables of 10), Reservations Starting Thursday, December 15th at 9:00am, Casual Attire (No Blue Denim), 72 Hour Cancellation Policy

$35++

Club Guest Rule ChangeClub Rule E-1, Item 6 Members are welcome to invite guests, but please remember that non-member residents of The Vines and Belle Lago, as well as non-residents, are only allowed to use the Club and its facilities 6 times each Club fiscal year. The exception to this rule is visiting family members.(The above rule changes do not affect our members who have House Guests. The current policy applies. Please complete a House Guest form each time you have a guest. The House Guest form is distributed to all departments as communication to expect and welcome your guests at the Club. House Guest forms are available in the administrative office.)Club Rule K, Item 2Day guests may only use the Club and its facilities a total of 6 times each Club fiscal year. This includes but not limited to, golf, tennis, sporting activities, fitness, dining, all events and lifestyle activities.

January - April Hours of Operation

F & B

LUNCH 11:00 - 2:00 Men’s Card Room Tuesday thru Saturday Monday & Tuesday 4:00-7:00 Wednesday-Saturday 11:00-2:00 DINNER 5:30 - 8:30 Wednesday - Saturday Snack Shop Open Daily 9:00 - 4:00

Sunday Breakfast Buffet 10:00 - 2:00 Bar Menu Available 11:00 - 2:00 Happy Hour - Thursdays 5:00 - 8:00

GolfShop Hours 7:00 - 5:30 Tuesday thru Sunday

10:00 - 5:30 Monday

Tee Times Sunday Open Play, 7:30 Tee times, please see calendar Monday Course Closed in AM, 12:30 Open Shotgun Tuesday Ladies Day 8:30 Shotgun, Open Play 1:00 Wednesday Nine Hole Ladies, Tee times 8:42-9:22 Cross-overs 7:30-9:22 & 11:38-1:22 Thursday-Saturday Cross-overs 7:30-9:22 & 11:38-1:22

Range Monday 9:00 - Dark Tuesday - Saturday 7:00 - Dark Sunday 7:00 - 4:00

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Superintendent’sReportNathan Gingrichsupt@esterocc.com

Giving Thanks

This is the time of year where we look at the year gone by and give thanks.Wegive thanks forour family and friends,but evenmore specifically, that we aren’t living in the great white north! The golf course maintenance department gives thanks for our membership’s dedication to filling divots, fixing ball marks, and our cartusagehabits.Wealsocollectivelygivethanksfortheresourcesthe membership supplies our department to keep the course to your standards. Many of you stop me often with positive comments regarding course conditions and I can assure you that I pass these comments on to our staff. However, when you take the time to directly speak with a member of our staff and offer kind words, it means much more than when it comes directly from me. Thanks to all for a great year. The golf course maintenance department will strive to make 2017 our best yet. On behalf of the golf course maintenance department, I would like to wish you and your family health and happiness in 2017.

Best regards, Golf Course Maintenance

Author Mix & MingleWine Social

Tuesday, January 17th4:00-5:30

There will be 12 authors from a variety of genre's -

children's, how-to, self-help, grief, novels, cookbooks to

name a few.

Each author will speak briefly, have copies of their books for sale and

available for autographs.

DOOR PRIZES!!!

$16 includes 2 glasses of wine, draft beer or soft drinks and light snacks.

Make reservations on ForeTees or call the Club.

CANASTAWe are starting a Canasta Group!

Come and join the fun!Everyone is welcome - men, women & couples.

Ann Alessio is heading up the group, so please call her with questions, 239-481-0782.

Sign-up on the website under Dining Events or call the Club.

Schedule

ThurSdayS - 7:00pm

January 26Th

February 2nd

march 23rd

april 13Th

We need you to make this event successful, please consider joining the group if you like to play Canasta.

CANASTAWe are starting a Canasta Group!

Come and join the fun!Everyone is welcome - men, women & couples.

Ann Alessio is heading up the group, so please call her with questions, 239-481-0782.

Sign-up on the website under Dining Events or call the Club.

Schedule

ThurSdayS - 7:00pm

January 26Th

February 2nd

march 23rd

april 13Th

We need you to make this event successful, please consider joining the group if you like to play Canasta.

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Golf ReportBenPittman,PGAgolfpro@esterocc.com

Upcoming Golf Events

Bloody Mary OpenNew Year’s Day - 10:00 Shotgun

Couples Club ChampionshipSat. & Sun., Jan. 7th & 8th pm tee timesHors d’oeuves following Sunday rounds

Men’s & Ladies Member/MemberGolf Tournament

Sat. & Sun., Jan. 28th & 29th8:00 & 1:00 Shotguns

BBQ Buffet following Sunday rounds

Non-Golfing members welcome to attendevent following golf.

Well, now that we have the holiday season (and everythingthat comes with it) behind us, let’s focus our attention on golf. Withyour inputfromthe tournamentsurveys lastseasontheTournament Committee has tried very hard to make some changes that will lead to more participation in events this year. Chief among your concerns were the food component of events and the payouts to the winners. This season you will find that many meals have been replaced with appetizers and that the contributions to the prize fund have been increased allowing for bigger payouts to those that finish “in the money”.The tournament season starts with the Bloody Mary Open on New Year’s Day. Then we move right into the competitive season with the Couples Club Championship (formerly known astheHusband&Wife)onSaturdayandSunday,January7th& 8th. The Men’s and Ladies’ Member-Member are the first “majors” of the season, to be held on January 28th & 29th, and we hope to have enough participation this year to be able to utilize both shotguns. Our one day Men’s Guest Day quickly follows on Thursday, February 2nd, and then we move right into the Buddy/Buddy and Laverne & Shirley match play events.As you can see, there will be plenty of events for those looking to get their competitive juices flowing, but we have also left lots of open space on the calendar for those who would rather not play competitive golf. Regardless of which you prefer, please let us know what we can do to make every day at the club an exceptional one.Happy Golfing!

Mulligans Entertainment

Friday, February 3rdKeys Duo7:00pm-10:00pm

Friday, January 27th Saturday, February 18thJoe Johnson6:00pm-9:00pm

Reservations available from 5:30pm - 8:30pm. Make your reservations in ForeTees Dining or call the Club. Guests Welcome.

KaraokeSaturday, January 21st Saturday, March 4thSaturday, April 15th7:00pm-11:00pm

Select Tuesdays - Palm RoomCome and join the group for Lunch & Discussion

We will meet at the Club for lunch at 1:00 with the meeting to follow.If you are not available to attend,

but are interested in joining, please call Club member Linda Redd, 941-228-2795

January 10thMata Hari’s Last Dance by Michelle Moran

February 7thMarch 7thApril 4th

(Books selection TBD)

Open to all ECC members.

(Book Selections TBD)

Casual Elegant Attire (Jacket for Men Required) - No DenimGuests Welcome - 72 Hour Cancellation Policy

Reservations starting Thursday, January 12th, 2017 9:00 amLimited number of 10 top tables available

(Dietary restrictions required 72 hours in advance)