Celebrity Scott Woerner in 2009.

In 2009, The Georgia Club Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament and Auction raised over $30,000 for the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and the Foundation.  Riding on the success of 2009, this year’s tournament is already on its way to surpassing that number!

We invite golfers and supporters to join us on Saturday, July 31 to raise money for our tournament beneficiaries.  Our beneficiaries are once again the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and The Georgia Club Foundation.  The day will begin with a golf tournament, where teams of four get to play with a celebrity.  This year’s celebrity roster includes Morten Andersen (former Atlanta Falcons kicker), Mike Cavan (former UGA player and coach), David Chandley (WSB-TV Meteorologist), Jay Clark (UGA Gym Dogs Head Coach), Frank Crumley (UGA interim Athletic Director), Jeff Dantzler (voice of the UGA Basketball team and Baseball team), Bill Hartman (retired WSB-TV sports anchor), Kelley Hester (UGA Women’s Golf head coach), Darrell Huckaby (columnist), Ransom Jackson (former Brooklyn Dodgers all-star), Briana Jewett (Miss Rome 2010, Miss UGA 2009), Andy Johnson (former UGA quarterback and New England Patriots running back), Doug McAvinn (UGA Gym Dogs Assistant Coach), Shelby McLeod (Miss UGA Sorority Row, Miss UGA runner-up), Jimmy Orr (former UGA and NFL player), George Patton (former UGA player), Larry Rakestraw (former UGA and NFL player), Mark Schlabach (ESPN Columnist and College Football Analyst), Matt Stinchcomb (former UGA and NFL player), Allen Tibbets (Magic 102.1 Radio Host), O’Neill Williams (host of O’Neill Outside), Scott Woerner (former UGA and NFL player) and Suzanne Yoculan (retired UGA Gym Dogs head coach).

Each year our event grows in scale and this year is no different!  Our auction portion of the day is bigger than ever!  With almost 50 unique items, our auction boasts something for everyone.  Place your bids on silent auction items like a trip to Seagrove Beach, Amelia Island or St. Simons.  If you would like to stay in town, be the highest bidder for featured Braves tickets, UGA football tickets and two passes to the Richard Petty Driving Experience.  We will also have special packaged items including a wine basket, cigar basket, and our “Night at the Theater” package, including tickets to the Classic Center for Mamma Mia!, dinner at Square One, and one night stay at Hotel Indigo. Get daily updates about featured auction items on our Facebook page.

For our live auctions, we will feature a Mountain Cabin Stay, a refurbished Club Cart Golf Cart, a Mind and Body Fitness Package, Golf and Overnight Package to Chateau Elan and an original Steve Penley portrait.   Visit our Website to find out all about our auction items.

We are already sold out of team slots and on our way to selling out the luncheon!  If you would like to join in on the action, please call 770-7250-8107 to get your lunch ticket now.  The lunch reception will open at 12:30 p.m., with the silent auction ending at 3 p.m.

If you can’t be here, help contribute to your cause and chance your luck at The Yoculan Drop!

If you have questions about the tournament, please call   770-727-8107 .  Check out pictures from last year’s tournament on our Facebook page.

David Greene (far left) and Darrell Huckaby (far right) in 2009.

There is only one place where you can get golf, celebrities, delicious food and drink, cool swag and fun prizes: The Georgia Club Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament & Auction on Saturday, July 31.  Celebrities including Mike Cavan, David Chandley, Jay Clark, Kelley Hester, Darrell Huckaby, Matt Stinchcomb, Larry Rakestraw and more, join Master of Ceremonies, retired UGA Gym Dogs Coach Suzanne Yoculan for a day of golfing and giving.  Sponsored by The Georgia Club Foundation, this event offers a day full of fun, with all proceeds going to the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and the Foundation.  Last year’s tournament raised over $30,000!  This year, we can make that number even bigger with your help — here is how you can get involved!

Golf  Tournament

Join us for a round of golf with one of our featured celebrities. The cost is $200 per player $800 per team.  Only a few slots remain so if you are interested, please call    770-725-8107     now to register. 

Lunch & Auction

Join us after the tournament for a lunch and auction reception.  Guest are invited to join us for a delicious Georgia Club lunch, open bar and auction for only $20.  Each lunch attendee will be entered in a raffle for a chance to win a $500 gift certificate to The Georgia Club. The reception will open at 12:30.  *Tickets based on availability.

Enjoy food and drinks with friends and place your bids on fun silent auction items like overnight trips, sporting and theater tickets, artwork, golf outings, health and spa sessions and much, much more!  At 3:00 p.m., get ready to place your bids in the live auction on items such as a refurbished Club Car Golf Cart, an original Penley painting, a private helicopter tour and a mountain cabin stay. Check our website for a complete list of auction items.

Yoculan Drop

Suzanne Yoculan

At 4:00 p.m., watch as Suzanne Yoculan flies over the Chancellors Course in a helicopter and decides your fate in the Yoculan Drop.  Pick your lucky numbers and purchase your chance(s) to win one of these great prizes:

• Purchase a Black Ball for $25 and the ball closest to the hole will win 50% of the cash total.
• Purchase a Red Ball for $50 and the ball closest to the hole will win a trip for 2 to play Seaside Golf Course at Sea Island.  Trip includes lunch and travel by private jet.

You do not have to be present to win. To purchase golf balls, please call    770-725-8107   .  Balls can also be purchased in The Georgia Club Membership & Administration office or in the Pro Shop.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and The Georgia Club Foundation.  If you have any questions about the tournament, please call     770-725-8107   .  Visit www.TheGeorgiaClubFoundation.com for more information on the tournament.

Eventual winner Carl Hall makes his final drive toward to the green as the gallery watches on.

• 1st Flight: Stan Berg and guest Richard Jefferies
• 2nd Flight: Carl Hall and guest Ed Davis
• 3rd Flight: David Shockley and guest Mike Femiano
• 4th Flight: Jim Hartley and guest Jerry Beafore
• 5th Flight: Chuck Presswood and guest Monk Mayhue
• 6th Flight: Nelson Brown and guest Jim Gaines
• 7th Flight: Aaron Meyers & guest Doyle Johnson

The top two teams from each flight competed in a grand shootout.  Carl Hall and Ed Davis overcame runners-up George Gill and Tim Nash to claim the victory. 

Flight winners at dinner.

Players gathered at the culmination of the tournament for a fabulous dinner and dance.  Guests traveled from distances including Texas, Colorado, New York and Oklahoma to take part in this classic event.  We were happy to welcome them to The Georgia Club and celebrate our mutual love of golf.  Several Georgia Club Members shared their thoughts on this special event:

“I want to commend [Mike O'Malley, Head Golf Pro] and his outstanding staff for rolling out The Georgia Club red carpet and putting on an outstanding tournament.  It was a pleasure to play.  The food service was the best I have experienced at a golf outing.  Most of all, I was very proud of the staff who went out of their wait to make us feel special and the tournament a success.  I look forward to playing in many more Georgia Club tournaments.” — Aaron Meyers

“Don and I, our son Greg, and our guest, thoroughly enjoyed the Member/Guest weekend.  Many thanks to the Golf Staff — Mike, Matt and Grant — who worked so hard this weekend and were so professional during the shootout, which was so much fun to watch.  Thanks also to the Culinary Staff, who worked so hard to make everything perfect.  My son’s friend Michelle and I enjoyed a wonderful lunch at the Club and Saturday night’s dinner was truly amazing! Thanks to all for a memorable and  fun weekend.” — Mary Poor

Thanks to all our guests who traveled to The Georgia Club for this one-of-a-kind event.  We look forward to next year’s event! To view more pictures from this event, please visit The Georgia Club Golf on Facebook.

Some people have described life at The Georgia Club like life on vacation. For kids, summer at The Georgia Club is a paradise.  The summer provides many opportunities for kids to use the Club’s facilities, including the golf course, tennis compound and swim park.  The Georgia Club also offers may activities for the whole family.  Check out these exciting summer activities sure to make your child’s summer the best ever! If you have any questions about the following events or would like to sign your children up, please call Sarah Freeman at 770-725-4704.

Junior Jamboree “Around the World” Extravaganza! — July 12 - 16

• 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day
• Children Ages 5 to 12
• Each day, discover a different country with daily activities including golf/tennis instruction, fun games, lunch, pool time and the day’s special activity!
• Price is $275 for children and grandchildren of Members registered by June 30.  If more than two children from a family will be attending, the third child can be registered for $250.
• Price is $299 for accompanied guests registered by June 30.
• Space is limited to the first 30 children so hurry and sign-up!

Family Fun Night at the Pool — Select Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

• Join us for Family Happy Hour for an evening featuring games, mocktinis, family-friendly appetizers and swimming.  Optional a la carte dinner afterwards.
• Thursday, June 24 — Harry Potter Theme
• Thursday, July 8 — Candyland Theme
• Thursday, July 22 — The Princess and the Frog Theme

July 4th Festivities

• Star Spangled Parade, Saturday, July 3 at 10:00 a.m.  Decorate your bike, small motorized vehicle, or dog and be the star of the show at our annual parade throughout the Village.
• July 4th Cookout and Ice Cream Social, Sunday, July 4 at 11:00 a.m.  Celebrate this patriotic holiday poolside with hot dogs, hamburgers and the works, followed by an Ice Cream Social at 2:30 p.m.

Private Lessons Available

• Private Swim Lessons are available and can be scheduled at your convenience.  Please contact the Fitness Center at  770-725-3111  for a list of instructors.
• Private Tennis Lessons are available and can be scheduled at your convenience through the Fitness Center by calling  770-725-3111 .

2009 Celebrity Ray Goff Tees Off For A Cause!

Every golfer swings with a target in mind.  When that target is to raise money for a charitable organization, the flag at the end of the green doesn’t seem so far away when the target changes to a new goal of making a difference in the lives of thousands affected by the charity benefiting tournament.

Charity golf tournaments can do much more than just call attention to organizations in need.  Charity tournaments can raise serious cash!  This past May, the Stadion Athens Classic at UGA raised approximately $88,000, which went to dozens of non-profits.  Coming up on Monday, July 12, the Sixth Annual Bulldogs Battling Breast Cancer golf tournament will help raise money and awareness for breast cancer.

The Georgia Club Foundation created a golf tournament in 2008 to raise money for the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and the then up-and-coming Foundation.  The Georgia Club Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament has since grown into a spectacular event, featuring activities such as live and silent auctions, a luncheon, raffle drawings and an aerial ball drop.  All proceeds from the day benefit the Food Bank and Foundation.

The 2009 tournament raised over $30,000!  With the additions of a lunch and auction in this tournament, the total money raised in the 2009 event tripled the amount raised in the inaugural tournament. 

The Third Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament & Auction, featuring Master of Ceremonies, retired UGA Gym Dogs Coach Suzanne Yoculan, is set for Saturday, July 31, 2010!  The golf tournament will feature sports and entertainment figures from Georgia, and will be followed by a lunch and auction.  The tournament fee is $200 per person or $800 per team.  The cost for lunch is $20.  The doors will open at 3:00 for all to join, free of charge, to participate in the auction and Yoculan Ball Drop. 

All proceeds from the day will again benefit the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and The Georgia Club Foundation.  To register for the golf tournament, please call 770-725-8101.  To purchase a lunch ticket, please call 770-725-8107.

For more information on The Celebrity Golf Tournament & Auction or The Georgia Club Foundation, please visit http://www.thegeorgiaclub.com/foundation-georgia-club.asp

Football season is almost upon us, and The Georgia Club Golf Shop is well-prepared with new UGA merchandise sure to please even the most discriminating UGA fan. Pictured below are only a select few of our favorite items from the new merchandise. This fall we have never-before-seen UGA children’s outfits from Baleigh Grace Boutique and Ladies Nike UGA shirts (pictured below), outfitted with DriFit technology so you can stay cool whether you are at the game or teeing it up on The Chancellors Course.

For those who like to buy Christmas gifts well in advance, please your favorite cook with this beautiful Magnolia Lane holiday platter.

Pick up a copy of Garon Hart’s latest book, “The University of Georgia: Images and Recollections” for your coffee table at home to show off gorgeous photographic images of the University.

 Old favorites such as the Men’s Nike UGA shirt and Magnolia Lane serving platters are still available and perfect for use all year-round.

If you see something you would like to purchase, you can call the Golf Shop at 770-725-8101 to place an order. This is only a small sample of our fall offerings,  so come out to the Golf Shop and see the complete UGA merchandise collection!

The Spring Session of After School Junior Clinics began on Tuesday February 24.  This year we have eight fantastic junior golfers looking to have fun, learn more about their golf swing and build a competitive edge for future growth!

The first session began on the practice tee with an introduction and walk through of pre-swing fundamentals.  The students reviewed proper grip technique, the importance of balance and great posture and the results accompanied with good and bad alignement.  

After the introduction, the junior golfers were more than eager to take their swings to the huge pyramids of range balls!  The session focused on pre-swing fundamentals with an iron of their choice.  Overall, the students did an amazing  job and learned a lot about balance!  Posture and balance are the most common flaws that we see at junior and adult clinics.  

After the junior golfers hit their range balls, we moved to a fun competition correlated with a quick 20 degree drop in temperature!  We paired the boys versus the girls in a battle for the ages.  Each junior golfer took two shots from a preset tee box.   The results were great as each student made solid contact and kept their ball in line to the intended target green!  In addition, the students also learned a couple great rules.  First, we had a discussion about where you can and cannot tee a ball up within the tee markers.  Lastly, we demonstrated the procedures, rules and penalty for playing a shot after hitting the initial shot out of bounds.

Overall the junior golfers did a great job, learned a lot and had fun!  The contest ended in a draw as everyone hit at least one shot to the green!  We look forward to the upcoming weeks in the clinic.  

Come back and visit the forum for updated information on the junior clinics and other golf information!

The Georgia Club's Sandmen Crew take a break from filling fairway divots. From left are Bob Willoughby, Don Poor, Bob Cullerton, Vic Mixon, Ron Alton, Frank Chandley, Jim Nelson and Nelson Brown. Not pictured was George Otwell who was filling divots on the tees.

(Hum along) Mr. Sandmen, bring me a dream,
Make the grass the best I’ve ever seen….

Nearly 10 Georgia Club Members put in some sweat equity (or make that cold equity since the temperature was in the high 40s) to make The Chancellor’s Course a little bit better come spring. The group took it upon themselves to contact the grounds maintenance crew to see if they could walk the fairways and fill divots on a cold February morning.  One Member concentrated on filling the divots on each tee box.

Member Frank Chandley got the idea because they used to do it at his former Club in Colorado.  He organized his regular Wednesday golf group and they invited a few others to cover the Black Nine of the course.   Course Superintendent John McMullan fixed the group up with a mule-load of sand (the group went through two loads before the day was over) and Frank supplied each crew member with plastic sand buckets and shovels for the task ahead.

The Georgia Club CEO Jim Vanden Berg was thrilled with the Member initiative.  “This time of year is tough,” he commented.  “People don’t see green grass so they don’t fill their divots.  And, since it is cart path only a lot of days, many golfers don’t carry sand with them out into the fairway.”

The Sandmen got a lot out of the project, too.  When asked if they were surprised by the number of divots they were filling, one crew member commented as he was filling a bare spot, “I’m not surprised because we made most of them.”

The Sandmen crew plans to do the other two nine-hole courses in the next few weeks.

Course Superintendent John McMullan and Levi stop by to refill the truck with sand.

Recent golfers at The Georgia Club left quite a few complimentary reviews on Last Minute Tee Times.

“There are not enough good things to say about this course-From being greeted at bag drop to Golf Shop personnel to condition of course. The bermuda fairways have not been shaved down like most courses so you still get a great lie in the fairway. The greens are immaculate-I played the course silver to red and the design is more than challenging. If in Athens area you’ve got to give it a try.” — February 1, 2009

Recent golfers on the Red Nine have no doubt noticed a major renovation that has taken place to Hole #5. Based on Member feedback and the fact that several of the existing trees were stressed and dying, Director of Golf Management Division Dennis Echols and Course Designer Denis Griffiths have made some changes. They have removed several trees, brought in 2,500 cubic yards of dirt to level the area and added 4 to 5 bunkers on the left hand edge of the hole to create strategy to the hole that used to exist from the dying trees. One of the players from the Men’s UGA Golf Team hit some demonstration shots to illustrate how the hole would play from the back tees. “These changes will make the hole much, much more aesthetically pleasing and much more fun for the average golfer,” commented Dennis Echols. Course Designer Denis Griffiths added, “There will now be a decision-making process on the tee with some risk-reward for golfers.” The new hole is completed and is ready for play.