The editors of this document intend to add to this document, as time allows, year summaries from personal views as well as from documents such as The Fore-cast.

The major clubhouse re-construction was started. The pool building and pool renovation was first. Then, they started removing the upper portion of the main clubhouse in preparation for the major construction effort.

Following, is a summary of matters as reported in The Fore-cast.

Board Members and Responsibilities (January, 1996):

• Dick Baker, President
• Rick Booth, Fitness/Tennis
• Mel Deener, Communication and Secretary
• Dave Fajgenbaum, Pool
• Rick Farrell, Parlimentarian; Strategic Operations
• Rick Fowler, Finance and Treasurer
• Dennis Greenway, Membership
• Mike Kaelen, Golf
• George Krichbaum, House
• Dave Mazo, Service and Entertainment and YAC
• Tom Oxholm, Past President
• Paul Simpson, Green & Grounds
• Tom Stevens, Construction

Staff Leaders and Responsibilities (January, 1996):

• Tomas J. Noyes, General Manager
• Lee Smith, Assistant Manager
• Anne Thompson, Membership Secretary
• Phil Gross, Business Manager
• Bobby Sanne, Executive Chef
• Mike Hurrle, Food & Beverage Director
• John Motley, Director of Service
• Sam Brewer, Golf Professional
• Butch Sheffield, Golf Course Superintendent
• Mark Byrd, Tennis Pro

January - 1996

• Construction was a major topic.
• A silent auction was held, aimed at clearing out the old clubhouse.
• Participants in the Equity Assesment Program had their first billing in January, 1996.

February - 1996

• A January blizzard set back the construction schedule.
• Concrete was poured in the new pool building and the demolition of the old clubhouse was started.
• Sledding, it was reminded to the members, is not permitted on the golf course.
• Over a hundred members had paid the $3000 assessment in full and received a $25 reduction in monthly dues.

March - 1996

• Tree cutting around greens was done, to allow for more sun and air movement to assist the greens -- and to allow for less temporary greens in wintertime.

April - 1996

• Construction was started in the Men's locker room. Columns, etc. for the main ballroom were worked on.

May - 1996

• A tough weather-winter was over!
• Golfers were ask to be aware about being "un-neighborly" when looking for or trying to play a ball in someone's yard.
• The "natural fertilizer" spread out on the golf couse by dogs/pets was an issue.

June - 1996

• The new pool was opened with a Grand Opening weekend.
• The board decided to have one course per month spikeless.

July - 1996

• Tom J. Noyes left as General Manager. He had come to North Ridge in January, 1987.

• Parents are reminded: Children who cannot write their first and last name, will not be permitted to charge.

August - 1996

• Many members have proposed adding $1000-$1500 to the equity assessment and an additional year or two to the repayment term of the current plan to get all the building and the project completely done. The board will make a decision later this year (1996).
• As of August, 1996, the number of members were:

• Class A 775
• Ladies 20
• Junior 32
• Honorary 1
• Non-resident 11
• Patron 40
• Limited 51
• Leave-of-absence 23

September - 1996

• Egon C. Jorgensen, CCM, was Interim General Manager

October - 1996

• Fran arrived. Hurricane, that-is.

• 800+ trees downed
• Courses were closed for cleanup and a "Herculean" effort was put forth by Butch Sheffield and his team to get the courses back in shape for play in record time.

• North Ridge became gender neutral. Lady memberships were converted to Class A.
• Car parking: Cars parked in a No Parking Zone will receive a warning for the first offense; a $25 fine will be charged to the member's account for each other time thereafter that a club parking violation occurs.
• Towels: So far, in 1996 3,000 towels from the club and fitness center were missing. Members were asked to look in their trunks… and, reminded: It is your club - not, your towel!

November - 1996

• Kraig A. Kanitz joined North Ridge as General Manager, from Western Hills Country Club in Cincinnati, Ohio.

December - 1996

• Patience, from a constuction/inconvenience point of view, was a key item.
• New Years Eve was held in the grill and the 19 hole was openned for a late night celebration. $59.95 for the evening. Dinner and Dancing with Tony Stumpo in the grill. Disk jockey in the 19th hole.

The year started with much anticipation. The main clubhouse renovation/addition that was started in 1996 was to be ready in the first quarter of 1997 and other major matters were to be handled, such as new general management, new head chefs, completing financial studies related to the club's future, and other important matters.

The golf courses were in wonderful condition, the completed clubhouse renovation/additions including the main clubhouse locker rooms, the lower level meeting room, Men's 19th Hole, Fitness room, Pro Shop, and Casual Dining were all being heavily used and in fine shape.

Following, is a summary of matters as reported in The Fore-cast.

Board Members and Responsibilities (January, 1997):

• Dick Baker, President
• Rick Booth, Fitness/Tennis
• Wayne Cannady, Membership
• Dave Fajgenbaum, Social
• Rick Fowler, Strategic Planning
• Dennis Greenway, Golf
• Mike Kaelin, Greens & Grounds
• George Krichbaum, House
• Dave Mazo, Communications
• Ray Pittman, Finance
• Tom Stevans, Construction
• Mike Strickland, Pool
• Tommy Williams, Food & Beverage

Staff Leaders and Responsibilities (January, 1997):

• Kraig A. Kanitz, General Manager
• B. Clark Helton, Clubhouse Manager
• Anne Thompson, Executive Assistant
• Carl Reier, Executive Chef
• Carol Klenke, Grill Manager
• Paul Hammer, Business Manager
• Sam Brewer, Golf Professional
• Butch Sheffield, Golf Course Superintendent
• Mark Byrd, Tennis Pro
• Bill Ecke, Clubhouse Maintenance Superintendent

• Continue to improve service
• Expand and improve communications
• Complete the construction project
• Promote everyone's enjoyment of our revitalized facilities and operations

January - 1997

• As of January 1, 1997, Class A dues will be $210 per month plus $25 per month for those members who did not participate in PAII, the equity deposit used to pay for the 1992 renovation.

• Oaks became spikeless. (As the year progresses, both courses became spikeless)
• Dinner specials (in casual dining) were:

• Tuesday: Pasta Night - Italian Buffet ($12.95)
• Wednesday and Thursday - Family Night ($7.95 or use regular dinner menu)
• Friday - Seafood Night
• Saturday - Prime Rib Buffet Cost: ($15.95)
• Sunday evening - Southern Sunday Supper

February - 1997

• Improper parking continued a problem. Members are asked to park only in designated places. The Raleigh Fire Department warned North Ridge. The plan was to, beginning March 1 1997 tag/fine members $25.
• Committees were restuructred:

• Service and entertainment became two committees: 1) Social 2) Food&Beverage
• Added a new commmittee: Strategic Planning

• Paul Simpson has been recognized in an Internation field of players, by Golf Week magazine, as the 5th ranked amateur. Paul is the defending champion of the prestigious North-South amateur the last two years. Throughout the history of the North-South, only four other amateurs (including Curtis Strange) have successfully defended that title.
• Valentines Day in the Grill: Surf 'N' Turf and a rose for the ladies $29.95
• Chris Hodge left (as an assistant golf pro) to take over as first assistant professional at Pinehurst National.

March - 1997

• Construction continued - Safety warnings!
• Grand Reopening planned for Thursday, March 27 The new addition will accommodate 400-500+ persons.
• Play with the Pros was started. On Thursdays, two tee times were marked where members could sign up with the staff professionals.
• Furniture sale: Club furnishings that have been in storage - Oriental rugs, lounge sofa, ottomans, lamps, mahogany card table

April - 1997

• Tennis court construction and the new tennis facility construction is well on the way. Opening planned for late summer, 1997.
• Membership applications continue to be strong. Average wait time is 10-to-12 months to be a full member.
• Fine Dining in the new facility debuted on April 8, 1997.

• Dining Hours were:

• Sunday Brunch in the ballroom 11:30 - 14:00 A new tradition, was started.

• Age 12 and above $14.95, Ages 8-11 $7.95, Ages 4-7 $4.95, Age 1-3 $3

• Again: Warnings from the Raleigh Fire Department for parking outside the lines.
• New Feature: 19to hole luncheon specials every Wed. and Fri.

• Construction continues, but is soon to be completed. Dick Baker reports: "It will leave us with a magnificent facility which will serve us for many years to come".
• Tipping at casual dining became a member's option (previously it had been 15%).
• Tipping at fine dining was set at 20% as a default without member's action.
• Average time for new members to be in a limited status prior to a full Class A vacancy is available, was 10-12 months.
• Doug Evans, recently from the Raleigh Cardinal Club and Capital City Club, became fine dining maitre d'.
• Jeff Bueche became the year's second Executive Chef

May - 1997

• Over 750 persons attended the opening of the re-constructed clubhouse.
• Parking: Mentioned again - and fines forgiven until May 1 -

• Paul Simpson won the North Carolina Mid Amatuer once again.

June - 1997

• Don Detweiler / Tom Oxholm were the overall gross men's Swing Into Spring winners. Ladies winners were Mary Rendlemann, Wendy Honeycutt, Hilda Price, and Gail Cannady.

July - 1997

• The final financial disposition of the construction project will be presented, soon, to the members.
• Lunch service in the dining room was closed (planned to be re-opened in Fall 1997)

August - 1997

• First Ladies Golf Assoc. 18-hole challenge with Raleigh CC was held. North Ridge was the winner of this first match, 44 to 18 1/2.
• Ray Pittman, Treasurer and Finance Committee Chairman outlined the financial status of the club and construction obligations, etc. Work on this topic is scheduled over the next few months.
• The first Wine Tastings were held in Library. Australia and California were featured.

September - 1997

• Grand opening of the new tennis facility took place Sept. 28, 1997.
• Parking continued to be a concern. Threatening of towing did not address the sinners. Editor's note: As of 1999, the battle is still going on.
• The initiation fee was increased from $26,000 to $30,000.

October - 1997

• There were no reported personal injuries over the 18 months of construction.
• Strategic Planning Committee presented the following mission statement:

• Duplicate Bridge was brought back. Open Duplicate Bridge on Fridays was scheduled and continues to be held on an irregular basis.

November - 1997

• Kraig Kanitz had his 1^st anniversery "The most dramatic part of the relocation thus far has been the stress associated with taking my North Carolina driver's license examination!"

• The membership committee reports that so far 38 new members have joined North Ridge since January 1997. Based upon new member applications currently being processed, limited membership should be approaximately 40 by the end of 1997.
• For pro Sam Brewer: The USGA says that mulligans affect your handicap by 1/2 a shot, gimmees by 1-to-2 shots, and winter rules by 1/2-to-as-many-as-4 shots. Obviously, when the bell rings and it is tournament time, mulligans, gimmees, and winter rules put a player at a great disadvantage.
• Sam Brewer was named the Carolinas PGA 1997 Junior Golf Leader for his exemplary work with junior golfers over the past year.
• The Finance committee presented to the members a proposal and summary of construction and other matters. The issue was heatedly discussed at a general meeting.

December - 1997

• Dick Baker's term as Club President ended in 1997. George Krichbaum will be the 1998 Club President.
• The first New Year's Eve in the ballroom was held Dec. 31, 1997. Black tie preferred. $75 per person. Food stations were: New England Raw Bar, Carving Station (Beef and Turkey), Oriental Stir Fry, Italian Pasta, New Orleans Cajun, Farmers Market (Cheese, fruit, etc.), Mexican Fiesta, Paris Pastries, California Wine Bar. Music was presented by "Crème of Soul".

General comments…..

Following, is a summary of matters as reported in The Fore-cast.

Board Members and Responsibilities (January, 1998):

• Dick Baker, President
• Rick Booth, Fitness/Tennis
• Wayne Cannady, Membership
• Dave Fajgenbaum, Social
• Rick Fowler, Strategic Planning
• Dennis Greenway, Golf
• Mike Kaelin, Greens & Grounds
• George Krichbaum, House
• Dave Mazo, Communications
• Ray Pittman, Finance
• Tom Stevans, Construction
• Mike Strickland, Pool
• Tommy Williams, Food & Beverage

Staff Leaders and Responsibilities (January, 1998):

• Kraig A. Kanitz, General Manager
• B. Clark Helton, Clubhouse Manager
• Anne Thompson, Executive Assistant
• Carl Reier, Executive Chef
• Carol Klenke, Grill Manager
• Paul Hammer, Business Manager
• Sam Brewer, Golf Professional
• Butch Sheffield, Golf Course Superintendent
• Mark Byrd, Tennis Pro
• Bill Ecke, Clubhouse Maintenance Superintendent

• Continue to improve service
• Expand and improve communications
• Complete the construction project
• Promote everyone's enjoyment of our revitalized facilities and operations

January - 1998

• Some comment…..

A reminder! - Send your updated information or other comments to: Dave Shogren.

Use your web browser Back button or click on Index of North Ridge History Document