President’s Message | Chris CasterDear Champlain Country Club Members & Guests, On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to reach out to all of you as our golf season moves into full swing. The course is in the middle of yet another extremely busy year. Our staff continues to deliver exceptional conditions, and we frequently hear from visiting golfers that our course is a true hidden treasure in the area. Our Grounds, Pro Shop, and Restaurant teams have been amazing, especially given the daily challenges of managing a golf facility. Most recently, the severe weather gave us all a front-row seat to just how fortunate we are to have this team in place. We were also fortunate to receive immediate support from our community. One of our frequent guests, Shad Minor, brought his entire crew and spent a full day clearing debris. In addition, so many dedicated members consistently lend a hand to keep the course in top shape. I want to specifically recognize Ron Hathaway for his incredible efforts over the past few years—Ron has stepped up at a moment’s notice time and again, both on the course and in the restaurant. Dan DesLauriers is another member who deserves recognition for jumping in whenever help is needed. To the countless others who volunteer purely out of love for our Club, we are deeply grateful. Looking ahead, one of our largest ongoing challenges is managing the fallout from the Emerald Ash Borer, which has left a significant number of dead trees throughout the property. Last winter, we began the massive task of tree removal. We plan to resume this work as soon as the course closes for the season, prioritizing the grove of dead trees between Holes 1 and 2. To support these efforts, we are organizing a Calcutta fundraiser to buy replacement trees and establishing a Memorial Tree program. Additionally, we will discuss plans for expanding the 7th tee box during this fall’s Annual Meeting on Sunday, October 4th at 6:00 PM. Keep an eye out for upcoming details regarding the meeting agenda, open Board seats up for election, and information on how to submit your candidacy. Thank you all for a great year so far. Please enjoy the rest of the season, and let’s hope for a long, beautiful fall! |
From the Pro Shop | Mike SwimEarly Membership Renewal Be sure to keep an eye out for details on our upcoming early membership renewal opportunity. Locking in early secures your rate for next season and protects against anticipated annual price increases. Full details will be available soon! Pace & Operations We are averaging 220 players per day while keeping round times under 4 hours. So far, we’ve hosted over 1,500 outing rounds and 1,000 member event rounds. To support this volume, we’ve expanded our ranger presence and outside staff to assist with player service and course needs. Junior Clinic Record Our Junior Golf program is thriving with a record-high turnout of over 80 kids each week! A sincere thank-you to the membership for your continued support, for sharing the course, and for accommodating any morning schedule adjustments. Upcoming Events With a busy schedule of events over the next two months, please contact the Pro Shop directly to check tee time options around planned outings. Thanks to Pro Shop Staff A huge thank-you to our staff for going above and beyond on miscellaneous course projects—including weeding, painting, cart repairs, and tree cleanup. |
Grounds Update | Chris SaylorSeasonal Focus & Operations This season, our maintenance department is operating with a smaller team than usual. To ensure the course remains in top shape, we are directing our primary efforts toward daily, core course maintenance and pausing major infrastructure projects for the time being. Course Improvements: #7 Tee & #4 Brush Line #7 Tee Turf Transition: The switch to our new grass variety on the #7 tee is paying off. The new turf is proving significantly more durable than the previous bentgrass and is holding up exceptionally well under heavy play. #4 Brush Line Clearing: A big thank you to Ron Hathaway, Aidan Potter, and everyone else who helped clear the brush line along #4. Their hard work has dramatically improved the layout and visibility in that area. Equipment & Logistics Challenge We have experienced an unusually high number of major equipment breakdowns and complex repair delays this season. Having essential machinery out of service for extended periods creates significant operational challenges, but our team is working hard behind the scenes to maintain the high playability standards you expect. Thank you for your continued patience and support as we work through these seasonal challenges! |
Restaurant News | Jackie DeslauriersAs we find ourselves in the heart of another wonderful golf season, I wanted to take a moment to thank each of you for your continued support of Irons & Ale. This season has been filled with memorable events, incredible feedback, and countless opportunities to connect with our members and guests. Whether you’ve joined us after your round, met friends for lunch, enjoyed dinner on the patio, or attended one of our special events, your support has played a tremendous role in our success. Thank you for making Irons & Ale such a special part of the Champlain Country Club experience. I’d also like to recognize our outstanding front-of-house and back-of-house team. Their dedication, professionalism, and passion have been nothing short of exceptional. Behind every great meal and every welcoming experience is a team that consistently goes above and beyond. From early mornings to long tournament days, they continue to show up with energy, creativity, and a genuine commitment to serving our members. I couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve accomplished together. As we look ahead to the remainder of the season, I also wanted to share a brief update regarding menu pricing. Like many local businesses, we continue to navigate rising operating costs while remaining committed to providing the quality and service you’ve come to expect. The recent increase in the Town of Swanton’s local option tax—bringing the total tax to 10% on meals and 11% on alcoholic beverages—is one of several factors affecting our expenses. While we’ve worked hard to keep our pricing as stable as possible, you may notice modest adjustments to select menu items in the coming weeks. These changes will be made thoughtfully, with the goal of continuing to serve fresh, high-quality food, support our exceptional staff, and provide the dining experience you deserve. Our commitment remains unchanged: to make Irons & Ale a place where great food, genuine hospitality, and community come together. We are incredibly grateful for your continued support, your feedback, and the trust you’ve placed in us throughout the season. Thank you for being part of our journey. We look forward to finishing the season strong and creating many more memorable experiences with you. |