ISN’T THAT WILD?
You just saved me some money. I was just at the grocery store, and they had a package of "baby portobellos" at a premium price, or plain old creminis. Fortunately, I just read your article "Something Wild" [September/ October 2004], which explained that a portobello is a brown mushroom larger than two inches. Thank you.
David M. Schultz, Member
University Club Atop Symphony Towers
San Diego

SKY HIGH
On a recent business trip to Indianapolis, my morning appointments were unexpectedly delayed. Fortunately for me, the Skyline Club became my office-away-from-the-office. I was able to seamlessly participate in several conference calls and communicate online without any issues. The members of the staff were very courteous, pleasant, and helpful. It was as if I had just walked into the office and went to work. The only difference was that my real office is not nearly as nice, nor does it have such a wonderful view. (If you’ve never seen the Monument Circle in central Indianapolis from 36 floors up, it’s worth the trip!) Please extend my thanks and appreciation to the entire team at the Skyline Club for their outstanding service.
Tom McKenty
Member, Fairlane Club, Dearborn, Michigan
Senior Vice President, General Manager
Midwest Region, Ajilon Consulting L.L.C.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
I am coming up on my one-year anniversary with the First City Club [Savannah, Georgia] and I wanted to express my gratitude to the fine staff at the club for the excellent service. When I was presented with the opportunity to become a member with Signature Gold benefits, I was first skeptical, but thought I would give it a try and if I did not feel it was valuable, I would downgrade later.

After spending time this past weekend in Boston, I am writing to tell you the club membership benefits are a great value. The Club Quarters in Boston had great accommodations located in the heart of the city. I was able to walk to all of the major sights.

This past year, I have had the opportunity to stay at Club Quarters, Downtown in the Wall Street area of New York and I plan to go back and stay at the Club Quarters, Midtown. Additionally, I travel regularly back to Atlanta and use the One Ninety One Club and stay at the Ritz-Carlton at a club rate. In addition, I have used clubs and affiliate sites in Washington, D.C., New York, and Chicago, and have benefited from the Signature Gold dining benefits at these locations. I hope to be able to visit additional clubs this coming year. Again, thanks.
Ernest W. Lee II
Member, First City Club
Savannah, Georgia
Legal Counsel and Adviser
Savannah College of Art and Design

DESERT OASIS
Recently, I had the opportunity to use my Signature Gold benefits to play golf with a guest at Desert Falls Country Club in Palm Springs, California. And what a great day — from the cooler stocked with ice-soaked towels to the wonderful young woman who cleaned our clubs at the end of the round. I definitely give Desert Falls a very high rating.
Frank Antonacci
Member, Canyon Crest Country Club
Riverside, California

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’
While in Palm Springs recently, I had the pleasure of playing both Mission Hills Country Club and Indian Wells Country Club. What a treat. Both clubs, although strikingly different, were pristine. Each course was magnificent, with Mission Hills full of water hazards and Indian Wells woven in and among the mountains. The staffs were very helpful and friendly, and made me feel completely at home. Despite the 113-degree temperature, I had the time of my life.
Steve Megregian
Member, The Clubs of Kingwood
Houston

ALL IN THE FAMILY
We are members at Shadowridge Golf Club in Vista, California. We traveled to Pennsylvania for our son’s golf tournament and a family vacation. Jim Cooke, formerly the general manager at Shadowridge, is now the general manager at Diamond Run Golf Club in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. After 19 years of working with a membership association, I have a trained eye for how to deal with members. Recognition does not always trickle up, but the way members are treated by senior staff definitely trickles down. Jim Cooke made us feel like royalty at his club and so did his staff. Jim is a great asset to ClubCorp and we just wanted to let you know.
Margaret and Doug Cypher
Members, Shadowridge Golf Club
Vista, California

ABOVE AND BEYOND
My wife and I are members of the Los Angeles Swing Dance Club and were going to a Fourth of July dance convention. I noticed the new addition of the affiliate Seven Oaks Country Club in Bakersfield, California, in "The Guide" and called for a tee time as it was very little out of our way returning home from Los Angeles to Walnut Creek (just east of San Francisco). I called the ClubLine and asked for a 10:30 a.m. tee time for Tuesday, July 6, and was told 10:25 a.m. was available.

When we arrived at the course, it was closed, but waiting for us was Bruce Burroughs, Seven Oaks’ director of golf. He has a new employee who did not know the course would be closed because the course had been open on Monday, July 5. Bruce saw on Monday that there was a ClubCorp tee time for Tuesday and was waiting for us with a new cart — with a fold-down windshield and a very large ice chest full of bottled water and soft drinks — and sent us on our way to play. He told us the course was ours except for the maintenance crew. Wow!

We have been Associate members since 1968 (Canyon Crest Country Club in Riverside, California), and I have played golf at some 80 different facilities. Let me tell you that there is not any better looking club than Seven Oaks Country Club. The golf course is very nice with everything well trimmed, just like Canyon Gate Country Club in Las Vegas, one of our favorites. The temperature was just under 100, but the wife and I were finished in 21⁄2 hours and, with our 16 handicaps, both shot 87s on our first go.

Warning! We will be back.
Harley and Patricia Deisem
Members, Club LeConte
Knoxville, Tennessee

WELL PLAYED
I have been fortunate to play about 30 of the Associate Clubs over the past 10 years during my travels. Recently I had the opportunity to play Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club in Southern California. From the minute I arrived to the moment I left, this was a special experience. First, the complimentary valet upon arrival, then the stream with a waterfall, the personnel at the pro shop. … The challenging Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course was in great condition. The greens, although not too fast, were very demanding. I had the opportunity to play with one of the members who assisted me on my strategy for each hole. I had a great day and shot 73 on the north course. Again, I want to thank the staff at Coto de Caza for their excellent service and a great experience!
Mark Alonzi
Member, Stonehenge Country Club
Richmond, Virginia