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MEMBERABILIA
BIG BITE OF THE APPLE
As ClubCorp’s executive vice president of membership, I talk all the
time about the great benefits of being a Signature Gold member, so I decided to
take advantage of the benefits I have as a member myself. I have a 16-year-old
daughter who had a passion to visit New York City, and her mom and I promised
her a trip to the “Big Apple” if she had a great report card. She did very well,
so we planned her reward.
I called the ClubLine to use my Signature Gold Unlimited benefits and see how
they could help me with my daughter’s big weekend. We had four days over the
President’s Day holiday to plan. We flew into LaGuardia on American Airlines;
the ClubLine had Carey Limousine pick us up. A Carey representative met us at
baggage claim, collected our bags (my wife and daughter packed for two weeks),
and led us outside where our driver awaited. He took us to the Michelangelo
Hotel, a Signature Gold affiliate hotel. It is located in the heart of the
theater district, walking distance to many of the Broadway shows, Times Square,
and the all-important shopping.
Our room was wonderful; the hotel was very European and the service top-notch.
The two concierges, James and Jimmy, were awesome. They had connections, maps,
and knew everything about the city. We arrived Friday afternoon in time to
freshen up, change clothes, and get to our dinner reservations at Charlie
Palmer’s Aureole restaurant. The service was over the top. The ClubLine had
alerted them to our theater plans. The prix fixe menu was perfect for our tight
time schedule. The food was perfect (don’t miss the lobster bisque), but dessert
was worth the trip by itself. Following dinner, they called us a cab and we were
whisked off to see Wicked (orchestra seats, row B, in the center). We felt like
we were part of the show. Wicked was everything we hoped for and exceeded our
expectation. Following the show, we took a short, two-block walk back to the
hotel. The beds had been turned down, and mints placed on the pillows. We needed
sleep.
Early Saturday morning found us in the hotel lobby at the custom coffee bar
(complimentary) and off to a tour of Central Park by carriage. Our horse was
named Beauty and knew the route better than the driver. They dropped us off at
Tavern on the Green, a historic New York landmark. Our unlimited brunch was
excellent. The décor of Tavern on the Green is not something I would choose for
my home, but somehow seemed appropriate for a park in New York City. The girls,
strengthened by brunch, headed for Fifth Avenue. My daughter was teary eyed when
she visited the Coach store (so was I, when I saw the prices). My wife
considered their visit to Tiffany’s a religious experience. She crossed herself
and we aren’t Catholic. I headed to the hotel for a nap as the girls completed
their pilgrimage to this shopping mecca.
We dressed up that night for our dinner at the famous ‘21’ Club. The ClubLine
reservations were great as was our dinner in the landmark club. Again, a short
cab ride to see Phantom of the Opera (row B, orchestra, on the aisle). What a
night. A short walk back to our hotel, one last look at the day’s purchases, and
then some much-needed rest.
Sunday was tour-the-city day. James, the concierge, arranged a car and driver.
Edgar, our driver, was amazing; he knew the whole history of the city. We
visited all five boroughs, experienced the Empire State Building, lunched at
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria under the Brooklyn Bridge, and visited the new and old
Yankee Stadium. Back to the hotel and off to see Hairspray. This musical is
high-energy and our row D orchestra seats kept us in the middle of the action.
Following the show, we had a short walk to Del Frisco’s, another Signature Gold
affiliate restaurant. We had a wonderful window table and monster-size portions
— pricey, but worth it. An evening stroll down Times Square, experiencing the
lights of the city, and then we headed back to our hotel.
Monday morning, we slept in a bit but were up early enough for lunch at Carnegie
Deli, a mainstay of New York for decades (my father ate there as a young boy).
Our sandwiches were huge, our 76-year-old waitress was a typical New York
grandma, and it was a major highlight. The girls needed more shopping time at
Bloomingdale’s and I visited the NBA Store. We packed up (more bags than we
arrived with). Carey Limousine dropped us off at the airport.
Our unlimited weekend was complete. Everything we did is available to any
Signature Gold Unlimited member. Great show tickets, great restaurants, and a
great hotel. My family is already asking me about using the ClubLine to visit
Boston. They want me to investigate the Signature Gold private jet service. The
1-800 number is magical. We are hooked.
Frank Gore
Executive Vice President, Membership
ClubCorp
SIGNATURE MOMENT
I would like to commend the staff at the
Metropolitan Club in Chicago.
I was in Chicago on business recently, and decided to take advantage of my
Signature Gold membership. I had a very easy time making a reservation through
the Signature Gold line, and arrived at the Metropolitan Club looking forward to
the great view of the city of Chicago.
I was greeted by name, and enjoyed one of the finest meals I have eaten. I was
pleased to see how much the staff knew about my home club,
Oak Pointe Country
Club, and how I was asked about the progress of the new clubhouse. It really
made me feel part of my own club!
My waiter, Eric Avila, was very attentive without being intrusive, and gave me
great suggestions from the menu. I can’t recommend this club enough, as the
excellent treatment I received from the moment I walked in, until I left, was a
pleasurable dining experience.
I can’t wait to enjoy the other clubs in Chicago on my next trip!
Thomas A. Raskauskas, M.D.
Member, Oak Pointe Country Club
Brighton, Michigan
ON THE ROAD
I was fascinated by your “Wheels of Fortune” article in the March/April 2008
edition. Especially the opportunity of driving these valuable cars as a
once-in-a-lifetime experience. I plan to give this experience as a 65th birthday
gift to a very special friend.
Barbara Marshall, M.D.
Bratenahl, Ohio
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