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Our Top 10 Wedding Movies!
April 20, 2009 at 9:20 AM
Now that you are engaged and are beginning to plan your dream wedding, what better way to get ‘in the mood’ then watching a romantic wedding movie! While they might not give you the best ideas on fashion and etiquette, these movies will be sure to make you smile, laugh, and of course cry! Don’t forget the popcorn!
10. Bride Wars
9. American Wedding
8. Muriel’s Wedding
7. The Wedding Planner
6. My Big Fat Greek Wedding
5. The Wedding Singer
4. Runaway Bride
3. Wedding Crashers
2. My Best Friend’s Wedding
1. Father of the Bride
Tournament Golf
April 20, 2009 at 9:17 AM
It’s that time of year again. The sun is shining, the grass is turning green, and the smell of magnolias is filling the air. Tournament golf is once again exciting. That Tiger Woods fellow is back – a long shot to win Comeback Player of the year. Phil Mickelson is either winning or taking a long weekend. And Sergio Garcia continues to make me look like a great putter. Everything in the golf world is right again.
To me, there is nothing better than tournament golf. Hitting crucial shots under pressure. Holing three foot putts to save par. Making birdie on the last hole to complete a charge. Now in all honesty, I’m usually the other guy in the group watching one of my competitors do all these things. Man can those guys play! Personally, my game resembles more of “the agony of defeat” than the “thrill of victory”, but I still love to play in tournaments. Who doesn’t love to stand on the first tee not knowing what’s going to happen first – a great tee shot or losing your lunch from the nerves. As most great players say, if you’re not nervous you’re not alive.
With that in mind, I am deliriously happy to announce that Geneva National will host two new and very important events this year. The first is a State Open Qualifier to be played on the Trevino Course on July 27th. The “winning” participants will gain a spot into this year’s State Open on the Meadow Valleys Course at Blackwolf Run. Based on past experience, there will be roughly 9 State Open spots available (official number is based on number of players at each site and the total number of “open” spots left to get into the State Open). The entry fee for the event is – Amateurs $105, PGA Professionals $105, and Non-PGA Professionals $180. An on-site fee of $25 will also be required at check-in, which will cover Golf Cart, Driving Range, and Greens Fees. Players are not required to ride, but each participant is required to pay the $25 fee. Tee times will start around 7:30am with all groups going off #1 in threesomes. Entries for the qualifier open on May 15th and will be available at www.wisconsin.pga.com.
The second event that Geneva National will host is the Walworth County Open. This event will be open to all Amateurs and Professionals that have a residence in Walworth County. This will be a two day, cumulative stroke play event held on August 22nd and 23rd. The field will be broken down into 4 separate divisions – Championship Flight, 1st Flight, 2nd Flight, and 3rd Flight. The Championship Flight will be open to Golf Professionals and Amateurs and will play the Palmer and Player. The Flights will be open to Amateurs who have a USGA handicap (the event itself will be gross scores, but flights will be determined by handicaps) and will play the Trevino and Palmer. The entry fee for the Walworth County Open will be $160 per person and includes: two rounds of golf, carts, range balls, prizes, and an hors d’oeuvres reception after Sunday play. Registration will open starting May 1st. Entries can be picked up in the Resort golf shop or printed off the website.
That’s all I have for now, but you can be guaranteed that I’ll be practicing to get ready (that knocking sound is my knees as I try to make those two foot putts)!
Soundtrack to your Day...
March 20, 2009 at 9:32 AM
Stumped on what music to pick? As newlyweds, the wedding coordinators here at Geneva National would like to share their wedding playlists with you. Maybe this will give you an idea or two for your big day. No matter how classic or modern the songs you select are, they will help make your day memorable for you.
Processional:
"Canon in D"
"The Bridal March"
Recessional:
"Oh Happy Day"
Father/Daughter Dance:
“My Girl” (The Temptations)
“Little Trip To Heaven” (Tom Waitts)
Mother/Son Dance:
"What a Wonderful World" (Louis Armstrong)
"My Wish" (Rascal Flatts)
First Dance:
“The Way You Look Tonight” (Fred Astaire)
“Can’t Help Falling In Love” (Michael Buble)
Bridal Party Dance:
“The Way I Am” (Ingrid Michaelson)
Cake Cutting Song:
“Grow Old With You” (Adam Sandler)
“The Way You Look Tonight” (Frank Sinatra)
Budgeting for your dream day!
March 11, 2009 at 12:28 PM
If you just got engaged, your first step will most likely be making a budget. Regardless of your budget you can make your wedding great, here are some estimated ranges to help you prepare for what your wedding day will cost you.
DJ: $600-$1,500
Photographer: $1,000-$10,000
Flowers: $1,200-$2,600
Transportation: $400-$1,000
Cake: $2.50/slice - $4.50/slice
Chair Covers: $4.00-$5.50/chair
Venue Rental Fee: $250-$1,500
Hair: $40-$65
Food & Beverage: $42.00-$75.00 per person (Note: 40%-50% of your budget will be spent on your reception)
Invitations: $2.50 - $10.00/invitation
*Don't forget to factor in your postage for the invitation and response cards
*Be aware that Square envelopes and oversized envelopes will be more costly
to send
Alterations to your dress: $150 - $300
Dress: $500 - $2,500
You may be able to find some deals or splurge, but hopefully this will give you a better idea of what to anticipate for your budget.
Happy Planning!
The best days lie ahead...
March 11, 2009 at 12:19 PM
“America’s best days lie ahead”, stated billionaire Warren Buffet as he addressed shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. on February 28, 2009. Buffet remains optimistic about America’s resilience despite the current gloom and doom of Wall Street. Embracing Buffets optimism, let’s focus on the positive, celebrating our freedom of choice, family, friendships and the gift of life.
Over the past two months, five new members have joined the Geneva National Golf Club. With excited anticipation, they look forward to making new friendships, participating in member events and the opportunity to enjoy the Club lifestyle. The Club is about belonging…as a Member, the Club will become your “home away from home”, as you enjoy one of the most awesome golfing venues afforded in the Midwest! At this time, when most clubs are struggling, we’re very fortunate to retain our membership and welcome new members. As the rebirth of spring is upon us, we invite you to relish in thoughts of approaching warm summer days…spending time at the lake and enjoying various recreational pursuits. Consider joining our Geneva National Club family…and create those treasured moments of a lifetime!
First Aid for your Swing
March 11, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Welcome back to the Geneva National Blog! I am happy to report that Mother Nature has started to give in and spring weather may be right around the corner. Currently we have little to no snow, and in just a few small places there may even be green grass showing (this may be just a trick my eyes are playing on me, but after such a long winter it’s a welcomed sight!). Opening day is near!
As spring nears, I find myself eager to get back into my preseason routine: 1) Dust off the clubs, 2) Place clubs in trunk of car to be ready at moments notice, and 3) Organize a search party to find what is left of my golf game. My only hope is when my game is found, it’s not DOA.
I’ve started many seasons with a game in critical condition, and there is no better cure than hitting range balls. It’s an unbelievable feeling walking up to the driving range at season opening. Hope. Optimism. Belief that this will finally be the year. It’s like a rebirth. Past failures and memories of paying off lost bets quickly fade away. At that moment, I feel I can do anything with a golf ball. Hit it long? No problem. You want a slight draw? Easy enough. Hit a power fade that goes forever and stops on a dime? Try and stop me. I can’t seem to get my glove on fast enough or get a tee in the ground quick enough. Then it happens….I take my first swing. And instantly I realize it’s going to be a long year. After 30 minutes, I come to the realization that not only have I forgotten how to golf but my body has become possessed by some unnatural being. Divots and cursing fill the air. My swing starts to make Charles Barkley look good (thanks Golf Channel – I was having a hard enough time sleeping with the economy/stock market, but now I have to have nightmares of that swing in my mind?!!?!). That’s when I make my first good decision of the year – go back to the basics and start there.
You can’t build a house on a bad foundation, and the same is true for the golf swing. The better your fundamentals, the less you have to compensate during the swing. This is what makes Tiger so good. He has the best fundamentals of anyone on tour. Many of his work sessions focus only on fundamentals.
With this in mind, let me give you three letters to start the year – PGA. Posture, Grip, Alignment. These three little words make the golf world go ‘round.
POSTURE – Golf is an athletic activity (no laughing) and requires an athletic
posture. The golf stance should look like a quarterback about to take a
snap or a tennis player waiting to receive a serve. Start by standing tall.
Slightly bend the knees. Then, bend from the hips (this is the tricky part).
Your back should remain flat with no hunching. To get the hip-bend, you
need to feel like your sticking your butt out. I know it sounds goofy, but
it’s the best way to feel the correct position. Try it in front of a mirror and
see how sticking your butt out changes your spine angle/tilt. From there,
let your arms hang straight down with no tension. You have now found
the proper starting posture for the golf swing.
GRIP – The grip will dictate what the club is going to do throughout the swing, so
it is very important. There are many types of grips, so I am going to cover
the basics. First, the grip should be more towards the fingers than the
palm of the hand. More accurately, the grip on the club should fall across the base
of fingers (where the fingers meet the hand). Second, when you grip the club, the left
thumb should fall to the right side of the club and the right thumb should fall on the
left side of the club. This creates a V between the thumb and forefinger on each
hand. These “V’s” should point up between your nose and right shoulder (for Right Handers).
ALIGNMENT – The next step is to aim your body properly. The line from your golf
ball to your target is called the target line. In golf, we want to setup our
body parallel to the target line. Just like two train tracks passing in the
night. Notice I said body and not feet. The feet need to be parallel, but so
do the knees, hips, and shoulders. If one body part is off line,
compensations have to be made.
Now all you have to do is swing! Okay there may be more to it than that, but these are the core fundamentals I go back to every spring. For more in depth and personalized lessons, Geneva National has several qualified and experienced instructors on staff. Individual and Group lessons are available for very reasonable fees. Give us a call at 262-245-7000 ext. 520 for more information. If you like, you can email me golf swing questions at dwinget@gnresort.com. I will do my best to answer them, but if I don’t get back to you right away, I may be on the range seeing how far my 9 iron can fly!
Why Bridesmaids are a Bride's Best Friend...
February 19, 2009 at 8:06 AM
Of course you could never imagine getting married without your best friends standing by your side. From the dress to the shoes, to the flowers, bridesmaids all don the same attire letting the bride glow in the spotlight. However the origin of your bridal party joining you at the alter stems from the fear of evil spirits casting misfortune onto the bride. To confuse the evil spirits the bridesmaids would dress similar to the bride acting as decoys to provide a safe haven to sanctify the beginning of their marriage. Here at Geneva National we will try to ward off any evil spirits prior to the big day so your bridesmaids can wear the latest fashion and you can shine!
Hello from Golf Pro Dave!
February 19, 2009 at 8:04 AM
Hello and welcome to the new Geneva National website blog. Over the next few weeks and months, I will post messages about the Public operations at our club. These posts will include information on golf packages, new events, staff bios, new equipment and apparel offerings, and my own unique and sometimes biased opinions on the golf world (including our own three courses).
Before I go on, let me first give you a little information about me. My name is Dave Winget (David if you happen to be my mother), and I am the Resort Head Professional at Geneva National. I am responsible for all the public golf operations that happen at the golf course. So depending on your experience, I am the guy you can thank or blame (happily I can say I have received more Thank Yous over the past few years). I was born and raised in Southern Wisconsin. After high school, I attended and graduated with high honors from UW-Whitewater. After college, I accepted a position at Geneva National Golf Club in 2001. During my eight seasons at GN, I worked my way up to Head Pro while also attaining my PGA Membership. I am a solid 5 handicap unless we are playing for money, then I am a 12.
Enough about me! Let’s talk about something fun, say like golf. One of my favorite things to do with my buddies is to go on golf trips. Over the past couple of years, we have gone to some fun places…Florida, St. Louis, Las Vegas, and others. While the destination changes, the format stays the same. Four guys piling in a car, driving too many hours, getting too little sleep, and playing as much golf as possible. We may also have a few too many adult beverages as well, but this is a family web site (my wife may also be reading as well!). Over the 3-4 days, we create games, switch partners, and more often than not, lose A LOT of golf balls. Once we get home, the exhaustion sets in and the golf tales start. The number of birdies increases with every story told, and so does the number of clubs thrown – but you take the good with the bad. These trips always create special friendships.
What I am interested in; however, is what kind of golf trips everyone else takes. Do you go with friends or family? What kinds of games or events do you play during these getaways? What do you do other than golf on your trip (remember, family web site – let’s keep it clean)? What kind of hotels do you stay at (or do you not stay at a hotel at all)? What was the best trip you ever took?
Now, I did say I would talk about Geneva National as well, and I am very proud to announce that we have revamped our own Stay & Play package as well. We have simplified the process. Instead of calling around the area for a golf package and having a hotel set it up for you, we’ll book everything for you (hotel, golf, and other stuff). You just tell us how many players you have, the days you want to play, and we’ll create the package for you. We also understand the economy is tough. That’s why we have a golf package for a one night stay AND a round of golf starting at $75+tax per person (Based on Occupancy and Dates). For more info, give us a call at 262-245-3020 or just look under Stay & Play on this web site.
That’s all for now! I look forward to seeing everyone in the spring!
Dave
The Geneva National Lifestyle
February 9, 2009 at 8:15 AM
February 7, 2009: The 19th Anniversary of Geneva National
Stepping back in time...
Whether it was due to the most recent theory of a Meteor Shower, Daniel "Peg Leg" Sullivan's attempt at stealing milk from Mrs. O'Leary's cow or a flicked cigar at a crap game, the great Chicago Fire of 1871 spurred Chicagoans to escape the city's devastation and head north. The "city folk" ventured by train to the Williams Bay station in anticipation of enjoying the beauty of Geneva Lake, staying with friends or possibly enjoying the amenities of Kayes Park Resort, longing to pursue recreational activities from boating, swimming, golfing, lawn games, camp fires or socializing. Thus, the development of the "newport of the West" began, as large lakefront parcels were purchased and elegant estate homes were built by the city's elite.
What does this have to do with the Geneva National lifestyle?
The Geneva National lifestyle builds on traditions of the past - offering primary or secondary residences, complimented by diverse recreational pursuits from golfing, swimming, tennis, hiking and socializing.
The Club...
Why does one consider joining a club? It's all about the camaraderie! Should you be new to the area or a resident of Geneva National, the Geneva National Golf Club affords one the opportunity to make new friendships, build relationships and enjoy recreational pursuits while enhancing one's life journey. Designed as the "heart of the community," the Geneva National Golf Club provides the social aspect for Club Members to meet other members. Golf Members have the opportunity to participate in a weekly Member/Staff outing, Thursday evening Men's League, Saturday or Sunday league play and themed golfing events. New golf members are paired up with members of similar handicaps to enjoy the game.
Socially speaking, the Club's Calendar of Events includes monthly Member Receptions, themed dinners and Wine dinners, Maah Jong and Bridge games. Dining venues include the historic Hunt Club Lodge (open year round) or the Member Grill Room and Veranda. "Golf widows" will enjoy the ambiance as much as their counterpart - especially bringing the gals to the Club for lunch or cocktails. Looking for a fitness center? Open year round, the Wellness Center offers complimentary stretching classes three times a week. Interested in finding the best fishing spots, playing a game of bocce ball or pool? We know just the man to introduce you to!
The social aspects of the club are carried on beyond the gates...lake area residents entertain Geneva National residents and vice versa. One of the most rewarding aspects for our Membership Director are the introductions...ultimately at various social gatherings, someone will inqure how certain friends met-you know the answer. Off season, snowbirds flock to their winter destinations, from Naples to Sarasota to Palm Beach Gardens or Scottsdale and enjoy entertaining their northern friends. The Club experience is all about friendships...as the years pass you'll think back and fondly remember those you met at the Geneva National Golf Club..you'll recall the memories that will last a lifetime!
"So happy together": Wine pairing made easy
February 9, 2009 at 7:50 AM
The pairing of wine with food is meant to enhance your overall dining experience. However, if you’re not a professional wine sommelier (a wine expert who is very knowledgeable about wine, and the best way to pair dishes with it), it can be very confusing. Everyone has heard the saying “Reds with meat, whites with chicken or fish” but how accurate is that? Well good news! We have assembled some general guidelines to take the stress out of pairing your next meal. By following a few simple guidelines, you can improve and create a more enjoyable meal.
There are three major factors to consider when pairing wine with food; texture, flavor and taste. Texture in food refers to the weight or firmness of the main ingredients of the dish, and much the same, in wine it refers to the weight of the wine, created by the alcohol or sugar. Flavor is merely a combination of both smell and taste, and this is the same for both food and wine. Taste, not to be confused with flavor, is the perception of sweet, sour, saltiness or bitterness. (Note: If this all went over your head, don’t worry, we’re about to give you some examples in just a minute!)
Now here is where we put the theory into practice. When you wish to pair a wine with a food, there are two main approaches that can be used, similar or contrasting. Associating similar characteristics for both the food and the wine will typically result in a good pair. For example, a charcoal grilled rib-eye steak served with mushrooms paired with a full bodied cabernet sauvignon exhibits a similarity on all three fronts; both are heavy in texture, the charcoal grilling adds a smokiness that is exhibited in the oaky cab, as well as the earthiness of the mushrooms for a match of flavor and bitterness from the charring of the steak along with the bitterness of the tannins in the wine.
Now for the trickier side of things, contrasting pairs. It is a bit more difficult to pair food and wine this way successfully, so it usually requires a lot of trial and error (which may not be so bad afterall!). One particularily interesting pairing is a combination of spicy dishes with sweet wines. The contrasting flavors and tastes balance each other out and create a great combination that neither the food nor the wine could do on its own.
There are endless ways to pair wine and food and everyone has their own preferences.
If you are new to the world of pairing, don't be intimidated, just start experimenting. A great idea to get started would be to see what wines are offered by the glass and try a new combination of flavors. Many restaurants, such as the Hunt Club, will offer a wine steward to help with suggestions if you need a little help. Happy pairing!
Unveiling the Tradition...
February 5, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Have you ever wondered why your wedding wardrobe includes a veil and a white dress with a train? We have found that there is a reason behind every tradition that you see in our modern weddings.
Other than the most important garment you will ever wear, the wedding dress is also very symbolic. In earlier times, brides would not need to make a trip to the bridal shop to pick out her clothing. Before the white dress, the bride just wore her best dress in her closet and the color was only a matter of preference. Today the gleaming white brides are a sign of purity and maidenhood. We credit Queen Elizabeth for the introduction of the white wedding dress. However, the modern bride is starting to flirt more with different colors, wearing dresses of ivory, silver and even pink! Colored sashes to match the bridesmaid dresses are also beginning to show popularity.
Today, veils are worn more as a fashion accessory, however the inception of the veil symbolized much more. In cultures where arranged marriages were more prevalent, the veil was used to hide the bride's face until the completion of the marriage. This way it would be too late for the groom to change his mind after he saw his new bride's face. Also, traditionally the white veil symbolized the bride's innocence and virginity.
As you go to your dress appointments, think beyond the sequins and lace and remember that there is a reason for looking so glamorous on your wedding day! If you are still looking for that perfect place for your perfect day, don't forget that Geneva National's golf course views and elegant rooms are the perfect accessory for any style of dress or bride!
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