40 North Shore Towers Courier n September 2016 It's a Jungle Out There! This year's Ladies' Golf By Stephen Vratos Anyone spotting NST Golf Pro Bob Guido in the VIP Room on the morning of Thursday, August 4, might think the ebullient golf guru had changed careers. Clad in safari khakis, with accompanying chapeau worthy of the J. Peterman catalog, and clutching a stuffed monkey, Guido was channeling his best Jack Hannah as he welcomed the Ladies’ Golf members and guests to the annual Ladies’ Member Guest Day. This year’s theme, if you haven’t already sussed, was “safari” and Country Club Manager Mary Anne Langone, Alison Gochman and their intrepid crew went wild, embellishing the VIP Room with Inflatable monkeys hung from the lighting fixtures, animal print centerpieces and table settings. Zebra stripes, leopard spots and tiger stripes were among the decorations of each golf cart, too. The design of the course followed suit. Chair Pat Tulchin, Roz Worobow and Natalie Rogers did a masterful job coming up with unique safari-inspired shots and surprises. For example, on the 3rd hole, players were directed to shoot closest to the “lion.” The 6th tee wasn’t where it was supposed to be, perhaps falling victim to a bit of monkey business. Fortunately, animal tracks from the 5th tee led players to the new location of the 6th. A flamboyance of flamingos surrounding the 12th tee Member Guest Day Took a Walk on the Wild Side Photos by Mary Anne Langone and Teri Oropallo necessitated the golfers shooting for the center of their circle. And there was an alligator warning at the 14th, which Ladies Golf President Theresa Oropallo narrowly became the victim of. A luncheon and awards ceremony was held at Towers on the Green following the match, the catering hall festooned with animal-print balloons, tablecloths and settings. On the bandstand, a jungle tableau of verdant palms and plants; monkeys, boa constrictors, giraffes and zebras, peeking from the dense foliage and hanging from the branches; served as the perfect backdrop to the presentation of the prizes. Crocodile Hunter Teri Oropallo Golf Pro Bob Guido with his monkey and Country Club receptionist and tigress Melissa Well Above Par Annual Men’s Member Guest Day a tremendous success By Stephen Vratos An overcast sky and threat of rain did nothing to dissuade golfers from descending upon the Country Club for the annual Men’s Golf Member Guest Day, Thursday, August 18. On the contrary, 116 players, making up 29 teams of four, swarmed the course for a full day of golf, food and refreshment, awards, prizes and camaraderie. Well before the 10:30 a.m. start, the putting green outside the course entrance was overrun with dozens of players getting some last-minute practice under their belts. At 10 a.m., the teams gathered to get photos taken and secure the carts before Golf Pro Bob Guido delivered some final instructions. Girded on two sides by phalanxes of golf carts, Guido resembled a Roman General preparing his men for battle. Though an order to “Unleash Hell!” may not have been heralded, the players charged the greens nonetheless. The forecast precipitation never materialized, the cloud canopy providing a welcome respite from the high temps, assuaging the uncomfortable humidity that had been plaguing the area for weeks. Assistant to the General Manager Bruce Vogel, who participated on one of the two teams representing Charles H. Greenthal & Co., called the conditions, “Ideal,” noting that the gray skies actually helped see the ball better. The sun broke the clouds later in the afternoon, in time for the putting and longrange driving competitions, which preceded an elaborate dinner in Towers on the Green. Hosts Buffy and Angelo presented an impressive banquet, complete with top-shelf cocktail hour; passed hors d’oeuvres, including grilled lollipop lamb chops and coconut shrimp; buffet, featuring Maine lobsters, mussels marinara, chicken piccata and turkey-carving station; and dessert cart with a selection of coffee and teas, cannolis, chocolate and strawberry mousse, and tiramisu. Photos by Stephen Vrattos Guido emceed the awards ceremony following the dinner, which featured raffle drawings for golf equipment, including bags and clubs, and a surprise cake for NST resident and Country Club member Gene Price, who was celebrating his 80th birthday. The day was a complete success, many calling it the best ever. Kudos go to Committee Chair Don Gelber and his team; Country Club Manager Mary Anne Langone and her staff; Golf Pro Bob Guido and Assistant Golf Pro John Morrison; Towers Video Production guru John Virga; Eric O’Neil and the Country Club Grounds Crew; and Buffy Dimas and Angelo Pantazis and everyone at Towers on the Green. “Happy Birthday, Gene!” Golf Pro Bob Guido prepares the troops
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