Deserted Island Wines from the Bay Club Wine List

by Nick Lisotto, Food and Beverage Manager and Sommelier

 It’s an age-old question: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what wines would you want to have in your possession?

Over the course of the last two seasons, we have been fortunate to build a wine cellar that our membership can be proud to present to guests and family alike.  While choosing a favorite wine can be difficult for some, at the end of the day, we all have our preferences.  And I am happy to share mine with you.

Because of the immense challenge in pairing down a wine list, I hand selected a few wines to break down into the following categories for exploratory purposes:  Value White, Value Red, Favorite Sparkling, Favorite White and Favorite Red.

• Value White:  Semillon, Esporao, Private Selection, Alentejano, Portugal 2014
  • Semillon is a white grape originally from France, made popular in Australia and, I believe, done best in Portugal.  Esporao showcases bright fruit with the subtlety of oak aging to balance it on the palate, along with a deeper depth of maturity coming from bottle aging.

• Value Red:  Chianti Classico, Castellare, Castellina, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy 2016
  • Castellare’s commune in Casetllina crafts arguably the very best Chianti at its price point.  By blending 95% local Sangioveto and 5% Canoilio for extra depth, body and intensity, it creates an outstanding wine suitable to drink every day; or every meal for that matter.

• Favorite Sparkling:  Brut Rose, Billecart-Salmon, Epernay, Champagne, France NV
  • There is sparkling wine, there is Champagne and then there is Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose.  A masterful blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier from Grand Cru vineyards, aged on its lees for 3 years before bottling, it’s the essence of romance in the bottle.  Its visual appeal of roses and gold is only surpassed by the intoxicating experience on the palate of soft fruit coupled with vivacious bubbles and a lingering essence of brioche.

• Favorite White:  Riesling, Carl Lowen, 1896, Herrenberg, Mosel, Germany 2015
  • There are not many people who like to age Riesling, though one of the premier importers in America and the expert on Riesling, Terry Thiese happens to share this affinity with me.  The 2015 vintage of Riesling was fantastic and this bottling of ungrafted 100+ year old vines was head of the class.  For those who like dry white wine, this one is epic; and worthy of a final meal.

• Favorite Red Wine:  Amarone della Valpolicella, Dal Forno Ramano, Monte Lodoletta 2009
  • This is not just a favorite wine that we have, it is my favorite Red Wine – period.  It’s huge; but worth the attempt to extract the appreciation for the wines that have spent over 100 years crafting.  Native grapes Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta and Croatina are handpicked and dried for months until the flavors have intensified.  The wine then ferments completely dry, ages in oak and then even further in the bottle; until the final product is a wine that far exceeds anything most people have ever tried.  And Dal Forno Amarone is an experience you will want to have at least once in your lifetime.

From our cellar, these would be my Deserted Island Wines and we are honored to have them for members and their guests to enjoy at the Golf House Restaurant.

Last month, Bay Club members welcomed Molecular Geneticist, Nicole Faulkner, Ph.D., FAMCG as she presented, “How to Make a Perfect Human in the 21st Century.”  Nicole trained at WPI, UMASS Medical and Harvard Medical School and is currently a Clinical Molecular Geneticist at the Invitae Clinical Testing Laboratory in Cambridge.  She shared her more than 20 years of experience in the field of human genetics in clinical testing of genetic diseases, prenatal diagnosis, identity testing, and pharmacogenetic profiling of cancer tumors.  In her presentation, Nicole spoke about the examples of DNA variants that cause inherited disease, the modern science of embryo selection for couples in fertility treatments and the future of curing genetic-based disease by fixing the “typos in the instructions of life.”

Members raved about and were fascinated by Dr. Faulkner’s lecture and her captivating approach to presenting the complex subject matter.

Congratulations to Bay Club General Manager and Director of Golf, Greg Yeomans as he captured his third Cape Cod PGA Championship Wednesday, August 29.  The 36-hole event took place at LeBaron Hills Country Club in Lakeville, MA in extreme conditions, where temperatures climbed to the upper 90s and winds whipped at 20 mph at times.

Greg opened with a 1-under par score of 71 and followed up with an afternoon round of even par 72.  For more on the tournament, please click here.

Great job Greg!

The Bay Club recently added some new Life Fitness cardio and strength equipment to the state-of-the-art Fitness Center.  The new Ellipticals, Treadmills and MJ4 have seen a great deal of use by the membership.  The MJ4 is a multi-faceted piece of equipment that enables  four members to train simultaneously with exercises including lat pull-down, tricep extension and seated row.

Bay Club Fitness Trainer, Matt Beatty suggests these particular exercises for golfers and tennis enthusiasts alike to help strengthen the upper body.

Lat Pull-down

The lat pull-down is a strength training exercise to develop the latissimus dorsi, rhomboid and trapezius muscles.  It performs the functions of downward rotation and depression of the scapulae, combined with adduction and extension of the shoulder joint.  This is a great exercise for posture and upper body strength.

Tricep Extension

The tricep extension, an isolation exercise, targets one muscle group with movement occurring at only one joint.  This allows exercisers to focus efforts on just the tricep muscle.  Other exercises work the triceps as secondary muscles, such as the chest press or push-up.

Seated Row

For beginners, the seated row develops muscles of the back and forearms.  It is an excellent all-round compound exercise for developing the middle back while offering useful arm work as well.

And lastly, the seated cable row works the back muscles in general, particularly the latissimus dorsi.  This pulling exercise also works the forearm and upper arm muscles, as the biceps and triceps are dynamic stabilizers for this exercise.  The hamstrings and gluteus maximus, also stabilizing muscles, come into play with this exercise as well.

Activity levels at the Fitness Center are a good indicator that the new equipment has been met with great enthusiasm from members looking to up their fitness game.

The Winter Golf Center has been host to many members experiencing ‘golf fever’ and itching to play some rounds during the off-season.  In addition, it has been a great place for those looking to warm up before the Bay Club Winter Golf trips taking place in this month.  Each March, we offer a variety of trips including separate Men’s and Women’s Golf Trips, as well as a Mixed Trip, open to all members.

This year, the men will return to Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Tarpon springs, Florida for the first time in five years.  The resort offers four championship courses highlighted by Copperhead – which will be hosting the PGA TOUR’S Valspar Championship prior to their visit.

The same week, the women will be traveling for the first time to The Boulders located in Carefree, Arizona.  The Women’s Trip is celebrating it’s 10^th anniversary and is looking forward to this unique dessert experience.

And finally, those partaking in the Mixed Trip are headed to the Bahamas to stay at The Abaco Club.  This location offers the #1 golf course in the Bahamas, along with other great amenities.  Members will play unlimited golf on the Scottish style links course which annually hosts the Web.com Tour.

Members are excited to venture to these extraordinary locations to start playing in preparation for the Bay Club season.

In January, we were fortunate to welcome New York-based writer, Justin Spring to the Golf House restaurant for a unique dining experience with our members.

The evening began with a brief lecture by Justin about his latest book, “The Gourmands’ Way.”  Released in October 2017, the book shares how French food became popular in America following World War II and was influenced by icons such as Julia Child, M.F.K. Fisher, Richard Olney and others.

Following the talk, members shared a single long dining table and enjoyed a five-course dinner inspired by the historical figures in the book and prepared by Executive Chef, Jim Mercer and his team.  The menu included offerings such as Duck Rillettes, Potage Germiny (Sorrell Bisque) and Pork Roast with Prunes. Food and Beverage Manager and Sommelier, Nick Lisotto paired specific wines to best complement each course.

The evening concluded with all participants receiving a personally autographed copy of “The Gourmand’s Way.”

Justin is the author of many monographs, catalogs, museum publications, and books, including the biography Fairfield Porter: A Life in Art (Yale University Press, 2000) and Paul Cadmus: The Male Nude (Universe, 2002).  He has been the recipient of a number of grants, fellowships, and awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and the International Association of Art Critics Best Show Award.  He has held research fellowships from Yale University, Brown University, Radcliffe College and Amherst College.  His monograph on Paul Cadmus was a finalist for the Lamda Literary Award in Art History.

 For more information about Justin and his book, “The Gourmands’ Way”, please click here.

In 2016, the Bay Club became home to two hives of honey bees thanks to the efforts of beekeeper and Bay Club member, Jeannie Smith.   Throughout the year, Jeannie routinely checks on the hives, which are located on the 11th hole.

During the spring and summer months, the bees are busy foraging for food, building and protecting the hive and producing honey.  However, the winter months present many challenges from now until the queens start laying in late March. The major challenges are to protect the hives from bitter winds, keep out rodents searching for a warm nest, and prevent starvation, as both hives are rapidly eating through their honey stores.  Jeannie has stapled black tarpaper wraps directly on to the hives, which will not only shield them, but also absorb warmth on sunny days. To protect the hives from unwanted, four-legged visitors, each hive has a metal mouse guard, with openings too small for a chilly mouse to sneak through.  And finally, to supplement their dwindling food supplies, the bees are provided blocks of sugar fondant, a sugar/essential oil patty slipped into place just below the inner cover.

Honey bees are necessary to our ecosystem because they are important pollinators for flowers, fruits and vegetables.   As the only Audubon International Silver Certified Sanctuary in Massachusetts, the bees have been a welcomed addition to our property as they help to reinforce our commitment to protect and promote ecological diversity.  And we also benefit by being able to use the harvested honey in recipes at the Golf House restaurant.

We’re hoping for another season of plentiful honey for members to enjoy in 2018!

Winter is officially here in New England, which for some golfers is a time to head south to warmer temperatures.  However, for those who remain here, it’s important to stay in shape during the off season to keep your golf game in tip-top shape.

Bay Club Fitness Trainer, Matt Beatty shares a few exercises golfers can incorporate into their gym routines to help stay in peak physical condition during these winter months.

Yoga

Yoga is a great exercise option for golfers as it helps with flexibility and core stability.  It also helps to lengthen muscles to improve the range of motion.  These qualities can aid in creating a stronger swing.  Yoga can be especially helpful for senior golfers since flexibility tends to decrease as we age.

Here are a few basic yoga poses that are beneficial for golfers:

• Triangle Pose
  • Firms your sides and thighs
  • Streamlines waist
  • Relieves tightness in shoulders
• Seated Twist
  • Relieves back pain
  • Promotes flexibility in spine and hip joints
• Chest Expansions
  • Relieves tension in spine, neck and shoulders
  • Improves posture

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Golf uses many muscles in the body and is considered a “burst sport;” generating a lot of energy in a short period, followed by a period of rest.  Enter HIIT! During interval training, you work at high intensities followed by lower intensities.

• Applying HIIT elements to your workout can be as simple as adding bursts of energy during your normal cardio routine at a 1:2 (work:rest) ratio.
• You can also perform more complex moves such as mountain climbers, plank jacks, burpees or high knees.

Resistance and Weight Training

Resistance and weight training can be particularly valuable to golfers by improving stability and range of motion, as well as helping to create a powerful, more controlled swing.

Here are a couple of Matt’s favorite exercises for golfers:

• Glute Bridge
  • Increases core and back strength which is the foundation for a strong drive
• Side Plank with a Leg Lift
  • Increases strength through obliques, thighs and knees and helps improve balance
  • Improves hip control, vital to your golf swing

Keeping active and fit is so important this time of year to make sure you’re ready for golf in the spring!

Earlier this month, the Bay Club welcomed Terry Wolkowicz, Education Director for the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, as she presented “Gravity in Space and Sound.”  Along with the accompaniment of cellist Peter, oboist Laura and violinist Travis, three talented musicians from the orchestra, Ms. Wolkowicz discussed the meaningful connections between musical chord progressions and the movement of objects in space.  Members thoroughly enjoyed the musical pieces played that exemplified the gravitational forces between the planets and the sun.

Terry shared that the presentation is representative of the Orchestra’s “Learning in Concert” program, an in-school partnership program with the NBSO and over fifty local elementary schools in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  In 2016-2017, more than 50 schools partnered with the NBSO for their “Gravity in Space and Sound” program.  During this project, Terry aided the students in demonstrating the idea of gravity through astronomy, physics and music; through studying gravitational forces working within our solar system; and by performing classical music that shares these same forces within a musical system.

A graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music and Harvard University, Terry is in her seventh season with the NBSO, and continues to create innovative programming that connects classical music to our South Coast children’s lives and learning by exploring concepts that are authentically shared between classical music, the arts and academics.

For more information about the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, please click here.

The Paddle Tennis season is off and running at the Bay Club!  The weekly drop-ins along with various clinics, tournaments and events have seen great attendance to date.  Perhaps one of our most popular paddle events is the Chili Social.  Held monthly during the paddle season, these socials bring members and guests of all abilities together to enjoy Executive Chef, Jim Mercer’s beloved Turkey Chili along with some fun, social paddle.

Even the coldest temperatures experienced this winter have not deterred players from attending.  The patio next to the courts offers a place to warm up adorned with a fire pit and heaters.  And if needed, there is always the heated Racquets Hut to duck into for the especially frosty evenings.

We expect to see a great turnout from our growing paddle community for the next Chili Social being held on January 19.

For more information on the game of paddle, click here to read a previous blog post on the topic.

Leading the Old Rochester Regional Bulldogs golf team and earning recognition as the “Standard-Times Golfer of the Year” for the second year in a row is Bay Club Junior member, Collin Fitzpatrick.  In addition, Bay Club member, Jason Gamache and Jacob Yeomans were named to the Super Team both for the second time in their careers.  Bay Club Junior member, Alex Henrie was named an All Star as a junior and freshmen and Bay Club Junior member, Alex Wright and Cassidy Yeomans both received Honorable Mention nods in their first year on the team.

The Bay Club, located just down the road from the high school, plays host to the ORR golf team’s home matches and practices.

The team finished their 2017 season with an undefeated 17-0 record, winning the South Coast Conference Championship and qualifying for the Division II South State Finals.  Fitzpatrick, Gamache and Yeomans as senior, tri-captains contributed to a cumulative record of 62-5 over the past three years, including two conference regular season titles and one conference tournament title, a very impressive stretch for the triumvirate.

In his final year at ORR, Collin Fitzpatrick not only upped his golf game, but also took on a larger role as a leader for the team.  “The competitiveness that he brought to the team made his teammates strive to be like him, and that made my other top golfers better, as they were competing in practice to try to beat him whenever they could,” Chris Cabe, ORR coach said about Collin.  “The fire inside is what drove him to be the best golfer he could be.  He excelled when the competition was tough.  He seemed to lock in and welcome the pressure.”

Coach Cabe also mentioned that Collin enjoyed using his knowledge and skill to help some of his younger teammates with various aspects of their game; understanding that being part of a team means everything isn’t about you.  To read more, please click here.

The full list of Super Team members, All Stars and Honorable Mention recipients can be found by clicking here.

Congratulations to all of the recognized players and the entire team for a remarkable season!

For more information regarding Bay Club Junior Memberships, please contact Ben Egan at 508-207-9215.

As the days grow shorter and the colder, winter weather makes its way to New England, there’s nothing better than a warm, comforting meal with family and friends.  Now in its second season, the Casual Wednesday at the Golf House series provides just that for members in the fall and winter months.

The Food and Beverage team at the Golf House restaurant introduced Casual Wednesday last fall and the events quickly became popular.  Every week features a dinner buffet with a new and fun theme.  New this year, a different weekly themed beverage will be available.

This year kicked off with “Mexican and Margaritas” which included Beef Tacos, Shrimp Fajitas, Chicken Enchiladas and Churros for dessert.   Other themed menus on the schedule this season include Chinese Take-Out with Mai Tais; Burger Bar with Milkshakes; and Luau with fun Tropical Island Oasis drinks.  A particularly fun evening being planned for the children will be Breakfast for Dinner in December.  Following the meal, the Polar Express will be shown while hot cocoa and cookies are served.

Whether members stop in after playing Paddle Tennis or they take the family out for a quick, fun meal during the week, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

This week, the Roger Williams Zoomobile traveled to the Bay Club to present “Who is Living in Your Backyard?” to the children in the Club Seahorse program.   The presentation included information on some of the wildlife that can often be found in the various habitats the Southcoast has to offer, and what attributes the animals have that help them survive in those habitats.   A few animals from the Zoo accompanied Emily, the presenter for all of the children to meet.

First up was Bitz the Box Turtle.  The zoo obtained the turtle from someone who had him as a pet, and decided they couldn’t give him the proper care he needed.  Due to insufficient nutrition as a young turtle, he possesses a dented shell that never formed correctly.  Most of the children enjoyed seeing him up close and having the opportunity to touch his shell.

The next animal was Oscar the Opossum.  When he was just a baby, Oscar’s mother was hit by a car.  Both Oscar and his brother Felix were in her pouch at the time and were kept safe.  Unfortunately, their mother did not survive so the zoo took both of them in.  Oscar is about a year old and does not have the normal long tail that is expected of opossums, though the zoo isn’t quite sure why.  The kids watched as Oscar ate his breakfast on a blanket in front of them, on the same type of harness and leash that you might see on a dog.

The third and final animal of the morning was Laverne, a Black Ring-necked Dove.  Laverne was also adopted by the zoo after her original owner was unable to care for her.   While she has full wings and possesses the ability to fly, she was extremely calm and happy to have Emily hold her.  All were able to pet her tail feathers as Emily brought her around the group.

All of the children enjoyed answering and asking questions about the various habitats and animals.   Emily did a great job gearing the presentation towards the young group of listeners, and it was evident that she really enjoys her profession.

Congratulations to Bay Club’s General Manager Greg Yeomans and Head Golf Professional John Paesani for their Co-Champion finish in yesterday’s New England PGA Pro-Pro Stroke Play Championship at The Haven Country Club in Boylston, MA. They shot a 36-hole score of twelve under par, 132 along with John Hickson from Sebasco Harbor Resort Golf Club and Bob Darling from Fox Ridge Golf Club. 

To read more, please click here.

The Bay Club hosted the annual Fourth of July Celebration and Fireworks for members and their guests on Saturday, July 2. With record numbers in attendance, everyone enjoyed wonderful food, fun games and awesome fireworks.  Dinner was centered around the patio of the Golf House restaurant with carnival food and games located on the practice range.  Multiple generations enjoyed the miniature golf that had been created on the Himalayan green along with volley ball and badminton.  In addition, children and adults enjoyed our annual wiffle ball game, the inflatable obstacle course, dunking the staff in the dunk tank and various individual and team races.  The evening concluded with a brilliant fireworks display; ending the night but not the Independence Day spirit.

It’s hard to believe the holiday and party have come and gone.  But we are already discussing how to make next year’s celebration even better.