kenosha news l the club at strawberry creek l june 7, 2009

14810 72nd Street • Kenosha, Wis. 53142 • (P) 262.857.8400 • (F) 262.857.6807 Just west of I-94 on Highway 50 • www.strawberrycreekclub.com

Produced by the Public Service Department of the Kenosha News, Sunday, June 7, 2009 for inclusion in the Kenosha News, Zion-Benton News, News Bargaineer and the Lake Geneva Regional News.

Simply put, the vision to create that same blue-green lifestyle drew not only these two developers but also families from south of the Wisconsin border and even families south of Milwaukee to Kenosha country. Shiff man and Hilgenberg’s vision has connect ed the historic bounty of Th omp-son’s Strawberry Farm to a golf-residen-tial lifestyle that blends green with casual elegance. It sounds so natural; fate had joined Shiffman and Hilgenberg with Jeff and Marsha Th ompson whose 385

acres of Wisconsin strawberries, rasp-berries and pumpkins were inviting, just two miles from I-94. Th e I-94 cor-ridor allowed easy access for parents to grow a family at Strawberry Creek and work elsewhere. Yet, Shiff man and Hil-genberg’s Strawberry Creek story could never be termed simple. After owners broke ground on the 16th hole in 2004, Jeff Th ompson proudly notes he mowed that fairway in September. Then the 38,000 square-foot clubhouse opened in

The Club at Strawberry Creek Sunday, June 7, 2009—Kenosha News • Zion-Benton News • News Bargaineer • Lake Geneva Regional News

With nearby Chicago casting a world-class shadow in its 2016 Olympic bid as a leader of the urban green movement, the local thirst for blue-green with an emphasis on clean air was there. Chicago City Hall does feature a “green” roof praised by environmentalists, but it pales when compared with Barry Shiff man and Jay Hilgenberg’s lush rolling straits of Strawberry Creek’s native grasses that quench the blue-green thirst.

Content:Sandy Jacoby, Copy WriterBryce M. Ulmer, Graphic DesignerKevin Poirier, Chief Photographer

February 2009. Only a deep pride in building a bridge from the Th ompson family farm to the families of the 21st century could have grown this unique community. Its home sites edge a 170-acre world-class golf course designed by internationally recognized architect Rick Jacobson. Th e vision began with the option to purchase Thompsons’ farm back in 1997. While Hilgenberg described that the original footprint had changed to build the more family friendly club facility, the Club’s larger accommoda-tions spread a core warmth because he noted families will not buy a home or join a club if family isn’t involved. Lake Forest or Buff alo Grove, from where Hilgenberg and Shiffman respective-

ly commute just 30 minutes, is “too expensive” and mired in the exclusive golf tradition of male only. Th e Club, in contrast, off ers a lifestyle, commu-nity resort living, especially for family weekends. With Strawberry Creek a family doesn’t need to travel four to six hours for a resort lifestyle. “Barry and I created beautiful vistas for custom home sites,” said Hilgenberg about the golf course. “You really see Strawberry Creek off ers the best place for family entertainment in Chicagoland not by merely driving by. Come into the clubhouse where we overlook the fair-ways to get the true pict ure of the family entertainment value we off er. Each of our 18 holes is diff erent, related, yes, but each off ers a memorable hole. Th is course is

really something. Rick Jacobson’s atten-tion to detail is incredible, reshaping mounds and swells for ball movement. It’s more than a golf course, it’s a lifestyle.” Off ered through a variety of mem-bership options or purchased with a home, Club membership centers around the course’s striking scenery with streams, native grasses and wild-life habitats. It further connect s fam-ilies to other recreation. Fitness, spa, tennis and a gigantic pool with facili-ties coupled with a snack bar/restau-rant as well as fi ne dining invite full family participation. Consultants identifi ed not only trends for the golf course but also broad act ivities for family programming. From kids and teen act ivities to Wii gaming systems

to computers for homework, what Th e Club off ers as amenities focuses on family programming. Shiffman reminds the communi-ty, “This beauty isn’t purchasable in the Chicagoland area. Value and lifestyle are what Strawberry Creek offers that allows people to enter a new world. Great people work here, great people who like to have fun with a great set of members.” Instead of one Disney-style week per year to make memories, Hilgen-berg and Shiffman invite families to quench their thirst year-round for a blue-green lifestyle amid sweep-ing prairies and natural streams. Indulge in luxury living through a membership at Strawberry Creek.

3The Club at Strawberry Creek Lake Geneva Regional News • News Bargaineer • Zion-Benton News • Kenosha News—Sunday, June 7, 2009

Th e Kenosha News would like to thank:

Barry Shiff man & Jay Hilgenberg,Developers

Karen Nasshan, Direct or of Membership/Managing Broker

dreamBuilding a

Golf Premium. Th e Club at Strawberry Creek course plays fi rm with a roll eff ect s. Splen-did golf course frontage for custom home sites is available. Th ese and other custom home sites are fully improved. Contact Managing Broker Karen Nasshan at 262.857.8400.

Paul Hundley Photography

Browsing in the pro shop, Jim, Anna and sons Chis and Corey Oberto invited Jim’s mother Lois for Mother’s Day brunch in the Grand Ballroom. “Quality time with our family draws us to Strawberry Creek. Our boys can come out of their shells while learning the eti-quette of golf,” Anna said. From Wadsworth, Ill., they learned about Th e Club through a neighbor who brought them for golf, and soon because of its “top-notch hospitality,” Th e Club had become a “second home.” Son Corey suff ers food allergies requiring a gluten-free diet. At Membership Direct or Karen Nasshan’s suggestion, they met with the chef to adapt a menu for their son. Ober-

tos captured the enthusiasm from Execu-tive Chef Robert Oliver. “For example, we’ll just keep ‘Corey-fries’ in the freezer. Th at’s the diff erence between a restaurant and Th e Club for dining,” Oliver said. As Direct or of Food and Beverage, Oli-ver oversees the creation of delect ables like Breast of Chicken Plum Wine Straw-berry, Wild Mushroom Farfalle, Atlantic Salmon with Citrus Parmesan Crust or Filet Mignon au Poivre. Service, though, is a Strawberry Creek signature. “Ours is a great team,” Oliver said. “I coach my people to work laterally, beyond their job descriptions. Th at is the key to great service. Combine that with

‘Top-notch Hospitality’ and service highlight the distinct and lux-urious ‘diff erence between a restaurant and Th e Club at Strawberry Creek’ as families and guests spend time together while savoring culinary delights.

4 The Club at Strawberry Creek Sunday, June 7, 2009—Kenosha News • Zion-Benton News • News Bargaineer • Lake Geneva Regional News

Paired in Blue Before heading to the Board Room for brunch, Mary Poletti and daughter Laura scan the golf schedule.

Fancy Fare Filled with diners, the Grand Ballroom exudes luxury, from the place settings to imported English carpet.

On Par Libby and Matt Troha pose after their May 9 wedding in the Great Hall. Events Manager Nicole McDonald met with the couple in March for wine tasting and to select Chilean Sea Bass and New York Strip Steak dinners for 190 guests.

Hand in Hand Members gather at the new 38,000 square-foot cen-terpiece of Th e Club. BCI Group led by Eric Luichinger built the spa-cious clubhouse to respond to mem-bers’ desires for full-service luxury.

Fresh from the Oven In the gour-met kitchen, Sous Chef Rich Kavis prepares a sunny dish for the Moth-er’s Day Brunch May 10.

an attitude that says, ‘have fun while giv-ing exceptional service.’” The 38,000 square-foot clubhouse hosts events and seminars, indoor and outdoor, both exceptional settings. Th e Grand Ballroom, which can divide into thirds for several smaller events, and the Boardroom permit fl exibility, seat-ing from 300 theatre-style to 14 persons respect ively. Weddings especially appre-ciate Th e Club’s venue of rich golden oak complemented by a panoramic view of the 18th fairway and green. With Oli-ver leading service that pampers dining members, his “joke du jour” and Choco-late Chambord Torte polish off an occa-sion with culinary pleasure.

Taste the finest in food and beverage as membership is not required to host events, weddings and outings in the elegant set-tings of Th e Club at Strawberry Creek.

Savor the Flavor.

Contact Banquets & Events Manager Nicole McDonald at 262.857.8400 for information.

Th e Poletti family of Phil, Mary, Michael and Laura moved to Strawberry Creek from Virginia to return Mary and chil-dren to her hometown Kenosha. Since Phil, who works from home for chemi-cal sales, travels a great deal, close access to major airport Chicago O’Hare made a home and membership at Th e Club a perfect fi t for the Poletti family. “Th e owners Barry and Jay hit the family target market with the sweet spot. Even with the economy going south, Straw-berry Creek with its priority on ameni-ties represents a good value,” Poletti said. Mary, an attorney, praised the spare-

no-expense approach to building and decorating a top-notch clubhouse. She moved on to free ladies golf clinics on Wednesdays in May and Friday couples nights and group dinner. Member-ship Direct or Karen Nasshan drew high marks from Mary for gathering people

to gel socially at events like card night. Phil promotes a family-fi rst approach from course to fi tness facility. He rises daily to join his teen children Michael, 17, and Laura, 15, at 5:30 a.m. to work out. Being with his teens at that early hour motivates him. He also praises the fl ex-ibility fi tness routine designed for him to improve his golf game by Fitness/Well-ness Coordinator Kris Leslie. Beyond the fi tness center with her dad, Laura hangs out at the activity room with friends from Christian Life school, and parents note the safe environment. Mary laughs about being known as Lau-

ra’s mom because of Laura’s baby-sitting and dog-walking jobs. Michael, who plays on the Westosha Central golf team, loves that a player can not hit Th e Club’s trees although the course is challenging. Th e 18-hole course plays fast and fi rm, especially the fi rst four holes on the front nine. He also knows the course from the other side where he works in the cart barn and even shines member golf shoes. Th e Poletti family of Phil, Mary, Michael and Laura moved to Strawberry Creek to relish resort-style living just a walk across the fairway from their front door.

With a Family-First Approach and a clear focus on amenities like private dining and golf, Th e Club at Strawberry Creek ‘hits the family target market with the sweet spot.’


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BCI Group was honored to serve as the general contractor for this landmark project. The Clubhouse completion was the culmination of a true team eff ort. Countless hours of planning, analysis and careful execution helped shape this timeless facility. We are proud to have been part of the team.

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Family Ties With a chip-ping wedge in hand, Phil Poletti pauses in the full-ser-vice Pro Shop as son Michael, 17, reaches out for another wedge before Mother’s Day Brunch May 10.

Doug Myslinski

our members desire,” Hilgenberg said. Making friends and forming groups drives a flexible approach to member needs. Hilgenberg and his staff cultivate a social lifestyle. Th e Club also schedules men’s events, such as shotgun stag or best ball, for Saturday mornings. At present the course hosts 80 percent mens play

complex. Staff can control traffi c fl ow, know when groups make the turn, even ease the fl ow to the locker room for a pleasured golfer experience. Beginner players, single-digit handicap players, Wisconsin State Golf Associa-tion amateurs to PGA pros fi ll events and outings on Strawberry Creek’s links-style course and full-service facility. As testimo-ny to its strategic challenge, WSGA has scheduled two events. From a fi eld of 83 hoping to qualify for the U.S. Open, only fi ve advanced May 12. Later in September, Strawberry Creek will host the WSGA Direct or’s Cup in a two-day tournament. “As pro players move to black tees, angles change, and the course becomes more challenging,” Hilgenberg said. Strawberry Creek’s detailed design of short par fours and long par threes sharp-ens the score for golfers of all levels.

Head Golf Pro Dave Hilgenberg knows the score. He says people join a particular golf club for other people that “I want to play with.” He says people who empha-size family choose Th e Club at Strawberry Creek. Golf demographics reveal adults age 35 to 50 with young children. Fami-lies from Illinois and Wisconsin joined and some moved into the community for Th e Club’s act ivities centered around the Rick Jacobson designed course. “Imagination and wind dict ate how to play this course instead of guiding around trees. Our links style looks more natural. Fescue definitely requires less mainte-nance for the well-manicured grounds

and 20 percent women. As head pro, Hilgenberg works to grow ladies’ love of the game. Mix events create camaraderie and bring people back to utilize the full club facility as they revel in the after-glow of a friendly round. Couples then hang out at Th e Club and foster friendships, generating more membership value. Few pros get Hilgenberg’s once-in-a-lifetime chance to set up all golf details. Hilgenberg brought his considerable expertise as a pro from private clubs in Nebraska, Iowa and Tennessee where owners included Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame Reggie White and Chicago Bear All-Pro Jay Hilgenberg. To achieve an ideal set up, he worked with architect s to lay out a vision of the golf course he described as “unique, unparalleled.” From the Pro Shop the view spans fi ve holes and the state-of-the-art pract ice

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Chance and a love of golf inspired the Head Golf Pro to set the tempo at a strikingly beautiful and challenging course.


Pro Shop Head Golf Pro Dave Hilgen-berg directs outings for groups like the Kenosha Achieve-ment Center.

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U.S. Open Qualifi er The Club at Strawberry Creek Assistant Pro Rick Leslie, caddy Mike Guske and Nick Luebke walk the fairway on the 18th hole on way to Leslie’s 76.

Chipping In Onto the green of the second hole, Scot Yehle chips during the final round of the Men’s County Open at Strawberry Creek Golf Course on July 27, 2008.

A strong junior program pumps up the next generation of golfers. Pro Dave Hilgenberg and Assis-tant Pro Rick Leslie have off ered two-week sessions with eight les-sons and a tournament to nearly 50 junior players each season over the past three years. Juniors learn the rules of golf, course behavior and etiquette. That experience allows access to course approval

for further play. The golf pros coordinate with the tennis pro-gram and even plan a summer camp with one day of each, golf, tennis and swimming. After sand bunker, chip, putt and range les-sons at the practice complex, junior programming sends kids out to play a hole with the pros. A fi nal tournament with trophies wraps up with a picnic.

golfJunior Practice Perfect. Putting greens, driv-ing range and greenside practice bunkers duplicate course experience for junior golfers.

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Just Lovely In full swing, Club member Rena Weyrauch plays on one of three tennis courts.Court-side bas-ketball nets add to outdoor play.

Planning Ahead Junior golf clinic graduate Joey Lake, 11, and father Tom putt at the practice complex. Joey sums up his shots on the first and the ninth holes. He pulls out his three-wood, follows with a five-iron and a chip to the elevated green.

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Is this the signature of a renowned architect? Internationally acclaimed golf course architect Rick Jacobson, a protégé of Jack Nicklaus, reflects on Th e Club at Strawberry Creek and other award-winning courses he has designed. “My signature is no signature. Instead, with Strawberry Creek and each of my courses, I totally refl ect what the site

off ers in nature and what the market dict ates. My fundamental principles focus on tees, landings, hazards that protect approaches and greens with hazards that also protect .” Jacobson further notes diversity of holes, playability for golfers of all levels and strategic challenge achieved with short par fours and long par threes,

Classic. Fairway Chipping Areas Lie Adjacent to Greens. Links fl avor adds to oaks on the horizon for natural aesthetics. Bunkers roll out nooks and crannies for maximum ball movement. Native grasses frame holes and replay the southern Wisconsin landscape.

Th e fourth hole is the shortest par three on the course but not a guaranteed birdie. Its contoured

green complex is surrounded by deep bunkers on the right. Water edging tee boxes intimi-

dates. Fescue lines the hole, add-ing beauty and challenge.

Th e shortest par four at 299 yards presents many options.

Go for the green with a tee shot to avoid the seven to eight foot deep bunkers on front left. Th e

ideal lay-up is on the fairway top shelf tucked behind two intimi-

dating bunkers on the right.

At 546 yards into the prevailing wind, the par fi ve seventh hole plays as a three shot hole. An

aggressive approach to reach in two requires a precise wood or long

iron into the 5,600 square-foot green guarded by a nine foot deep

hollow on the left of the green.

Take advantage of the prevailing wind to maximize distance off the tee. A split fairway provides

options, but the second shot plays easier from the lower right. Th e green is fl anked by bunkers

and may be best approached with a full wedge shot.

Th is 229 yard par three com-bined with the creek on the front and the left results in one of the most intimidating holes. Two bunkers fl ank the green on the left. Th e right fairway permits a bailout for the less aggressive. Its green is one of the largest.

Th is strong 460 yard fi nishing par four brings players to the gorgeous 38,000 square-foot

clubhouse. Challenge the creek for an open and shorter shot.

An ancient oak frames the large undulating green. A large waste bunker guards the green right.

Hole 4 Hole 6 Hole 7 Hole 14 Hole 15 Hole 18

All Hole Art By: Players’ Book Publications © 2008 • 1-800-557-4370 Background Photo: Paul Hundley Photography

green


particularly at Strawberry Creek, as guiding design. The Club’s fairway bailout areas require a delicate touch combined with strength for length and accuracy with a variety of iron shots. Its greens can tuck pins to make more challenge. Delicate shots around the green demand fi nesse. Light and shadow eff ect s early morn-ing and late in the day on the links-style course generate the aesthetic beauty savored by every golfer. Walking on the hole engenders a camaraderie that winds its way to the family and the full service, oak-detailed clubhouse. Only

the play of Strawberry Creek and the warmth of the casual elegance in the clubhouse, the actual sensual experi-ence, supersede Jacobson’s description. Another Jacobson trait features land-ing areas larger than they appear from the tee. This allows players to score on a diffi cult-looking hole. He wants players to enjoy the game and the great outdoors. His tees permit hitting a shot for success where the approach off ers a location for a recovery shot as needed. Strawberry Creek’s two long par threes and two short par fours mix the round to stir the golfer’s imagination. Jacob-

son describes the par fi ves as “not long,” but the four long par fours he labels

“hefty.” With all holes wrapped in fescue, the par three, 229-yard 15th hole crosses Center Creek, and the long par four, 460-yard 18th hole has a middle bunker landing for tee shots. A bump-and-run on recovery shots add to interest of the game. Links green complexes feed the ball to undulating greens. “Long irons make the greens reach-able from the tee. Short par fours on each nine at sixth and 17th holes allow a player who may need a birdie to go aggressive to achieve that birdie. Less

skilled players can iron and chip for a sat-isfying score on both. Golfer options on club select ion and pin placement make each round play diff erently. Th e fescue is pict uresque, not penal. Most golfers are unlikely to hit into fescue the way holes are shaped,” Jacobson said. The fescue blends five native grasses, including a redtop species of bentgrass with seed heads that redden with color in June. Th eir texture and color balance beautify the water management science that architect s built into the course. Th e lush grasses of fescue, fairway and greens accentuate the art of golf design.

value1. Join today. Pay no initiation deposit for up to two years.2. Simply pay the current monthly dues plus an additional $125 per month.

Golf Stimulus

For additional information contact Director of Member-ship Karen Nasshan at [email protected] or 262.857.8400 for a tour of this amazing facility and full details on this limited opportunity.

On Top of his Game, Rick Jacbo-son recreates the beauty of southern Wiscon-sin’s rolling hills to strike a balance between nature and the game of golf. His designs have captured awards from Golf Inc. Magazine like 2006 Development of the Year Runner-Up and 2002 Development of the Year. He currently has four courses in China under construct ion.

greatnessDesigning

Green as a key course goal is gaining appreciation from a better-educated pub-lic. Natural habitat funct ions as stabiliza-tion for runoff . Because Strawberry Creek is designed to be environmentally sensi-tive, water recycles to end in irrigation ponds on nearly every hole. Th e course and its eco-sensitive design re-circulate the water down creek. Irrigation ponds fi ll and control release to avoid fl ooding downstream. All work is geared to slow the release of nutrients for the water shed. Every drop of water that enters the prop-erty leaves cleaner than it arrived. “City and county regulation to produce a green environment was rigorous and a

pain, in some ways, but I’m glad that these shaped the course as it evolved into a more green, eco-friendly and beautiful course, “ Senior Designer Doug Myslinski of Jacob-son Golf Course Design, Inc. said. Myslinski inherited Strawberry Creek’s design process that evolved from rudimen-

tary to refi ned to detailed design. Course construct ion brought him on site several times per week for two years. Teamwork bonded Myslinski to civil engineer Mike Wagner, developers Jay Hilgenberg and Barry Shiff man, former owner Jeff Th omp-son and Superintendent Matt Kregel. “People we work with enjoy people, share a vision. Seeing those guys and how excited and proud they are of what we’ve created together make the project more personally rewarding,” Myslinski said. Irrigation and storm drainage is bur-ied. Supervising drainage in fairways and greens, layout of features for earthwork operations, subterranean detail and more demanded Myslinski’s talents. “Th e charact er of this course required a soft hand to roll with the topography as it evolved. Th is was a major earth-moving project , 1.2 million cubic yards of earth.

We used material from all those irrigation ponds to create the rolling, natural course. Another positive is the lower intensity of maintenance required with grasses on a links-style course. Water retention and water hazards, some hidden, some bisect -ing the site, dot 14 holes,” Myslinski said. Strawberry Creek has become a living, breathing habitat for so many creatures, a wild and dramatic natural background for a pristine course, according to Myslinski. “Its bumps and hooks made it fun to sculpt the course,” Myslinski said. A peak at Rick Jacobson’s philosophy says what Strawberry Creek epitomizes. “Today’s golf course designer must have the sensitivity of an environmental advo-cate. Th e designer must use all available architect ural tools to exploit the dynamic relationships between the native landscape and the game of golf.”


Eco-Friendly Green Design makes Th e Club at Strawberry Creek a community showcase for both the game of golf and the senior designer.

Fine Design Fescue lines the prairie-style course. Senior Designer Doug Myslin-ski supervised details like sod-faced bunkers

and elevated greens.

Hole Photo by Paul Hundley Photography

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Strawberry Creek, O’Connor DuMez Alia & McTernan is proud to be a part of the development team that envisioned and created a spectacular country club community that will undoubtedly garner national attention for its premier facilities and personnel.

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Enjoy all the dining venues and non-golf related social events at the 38,000 square- foot clubhouse at The Club at Strawberry Creek by purchasing an annual dining membership.

Dining Deal. Golf outing for four caps annual dining membership

Mounds Abound Farm fields give way to fescue and sculpted bumps that contour toward spacious greens. Earth moved from community con-struction shaped the course.

Checkered Fairways The grounds crew at The Club at Strawberry Creek mows a checkered pattern into manicured fairways. The pri-vate club boasts of its course care.

1. Annual fee of $495.2. Th is includes one golf foursome at Th e Club course ($500 value).

For additional information contact Director of Membership Karen Nasshan at 262.857.8400 or [email protected] for a tour of this amazing facility and full details on this limited opportunity.green

Controlled Burn Chris Kaplan of Tall Grass Restoration uses a drip torch during the spring burn-off of fescue. It removed old dead grasses, controlled noxious weeds and stim-ulated germination of desirable grass.

“We worked to put rules in place and were issued the burn permit,” Super-intendent Matt Kregel said.

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Pool Snake Opened Memo-rial Day weekend, the 4,000 square-foot pool welcomed families with its anchored snake flotation raft. The zero-depth walk-in pool fea-tures a mushroom-shaped waterfall.

Pure Elegance With wood-beamed ceilings and a grand fi eldstone fi re-place, the Great Hall exudes The Club’s trademark luxury. Interior design from Ann Pateros at the Gar-lands of Barrington emphasizes tex-ture, warmth and casual elegance.

Mother’s Day Moment From the Club’s bar, the dining room beck-ons Maddie, Jack and Amy Lake with its carving and omelet stations. Maddie, 17, a soccer player and cheerleader, fi nds that golf at Th e Club expands her circle of friends. “My friends, particularly guys, beg me to take them out on the course. Dad always says, ‘as long as you’re golfi ng,’” she adds with a laugh.

Tasty Treats Joan Richmond joins her son-in-law Tom Lake and fam-ily for Mother’s Day Brunch in the Grand Ballroom May 10.

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Whether pursuing his eight handicap, averaging 82 for 18-holes, or hitting the course with his family fi vesome on the weekend, Lake praises the pristine, prai-rie-style links of Strawberry Creek. “Th e undulating greens here at Straw-berry Creek are the best I’ve played. It’s a fair course, but really tough when pins are placed as they were for the Senior PGA event here two years ago,” Lake said. Tom points out that Head Pro Dave Hilgenberg and Assistant Pro Rick Leslie often play along with members. As father Tom adds that Leslie’s lessons keep it simple to focus on one or two skills, Jack, 13, chimes in about the “playful attitude”

with which Leslie approaches lessons. In fact , Jack received chipping instruct ion last season and proudly announced a hole-in-one scored. Jack has been coach-ing mom Amy since. For Amy as a mom, golf creates quality family time. She notes the sixth hole for spect acular beauty as well as the relaxed, social atmosphere with “no rule book

in the hip pocket.” Joan Richmond, her mother, adds, “Strawberry Creek’s beau-tiful prairie layout is more interesting than Florida courses or even other Wis-consin tree-lined courses.” A full service club appeals to Tom, an attorney who frequently plays golf with business contact s. Th e clubhouse greatly expands the amenities of Strawberry

Creek. He and his family connect with “friendly, approachable people who share the same goal, to get away, relax, have fun while spending time with family.” Th e clubhouse outcome had exceeded expect ations. From the variety of beer on tap to the signature Grey Goose Straw-berry Martini, he noted the attention paid to detail. Recently, he had spent an entire day, moving from fi tness center through lunch, then to golf and dinner. “I really don’t have to leave unless Amy calls,” Tom said. Home for the Lake family is Wadsworth, Ill., only 11 miles separate the Lake drive-way from Th e Club.


Just Back from Myrtle Beach playing 10 rounds in fi ve days, Tom Lake loves golf yet fi nds his primary focus on the quality of Th e Club at Strawberry Creek course.

Active Kids Lining up a solid, Jack Lake, 13, uses the billiard area with his father. Joey Lake, 11, joins Jack for Xbox, Wii and other games.

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“Owners Jay Hilgenberg and Barry Shiff -man allow me to do what’s best for the grounds. We surpassed their expect ations. I greatly value their trust to build harmony between the natural habitat and immacu-lately manicured grounds,” Kregel said. Strawberry Creek’s 18-holes stretch across 185 acres. Intellect ual challenge for Kregel’s leadership surfaced from day one. Every detail demands attention, spring, summer, fall, whatever the weather. To maximize the golf experience, his crew must concentrate a strong eff ort to cultivate greens, fairways and tees to top-notch condition as quickly as possible. He pointed out that he lives close enough, just over the Illinois border, to play and recheck the course to sustain integrity of design.

With Assistant Superintendent Jeremy Dahl, 15 seasonal full-time laborers and a mechanic, Kregel utilizes over a million-dollars worth of equipment. Even winter calls for five full-time employees. More that 50 special-ized machines mow and groom the gener-ous landing areas, 18 greens, 126 bunkers, 50 acres of bentgrass on rolling hills and the state-of-the-art pract ice complex. Th e crew is out with fi rst light at fi ve a.m. and must monitor the grasses throughout the day. “Planning leads to ease of execution. Positive relationships allow us to change to improve quality of surfaces,” Kregel said. Water and rain command their own atten-tion from Kregel, who took his Ornamental Horticulture degree with a concentration in

Fast and firm requires the skills of what Course Superintendent Matt Kregel calls the men of his pro-fession, ‘highly educated doct ors of the turf grass.’

With the farm debt free, the Wisconsin government claimed the property through eminent domain for UW-Parkside. Th ompsons pointed out that the state paid for the acreage as if it were bare land instead of an established orchard.

Jeff , William’s grandson, graduated from high school and had no interest in farming. He took a year to travel the world. By 1973, Jeff returned to farm, desiring to be his own boss. He completed a UW-Extension farm program. In 1976, Jeff and Marcia married.

Th ompson and Marken Apple Orchard opened on land which presently is the UW-Parkside site. William Th ompson, who graduated from UW-Madison in 1909, farmed 100 acres with strawberry harvest in June, cherry harvest in July and apple harvest in September.

Charles Th ompson, William’s son who graduated from UW-Madison in 1946, bought out Marken, establishing the Th ompson farm.

Th ompson found he could not pick ripe fruit fast enough. Dur-ing AMC July downtime Th ompson bought radio ads, adver-tising, “Come out and pick your own,” a fi rst for the farm.

Th ompsons moved to Highway 50, planting strawberries because they bear in two years as a quick, marketable crop.

200 acres expanded the farm toward I-. Th ompsons added raspberries to supplement 150 acres of strawberries at brother Gary’s

Pick-your-own fruit faltered as an income crop because of women working and fewer people picking for canning or making jam. Winter weather further hurt crops.

Strawberry Creek gained zoning approval for a 900-unit, residential golf community and broke ground. Devloper Jay Hilgenberg saved all oak trees on the property. Jeff mowed the fi rst constructed fairway and shared the construction journey with the devepo-

ers, architect and contractor. To open the golf course, develop-ers Jay and Barry Shiff man held a tented reception in Th ompson’s yard.

Th e owners of Th e Club at Strawberry Creek optioned Th ompson’s Strawberry acreage through realtor Doug Stanich.

Th ompson had sold 385 acres and kept eight because the home and barns sit on the original homestead. Kenosha’s three-mile zone around the airport allowed no building for overnight housing.

“We Felt Honored that the owners chose Th e Club at Strawberry Creek name. I was on the course daily during construct ion, and they

were so open to my input. Th e project exceeded my expect ations, and I have no regrets. My wife Marcia, my son Scott and I will go on farming

in the Th ompson strawberry tradition.”- Jeff Th ompson -

Clubhouse opened to off er dining, tennis, swimming, fi tness and activity centers.

737895

We Have Pick Pick

Your Own:

14000-75th St. Bristol, WI 53104 Hwy 50, one mile west of I-94 Check our website at www.thompsonstrawberryfarm.com or call 262-857-2353 • 847-679-8140 for daily picking information

• Strawberries in June

• Raspberries in September

• Pumpkins in October

BRING THIS AD AND RECEIVE $ 1 00 OFF per visit


it exits. And, as for beauty, the creek, crys-tal blue ponds and natural wildlife habitat frame four of last fi ve holes. “Th e course has complex drainage. During construct ion Senior Architect Doug Mys-linski and I synchronized our design goals with the Department of Natural Resources and the Corps of Engineers,” Kregel said. Grooming for the May 12 U.S. Open

turfgrass management from the University of Illinois. Center Creek comes into play on fi ve holes, and roughly 75 acres of fescue, native grasses, wetlands and irrigation ponds dict ate the value of water. Filtration plants in wetlands were chosen to effi ciently clear water that enters the course. Kregel points out that with the careful planning every drop of water leaves the property cleaner as

Qualifi er capped spring. Planning started late summer the previous season to peak the course for the Qualifi er. “For fertility we needed the late season to allow time as it sits in the plant to release as mother nature chooses the release. My style is defi nitely organize and plan. I’m not a fl y-by-seat-of-my-pants guy. WSGA was blown away by the condition of the course. Great golfers are coming, ” Kregel said. Notably, the Qualifi er medalist, Michael Schachner of Libertyville, Ill. birdied the last two holes for a two-under 70. Tucking pins away and the prairie winds took their toll on the fi eld of players. Assistant Pro Rick Leslie led local players as he tied for 17th. Th e ultimate test for Kregel comes June 15

Fairway Iron Adam Kosa follows through after an iron shot during the U.S. Open Qualifi er, the fi rst event of its kind in Kenosha Coun-ty, en route to an 83 (43-40).

Clubhouse Oasis Center Creek meanders past the 18th green. Owner Jay Hilgenberg jokes about the creek being named Center for his All-Pro Chicago Bear position.

when Strawberry Creek and he are hosting the Midwest Association of Golf Course Superintendents, his peers, for their cham-pionship tournament. “We’re close knit. We share advice; it’s almost a feel of a fraternity. We have con-tinuing education and a monthly publica-tion. Th is golf is to showcase the golf course,” Kregel said about his colleagues, those

“highly educated doct ors of the turf grass.” In the end, Kregel and his crew always come back to the family value for the course. Less parent recreational time creates the desire to be with family. Built around family from design, with its fi ve sets of tee boxes, Th e Club allows diff erent levels of play from men to women to kids, just for the fun of it.

Serving clients in 46 states, Hawaii & Guam with distinction since 1997.

Crescent Systems is proud to serve Strawberry Creekmembers with the best club technology in the industry.By delivering outstanding personalized service andhigh-quality technology products, we allow The Club atStrawberry Creek staff to focus on their top priority—YOU!Our dedicated team of professionals is ready to ensureyour club experience is nothing short of magnificent.

GOING BEYOND EXPECTATIONS

Congratulations to The Club at StrawberryCreek on the opening of their magnificent clubhouse!

1580 S. Milwaukee Ave • Suite 101 • Libertyville, IL 600481(888)487-9011 • www.crescentsystems.com

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kenosha news l the club at strawberry creek l june 7, 2009

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bluegreen lifestyle

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