Jul 2008

No. 07Vol.96

T H E O L Y M P I C C L U B • S A N F R A N C I S C O

Stags’ Leap WineMaker Dinner at City Clubhouse, photographed by Tom Hall.

CONTACT USSUGGESTIONS OR COMMENTS - 415.345.5110 offices@olyclub.comCONCIERGE/GUEST SERVICES - 415.345.5141 concierge@olyclub.comMEMBERSHIP - 415.345.5201 membership@olyclub.comCITY CLUBHOUSE - 415.345.5100 ACCOUNTING - 415.345.5200ATHLETICS - 415.345.5107LAKESIDE CLUBHOUSE - 415.404.4300 GOLF PRO SHOP - 415.404.4333TENNIS PRO SHOP - 415.404.4350

COVERPhotograph of Vince Tonne, Men’s 45+ Water Polo Team member. The cover was photographed by Sean Nolan. The above photograph is of the Men’s 35+ Water Polo Team. All other water polo shots taken by Sean Nolan, Paul Felton and Michael Mustacchi.

MONTHLY FEATURES02 President’s Memo06 AD’s Update08 One-On-One12 June Calendar

14 July Calendar 22 Tee to Green 23 Tips from the Pros24 GM’s Report

SPORTS07 Open Water Swimmers Dominate by Scott Williams

07 Softball Headed to Nationals by Dean Cappellazzo

09 Club Hosts Stanford & Squash Legend by Jim Gibbons

09 Dunia Sets National Records by Dennis Shea

10 Dipsea Race 2008 by Wynne Garrett

15 Escape From Alcatraz by Scott Williams

16 Tennis Update

18 So Hard to Repeat! by Ben Andrew

20 Feature Story - Water Polo by Paul Felton

22 2008 Invitational by Michael Abendroth

24 Ironman 70.3 Hawaii by Bart Lally

HISTORY03 Living History by Brian Murphy

SOCIAL04 2008 Cutino Awards by Gary Crook

J U L Y 2 0 0 8 | V O L . 9 6 N O . 0 7

T H E O L Y M P I C C L U B - A M E R I C A ’ S O L D E S T A T H L E T I C C L U B

COMMUNICATIONS STAFF www.olyclub.comCommunications Director: Julia West (jwest@olyclub.com)

Editor: Tom Hall (thall@olyclub.com)

Associate Designer: Wilfred Bucoy (wbucoy@olyclub.com)

Feature Writers: Gerry Stratford & Brian O’Connor

Contributing Writer: Brian Murphy

Staff & Contributing Photographers: Wilfred Bucoy, Tom Hall, Michael Mustacchi & Julia West

OLYMPIAN (ISSN 0030-2163) is published monthly for $44.00 per year (single copies $4 each) by The Olympic Club at 524 Post Street, San Francisco, California 94102. Phone 415.345.5100. Periodicals Postage Paid at the Post Office at San Francisco, California. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Olympic Club, 524 Post Street, San Francisco, California 94102. For prompt delivery of the Magazine, Olympians should please notify the Membership Department at 524 Post Street, San Francisco, California of any change of address. Telephone Stephen Alsbrooks at 415.345.5211.

City Club 415.345.5100 Lakeside 415.404.4300 Email offices@olyclub.com

dear olympian,I want to start off by acknowledging a member, an Olympic Club treasure, who grabbed a bull by the horns. Somehow the stars aligned and provided our Club with a wonderful human being who took it upon himself to gather and restore the rich history of our marvelous Club. I had gotten to know Bill Callan through a great friend of mine, Les Lawrence, who unfortunately passed on during his tour of duty on the Board (Secretary, 2001). Bill, a great student of the golf game, possessed the intellectual curiosity to research and document the personalities and athletes that brought The Olympic Club into such prominence.

The Club was lucky to “catch lightening in a bottle” when Bill assumed the role of Archivist and Historian. His journey has been a lonely vigil requiring persistence and detail. For instance, he has scanned page by page 90+ years of Olympian Magazines, a myriad of scrapbooks, developed a sports reference library and researched files for each major category of the Club’s heritage. Our marvelous Hall of Fame, includes national, regional and local heroes, all of whom have had roots from Bill’s research.

Our History and Archives Committee has benefited tremendously from Bill’s work. The article on the opposite page will shed light on one of our more prominent Olympians. Bill will also be mentoring Jessica Smith, recent graduate of Wellesley College, who has just joined the Club as staff Archivist. All in all, three cheers for Bill Callan and the superb efforts he has put forth for the Olympic Club. Lastly, we are delighted to inform you that Bill will be receiving the honor of Historian Emeritus.

I mentioned several issues ago that we have important decisions to make at Lakeside regarding the Lake Course 7th and 8th holes and greens replacement. There will be a member meeting on July 17th at 5pm wherein the Green Committee, headed by Pat Murphy, will make a presentation along with Bill Love, Golf Course Architect, Pat Finlen, Director of Golf Course Maintenance, Jay Friedrichs, Golf Tournament Committee Chair, Chris Stein, Head Golf Professional and Gary Macknin, Controller. Bill Callan again comes to mind because he provided hundreds of pictures of the Lake Course taken over the years, which illustrate the changes that have taken place. In other words, the Lake Course has constantly evolved and changed. I believe the presentation will uphold the integrity of the golf course that we are so proud of and any changes proposed will preserve it’s architecture. I spoke previously that our greens, along with other courses in the area, were experiencing a nematode problem. Nematodes affect the quality of our greens and the only pesticide available for use will soon be taken off the market. The question was “what to do”, and one of the solutions was the replacement of the greens. With laser topographical surveys the greens can be replicated to be within 1/10th of an inch across all contours that exist. In any event, we look forward to your attendance at this meeting, all members are welcome.

The June 7th Peter Cutino Award Dinner was a smashing success honoring the top male and female collegiate water polo players. Maureen O’Toole-Purcell was the keynote speaker. She is, of course, a great Olympic Club member and winner of a silver medal in the 2000 Olympics. Congratulations to Tim Hutten (UC Irvine) and Courtney Mathewson (UCLA) who received the Cutino award.

Finally, some of us were fortunate to attend the U.S. Open with the highly dramatic 72 hole finish with Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate ending up in a tie, which is something that will be vivid in my memory for years. It was a David and Goliath battle; or, maybe more apropos, Rocky Balboa vs. Apollo Creed in the classic movie “Rocky,” with Creed (Tiger) edging Rocky (Rocco) the neighborhood hero. We certainly hope that such high drama will occur in 2012, although I’m sure the ‘Belle of the Ball’ will be our renowned Lake Course.

Enjoy your Club. - Bill R. Poland

PRESIDENT’S MEMO

NEWS 02

Living History...B Y B R I A N M U R P H Y

continued on following page

HISTORY 03

For over two decades now, Bill Callan has unearthed, boxed, filed, sleuthed, organized, framed, found, researched, discovered, cared for, learned and dedicated himself to the 148-year history of The Olympic Club.

Why?

“It’s Americana,” said Callan, a member since 1950, when he was 8 years old and living on Lake Street in the Richmond District. “It’s a tradition that’s been with us since the early days of San Francisco.”

Americana: Yes, that’s one reason. That’s the romantic reason. Callan’s epic work as the Club’s historian and archivist is more than romance, though. It’s hard work, necessary work, important work, as he sees it.

“I realized that, fundamentally, in a major way, we needed information,” Callan said. “Archives isn’t just hanging a picture or putting together a display. It’s sourcing material, it’s for Club business, it’s establishing membership rolls since 1860 . . .”

And then Callan, still working day and night to assemble this vast emporium of documents, photos, minutes, magazines, titles, deeds, films, paintings and so much more, unleashes his mission statement.

“Archives is a process, not a project,” he said. “It’s beyond passion; it’s a need. I saw the need.”

He’s the right man for the job, is what he is. It’s in his blood, this Club. His father, Emmett F. Callan, was on the board from 1959-61 and was a 50-year member. Bill’s brother, Bob, was Club President in 1983, and in addition to being a 4-time Club champion in golf, is also a 50-year Club member. Bill himself served on the Board from 1989-91 and, like his father and brother, is also a 50-year member.

As if all that pedigree weren’t enough, Callan’s wife, Terry, is a member, and comes from a family where her two brothers, Al and Henry Chaparro, are both members and national handball champions. But, wait: there’s more – Terry’s late father, Dr. Luis Chaparro, was also a 50-year member.

Callan, a real estate businessman, and his wife live in Forrest Hill -- as if he’d ever leave San Francisco. He’s of the City all the way. He also served on the USGA Museum and Library Committee for over 10 years. Callan’s C.V. reads like a blueprint for Club membership: Star of the Sea, St. Ignatius, and Santa Clara for both undergraduate work and an MBA. About the only place it diverges from the traditional path was Callan’s year abroad in Rome, where his roommate was a kid

named Don Novello – who would later become comedian Father Guido Sarducci.

As a bonus, living in the midpoint between City Club and Lakeside gives him access to get more work done on the Archives.

Once you visit Callan on the 2nd floor at Lakeside, where most of the Archives are stored, you’re on your own trying to keep up with him, as was the case on a recent tour. After showing off shelves and shelves of organized material – Board Minutes from 1904, a thick binder labeled “Handball # 7”, still others featuring pages and pages of black-and-white photos from the 1981 U.S. Amateur golf championship – Callan disappears for a moment.

“Where are you?” a visitor called out.

“I’m back here,” came Callan’s voice, from a back, back room.

Out walks Callan with a watercolor painting, a gorgeous rendition of the 3rd hole at the old Ocean course by renowned artist Maurice Logan. Callan and Jim Innis, with whom he started archival work in 1986, found it tacked to an obscure locker wall adjacent to the Lakeside steam room before rescuing it.

Callan has tons of stories like that. Next time you’re in the Hall of Fame Room at City Club, check out the colorful, eye-catching framed proclamation from the AAU to the Club, thanking the Club for the 1915 Pan-Pacific Expo. It contains signatures from both Avery Brundage and Amos Alonzo Stagg. Callan found it hidden behind some old furniture.

He’s rummaged through out-of-state bookstores to find relevant material, boldly blazed to obscure neighborhoods in the Bay Area to follow a lead that might net him a find. Simply organizing the Club’s material found on-site is its own field trip, with unexpected gems, like stumbling across Ty Cobb’s 1934 application for membership. It’s gumshoe detective work, Callan’s style, and he won’t ever take a shortcut.

“The Internet,” he says, “is a poor man’s way of doing research.”

The Club formally recognized Callan’s Archives in 1994, and the process is forever ongoing. With an estimated “40 balls in the air at one time”, Callan does all this work with concrete goals. He helped spearhead the Hall of Fame founding and inductions, made resources available for the writing of Club’s history, and was responsible, along with the History and Archives Committee, for the selection and installation

continued on page 24

“Living History” continued

Tim Hutten and Courtney Mathewson

SOCIAL 04

of the historically annotated Art Work that adorns the new City Clubhouse.

The Archives have been moved “four or five” times, Callan estimates, most recently because of the City Clubhouse renovation. They’ve settled into a series of rooms on the 2nd floor at Lakeside, where Callan will show you a Pacific Golf and Motor magazine article from 1923, boasting an early review of the Lake and Pacific Links golf courses under construction. “Maybe The St. Andrews of America,” reads the headline.

Not all of the material is bound and shelved. Callan casually mentions that he has over 50 hours of conversation with 1955 U.S. Open champion Jack Fleck, the man who beat Ben Hogan in one of the sport’s greatest upsets.

“Where is it?” he is asked.

“In my head,” he answers, then rips off an anecdote about Fleck going to Ocean Beach to pray before the playoff with Hogan.

Lest you think this collection of stuff is a glorified version of “Sanford and Son”, as Callan jokes, the realization dawns that Callan’s work is the lifeblood of the Club. His historical acumen has played important roles in the Club’s appraisal of property, master plans and contractual negotiations, part of what Callan says is a need to “anticipate, plan, strategize issues in advance and have the necessary information well in hand prior to the moment of need.”

Still, he finds his inspiration in the simplest of beginnings. He likes to talk about the gold rush artists, Arthur and Christian Nahl , the German immigrants who taught Germany’s Turnverein exercises to their San Francisco friends in the 1850s. These exercises were part of the German movement in the old country to promote mental and physical preparedness in youth. Callan will stand in front of a wall hanging at City Club depicting the first backyard exercises at 79 Broadway sponsored by the Nahl Brothers in 1860, realizing that from the tiniest acorn can grow the mightiest oak.

“We’re capturing moments for immediate and future use,” he said. “What may seem insignificant today could be the start of something that is the linchpin for years to come . . . it’s just common sense.”

June 6, 2009 is the date of the 10th Annual Peter J. Cutino Awards Dinner honoring the male and female collegiate water polo players of the year. It’s hard to believe The Olympic Club’s idea to sponsor a major national sports award has come this far. 1999 Club President, Ed Rudloff Jr., sponsored the first event and saw it to fruition. The Cutino Award has now solidified its presence as a nationally known, collegiate athletic award. Since Pete Cutino’s passing in 2004, his family has continued to support the award. His wife Louise, daughter Anna and son Paul have attended the event every year and helped with the awards presentations.

This year was a fabulous event, with an enthusiastic capacity crowd. As this is an Olympic year, the Legends of the Game segment spotlighted past U.S. Olympic Team members from the Bay Area who were in attendance. The 2000 Olympic Game Silver medalist and Olympic Club member, Maureen O’Toole-Purcell, was the keynote speaker. Also in attendance was Terry Schroeder, Head Coach of the United States Men’s Olympic Team. Terry is known as “the sculpture,” as it is his likeness that was used for the statue outside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The head of USA Water Polo and other top officials were in attendance adding to the night’s Olympic flair. These officials chose to attend even though they needed to be on a bus at 8am the next morning for Santa Barbara to play the Australian Olympic Team in a test match.

But the focus of the event was the honoring of the top male and female collegiate water polo players. The voting is done in two rounds of ballots which are sent to all coaches of Division I collegiate water polo programs through The Olympic Club Athletic Directors’ office. The first ballot solicits nominations of players not from the coaches own team. From that nomination process, the top three finalists are selected and a final round of voting is conducted in which a coach can vote for his or her own player. Voting tabulation is overseen by Cutino Award Trustees and Olympic Club members: Chair Bennett Indart, Andy Burke, Ryan Indart, Chris Lathrop, Marvin Mouchawar, Doug Norton, Phyllis Quinn, Ed Rudloff, Jr. and Executive Director Gary Crook.

This year’s nominees for the women’s award were Courtney Mathewson from UCLA, Jillian Kraus from UCLA and Lauren Silver from Stanford. The winner was Courtney Mathewson. UCLA Coach Adam Krikorian must have had a sleepless night when he mailed in the final ballot.

On the men’s side, the nominees were Tim Hutten from UC Irvine, Mike Sharf from Cal (an Olympic Club member), and Adam Shilling from USC. The winner was Tim Hutten who gave a great speech thanking his mother and coaches for his success so far. He is a candidate for the U.S. Men’s Team going to Beijing this summer. And as you watch the Olympic Games this summer, some names in water polo you will see are past Cutino award winners Tony Azevedo (4-time winner) and John Mann. And on the women’s team, Brenda Villa, Moriah Van Norman, Natalie Golda and Lauren Wenger have previously won the award.

On a personal note, I have been a part of this award since its inception and it is a great joy to work with the coaches, players and families from this sport. There is terrific camaraderie amongst the water polo community for the athletes’ regardless of age or

2008 Cutino Awardsby Gary Crook

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hotter than julyIn between heat waves and cool spells, the Club’s outdoor sports teams have really moved into hot summer competition.

On June 7th at the Lake Berryessa Rough Water Swim, 28 swimmers represented the Club, distributed evenly between the one-mile and two-mile swims. Matt Harrington, McCall Dorr, Greg Myers and Ed Rudloff all took age group first place finishes in the two-mile event. Michelle Deasy, Trent Holsman and Margery Meyer took first in their appropriate one-mile events. Club coaches, Laureen Welting and Scott Williams competed and Laureen took first in both races for her age group.

The 8th saw Club triathaltes (Mark Rosen, Jordan Cantwell, Peggy Lavelle among many) competing in Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. Also on the 8th members competed in a triathlon with much warmer water in San Jose. The 8th was also the date of the Dipsea Race. Over 30 Club runners, led by Thomas Iseler, Frank Rollo and Court Durling made the charge up the Mill Valley steps and over the hill to Stinson Beach. Dipsea legend Joe King was there cheering members on and vowed to come back in 2010.

On June 6th, 7th and 8th six Olympic Club water polo teams competed in the east bay at the U.S. Water Polo Masters National Championships. The Club’s teams lost only once over the three days covering 36 matches to collect 5 Golds and one Silver (see story page 20). On the evening of the 7th, many of those players jumped straight out of the pool and drove to the City Clubhouse to be part of the sold-out 9th Annual Peter J. Cutino Awards Dinner.

The Club’s Rugby Team had a terrific year, winning the Northern California Rugby Football Union and advancing through two rounds of playoffs to get to the National Final Four championships in Aspen, Colorado in early June. Unfortunately, the team lost in the first round, but won in the consolation match to take third place nationally.

Also outdoors on the grass or turf-fields, the Club’s Premier Division Men’s Soccer Team finished the first half 4-3-2 good for 7th place and OC Women’s Premier Team finished the first half at 7-4, good enough for 2nd place, which will get them in the playoffs to defend their league title, won last year.

In cycling, Steve Romjue won the Ross Epic Hill Climb in the combined field of Men’s 35+, 45+ and all category 3 riders. The fields were small so all three categories, about 40 riders total, raced together. He attacked on the steepest part of the climb, with about two miles to go, and got away for the win. The race started in Geyserville and was flat for seven miles... then a 8-mile 2000-feet climb, a short 250-feet descent... and finally a extremely steep two-mile climb of 1200 feet. Also competing heavily since the start of the season are Olympians: Chris Coble, Mike Vetterli, Larry Knott, Hal Johnson, Andrew Touchstone, Will Longstreth, Richard Coyle and Noel Murphy.

Welcome to the new Sports Commissioners who started on June 1st. They are Lou Alessandria - Softball and Bill Marchant - Basketball. New Deputy Sports Commissioners are Rich Weingart - Squash, Jason Rianda - Softball and Melanie vonHartitzsch - Water Polo. The Athletic Committee will debate these members’ budget submissions for their respective sports on July 21st.

The ultimate outdoor event for rough water swimmers is the Trans Tahoe Relay where even the best teams spend almost 3 hours on the Lake. This event, sponsored by The Olympic Club, will be held on Saturday, July 19th. If you are not competing come up and root for our OC teams.

Have a great summer!

- Gary Crook

AD’S UPDATE

NEWS 06

Twenty-one rough water enthusiasts from The Olympic Club ascended on Lake Berryessa on June 7th and came away with 10 firsts, 5 seconds and 3 third place finishes for a great showing for the Club’s Rough Water Swimming program. New member, Matt Harrigan and veteran McCall Dorr were the overall Club winners. Matt finished second overall in a strong open water field. McCall was the first overall female swimmer in one of the fastest female open water swims in the country.Lake Berryessa attracts swimmers from all over the country to come to California and compete in one of the largest open water swims in the world. Over two thousand swimmers attend each year and the competition is intense. There is a 2-mile swim and a 1-mile swim.

Open Water Swimmers Dominate Lake Berryessa Swimby Scott Williams

Some swimmers do both while others just focus on one swim. This event, along with the Club’s Trans Tahoe Relays, has just been named one of the country’s 50 best open water swims. Age group winners included: Matt Harrigan, McCall Dorr, Laureen Welting, Greg Myers, Ed Rudloff Jr., Michelle Deasy, Trent Holsman, and Margery Meyer. Congratulations to all members who participated. The swimmers will be preparing for the upcoming Trans Tahoe Relays, sponsored by The Olympic Club, with over 120 teams signed up so far. There are four teams coming all the way from Australia this year to compete in the popular race, along with swimmers from all parts of the United States, including Florida.

Softball Headed to Nationalsby Dean Cappellazzo

The Olympic Club Open Softball Team won their first tournament of the year, qualifying them for Nationals in Scottsdale, AZ September 19-21st. In the double elimination tournament, the Open Team lost their first game at 8am, putting them into the losers bracket. However, they won every game following, including the undefeated team twice in the championship. This was the first time OC Softball has won a national qualifying tournament after dropping the first game. The Team won 7 straight games in the blistering heat, averaging 17.5 runs a game.

Tournament honors go to the whole team... Pitcher Bill Stridbeck put together a great pitching performance. Grant Feichtmeir provided much needed offense. Sam Petke put on a hitting display. Newcomer Adam Callan played great defense at shortstop and could be found on base almost the whole tournament. Gus Panagotacos played stellar defense and provided a game winning hit. Arthur Gross played solid defense and continues to be the most aggressive player on the base paths. Mike Carmignani continues to add solid defense and clutch hitting. Outfielder Josh Rowell was gunning runners out at plate and hitting untouchable line drives all day, and veteran Colin Luttringer continues to hit the ball in places other teams can’t defend. Mr. Aldo Congi provided the much-needed “GLUE” to help keep the team motivated.

The Open Team is off to one of it’s best seasons... 13-1 in tournament and league play.

SAN FRANCISCO LEAGUE PLAY

The Olympic Club Softball program has 3 teams that began in late March. Currently, the Open Team, managed by veteran Jason Rianda, is in 1st place playing in the toughest SF League with a record of 6-0. Offensively, the team is averaging over 21 runs a game, including a lopsided victory of 44-5 in only 5 innings. Starting with leadoff hitters Gus Panagotacos, Mike Carmignani and Jason Rianda setting the table for power hitters such as Josh Rowell, Bill Stridbeck, Sam Petke, John

Brown, Arthur Gross and Grant Feichtmeir. This well-balanced, offensive attack hasn’t been stopped all season. Defensively, Adam “The Highlight Reel” Callan who has made some slick fielding catches at shortstop.

Currently our Olympic Club DD Team, managed by John Wu, is 4-1-1 going into the “bye” week and half a game out of first place. There are still 2 games left in the 2008 spring season. Last year’s MVP, Mark Kniesche, continues to lead the team offensively batting over .800. Gary Coover leads the team in On Base Percentage. Albert Chang and Chris Jue assume the role of consummate team player, playing all positions. Outfielders, Graham Coover, and Aleco Preovolos continue to add much needed offense while patrolling the outfield. Pitcher Dave Hunsaker continues to dominant from the mound and defensively snatches any ball hit at him.

Masters Team managed by Lou Alessandria is currently 2-2.

SPORTS 07

with water polo player bennett indart

ONE ON ONE

Bennett Indart is a classic example of a Club athlete who has enough

pelts on his wall to appreciate it all. When he was a freshman at Cal

during an All-American water polo career, he played against the Club’s

teams and admired their tenacity and skill. Now, at 41, as a software

executive who lives in Danville with his wife, Nikki, and daughter, Lauren,

7 and son, C.J., 5, he’s the “old guy” playing the college kids in water polo and enjoying the ride all the while.

It’s hard not to enjoy it, either: The Club’s water polo teams rack up world medals routinely, and Indart has

been at the center of it for almost two decades now:

Olympian Magazine: When did the love affair with water polo start?

Bennett Indart: My Dad was an All-American swimmer at UC Davis, and he thought it was a good idea to throw my brothers and I into the pool young, at age 6 or 7. What really drew me was that I also played basketball, soccer and baseball, and I was drawn to the team aspect of those sports. In junior high, I started playing water polo, and growing up in the Clovis area, it had a good following, and was a good sport to play.

OM: Clovis is a swimming mecca, isn’t it?

BI: At the time I was growing up, we had one of the fastest pools west of the Mississippi. They held nationals there. Since then, they’ve built another four 50-meter pools. The school districts there really support athletics. I made high school All-American, and we won league and CIF two or three years in a row.

OM: Did schools other than Cal recruit you?

BI: Stanford, USC and UCLA recruited me, but Cal had won back-to-back championships before I got there, and just the strength of the Cal program was the deciding factor. Another force in all this was Pete Cutino, who was my

coach for 3 of 4 years at Cal, and of course is the man whose name is on the trophy we give out at the Club, the Cutino Trophy (to the best water polo players in the country.)

OM: Did you achieve national prominence at Cal?

BI: We played in the championship game all 4 of my years there, winning it in 1987 over USC and in 1988 over UCLA, and we also suffered two crushing defeats, in 1986 to Stanford and 1989 to UC Irvine.

OM: So how does one continue playing water polo after college?

BI: I played on the national team for a little while, but decided I didn’t want to move to L.A. permanently to try to make the Olympic team. I was one of those guys who realized I was on the ‘bubble’, who didn’t have the raw talent to just show up and be brilliant, so I had to make that hard choice.

OM: Is that where your connection to the Club came in?

BI: I joined in 1991, but actually, my first connection to the Club came in my freshman year of college, when we played the Club’s water polo team. I have to laugh now at the

memory. Now, when we play college kids, it reminds me of those times. Now, our kids all jump in the water after we’re done playing. Back then, I was this freshman in college, and the guys we were playing were really good, giving us all we could handle, and then a bunch of kids ages 2 to 6 showed up after and jumped in, playing with their Dads. That’s how it is now.

OM: Those polo teams from the early 1990s were legendary; you guys made the Club Hall of Fame.

BI: We had a club team that was probably 20 guys, mostly from Cal, some from Stanford and guys like Doug Norton from UC Davis. About 10 years ago, we started going to World Masters Championships, and we were barely 30 years old, and we won the gold medal in Sheffield, England. From there, we said: OK, let’s do this every 2 years.

OM: And now the water polo program is so strong, you guys recently won three team medals at World Masters in Australia?

BI: We sent three teams to Perth. The 30-and-overs won gold; the 40-and-overs won bronze; and the 45-and-overs won silver. I played on both the 30s and the 40s. My wife

SPORTS 08

and I decided to take the family, and it was like living a dream. We had a great trip. Our water polo and swimming teams have been very fortunate to see the world through the Club: Morocco, Munich, New Zealand, San Marino...

OM: Based on those results, is the Club’s polo program at an all-time high?

BI: I’d say so because we have a new wave of growth, and that’s with two women’s teams. And the men’s teams are doing great; we just wrapped up US Masters Nationals in Moraga and the men swept the gold in 20s, 30s, 40s and 45s and over. The women won a gold and silver, so we have six teams, and each has between 13 and 17 players on it. The Club has been very supportive, and as one who’s watched it grow, I can say it’s a great place to play. There are very few places to play water polo after college at this level in the United States. Our teams are all very close; we play hard and also do a lot of social things together and with our families. It’s great, and our families all get along, too.

- by Brian Murphy

At the Northwest Long-Range Regional Championship near Portland, Olympic Club rifleman Mike Dunia peered through his spotting telescope, waiting for the result of his 14th shot at 1,000 yards. On a drizzly morning, the 45-shot competition began with 15 shots at 800 yards, about a half-mile. Using ‘iron sights,’ a rifle without a telescopic scope, Mike scored a perfect 150 points, including 12 shots in the 10-inch ‘X’ ring used for tie breaking. “Nice start,” said his scorekeeper, but the hard part was yet to come.

Two hours later, the firing line moved to 900 yards, more than a half-mile away from the 20-inch “10” ring. There was less room for error in aiming so aiming to accommodate the wind was key. Dunia was pleased to come off the firing line with another perfect score of 150, including 8 shots in the tie breaking ‘X’ ring. The area around the 1,000-yard firing line was wet and the air cold and heavy. Concentration was difficult and the aiming mark dim. The wet range-flags gave a false reading of the wind’s speed and direction. After 13 shots at 1,000 yards Dunia fired nothing but 10’s and X’s. Waiting for the result of the 14th shot, Dunia thought, “If that shot is a ‘10,’ I’m loading my rifle with a cartridge that could bring me a national record.” Dunia loaded the 15th shot, like all the others he specially assembled for that individual rifle. Aiming with just a little extra care, and with extra attention to the trigger-squeeze, the rifle fired. Dunia took off his glove, unhooked the rifle sling, and waited 15 seconds for the target to appear. “Yes,” he yelled, as the other shooters looked at the target. The total score was a perfect 450, with 26 shots in the ‘X’ ring, a new National Record! The 2-day match included another identical competition, plus a 20-shot match at 1,000 yards. Dunia’s total for the 2-day long-range course of fire was 1091, also a record score.

The Stanford squash team and their coach, Mark Talbott, last month played against some of the Club’s best. The event was especially interesting since it is always exhilarating to watch the best in one’s sport; and Talbott, exhibiting both extraordinary talent and exemplary sportsmanship, is the best squash player of his generation. The evening was a great all around show, and a good crowd enjoyed the camaraderie.

Additionally, besides getting the competitive juices flowing, it was all for a good cause. Mark Ryan organized this event to help fund Xtreme Squash that combines squash and an academic tutoring program to benefit urban juniors. The venue of Stanford’s seven new squash courts along with Talbott and a pool of mentors will be a solid combination for Xtreme Squash and E. Palo Alto.

Dunia Sets National Recordsby Dennis Shea

Club Hosts Stanford & Squash Legendby Jim Gibbons

Pac Coast champions Alex Dean and Erik Wohlgemuth hosted a doubles clinic and played an exhibition with Talbott and Generocity CEO Dave Levy. Club Champion Kevin Orphan played a singles exhibition with Mark. Paul Thiebaud and posse drove from Sacramento to support the festivities and get on the court. Reed and Lois Foster were stalwarts as usual. Annie Gibbons and pere held their own against three Stanford doubles teams. John McKenna displayed his new game after many lessons. Mitch Peters and Leon Kuan are still recovering and former Stanford standout Alan Fox is in training for next year’s fixture. Overall, it was quite a nice event. Thank you, Mark Talbott and Mark Ryan.

Kevin Orphan, Reed Foster and Mark Talbott

SPORTS 09

Talent Show

canyoudothis?

The Olympic Club is

looking for talented

members for a Club

talent show later this

year. All acts welcome.

If you have a special

talent and would like

to participate please

call 415.345.5147.

the

orthis?

Dipsea Race 2008by Garrett Wynne

On June 8th, thirty-five Olympians participated in the 98th running of the Dipsea competing in dry, dusty and hot conditions. After the race, the competitors and their families enjoyed a picnic under the Club’s tent near the finish line. First run in 1905 by The Olympic Club’s own “Dipsea Indians,” the Dipsea is the oldest trail race in America. The Dipsea’s scenic 7.1-mile course from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach is unsurpassed among the world’s footraces for its combination of stunning scenery, physical challenge and colorful history. As anyone who has had the opportunity to compete in this amazing event will concur, the stairs and steep trails make it a grueling and treacherous race. Among The Olympic Club’s standout performances were sub one-hour finishes by Stacey Schweighart, Thomas Iseler and Stephen Donahue. Both Stacey and Stephen earned coveted “black shirts” awarded to the top 36 finishers of the event. Stacey ran the downhill section in 19 minutes, finishing 22nd overall. Stephen – a five time black shirt recipient – finished 20th overall with the 3rd fastest clock time on the day. Thomas narrowly missed a black shirt, running the course at a blistering pace of 58:54. Additionally, at least twelve other athletes including Randy Chapman, Jamie Saunders, Vince Fausone and Frank Rollo all finished within striking distance of the one-hour mark. As proof that this is truly an “all Club” event – Stephen Wynne (lacrosse), Hal Johnson (cycling), Lee Wanie (swimming) and Matthew Davie (triathlon) also represented the Club. Joe King, going strong at 82 years of age, was there to support

the “Winged O” and offer his expert racing advice. Joe is a Dipsea Hall of Fame member and two-time past winner of the race who recently set the outdoor and indoor mile record for his age group. Finally, six-year old Reilly Johnson (daughter of Hal and Wendy Johnson) left no doubt that the Club’s running program has a bright future. Reilly – the youngest participant in the event – put up an impressive clock time of 1:37, which earned her a qualifying spot for the 2009 race. Don’t let the pigtails and cute smile fool you, Ms. Johnson is a fierce competitor with a promising future in the sport. The Club’s running program looks forward to seeing you out there next year for this great event.

Thomas Iseler and Stacey Schweighart

SPORTS 10

Talent Show

canyoudothis?

The Olympic Club is

looking for talented

members for a Club

talent show later this

year. All acts welcome.

If you have a special

talent and would like

to participate please

call 415.345.5147.

the

orthis?

JULY

Sky & Post Street Gym Schedule

Mon: Noon Ball Open Gym (Sky) 12-1pm

Tues: Morning Crew 6:30-7:30am, Noon Ball Open Gym (Sky) 12-1pm, NBA & NCAA Summer League Games (Sky & Post St.) 6:15-9pm

Wed: Volleyball (open play) 6:30-7:30am, Noon Ball Open Gym (Sky) 12-1pm, NCAA League Games (Sky & Post St.) 6:15-9pm

Thurs: Morning Crew 6:30-7:30am, Noon Ball Open Gym (Sky) 12-1pm, Women’s National Team Practice (Sky) 6:30-8:30pm

Fri: Noon Ball Open Gym (Sky) 12-1pm

Sat: Open Gym 9-11am

Fitness Schedule

Mon: Studio Cycling & Abs (3rd fl.) 6:15–7am, 12–1pm, Senior Cycling & Strength (3rd fl.) 10–11am, Water Conditioning (Nat.) 10–10:50am, Pilates Mat (3rd fl.) 2:30–3:30pm, Junior Fitness (6th fl.) 3:30-5pm, Iyengar Yoga (3rd fl.) 1:15–2:15pm, 5:30–7pm, Cardio Sculpt (6th fl.) 6-7pm

Tues: Functional Training (6th fl.) 6:30–8am, Senior Circuit (6th fl.) 9:30–11am, Pilates Mat (3rd fl.) 12–1pm, Athletic Prep (6th fl.) 12:30–2pm, Kinesis (3M) 5:30-6pm, Cardio - Fit (3M) 6:30 -7:30pm

Wed: Triathlon Training (3rd fl.) 6am Swim, 7am Bike, 8am Run, Studio Cycling & Abs (3rd fl.) 6:15–7am, 12–1pm,Senior Cycling & Strength (3rd fl.)10–11am, Water Conditioning (Nat.) 10–10:50am, Junior Fitness (6th fl.) 3:30-5pm, Iyengar Yoga (3rd fl.) 5:30–7pm

Thurs: Cardio - Fit (3M) 6 -7am, Functional Training (6th fl.) 6:30–8am, Senior Circuit (6th fl.) 9:30–11am, Pilates Mat (3rd fl.) 12–1pm, Iyengar Yoga (3rd fl.) 1:15–2:15pm, Athletic Prep (6th fl.) 12:30–2pm, Kinesis (3M) 5:30-6pm, Cardio Sculpt (6th fl.) 6-7pm

Fri: Studio Cycling & Abs (3rd fl.) 6:15–7am, 12–1pm, Water Conditioning (Nat.) 10–10:50am, Junior Fitness (6th fl.) 3:30-5pm

Sat: Studio Cycling (3rd fl.) 9-10am, Yogalates (3rd fl) 10-11am, Kinesis (3M) 11-11:30am

Aquatics Schedule

Mon & Fri: Masters Practice (Sutter St.) 6-7:30am, 12-1pm, Water Conditioning (Natatorium) 10-10:40am, Jr. Swim Practice (Nata-torium) 4-6pm

Tues: Masters Practice (Sutter St.) 12-1pm, 6-7pm, Waterpolo Practice (Sutter St.) 7-9pm, Jr. Swim Practice (Natatorium) 4-6pm

Wed: Masters Practice (Sutter St.) 6-7:30am, 12-1pm, Water Conditioning (Natatorium) 10-10:40am, Jr. Swim Practice (Natatorium) 4-6pm, Women’s Water Polo Practice (Sutter St.) 7-9pm

Thurs: Masters Practice (Sutter St.) 12-1pm, 6-7pm, Jr. Swim Practice (Natatorium) 4-6pm

Sat: Masters Practice (Sutter St.) 8-10am, Jr. Practice (Natatorium) 10am-12pm

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1• Basketball Junior Camp Defense & Rebounding, 9am-12pm through July 3rd• Basketball Junior Camp Super Skills Competition & Games, 1-4pm, through July 3rd

2• Handball - Beginner’s Clinic, 6-7:30pm

3 4 Independence Day• City Clubhouse Sunday Schedule, Cafe 8am-4pm, All other Outlets Closed• Lakeside Clubhouse Grill Room Open for Breakfast and Lunch7am-2:30pm, Grill Bar 11am-7pm, Main Dining Room Closed for Lunch & Dinner• Golf Holiday Schedule No Guest Play

5Lakeside Clubhouse New Member Tour-10am - Meet in Clubhouse Lobby. Member ID Photo at Lakeside, Please call 415.404.4300 for an Appointment • Golf Junior Golf Team Match, Lake Course

6 7• Golf Junior Qualifier, Ocean 8am Starting Times• Junior Camp Swimming & Water Polo, Session #3, 9am-12pm, through July 11th• Junior Camp Basketball Guard & Post Play Development, 9am-12pm, through July 11th• Junior Camp Basketball Super Skills Competition & Games, 1-4pm, through July 11th

8 9• Junior Golf Lottery for Membership 5:30pm Lakeside Clubhouse• Handball - Beginner’s Clinic, 6-7:30pm

10• Golf SGA Invitational Lake B/O 12:30pm - 7:45am B/O Lake Member & Guests

11• Lakeside Clubhouse Dance to Gemini 8:30 -11:30pm, Dress Code: Business Casual

12• Junior Golf - Team Match, Lake• Shooting Woman Only Skeet & Trap Shotgun Clinic, 9am @ Pacific Rod & Gun Club• Shotgun Practice Skeet & Trap, 10:15am @ Pacific Rod & Gun Club• Shotgun Clinic Skeet and/or Trap, 12:30pm @ Pacific Rod & Gun Club

13 14• Junior Camp All Sports, Session #2, 9am-4pm @ City Club & Lakeside, through July 17th

15 16• Handball Beginner’s Clinic, 6-7:30pm• Golf MHGP Guest Day B/O 12pm Lake & Ocean - 7:45am B/O Lake & Ocean Members & Guests Walking Only• Speaker Series Michael Ledeen An expert on U.S. foreign policy 12-2pm, Reservations 415.345.5147• Theater Night Chorus Line, 5:30pm Dinner & 8pm Show.Please call 415.345.5147 for reservations.

17• Mark Twain Literary Group Valley Boy: The Education of Tom Perkins, by Tom Perkins @ City Clubhouse Squire Room, 12:30pm• Golf NCGA Team Match Lake 12:40-1:30pm• Member Meeting Regarding Changes to the Lake Course - 7th and 8th Holes and the Replacement of Greens. Lakeside Clubhouse 5pm.

18• Lakeside Clubhouse Dance to Primetime 8:30 -11:30pm, Dress Code: Business Casual• Shooting World Junior Skeet Championship through the 20th• Tennis Cocktail Party Team Selection

19• Golf Junior Golf Team Match Lake• Tennis Team Challenge through the 20th• Golf NCGA Team Match Ocean 1-2pm• Swimming Trans Tahoe Relay

20• Golf WSGPS Couples Championship 11am -12pm Lake & Ocean

21• Golf Outside Event• Junior Camp Sports Fitness & Nutrition, Session #2, 9am-12pm, through the 24th• Junior Camp Basketball - Advanced Skill Development, 9am-12pm, through the 24th• Junior Camp Baskeball - Advanced Competition & Games Camp, 1-4pm, through the 24th

22• Junior Camp Golf, Session #2 (Lakeside), 8:30am-3pm, through the 25th

23• New Member Tour City Clubhouse, Meet in Club Room, Lobby Level at 5:30pm • Handball Beginner’s Clinic, 6-7:30pm• Theater Night Chorus Line, 5:30pm Dinner & 8pm Show.Please call 415.345.5147 for reservations.

24• Golf SGA H/H Lake Merced B/O 12:30pm Lake - 7:45am B/O Lake members & Guests

25• Lakeside Clubhouse Dance to The Cruisetones 8:30 -11:30pm, Dress Code: Business Casual

26

27 28• Golf Outside Event• Junior Camp Shooting & Scoring Development, 9am-12pm, through the 31st• Junior Camp Super Skills Competition & Games, 1-4pm, through the 31st• Junior Camp Swimming and Water Polo Camp, Session #4, 9am-12pm, through August 1st

29• Junior Camp Junior Tennis Camp Session #2, 9am-1pm, through August 1st

30• Handball - Beginner’s Clinic, 6-7:30pm• Golf NCGA Team Match Lake 12:40-1:30pm

31• Golf Lucius Shootout Practice Rounds

Member Meeting -July 17th

Member Meeting Regarding Changes to the Lake Course -

7th & 8th holes and the replacement of greens. The meeting

will be held July 17th, 5pm at the Lakeside Clubhouse. All

members welcome. For information on the project, please

see the drawings located at both clubhouses.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1• Basketball Junior Camp Defense & Rebounding, 9am-12pm through July 3rd• Basketball Junior Camp Super Skills Competition & Games, 1-4pm, through July 3rd

2• Handball - Beginner’s Clinic, 6-7:30pm

3 4 Independence Day• City Clubhouse Sunday Schedule, Cafe 8am-4pm, All other Outlets Closed• Lakeside Clubhouse Grill Room Open for Breakfast and Lunch7am-2:30pm, Grill Bar 11am-7pm, Main Dining Room Closed for Lunch & Dinner• Golf Holiday Schedule No Guest Play

5Lakeside Clubhouse New Member Tour-10am - Meet in Clubhouse Lobby. Member ID Photo at Lakeside, Please call 415.404.4300 for an Appointment • Golf Junior Golf Team Match, Lake Course

6 7• Golf Junior Qualifier, Ocean 8am Starting Times• Junior Camp Swimming & Water Polo, Session #3, 9am-12pm, through July 11th• Junior Camp Basketball Guard & Post Play Development, 9am-12pm, through July 11th• Junior Camp Basketball Super Skills Competition & Games, 1-4pm, through July 11th

8 9• Junior Golf Lottery for Membership 5:30pm Lakeside Clubhouse• Handball - Beginner’s Clinic, 6-7:30pm

10• Golf SGA Invitational Lake B/O 12:30pm - 7:45am B/O Lake Member & Guests

11• Lakeside Clubhouse Dance to Gemini 8:30 -11:30pm, Dress Code: Business Casual

12• Junior Golf - Team Match, Lake• Shooting Woman Only Skeet & Trap Shotgun Clinic, 9am @ Pacific Rod & Gun Club• Shotgun Practice Skeet & Trap, 10:15am @ Pacific Rod & Gun Club• Shotgun Clinic Skeet and/or Trap, 12:30pm @ Pacific Rod & Gun Club

13 14• Junior Camp All Sports, Session #2, 9am-4pm @ City Club & Lakeside, through July 17th

15 16• Handball Beginner’s Clinic, 6-7:30pm• Golf MHGP Guest Day B/O 12pm Lake & Ocean - 7:45am B/O Lake & Ocean Members & Guests Walking Only• Speaker Series Michael Ledeen An expert on U.S. foreign policy 12-2pm, Reservations 415.345.5147• Theater Night Chorus Line, 5:30pm Dinner & 8pm Show.Please call 415.345.5147 for reservations.

17• Mark Twain Literary Group Valley Boy: The Education of Tom Perkins, by Tom Perkins @ City Clubhouse Squire Room, 12:30pm• Golf NCGA Team Match Lake 12:40-1:30pm• Member Meeting Regarding Changes to the Lake Course - 7th and 8th Holes and the Replacement of Greens. Lakeside Clubhouse 5pm.

18• Lakeside Clubhouse Dance to Primetime 8:30 -11:30pm, Dress Code: Business Casual• Shooting World Junior Skeet Championship through the 20th• Tennis Cocktail Party Team Selection

19• Golf Junior Golf Team Match Lake• Tennis Team Challenge through the 20th• Golf NCGA Team Match Ocean 1-2pm• Swimming Trans Tahoe Relay

20• Golf WSGPS Couples Championship 11am -12pm Lake & Ocean

21• Golf Outside Event• Junior Camp Sports Fitness & Nutrition, Session #2, 9am-12pm, through the 24th• Junior Camp Basketball - Advanced Skill Development, 9am-12pm, through the 24th• Junior Camp Baskeball - Advanced Competition & Games Camp, 1-4pm, through the 24th

22• Junior Camp Golf, Session #2 (Lakeside), 8:30am-3pm, through the 25th

23• New Member Tour City Clubhouse, Meet in Club Room, Lobby Level at 5:30pm • Handball Beginner’s Clinic, 6-7:30pm• Theater Night Chorus Line, 5:30pm Dinner & 8pm Show.Please call 415.345.5147 for reservations.

24• Golf SGA H/H Lake Merced B/O 12:30pm Lake - 7:45am B/O Lake members & Guests

25• Lakeside Clubhouse Dance to The Cruisetones 8:30 -11:30pm, Dress Code: Business Casual

26

27 28• Golf Outside Event• Junior Camp Shooting & Scoring Development, 9am-12pm, through the 31st• Junior Camp Super Skills Competition & Games, 1-4pm, through the 31st• Junior Camp Swimming and Water Polo Camp, Session #4, 9am-12pm, through August 1st

29• Junior Camp Junior Tennis Camp Session #2, 9am-1pm, through August 1st

30• Handball - Beginner’s Clinic, 6-7:30pm• Golf NCGA Team Match Lake 12:40-1:30pm

31• Golf Lucius Shootout Practice Rounds

Theater Night - Drowsy ChaperoneWednesday, August 13th @ City Clubhouse. $100 per person, plus

tax & service charge. 5:30pm dinner, 8pm show at The Orpheum

Theater. Tickets are limited to 2 per member. Dress: coat & tie.

Please call 415.345.5147 for reservations.

AUGUST ‘08 H O U R S O F O P E R A T I O N

city clubhouse 415 345 5100Clubhouse: Mon - Fri: 5am - 11:30pm Sat & Sun: 6am - 9pmAthletic Facilities: Mon - Fri: 5am - 11pm Sat & Sun: 6am - 8:30pmCafe: Mon - Fri: 6:30am - 10pm Sat & Sun: 8am - 8pmGrill Bar: Beverage Service: Mon - Fri 11am-9:45pm, Sat 12pm-8pmGrill Room: Lunch: Mon, Tues & Fri 11:30am-2pmMain Dining Room: Lunch: Wed & Thurs 12-2pm Dinner: Wed 6-9pm (a la carte) - Piano Entertainment, Thurs

6-9pm (Buffet) - Piano EntertainmentMassage: (by appointment) Mon - Fri: 11am-7pm Sat & Sun: 12pm-5pm Sport Shop: Mon - Fri: 8am - 8pm Sat: 8am - 4pmShoeshine: Mon - Fri: 7am-3pmBarber: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm Sat: 11am - 2pm

lakeside clubhouse 415 404 4300Clubhouse: Tues - Sun: 6am - 10pm (except Friday, main floor open until

11:30pm)Main Dining Room: Breakfast: Sunday Brunch 10am - 1:30pm Lunch: Tues and Fri 12noon - 2 pm Dinner: Fri (a la carte) 6:30 - 9pm dancing Garden Court 8:30

- 11:30pm (see calendar for band schedule), Sun (buffet) 5 - 7:30pm

Grill Room: Breakfast: Sat, Sun & Holidays 7 - 11am Lunch: Wed-Fri, Sun & Holidays 11am - 2:30pm, Sat 11am - 3pm Grill Bar: Beverage Service: Tues - Fri 11am - 9pm, Sat & Sun 8am - 9pmMain Bar: Beverage Service: Tues 11am - 2:30pm, Fri 11am - 2:30pm and

5 - 11:30pm, Sun 9:30am - 9pm Massage: Fri - Sun: 7am - 3pmBarber: Fri - Sat: 10am - 5pm

01 F Dance to Nightbird at Lakeside - 8:30pm to 11:30pm • Twilight Tennis Mixer • Jim Lucius Shootout - Lake & Ocean b/o 9am (no other play until after 4:30pm)

02 SA New Member Tour - 10 am - Meet in Clubhouse Lobby • Member ID Photo at Lakeside, Please call 415.404.4300 for an Appointment • Jim Lucius Shootout Lake & Ocean b/o 8:30am (member/guest b/o 2:30pm Lake & Ocean)

04 M Basketball - Ballhandling & Shooting Camp • Swimming and Water Polo Camp, Session #5 • Basketball - Super Skills Competition & Games Camp

05 TU Junior Tennis Camp Session C • Golf Camp, Session #3 • Tennis Camp, Session #3

06 W Handball Beginner’s Clinic, 6-7:30pm

07 TH SGA H/H Pasatiempo Lake b/o 12:30pm - member/guest b/o 7:45am Lake

08 F Dance to Bob Gutierrez at Lakeside - 8:30pm to 11:30pm • Handball Beginner’s Clinic, 6-7:30pm . SGA Invitational Practice Rounds Lake Course

09 SA Shotgun Practice Skeet & Trap, 10:15am @ Pacific Rod & Gun Club • Parent/Child b/o 8:30am Ocean - member/guest b/o Ocean 2:30pm

11 M All Sports Camp, Session #3 (City Club & Lakeside) . Outside Golf Event

13 W Fight Night Call-In for Members only, Call 415.345.5198 at 10am • Theater Night, Drowsy Chaperone Dinner & Show The Orpheum Theater. Prix fixe dinner. Please call 415.345.5147 for reservations. Cost: $100 per person plus tax and service charge Dress: Coat & Tie • Handball Beginner’s Clinic, 6-7:30pm

14 TH SGA H/H Sharon Heights Lake b/o 12:30pm - member/guest b/o 7:45am Lake

15 F Dance to The Dave Alt Band at Lakeside - 8:30pm-11:30pm • Fight Night Call-In for Members with Guests, Call 415.345.5198 at 10am

16 SA Golf - Play the Property

19 T Junior Tennis Camp Session D Tennis Camp, Session #4 • Tennis Camp, Session #4 • WGANC open day Ocean b/o 8:30am - member/guest b/o 2pm Ocean

20 W Handball Beginner’s Clinic, 6-7:30pm

21 TH Mark Twain Literary Group - Book PENDING... @ City Clubhouse Squire Room, 12:30pm

22 F Dance to Gemini at Lakeside - 8:30pm-11:30pm

23 SA OC Shotgun Field Sports Day (Sporting Clays), 10am @ Birds Landing

24 SU Mixed Couple Invitational Ocean b/o 1:30pm holes 1-14

25 M St. Mary’s Tennis Tournament - Lakeside Tennis Courts • Outside Golf Event

27 W New member tour of City Club - Meet in Club Room, Lobby Level at 5:30pm • Handball Beginner’s Clinic, 6-7:30pm • MHGP Guest Day Lake & Ocean b/o 12pm - member/ guest b/o 7:45am Lake & Ocean

29 F Dance to Primetime at Lakeside - 8:30pm to 11:30pm • No Guest Play lake - Modified Guest Play Ocean 9-10:30am & after 2:30pm

The Escape from Alcatraz is a world-class triathlon held in San Francisco each year. 2,000 of the worlds best triathletes

visit San Francisco for the challenge of swimming 1.5 miles (Alcatraz Island to the San Francisco shore),

biking 18-miles up and down the hills of San Francisco, and running 8 miles thorough

the Golden Gate Recreation Area. With 30 participants carrying all different age

groups The Olympic Club was well represented in this June 8th event.

Peggy Lavelle was a 1st place finisher. Jordan Cantwell placed 2nd and

Dean Panzica placed 3rd in their respective age groups. To stand on the podium at Escape from Alcatraz is a remarkable athletic achievement. It is a grueling event that takes up to 3 1/2 hours to complete. All Club

triathletes who competed are to be congratulated for

completing the course.

Escape From Alcatrazby Scott Williams

Dean Panzica photographed by www.brightroom.com

SPORTS 15

PEBBLE BEACH WINS DON BERING CUP - For the past 45 years The Olympic Club and the Pebble Beach Tennis Club have gotten together to compete at Pebble Beach in what is known as the Don Bering Cup. The Olympic Club has won the last three years in a row, however; this year, the Pebble Beach Tennis Club won. The Olympic Club held a slim 21-19 lead after the first day. The second day Pebble Beach won 27 of the 40 matches, for a final count of 46-34. The Olympic Club showed their strength at the higher levels, but the Pebble Beach Club rallied at the 3.0-4.0 levels of play. DECK OPENING CEREMONY - The newly renovated Tennis Deck was officially unveiled this past month with last year’s Tennis Committee Chair, Chuck Joseph, doing the ceremonial duties with the “ribbon cutting” presentation.

Tennis UpdateOLYMPIANS DOMINATE MARIN SENIOR NATIONALS - Led by Geoff Cykman who won the Men’s 55 Singles Championship, The Olympic Club took home top honors at the recent Marin Senior Nationals held at the Mill Valley Tennis Club. Other notable performances include Jeff Urban, who reached the Men’s 40 Doubles finals, Dan Mulready a finalist in the Men’s 45 Doubles, and Geoff Cykman who also made the Men’s 55 Doubles finals. On the way to the singles final, Cykman never conceded a set winning his 3rd category 2 National Tournament this year.

CLUB SINGLES TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS - The annual Club Singles Championships begin this month and is open to all Active Members. The format is a regular tournament format (best of 3 sets), with matches played on a ‘schedule your own’ basis up to the finals, scheduled for Championship Day on Sunday, September 21st. To enter, please contact the Tennis Pro Shop at 415.404.4350.

The 45th annual Don Bering Cup in Pebble Beach

SPORTS 16

Geoff Cykman wins 55 singles and doubles at Marin NationalsChuck Joseph cutting ribbon at tennis deck reopening

Before I expound on this year’s squash tournament, I’d like to memorialize its astounding year over year growth. In 2006 there was no doubles championship and only 38 players participated. A year later saw 87 singles players compete and our first ever doubles bracket. Once again, in 2008 we set a new record with over 100 Olympians participating – 99 singles and 7 doubles only competitors (31 out of 38 doubles participants also competed in the singles tournament). That’s a three-year growth rate of 168 percent, something for which we should all be proud! On behalf of the squash program, I’d like to thank everyone who participated in this year’s event as we have made it one for the record books.

Boasting a cadre of quality singles players has made it extremely difficult for a player to repeat as Club Champion. It has been at least 10 years since this has happened, which makes Kevin Orphan’s achievement of defending his Club Championship in the 5.0 Division so impressive. Kevin cruised through an extremely talented field by defeating junior phenom, Ben Ng, and Chris Olsen by wide 3-0 margins. A focused Alex Dean was a formidable semifinal opponent as he made Kevin work for a tight 3-1 victory (3 of 4 games were extremely close and Alex took leads in a couple of the ones he eventually lost). The final against former professional, Tony Brettkelly, drew a large crowd and was a delight to watch. Even though Tony had trained hard in preparation for the title match, the wily veteran was unable to overcome Kevin’s extraordinary skills and eventually fell 3-1. Given Kevin’s performance throughout the tourney it’s hard to imagine how he wouldn’t be the favorite in 2009.

In the 4.5 Division, favorite Mitch Peters appeared to be back in form as he defeated veteran Frank Schmidt 3-2 in the semi final. Meanwhile unseeded, but fiercely competitive, Ross Johnson cruised to the finals with 3-0 victories over Nick Eaton and Giovanni Napolitano. The final was close, with Ross digging deep to overcome a deficit and grinding out a narrow 3-2 win.

So Hard To Repeat! by Ben Andrew

It was tough to seed the 4.0 Division. There were the returning veterans, such as Jim Gibbons, Bill Price and Ken Nielsen, and the talented newcomers, such as Henry Watts, Chris Rotelli and Dylan Bird (an exceptional tennis player for the Club). The veterans, Ken and Jim dominated one bracket as they reached the semi finals, while the newcomers, Chris and Dylan, took care of the other bracket. In the finals, Dylan made short work of the cagey Gibbons, defeating him 3-0. Dylan is yet another example of the Club’s talented athletes picking up a new sport. He will undoubtedly be a worthy opponent in the 4.5 Division next year.

The 3.5 bracket featured a new group of very evenly matched players -10-year old Gabriel Morgan, Tim Albinson and Ned Rollhaus. Most of the matches were closely contested, as was the case in the finals between Charles Higgins and Frank Moreman, with Charles outlasting Frank 3-2 to take the championship.

In the 3.0 Division after a tough 3-2 win over James Brandon in the semi finals, Jerry Connolly faced veteran Steve Pijas in the finals. Steve had already bested Ed Dollard, Chris Antipa and John Townsend. Jerry’s court control proved to be decisive as he controlled the finals, 3-0.

The 2.5 category saw Chris Grandi emerge as the head of the field with decisive wins over Jonathan Heaton, Nick Polsky and Pat Hitchcock to reach the finals against Chris Antipa. Chris had defeated Dave Mysona, George Dingeldein and Eric Burns to reach the main event.

Of the 8 players in the 2.0 Division, 6 had only just started to play, but what many lacked in experience, they more than made up for in athletic talent. Two were from the Club’s recent National Champion basketball Team, Justine Higueras and Sera Passalaqua, and two were from the Club’s Soccer Team, Ray Soriano and TK Inbody. In the end TK’s youth and speed were too much for the more experienced Rod Manning, as TK took home the title, 3-0.

The A doubles bracket saw 10 teams vie for the championship, including last year’s winners, Chris Olsen and Mike Natenshon who had won our first ever doubles title. Chris and Mike advanced to the finals with a 3-1 win over Giovanni Napolitano and Ben Andrew and a 3-2 win over veterans Dave Levy and Will Fratt. The #1 seeds, 2008 Pacific Coast Doubles champs, Erik Wohlgemuth and Alex Dean reached the finals

5.0 Division: Kevin Orphan (winner) Tony Brettkelly 4.0 Division: Dylan Bird (winner), Jim Gibbons

SPORTS 18

by way of a 3-1 semifinal win over an exceptional team of Eric Green and Doug Prezzano. Chris and Mike are a talented duo, but Erik and Alex have played doubles together for about 29 years (they qualified for the doubles pro tour at ages 12 and 13) and boy did it show, as they bullied their way to a 3-0 victory in the finals. With their performance, the victors have made it clear that they will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come not only within the Club, but on the West Coast (California to British Columbia). If you ever get the chance to watch these two play I highly encourage it as it is an exhibition in strategy, creativity, teamwork, and most importantly sportsmanship.

In the B Doubles Division, the number one seeded team of Brian Peter and Greg Kaplan exited in the semis, losing 3-0 to unseeded Dan Levin and Ross Johnson. Dan (10+ year doubles veteran) and Ross (doubles newcomer, 4.5 singles champion) were a team that combined a relentless youth and a savvy veteran. The other side of the bracket saw the #2 seeded team of Ben Andrew and Giovanni Napolitano dispatch the #3 seeded long-time duo of Bob Marshall and Steve Jones 3-2 in a hotly contested five game semi-final match up (extra points in 3 of 5 games). The championship match was characterized by especially intense and competitive play as it pitted two former Olympic Club lacrosse teammates – Ross and Ben – against each other as they battled it out on the left wall. Although the first game was decided in extra points 18-17, the rest of the games weren’t as tight as the team experience of Gio and Ben enabled them to turn up the pressure and hoist the hardware in a decisive 3-0 win.

B Doubles: Ben Andrew, Gio Napolitano (winners) and Ross Johnson, Dan Levin

2.0 Division: Rod Manning, TK Inbody (winner)

A Doubles: Alex Dean, Erik Wohlgemuth (winners) and Chris Olsen, Mike Natenshon

3.0 Division: Jerry Connolly (winner), Steve Pijas

3.5 Division: Charles Higgins (winner), Frank Moreman 2.5 Division: Chris Grandi (winner), Chris Antipa

Water PoloNearly 80 members strong, The Olympic Club’s Men’s and Women’s Water Polo

teams have yet again proved themselves to be one of the top club teams in both

the U.S. and abroad. As many members read last month, our men’s 30’s, 45’s,

and 40’s teams returned from the Fina World Masters in Australia in April, with

gold, silver, and bronze respectively. Most recently, the Club won gold in 5 out

continued on page 24

MENS 20 PLUS The team had a fantastic tournament, winning 6 games in 3 days and finished the weekend with the gold medal and National Championship. The team met last year’s champions, the Santa Monica Sharks, in a dogfight for the gold medal. Santa Monica started out strong gaining a 5-3 lead at half time, but The Olympic Club was led back in the 2nd half to win 7-5. Brian Bacherach’s 2 goals and a strong anchor in the goal, by Tournament MVP Mark Sheredy secured the come behind win. Other notable performances were executed by All-Americans Spencer Dornin, Michael Bury, Bacherach, and Cutino Award semi-finalist, Michael Sharf.

MENS 30 PLUS The squad defeated a host of 5 teams on their way to the gold medal. On route to the finals, the men took an early win away from Greenwich, an East Coast team with a handful of internationals and New York Athletic Club members. Next, they narrowly escaped defeat from Bay Area Masters, local rivals who routinely challenge the Club with recent college grads and experienced masters players from UC Davis, USC, and UCLA. The gold medal match was not decided until the second half against another local rival, Burlingame, who were able to secure the use of one of the US National Team goalies, Genai Kerr, and former 2004 Olympian Omar Amir. Standout play from OC goalie Sean Nolan, Sean Joy, and tournament MVP Drew Netherton capitalized their efforts in a fast paced game that left the men wearing gold after a 6-3 win.

MENS 40 PLUS The Olympic Club Men’s 40+ Team were looking to defend their 2007 gold medal finish from last year’s US Masters Nationals. In the preliminary round, the OC faced teams from Seattle and Napa with victories of 12-5 and 14-1 respectively to move into the Championship round undefeated. The team faced a solid team from San Diego in the semi-final round and after trading goals for the first half of the game the OC moved ahead for good in the second half securing an 8-5 victory and a place in the gold medal game. The Championship final had the OC going up against a familiar team from Los Gatos called the Bay Area Masters

(BAM). The OC was ready for a physical game and came out strong with early counter attack goals and a strong defense lead by goalie Michael Ennis. In the end, the OC was too strong against BAM and secured an 8-4 victory, the 2008 Championship, and defended their gold medal position from the previous year. The Olympic Club 40+ Team was represented by Rich Ambidge, Kirk Everist, Pat Reid, Bob Abbott, Dean Quintal, Peter Galli, Andre Weiglein, Michael Ennis, Bennett Indart, Matt Murphy, Matt Kennedy, Mike Haley and Bill Schoening.

MENS 45 PLUS After finishing second the past three years at the National Championships, the Men’s 45+ finally broke out and rolled the 2008 field to regain the title of National Champion. Just six weeks from their impressive silver medal performance at the World Championships, the OC used a lethal combination of defense, offense and speed to smother five opponents by a combined margin of 48 to 17. In the Championship round, in a pair of close 7-2 games, the OC dispatched the Pittsburgh Renegades and the Kaos

of 6 divisions it entered at the U.S. Masters Championships across the bay in Moraga. Our men’s 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, and 45’s all won gold. And in only our 3rd full year, our women’s program brought gold to our 30’s division, and a silver medal to the 20’s division.

Much of the team’s recent success has been a combination of factors. One has come from setting up a “leadership committee” amongst its athletes to help lessen the load of our current commissioner and two deputy commissioners. This has allowed each of the four men’s teams and two women’s teams to organize tournaments, practices, team functions, and recruitment efforts with more efficiency than before. The last factor in the Club’s fortunes have come from exposure of local teams and athletes that are already Olympic Club members. Peter Varellas and Thomas Hopkins are currently battling for spots on this summer’s Olympic Team. Both joined the Club two years ago after All American careers at Stanford and have contributed to several key wins with our Men’s Open Team. Michael Sharf was a runner up at this year’s Olympic Club-hosted Cutino Award, nearly being given the top collegiate player honors after leading UC Berkeley to their second strait NCAA Championship titles. Michael has played for the Club for 6 years, starting as a high school player on our Men’s Premier League Team. That same Cal team from 2006 and 2007 features 9 current Olympic Club members, and two coaches, Kirk Everist and Sean Nolan.

The Olympic Club men’s program will finish off the season with two tournaments. In early August, the Open men’s team will vie for the US National Championships. This qualifying tournament will feature the Club’s best team against the top 12 teams in the country, a field of four top water polo clubs and 8 collegiate teams. The following week, the men will also field a team to defend its title at the 40th annual Hawaiian Invitational. The Club will match up again versus more top US college teams, as well as a top Hawaiian squad and a team from Australia.

2 0 0 8 U S A M A S T E R S N A T I O N A L S R E C A P

GOLF REPORT

A record May heat-wave cooked up the competition at the 73rd Invitational on May 14-17. The field consisted of 116 two-person teams with one score counting each hole. Guests who were encouraged to pack clothes for foggy conditions were greeted with temperatures in the 90s. The golf courses were in magnificent condition, playing firm and fast. With plenty of wet towels, water bottles, and sun block around – everyone enjoyed the blue skies.

The Overall Gross Champions were George Kelley and Martin Connolly with a score of 1-under 141. They beat the pair of Mike Cinelli and Jim Steiner also at 141 after matching cards. The Overall Net Championship went to Doug Hosking and Trae Anderson with a score of 130.

After matching scores of 130 with the Overall Net Champions, the team of Michael Abendroth and Robert Tantillo took the Masters Flight Net Title. Also in the card match at 130 were Masters Flight runners up Pete Shanahan and Nick Shanahan.

In the U.S. Open Flight, Vince Kilduff and Malcolm Burgess won 1st Net with a score of 132. One shot back at 133 were the pair of Mike Sordelli and Jeff Schaadt.

Pat Murphy and Peter Wainwright took the British Open Flight by 3 shots with a score of 131.

Runners up Rick Smith and Gary Notti finished with a score of 134. The

2008 Invitationalby Michael Abendroth

PGA Flight winning pair of Perry Tomei and Jim Brown beat the team of Joe Kelly and Pat Coakley in a card match at 132.

The Annual Derby on Friday afternoon consisted of 16 teams playing alternate shot format on holes 7, 8, 9, and 18 on the Lake Course. A gallery of 75 watched as the “Lucky 13” team of Alan Dunckel and Angelo Rossi won the Derby. 2nd Place went to Emmett O’Donnell and John Clay. The pair of Gene Rogers and Jeff Myers finished in 3rd place. The spectacular Saturday night dinner and dance capped off a memorable week of competition and camaraderie.

Front Cart: J.P. Morgan and Mike Morgan. Back Cart: Michael Abendroth and Robert Tantillo

From a field of over 200 competitive players only 32 qualified for The Derby

SPORTS 22

Left, Left & LeftTo remember the classic chip shot just think: left, left, & left. The idea behind the successful chip shot is to keep the ball low and rolling, while trying to get

it close to the hole, or simply chip the ball into the hole. Before we get to the three lefts, let’s talk about ball position. For the basic chip shot, ball position is back in the stance - closer to the right foot (left foot for lefties) at address. Place the ball back in your stance to help achieve a descending blow to the ball. Align the grooves of the club so that the grooves are perpendicular to the target line. Take a stance fairly close to the bal. Once you are in position, fan your feet slightly LEFT of the target line. Next, distribute your weight more on the LEFT side (right side for lefties), leaning slightly toward the hole. Lastly, move your hands slightly LEFT of center (otherwise known as a forward press). Once the three lefts are achieved, make a stroke much like your putting stroke. Keep the club head low on the backswing and low on the forward swing. Play around with different lengths of backswing or use one length and change club selection for distance control. This could be called RIGHT, RIGHT, & RIGHT for lefties. - Shannon Sweeney Donlon

G O L F

Position Yourself for SuccessWorking on your transition game is key in playing successful tennis. Learning how to get to the net might be more important than having excellent volleys. A

volley that is directed into an open area on the court will always be better than a volley hit right at your opponent. Part of improving your travel to the net is by being prepared. Once you decide that you are going to approach the net, fully commit yourself to it. Don’t be tentative. Practice serving and coming to the net. After a while, the movements will become natural to you. Having an all court game will improve all aspects of your game, making you the complete player you need to be. See you on the courts. - Sean Dizon

T E N N I S

TIPS FROMTHE PROS

Bunker Rakes are a strange anomaly on a golf course. Although classified as loose impediments, they are purposely placed in the playing field where they can interfere with play. It is therefore appropriate for our Club’s Golf and Green Committees to make recommendations with regard to their preferred location. The rules of golf specifically address complications that can arise from rake interference and the USGA has published precise recommendations. As a consequence, The Olympic Club has revised their policy and players will now be asked to leave rakes OUTSIDE of bunkers.

This advice may seem surprising to players who are accustomed to seeing rakes placed inside bunkers but they should realize that this trend has developed through the influence of golf maintenance workers who prefer not to dismount from lawn mowers. For a full explanation of the complex issues involving balls at rest against rakes, readers should refer to Decisions on the Rules of Golf and the discussion of Rule 20-3d/2, and the subsequent recommendations outlined under Miscellaneous Decisions/2 in the same volume.

Following the USGA recommendation, therefore, our Green Committee asks that you put the rake outside the bunker, with the handle parallel to the edge of the hazard. Some of our larger bunkers have more than one rake and they should be evenly spaced for convenient access, but only on the side away from the green and off to the side so that a ball rolling toward the green from the fairway will not strike the handle.

While on the subject of rakes, we might make a few suggestions about their use. The rakes on our courses have tines on one side of the spreader and a smooth rounded shape on the other. The tines make it easier to move large amounts of sand and the rounded side is designed to smooth the surface. The suggestions of Jack Nicklaus notwithstanding, the bunker should not look like a Zen garden with elaborate ridge patterns which can interfere with a clean takeaway. Remember, that if your club touches the sand in a bunker during your back swing, you are in violation of rule 13-4b (Decision 13-4/31). Maintenance workers regularly push the sand up onto the sides of bunkers, so you do not need to do this. Moving excessive sand from the bottom will result in the dreaded thin lie that can cause your club to bounce and skull your ball over the green and into the trees.

There are several things that golfers can do to maintain proper conditions, for those who follow them, in subsequent months, we will address some of these issues, including ball mark repair and divot replacement.

Tee to Green by Gerry Stratford

Ins & Outs of Bunkers

Ironman 70.3 Hawaiiby Bart Lally

The Ironman 70.3 Hawaii is held on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island. Competitors come from around the world to compete in this grueling event and on May 31st, 31 countries were represented.

The islands conditions were especially rough on race day... the seas were choppy and many competitors went off course, as the buoys were impossible to see. Crosswinds, headwinds, tailwinds hit hard as we headed out for a 56-mile bike ride on the legendary Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway to Hawi through the ebony lava flows. Triathletes suffered from heat, humidity and the constantly changing terrain on the 13.1-mile run. The large majority of Olypians endure the rough conditions, albeit at slower times than they might have had on a different day.

Jordan Cantwell (5:21:33), placed 5th in her age group and Vito Bialla (5:52:29), placed 8th in his age group. Competing in her first Half Ironman race, McCall Dorr (6:25:52), was the first female out of the water, and placed 10th overall. This was also Lynn Jolly’s 1st Half Ironman race (6:28:28).

Additional times were: Michael Breen (6:07:31); Steve Foland (6:10: 07), Stephen Killian (6:17:17), JoyAnn Fell (6:31:14); Jennifer Killian (6:40:35); Bart Lally (6:57:16); and Eve Kuhlmann (8:05:23).

JoyAnn Fell, Bart Lally and Lynn Jolly

“Water Polo” continued from page 20

“2008 Cutino Awards” continued from page 04

SPORTS 24

school. And with the inclusion of local high school league champions coming to the event, its roots go deep locally, as well as nationally. It is an event in which all members should be proud.

Bulmainans (Southern Cal) to capture the gold medal. Both games were tied 2-2 at the half, but the OC defense shut out their opponent in the second half Led by Goalie Michael Ennis and strong defense by Vince Tonne, Doug Norton, Brian Busalacchi and Ed Schmidt and offensive output by Kirk Erikson, John Felix, Kirk Jensen, Russ Hafferkamp and Mike Haley, the OC closed out the game for a much deserved victory!

WOMEN’S 20 PLUS The team, lead by Anne Marie Napolitano and Julia Cesnik, had a strong tournament, coming just short of the National Championship. The women played 4 games in the tournament, with an impressive win over San Diego 8-4 in the semi finals. The gold medal match proved to be a defensive battle against the New York Athletic Club. With many stops at each end, and not much offensive output, the OC fell 1-3 to pick up the silver medal. Margie Dingeldein, Kira Shymanski and goalie Lauren Dennis anchored the young OC women throughout the tournament.

WOMEN’S 30 PLUS The 30’s team represented the Club in true Olympian form by winning the tournament without a loss. The team was lead by Tournament MVP and long time Olympic Club member and Hall of Famer, Maureen O’toole Purcell. In only a five-team field, the OC ran the table by taking out two teams from San Diego, Sunset, and Old Mission Bay, and two local teams, the Menlo Mavens, and Peninsula AC. The Olympic Club women combined for a total goal difference of 36 to15 and advanced to win gold against Old Mission Bay 8-3. Other OC women’s members with strong performances were Elissa Keszler, left-handed hole set Suzanne Eskilson, Lynn Jolly, and OC deputy commissioner Melanie VonHartitzsch. The women are gearing up for a great 2009 season as they close the door on 2008 with a gold and silver.

mvp

Men’s 20 +

Men’s 30 +

Men’s 40 +

Men’s 45 +

Women’s 20+

Women’s 30 +

Mark Sheredy (G)

Drew Netherton

Kirk Everist

Mike Ennis

Maureen O’toole Purcell

Michael BuryBrian Bacherach

Brian HeifferonSean Joy

Mike EnnisPat Ried

Vince Tonne Russ Hafferkamp

Julia CesnikKira Shymanski

Melanie Vonhartitzsch

Suzanne Eskilson

Mike SharfSpencer Dornin

Sean Nolan (G)Ross Mecham

Bennet IndartDean Quintal

Kirk JensenKirk Erickson

Margie DingeldeinAnne-Marie Napolitano

Elissa KeszlerLynn Jolly

1st team 2nd teamall american

GM’S REPORTWomen active members, please be sure to read the last paragraph of this column.

Also, I want to remind readers the Green Committee will be proposing to the Board of Directors changes to the 7th and 8th holes and the replacement of all 18 greens (with bent grass) on the Lake Course. Prior to making their recommendation, the Committee seeks input from the general membership. As such, The Chair of the Green Committee, Pat Murphy has scheduled a meeting for all active members at 5pm on July 17th at the Lakeside Clubhouse. During the meeting, the proposed modifications will be explained, the financial and play ramifications of the project will be discussed; and member input will be taken. Subsequent to this member meeting, the Green Committee will meet again to evaluate member comments and revise their proposal to the Board as appropriate. President Bill Poland will open the July 17th meeting and joining Pat Murphy on the dais will be Jay Friedrichs, Chair of the Golf Tournament Committee, Bill Love, Golf Course Architect, Pat Finlen Director of Golf Course Maintenance, Chris Stein, Head Golf Professional and Gary Macknin, Controller. If interested in these changes and how they will affect the course, please attend this important meeting.

Elsewhere in this issue is an ad for members with talent… and who are willing to exhibit their special skill before an audience of members and guests. The Activities Committee, Chaired by Tina Avelar, has come up with a fun idea of having an old fashioned talent show—with prizes for the top contestants. If we can get enough talented volunteers, it should be a hoot… if we do, look for an ad in a future Olympian to attend this fun event.

Last month, I mentioned the Board would soon receive the results of the focus groups; and, thereafter, I would make mention of the highlights …..which I will do in a moment. First, however, I want to urge members to review their Club contact info. Our consultant, when calling members to assemble the focus groups, came across a great many numbers that were either wrong or no longer in service--- meaning some of you lost an opportunity to participate. Kin Sheffield, Membership Director, recommends you update your contact info whenever you experience a change; and on page 5 you’ll find a form to assist you in updating your Club profile.

With regard to the focus groups, they proved very interesting; covering all the subjects one might expect and surfacing others that might indicate a shift in member attitudes. As expected, the groups provided an opportunity for members to explain, in detail, facets of the Club with which they are dissatisfied… in fact, the process is deliberately designed to elicit those areas with which members are less than satisfied so as to provide the Board an opportunity to evaluate and take corrective action where appropriate.

On the positive side, the study found members believe the Club’s facilities (both City and Lakeside) are unparalleled; that no other Club comes close to offering our exceptional fusion of athletic resources; and The Olympic Club is recognized both within and without as being very special. Another aspect discussed at length is the camaraderie and quality and quantity of friendships forged at The Olympic Club. Each of the groups identified restaurant service in particular and service in general as having improved significantly over the past five years. And the selection and pricing of our wines was much appreciated by the membership. There were many other positive comments but I don’t want to turn this into a slap on the back column. So turning the page…

Most members agree with Lakeside’s dress code but many feel the City Club dress code could be relaxed a bit. This represents a marked departure from prior comments. Not surprising were member

Ironman 70.3 Hawaiiby Bart Lally

JoyAnn Fell, Bart Lally and Lynn Jolly

comments regarding the City Club garage, though President Poland’s April comments--- regarding the garage and lowering expectations -did resonate with many of the participants. Some members talked nostalgically of the old grill bar-which was interesting as, prior to the renovation, focus group’s indicated the old grill bar was in need of serious renovation, updating, and more TV’s.

With regard to communications, it’s clear one size does not fit all. Some prefer getting their info from the Olympian, others prefer the immediacy of OC News and the Weekly Guide, still others prefer the electronic nature of the Web Site over the Olympian - though they wish for more frequent updates ( in last month’s column, I mentioned the Club has hired a full time web administrator which should address this problem).

Some groups talked about the Lakeside exercise area as being too small a general workout area… perhaps it should be a specialized exercise center geared to enhance the prowess of golfers and tennis players. Also, mentioned were the 6th floor, 3rd floor, and 2m exercise areas in the City Clubhouse as being too chopped up and disjointed. The Club’s social event’s were rated as terrific, in some cases spectacular, with the worse aspect not being able to get in… and that guests of members often get priority over members in attending these popular events.

The above represents a brief summary of points/issues raised in the sessions. One finding identical to that of past focus groups was the sentiment that the Club offered first rate facilities and services at a very reasonable price; and represents a terrific value. Most members, even those with gripes, indicated the Club is irreplaceable; and, if something happened to it, it would take several club’s to replace what they would lose from The Olympic Club.

So now the Board of Directors will dissect the report and make adjustments where appropriate. Some of those efforts are already underway. For example, the Board subcommittee’s on improving the garage and the City Clubhouse exercise areas. As other efforts by the Board are initiated, I will report on them.

Lastly, it’s been about 16 years since the Club began admitting women. During this time, I have found the accomplishments and contributions of our women members to be very impressive, whether it is on the court, on the field, in the pool, or time spent volunteering on the behalf of the Club. The staff and the Board strive to provide for our women members, as we do for all members, the best in service and facilities. To that end, all active female members have been sent an invitation to attend one of two forums to meet and talk to senior staff about their experience in the Club and how to make it even better. The first session will be held at the City Clubhouse on Wednesday, July 30th at 6pm; the second session on Saturday afternoon, August 23 at 1:30pm at Lakeside Clubhouse . Attending from staff are Mike Dewees, Lakeside Manager, Pam Andres, City Clubhouse Manager, Gary Crook, Athletic Director, Chris Stein, Head Golf Professional, and Kin Sheffield, Membership Director and myself. We hope to be able to engage on any topic of interest to the women present. If you are an active woman member and did not receive an invitation, please call 415.345.5152. We hope to see as many women members as possible. All I ask is you reserve a spot by calling the above number so an appropriate sized room can be reserved. I look forward to seeing you.

- Dennis P. Bouey

JIM CORBETT FIGHT NIGHTSeptember 10, 2008, City Clubhouse

Hosted Cocktails & Hors d’oeuvres - 6pmDinner & Wine - 7pm

Amateur Boxing Matches - 8:15pm$119 per adult plus tax and service charge

Members Only ReservationsPlease call 415.345.5198 Wednesday, August 13th 10am. If you make reservations for other members, you must have their names, ledger number and contact phone numbers or reservations will not be accepted.

One table per member.

Members with Guests Reservations (if space is still available)Please call 415.345.5198 Friday, August 15th 10am.

DressCoat & Tie or Black Tie

Please Note: Cancellations must be made no later than Tuesday, September 2nd by 5pm. Persons who have not cancelled before that time will be charged the regular price. Seating will consist of tables of 10,

no exceptions. Minimum age to attend, 21 yrs.

A t t n : P o s t m a s t e r P e r i o d i c a l s