What a wonderful time to be a part of North Oaks Golf Club. The visionary plan created by members in 2016, to chart the future of our Club, has already paid off with stunning updates to the clubhouse and patio area. The new dining and entertainment spaces are a hit with members, but now the real fun is about to begin.

The phrase, “business gets done on the golf course” is true; from the fairways to the 18th green there are plenty of opportunities to close a deal. However, new opportunities can be lost just as quickly as they came if not handled properly. It’s important to make sure you’re doing everything you can to seal the deal just as you would in the boardroom. 

Sound intimidating? It shouldn’t! Making deals on the green creates evergreen connections that will stand the test of time. To avoid losing out on business opportunities and potentially wasting a round of golf, here are some tips for nailing it.

You typically hear about people joining a golf club because of the golf course. Some things they’ll say are they like the challenge of the course, perhaps the proximity of it to where they live, or maybe even the history and legacy of that course in the community. While these are all important aspects to take into consideration when looking for the right club (if you’re a golfer), there are plenty of other people who acquire a golf club membership for reasons beyond the course itself.

Deciding on the right golf membership can be a challenging process, especially if you throw a partner or children into the mix. But after making that decision, you have one more to consider— when do you want to join the club? Most people think peak season is the best time but what if we told you that fall, when peak season is coming to a close, is even better. Wondering why would someone join a golf club when the golf season is considered over? Good question. Read on and find out how beginning your membership in the fall will make you the early bird who caught the worm.

Sometimes you just need to take time off work and play golf. At least that's what Molly Schnagl says.

Although she works out of her home, Molly frequently travels as the busy owner of Tomegan Marketing Group. But in the summer of 2018, she slowed it down to focus on another passion of hers — golf.

"I took the lion's share of the summer off," she says. "I focused on playing a ton of golf and had a lot of fun."

Although she began with a social interest in golf, Molly had always been interested in joining a club to play golf with other women with the same passion. It was all about finding the right one. Here's her story.

Golf outings aren’t always one-size-fits-all. While the seasoned golfer and event supporter might be accustomed to an 18-hole day of play, this traditional outing timeline isn’t the only option. A shorter, 9-hole event might just be the perfect amount of time to deliver a memorable day–and in a more cost-effective way.

Rory McIlroy was hitting 40-yard drives at age two. Michelle Wie learned to play golf at age 4. At age 3, Phil Mickelson told people he was running away from home to the golf course. Lydia Ko started golfing with her mom when she was 5. And Jordan Spieth started playing with “Little Tikes” plastic golf clubs at just 18 months old.

When it comes to learning golf, physical ability, interest, and comfort tend to be more relevant benchmarks than age. Even the best professional golfers started at various ages and in a variety of ways. So, if you're asking yourself what age your child should start playing, the answer varies.

It wouldn't be surprising to see Greg and Erin Stalsberg teeing off on hole no. 7 at North Oaks Golf Club this summer after enjoying dinner with their three children — McKenna, 12, Brynn, 8, and Callan, 6. After all, the hole is across the street from their house.

Golfing became more of a family hobby for the Stalsbergs six ago, when they first joined North Oaks Golf Club. Now that they are members, it's become their neighborhood oasis for all sorts of family fun.

When you think of famous golf course designers, names like Donald Ross, Pete Dye, and Tom Fazio often come to mind. Many golfers also have favorite designers based on the designers' “signature” approach. For example, if you typically fade the ball, you may love courses designed by Jack Nicklaus Design. Or maybe you have an affinity for courses designed by A.W. Tillinghast who worked on more than 250 golf courses including Winged Foot, Baltusrol, and Bethpage Black. 

One designer you may not be as familiar with is the late Stanley Thompson. Thompson, who was Canadian and an accomplished golfer in his own right, spent 40-years of his life designing courses. With nearly 150 courses in Canada and 26 courses in the United States, his most well-known courses are the Banff Springs Hotel Golf Course in Alberta and the Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course in Jasper, Alberta. Thompson, the designer of North Oaks Golf Club which was built in 1951, is well-known and respected for his ability to preserve the natural terrain upon which his courses were built. 

In our busy, hectic lives, family members can get scattered about on their way to the weekend. Work, school, and everything in between can make it difficult for families to find a lot of time together, much less even enjoy a family dinner. So, why not consider a golf membership at a club, where the whole family can meet and spend quality time together?

A social or golf membership at a country club is so much more than just a way to play some golf, particularly for a family. The right club will offer many amenities and activities, beyond golf, to interest the entire family. A club can become the venue a family counts on to bring everyone together.