Cure the Winter Blues Dinner

How has this idea enhanced your club's operation, etc.?

In the cold and windy winter of a Philadelphia January, Gulph Mills Golf Club hosted its first Cure the Winter Blues Dinner. Greeted by a special blue lagoon cocktail and blues music roaring through the speakers, guests headed to their tables to enjoy five courses each paired with a unique wine. Sommelier Michael Walsh provided details on each wine as members dined and devoured. Every dish was created with blue as its inspiration. Our chefs prepared and served a Blue Cheese Wedge Salad, Bluefin Tuna Tartare, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Black & Blue Filet, and Blueberry Cobbler for dessert.

January is typically a quiet month at GMGC as we prepare for our annual 3 week closure in February. Themed dining events are popular with our members so we wanted to create a fun, casual evening for them to enjoy as a sort of send-off until we reopen in the Spring. After some thought we decided on a 'Cure the Winter Blues' themed dinner. Members were encouraged to go casual & wear blue jeans. Our enclosed patio, complete with hanging twinkling lights was the perfect backdrop for the evening. The final touches included blue linens and floral arrangements, as well as live music playing some classic Blues.

How was this idea implemented, and what have been the club members' reactions?

After the initial theme was settled on, our Head Chef crafted a menu to compliment the theme; bluefin tuna, chicken cordon bleu, a black & blue filet and of course blueberry cobbler for dessert. The event was marketed through email, our weekly newsletter, and with flyers posted throughout the clubhouse. It was a wonderful way for our membership to enjoy great food and great company before we close for the season. We received quadruple the amount of reservations than we would normally see on an off-season Friday evening. We hope to make this an annual club send-off tradition.