The Cupola

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

While The Cupola was born to create value for our Members, it has had a surprising effect on boosting morale and pride within our team. Departments like Golf, Food & Beverage, and Greens & Grounds are asked to contribute essays, photos, interviews, and/or ideas for each issue.

Shelter Harbor Golf Club is home to some of the best talent in club management, and while our team excels at their roles, many rarely take time to celebrate their own accomplishments. Most have never had their work published beyond LinkedIn!

The Cupola has prompted numerous team members to reflect on their proudest contributions and share them in writing. Our Communications & Engagement Director, Greg Surine, uses his digital storytelling expertise to elevate these voices, helping our team members shine and gain well-deserved recognition for their hard work.

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

The Cupola was born out of a desire to entertain and delight our Members. We send weekly and monthly email newsletters to inform Members about events and programs, so The Cupola provides a more in-depth, bi-annual publication that focuses purely on stories that celebrate the Club.

After the 2023 season, our end-of-year survey revealed that 93% of Members felt an improvement in communication frequency, and 91% noted a boost in quality. To further enhance this effort, we introduced The Cupola, which highlights unique stories like the 1,000-pound potato harvest from our garden near the 8th hole, a junior golfer from our Club who won the individual Rhode Island boys state high school title as a freshman, and a feature on former Shelter Harbor Assistant Golf Professionals who now lead prestigious clubs nationwide.

The response from Members has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing pride and gratitude for a publication that focuses solely on our cherished Shelter Harbor Golf Club community. The first and second editions have impressed our Members and left them eager for more, and they often share their appreciation for the Club’s strong communication efforts