Newport Beach Country Club Magazine: Winter 2018
Straight Down half-zip pullover, Anatomie pants, G/Fore shoes and Sun Mountain golf bag | Photo by Dondee Quincena
Shopping & Style
Weatherproof Wardrobe
Stay toasty through the green with these picks for athletic apparel to sport on the course this winter.
Even in Southern California, temperatures during the winter can drop just enough to require an extra layer in order to protect yourself from getting chilly, especially while playing a round of golf. But too many layers could lead to poor performance because if you can’t swing, you can’t win. The trick is to pinpoint that sweet spot: the perfect balance between snug and sporty.
“When shopping for winter athletic wear, it’s important to find pieces that are cozy but not bulky, otherwise they can hinder your ability to move freely. The goal is to stay warm while staying active,” says Tammy, Newport Beach Country Club’s retail manager.
In a game that calls for functionality, Sara Aplanalp, lead personal shopping stylist at Fashion Island, is confident that simple, layered looks are in the winter style forecast for Newport Beach.
Aplanalp advises that anyone aiming to layer like a pro should take a look at the Dri-FIT clothing line by Nike, which is renowned for its drying technology and offers apparel for all genders and ages. The line includes everything from hoodies and T-shirts to sports bras and tights, with a few golf-specific items such as a men’s long sleeve top, arm sleeves and cozy socks. “Fitness-specific socks make all the difference in the world,“ Aplanalp says.
Another accessory she recommends comes from ASICS, which has redesigned its stores globally and launched new products that are geared toward a wider variety of sports, instead of solely running. Aplanap says the ASICS Thermopolis LT Ruched Beanie is a must-have item for any athlete because of its high-tech thermal fabric, which feels comfortable and helps it stand up against the winter chill. “This beanie has a lifestyle feel while maintaining athletic performance,” Aplanalp says. “It’s buttery and it has a bonus secret opening for ponytails.” Though the hat is designed for women, it can certainly be utilized across genders.
J.Lindeberg jacket, Peter Millar pants, FootJoy shoes and Sun Mountain golf bag | Photo by Dondee Quincena
TravisMathew is known for being a nonconformist when it comes to creating timeless products with its signature, athleisure aesthetic. For example, top Tour players from across the globe have partnered with the brand and wear its products on the course, such as the Hough golf pants. Featuring the Fairway Fit, these pants are tailored with fabric made of nylon, polyester and spandex, and specifically cut to allow for free-flowing movement in the hips and legs, all while staying stylish.
Aplanalp also suggests turning to 2XU for its performance apparel that activates deep core muscles with compression gear including its line of tights to layer underneath shorts or pants, or to wear on their own. “Men in tights are still trending,” she says. “With or without shorts over them, it’s a look that requires confidence.”
To top off your look, Aplanalp praises the new Lululemon Athletica flagship at Fashion Island, where form and function unite. For multi-purpose outerwear that is ideal for training, traveling or simply Newport-style lounging, she says an ideal piece is the brand’s shacket—which is short for shirt-jacket. The Quilt Back Shacket sports the brand’s signature, streamlined silhouette with strategically placed insulation to keep you warm on even the most treacherous days on the course, or out on the town. “Lululemon has mastered the go-anywhere look for guys,” Aplanalp says. “This jacket can easily take you from the links to Fleming’s happy hour.”
Scholarships for Students
The Newport Beach Country Club scholarship at Scholars First allows members to donate their time and money to help students associated with the club receive an education.
The Newport Beach Country Club Scholarship fund was originally established as a way to show appreciation for club employees who provide exemplary service and who are exceptionally loyal to both NBCC and its members. And what better way to demonstrate gratitude than by helping not just those employees, but also their families, pursue their educational goals?
The scholarship is intended to be used toward obtaining a high school diploma or GED equivalent, a college degree, a community college education or vocational training, professional development programming, and it can even be utilized by those looking to enroll in the PGA Certified Professional Program.
The Newport Beach Country Club has set up a scholarship program to benefit its employees and their dependents | Photo by Brian A Jackson/Shutterstock.com
Recipients may use the scholarship money for tuition, textbooks, lab fees and supplies at any traditional or online educational programs. For recipients who are going for their PGA certification, the scholarship helps pay for study materials such as books, as well as a portion of their testing fees and travel expenses so they can fly to Florida to take their test.
Last year, eight recipients from NBCC were chosen and given a collective amount of more than $35,500 that was contributed by club members. “The neat thing about [this scholarship fund] is that the members are … able to directly interact with the people that they’re [potentially] giving the money to, so I think it’s a special program in that sense. You’re not just writing a check to somebody randomly,” says Hilary Rees, coordinator for Scholars First, which facilitates this scholarship fund for NBCC as well as Balboa Bay Club.
Not only do members fund the scholarship program, they can also volunteer to be on the committee that chooses each year’s recipients. “Those club members help make the decisions for the scholarships, as far as the voting goes,” Rees says.
In order to be eligible for this scholarship, potential applicants must have a GPA of at least 2.0 and be an employee who has worked at the country club for a minimum of six months at the time of application. Dependents of employees, including spouses, children, stepchildren or grandchildren between the ages of 18 and 25, are also encouraged to apply.
To be considered, applicants must confirm their eligibility and submit an online application in addition to other required documents such as a form to verify financial need. Scholars First then compiles all of that information and has a meeting with NBCC and its committees—one comprises management and the other comprises club members. The committees review and discuss each applicant, then make recommendations as to who they think should receive the scholarships, as well as the amounts that would be awarded. Scholars First must takes those recommendations back to its own board of directors for review. Finally, one last meeting between the Scholars First board and the club committees is held to finalize the vote.
When deciding the amount of money that is distributed to each scholarship recipient, which does vary, many things are taken into account, such as how the applicant is doing in school, what their goals are, what they’re studying and their financial need based off of other financial aid they may have already obtained.
“If they’re a returning applicant, we require less information, so we just need an update: a report of what’s going on and how the scholarship money has helped them, and then updated transcripts and financial work,” Rees says. “They can do it up to four years, if they’re in good standing, but it’s not guaranteed. They have to reapply and then be voted [on] again.”
Applications are accepted once a year. The next application process is expected to begin in early 2018, and the final decision is typically made over the summer so recipients will be able to use their scholarship money once school starts up again in the fall.
Eat & Drink
Perfect Pairings
Director of Food & Beverage Daniel showcases his picks for the best wines to couple with signature dishes from the winter menu at Seahorse Grille.
Waldorf salad with 2011 Williams Selyem port | Photo by Dondee Quincena
NBCC Waldorf salad with the 2011 Williams Selyem port from Vista Verde Vineyard, located just outside of Hollister, California
This refreshing salad is what Newport Beach Country Club Director of Food & Beverage Daniel would call a “bit of a twist on an old classic.” It contains all of the elements one might expect, such as candied walnuts, green apple and celery (although this rendition calls for them to be pickled). But, there is an added layer of depth in its flavor profile from cambozola—a brie-style blue cheese from Germany—as well as pickled grapes and a creamy roasted apple vinaigrette.
Daniel, who is also a certified sommelier, categorizes this as a heavier salad, and chooses to pair it with a Williams Selyem port. Although port wines are typically enjoyed after dinner as a digestif, he says this is his way of having a little fun and doing something a bit different.
“It’s rich and velvety in structure to pair with that creaminess from the blue cheese, but, at the same time, it has a good balance of acidity, mature tannins, it has some citrus notes to it and ... [more than] three years of [barrel] aging,” Daniel says. “The port wine also has a good dark chocolate structure, good black fruit [flavors] like blackberries and black cherries, good spice … it just seemed to balance, and in more than just one way.”
Foie gras PB&J with 2011 Dolce | Photo by Dondee Quincena
Foie gras PB&J with the 2011 Dolce late-harvest wine from Napa Valley, California
The foie gras PB&J is a deconstructed spin on this childhood favorite, which features foie gras with peanut streusel and huckleberry jelly on brioche toast. Daniel describes this decadent dish as rich and buttery, saying that “your doctor would probably not advise you to eat many of these, but it’s still really good stuff.”
To find the perfect wine pairing, Daniel turned to Dolce, which is made with late-harvest grapes for extra sweetness. “Again, something a little bit unorthodox to have a sweet wine at the beginning of your meal, but foie [gras] and a late-harvest [wine] like a Sauternes … you need that richness, that high level of sugar, to balance,” Daniel says.
This particular brand comes from the family of Far Niente, which Daniel praises for providing high-quality wine, making it one of his favorite wineries out of Napa Valley. And they sure have perfected the process of producing this sweet drink. “What they do with late-harvest wines, they let the grapes sit on the vine just a little bit longer than the average picking season, so they dehydrate just a little bit more than normal wine [grapes] … That allows the water concentration to decrease, [while the] sugar concentration stays the same,” Daniel explains. “So, they take the late-harvest grapes, they press those and almost get like a sugary, pasty golden deliciousness out of that.”
Lamb rack with 2014 Sassicaia Super Tuscan | Photo by Dondee Quincena
Colorado lamb rack with the 2014 Sassicaia Super Tuscan by Tenuta San Guido, produced in Tuscany, Italy
These beautiful cuts of lamb gives a nod to Middle Eastern cuisine, as it is served with muhammara, a hot pepper dip that originated in Syria. Other contrasting flavors such as earthy eggplant, sharp mint and tangy pomegranate all work together to really make this dish pop. For an entrée that is so rich in spice and filled with character, Daniel felt that he had to choose a big wine to stand up to such a big dish.
He found everything he was looking for in the Sassicaia Super Tuscan, which made its way to Seahorse Grille straight from Italy. “What makes Super Tuscans a little bit different than your normal Italian wine is, in Tuscany, they started breaking the rules. … They started growing Bordeaux-style grapes … something that was unheard of,” Daniel says. From there, this particular wine producer, Tenuta San Guido, became a pioneer in the winemaking world and was notably one of the first wineries to start creating Super Tuscans.
This particular bottle of Sassicaia is 85 percent cabernet sauvignon and 15 percent cabernet franc. What Daoud likes about this wine is that “it’s very rich with a big, bold concentration of fruit” and also offers connoisseurs a big mouthfeel, long finish and lots of spice—all of which make it the ideal pairing for this peppery and slightly gamey dish.
Recipe: Colorado Lamb Rack with Muhammara
Want to try making this fabulous and flavorful winter dish for yourself? Here, Chef de Cuisine Eugene shares his recipe to achieve a restaurant-quality rack of lamb at home.
Rack of Lamb
Servings: Up to 4
2 lamb racks, frenched
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil (only 2 tablespoons, if opting to grill)
8 Thai eggplants, quartered (can be substituted with Japanese eggplant)
½ cup toasted walnuts
12 small mint leaves (3 leaves per plate)
½ cup pomegranate seeds
Pomegranate molasses (found in specialty stores)
Muhammara (see additional recipe below)
Preheat the oven to 400 F. If you don’t care for the gamey flavor of lamb, be sure to remove as much of the fat cap as possible. Wrap about 1 inch down the tips of the bones with aluminum foil to prevent the bones from charring and becoming too brittle. Season the lamb racks heavily with salt and pepper on all sides. If you plan to grill the lamb, be sure the grill is clean and very hot before placing the rack on top.
If you plan to sauté, this recipe works best with a stainless steel or cast-iron pan because nonstick pans tend to gray the meat. Add 2 tablespoons of canola or vegetable oil and place the lamb in the pan once the oil glistens and is lightly smoking.
Whether it is grilled or sautéed, be sure to cook both sides of the lamb until a dark brown crust begins to form. If you chose to keep the fat on the lamb, render it until crispy and golden brown. Once all sides are marked, put the lamb in the oven for 7 to 10 minutes for medium rare—cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the cut.
While the lamb is cooking, toss the eggplant with 2 tablespoons of oil, as well as salt and pepper to taste, then place it in the oven with the lamb. Both the lamb and eggplant should be ready at around the same time.
Once it is done cooking, let the rack of lamb rest for about 5 to 7 minutes and then cut the meat into 4 pieces of 2 bone steaks. Prop up 2 pieces by interlocking the bones. Stand the lamb on a plate, place a large dollop of muhammara and a scoop of the eggplant next to the lamb. Garnish by sprinkling the plate with the toasted walnuts, pomegranate seeds and mint leaves. Lightly drizzle the pomegranate molasses in an oval shape around the lamb by placing your thumb across the top of the bottle and slowly streaming the molasses between the lip of the bottle and your thumb.
Muhammara
3 large red bell peppers, charred and roasted
1 ½ cup chopped scallions
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
3 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes (preferably Marash or Aleppo), plus more to taste
1 cup olive oil
2 ¼ cup walnuts, lightly toasted
¾ cup fresh breadcrumbs
Combine all ingredients, except for the breadcrumbs, in a food processor and purée until mostly smooth. Add half of the breadcrumbs and pulse to combine. If the mixture is still too loose to hold its shape, add remaining breadcrumbs and pulse again. Season to taste with salt and red pepper flakes. Can be made ahead and holds for 1 week.
Photo by MediaGroup_BestForYou/Shutterstock.com
Wealth of Wellness
Find out what’s happening at Newport Beach Country Club’s spa and fitness center.
Fitness & Beauty Event
The next event put on by the recreation department is titled “New Year, New You” and will be held Jan. 12 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Members are invited to discover ways to become the best version of themselves and apply new health, fitness and beauty techniques to their regimes in 2018. “I want to focus a little more on the beauty side of things for the next [expo] … rather than the fitness, but we’ll still have the fitness involved,” says Recreation Manager Natalie. “We’ll be doing more of the spa side of things to focus in on that for the New Year’s resolutions with skin care, fitness and diet.”
The expo will include an introduction to, the Kerstin Florian skin care line, new SpaRitual nail products, as well as encouraging all people, no matter their gender, to receive facial treatments. “I want to get men to know that it actually feels really good,” Natalie says. “I prefer it over a massage, actually.” BodySpec, a mobile service that brings a truck with specialized equipment for body fat analysis, will also return to the club for this self-improvement event.
Photo illustration courtesy of Kerstin
Kerstin Florian
The spa at NBCC has begun carrying a new line of skin care products, with treatments coming soon, by club member Kerstin, whose namesake company is built around the four cornerstones that she incorporates in her holistic approach to skin care: proper nutrition, regular exercise, peace of mind as well as care of the face and body. Her brand is results-driven and also recognizes its corporate responsibility to support core values including sustainability, community, safety and wellness.
Originally from Sweden, Kerstin says she has always found inspiration in nature through its energy and relation to health and wellness. This is what led her to craft her line of unique products and treatments, which boast exceptional results through the sensorial experiences that she provides her customers.
The company’s focus on combining innovation, natural wellness, passion and the spa lifestyle, along with its guiding philosophy of “outer beauty, inner health,” has led to partnerships with luxury resorts and destination spas across the globe.
Kerstin products are currently available for purchase at NBCC, and treatments will debut at the “New Year, New You” event Jan. 12.
Photo courtesy of Monika
Ginástica Natural
This revolutionary training method was developed in Rio de Janeiro by Alvaro Romano, a leader in world fitness who introduced the regime to the public in the early ‘90s. The workout itself is a combination of ground-based jiujitsu movements, strategic breathing and ancient techniques, which helps build physical attributes such as agility, balance, coordination, core stability, endurance, flexibility, mobility and strength. Ginástica Natural is said to have various benefits including weight loss, improved performance and muscle tone, and a better quality of life. It is a workout for people of all ages, weights and skill levels, from beginners to pro athletes, and even those recovering from injury, surgery or illness.
Monika “Moni” is an NBCC member as well as a Level III Ginástica Natural instructor. She is the only female Ginástica Natural instructor in Orange County, and will begin offering classes at the club on Jan. 9.
“It’s a total, full-body workout and that’s what I really like about it,” Natalie says. “And we’ll be the first private club in Orange County to actually have it available.”
To learn more about Ginástica Natural and Moni’s involvement in the fitness community, follow her Instagram account @Moni_GinasticaNatural. Members can sign up for Ginástica Natural classes with Moni online.
30-Day Plank Challenge
Work off that extra holiday weight with this 30-day plank challenge. The first person to complete this exercise goal will be awarded a free personal training session with Natalie. The challenge must be completed inside the club’s recreation center, with a recreation assistant present to keep track of each session.
Junior Lifeguard Training
The Junior Lifeguard Prep program will run from Jan. 16-20, and aims to help children aged 8-15 train for the 100-yard Junior Lifeguard swim test. This program will include a progression of drills in order to teach proper technique, head and body position, kicking and breathing, as well as how to gain the most distance possible per stroke and, ultimately improve swim speed, so they can achieve the required times for the test.
Cost is $140 per child. Guests are welcome. To sign up, contact the fitness center at 949-524-8114.
Spa Booking
In order to make a spa booking, please email spa@newportbeachcc.com or call the fitness center at 949-524-8114. Spa hours are 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and by special appointment Sunday and Monday. Booking will also soon be available on the NBCC website.
Tech Savvy
Website Reboot
Introducing the new and improved Newport Beach Country Club website, which has been updated to better suit the needs of club members.
Following renovations to the clubhouse and golf course, the old Newport Beach Country Club website did not reflect the grandeur of the new amenities on property. So, designers set out to create not just one but two fresh websites—one for members only, with an optimized flow of information, and another for the general public to learn more about the club.
The aim for the members-only site was to implement a more pleasing viewing experience while maintaining an expeditious way to find information about club happenings. Thus, a perfectly balanced blend of design and function was born. The home page serves as a personal dashboard, complete with a banner displaying each member’s name as well as the latest news and club events conveniently posted directly on the main screen. It also highlights the most frequently sought-after information in a side menu control panel for easy access to each member’s specific account details.
The goal of the public site is to provide potential new members with a highly visual experience, giving them an inside look at the club and all of its facilities through big, beautiful photographs. It also features a general overview of the golf course, which includes a hole-by-hole overview of the greens and scorecard.
See for yourself and visit the new NBCC website at www.newportbeachcc.com.
Fabulous Features
The new members-only website includes various components that aim to make the online experience simple and functional.
Book a tee time.
Check the schedule of fitness classes.
Make a dining reservation and inform staff of special requests or dietary restrictions.
Download pictures from member events directly from the site.
Spa booking is coming soon.
