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Taste the Difference: Summertime Themed Buffet Nights

Not only do Garden of the Gods Club Members get to enjoy the best view in town, but they are also able to cultivate relationships with one another at our themed dinners and wide array of social events. This summer, Garden of the Gods Club Members and their guests can look forward to evenings filled with delicious, themed buffet nights! In June, Members will enjoy a fabulous “All You Can Fish” seafood buffet, featuring fresh seafood selections. In July, All-American ’50s Night will take diners back in time to enjoy classic American dishes like burgers, fries, and milkshakes. And in August, the savory, hearty fare of Western Buffet Night will leave Members and guests wanting more! To take a peek inside these fun, themed buffet nights, we invite you to watch the video below. Warning: Watching the following video may make you want to get up and dance!

Have we piqued your interest in learning more about social dining memberships at Garden of the Gods Club? If so, we invite you to schedule a time to chat with our Membership Director Tracey Kalata. Tracey will be happy to show you around the Club and help you find your place in the Club community. You can reach Tracey at 719.520.4980 or tkalata@ggclub.com.

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Summer Tennis Programs at Garden of the Gods Club

During the summer season, Garden of the Gods Club’s tennis courts come alive with activity. Set against the base of Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods Club Members and guests enjoy connecting over tennis while taking in the gorgeous mountain views. Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Tom Van De Hey, Garden of the Gods Club’s director of tennis, about what makes the summer tennis programs unique. Keep reading to learn more.

With blue skies and sunshine, summer is a great time to play tennis at GGC!

Garden of the Gods Club (GGC): Tell me a bit about the summer tennis programs offered at GGC.
Tom Van De Hey (TV): We really offer something for nearly everybody. In addition to private and group lessons for nearly every tennis level, we also offer adult and junior leagues, a variety of tennis drills, social mixers, and other social events. We try to cover all the bases. If somebody is looking for instruction, we’ve got that, but if somebody is just looking for a great place to hit some tennis balls, we also offer that.

Further, we also work with the United States Tennis Association (USTA), which is a multi-layered organization. This means that tennis players who want to compete can do so at the local level, the district level, the sectional level, and even the national level, depending on their individual progress and goals.

GGC: What is some of the feedback that you have received from GGC Members and guests about the summer tennis programs?
TV: Well, when I first started directing the tennis programs at GGC nine years ago, there was little activity in the tennis department. Since then, we’ve grown the tennis programs tremendously. A Member who brings her two children for tennis lessons recently let me know how pleased she is with the high level of instruction and passion we incorporate into every lesson.

Another GGC Member in his mid 80s, who is used to getting out on the court at least four to five times per week, recently had a knee replacement. He needed some help getting back into the sport, and he has communicated to me his gratitude for the help in regaining his strength.

I think what truly sets the tennis programs at GGC apart from others is the genuine, personalized  service and attention that people receive when they’re here. I’m just passionate about what I do. After spending nearly 40 years teaching, directing, and playing tennis with a wide variety of people, I’ve encountered nearly everything out there. And that’s really shaped my drive to meet people where they are while helping them to develop their game.

GGC: Can you tell me about the tennis pros who you will be working with this summer?
TV: Yes. When I hire the summer tennis pros, I have the opportunity to hand-pick them based on their character. Ethan and Alec, this summer’s pros, are really great guys. I’ve known them since they were eight and nine years old, and they have really developed over the years. They’ve participated in most of the programs that they’ll be helping to facilitate. They are two solid, sharp kids who address more than just the mechanics of tennis when they’re out on the court. They have a personal interest in helping others and in helping kids develop their game. They’re very enthusiastic and attentive people.

GGC: Can you describe the Pikes Peak Pow Wow, GGC’s summer tennis tournament (July 12-14)?
TV: The intent behind this tournament is for both locals and non-locals to gather for a weekend and play as much tennis as possible. The tournament format allows people to come in, play tennis, and meet a variety of other tennis players while enjoying camaraderie with one another. It’s a great, socially competitive weekend.

The summer tennis programs at Garden of the Gods Club are a great way to develop your game while meeting others who enjoy tennis. To learn more about sports memberships at Garden of the Gods Club, contact Membership Director Tracey Kalata at 719.520.4980 or tkalata@ggclub.com.

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5 Benefits of Dining at a Private Country Club

Fresh. Flavorful. Relaxed elegance. These are just a few ways to describe the dining experience at Garden of the Gods Club. Although Colorado Springs offers a wide variety of public restaurants from which to choose, many residents decide to become Social/Dining Members at Garden of the Gods Club in order to enjoy the advantages of private dining. So exactly what are these benefits?

Today, Garden of the Gods Club’s food and beverage director, Erik Pedersen, describes what is so unique about dining at a private country club and why many consider the membership dues to be such a worthwhile investment. If you’ve ever wondered what private dining is like, keep reading to to take a “peek” inside the experience.

The Nelson family enjoys one-of-a-kind views while dining at Garden of the Gods Club.

1. Private dining offers personalized service. “Because social/dining memberships at Garden of the Gods Club include access to exclusive dining and events, the service is very personalized,” Erik explains. “Everybody knows who you are, and staff take note of your preferences in order to consistently deliver individualized service. For example, upon request, we can have your favorite drink or bottle of wine waiting at your table when you arrive for dinner,” he adds, “or reserve your table based on your seating preferences.”  Imagine an experience similar to the one described in the theme song for the classic television show Cheers:

Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got.
Taking a break from all your worries sure would help a lot!
Wouldn’t you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go
where everybody knows your name,
and they’re always glad you came…

2. Private dining offers personalized menus. “One great thing about private dining at Garden of the Gods Club is that the personalized service can even be applied to the menu,” Erik said. “If there’s an item or dish that you genuinely enjoy, but it is not on the menu, we go out of our way to make it possible.  We will also try to accommodate any ingredient substitutions that are requested.”

3. Garden of the Gods Club Members enjoy dining in community with each other. “[Our] Social/Dining Members enjoy cultivating relationships with other Members and their families. People know each other by name; the Club really is like a social hub,” Erik said. “Families with growing children love the fact that their kids get to know one another at the variety of fun dining and social events.”

4. Private dining includes access to fun events. “Speaking of social dining events, the wide range of events offered by the Club is another perk that Members value,” Erik said. “We have events for nearly everybody. From classy evenings such as our upcoming Frank Sinatra Dinner, to family events like our recent Easter Brunch, Members look forward to savoring our delicious cuisine while enjoying each other’s company.”

5. Social/dining memberships provide networking opportunities. “Another great benefit of private dining is the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals,” Erik explained. “Many of our Members are professionals who make an effort to connect with one another to expand their business networks,” he continued. “Events such as our weekly Partners in Business Lunch are unique opportunities for Members to network with one another.”

Private dining at Garden of the Gods Club is an experience where innovative menus, camaraderie, fun events, and fabulous views combine to provide Members and their families with valued memories. If you are interested in finding your place in the Garden of the Gods Club community, we encourage you to contact membership director Tracey Kalata at 719.520.4980 or tkalata@ggclub.com.