The Association of Private Club Directors congratulates Chuck Feddersen and the board of directors at Canyon gate Country Club in Las Vegas, Nevada for being selected the June 2002 “Club of the Month."

Each issue, The BoardRoom Magazine features a “Club of the Month profile which represents a private golf or country club’s efforts to adapt to a changing golf environment and demographic profile. the criteria for selection ranges from excellence in course redesign to clubhouse renovation and from accommodating today’s market to membership retention and internal marketing.

Canyon Gate Country Club is nestles in the Canyon Gate community. The foothills of the Spring Mountain range and Red Rock are so close; they appear to be part of the club. The Ted Robinson-designed 18-hole championship caliber course plays like a "thinking golfer's course"-a challenge for players of every skill level with 70 sand traps and 12 lakes.

Privileges of membership also include access to the state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis facility, swimming pools, spa and clubhouse. Year-round activity range from tournaments and golf and tennis programs to special events and holiday celebrations.

Since its inception, Canyon Gate CC has earned a reputation as the region's "premier full-service family country club" by providing a "home away from home" and personalized service that "meets and exceeds the expectations of members and employees."

"The staff works off a business model that includes a 'Vision of Success' statement, departmental business plans that support vision and an employee recruitment and retention plan focused on hiring the best and the brightest in the club business," says General Manager Chuck Feddersen. Each department has a complete training system that is focused on delivering the best of service and systems in each department, as well as the intangible services that create the private club experience. Department heads must be certified in their respective discipline as part of their orientation process.

"The basis for what we do at Canyon Gate CC is focused on creating 'A Warm Welcome, a Magic Moment and a Fond Farewell.' So we spend our training time figuring out new ways to deliver these basics."

Toward that end, Canyon Gate CC has implemented capital and guest fee improvements over the course of last year. These include: Grill Room remodel and expansion, Pro Shop makeover; Ladies Locker Room remodel; rebuilding of greens on Hole No.12 and Hole No.18; and the acquisition of over $100,000 in course maintenance equipment.

With regard to the course, Feddersen says,"When members play, they sense it was designed and shaped to please their eye and challenge their skills."

Lagoons, waterfalls and sand break up the 160 acres if Hybrid Bermuda fairways and gently undulating Bent Grass greens.

The championship caliber 18 holes play to a length of 6,742 yards, rewarding accuracy and skill over strength. To add "character" to the course, millions of cubic feet of earth were moved and shaped to create an emerald green, gently rolling terrain that will test the mettle of members for years to come.

The club has been honored with the Club Corp "Circle of Excellence" award each of its three years since its inception - with silver awards the first two years and a gold award this year.

"We create and deliver programming and events that will enroll the entire family experience," says Feddersen. "Our youth tennis and golf camps get kids involved in the club experience at an early age. In terms of tennis, we have events each month, ranging from family tennis carnivals to happy hour round robins and gourmet tennis events.

"Our food and beverage program is outstanding and offers something for everyone, from casual to fine dining, winemaker dinners, seafood extravaganzas and guest chef winery dinners."