It’s true. Goats. Little ones, big ones and spotted ones.

 Laura “Lou” Colby returned to Ravenna this week to provide her much needed services of goat-grazing. With over thirty years of experience in Holistic Resource Management, Lou  comes highly qualified to control unwanted weeds, brush and vegetation. Utilizing controlled grazing, she has developed successful techniques managing 900 acres of Leafy Spurge on a three ranch consortium … and now managing the 634 acres at Ravenna. The need for harsh chemicals or mowers is replaced with a safe, precise, fast, and natural method. Her grazing services benefit wildlife habitat, enviromental restoration and ecological conditioning, all top priorities at Ravenna. Lou protects her goats from danger with the help of her well-trained dogs and a solar powered electric fence.

You may think this is a new concept to unwanted weed control. It just might be. Although this is Ravenna’s second season in utilitizing Lou’s services, other big organizations such as Vanderbilt, Google and Yahoo have all adopted the same green approach: Goats Invade Vanderbilt Video

Aside from the fact that Lou’s family of goats have a tremendous impact on Ravenna’s land, they are adorable and well-loved by the members, residents and staff. Lou is one of the most hard-working and enjoyable people to be around. Each of us at Ravenna enjoy our drive throughout the community, never knowing where we will find Lou and her goats on any given day, but assured we will be greeted by their sweet baaa-aaa-ing chatter.

Welcome back, Lou! Thank you for being a part of the Ravenna family!

To learn more about Lou Colby or Golden Hooves, visit Lou’s website at: Golden Hooves Website  

  

TAQUITO, Head Goat & PR Specialist (basically responsible for flock control)

The inaugural Ravenna Cup matches (scheduled to be an annual event) were played on Saturday and Sunday September 18-19. The matches paired two teams made up of 7 members and 1 captain each. The members earned their way on to their respective teams by playing in the Saturday Men’s Games and participating in tournaments throughout the season. The race to get on the teams turned into a full sprint the in last weeks leading up to the deadline and there were a lot of moves made to get onto teams. As of September 4th the teams were set! 

The pairings party on Friday night kicked off the weekend events. The Bucks, showing full respect for the game and the cup, showed up in Sport Coat and Tie leaving their competitors, The Sidewinders, a little dumbfounded and slightly intimidated. This would not be the only act the Bucks would pull off as a team. The Saturday pairings were set, and both captains, Seth Berliner for the Sidewinders and Jesse Piburn for the Bucks, felt very confident about their teams chances of victory.

Saturday brought the first day of matches, four foursomes matches with each match being worth a point.  The Bucks continued to impress with their team unity having breakfast together, walking to the practice tee together and hitting balls in a specially roped off area of the range marked by a large flag that represented both the Bucks and this great nation we live in.  The Saturday matches were close with three of the four going to the 18^th hole.  After day 1, the teams were tied at two points a piece.

After play, the teams enjoyed lunch and the captains prepared for Sunday’s format of singles pairings.  Each player played a nine-hole match against each opponent in his group.  There was a lot of strategy involved when pairing the matches. 

Sunday came and once again the Bucks showed their team spirit by having a team breakfast before warming up.  Both teams were focused on the task at hand and were excited to get the day going.  After the first nine holes, the Bucks took a 7-5 lead.  There were a lot of close matches again, but surprisingly there wasn’t a single halved match in any front-nine match.  The stage was set for drama on the back-nine.  The first group’s matches were both won by the 18th, by the Bucks.  Once Schossow and Fredericks closed out their matches on 15, the Bucks were victorious.  Champagne was popped behind 18 green in celebration as the last matches finished up.  It was a great two days of golf, especially for the victorious Bucks!

Here’s to 2011’s Ravenna Cup! Can the Buck’s retain the Cup or will the Sidewinders claim it for themselves? To be continued ….

Jesse Piburn

Carissa Chappellet, Managing Director and Proprietor, of Chappellet Vineyards & Winery, presented their awesome wines at a recent vintner dinner. Chappellet Vineyards were one of Ravenna’s earliest Vintner Partners, and we were delighted that they shared their fine wines with us.  Among the varietals that were presented were Chardonnay 2008, Malbec 2007, Mountain Cuvee 2008, Signature Cabernet 2008; culminating with a very special wine,  Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2004.  These luscious wines were served with Luke Davidson, Executive Chef’s, food parings.  Among these parings, six courses were served: Seared Scallop served on Ripe Mango with Powdered Bacon & Jalapeno Peach Salsa, Crispy Egg Roll served on Asian Slaw with Grape Plum Reduction, Maple Pepperoni Crostini with Caper Micro Greens & Golden Raisins, Double Cut Lamb Chop, Thyme Roasted Beets with Fresh Cucumber on Puff Pastry Spread with Mint Goat Cheese, Pepper Crusted Kobe Sirloin with Sweet Potato Mash, Pickled Cabbage, &  Bay Pepper Demi, French Press Coffee & Classical Fruit Tart.

A good time was had by all!!

On Monday August 23^rd the Golf Club at Ravenna hosted the annual Boys & Girls Club Charity Golf Tournament.  It was the first time Ravenna has hosted the annual Boys & Girls Club event and it was a huge success.  The 4^th and final Ravenna charity event for 2010 hosted a 68 player field that was treated to a beautiful day and amazing golf course conditions.  There were food and beverage stations set up all over the golf course to keep the players filled up with both food and drinks.  The players were treated to a wonderful day of golf, and a very unique tee prize, an ipod shuffle.  Everyone really enjoyed the day and the event was a success in raising money and awareness for a great charity, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. 

To learn more or support the Boys & Girls Club, please visit their website at www.bgcmd.org

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Ravenna hosted its 4^th-annual Pro-Member Invitational on Wednesday, August 25, 2010. This event included 16-PGA golf professionals from Colorado including Clayton Cole (Head Golf Professional Cherry Hills Country Club – retired), Don Hurter (Castle Pines Golf Club), John Ogden (Cherry Hills Country Club), and Ken Krieger (Cheyenne Country Club).

Tuesday hosted a practice round and a pairings party with the tournament beginning on Wednesday with a 9am shotgun. The winning team of Troy Reisner and Clayton Cole came in with a six-under par 65. After starting the round on #7 with bogey-par-double-par-bogey it seemed unlikely they would be in contention after the Hoos/Bolles team started birdie-par-par-eagle-par. But the team got hot playing the last six holes four under with an eagle on the day as well. Tied for second were Steve Nichols and Ken Krieger along with Andrew Turner and Bill Loeffler with rounds of 66.

The Golf Club at Ravenna hosted its 4^th-annual Men’s Senior Championship. Before two-time winner Jack Quinlivan teed it up for the first day, he made the comment, “practice makes lucky.” Well by the end of the tournament he must have known more than the rest of the field as he claimed his third Senior Champion Trophy with a two day score of 77-81-158.  Shooting even for the front nine on day-one, Jack finished strong a with a 77. On day two Jack started the first four holes one-under par and finished with an 81. Quinlivan has been on top in multiple events this year as the champion of the Senior and Men’s Club Championships, the Couples Member-Guest, and the Couples Twilight along with his wife Jean. 

 The two-day event ended with new member, Joe Hubert coming in second, and a third-place tie between Pat Maloney and Bill Beck. As the season winds down there are a few more opportunities for “Q” to win including the Paradiso e Inferno, September 3^rd, The Ravenna Cup September 18-19, (for those who qualify on points), and the closing day Member-Guest October 2^nd.

Ravenna’s Australian Wine Flight gave members some fun, new varietals to taste. Among the wines were Eagle Vale Semillion/ Sauvignon Blanc, Barossa Boxer Chardonnay, Morse Code Shiraz, Paringa Sparkling Shiraz, Pillar Box Red, and Shirvington Shiraz. Assorted fresh fruit, cheeses and crackers accompanied the presentation.  

Ravenna’s Artful Journey art class last week created wonderful art using a combination of metal, paper and color.  Metal fish were created using different patterns etched on the back side of the metal.  Once all of the patterns were in place, they turned the metal over and added color to the various designs.  Colored paper was then added under the fish, and a half inch  border was created.  Mounting the fish to a colored poster board was the final touch!

Alexis Berra of Grand Vin presented a complimentary wine tasting of assorted wines on July 30^th  at the Ravenna clubhouse.   All of the members that attended enjoyed many delightful wines.  Among them were Duckhorn Decoy Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, Treana White Blend, Central Coast, Merryvale Carneros Signature Pinot Noir, Napa Valley, Mercer Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley Washington State, St. Supery Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley.  Assorted fresh fruit, cheeses and crackers accompanied the presentation.