Can you believe it? Thanksgiving and the Holidays are already almost here! I was just getting used to 2008 and by golly it is about to head on out of here for good! What a year we have had so far. Challenges I would never have suspected only a few months ago, and just as we are getting the hang of figuring out how to do all this - its time to say - so long! I will miss all the special challenges, but that is the wonderful thing about our Member Owned Club - we have lots of opportunities to put you, our member, in special places of responsibility to tackle more challenges that are just around the corner.

As I look back on this past year I am struck by the tremendous effort our staff at the Club puts out every day. They know that their job is to make each of us feel special when we come to Briarcrest, and they do a great job achieving that goal daily. They do this each and every day in spite of a lot of different obstacles, like hurricanes and lights falling in the parking lot - all in the same year - but they made it through and kept us going and they did it with a smile. I know its easy to pick apart anyones effort - just because we are all so good at Monday morning quarterbacking - but let me ask you to join me in encouraging all of our Staff. Everyone on our staff makes the effort to make our visit to the Club super special. Join me the next time you come in the Club by saying a special word of thanks, now and again, for that great meal, or the unbelievably good service you got, or for that great round of golf, and the wonderful shape our course always stays in, or for that tennis game that was awesome - just because you got that special lesson that helped you go to the next level, or for that super good way all our staff makes you, our member, feel. And how our Staff makes you feel welcome, anytime you are in the Club. Hospitality at Briarcrest Country Club is our business - but everyone on our Staff would appreciate your encouragement. Encouraging our staff costs you nothing, other than an extra moment here or there. I hope this reminder will encourage you, to encourage our staff - because everyone loves to hear a thank you - you are doing such a great job. Wont you help me make sure we have as much encouragement spread around, as we have suggestions for improvements? Our Annual Meeting will be coming up soon. We have new Board members to elect and some important decisions to make - so watch for our meeting date soon.

Gaines West
President, 2008 Board of Directors