Getting to Know...

Dorothee Bliek Senior Accountant

What is your position here? Senior Accountant

How long have you been at Cuscowilla? 7 years.

What is your favorite thing about Cuscowilla? The team I work with.

What do you enjoy most about your job? It involves a variety of responsibilities.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? Play and watch ice hockey.

What kind of new things are going on in your department? The course is undergoing a project on the greens so we are offering golf clinics and lessons for members.

Where are you from? I am from France.

How long have you lived in Georgia? 7 years

Do you play golf? No but at least I can say that I tried… too frustrating for me!

Golf Tip of the Week

Stay Connected

One of the most important parts of the golf swing is for the left arm to stay connected to the body. A good feel for achieving that connection is the elbows staying pointed down at address, at the top, at impact and through to the finish. Every great player has done it that way. Seve Ballesteros said he used to feel like he was pinching a towel under his left arm throughout the whole swing.


Golf Tips provided by Head Golf Professional and Assistant Golf Professionals

Golf Course Update

From June 8th to August 8th, a total of 645 hours had temperatures above 90 degrees. The average number of hours above 90 degrees, over the past 12 years, has been about 233 hours. This is an increase of about 275% from the average. Even after sunset on many days, temperatures have remained above 90 degrees and provided no time for the soil to cool down.

Rusty, our Golf Course Superintendent, shared today that the storms we had over the last 14 days have not hurt us too much. There was some need for re seeding form run off, but thankfully we avoided any significant heavy extended downpours of rain – we were lucky.

There is still some patching on the greens where some areas have prolific growth while others have yet to see signs of growth, but this Bent grass is a creeping variety so we are looking forward to that process kicking in. Rusty does plan to apply some fungicide and nitrogen in the near future which will help in the growing in. We had initially not planned to even put the seed down until September 1, so all the growth we have seen to date is a head start!

The forecast for the week ahead is mid 90’s instead of +100’s with no rain, so as long as we can continue to keep the greens wet, we may see some good forward movement as the week continues!

Take a look at the pictures of the course below. You can see the new grass coming up!

Getting to Know...

Ron Krausman, Assistant Golf Professional

What is your position here? Assistant Golf Professional

How long have you been at Cuscowilla? I have been working at Cuscowilla for 2 years

What is your favorite thing about Cuscowilla? The family atmosphere is my favorite aspect of Cuscowilla.

What do you enjoy most about your job? I really enjoy getting to work with our great team and membership every day!

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? I like to spend time with my wife and dogs.

What kind of new things are going on in your department? The course is undergoing a project on the greens so we are offering golf clinics and lessons for members.

Where are you from? I am originally from Kent, Ohio.

How long have you lived in Georgia? I’ve been living here for 2 years.

Do you play golf? As much as I can!

An Italian Feast at Cuscowilla

Join us tonight for our Italian Feast!

The Waterside Restaurant is hosting "An Italian Feast Under the August Sun" tonight! Reservations are available from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Give us a call at 706-484-2044 to make your reservation!

Check out the menu below!

Golf Tip of the Week

Level Shoulders

If your going to use a sand wedge for chipping like the touring pros do, make sure your shoulders are level to the ground. Many players move the ball back in their stance and shift their weight left, but they tilt the shoulders away from the target. That causes the low point of the arc to be behind the ball and results in a fat shot. Set your shoulders level, your eyes looking at the front of the ball, and keep your head slightly ahead of it. That moves the low point of the arc forward for solid contact.


Golf Tips provided by our Head Golf Professional and Assistant Golf Professionals

Getting To Know

Carrie Vanderver, Assistant Food & Beverage Manager

What is your position here? Assistant Food & Beverage Manager

How long have you been at Cuscowilla? I have been working at Cuscowilla for about 4 months.

What is your favorite thing about Cuscowilla? I love the natural beauty of everything.

What do you enjoy most about your job? I enjoy getting to know the membership, as well as resort guests. I look forward to building stronger relationships with the Cuscowilla family throughout my time here.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? There are so many things! I love being outdoors, antique shopping, reading, cooking (and eating), and just exploring whatever or wherever I can.

What kind of new things are going on in your department? We started a new specialty beverage menu! Everyone should come try a Heavenly Tilly… the name says it all!

Where are you from? I moved to Eatonton from Athens, but I am from Baxley, GA.

How long have you lived in Georgia? I have lived in Georgia all my life! I was born in Okefenokee Regional Hospital. You might call me “Swampwise.”

Do you play golf? I played golf on my high school team, but I’m a little rusty these days.

Cheeseburger in Paradise

Join us on Saturday, September 25 for a Cheeseburger in Paradise!

Cheeseburgers, French fried potoates and more will be offered for dinner, served from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at The Waterside Patio. Frozen drinks and full bar will also be available. Call 706-484-2044 for more information.

I like mine with lettuce and tomato, Heinz 57 and French fried potatoes!

Golf Tip of the Week

15-70 Yard Bunker Shots

A common mistake among amateurs is to use a sand wedge for long bunker shots. These shots are much easier when you choose your shorts irons from a pitching wedge to an 8 iron. You hit the shot just like a greenside bunker shot. Just remember to hit behind the ball with authority. Be aggressive and allow for more roll. Keep your angle of attack steep. Practice this for a while then start to use the shot on the course. It will save you strokes.


Golf tip provided by Cuscowilla Head Golf Professional and Assistant Golf Professionals

Greens Project

Day 9 of our Greens Project - Construction phase complete! All 20 greens seeded. We will look for germination in 7-10 days.

Greens Project

Day 8 of Greens Project-- Fine tuned our procedure and were able to complete the seeding of the first 10 greens. We will make a strong push tomorrow to try and finish the back 9. All has turned out well to this point. We believe this will end up being a good thing for our club.

Getting To Know...

Jeff Steinberg, Restaurant Operations Manager

What is your position here? My position is Restaurant Operations Manager (In charge of all Cuscowilla F&B operations).

How long have you been at Cuscowilla? I have worked for Cuscowilla for six years.

What is your favorite thing about Cuscowilla? I really like the property’s unique ambiance (peaceful and relaxing). It’s a great feeling to be inside the gates of Cuscowilla, not only for our guests, property owners and members, but for our employees as well!

What do you enjoy most about your job? I enjoy the sense of satisfaction when your work makes people feel good and you know they are enjoying their vacations, weddings, etc. because of our customer service. Also, my passion for providing a special dining experience with excellent cuisine, fine wines, and warm and friendly service. That is always the goal!

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? I enjoy being active and traveling.

What kind of new things are going on in your department? There are always new things going on. Right now we are working on new ways to embrace our members. We are working on training and product knowledge with our staff, and developing a cohesive management staff so we can lead our department to the next level.

Where are you from? Originally I am from Brooklyn, New York.

How long have you lived in Georgia? I have lived in Georgia 17 years.

Do you play golf? Yes, I love to play golf and I think Cuscowilla has one of the best courses I have ever played. It’s a jewel!

Cuscowilla Greens Project

Day 5 of our Greens Project

Began phase 2 of project today with heavy topdressing, aerification using .50" quad-tines and deep verticuting in 2 directions. All went very well as we were able to finish the first 4 greens to seed next week. The plan at this point is still to finish out the project and have all greens seeded by mid to late week next week.

Follow our project updates on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cuscowillagolfresortonlakeoconee

Four Inches in Front

An important part of golf is the divot. In a properly executed golf swing the low point of the arc is actually 4 inches in front of the ball. A tour player’s deepest part of their divot is 4 inches in front of the ball. As the player gets less advanced the deepest part of the divot gets closer to the ball. If you work on getting the low point of your arc 4 inches in front of the ball then your ball striking will improve tremendously.

Golf tips provided by our Head Golf Professional & Assistant Golf Professionals

Greens Project at Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee

Day 3 on our Greens Project -- All sod has been cut on greens, we will finish removing it tomorrow. We will start applying pre-plant fertilizers also tomorrow. On Friday, we anticipate moving to Phase 2 of project with topdressing and aerification at least on a few greens. I anticipate starting the seeding process on Monday potentially finishing by Wednesday.

Greens Project at Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee

Day 1 of our Greens project -- Project off to a fast start! We were able to get sod cut on greens 1-7, and cleaned up on greens 1-4. Talked at length today with Dr. Leah Brilman, the geneticist who developed the seed we intend to use, and she is urging us to speed up anticipated seed date. She doesn't feel the heat will adversely affect this grass. With that endorsement, we will strive to finish the first phase of project by weeks end, start and finish phase 2 by mid week next week and seed by weeks end. This may help tremendously as we move thru the fall.