To my fellow Chicago members
Fellow NewClub Members,
It has been an honor to serve as Captain of the Chicago Chapter these last couple of years, but more importantly a pleasure to meet and play with so many great people. After all, it is the quality of it's people that make NewClub so special. I'd like to especially thank Mark and Matt for trusting in me to provide guidance and to be a voice for the membership.
The value of NewClub is likely slightly different for all of us -- to some it's a community, to others it's a means of access to private clubs. For still others NewClub provides a competitive outlet, or is a vehicle for bucket list trips. For me, NewClub has changed my relationship with the game of golf.
I've told anyone who will listen over the years that I joined NewClub originally on the premise that it would give me access to private golf clubs in Chicago. And while yes, I have played many great private courses via NewClub, in reality it has given me so much more. I've met lifelong friends through the club, traveled to the home of golf in Scotland, become a collector of vintage golf equipment, and hell... I even moved my family to Wilmette (in part), so that I could raise my kids with Canal Shores in our back yard!
As my children's activities and social calendars increasingly command my time, golf has sometimes taken more of a backseat. But as the quantity of my golf has declined, NewClub has ensured that the quality of my golf is never compromised. Not just the courses, but the people, the hangs, and the friendly competitions.
This community is special, and we can keep it that way by staying engaged. Connect with fellow members, get out and play as much as you can, and share feedback. If you see an opportunity for the club to improve, speak up.
Finally, I'm incredibly excited for our incoming Captain, Zander Nethercutt. I'm excited to see what his thoughtful perspective and infectious optimism can bring to NewClub. I believe we have a shared perspective in that NewClub is and can be shaped and nurtured by us as members. I have no doubt that we will see Zander's impact in short order.
Thank you,
Brian Ekstrom
Chicago Captain 2023-2025