News

Upon joining Egypt Valley 13 years ago as a newly married couple looking to improve their golf games, the Kading family immediately found Egypt Valley to be a welcoming and exciting place, thanks in part to the Club’s engaging membership and two easily accessible courses. Today, you could find the family enjoying the Club’s social and golf events, chatting with new seasonal staff and more.

Bryan and Kelly Kading—who have been married for 15 years and reside in Rockford with their two children, Audrey (age 10) and Nick (age six)—are no strangers to golf. Both picked up a club at a young age with their families (Bryan at age six, Kelly at age 10).

“Bryan's family were members at Greenville Country Club growing up and he has fond memories on the course with his father,” Kelly shared. “He also lived near the club and enjoyed finding golf balls that made their way into the woods and selling them back to golfers on hole no. 8.”

Bryan chuckles, "Occasionally, a personalized golf ball would make its way back to its original owner."

Kelly played varsity golf in high school for three years and, growing up in Kingsford in the UP, she's golfed in just about every type of weather you can imagine (yes, that includes snow).

“While having a younger family has limited our time on the course in the last few years, we look forward to golfing more and including our children in the sport,” Kelly said.

Professionally, Bryan has been in the financial services industry for 20 years and a Certified Financial Planner for the last 11. Prior to the pair having their children, Kelly worked for a grant-funded youth outreach program, and today works part-time at their children’s' elementary school.

The pair love all of the opportunities EVCC provides, from private lessons with some of the best instructors in the area, to golf clinics for the ladies, to all of the Club’s social events.

“We have attended just about all of the Club’s social events over the years, from a murder mystery party and shamrock event with putt-putt course throughout the club, to holiday open houses and couple’s twilights,” Kelly shared, and then joked: “Will they ever bring back the unlimited seafood couple’s twilight or did our table take too much lobster?”

The Club, Kelly explains, has really grown with their family over the years, as they’re now also attending princess and super hero brunches with the kids, and the Santa Brunch has become an annual tradition with their siblings, cousins and grandparents.

“Our family has also taken advantage of the summer opportunities for kids and both kids have thoroughly enjoyed tennis and swim at EVCC every summer since Audrey was three,” Kelly said. “Bryan and I did not grow up with competitive swimming but Audrey has really thrived in the sport and we are thankful for the Club and its coaches who have helped her find this passion.”

There’s a lot about Egypt Valley that elevates it to a place of immense enjoyment for the Kading family.

“We really appreciate having two courses available so there’s not much of a problem getting on to play, and Jeff Holmes and his team do a wonderful job of keeping them in top shape,” Kelly said, noting the staff is also an integral part of what makes Egypt Valley an exceptional place. “From seeing Chris in the dining room and at events and catching up on the latest news to having a chat with Joe at the bar, these are some of the reasons that bring us back to EVCC every season. We also love meeting the new college staff in the pool area and hope the Club can give them some valuable experience they can take with them in their careers.”

Outside of their time at the Club, the family loves to travel and enjoys cooking and trying different restaurants and food scenes in the area.

“On just about every international trip we have taken, we always try to take a cooking class or explore the unique cultural food in the city,” Kelly said. “As a family, we enjoy being outside and spending time with family and friends.”

In the fall, you can find Kelly and Bryan following and cheering for their favorite college football teams (MSU Spartans for Kelly and the Iowa Hawkeyes for Bryan). In the winter, Kelly and the kids enjoy hitting the slopes for some skiing.

“The rest of our time is spent taking the kids to and from sports practices and games!” Kelly said.

Something surprising about the family that other members may not know ties back to why Egypt Valley is so special: its members.

“On our very first dinner at EVCC as members, we were sitting in the bar area when Bill and Mary Ann McDonald approached us and introduced themselves,” Kelly recalled. “They sat with us for close to an hour and welcomed us to Egypt Valley with genuine excitement and enthusiasm for what the club had to offer.”

The family will never forget that dinner nor the countless conversations they've had with the McDonalds over the years.

“We love meeting new people and enhancing their experience at the Club—just like the McDonalds did for us!”

If you see the Kading family around the Club, be sure to say, “Hello!”