America deeply loves playing golf. The PGA reports that for the fourth straight year, more than 500 million rounds were played by – again for the fourth straight year – more than 3 million newbie players as well as plenty of practiced pros. Locally, Indian Summer Golf & Country Club welcomes guests and members to putter on the greens all year round. But they also host weddings and events and provide on-site dining options at Embers Restaurant or via their talented catering team under the guidance of local well-known foodie Dan Merscher.
Indian Summer Welcomes New Catering Head Honcho Dan Merscher to the Team
As Catering Sales Manager, Merscher is new to the position but not the industry. He started with Indian Summer Golf & Country Club in early July 2024 and hit the ground running. But Merscher has more than 20 years’ experience in the local service industry. He’s helped open such fan favorites as the Well 80 Brewhouse, Rivers Edge and Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill as well as been catering manager for Budd Bay Café.
On joining the Indian Summer Golf & Country Club staff, Merscher was surprised and delighted to find out that they are no longer a member-only club. “Anyone can give us a call to schedule their next big event, play a round of golf or even stop for a nice lunch at Embers Restaurant,” he says.
Club General Manager Kevin Myers explains that members still receive preferred reservation access 14 days in advance, are allowed to use their personal golf carts and have access to the golf club storage facilities, locker and shower areas. As one of Thurston County’s few gated communities, their course works hard to maintain an excellent pace of play and year-round playable conditions. To see the other seven properties in their golfing family, check out Oki Golf website.
A Port Angeles native, Merscher’s family moved to Olympia when he was a child. He started out washing dishes before becoming a bus boy then working quickly up the ranks of the restaurant industry. Having done it all, from behind the scenes to front of house, he’s ready, willing and able to tackle whatever your family, group or organization needs when planning the perfect event.
Plan Your Wedding, Reunion or Work Event Indian Summer Golf & Country Club
At Indian Summer, they host more than weddings and birthday parties. When asked, Merscher laughs: “What kind of party do you want to throw? We accommodate all sorts of groups from 20 to 300 guests, ranging from business meetings to proms, golf tournaments, wine tastings; you name it. With several rooms and outdoor options available our venue really is one of a kind. And the best part? We include everything you might need. While some venues have added costs for tables, chairs, linen and sometimes even for silverware, not here at Indian Summer. The only thing you need to do is bring yourself!”
Events are planned and executed to their own unique specifications, he explains, with some weddings requiring more than a year to plan while other parties have much quicker turnaround times. The same is true for their array of meal options since outside food is not permitted.
Merscher explains that they can provide set menus but sometimes guests just want something different. “My job here is to help design and plan a menu that truly caters to your needs,” he says. “That could be an individually prepared dish for dietary reasons or something completely different like a full-blown pig roast. I like to say that the word no doesn’t exist in the catering world however ‘alternative solution’ is a phrase used daily.”
Reach Out Now to Plan a Perfect Event with Indian Summer’s Skilled Event and Catering Staff
With any event planning, fall’s holiday season means one thing: book early. The same is true for their wedding venues. Don’t miss out on reserving their gorgeous Oakside Courtyard or 33,000 square foot clubhouse for your family and guests. Full wedding packages can include event and menu planning, full set-up and clean up, materials (tables, chairs, linens, dishes, glassware and silverware), cake services and dedicated cake table, bartending, butler hors d’oeuvre service and table centerpieces.
For catering, Merscher encourages families to call event services at 360.412.8300 or fill out the online catering inquiry request as early as they can. The Club has six different spaces to meet your needs. Embers Restaurant can hold up to 40 guests, the Fireside Room up to 50 and the Bordeaux Room up to 90. For larger get-togethers, the Oak Room can facilitate up to 120 people, the Oak Courtyard up to 200 and the Ballroom welcomes up to 300.
Staff are happy to walk you through the process, menus and how to make your special day the most special of all. Because unlike your next golf game, Merscher and his team can almost guarantee your shindig will be a hole-in-one.
Indian Summer Golf & Country Club
5900 Troon Lane SE, Olympia
360.923.1075
