February 2006 Golf Committee Minutes

FEBRUARY 2006

Meeting called to order on February 3, 2006, at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman, Bob Peet.

Followed by Pledge of Allegiance.

Committe Members Present: Chairman: Bob Peet; Members: Tom Guinther, Hugh Murphy, Jeanne Osborne and Suzanne Peterson.

Also Present: Golf Operations Manager, Jim Kormondy and Course Superintendant, Mike Henderson.

Guests in attendance: Pat Dunckley, John Hall Jr., Maggie Hall and John R. Smith, liaison member from the District Board.

The minutes of the January 2006, meeting were read and approved with a correction offered by Jeanne Osborne to change the word absent (member) to excused (member).

Correspondence: None.

Unfinished Business: John R. Smith, District Board Liaison, reported that the building plans for the Equipment Barn and Pro Shop will be discussed at the next District Board Meeting, and will probably go out for bid at the end of March. In the interim, the District has arranged for the delivery of a "Johnny on the Spot" to be placed in the equipment area for the use of greenskeeper staff, so that they no longer have to use the current, rat infested facilities.

Chairman, Bob Peet asked Smith if the District has indicated its priorities for replacement, upgrades and repairs to the Course. Director of Golf, Jim Kormondy reported that the priority for this year is the Equipment Barn. He added that the District Board has traditionally provided him $40,000 in the annual budget for upgrades. He said this year that money will pay to fix the rest of the Course bunkers, and allow us to begin addressing severe drainage problems, i.e. culverts that are collapsing on several holes, which are causing some sink holes. During the next year, plans are to begin stabilizing the lake banks, changing some of the steep drop-offs to more general slopes so that the water will run off better. The project of changing the greens, restoring them to their original shape and size, will likely begin the following year. Course Superintendant, Mike Henderson added that any improvements to the Course and the greens will go a long way toward attracting new members from the new developments that are going in on the north edge of the Barefoot Bay community.

Chairman, Bob Peet expressed concern that the District Board has not given the Golf Course the priority it should have gotten; specifically, that the Pro Shop has gone since September 2004, without any repairs to its exterior. All agreed that prospective new Golf Course members would be greatly put off by the appearance of the Pro Shop. Director of Golf, Jim Kormondy said that the building has to first be releveled and anchored; and, then the work can begin with replacing siding and walls. Chairman, Bob Peet and Member, Jeanne Osborne both stressed that the Golf Course is the only money making operation of the Barefoot Bay Recreation District, bringing in revenue of nearly half a million dollars each year; and, as such should be given greater priority by the District Board. Chairman, Bob Peet said that the District Board needs to be made aware that many projects on the Course are being underwritten, and funded by the several golf associations, with the Men's Club and the Ladies Clubs donating money and labor toward specific budget items. He stated that he did not believe that the District Board has allocated enough to the Course maintenance and operations budget. Member, Tom Guinther asked whether increasing the membership and Course revenue would result in monies being returned for expenditures on the Course. Director of Golf, Kormondy said that would not necessarily be the case. Guinther asked if it would be to the benefit of the Course to actually solicit new members. Kormondy responded that he had heard that developers were talking of up to 300 new members; adding that the current official Course cap is 925. Currently, we have approximately 550 members. Kormondy reminded the Committee that a full Course membership would result in a curtailment of members' actual playing time, but, that additional membership revenue would likely give the Course more leverage with the District Board.

Chairman, Bob Peet asked for an update on banners for special tournaments. Director of Golf, Kormondy reported that it looked like Budweiser was going to supply the three or four special tournament banners that weren't already being provided by tournament sponsors.

Chairman Peet asked if all the Course staff had been trained in the use of the new defibrulators. Director Kormondy reported that all staff, save one, have been trained in both CPR and the use of the defibrulator. Another training session is planned for this season.

Chairman Peet asked about the new lightning detector, recently purchased by the Men's Club, for use by the Course. Member, Hugh Murphy said that the detector could not be used by Course rangers while in their golf carts as the electric motors in the carts interfered with the electromagnetic field of the detector. Director Kormondy reported that the detector works well. It gives warnings of lightning up to seven miles away, and indicates whether a storm is either approaching or leaving.

New Business: Chairman Peet announced that all members have been provided with a copy of the revised Committee By-Laws. Following brief discussion, it was suggested that the Committee put off action on the revisions until the next Committee meeting, on March 3, 2006, so as to give the members a chance to study the recommended changes.

Report from Director of Golf, Jim Kormondy: The Veteran's Council Tournament, on January 14, 2006, hosted a full field of 160 golfers, and raised approximately $1,800 for the Veteran's Council's causes. Also, last month was the Over Eighty Tournament. There were 29 "youthful" and "enthusiastic" Over Eighty golfers. Five played in the nine hole division and 24 played in the eighteen hole division.

The Club Championship Tournament is coming up on Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th of February, with an awards ceremony following play on the 25th. There will be six men's flights and five ladies' flights. The Club Champions are determined by the low gross scores in both men's and ladies' flights. There are also low net winners in each of the men's and ladies' flights. There is no limit on sign-ups.

Both Ladies' Leagues have been advised about the repair of spike marks around the holes on the greens. The Men's League will receive the same presentation at their next General Meeting.

The new Rule Book allows for making a local rule for obstructions that are close to the putting green. This would effect golfers who are on a green apron, where a sprinkler head is situated between the ball and the pin, and the golfer's choice of club is a putter. The golfer would be allowed one club length relief, as long as the ball placement is no closer to the green. There are only a few spots where this proposed new rule would come into play. Kormondy suggested that Committee members consider this over the next month, while playing and talking to other golfers; then address the issue of the addition of the rule at next month's meeting.

All but one of the water cooler tanks has a new roof. The remaining one will be repaired soon.

The steps leading to the 15th tee are a priority for repair and replacement. The steps will be replaced with concrete. The barrier walls will be given new landscape timbers.

Report from Superintendant, Mike Henderson: Palm trees have been trimmed. Now, the crew will be concentrating on getting the Course ready for the Club Championship. Special attention will be given to getting the new 13th green ready for play for that event. After the Championship, a decision will have to be made about whether to keep it open, or shut it down until it is more established. In the interim, while members are using the temporary green, there will be no award/certificate for a hole-in-one. Once the green is fully open, new yardage markers will be made and placed. The yardage won't be changed on scorecards until next year, when new cards are ordered.

Maggie Hall asked about the standing water on the approach to the cart path at the 14th green. Superintendant Henderson said he would address the problem this week.

Member, Hugh Murphy asked that the crew check the sprinkler heads, as there was evidence of standing water, and over-soaked areas, in spite of the lack of rain. Superintendant Henderson said that sprinkler heads are checked regularly, but he would pay special attention this week to identified problem areas.

Member, Tom Guinther asked whether the grounds crew or District were responsible for the cleaning of debris from the lakes and canals on the Course.

Superintendant Henderson said that his crew had that responsibility. He said that he would direct them to pay special attention to cleaning out the debris.

Member Murphy stated that the bathrooms on the Course are not being cleaned as well as they used to be. Henderson said that he thought there might be a problem with the keys to the bathroom locks. He suggested that all the doors be re-keyed to accept the same key.

Hugh Murphy made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Suzanne Peterson.

Meeting adjouned at 10:15 a.m.