February 2007 Golf Committee Minutes

FEBRUARY 2007 GOLF COMMITTEE MEETING

Meeting called to order on February 2, 2007, at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman, Tom Guinther.

Followed by Pledge of Allegiance.

Committee Members Present: Chairman, Tom Guinther and members: Jeanne Osborne, Tony Pitrulle and Suzanne Peterson. Excused absence: Bob Peet.

Also Present: Course Director of Golf, Jim Kormondy, Pro Shop Manager, Sandy Lobello, and Course Superintendant, Mike Henderson.

Guests in attendance: Richard Bleau, liaison member from the District Board, John Couch, John Hall, Maggie Hall, Pat Dunckley, Al Glashauser and Ed Layton.

Report from Course Superintendant, Mike Henderson: The grounds crew will begin work on the lake banks, again. All the traps have been edged for the tournament coming up. The greens have been top-dressed. More seed has been placed on the 13th green. Crew has spread the "blue stuff" in an attempt to get rid of the voluntary rye grass that has sprung up around the tees. The move to the Bay maintenance building went smoothly, and is working out well. There are two new crew members, who have been hired in anticipation of the Source One contract to take over the maintenance of common grounds areas within the Bay. Until the contract is signed, the new-hires are being used as extra-help on the course maintenance.

In response to questions about plans for the green building between the 8th and 13th green, Mike said that the Bay plans to refurbish it, and bring it "up to par." All the old, unusable equipment, oil drums and "junk" will be disposed of. A chain link fence will be erected around the pumps. The concrete pad will be cleaned off. All the office equipment, computer, etc. are now at the Bay maintenance building.

According to Director of Golf Kormondy, there are plans to use the monies that were originally budgeted for the rebuilding of the destroyed equipment barn to defray the costs of refurbishing the green building. Those monies will come from the current 2006-2007 budget, which ends on September 30, 2007.

One of the rental trailer/office buildings has already been removed. The other is scheduled to be removed as soon as all the power has been disconnected.

Member Peterson asked what had been done about the rat infestation of the green building. Superintendant Henderson said that he has been continuously putting out rat bait. Guest, Ed Layton advised that the problem won't be solved without the help of professionals. Member Osborne asked that District Board Liaison, Richard Bleau take the problem to the next District meeting. Member Pitrulle expressed disbelief that such an obvious health hazard had been allowed to go on for years without someone taking the matter to the District Manager, District Board or the Health Department.

Minutes: The minutes of the January 2007, meeting were approved as submitted.

Correspondence: None.

Unfinished Business: Director of Golf Kormondy reported that he went to the Golf Merchandise Show, where he found a design for the display on the practice tee. The design involves a sign board with the 5 flags in the order that they are. There will be 5 different color flags, with corresponding color circles on the sign board listing the distance to the respective flags. Members can expect that display to be in place soon.

The Golf Course budget proposal is due to be submitted in March. Kormondy invited the Committee to give him any special requests for inclusion in the proposal.

Chairman Guinther asked if the new mower had been purchased. Kormondy said that a Toro had been looked at and demonstrated, but no purchase had yet been made. The new mower and the airefier are due to be purchased this year. Originally, there was $92,000 in the budget for equipment. So far, we have purchased only the grinders. Superintendant Henderson was able to find used grinders for $10,000, rather than the $40,000 that new ones would have cost. The savings can be applied toward the purchase of other budgeted equipment, such as the mower and airefier.

Member Pitrulle asked about the use of weed eaters rather that hover mowers on the lake banks. Kormondy said that the hover mower is not working now. He added that the hover mowers are bulky, and the crew would rather use the weed eaters, particularly on steep banks.

Chairperson Guinther asked about the process that was used to prioritize items within the Course budget proposal. Kormondy explained that he would prioritize lake bank repairs based on injury risk/safety needs.

Member Pitrulle asked if there had been consideration to replacing the fine sand in bunkers with sand that is heavier, and less likely to blow out of bunkers. Kormondy said that the next time that sand has to be replaced - probably two years from now - he'll look into a heavier grade sand that can withstand the wind that we experience at Barefoot Bay. For the interim, the edges of the bunkers are being deepened to help alleviate the problem of sand blowing out.

New Business: None.

Report from Director of Golf, Jim Kormondy: Last month saw 147 golfers participating in the the Veterans Council Tournament on January 13, 2007. Nearly $1,100, from the golfers' side, was raised for veterans' causes. That amount doesn't include monies donated by sponsors. Altogether they should have raised about $3,000. The "Over 80 Open" tournament fielded 39 golfers, two of whom were over 90. There were more men than women participants. The new "Over 80" champions are Florence Rodweller and Art Lane. It's remarkable that the "Over 80" men's champion, Art Lane, is also our men's division Club Champion.

The next tournament is the Club Championship scheduled for February 23 and 24. It is a 36 hole tournament, with winners in each of four flights in both the men's and women's division. The awards party will be on the 24th at 5p.m.

Kormondy reported that last week he gave a presentation to the Ladies Nine Hole Association about golf etiquette. This week he will be giving the same presentation to the Ladies 18 Hole Association. He plans to give the same presentation to the Men's League at their next general meeting.

Report from Pro Shop Manager, Sandy Lobello: The Men's League has purchased two bag racks - a 6 foot and and 8 foot. The 6 foot rack will be placed outside the entrance to the Pro Shop. The 8 foot rack will be placed by the parking area outside the 19th Hole. Kormondy suggested another sign that directs people to the bag racks.

Sandy has no final number to report for membership. However, she said that the Course had lost only 40 members this year; much less than in previous years.

The new bar stools, purchased with monies from the 2003 Sadie Hawkins Tournament and designated for furnishings for the 19th Hole, have been delivered.

Report from District Board Liaison, Bleau: The FEMA monies originally designated for rebuilding the destroyed Course maintenance building, have now been okayed for use in repairs on the green building.

General Discussion: There was discussion about the shortage of golf carts on heavily scheduled days. Kormondy said that it was a procedural issue within the Pro Shop. Staff have been directed to give out cart keys according to tee times rather than as golfers check in.

There was clarification of whose responsibility it is to clean out weeds and overgrowth along the foundation of the back of building D/E and the back of the 19th Hole. It is Superintendant Henderson's responsibility. Liaison Bleau said that the organization called Green Thumbs, to which he belongs, stands ready to grow plants for use in landscaping around Course buildings and around the Course.

Because of an announced tornado warning, a motion was made by Pitrulle, seconded by Guinther, to adjourn early at 9:40 a.m.

The next meeting of the Committee will be on Friday, March 2, 2007, at 9 a.m.