May 2006 Golf Committee Minutes

MAY 2006 GOLF COMMITTEE MEETING

Meeting called to order on May 5, 2006, at 9:10 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: Director of Golf, Jim Kormondy and Golf Shop Manager, Sandy Lobello.

Guests in attendance: Pat Dunckley, Norma Beeson, Andy Beeson, Jack Barry and John R. Smith, liaison member from the District Board.

The minutes of the April 2006, meeting were approved with the following corrections: that Member, Suzi Peterson be shown as an excused absence; under Correspondence that a sentence be added that (in Board Liaison, John R. Smith's absence) "Jeanne Osborne will take information from the Committee meeting to the District Board meeting; under Correspondence that the the final sentence be amended to say that "Bob Peet expressed his and the Committee's wish for (Smith's) speedy recovery."; under New Business that Tony Pitrulle's request for yardage markers was aimed at markers on the driving range and not the course as a whole; also under New Business, after the motion to remove the yardage marker poles from fairways, that the minutes reflect that Sandy Lobello will post a note soliciting course members imput about the absence of the poles; under Report from Golf Pro, Jim Kormondy, the third paragraph be amended to clarify that it is the "special projects" portion of the Golf Course budget for which increases are needed.

There was discussion about whether the Tattler should be asked to publish both April and May Committee minutes in the next issue, as April's minutes were not previously published. Secretary, Suzi Peterson was directed to contact the Tattler to ask if it has space for both sets of minutes.

Correspondence: None.

Unfinished Business: Chairman, Bob Peet reported that he has received many written and verbal requests to replace the yardage marker poles on the fairways. The Committee agreed that the markers should be replaced. Jim Kormondy will direct that they be replaced.

Chairman, Bob Peet asked the status of the new rake handles. Jim Kormondy reported that the handles have been ordered, but have not yet arrived. They should be replaced by the next Committee meeting.

Chairman, Bob Peet asked if the mini flags clips/cotter pins on the greens flags had been replaced. Jim Kormondy reported that Mike Henderson had shopped for alternatives to the cotter pins, but had not found a suitable replacement. Member, Tom Guinther suggested that the flags with the original cotter pins be put back up, and suggested that people be a bit more careful handling the flag, so as not to cut themselves. He stressed that marking the course and knowing one's yardages is important in golf. Jim Kormondy agreed to have the mini flags replaced.

Member, Hugh Murphy reported that the cups are getting worse, not better. He said that the replaced cups were raised, black, dirt plugs, with no grass on them. Jim Kormondy explained that greens are getting compacted, and the grass is struggling.

Member, Tom Guinter asked about progress toward the net on 18. Jim Kormondy said that hadn't been addressed, yet. Member, Guinter also asked what has been done to remedy the problem with the spigots that are used to fill the coolers. Kormondy reported that the problem had been solved with the addition of an RV hose and a designated spigot. Water is now being drained out before the coolers are being refilled.

Liaison, John R. Smith reported that the beginning of construction on the new maintenance building is waiting on the permits. All the plans and paperwork have been submitted to the County. Plans for the building are available for viewing by asking at the District front office.

New Business: Member Jeanne Osborne said that she was very pleased with the way the Pro Shop is looking. The front looks really nice.

Member, Tom Guinther asked about the gouging on the 14th green from the aerifier. Kormondy said that the aerifier was of poor quality. He said that we have requested a new aerifier next year. It will be leased by One Source, but will increase our monthly maintenance cost. Kormondy added that we're also putting in for a new slope mower for lake banks. This one will have an articulating wheel on the front, that will slide over, so the banks can be trimmed up nicely. Maintenance equipment is leased by One Source; and when the lease runs out, it is traded in for new, so that we never have equipment that is over five or six years old. The goal is to stagger the equipment leases, so that all of the equipment doesn't deteriorate at the same time.

Member, Jeanne Osborne brought a request from a resident golf course member, who has moved to another state and has requested that 2006 dues and trail fees be prorated and the balance returned. This is a District policy matter, and as such the Golf Course Committee has no authority to grant such a request. Current policy allows for a prorated return for medical reasons only, not for a move from the area. Any member moving from the area retains golf course membership for the remainder of the year. The golf course member may make a request directly to the District Board and ask for a variance from existing policy. There was discussion about whether the Committee should make a recommendation to the District Board for a change in the policy governing refunds. However, it was the consensus of the Committee that there be no recommendation be made.

Report from Pro Shop Manager, Sandy Lobello: Membership is about the same. We've added two more people. Entry forms are out now for the Member/Guest Tournament, on May 27, 2006. The cost will be $60 per couple. There will be a continental breakfast, Tee prizes for everyone. Entertainment will be by one of our member"s musical groups, Nite Fire.

Report from Director of Golf, Jim Kormondy: Last month we had the Pro-Am Tournament on the 22nd. There were 160 players; 40 teams. It was very successful. The Member/Guest Tournament is somewhat more expensive for the entry fees, but the value of the prizes will be retained .

The driving range yardages have been stepped off. Some of the holes have to be relocated to accommodate even yardages of 25, 50, 75 and 100 yards for the placement of the flag sticks. This project should be finished soon.

We're putting together the first draft of our budget. We've been instructed to add 5% to our construction project, and compensate for that with the addition of 5% to membership and greens fees. A 5% increase for a single membership would be approximately $24 per year. The construction portion of the budget would then increase to $42,000, which would go toward our lake bank restoration. From this years construction budget we have finished the traps, done the green side traps on Hole 9 and Hole 16. We will also be finishing off the other traps that were blown out by Wilma, last year. The fairway bunkers will all be restored to the original, including adding back the fairway bunker on Hole 1. We will also be starting on the culverts that are collapsing, and do as many as we can until we run out of money.

Chairman, Bob Peet expressed concern that the Golf Course is asking for only a 5% increase; urging that the Course needs a "bigger slice of the pie." He pointed out that the Golf Course gets a relatively small part of the entire District budget. Discussion followed about asking for more money than the suggested 5%; and asking for larger lump sums to complete planned projects such as the regrassing of the greens, which costs between $10,000 and $15,000 each. Member, Jeanne Osborne stressed the importance of the Committee members attending the public budget meetings to show support for keeping the requested budget increases.

Report from Superintendant, Mike Henderson (given by Jim Kormondy): Fairways are getting dry and brown because of the lack of rain. The Course is using all the available reclaimed water to keep the greens watered.

Member, Jeanne Osborne brought forward golfers concerns about the removal of shrubs along the water on Hole 7, and short grass along the waters edge causing all of the balls to roll into the water, with nothing to stop them. People are complaining about losing so many balls. Guest, Jack Barry asked that the rough along the waters edge be left at least the height of a golf ball, so that the balls don't automatically go in the water. He stressed that players looking for water balls slows play for everyone. Director of Golf, Jim Kormondy explained that it is a major job to change the heights on the mower that we now have.

Member, Tom Guinther asked if the divots on the driving range are filled in by grounds crews, as there is no sand in the buckets. Jim Kormondy said that those divots are not filled in as often, but that there should now be sand in the buckets that are on the range.

Guest, Norma Beeson asked that there be consideration given to forming a Saturday, 9 hole Couples League, to accommodate those members no longer able to play 18 holes, but who have enjoyed playing in the Saturday Couples League. Pro Shop Manager, Sandy Lobello agreed to put up a sign to see if there is enough interest to justify a separate League.

Guest, Pat Dunckley thanked Sandy Lobello and Jim Kormondy for all their hard work on the Pro Am Tournament.

Guest, Jack Barry asked if, for the 9 Hole Men's League players, the 12th tee could be moved to the drop zone. Director of Golf, Kormondy said that would effect handicap. There was discussion about establishing senior tees, and adding another course rating.

Guest, Jack Barry also reported that grounds crew were dumping grass clippings in the water, rather than strewing them. Director of Golf, Kormondy said that he would take the issue to Superintendant, Henderson.

Guest, Jack Barry asked when the markers would be returned to the fairways. Director of Golf, Kormondy said it might take a while, as the holes had been covered up, so would have to be measured and replaced.

Jeanne Osborne made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Suzi Peterson.

Meeting adjouned at 10:25 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Suzanne Peterson, Secretary