June 2007 Golf Committee Minutes

JUNE 2007 GOLF COMMITTEE MEETING

Meeting called to order on June 1, 2007, at 9 a.m. by Chairman, Tom Guinther.

Followed by Pledge of Allegiance.

Committee Members Present: Chairman, Tom Guinther and members: Tony Pitrulle, Jeanne Osborne and Suzanne Peterson. Member Bob Peet was excused.

Also Present: Director of Golf, Jim Kormondy and Course Superintendant, Mike Henderson. Pro Shop Manager Sandy Lobello was not present.

Guests in attendance: Richard Bleau, liaison member from the District Board, Al Glashauser, Florence Rodweller, John Couch and Jean Adams.

Minutes: Following a motion by Jean Osborne, seconded by Tony Pitrulle, the minutes of the May 2007, meeting were approved as submitted.

Correspondence: John Atta submitted a request asking that tee boxes be better tended, i.e. that broken tees and cigarette butts be cleaned up by grounds crew, or that receptacles for disposal of same be provided on each tee box. Kormondy will look into some sort of receptacle. Pitrulle and Henderson favored a "Billy Goat" vacuum. In the meantime, Henderson agreed that his crew will rake the debris.

Unfinished Business: Chairman Guinther asked Kormondy about progress on the proposed 2007-2008 budget. Kormondy said that the first draft submitted by District Manager Grace Daddario, is good for the Golf Course. It does not require that the Course be self-sufficient, and it retains the subsidy program. Upon request from the Committee, Kormondy provided copies of the Course proposed budget, which included capital expenditures as follows: $25,000 for lake banks, $15,000 to fix drainage problems, $3,000 for tree replacement, an additional $1,900 to finish the Pro Shop computer project, $43,000 for a fairway mower, $23,000 for a greens mower and $8,500 for a new carryall vehicle. The total capital expenditure request is $119,400. Even with increases of dues, greens fees and cart fees, our proposed deficit will be approximately $240,000, which will be subsidized by the General Fund. There was discussion about developing a long-term (5 year) plan to include the cost of re-doing the greens. Kormondy added that the One Source contract will be up, and subject to renegotiation, at the end of next year; making that an opportune time to ask One Source to supply some of the equipment, so that the Course capital expenses won't be so much. That way, the Course would be able to save some money toward redoing the greens. Henderson suggested that it would be less expensive annually to lease equipment as opposed to buying it outright, because the cost of leasing would be spread over 5 years, the average life of most of the large pieces of equipment. Henderson said that his crew can make repairs and care for equipment so as to make it last longer than the average 5 years, but, he reminded the Committee that some of our pieces of large equipment have deterriorated more rapidly because they were left to the elements for nearly 3 years and can't be nursed along any longer. Osborne suggested that Henderson invite all District Board Trustee to a tour of the equipment barn and the equipment, so that when capital expenditure equipment issues arise, they will better understand the need.

Kormondy reported projected revenue increases, totaling $60,000, as follows: membership dues 5%; in-season greens fees $2 more for 18 holes, $1 more for 9 holes; 18 hole cart rental $2, 9 hole $1. There was discussion about finding an alternative to raising cart rental fees, to accomodate the significant numbers of members who do not own carts.

Chairman Guinther noted that the bathroom on #16 was completed and looked very nice. He asked Liaison Bleau if the other bathroom and the green building are next? Bleau said no, because the priorities are now the Bldg. A complex remodeling and improvements.

Osborne asked why the repair of the Golf Course barn is budgetted for 2009 instead of 2008, in that we know that we already have the $40,000 from FEMA which is designated and was promised for the repair of that building. It was agreed that Committee members will attend one of the two Charter mandated public meetings on the budget, to stress the importance of repairing the barn a.s.a.p. before it collapses.

Pitrulle asked about plans to put a fence between #9 and #10 to keep carts from driving on the bank. Kormondy said that would be a summer project.

New Business: None.

Report from Director of Golf, Jim Kormondy: Member/Guest Tournament was held on May 26. There were 72 golfers. It was a success. There was a suggestion that it be held earlier in the month, but it has been successful as scheduled, so will be kept on Memorial Day weekend.

The next tournament coming up is the June 23 charity event benefitting the Devereaux Childrens' and Family Preservation programs. Riverside Auto Body is sponsoring the event. The cost is $30 per person. There will be continental breakfast, lunch, entertainment and prizes. .

The Junior Golf program started this week. There were 30 applicants, 10 of whom were beginners. The age range is generally 8 to 18, but there are two 6 year olds and one age 7. Tom Guinther is volunteering to help. The clinic is held on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. Actual play will begin in 2 weeks.

Florence Rodweller asked why Kormondy had said at the May Committee meeting that there will be no more free rounds of golf for events such as the Ladies 18 Hole Invitational. She wanted to clarify that Invitational participants visiting from other courses paid $35 to play in the event, so it is not "free" to them. Rodweller said that the Course makes considerable revenue off the event, in that all the prize money is given in chits redeemable at the Pro Shop; and that most visiting golfers spend more in the Pro Shop than the amount of their winnings. Kormondy stressed that he had never intended to imply that the visiting Invitational participants played for free, but only that they were not charged greens fees. He clarified that historically greens fees had been comped for this event, but the Course can no longer afford that. Instead, the Course will offer a special group rate for this event, as it has done for all other such events. Henceforth, visiting Invitational golfers will be charged greens fees, and it will be up to the Ladies 18 Hole Golf Association whether it wants to add those greens fees into the event charge, or keep the charge the same and lower the prize monies.

Report from Course Superintendant Henderson: Aerification is finished. We've been fertilizing and working on the transition areas. We've had some irrigation problems, which are now fixed. We're up to date with everything and ready for summer. We're expecting the new low-speed pump to be installed within the next 2 weeks.

Pitrulle asked about the electrical box left standing by the 14th tee. Henderson said that it was the responsibility of Complete Electric, the electrical contractor to remove it. All agreed that it is a real eye sore. Liaison Bleau agreed that at the next Distric meeting he will bring up the need for its removal.

Guinther asked about the difference between the granular and the liquid fertilizers being used on the Course. Henderson said one feeds the roots, the other feeds from the top. Both are time-release. Nematodes are a problem for the root structure, so he is experimenting in an attempt to solve that problem.

Guinther asked about the lake levels. Henderson said it is due to the lack of rain.

Peterson asked about what the Course can do to protect the turtle and turtle eggs between the 8th green and 9th tee, and in the bunker on the 17th. She asked that a sign be placed by the 8th green to caution cart drivers to watch for the turtle; and that golfers be given a free lift in the bunker on the 17th. Henderson and Kormondy said that they will try to address the turtle problem, as it effects the golfers.

Other Business: Jean Adams asked that the Golf Course dress code be enforced.

Peterson asked that Kormondy follow up on last month's request that a large clock be placed on the Pro Shop porch.

Liaison Bleau said that he will continue to ask for a separate accounting of the income from the 19th Hole, and ask that at least a portion of that income be credited as Golf Course revenue. Osborne asked if we could get an accounting of what it costs to produce breakfasts and dinners in the 19th Hole.

Florence Rodweller asked for the Golf Committee's help in influencing the 19th Hole to offer 1/2 a sandwich on its lunch menu. In 2003 the option was taken off the menu, but was returned after member outcry. It has once again been removed. The 1/2 sandwich option has always been popular.

Liaison Bleau reported that of the Homeowners dues pie, the Course get's $3.10.

The next meeting of the Committee will be on Friday, September 7, 2007, at 9 a.m.

Upon a motion by Peterson, seconded by Pitrulle the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 a.m.