October 2006 Golf Committee Minutes

OCTOBER 2006 GOLF COMMITTEE MEETING

Meeting called to order on October 6, 2006, at 9:05 a.m. by Chairman, Bob Peet.

Followed by Pledge of Allegiance.

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

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

Guests in attendance: John R. Smith, liaison member from the District Board.

The minutes of the September 2006, meeting were approved as submitted.

Correspondence: None.

Unfinished Business: Director of Golf, Kormondy reported that he had to wait until October to order the netting for the parking lot and the signs for the driving range, but they were now on order.

Member, Suzi Peterson asked about the status of the equipment tent. John R. Smith reported that the tent was on order. He asked for clarification of the placement of the tent. Kormondy said that the tent would be placed to the right of the twelfth green, to the right of hole 13 and behind the fourteenth tee, near where the wash rack is.

New Business: Member, Peterson brought forward a request that consideration be given to planting trees near the tee boxes to provide some shade for golfers, while waiting to tee off. Jim Kormondy said that care had to be taken to not plant trees too close to tee boxes. He suggested instead that trees be planted near the tee boxes, on the other side of the cart path, and that benches be placed under the trees.

Member, Peterson asked that the eight minute start time intervals be more closely monitored, to avoid the back up on the second, third and fourth tees; and, that golfers not be pushed by the starting ranger to tee off before their scheduled start time. Jim Kormondy said that he would stress these issues at the pre-season Ranger meeting, before the end of October. Kormondy also reported that he has a new interactive CD from the USGA covering several issues of golf rules and etiquette, with emphasis on how to treat maintenance workers, where to drive carts and the enforcing of course rules. He will use this CD in the pre-season meeting with the Rangers; and, later will present it at a Men's Golf Association General Meeting and both the 9 Hole Ladies Golf Association and 18 Hole Ladies Golf Association General Meetings.

There was a general discussion about the the great condition of the Golf Course; the best it has looked in a long time. The reworked bunkers are beautiful, as is the new slope on number 9.

In November, there will be an announcement of three openings on the Golf Committee beginning in 2007. The two year terms of Jeanne Osborne, Bob Peet and Hugh Murphy will be up at the end of 2006. Should they wish to stay on, they will have to submit a request letter. Any other interested parties should submit a request letter during the first two weeks in November. Chairman Peet's two year term is up at the end of 2006. The By-Laws limit the term of Chairman to two years. The 2007 Committee members will elect a new Chairman. Also, at that meeting a new Secretary will be elected.

Liaison, Smith asked if the course was still accepting donations for "Memorial Trees." Kormondy said that donation were always accepted, but that potential donors were often put off by the cost, which often run to $350 for a decent sized tree.

The new flags are a great addition. They are easier to see, and therefore to judge the pin placement and distance to the pin.

Report from Pro Shop Manager, Sandy Lobello: Membership: Regular, Family membership is at 246; Regular, Single membership is at 266; total is 512. There are also 4 Family Non-Resident memberships; 14 Single Non-Resident memberships. Total membership, through September is 530. During the first four days of October, there have been 4 new Single memberships and 1 Semi-Annual membership, for a grand total of 535.

The new Golf Rates, effective October 1, have been posted. There is an increase of $1 on Green Fees, Carts and Pull Carts. Annual memberships also have increased.

Chits earned through September, should be spent by the end of December. Some members have a lot of money in their accounts. There is new merchandise starting to come in, already, so there will be a good selection of everything on which members can spend their money.

The annual Sadie Hawkins Tournament will be on November 11. Volunteers are needed to help solicit sponsorships. It is suggested that the proceeds of this tournament go toward trees for the golf course.

Member, Peterson asked about the proceeds from the 2003 Sadie Hawkins Tournament, which had been earmarked for an awning on the 19th Hole porch. Lobello said that was incorrect: instead the money was to be spent on the inside of the 19th Hole, as anything done on the outside of the building could be done only by the District. Lobello said that the 2003 Tournament proceeds are still in the escrow account, and that she has talked with the food service manager about how to spend the dollars. She said that there has been discussion about a new bar top, and/or a divider to shield the service area from the dining area, but that no decision has been made. Member, Guinther asked if the 2003 proceeds could be converted to the purchase of trees. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Committee that the dollars should be spent on the 19th Hole as was the original intent, and to what those who participated in that Tournament believed they were contributing. Member, Peterson expressed concern that it has taken three years to address the use of these proceeds. Lobello said that with changes in food service managers and changes in District management, " things have come to a standstill."

Member, Guinther asked for clarification of a Seasonal memberships. Lobello explained that the Semi-Annual membership is for the six months from October 1 through March 31; and that Summer memberships are for five months. Semi-Annual memberships are only about $100 less that Annual memberships, so those wanting Semi-Annual membership are encouraged to consider Annual membership, instead.

Report from Director of Golf, Jim Kormondy: Last month was the Member/Member Tournament, with 96 golfers participating. The big change was having a Mens' Division and a Ladies' Division. The next tournment is the Couples Tournment on October 7 and October 8. The grand prize has been donated by Orange County National. There are 24 teams and 2 flights. The grand prize will go to the lowest overall score.

Kormondy asked the Committee to consider the issue of taking out the wild trees that have grown up along the waters edge on the second hole. With the trees gone, there will be an unobstructed view of the pin, particularly when pin placement is on the right side of the green. The intent is not to make the hole easier, but to provide a line of sight from the tee box to the green. Member, Guinther expressed concern that the removal would change the integrity of the hole. Kormondy clarified that the wild trees in question were those closest to the tee box, not those nearer the green. After discussion, it was decided that a decision would be delayed until the November meeting, to give members a chance to discuss the change with other golfers.

Hazard lines are difficult to keep up with in the summer. If no hazard line is visible, the general rule is: the hazard begins where the buffer zone is, where the grass starts to get taller; if there is not a buffer zone, it is any area where there is a severe drop off; on the left side of the eighth hole, it is where the ground starts to go down to form the ditch. In the winter time it is easier to keep the hazard lines visible.

Work is due to begin on the culverts in November or December.

Member, Guinther asked if there had been consideration to redoing other waters-edge slopes similarly to how the ninth hole has been done. Kormondy said that as money is available, "we will get as much done, as possible." Course Superintendant, Henderson said that the 250 foot slope project on the ninth hole cost $5,000. Kormondy said that the next such project will be on the front nine, with consideration for the worst holes. He cited the waters-edge along either the fifth or second hole as probable next projects. Kormondy emphasized that any and all suggestions for improvements were welcome.

Report from Superintendant, Mike Henderson: The aerification of the greens and fairways is complete, and has turned out well. Fertilization has been done. The new pump motor is in and is working fine. The other pump motor is beginning to "chatter," so it will likely need replacing in the future.

Traps are due to be edged this month. One of the irrigation heads on the fourteenth fairway failed, flooding a fairway bunker. That problem has been fixed. The red ants are a constant problem this time of year.

The newly hired Assistant Superintendant is no longer with us. The existing staff will be able to cover all of the daily maintenance operation.

The Committee members congratulated Henderson for having achieved his Class A Superintendant's status.

Liaison, John R. Smith remarked that the course was looking really "classy." There was discussion about getting a professional photographer to take pictures of the course, with the suggestion that the pictures be framed and hung in the 19th Hole.

Member Peterson announced that she would be away for the November meeting. Member, Guinther kindly consented to act as secretary, in her absence.

A motion to adjourn by Suzi Peterson was seconded by Tom Guinther.

Meeting adjouned at 10:00 a.m.