The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About12-14-2005 GOLF MINUTES �1 + CALDWELL GOLF BOARD � ADVISORY BOARD MEETING December 14, 2005 MEMBERS ATTENDING Jeff Osgood Chairman Shirley Akagi Vice Chairman Georgia Hersh Women's Association Representative Dan Rowell George Scott Elvin Simpson Pat Inglis Lorraine Navis MEMBERS UNABLE TO ATTEND All members were present STAFF ATTENDING Ken Wheeler Superintendent Purple Sage � John Watson Purple Sage Golf Pro Lenny Stroup Fairview Golf Pro GUESTS El Jay Waite City Finance Director Pat Matteri Ladies Association President 2006 Several Caldwell Golfers AGENDA 1) Report from Ken Wheeler 2) Reports from John Watson and Lenny Stroup 3) Old Business 4) New Business The meeting was called to order. REPORT FROM KEN WHEELER Ken has the city Tree Department at the golf course removing those trees, which were targeted for removal either due to their location or their health or both. Trees, which have • been taken down at this time, are those behind 4 green and 5 tee box, which have created • a watering problem for sometime. Others, which will be removed, are the second trees on one where we have repaired the path. This is to prevent the same problem with the roots, which we had before. Since the weather has had the course closed for sometime now they have been able to work on machinery and projects rather than the daily maintenance, which must be done while we have play. REPORT FROM JOHN WATSON Not much happening out at Sage. They keep the clubhouse open for a few hours each day but due to the snow there has been no play. Overall numbers compared to last year are about the same. We had a good October but November was down some, which has us tracking about the same as last year for this time. REPORT FROM LENNY STROUP Lenny reported much of the same with snow being the problem. They also are staying open but traffic through the shop is slow. We still need to check on the crossings at Tenth Street with the city, as we need to keep those well marked. He has had some vandalism, which is an on going problem for many years. Advertising was discussed and it was agreed that we would continue to have Shirley handle this and she will save our dollars for early spring in both the Tribune and the Statesman. We will also purchase a spot at • the new RVi center at a discounted rate do to an error they made on last years spot. OLD BUSINESS l. Closing the course. Keeping the course open during the winter months on the average is a break-even proposition. The revenues generated usually cover the expenses of keeping the clubhouse open, heated and cleaned. This does not however account for the additional wear and tear on the course in divots and cart traffic damage, which adds to the cost of making the course ready for anticipated spring play. After much discussion and due to the unpredictability of our weather, it was decided that the course would close when Ken is no longer able to move and cut cups. As long as they are able to do this, the course will remain open, with the exception of possible nine hole closures to allow projects and maintenance to occur without endangering his crew or golfers. The course will re -open when they are able to cut new cups. 2. Blocking off times for Greens Fee paying players on the weekends. John estimated that we could increase our annual revenues by conservative figures of over $30,000.00. This could be accomplished by blocking the tee times from 8:00 am to 10:00 am on the weekends. There was again much discussion both for and against this idea .It was determined that we need to table this idea until our next meeting when we can spend more time with it. 3. Charging a Players Fee on all tournaments sponsored by the Men's and Women's Association. As it stands now during these tournaments the golf course collects no greens fees. This amounts to 3 weekends at Purple Sage including the Labor Day • Weekend and Two weekends at Fairview. John calculated that the lost revenue far R the Labor Day weekend alone would be around $6000.00 . A motion was made to . charge a$5.00 dollar per day per player Tournament Fee to partially make up for these losses and to help pay for the additional maintenance done to prepare the courses far these events. The motion was seconded and a vote followed. The motioned passed 6 in favor 2 were opposed. Pat asked that for the record the two opposed were Pat and Lorraine. 4. Season Passes It has been proposed that we begin to sell a season pass good Monday — Friday only at a reduced rate from the current pass. This idea met with little opposition and we will begin to set up pricing some where between the current full week pass and that of the current senior pass. This will be set at our next meeting but before our ads go out to the papers. S.Limiting the number of carts per group. Ken had asked last year that we limit the number of carts per group at a maximum of 3 per five-some. We installed a voluntary program that had little success. Making this proposal mandatory met with a large amount of disapproval from the guests which were present and also from Board Member George Scott. They felt that they had paid their trail and storage fees and they should not be forced to ride with some one if they did not wish to. They also felt they had been shown no concrete evidence that it had any effect on the course. Ken stated that there is no doubt that the more carts on the course the more wear and tear created but that this was less of a priority than making sure that when the carts are on the course they obey the cart rules which we have in force. They will also need to stay on the path when we are forced to go to path only due to weather and course • conditions. Ken also wanted to commend the Ladies for their diligent efforts in this area as he has seen very few violations from them. This leads us to the next topic, which is how we will enforce the rules and how repeat offenders will be dealt with. In short if a marshal or any golf course staff sees someone not adhering to the cart rules they will politely advise and explain the rules to them. They will also keep in a log the person ,date and time that it occurred. These will be kept in case the same individual has to be reminded of the rules a second time. At which time a letter will be generated after the next golf board meeting to this individual that any further occurrences will result in the loss of cart privileges at the course for a length of time to be determined. The board agreed this was the proper way to handle the cart issue and will back Ken, John and Lenny and any of their staff, completing this very tough portion of their job. 7. It was decided that we would host the IGA Senior event however we will require the above $5.00 per person per day of the event fee. This event will be held during the week and not on the weekend. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business but Pat stated that he felt the Board was headed in the wrong direction by reacting to our problems with finances by trying to increase revenues at the expense of our pass holders. (Referring to the idea of blocking tee times on the weekend for greens fee play and charging the $5.00 dollar per person per day fee during tournaments.) He feels that these are the people who have supported the course over the • years and that the city should help fund the golf course. ;� � � y , � . • Jeff Osgood stated that a decision by the city council to help fund the golf course with taxpayer dollars might be popular with golfing taxpayers but it would be unpopular with the majority of those who do not golf. It would also create issues for those golfers who do not live within the city limits and do not pay any city taxes. Most cities charge non- residents additional fees for services and a large portion of our pass holders, including many of the board, live outside the city limits. Additionally the relationship between the Caldwell Golf Courses and that of its season pass holders has been mutually rewarding. As a pass holder since the early 70's, I feel privileged to have be able to play golf on these facilities at a rate which has always been the best bargain in the entire Treasure Valley. I feel that it is also the Board's plan to continue to keep this tradition. However there are times when we have to make decisions which may or may not be popular with every group we try to serve but in the end will be best for Caldwell Golf overall. The meeting was adjourned. • •