Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Notes from meeting of board on Monday, March 24, 2008.

Notes from meeting of board on Monday, March 24, 2008.

Not written as an official board meeting

The board gathered at 7 PM at BenchWarmers on March 24th. Those present were:

John Long Kevin Poppe Tim Meyer Jared Burge

Gloria Patrick Jim Kemling Ryan Richmond Jorje Geisert

Superintendent Shawn Stutzman

Jim said that Midwest is now billing the club house on a monthly basis and he will put that on an ACH from the bank. Everyone agreed with this decision.

The annual meeting agenda for March 29th was discussed. An unofficial agenda had been put together by Gloria and Jorje. There were a few items added to it. Gloria had gone through the minutes of the past year and noted highlights to be reported on.

Gloria reported that the committee decided to give the following door prizes and grand prizes at the annual meeting.

Grand Prizes: $100 off a membership fee for 2008

$100 Driving Range Pass

Door Prizes: 4 – ½ hour lessons given by Shawn Stutzman

4 - free passes for 9 holes of golf

4 - $15 of driving range tokens (6)

3 – 4 sleeves of golf balls

The group gave their approval of these prizes.

Bench Warmers asked for a guaranteed number of attendees, it was decided to guarantee 30.

John will ask Valley Bank and Adams Lumber to put the meeting notice on their marquees. Gloria will contact Adams Bank about it. Jorje will make some posters to put on Bench Warmer windows.

Rules regarding the new water hazards were discussed. Shawn will work on this. If new score cards are printed, this will be put on them.

Discussion on an incentive for bringing in new members was held. No decision was made.

The water issue with REX Pipeline was brought up. Kevin is going to follow up on this.

A new club house was again discussed. Some feel that putting money into the present club house is money down the drain. Shawn had some ideas on a frame building. It was decided that there was not enough time before the annual meeting to gather enough information to present to the membership. There is $3,228.12 in the building fund. There is an offer of $5,000 if a new club house is constructed. There is $4,500 budgeted for 08 for work on the present club house. That would give us $12,700 towards new construction. Adams Lumber will be contacted for a price and Shawn will do some checking on his source.

Since the Nebraska Men were playing basketball on TV, the meeting dispensed without any regular business being done.

Gloria Patrick, Secretary

Sunday, March 16, 2008

2008 Grant Golf Club Tournament Schedule

April 26 Par 3 Tournament John Long

May 4 Member Guest Calvin Dalkoetter
May 17 – May 18 BenchWarmers 2-Day Eric McCormick
3 Man Scramble
June 22 2-Couple Scramble Dale and Connie Styskal

July 12 Adult/Child Scramble Jeff Skeels
Tim Meyer
July 20 Men’s, Women’s & Senior’s Ryan Richmond
Club & Handicap Championships
August 3 2-Man Scramble (36 Holes) Brent Thelander
Gerald Geisert
August 8 Junior Golf Tournament Pinnacle Bank

August 17 PC Hospital Foundation Ron Patrick

September 7 Grant Couples Club Tournament Ron & Gloria Patrick

TBA (after Men’s Match Play Tournament (Handicap) Kevin Poppe
League)

2007 Grant Golf Club Leagues – the course is open during all league play, but others not allowed to cut in or slow up league groups

Monday 5:30 pm Couples League
Tuesday 9:00 am Ladies League
Wednesday 1:00 pm Men’s Senior League (starting time changes to 9:00 am in June)
Thursday 5:30 pm Men’s League
Friday 8:00 am Junior Golf – for students going into 4th thru 9th Grade – Contact Jonette Kemling for more information. NEED VOLUNTEERS!!!
Friday 5:30 pm Couple’s League


In order to support the Nebraska Golf Association and the USGA Handicap system, all entrants in the Handicap Divisions of the Men’s, Women’s and Senior Club Championships, plus the Men’s Match Play Tournament, must have a USGA Handicap Card.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

2008 Newsletter

WELCOME

Welcome to the Grant Golf Club Newsletter of ’08. We are bringing to you information about your Grant Golf Club, including the hiring of a new Superintendent, activity schedules, volunteer opportunities, membership schedules, etc.

NEW FACE IN CHARGE

The board of directors is pleased to announce the hiring of Shawn Stutzman of Venango as the new Course Superintendent. It was with regret that the board accepted Troy Kemling’s notice of resignation in December. However, they are excited to have such a capable young man to fill his position. Shawn comes to us with multiple experiences

ANNUAL MEETING / SPRING FLING

March 29th is the date to attend the annual meeting and Spring Fling of the Grant Golf Club. The Board decided to try a new approach to try to get more people to attend the annual meeting. So please come to Bench Warmers on the 29th. Starting at 4:30PM, there will be free hors d’oeuvre’s, soft drinks and a social time. A power point presentation will be running for you to see what has been happening at the course, along with some future plans. The annual meeting will take place at 5PM. You are welcome to stay and socialize following the meeting. We hope to see many of you at this function. Help us make our year exciting at the Grant Golf Club.

IMPROVEMENTS

The Club was fortunate in 2007 to have the opportunity to get a little extra money. When the REX Pipeline went north of the course property, they were in need of some water to test their pipeline. The club was approached with several different options. When it finally got time to actually have it happen, they told us they needed to have a pit dug so they could store the water to be pumped into their pipeline. They gave the club $15,000 to do this. The pit was dug, but then REX decided they wanted to pump directly from the wells into their pipeline. In the end REX pumped approximately 6 million gallons of water from the Grant Golf Club. The club is receiving $3 per 1000 gallons. This money is being used to make various improvements around the course. The big one that you will notice is the water hazard on #8 where the original pit was dug. There will be additional landscaping done here to make it an attractive and viable water hazard. Also some of the dirt from this dig is being moved to the #3 fairway around the green. This is to make the area around the approach wider. It is hope this will make the two holes more attractive.

Additional items of improvement that you could see because of these dollars are: 1) The pump fund has been funded to the $5,000 that the club is required to furnish if the pump should need work or replaced. 2) The Club house roof may receive the additional metal roofing that is lacking. There is talk to improve the deck around the club house and put a shade over it. 3) Purchasing of a utility vehicle for the club is being checked on. 4) Several smaller items are also being addressed.


MEMBERSHIP / CART STORAGE

The board feels that it is important to keep the membership fee structure updated on a regular pace, so are recommending the following dues structure for 2008.

FAMILY $490

COUPLE $450

SINGLE $335

**STUDENT $100

**A student membership is required from 11 years through high school if not a part of a family membership. College students may purchase a 3 month membership for $100.

CART FEES:

Cart Storage $110

Electricity $ 45

Trail Fee $ 75 (carts stored off course)

Cart Lease $300

LEASE A CART

You may lease a cart from the club for $300 a year. This allows you to use a cart anytime you choose. The cart is for your use only, not for the lessee to loan to his friends or family. The cart is also used as a rental cart during the year, as the club needs it. There is a form available explaining how this program works. Please visit with Shawn if interested. We had a few use this program last year and really like it. If you have any interest, let Shawn know soon, as the number of rental carts the club needs is determined by this use.

DRIVING RANGE

The driving range has been a good addition to the course. You may purchase a bucket of balls for $3 when the club house is open (or purchase 6 tokens for $15). Also a season pass is available for $100.

HANDICAP SYSTEM

The use of the handicap system is strongly recommended. There is a computer in the club house where you can record your scores in order to obtain your handicap. The fee for the handicap system is $20 per year and is tied in with the state handicapping system. The tournament committee plans to use handicaps in the club tournaments, so it is important for you to join the handicap program.

BOARD MEMBERS RETIRING

John Long, after one term, and Gloria Patrick, after two terms, are stepping down from the Board of Directors. They have both spent many hours helping the club get to where it is today.

Jorje Geisert and Ryan Richmond have accepted the nomination to have their names put on the ballot for directors. Names will be accepted from the floor. Your support is needed for the board to perform to its highest expectations.

SIGNING IN

Please sign the book each time you go to the golf course. The reason for this is that the better ratio there is of paying membership golfers vs. green fees paying golfers, the less tax burden there is for the club. Please help the club save money by simply signing your name.

LEAGUE PLAY / TOURNAMENTS

The board would love to have you play in our tournaments this year. We are trying to have a variety of tournaments featuring a diversity of formats. All skill levels are welcome at all tournaments. Flighted tournaments give everyone a chance to win, and they are great fun! We are looking, (but not confirmed) to adding a couple tournaments including the possibility of a member/guest tournament and a Ryder cup style border tournament with Holyoke. We have a few tournaments that will take a couple of hours, and a few that will take two days. Some tournaments will require handicaps, so start entering you scores now!

GOLF CLUB PRIDE

We all need to have pride in our golf club, so please clean you cart stall. Get rid of any items that you do not use at the course. The stalls are not a storage stall for unused equipment. The center aisle will be swept if you clean your own area. When you are out on the course and see trash, please pick it up and dispose of it properly. Picking up broken tree branches is also appreciated. Thanks.


2008 projects















Work ground and plant grass on #3 - looking north from green


















Looking south #3
















Construct bridge, reroute water line and finish and fill pond #8


Install metal roof with shade area east side of club house.