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.