PARKERSBURG COUNTRY CLUB 1902 NEWSLETTER FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT

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1 PARKERSBURG COUNTRY CLUB 1902 NEWSLETTER August 2018 FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT Greetings and Salutations: Ain t it great to be a member of the best private club in the State! There is so much going on this time of year, it s hard to keep track. The golf course is enjoying constant play and the special events, like the WV Ladies Amateur, remind us what a great course we have. The weather has not been kind this year but Pat and his crew are keeping the course in the best shape possible. How about those new golf carts? They have been considered for some time but it was finally time to pull the trigger. In addition, we have a firm plan for replacement in the future so we never get saddled with old carts again. The pool season is fantastic! The bar is hopping, especially on Thursday nights! The whole Club is rockin. The new golf carts lead me to thoughts about additional upgrades and improvements. Unfortunately, that reminds me about rumors I ve recently heard. Let me speak for a minute about rumors. As you may know, I despise addressing rumors because they are rarely true and always negative. However, one recently has caught my attention. Some seem to think the Club is in dire financial straits. That is simply not true. I m sure some of the decisions the BOG have made over the last few years could leave that impression, but, hey, ask me instead of spreading rumors. That s the gentlemanly and ladylike thing to do. Given the rumors, the BOG has asked me to go through some details in this letter. A little over five years ago, the Club had approximately $850,000 of revolving, floating rate debt. The clubhouse and course were in desperate need of attention. The board decided to begin the needed upgrades and remove the uncertainties of floating debt. Since that time we have invested over $1 million in the clubhouse and course, purchased the pro shop, spent over $300,000 in long term repairs, and generally have the course, pool, clubhouse and all the amenities in the best shape they have been for decades. In that process we determined, as I mentioned last month, that the capital needs are never ending and aggressive debt repayment was the most sensible course of action. There was also no purpose in holding extensive reserves while paying interest on debt. We also decided that extraneous assets, like the house, should be liquidated and put back into club enhancements. Where are we today; cash poor and asset rich, by design! We make monthly payments on the long term debt of over $25,000 per month and today that balance, even after the $1M+ in capital expenditures and absorbing the carryover debt of $850,000, is a little over $900,000. Our goal is to aggressively reduce that debt, quite frankly, so a future BOG can borrow for the

2 August 2018 NEWSLETTER next project. There will ALWAYS be big projects as part of the long range plan. The summer months are the costliest for the Club because we have expanded costs that are covered by a steady monthly revenue stream (we are a dues organization). Now, we see our enhanced reputation across the State as the best course and facility has made us the desirable membership, even for people from Charleston. Membership, especially younger members, is expanding, and that is essential for a healthy club. All facilities are at a sustainable maintenance standard. Your Club is perfectly poised for growth in the future. Yes, we could refinance our debt at anytime and improve our cash position by over $10,000 per month. But how long do you want to wait for that new indoor golf facility or covered patio by the pool or the myriad of enhancements to the course. No, we ll just keep on keeping it tight! You thought I was finished! Nope! Now let s talk about people. Kate has assembled and continues to inspire one of the best, varied, teams of professionals I ve ever seen. Additionally, under her guidance and leadership, they all work together for the betterment of the Club. At the risk of leaving someone out, let s go through a short roster. Carl is the king of party planners in the State. Everyone wants him to plan their event and you won t find any better. Scott is the face of golf and respected across the State. The member programs he organizes are tremendous and his organization of large events and statewide events has earned him a great reputation. Pat has done things with our golf course most have never imagined. His professionalism in dealing with his crew and the members is exceptional and his knowledge of horticulture regarding the course is beyond question. Additionally, his crew keeps our front door looking fresh and attractive. Megan has brought her culinary skills and education to lift our food and beverage to levels we haven t seen in as long as I can remember, and she s just getting started. Her work with Kenny, enhancing his abilities and fine-tuning the kitchen, is paying the Club dividends! Lewis is the member s gentleman and has the men s club humming, and occasionally the front patio for couples and ladies. Robert continues to improve the bar experience. BJ is on top of every piece of the club and keeps things in top working order and has been integral to the maintenance of our interior integrity. Mercedes imparts her management skills and ideas in everything from food and beverage to membership to party planning. Adam is the face of youth golf and with Scott, is leading a highly successful outreach program in the schools for youth. Debbie and Linda have the office humming, even though our approach to cash adds a lot of stress on Debbie. And this doesn t mention the staff that is so integral to your club experience! So, to get back to the rumor, NO, the best private club facility in the state, with the best management team, and with expanding membership, and with expanding programs, and with successful outreach, and with a reputation of excellence, is not anywhere near to closing. If you hear anyone say otherwise, just say Bullshit! and give them my number! Until next time, I ll see you at the Club! Ed McDonough

3 The Annual Member Guest Tournament is scheduled for Thursday through Saturday, August 2nd through the 4th. The kick-off poolside Cocktail Dinner party will be Thursday, August 2nd at 7:00pm - Jesse DeBarr will provide entertainment along with a buffet created by our Culinary professionals. Non-Tournament Members can attend this event by reservations only. The cost for the event is $50.00 per person. Tournament players will have breakfast and lunches both Friday and Saturday in the Clubhouse. Saturday evenings finale party Classic Key West will start at 7:00pm on Old #18 Fairway. Once again we have paired with Event Designs / DJ & Associates to create a festive evening Key West style. Non-tournament Members may attend this event at the cost of $75.00 per person and by reservation only. Attire for the Saturday Evening event is Island Casual - No Denim please. We promise a great menu and look forward to a fun-filled weekend for our Members to show off our beautiful Club facilities. course, and wonderful

4 August 2018 NEWSLETTER Welcoming New Members August Golf Events John & Wendy Ralston Robert Vanni Chase & Megan Marshall Shawn Manzo Jarrod & Kathryn Epkey Bryen McHenry Jacob Raber Kelli Barton Every Thursday Men s Golf League Every Tuesday Ladies Golf League Every Week Ladies 9 & 18 Holers League August 3rd & 4th Member Guest August 5th Junior Tournament Know anyone you would like to propose for Membership at PCC Contact any of our Membership Team, Kate, Carl, Mercedes, or Scott for information and assistance. or (304) August 6th Camden Clark Tournament August 12th Senior Tournament August 13th High School Invitational August 25th & 26th PCC Championship

5 FROM THE GOLF PROFESSIONAL August Golf Update This golf season has gone by in a blur and it is hard to believe we are only a month away from WVU Football. We have had a great last few weeks highlighted by the recent victory in the Member Member by Stevie Lamp and Rick Rhoades as well as an awesome PCC Drive for Charity tournament which saw 3 different charities split up over $6,000. The golf course has held up very well considering the rough couple weeks we had to endure in late June (8 inches of rain in 7 days) and early July (10 days of 100+ degree heat indexes). I know that about every golf course in the state is fighting rough course conditions but it seems like we are above average with the best putting surfaces around. Please take note of our changes in the normal schedule for our Club Championships. Instead of our typical Labor Day Men s Club Championship, we are holding Championship Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, August 25 th and 26 th. We will be having multiple championships contested over this tournament weekend including our Men s, Ladies, and Junior Club Championships. Signup Sheets are up in the golf shop and we feel like this format will create some extra excitement and more participation as we get this championship away from the Labor Day Holiday. I am extremely happy with the direction of the PCC Youth Sports Organization. We have implemented a golf program into 4 local elementary schools as well as prepaid for golf rounds for all of these students at Minibel. As of this writing, over 250 rounds of golf have been played through this program with ZERO cost to these young golfers. Along with the golf, this program is also offering free loaner clubs and even golf balls with the organizations logo. We are not done yet as we will start to expand our focus into the Junior High Schools by assisting young golfers with donated equipment and even some instruction. Thanks you for your support of this entity over the last few years and we are always happy to see a donation come in. If you have any questions about this program or would like to help, please feel free to find me. See you on the course!!

6 August 2018 NEWSLETTER 2018 WV Ladies Amateur Tournament Winner Wow, what a phenomenal showing from our PCC Members participating in the 2018 WV Ladies Amateur Tournament held over the weekend. Congratulations to the Winner Adeena Shears, 2 nd Place Natalie Cooke, and a tie for 3 rd Place Lauryn Davidson. Junior Player Nicole Lincicome played great as well! Kudos to everyone and we hope you had a great time. Thanks to our Pros and Golf Shop Staff for always pulling off great tournaments. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

7 Dinner along the River Event If you were able to join us you experienced the biggest treat of the summer at Parkersburg Country Club. The weather was pristine! The location was perfect and the food was phenomenal. Our Event, and Food & Beverage staff knocked this one out of the park! I hope you can join us this fall for another Dinner along the River event. / Dates will be announced soon!

8 August 2018 NEWSLETTER Saturday Night Live in the Bar for August Every Saturday Night we will feature live music from 6pm to 8pm for your enjoyment. Weather permitting we will move outside to the beautiful patio area! August 4 Member Guest - Bar Closed August 11 Dan Swanson August 18 Jesse DeBarr Pool Hours Monday 11-5 Tuesday & Wednesday 11-7:30 Thursday 11-9 Friday, Saturday & Sunday 11-7:30 August 25 Will Crichton Trio

9 FROM THE COURSE SUPERINTENDENT The PCC Piranhas Swim Team It has been an odd year for weather to say the least, with what seemed to be an endless winter/spring with a ton of rain. We then went right into the heat, and the golf course performed very well, however, the last week of June brought a week of rain that when all was said and done was over eight inches. The rain alone we could have handled well, but the days after brought extreme heat. When you have that combination the water that puddles is a problem, but it is much more than that. The soils become saturated and when that water heats up is where the problems begin. The damage in our fairways and roughs are from where the roots cooked under the ground. The only way to battle that damage is drainage. Greens are not as difficult to battle hot soils because they are a much smaller area. By using small amounts of irrigation you can actually cool down the atmosphere around the green for a little while. In the end you might be able to keep soil temps down around 90 degrees in times that they could easily go over 100. That isn t ideal, but it is still a big difference. In the three seasons I have been here, prior to this year, we haven t had back to back weeks that were that extreme, but we still struggled with #7 green. The drainage work that we did on that green last winter is helping tremendously. The lines that you see from the drains will fade over time but the over all health of the green is way better, in a season that should have given it major problems. Pat Maher

10 JULY 2018 NEWSLETTER Sunday After Church Specials August 5 Baked Steak August 12th Breakfast Buffet August 19th Roasted Pork Loin August 26th Pecan Chicken Contact Us Give us a call for more information about Club services & events Parkersburg Country Club st Avenue P.O. Box 5147 Vienna, WV (304) Fax (304) Kate Swisher, General Manager Visit us on the web at Water Aerobic Classes We are offering Water Aerobics on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Debbie Amigo is a Certified Water Aerobics instructor and will be leading the sessions. Ages 15 and up are welcome. The cost will be $8 per classes. We hope to see you there! Dining Hours Tuesday Thursday Dinner 5pm - 9pm Tuesday Saturday Lunch 11am Friday Dinner 5pm - 10pm Saturday Dinner 5pm - 9pm Sunday Board of Governors Ed McDonough - President Lana Mohr Weaver- Vice President Rhonda Poling - Treasurer Taia Lincicome - Secretary Bob Fehrenbacher Dexter Hughes Jason Lewis Frank Northrup George Cosenza