El Cariso Senior Men s Golf Club CHIPS from the Bunker December 31, 2018 WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON The holiday season brings family and friends together; it helps us appreciate the love in our lives we can often take for granted. Enjoy yourself and make the most of this special time of the year. Notes from the Editor - (Stan Edick): Greetings fellow club members: We should all thank Bill Gardner for his work as Editor of Chips. He was undoubtedly too humble to thank himself in his last issue of CHIPS (the Sept. Issue), and since there was not a co-editor to do it for him, I would like us to recognize and thank him for the excellent work that he did as CHIPS editor. In this issue Message from the Co-Presidents along with updates from the various Board Members concerning their areas of responsibility. New USGA golf rules for 2019 A summary of how the Ryder Cup matches work Some golf quotes by famous golfers A few important benefits of playing golf 1
Message from the Co-Presidents - (Ray West and Les Bittenson) Greetings Fellow Golfers: "WE NEED YOUR HELP"... That is how we started our message in the last CHIPS and the message is still the same... Membership Renewals are coming in slowly... Due to physical challenges several of our previous members do not plan to be active in 2019... We need additional active members... and we need them NOW... It takes 35 tournament paying members for our tournaments to break even financially... That number is becoming a challenge for our Thursday Club Tournaments... Bring a buddy to the Dec18 Free Lunch and introduce him to the group... Bring prospective members to the regular Thursday Tournament and have them experience El Cariso as a great course for Seniors... The greens are great, the course is challenging, the PRICE IS RIGHT both for membership and Green Fees and most of all, the members are welcoming and fun to be with...our membership age STARTS at 50... Some early retirement gents would be great The primary goal of our club is and always has been, to have fun, enjoy the game and get some much needed exercise and mental relaxation... And yes, some Trophy's, Bragging Rights and envelopes with cash on those very good days... This is OUR CLUB... we need each other s help.. (See Page 8 for Membership Renewal Application) Upcoming Events (January through April 2019): There will be a regular weekly tournament every Thursday during this period. 2
NEW USGA GOLF RULES FOR 2019 These rules take effect January 1,2019 Ball moved Player accidentally moves his or her ball during search or on putting green New rule: No penalty. Current rule: 1-stroke penalty. Double hit Player accidentally hits the ball more than once during a stroke. New rule: No penalty. Current rule: 1-stroke penalty. Dropping procedure How to drop a ball New rule: The ball must be dropped straight down from knee height (the height of the player s knee when in a standing position). Current rule: Stand erect; hold the ball at shoulder height and arm s length. Lost ball Time allowed for a ball search New rule: A ball is lost if not found in three minutes. Current rule: A ball is lost if not found in five minutes. Embedded ball Taking relief for a ball embedded in its own pitch-mark New rule: A player may take relief without penalty for an embedded ball anywhere in the general area (new term for through the green ), unless a Local Rule has been adopted restricting relief only to areas cut to fairway height or less. The general area is the new term for through the green. Current rule: Relief is allowed only in areas cut to fairway height or less, unless a Local Rule has been adopted allowing relief anywhere (except in sand) through the green. Putting green Replacing a ball on the putting green when it moves from its spot after it already had been lifted and replaced New rule: The ball must always be replaced on its original spot, even if it was blown by the wind or moved for no clear reason. Current rule: The ball is replaced only if a player or outside agency caused it to move; otherwise, the ball is played from its new location. Putting green Putting with an unattended flagstick left in the hole New rule: No penalty if a ball played from the putting green (or anywhere else) hits the unattended flagstick in hole. 3
Current rule: Loss of hole/2-stroke penalty if the ball is played from the putting green and hits the unattended flagstick in hole. Penalty areas Player moves loose impediments, touches the ground with hand or club or grounds the club in a penalty area when the ball is in the penalty area New rule: No penalty. Current rule: Loss of hole/2-stroke penalty (with exceptions). Bunkers Unplayable ball relief options New rule: A player may take relief outside the bunker back on the line from the hole through where ball was at rest for 2 penalty strokes. Current rule: No relief outside the bunker (other than in playing from where the player s last stroke was made). Pace of play Playing out of turn in stroke play New rule: No penalty (as today), and ready golf is encouraged when it can be done in a safe and responsible way. Current rule: No penalty, but the current Rule is written in a way that may imply that playing out of turn is wrong or is not allowed. 4
THE RYDER CUP The Ryder Cup is a biennial golf competition between teams from Europe and and United States. Named after English businessman Samuel Ryder who donated the trophy, the first match took place in 1927. Initially contested between the United States and Great Britain, U.S. dominance led to the inclusion of continental Europe with the Great Britain team in 1979. Since 1979, Europe has won ten times outright and retained the Cup once in a tied match, with eight American wins over this time. The competition takes place on a Friday thru a Sunday with a total of 28 match play matches being played. On Friday and Saturday there are four fourball matches and four foursomes matches each day. On Sunday there are twelve singles matches. In a foursomes match the two teams of 2 golfers each play alternate shots producing a single score on the hole for each team. In a fourball match, the 2 golfers from each team play their own ball on each hole and the best ball score for each team is compared for the match play on each hole. Selection of the American team is based on prize money earned in PGA Tour events, the 4 majors, the World Golf Championships, and the Players Championship. Eight team members are selected by this criteria, and the remaining 4 members are Captain s Picks. This past September the Ryder Cup was held at Le Golf National in France. Europe won the Cup by a final score of 17 1/2 to 10 1/2. Some interesting facts about the Ryder Cup: The Ryder Cup was played outside the British Isles in Europe for the first time in 1997 when it was played at Valderrama Golf Club in Spain. Since 1979 The US team has won 8 matches, while Europe has won 12 with 1 tie. The US team has not won the Cup outside of the US since 1993. The 2020 Ryder Cup will be held at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin. 5
TREASURER S REPORT (Bill Gardner) As of November 30, 2018 Gentlemen (using the term loosely): This is my first report as your newly elected Treasurer. I received the check book and financial files on November 8 th. At that time the reconciled bank statement of October 31, 2018 showed a bank balance in the amount of $4,586.14 as shown below. Beginning Balance: $4,586.14 Revenues: (10 Membership Dues) $ 600.00 Disbursements: Printing $ 30.06 Club Championship Prizes $ 125.00 Ending Balance at 11/30/18: $5,031.08 I am honored to serve as the Club Treasurer, and I appreciate the trust you have invested in me. I pledge to serve faithfully and honestly and to provide proper stewardship of the club s funds. 6
Handicap News Update - (Dale Thomson): Hi Guys: The new requirement to post in order to be eligible for flight winner s payouts seems to be working for the most part. Let s all keep up the good work. Scorecard Errors Since we have discovered so many addition errors on scorecards, the members are reminded of the following policies: An addition error on the card will invalidate any consideration of the score of that player for place money. If a score is not posted in the SCGA handicap system, that player will not be considered for place money. If there is a discrepancy between the card and the posted score, the higher number will be used for scoring purposes. It is EVERY PLAYER S responsibility to ensure the accuracy of the Scorecard (Not Just the Scorekeeper). Best to keep two scorecards in your group and make sure they are consistent and accurate. Golf Quotes Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots: you get good breaks from bad shots - but you have to play the ball where it lies. - Bobby Jones Hit the shot you know you can hit, not the one you think you should. - Dr. Bob Rotella Of all the hazards, fear is the worst. - Sam Snead This is a game of misses. The guy who misses the best is going to win. - Ben Hogan Benefits of Playing Golf Exposure to the outdoors The nature of playing golf on courses as large as 200 acres requires players to be outdoors. Basking in nature provides us many health benefits for our mind and body. Studies have shown that constant exposure green areas relaxes the body, reduces stress and can aid in alleviating anxiety. Furthermore, exposure to sunlight allows the body to soak up vitamin D from the sun, promoting bone growth in youth and reducing the risk of depression, heart disease and certain cancers. Fosters relationships Golf is a very socially enjoyable sport. It can be a great way to keep in touch with friends, provide opportunities to meet new people and help connect a community. Since golf is a game of that is not as highly intense or competitive as soccer or 7
basketball, there is plenty of down time and silence for interacting with fellow golfers. Studies have even shown that a great number of business deals are closed on the golf course! Burns calories Covering 30 to 200 acres means a lot of walking! Skipping out on the golf cart and walking the average course can cover a distance between five to seven kilometers. If you opt to carry your own clubs, you ll burn even more calories, too! With all the walking, carrying and swinging involved, golfers can burn up to 1000 calories in a single game. Keeps your heart rate up Playing golf can lead to quite a bit of exercise for your heart. As is the case with burning calories, the walking, carrying and swinging will increase your heart rate, keeping it pumping and increasing blood flow. Naturally, this will lower your risks for heart diseases and decrease levels of bad cholesterol. General Business Meeting and Luncheon: The General Business meeting for the fourth quarter of 2018 will be held at Denny s Restaurant in Sylmar on Tuesday, December 18. The quarterly business meetings are held in accordance with the club s By-Laws. They are open to all members and everyone is encouraged to attend. Lunch is provided. The meeting minutes will be posted on the club s website: www.ecsmgc.com News from the El Cariso Golf Course Manager: Scott Williams, owner of the course management firm, GolfLinks reported as follows: The parking lot work has been completed The driving range is back to normal condition. Work has begun in the Vista Room (banquet room). Drywall, paint, lighting, and doors. It will be a lengthy project but the room will remain open for business during that time. The golf course remains in very good playing condition. A few select tees are in the process of being lengthened. The Board of Directors The By-Laws in Article VII provides for the election of officers who shall comprise the Board of Directors. Currently the designated Board members are as follows: Co-President/Tournament Chair: Ray West (818) 620-4310 Co-President/Membership Chair: Les Bittenson (818) 998-3188 8
Past President/Handicap Chair: Dale Thomson - (818) 893-1842 Director at Large: George McNeil (818) 782-5357 Secretary: Al Roth (818) 891-2882 Treasurer: Bill Gardner (818) 843-7614 Website Manager: Saied Haghighi (310) 944-4642 Bereavement/Illness: Chet Christenson (818) 830-1912 Editor Newsletter: Stan Edick - (661) 645-8360 9