CELEBRATING 16 YEARS OF SINGLES GOLF IN AMERICA Kansas City Chapter - American Singles Golf Association - January 2009 Notes From the President I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Holiday Season. Looking back, KCSGA had a great year in 2008 and your new board is making every effort to make 2009 just as successful. Our Golf Chair, Larry Shockley, is lining up some great courses to play this year. Some are old favorites and some we ve never played before. The Lake of the Ozarks and Branson trips are, once again, in the works. When announcements are made on these trips, sign up quickly, as openings go fast. And, you never know, some of our members may arrange another trip like last year s golf adventure to Colorado. Marleen DiMatteo, Social Chair, is promising some fun gatherings for us this year. She has the start of a great committee and I think we are in for some exiting events ahead. Please plan on volunteering for these committees when asked. It takes many planning hours to keep our chapter as interesting as it is. Other chapters have often complimented us on the number events we run in the course of the year and we can not do it with out you. Some of you will be heading for warmer climates, and some of us will be here in KC hoping for a warm day without too much wind. But we will all be playing, or maybe just looking forward to playing on those spring days that we know have to arrive eventually. Because playing golf is what we love to do. ~Maureen McArdle, President Greetings from your Social Committee Hello Fellow Golfers! This is my final social column for the 2008 golf season. I would like to thank everyone for their input, assistance and participation in this year s social events. Our new social chair is Marleen DiMatteo. Marleen has many ideas for the 2009 season and her enthusiasm and energy is contagious. Please feel free to join the social committee to assist and join in the fun. The 1 st and 2 nd Friday in December was held at Manhattans. The music was enjoyed both nights and, once again, we proved that we can dance as well as we golf. I would like to welcome all new members to the KCSGA and encourage everyone to feel free to initiate or suggest a social event. ~Debbie Crowe Now that Christmas is over it's time to start thinking about what the future will bring. First Friday will have varied locations, so check your email for this months establishment. We have a reserved tables usually for these events each month. Anyone with suggestions for upcoming events I would love to hear from you. Dancing, bowling, movies, plays any interest. Please let me know. Happy New Year and Good Golf. ~Marleen DiMatteo Holiday December Membership Meeting If you missed the December meeting of Kansas Singles Golf, here are the cliff notes: 1. New member, Bob Fisher from Denver, attended as a newbee. 2. We have money in the account. Good News! 3. The by laws were approved. 4. Former member Patrick P is getting married at the end of the December. 5. Larry Shockley, golf chair, indicated we would have balanced Meet members from other chapter at these exciting weekends: Wilmington s Winter Chill, Feb. 27-March 1 Orlando & Hilton Head s Hilton Head Weekend, March 13-15 National Website: www.singlesgolf.com E-Mail: ASGANational@aol.com New Office Hours: 8:00am to 4:00pm, M-F (Eastern) National Office: 704-889-4600 or 1-888-GOLFMATE To join ASGA or renew your dues, contact the National Office at above number or go to www.singlesgolf.com/join Regular Meeting Date: Third Thursday of each month Next Meeting: January 15th, 2009 Meeting Location: Kansas City Public House Our Website: www.kansascity.singlesgolf.com Our Hotline: 913-338-9401 (See next page for list of officers and board members.) To join, renew dues, make a change of address, phone, etc., call National Hotline at left.
Kansas City Chapter of the American Singles Golf Association events between Kansas and Missouri, a Branson Trip is planned for October, 2009 and by February all the events will be set, so we will be able to mark our calendars. 6. Veda graciously said, It was an honor and pleasure to be your president please give your support to Maureen in 2009. The meeting closed with a spirited gift exchange, with many spirited gifts. TM President Maureen McArdle mbmcardle@hotmail.com 816-421-3262 Vice President Sandy Kolderup sandyk@everestkc.net 913-780-3066 Naomi Burwell and Dick Summers -Communication Chairs discussing communications Golf Chairperson Larry Shockley slarryshockley@oaol.com 816-616-4050 Social Chairperson Marlene DiMatteo marleenatwork@kc.rr.com 913-451-6255 Communications Chairperson Dick Summers dsummers@summersco.com 913-327-7878 Membership Chairperson Rob Almquist almquistrc@bv.com 913-515-4738 Past Presidents' Dick Summers, Fred Hesselroth, Veda Landon, Larry Maddox, and Paul Lamson gather to encourage the new president. Newsletter Editor Naomi Burwell dodelove@msn.com 816-373-7643 Secretary Nancy Walz nmwalz@gmail.com 913-362-0365 Treasurer Joyce Smith JSmith@cmplaw.net 913-681-8251 Rick Cunningham getting his choice at the Christmas Party Chairperson of the Board Veda Landon vmlandon@hotmail.com 913-338-1218
Travels of our Members Golfers attending News Year s Eve in Orlando Expectations Larry Shockley is looking for warmer weather, (remember we had freezing rain the night of the December meeting) scouted out the venues on a TV special and the PGA looks spectacular. He will not embarrass himself with golf and hopes to meet some new people. The bonus he will get to visit family and friends as part of the trip. Curtis McCall and Frank Pianalto are also making the trek south. Both have attended other events sponsor by the organization, but want to see the big bask up close and personal. Curtis intends to be low key, not wake up the next morning with a hangover. However, the plastic world traveling bottle will not be filled with water or Gatoraide on the final day. This reporter hopes to give you an account of the actual event when our boys and girls return. Curtis McCall and Larry Shockley practicing for New Year's Eve in Orlando Rock Mountain High No. Grand Canyon High for Maureen and Naomi Tiffany Greens tingle, a B- at best compared to stepping on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon after an 8 hour climb from the Colorado River. Maureen McArdle and Naomi Burwell just finished a three day hike in and out of the Grand Canyon. Breakfasting in the century old lodge at the Rim, they started their decent before the sun crested the mountains in a 25 degree chill. One last picture, with questionable smiles, they stepped over the precipice and started down. South Kabob, their trail of choice, is known for amazing vistas, but steep grades. Both were true. Six hours later, very sore legs, and extremely weary bodies stepped on the sandy shores of the Colorado River over 5,000 feet below the rim. Perhaps the most dangerous part of the trek was trying to get into and out of the upper bunk of their sleeping accommodations. Two nights at Phantom Ranch with a hike up part of North Kabob readied the girls to tackle the ascent. They left the chow house well before first light, and hiked with flashlights until the dawn illuminated the trail. The plan was to make the summit in 10 hours. Our seasoned hikers eclipsed their target time by 2 hours. The hike up Bright Angel Trail (10 + miles) had two very steep areas, one of which was positioned on the last 2 miles of the trail. Both girls would rate this as the best experience ever. The personal exhilaration was amazing. They would both recommend giving the Canyon a try. Maureen and hiking friends pause in the red rock layers Half way out of the GrandCanyon, Naomi checks the miles to go Maureen checking her pack Maureen McArdle and Naomi Burwell begin their decent into the Grand Canyon
Robert Trent Jones Little Challenge for Bruce Anderson Capital Hills, The Judge, a very scenic course was just a little too much for Bruce and friends during a recent golf outing to Alabama. The weather was the greatest challenge on the course. Wind, rain, and 40 degrees make the difficult course almost unmanageable. Day two was played northeast of Birmingham at Silver Lakes with many elevated greens. The third day was sent on the Valley Course in Birmingham. The final day dawned too cold to make the attempt, so Bruce has four rain checks for the Mountain Course. All the courses were in good shape, very scenic with lots of elevation changes. November may be a bit late for enjoying the Robert Trent Jones Trail, however Bruce did score well. Doesn t he always. If you have questions or desire to try the trail, Bruce would be delighted to give you his insight on the does and don t. ABOUT OUR MEMBERS Happy Birthday to these members: Jesse Lininger - 02/09 Steve Lovett - 02/02 Debbie Opfer - 01/18 Frank Pianalto - 01/08 Anne Sieg - 01/13 Judith Stoltz - 01/05 These members are up for renewal: (date shown is last day of membership) Laurie Burgess - 01/31/2009 Debbie Crowe - 01/31/2009 John Cusick - 01/31/2009 Susan Firoved - 01/31/2009 Dan Grandcolas - 01/31/2009 Paul Lamson - 01/31/2009 Anne Sieg - 01/31/2009 Judith Stoltz - 01/31/2009 Welcome newest members: Sandra Callaway - Joined 11/18/2008 Debbie Crowe - Joined 12/30/2008 Robert Fischer - Joined 12/10/2008 Kyong Yu - Joined 11/19/2008 These members did not renew their dues: (date shown is date membership expired) Don Richter - 12/31/2008 Bruce Anderson getting the lay of the land at Capital Hill's the Judge Rules and More Rules Larry s golf ball rolled to a position of rest directly behind a rather large divot clump that was not completely detached and projecting upward several inches directly in front of his ball. Of course Larry did the only natural thing and lifted the clump up and tossed it aside. His playing partners called a 2 stoke penalty. Larry protested. Who was right? What is the correct answer below? A. Larry was in error. He can not remove the divot clump. He should have pressed it down with his foot and left it in place. One stroke penalty B. The playing partners were wrong; the divot clump could be moved. C. Larry was wrong, his partners were right, Larry may not remove the divot or press it down before playing his stroke. Two stroke penalty. D. The partners were on the right track, a penalty should have been assessed, but only one stoke. Answer: The answer is C. Larry was wrong and should have been assessed a two (2) stroke penalty. Larry was in violation of USGA Rule 13-2 which pertains to Improving Lie, Area of Intended Stance or Swing, or Line of Play. The rule is very explicit, you are not allowed to improve your lie, area of stance or swing, or your line of play. The basic play it as it lies rule. The penalty for violating the rule in match play is loss of the hole; in stroke play the penalty is two strokes.
CELEBRATING 16 YEARS OF SINGLESGOLF IN AMERICA AMERICAN SINGLES GOLF ASSOCIATION JANUARY, 2009 Valentine s Day: Saturday, February 14th, 2009 Love on the Links was a headline a reporter named his article which appeared in a newspaper years ago. It was a great article about ASGA but it was a great headline as well. Since then, the Charlotte chapter has borrowed the headline and created an annual golf outing with the same name. It initially was played on the Saturday on or around Valentine s Day each year as a way to interest new members and to get the season kicked-off. Since then, it s been moved into early Spring (gosh, it got cold in February!). Let s take advantage of an upcoming date: Valentine s Day falls on a Saturday this year. ASGA National would like for all chapters to run a Love on the Links tournament with the goal to expose ASGA to more singles. It s a great way to start your new year and a great way to generate interest in your chapter. So watch for the link on our website (SinglesGolf.com) and we ll provide press releases and other information to help you get a new tradition going for your chapter for 2009 and beyond. Welcome New Chapter Leaders! Just as we turn the corner on the new year, we also turn the corner with new leadership in each of our seventy chapters nationwide. New leaders bring new ideas. Last year s chapter presidents become Board chairs and offer continuity to the leadership, but it s the new president that emerges as the team leader. This is our annual ritual and somehow it works. It s been said that the greatest thing about being a chapter president is that one day you get to become a past president. Those who have served in that capacity this past year deserve your thanks as those of us at national headquarters thanks them as well. With or without your knowledge, chapter presidents are in contact with the national office many times throughout the year, looking after your concerns. But the Number One job for a chapter president is to delegate. Delegate to the four key people know as committee chairs. Your chapter should have by now your four key committees organized for 2007: golf, social, membership and communication. Those committees do the detail work on the activities your chapter will be involved in over the next year. It s a great place to start if you want to volunteer for your chapter. So we welcome the new chapter presidents, officers and committee members. Make the best of your year. Realize the potential of what your local chapter can mean to you. We re all about bringing happiness to your life, so just continue to remember the first word in our three-word slogan we adopted almost 15 years ago... fun, fellowship, fairways... and all we ask is that you keep it fun first! Keys to a Great Year Ahead No doubt, everyone has their mental list of what works and what doesn t. Here s our Top 10 Recommendations for new leaders: Regarding your meetings, remember the three E s: make them Entertaining, Educational and Enlightening Encourage every member to invite a guest to each meeting. That automatically doubles the attendance. Most people don t join because they were never asked to join. New people have their own circle of friends who will join as well. Display the free brochure stands at golf courses. They work! Remember to work as a team. You re not going to win every battle. Always keep the interest of the chapter as your priority. Follow your bylaws. They re on the national website if you ve never read them. They provide the structure for your chapter. Submit guest names via our online add-a-guest form. One out of three guests become members! Encourage attendance at multi-chapter events in order to get the full experience of ASGA from members across the country. Read newsletters from other chapters (posted on the national website under List of Chapters ) to get additional ideas. Dates: Feb. 27-Mar. 1, 2009 Wilmington s Winter Chill Our Wilmington chapter will again host their Winter Chill which will be in the Southern Pines / Pinehurst area of North Carolina. Check out all of the details on this and other upcoming multichapter weekend events at www.singlesgolf.com/events Who s Your Daddy? Now that we ve caught your attention, what we really want to know is Who s Your Chapter President? Please make sure SOMEONE in your chapter has notified ASGA National of the names of your newly elected officers and board members. We need this information for the 2009 newsletters. Of utmost important is who your treasurer will be so we can issue the chapter portion of the dues to the right person. Email this info to our office manager, Irene Matthews at ASGANational@aol.com. And remember to update your website with the new chapter leaders as well. - Tom Alsop, President / Founder American Singles Golf Association 1-888-GOLFMATE (1-888-465-3628)