THE VILLAGES GOLF COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Friday, April 6, 2018 Montgomery Center The meeting was called to order at 9:00AM by Dave Needham, Chairman Committee Members Present: Wayne Bodamer-Programs, Gary Chappell-Golf Clubs Committee Co-Chair, Ken Peters Golf Analysis Chairman, Ray Struck-Golf Course Committee Chairman, Mary Wagle Communication/Education Chair and Recording Secretary Committee Members Absent: Bev Poellot-Golf Clubs Committee Co-Chair and Scott Steele-Head Pro Board Members Present: Rick Casey, Debbie Champion, Teddy Morse, Mike Poellot, and Wayne Weiler Approval of March 2018 Meeting Minutes - A motion was made by Gary Chappell to approve the March 2018 VGC Meeting Minutes, and Ray Struck seconded the motion. All were in favor, and minutes are approved. Welcoming Remarks by Chairman From the NCGA dedicated e-blast Be a Member for a Day we have gotten 58 people interested in touring The Villages. So, Dave has had to add more Ambassadors. Plus, he said that Ambassadors should not discourage prospects from looking for a home, as 13 residences have sold in the past two months, and there are seven homes on the market right now at The Villages. Dave remarked on the recent article in the San Jose Mercury News home section that profiled The Villages, and the committee agreed that the article was excellent. Lastly, Dave said that upcoming projects need more investigation at the outset, and that those projects affecting safety and code compliance would take priority. Golf Analysis Committee Ken Peters reported that green fee revenue for February 2018 is $102.1K, which is a $22.3K favorable variance. Fiscal year to date green fee revenue is $919.9, which is a $90.9K favorable variance. For February 2018, total golf revenue is $179.7K, which is a $31.9K favorable variance. Fiscal year to date total golf revenue is $1574.6K, which is a $131.3K favorable variance. Green fee revenue continues strong now at 71% of the full year with only four months left. The strong green fee revenue is offsetting the overrun in golf expenses, and for the period Dec/Jan/Feb this FY18 is $95K greater than the same period in FY17. Expenses in February were $143.7K, which is a $8.5 favorable variance, and fiscal expenses were $1539.6K for a $90.8K unfavorable variance. There is a current surplus of $40.6K in the budget. The unfavorable variance in expenses is due to water, electricity, and tree trimming. Ken is looking at the electrical KWH and is working with management to find ways to reduce consumption. Full report attached. Golf Program Report Dave Needham for Scott Steele reported that for February 2018, total rounds were 3,667 versus 2,264 from the previous year, and this is a 1,403 round positive variance. In February, member rounds were up 585, guest rounds were up 209, nine-hole rounds were up 424, and par 3 rounds were up 186. Guest rounds for February 2018 showed 158 unaccompanied, 322 member guests, 24 guest day rounds, and 238 tournament rounds. Year to date, there are 33,206 total rounds, versus 29,279 from the prior year, which is a 3,927 positive variance. Year to date member 18-hole rounds are up 1,968, guest rounds up 918, nine-hole rounds up 317, and par 3 rounds up 724 over the prior year. Dave said that all clubs should heavily promote the April 29, 2018 Swinging for Memories tournament benefitting the Alzheimer s Association of America. Golf Shop sales were $2,249 better to budget in February. Year to date merchandise sales are $27,811 better to budget and $16,975 ahead of last year. Renee Woolard has proven to be a great asset to the Pro Shop staff, and she handles all member data entry and provides great customer service. Scott will be back from vacation on April 9. Tom Morse, who was in the audience, brought up that ten tournaments have been scheduled during Wednesday Men s Club play. Tom suggested that the tournaments begin at noon so that this does not impact the Wednesday group. Dave said that we need to work with Scott to maximize income, while keeping in mind Villagers First, so that there s a fair balance. Full report attached,
Golf Course Report Ray Struck for Mike Scully reported that the greens aeration is complete, and the work went well. The greens have noticeable improvement, and they are being rolled as per the normal schedule of Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. There is some disease on the par 3 greens that will be sprayed with fungicide next week. Debris clean-up has continued. The fairways and tees are in good shape after rye grass seeding this past fall. Tree trimming has started with the ones that are negatively impacting the new irrigation system. All work on the trees and grass edging will be complete prior to the cart path slurry seal project in May. Broadleaf weed spraying has begun, mainly in the rough areas, along with spot watering dry areas in the rough. The new sprinkler system audits are continuing, along with adjustments. The second round of crabgrass control spraying has started on the entire course, except for the greens. Tee aeration will be done in May on a Monday, so players will not be affected by the work. Sprinkler yardage markers will be done by May 15. The staff is prepared for the Bandini Patrol to start up on April 10, and staff appreciates the volunteers who do this work. Full report attached. Golf Course Committee Ray Struck had nothing to add to the golf course report provided by Mike Scully. No report for the month. Golf Programs Committee Wayne Bodamer reported that his committee continues with their efforts to find groups and functions to maximize under-utilized tee times, particularly on Thursday and Sunday afternoons. Mary Wagle has started a Thursday afternoon group that joins the 1:10PM shotgun, and this will be promoted to the entire golf community. Bev Poellot and Mary Wagle have organized Sunday Partners Golf. There was a good response to the March 11 Sunday Partners Golf with six foursomes playing, and the April 15 event is completely filled with eight foursomes, with one foursome on the wait list. The upcoming Just For Fun events are being spearheaded by Gisele Barber and Dave Salvatierra. Full report attached. Golf Clubs Committee Mary Chaboya for Bev Poellot reported that John Eige from the Ironmen sent a suggestion to the USGA that the new handicap system should include par-3 play by just using a maximum handicap of 18 (double bogey) in place of the 27 (triple bogey) for a regulation nine holes. Mary also showed the committee a pocket card that the Ironmen use for potential members. The Shonis are going to be promoting the Clyne Soley Tournament on May 19, and it s open to all players. As previously reported, dual membership between the Swingers and 18 Hole Ladies Club failed to pass with the Swingers, with only 26 pro votes. There has been a problem with double billing for players who had both NCGA and WGANC handicaps, which is being worked on by the men and woman 18-hole clubs. Golfers are not supposed to receive cash prizes, only gift cards, in order to protect amateur status. Mike and Bev Poellot were thanked for hosing a new 18 Hole Ladies social at their house. The 18 Hole Ladies are now able to flight their play from the #2 tees. Dick Fisher, who was in the audience, gave kudos to everyone involved in joint events among the six golf clubs, as it promotes a strong golf community. Full report attached. Communication and Education Committee Mary Wagle reported that Laura Swenson attended the New Resident Orientation on March 7, and she got seven leads for golf. Three people were interested in the Men s Club, two interested in lessons, and two interested in the Shonis. Names were passed to the two respective clubs, and to Scott Steele for the two ladies interested in lessons. The Golf Interest sheet has been modified to include email addresses, per a request from Dave Gonzales through Gary Chappell. We re running out of the tri-fold brochures, so Dave Needham is working on re-printing. Ken Peters asked if all six golf clubs, and the VGC, could proofread the brochure before it gets printed. Full report attached. Meeting adjourned at 10:20AM The next VGC Meeting will be on Friday, May 4, 2018, Montgomery Center, 9:00AM Minutes recorded by Mary Wagle, Secretary 2 P a g e
Analysis Committee Report to VGC for Mar 2018 (data as of Feb '18) OPERATIONAL FINANCIALS Feb Revenue (GrnFee Only) FYTD Revenue (Grnfee Only) Actual Budget Variance Actual Budget Variance 102.1K 79.8K 22.3K FAV 919.9K 829.0K 90.9K FAV 1. GREEN FEE revenue continues strong now at 71% of full year budget with 4 mos left 2. FYTD Green Fee performance strength alone is offsetting overrun in golf expense 3. Green Fee in Dec/Jan/Feb FY18 is 95K greater than same period in FY17 Feb Total Golf Revenue FYTD Total Golf Revenue Actual Budget Variance Actual Budget Variance 179.7K 147.8K 31.9K FAV 1574.6K 1443.2K 131.3K FAV 1. FYTD Tot Golf Rev continues strong with PS merch adding 25.5K to FAV position 2. Pro Shop Merchandise sales continues to strongly exceed budget 3. For second month straight every Golf revenue item was better than budget a. AND every Golf revenue item was better than budget for the entire FYTD Feb Total Golf Expense FYTD Total Golf Expenses Actual Budget Variance Actual Budget Variance 143.7K 152.2K 8.5K FAV 1539.6K 1448.8K 90.8K UNFAV 1. FYTD Water & Electric & Tree trim continue as budget issues - no change expected Feb Total Golf Surplus (Deficit) FYTD Total Golf Surplus (Deficit) Actual Budget Variance Actual Budget Variance 36.0K (4.4K) 40.4K Surplus 34.9K (5.6K) 40.6K Surplus 1. Strong revenue performance has provided a 40.6K surplus FYTD GOLF Play Report 1. Feb Play report rev and F/S rev difference is over 5K - somewhat disturbing????? FY19 Budget and Reserve Plan 1. Expense issues in FY18 budget at first glimpse are repaired for FY19 2. FY19 reserve funds continues development - VGC 5 yr planning effort contributed 3. Expect Golf Course Reserve Fund to be conservative due to Operational Fund issues 3 P a g e
Golf Operations Report February 2018 Scott Steele PGA Head Golf Professional February 2018 Rounds Total Rounds were 3,667 versus 2,264 prior year (1,403 round positive variance) Member rounds up 585 in FEBRUARY year over year Guest rounds up 209 in FEBRUARY year over year 9-Hole rounds up 424 in FEBRUARY year over year Par 3 rounds up 185 in FEBRUARY year over year GUEST ROUNDS FEBRUARY 2018 158 Unaccompanied Guests / 322 Member Guests / 24 Guest Day Rounds / 238 tournament rounds Year-to-Date 2017-2018 Rounds 33,206 Total Rounds YTD vs 29,279 prior year (3,927 round positive variance) Member 18-hole rounds up 1,968 year over year Guest rounds UP 918 year over year 9-Hole rounds UP 317 year over year Par-3 rounds Up 724 year over year February was not the driest on record, but it was very dry with only a handful of rainy days and red flag days on the golf course. It was cold however, and we did experience a number of frost delays. Last year February was a disastrous weather month so this year February was a very strong month compared to last year. Great weather and an active membership provide for strong golf round figures. We are up in every rounds category now, including 9-hole rounds. Tournament rounds and unaccompanied guests rounds continue strong productivity; and as I have said many times, the demand to experience golf and the Bistro at The Villages is consistently very high outside the gates. 4 P a g e
Golf Operations Summary Marketing & Outside Play Phase four of our partnership with the NCGA was a dedicated e-blast to the entire NCGA database of over 80,000 golfers in Northern California. The tag-line At The Villages, Life Begins at 55 was the main theme, accompanied by a list of the top ten reasons to become a Villager; and finally an invite to be a member for a day The Ambassador Committee is actively involved giving tours of the Villages as there is very high demand from this campaign; over 30% open rate and thousands of views with over 50 tours set up to date. The guest rate increases went into effect in March. There has been no negative feedback to date. Our guest rates are still very competitive in this market. We will maintain strong outside tournament play in calendar 2018. We now have more rounds contracted than in 2017. The demand is so high, I was able to increase our total tournament fees by $5-$10 per player this year with no kick-back what so ever. We have also benefitted by word of mouth outside the gates and we have been able to secure multiple 100-player plus, large scale events this year that were not on the calendar in the past. These are a direct result of referrals from other event coordinators that have enjoyed their experiences at The Villages. Kudos goes to the Pro Shop staff, golf maintenance and The Bistro staff for providing great service and a great product to all our outside events. On April 29, 2018 we will be holding our inaugural SWINGING FOR MEMORIES tournament and fundraiser for the Alzheimer s Association of America. We are partnering with the Alzheimer s Association of America to raise awareness and funds to help fight this horrible disease. Hannah Summerhays and the Pro Shop staff are spearheading this event. With support from our members and the local community, we hope to raise some good funds. Golf Shop Merchandise Golf Shop sales were $2,249 better to budget in February. Year to date merchandise sales are $27,811 better to budget; and $16,975 ahead of last year to date. Yearly Cost of Goods is back in good shape at 77.5% after a strong performance in February. With the three upcoming DEMO Days with Callaway, Ping and Taylor Made, sales volumes this Spring are forecasting strong. Pro Shop Staff Updates Renee Woolard has proven a great addition to the Pro Shop staff. Renee handles all member data entry and provides great customer service in the Pro Shop. Lou Christie is back at work 3 days per week. We are happy he is healthy and feeling better. Hannah is conducting three separate Spring clinics and Scott a beginner Get Golf Ready class, and all are full to capacity. Scott will be on vacation April 1-April 8 Upcoming Events: Summer golf schedule in effect Twilight 3pm & Super Twilight 5pm / Greens aeration March 26 & 27 followed by fairway aeration in April / Callaway Demo Day March 23 / Ping Demo Day March 30 / Easter is Sunday, April 1 st / The Masters April 5-8 / Taylor Made Demo Day April 13 / Men s Club Spring Mixer April 14 5 P a g e
VGC 4-6-2018 Greens aeration went really well on all greens. Greens have noticeable improvement every day in regards to healing. Greens are being rolled as per the normal schedule of Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. There is some disease on the par 3 greens that will be sprayed with a fungicide on Monday. We have made a lot of progress on the leaf cleanup and debris clean up mainly in the form of eucalyptus bark. Fairways and tees are in good shape after rye grass seeding this fall. Those turf surfaces are being sprayed with foliar fertilizer and growth regulator every three weeks to ensure continued horizontal growth of the new grass. We have started trimming trees that are negatively impacting the new irrigation system and will continue this all winter. Tree trimming for slurry seal near cart paths have been completed. We are over two thirds done with cart path edging and will be done prior to slurry seal. Cart paths will also be patched prior to slurry seal work. Some areas will need to cut out, base rock added, and asphalted. 4 of the 7 areas are where the main line runs under the path. Good examples are 3 tee, 16 green, and nine tee. Slurry seal will take place on the Mondays in May. Asphalt patch work will take place prior to slurry seal work in April. We have begun spraying broadleaf weeds in mainly rough areas although some tees and fairways will also be sprayed. We are targeting broadleaf weeds. This spraying must be done on sunny days so the chemical can translocate through the plant properly. This past week has been perfect for spraying. 6 P a g e
We have begun spot watering some dry areas in the rough. We continue to audit the irrigation system and make adjustments as we go along. We have been working on detail work such as edging Kirby markers and sprinkler heads. We have also started detailing lake banks and bunkers. We have started our second round of crabgrass control sprays targeting the entire golf course except greens. This application will need to be watered in heavily. We were not able to make it last year as the new irrigation system was not completed and the new pump station was not operational. Tee aeration will occur in May on a Monday. Players will not be affected by this operation. Sprinkler yardage markers will be installed by no later than 5-15. We are prepared for Bandini on 4-10 to commence. 26 five gallon buckets of sand and seed will be reading for Tuesday morning s. Thanks so much to all of the volunteers for helping out with this very important project that has been a tradition at The Villages for many years. 7 P a g e
To: Dave Needham, Mary Wagle From: Wayne Bodamer-Golf Program Committee Chair Re: 2018 March Report General: The golf Program Committee had our meeting on Thursday, March 15 th. The main purpose for March was to further our 2018 goals. Reviewed February golf play report. Continue in efforts to find groups and functions to maximize underutilized tee times particularly on Thursday and Sunday afternoons. The priorities for March included: 2018 Total rounds played and revenue continue to be positive, including improvement in 9 hole play (one of our 2108 goals). Discussion of possible locations (ball machine area vs clubhouse vs?) of new bulletin board to announce monthly golf related events. Discussed 2 new groups formed to promote mixed golf participation and socialization Thursday afternoon (Mary Wagle) 9 hole women and Sunday afternoon mixers (Bev Poellot). These specifically address some of our golf underutilized tee times (one of our 2018 goals). Discussed that the Just for Fun events are going to spear headed by Gisele Barber and Dave Salvaterri (not present at today s meeting). Discussed Banner placement rules and regulations as dictated by Villages. Dave Needham discussed the latest March NCGA E-Blast promoting the Villages. We have over 45 responses of interested parties. There was some concern that not all of the NCGA members received this mailing and Dave will follow up with the NCGA representatives to inquire. Dave Needham located an additional 50 The Six Golf Club brochures to be distributed to E-blast responders and new orientation residents. Dave will make inquiries to obtain additional copies for future use. Next meeting: April 12 th at 3:00 pm in building A Attendees: Wayne Bodamer, Dave Needham, Scott Steele, Larry Dorsey, Ken Peters Absentees: Sheryl Driskell, Mickey Wagle, Gisele Barber, Judy Frey, Rick Jiloty 8 P a g e
9 P a g e VGC SIX GOLF CLUBS MEETING MINUTES Monday, March 26, 2018 Forum Room Cribari Center The meeting was called to order at 9:05AM by Mary Chaboya who was covering for Bev Poellot Members Present: John Eige Ironmen Teddy Morse Shonis Mary Wagle - Swingers Members Absent: Gary Chappell Men s Club Frank Garcia Pinseekers Bev Poellot 18 Hole Ladies Ironmen John Eige reported that they have been rained out lately. On April 5, they are changing their shotgun start time on Thursdays to 10:00AM for the summer. John sent a suggestion to the USGA that the new handicap system should include par-3 play by just using a maximum handicap of 18 (double bogey) in place of the 27 (triple bogey) planned for a regulation nine holes. John shared the pocket size card that the Ironmen give out that contains information on who the members are, how to join them, some information on play, and meeting descriptions. He said that he would email the electronic version to Teddy and Mary in case they want to modify it for their clubs. Shonis Teddy Morse reported that they have another new qualifier, plus they have two leads from the New Resident Orientation that their Captain, Meg Rogers, is following up. The Swingers Mixer is on April 24, and all Shonis who signed up have been matched with a Swinger. Play will be from the #2 tees on the championship course, as the Swingers are hosting this year. Their eclectic tournament starts on April 17, and the Clyne Soley Tournament is on May 19. Swingers Mary Wagle reported that their vote on dual membership failed with only 26 pro votes out of their entire club of 120. Dual membership will be tabled for now. The 18 Hole Ladies Mixer is on April 19 at 8:30AM, and play will be from the #2 tees, with lunch immediately following golf. Thursday play is continuing to be popular, and for daylight savings time, it s a 1:30PM shotgun start. Mary said that anybody from all six clubs is welcome to join in, and players post their own scores. 18 Hole Ladies Club Mary Chaboya, in Bev Poellot s absence, reported that there was a problem with double billing for players who had both NCGA and WGANC handicaps. Inge McQuiddy and David Gonzales have worked together to handle this for both the men and women. Anybody who still has a problem should go to the Pro Shop. Because of protecting amateur status, golfers are not supposed to receive cash prizes, only gift cards. A new member social was held at Bev Poellot s house where the Membership Chair and Captain were present. The intent of the social was to get to know each other, and to find out if there were any problems seen by the new players. Some of their members are using the #2 tees, and with 15 players, they should be able to flight that play. Pinseekers No report Men s Club No report VGC Report Mary Wagle reported:
The Sunday Partners Golf series launched on March 11, and it will run from March until October during daylight savings time; however, May 13 and June 17 are Mother s Day and Father s Day, respectively. On those two days, players should schedule their own tee times within the block of times reserved. Six foursomes were booked on March 11, and they filled up in one day from when the article appeared in The Villager. There was positive feedback from the players, who all joined in after golf for food and drink at the restaurant. Even golfers who didn t play that day joined in the festivities afterward. The upcoming April 15 Sunday Partners Golf has eight foursomes reserved (two of which are filled already), and it will be a Stableford best fall format. The series is open to all Villagers, and partners can be spouses, significant others, or friends. After golf, players are meeting in The Bistro for non-hosted food and drink. The flyer is on the bulletin board in the Posting Room, and Kory Tran has it for publication in The Villager next week. The VGC wants to encourage anybody from the golf community to attend VGC meetings. The next one is on April 6 at 9:00AM at Montgomery Center. At the meetings, things of interest to all Villagers golfers are discussed. Mary, Bev and Gary are all members of the VGC. Mary Chaboya, in Bev Poellot s absence, reported: Effective May 1, 2018, and for a period of five years, Golf Maintenance Solutions will replace BrightView as the golf course maintenance company. The new vendor will be talking with the existing staff to ensure that their corporate culture and philosophy is carried out from the top down should the new vendor have any of the staff stay on. There has been such a huge response to the NCGA eblast (approximate 55 people) offering a chance to be a member for a day at The Villages, that more Golf Ambassadors are being picked by Dave Needham. Laura Swenson got seven leads of those interested in golf from the New Member Orientation, and the names have been given to the respective clubs, Shonis and Men s Club, and to Scott for the two interested in lessons. The tri-fold brochure is being updated and re-printed, as we are down to our last 50. Dave Needham is handling this. Golf rounds overall were up over budget last year, and this is driven primarily by weather conditions. Year to date merchandise sales at the Pro Shop are favorable to budget. The Rules Chairman has stressed that members should not talk about the rule changes that will take effect in 2019. Many people are becoming confused. The benches on the courses have been power washed, the grass is being sprayed with foliar fertilizer and growth regulator every three weeks to ensure continued horizontal growth of new grass, and the debris clogged drip irrigation around bunkers is being addressed. The restroom project is in progress. Cart path slurry seal will take place on four Mondays in May. There is a new weather station by the Vineyard practice area, and this should help with irrigation issues. To help with the geese population, a proposal was made to landscape the area around the water features, as the geese like to go directly into the water and this might deter where they settle. Meeting adjourned 9:45AM Minutes recorded by Mary Wagle, Swingers representative Next meeting April 23, 2018 at 9:00AM in the Forum Room 10 P a g e
To: From: Subject: Dave Needham and Standing Committee Chairpersons Mary Wagle, Chairperson March 2018 Communications/Education Standing Committee Report The priorities for March included: Laura Swenson attended the New Resident Orientation on March 7, and she got seven leads. Three people were interested in Men s Club, two interested in lessons, and two interested in the Shonis. Names were passed to the two respective clubs, and to Scott Steele for the two ladies interested in lessons. David Gonzales, through Gary Chappell, asked that we modify the Golf Interest Form for the New Resident Orientation to include email addresses, and that has been done. Goals for April: We are running out of the tri-fold Six Golf Clubs brochures. Since they need to be reprinted, some errors were corrected and given to Dave Needham, who is handling the re-printing. Committee Members: Mary Wagle (Chair) and Laura Swenson 11 P a g e