MGA
General Membership Meeting
January 14, 2014
Meeting called to order at 5:00 pm by President Ken Brace.
The Minutes of the December 2013 meeting were approved.
Don Kasper gave the Treasurer’s Report:
We currently have 105 members
Current balance is $1380.35
Recent expenses included $40 for a new flag for the Club’s flagpole. The flagpole was also donated by the Cedar Creek Golf Association about 10 years ago, so it is fitting that the MGA replace the old flag. A call will be made to the Cedar Creek Marine retirees to retire the old flag and dedicate the new one in accordance with official flag handling regulations.
TIP OF THE DAY:
Golf Pro Kenny Evenson explained how to work the ball away from trouble. He also announced that a new state-of-the-art practice facility would be being built on the driving range and that it is planned to be up and running by the Masters Tournament in April.
NEWS FROM THE COURSE:
Vice-President Frank Beaty updated the current status of the golf course.
The new practice facility will be in a building on the right hand side of the driving range, approximately where the practice bunker is currently. There will be shaded mats in the building, which will encourage more practice in the hot summer months. A large, new putting green will also be built in this area, which will mimic the greens being planned for the course when green restoration occurs.
Frank also explained the need for training players how to use the current driving range effectively. Instead of scattering divots over a large area, players are encouraged to simply make a square in one compact area.
The need to train new or inexperienced golfers in gold etiquette was also discussed. Having signs posted on the range was mentioned as one solution to this issue.
OLD BUSINESS:
Ken Sabol announced details of the Par Three Tournament that will be held on January 18 at Cedar Creek. Details are on the website. Ken Brace announced that the February tournament will be held on Monday, February 17 at the Reserve Club. Fees will be $45. More details are on the website.
NEW BUSINESS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
President Brace thanked Bill Todd for organizing a work crew to trim encroaching trees and brush away from the cart paths. Individuals who participated were Todd, Jerry Platt, Bob Levitt, Paul Shieman, John Turner, Ray Naramore, Don Kasper, Ken Brace, and Ken Sabol.
Paul Pecoraro announced that the First Tee of Aiken needs junior sets of clubs and that $60 will buy a complete set. Money for this can be donated at the Cedar Creek Pro Shop.
Bill Todd announced that golfers are still not repairing their ball marks on the greens and suggested that the MGA post a short how-to video about this on the website. Bill Robinson suggested that perhaps the starter or a marshall can brief players on the first tee about the need to fix ball marks and divots.
President Brace then spoke a length about the current state of affairs at the Cedar Creek Golf Club. His primary points were:
People that live in the Cedar Creek community and play the golf course want better communication from the course ownership. Brace believes that the course will continue to improve under the new greenskeeper and professional staff.
The sprinkler system is still not working properly, but Gary is still working on it. Brace feels that Gary has taken some unwarranted abuse from some club members.
Based on comments from the course membership, the course will be softened a bit this spring. The rough will not be as penal as it was in the spring and summer of 2013.
The atmosphere at the golf course is much improved from the past. Kenny Evenson and Mike D get along very well and Kenny’s beginner courses are encouraging more people to play here.
MGA tournaments are currently based on what the membership has expressed that it wants through the last organizational survey. A new survey will be sent out shortly to see if anything has changed. We need to get more club members involved in the MGA.
Paul Pecoraro commented that the MGA needs to make more of a commitment to the Cedar Creek Golf Course. The course needs money for improvements and we can help the course by playing more tournaments here and by awarding pro shop chits for prizes instead of cash. The meet and greet for Jim McNair held last year was a good start.
Ben Peppard suggested the possibility of holding two events each month, one at Cedar Creek and one at another course.
Dick Gaul commented that if members show a commitment to Jim McNair, he will reciprocate. Many members are willing to put up money to help improve the golf course or help out by doing things on the course.
A general discussion followed about the letter that Mr. McNair sent out to the membership. The general conclusion was that he got the wrong impression about the level of support that he has among the membership and that more clarification and communication is needed.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Ken Sabol
Secretary
General Membership Meeting
January 14, 2014
Meeting called to order at 5:00 pm by President Ken Brace.
The Minutes of the December 2013 meeting were approved.
Don Kasper gave the Treasurer’s Report:
We currently have 105 members
Current balance is $1380.35
Recent expenses included $40 for a new flag for the Club’s flagpole. The flagpole was also donated by the Cedar Creek Golf Association about 10 years ago, so it is fitting that the MGA replace the old flag. A call will be made to the Cedar Creek Marine retirees to retire the old flag and dedicate the new one in accordance with official flag handling regulations.
TIP OF THE DAY:
Golf Pro Kenny Evenson explained how to work the ball away from trouble. He also announced that a new state-of-the-art practice facility would be being built on the driving range and that it is planned to be up and running by the Masters Tournament in April.
NEWS FROM THE COURSE:
Vice-President Frank Beaty updated the current status of the golf course.
The new practice facility will be in a building on the right hand side of the driving range, approximately where the practice bunker is currently. There will be shaded mats in the building, which will encourage more practice in the hot summer months. A large, new putting green will also be built in this area, which will mimic the greens being planned for the course when green restoration occurs.
Frank also explained the need for training players how to use the current driving range effectively. Instead of scattering divots over a large area, players are encouraged to simply make a square in one compact area.
The need to train new or inexperienced golfers in gold etiquette was also discussed. Having signs posted on the range was mentioned as one solution to this issue.
OLD BUSINESS:
Ken Sabol announced details of the Par Three Tournament that will be held on January 18 at Cedar Creek. Details are on the website. Ken Brace announced that the February tournament will be held on Monday, February 17 at the Reserve Club. Fees will be $45. More details are on the website.
NEW BUSINESS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
President Brace thanked Bill Todd for organizing a work crew to trim encroaching trees and brush away from the cart paths. Individuals who participated were Todd, Jerry Platt, Bob Levitt, Paul Shieman, John Turner, Ray Naramore, Don Kasper, Ken Brace, and Ken Sabol.
Paul Pecoraro announced that the First Tee of Aiken needs junior sets of clubs and that $60 will buy a complete set. Money for this can be donated at the Cedar Creek Pro Shop.
Bill Todd announced that golfers are still not repairing their ball marks on the greens and suggested that the MGA post a short how-to video about this on the website. Bill Robinson suggested that perhaps the starter or a marshall can brief players on the first tee about the need to fix ball marks and divots.
President Brace then spoke a length about the current state of affairs at the Cedar Creek Golf Club. His primary points were:
People that live in the Cedar Creek community and play the golf course want better communication from the course ownership. Brace believes that the course will continue to improve under the new greenskeeper and professional staff.
The sprinkler system is still not working properly, but Gary is still working on it. Brace feels that Gary has taken some unwarranted abuse from some club members.
Based on comments from the course membership, the course will be softened a bit this spring. The rough will not be as penal as it was in the spring and summer of 2013.
The atmosphere at the golf course is much improved from the past. Kenny Evenson and Mike D get along very well and Kenny’s beginner courses are encouraging more people to play here.
MGA tournaments are currently based on what the membership has expressed that it wants through the last organizational survey. A new survey will be sent out shortly to see if anything has changed. We need to get more club members involved in the MGA.
Paul Pecoraro commented that the MGA needs to make more of a commitment to the Cedar Creek Golf Course. The course needs money for improvements and we can help the course by playing more tournaments here and by awarding pro shop chits for prizes instead of cash. The meet and greet for Jim McNair held last year was a good start.
Ben Peppard suggested the possibility of holding two events each month, one at Cedar Creek and one at another course.
Dick Gaul commented that if members show a commitment to Jim McNair, he will reciprocate. Many members are willing to put up money to help improve the golf course or help out by doing things on the course.
A general discussion followed about the letter that Mr. McNair sent out to the membership. The general conclusion was that he got the wrong impression about the level of support that he has among the membership and that more clarification and communication is needed.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Ken Sabol
Secretary
