|
Volume 13
Issue 2
May 2007
|
|
CONTENTS
| |
 |
| | President's Corner
Bob Shea
| The theme for the month is Club Rules and Guidelines.
Nobody likes rules! I actually dislike reciting them as much as some people dislike following them. However, I am a big proponent of respect and manners. That said, we are very excited to have so many new members this spring and it is only fair that everyone know the Club rules before suffering the embarrassment of breaking a rule you don't even know exists! As I stated in my golf member email a couple of weeks ago regarding SCC's golf rules and etiquette, we believe our rules and regulations come down to one simple goal - respect for other members and the Club.
The clubhouse dress code is quite simple: No jeans or t-shirts are allowed in the clubhouse or on the patio and no shorts for men in the dining room (a complete list of guidelines may be found in the foyer of the clubhouse). We recognize that the days of dresses, jackets and ties for dinner may be long gone, but we also don't believe the dining experience at Club should be treated like a very casual meal at a T.G.I. Fridays.
I would also ask that all the men remove their hats in both the pub and the dining room. We used to do this and I always liked it. I'm not sure why I liked it, but I'm not sure why we stopped doing it. Maybe this simple act can be one more lesson in teaching our children about respect.
Enough preaching. Please remember that your monthly dining minimum for the Club may be met by dining in the pub, restaurant or outside patio. However, you must call for reservations in advance and adults must eat off the dinner menu. Also, all monthly social events count toward your monthly minimum.
As always, I look forward to your comments, suggestions or questions.
|
Pro's Corner
Stan McLennan
| I hope that everyone has had the opportunity to at least play once between the April raindrops. I have yet to play a round, but have ridden out on the course and things are starting to dry out. Peter and his staff are working hard and we need to continue and assist them by repairing all divots and fixing your ball marks on the greens. A friendly reminder to all members is the need to stop in the golf shop before you tee off. Furthermore, all play must begin from hole number 1 unless otherwise cleared by Pro shop Staff. Cutting in front of another group infringes upon others recreational fun. Golf is fun and your round should be uninterrupted.
|
|
Pro's Corner (continued)
| Dress Code
The dress code will be enforced. Proper golf attire is required. Proper golf attire includes Bermuda length shorts, collared shirt (tucked in). Blue jeans are not permitted on the golf course.Hats must be worn properly and please remove your hat when you are in the pub.
Pro Shop
On a new subject, I have been asked to clarify the pricing of merchandise in the Pro Shop. I have a one price policy for everyone who shops at the Pro shop. All merchandise is marked at the discounted price.
Upcoming Events
Now that the business part of the newsletter is complete, I want to make sure you save some important dates on your calendar.
Thursday May 17th One Day Member Guest
Saturday May 19th ABCD
Saturday & Sunday May 26th & 27th Member Member
Monday May 28th 2 Best Balls of 4
Friday June 1st Glow Ball
Saturday June 2nd The PGA McGladrey Team Championship
PGA McGladrey Team Championship (Replaces Buick Scramble)
The new tournament has some very strict registration policies. All entries need to be filed 72 hours prior to the event. We need a minimum of 21 players at the local event to participate at the sectional level. I join the winning team at the sectional site. This is a net tournament with handicap restrictions. The tournament is open to both men and women. Check with Stan for team handicap rules. Teams consist of 3 players at the local site. This will be an exciting event.
Tip of the Month
My last segment of the news letter is a tip on how to practice properly. Whatever time you set aside to practice, the putter should take 43% of your time. Practice from different distances, positions, uphill, downhill, and breaking putting. Then you should spend 24% of your time on pitching and chipping. Use different irons for the different types of shots. 33% of your time should be used to work on woods, irons, and full swing concepts. Work on tempo, balance and proper position.
Junior Clinics
Members interested in forming small junior clinics, please contact me at 668-7260. Last year was very rewarding. The size of each clinic will be a maximum of 5. I will form as many clinics to accommodate all interested golfers. All children ages 7 13 must have their own clubs. If your child does not own clubs, please contact Stan. I have junior clubs to purchase and I take trade-ins as the children out grow their clubs. I will fit all children who need clubs. Cut down clubs are not the best approach for youths to enjoy and learn the game. The shafts are to stiff and grips are usually too big.
Your Pro Stan McLennan |
Grounds
Peter Gorman
| SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
As the golf season gets under way I would like to share a few thoughts about the maintenance and care of the golf course. We are very fortunate to have an experienced and enthusiastic maintenance staff comprised of Rod Lewis (13 years), Alex Brooks (7 years), and Joe Sikorski (a promising rookie). As a new golf course superintendent I could not have asked for a better crew.
|
Grounds (continued)
| Although the crew is experienced and enthusiastic it is small and we can only accomplish so much during the workweek. We have made a few cosmetic changes that we hope will enhance the natural beauty of the golf course while minimizing the amount of trim work and maintenance to non-playing areas.
You will notice that we have removed a number of birdhouses that were installed as part of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program.
Many of the houses were in disrepair and went unmonitored, and were therefore occupied by the wrong species of birds (i.e. sparrows in the bluebird houses). Removing these obstacles will eliminate the need to trim around the poles and will reduce the time it takes to mow the rough. It is our intention to continue working with Audubon International to promote wildlife diversity and to create a habitat that will attract native flora and fauna to the golf course.
The whiskey barrel planters that were located on every hole have been removed and will be repositioned and grouped such that they will be easier to maintain and will accent the natural beauty of the property. This will significantly reduce the amount of maintenance required around the tee boxes while maximizing the aesthetic benefit of the planters. Perhaps the most significant change is the elimination of ropes from the golf course. Removing and replacing ropes and posts consume a lot of valuable time throughout the week not to mention the fact that they are incredibly unsightly. We have replaced the ropes with cart signs that will guide you around the golf course. It is imperative that carts follow these signs.
On many holes the signs will direct you away from wet areas, severe slopes, or sensitive irrigation features. The location and direction of the signs will change over time in an effort to distribute the traffic and minimize the damage to fairways and green/tee surrounds.
It will take time to get used to the new traffic patterns but the long-term benefits are well worth it. In order for this program to succeed it will take the cooperation of all golfers who use both riding and pull carts. I have included a list of guidelines that should be followed at all times.
Please continue to visit the Grounds page of the website for information about current course conditions and upcoming maintenance practices. You can send your questions or comments to superintendent@suffieldcc.com. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you on the golf course. |
Grounds Committee
Armand Regalbuti
| The Grounds Committee conducted its first meeting of the year on Thursday, April 19. Committee members are excited and anxious to work with our new superintendent, Peter Gorman. Peter brings reams of experience to us with the intention of making our facility a good golf and family-friendly place to belong. He has already projected items that will help the visual perceptions of the vista we enjoy from our club house. If you have internet access, be sure to visit our web site and check the "blogs" that Peter has posted and will continue to post if you are interested in learning more about his ideas and plan.
The Committee has created four sub-committees: Budget, Projects, Communications, and Beautification. A committee member has been appointed to each sub-committee for any related tasks.
With the assistance of Peter, a list of short and long range projects will be created. We plan to prioritize these projects and to keep the membership informed of the progress of these projects. A long range planning document is also being considered.
AS THE YEAR PROGRESSES, WE ASK THE MEMBERSHIP THAT SHOULD YOU HAVE A CONCERN, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT A MEMBER OF THE GROUNDS COMMITTEE. MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WILL BRING YOUR CONCERN TO OUR MONTHLY MEETINGS FOR CONSIDERATION.
The Grounds Committee ; Ron Birmingham, Lynn Engler, Jeff Kingsbury, Will Morris, Armand Regalbuti (Chairperson)
|
Swimming
Kelly Patterson
| POOL NEWS
Swim Team Registration Fee - This year swim team members will be asked to pay a small registration fee. This fee will help defer the costs of new swim team t-shirts for the kids, as well as the cost of trophies and ribbons. The fee structure is $10 per child with a family maximum of $25. Registration will take place from opening day, May 26th through Friday, June 22nd. Please register at the snack bar. Checks should be made payable to SCC pool. We are looking forward to the start of another great season. Go SHARKS!
T-Shirt Contest for Swim Team Tees - We are asking our artistic members to help design the new Swim Team T-shirts. Put your creative caps on and come up with a design.
Requirements:
8 by 11 Horizontal Design.
Black & White Only.
No writing, just pictures.
Remember the mascot is the Tiger Shark!
Submit entries by June 15th.
The winner will be announced on Monday, June 18th and will receive a $20 gift card to the snack bar.
Reminder - Check SCC website (www.suffieldcc.com) for daily updates and pool closures due to weather.
|
Cart Traffic Guidelines
| CART TRAFFIC GUIDELINES
GREENS AND TEES
Keep motorized and pull carts at least 30 feet from all greens and tees. A good rule of thumb is to keep the carts on level ground, and avoid the temptation to pull up onto the sloped portion of the green or tee complex.
Utilize cart paths whenever possible and keep all tires on the surface of the path (do not cut corners or pull off the path to park).
FAIRWAYS
Try to avoid driving down the center of the fairway between shots, cross fairways at 90 a angles, and avoid sharp turns, especially when looking for yardage markers.
ROUGH
Avoid driving along the edge of the fairway to preserve the primary rough. Follow cart signs to avoid wet areas, steep slopes, and ground under repair.
GENERAL
Sharp turns, concentrated traffic, and driving on wet soil damage the turf and leads to compaction. Dispersing traffic minimizes the damage and improves the playing conditions of rough and fairway areas.
It is every golfer s responsibility to treat the golf course with respect and leave the golf course in better condition than they found it. Please be considerate of your fellow members and follow these simple guidelines whenever possible.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
