Minutes of the Lake Wildwood Golf Committee Meeting on March 13, 2007

I.         The meeting was called to order by Frank Chilberto at 2:00 pm.

II.        Roll Call

            A.        The following members were present: Michael Byrne, Jane Butler, Frank Chilberto, Doug Dorfmeier, Maddie Graham, Bob Martin and Dianna Mortara.

            B.        The Special Projects Sub-Committee was represented by Ken Towns.

            C.        The following liaison personnel were present: Bill Haushalter, Jim Knight, Bill Stone (for Don Streseman) and Ken Wolford.

            D.        The following guests were present: Dave Doench, Mike Lesnewsky, Chuck Murphey and Jacque Wilson.

III.       Minutes

            The minutes were approved after one correction by Frank Chilberto.

IV.      Reports

            A.        Golf Course Superintendent - Ken Wolford

                        1.         #4 Bridge

                                    a.         The project was competed during inclement weather; volunteer helpers were thanked.

                                    b.         The bridge was widened from 8 ft. to 10ft.

                                    c.         New railings were installed.

                                    d.         Synthetic decking material was used for the roadway. One member reported the surface as slippery even though dry. Ken will look into that.

                        2.         Analysis of the oak tree behind the #17 green

                                    a.         Tim The Treeman was asked to assess the tree. He reported that it has serious problems and he recommended that it be taken down.

                                    b.         The Golf Committee concurs.

                        3.         Comments on the December 2006 Golf Course Inspection

                                    a.         Tees - the maintenance staff does not have sufficient manpower to repair divots. Doug Dorfmeier will, in his TWI article, appeal to players to do their duty.

                                    b.         Fairways - Bermuda grass is felt to be good for our course. We do not try to encourage it but neither do we try to eliminate it.

                                    c.         Bunkers - Gravel has been removed from bunkers on #1, #10 and #18.

                                    d.         Aprons - The goal is to solve the problem of Bermuda grass on aprons by mid-May of 2007.

                                    e.         Greens - As with divots, ball marks on greens should be repaired by players. Staff attempts to fix ball marks in the morning before play but since this is a day later, the damage has been done. Doug Dorfmeier will, in his TWI article, appeal to players to do their duty here also.

                        4.         Cart Passing Zones - The path on #7 from the intersection of the paths from #6 and the restrooms will be widened in an effort to reduce ruts beside the path.

                        5.         Tree Removal - All but 4 or 5 of the fairway Cypress trees and those on the driving range have been removed. A few will be replaced with new species as per the Golf Master Plan.

                        6.         Practice Pitching Area - 6 matts, similar to the one which has been under test, will be inlayed on a concrete base to improve the practice area.

                        7.         Practice Bunker - Sand being thrown on the synthetic surface of the green causes the surface to be unnaturally hard and creates an algae problem. We may go back to a natural surface.

            B.        Golf Professional - Jim Knight

                        1.         Comments on the December 2006 Golf Course Inspection

Driving Range - Some mats are being replaced. We are experimenting with new types of tees.

                        2.         Fees - Chuck Murphey reported that daily guest fees for February exceeded estimates by approximately $500 as did daily fees.

                        3.         Hours - Pro Shop and Driving Range hours will be extended in stages as the hours of daylight increase.

                        4.         Score Cards - new ones will be ordered.

                        5.         PA System - A new system will be installed within a month.

            C.        Special Projects - Ken Towns - Ken summarized points made by Del Price in a 03/11/07 e-mail note to Frank Chilberto.

                        1.         Master Plan Project Priorities - The sub-committee feels that the green replacement should be receiving the most attention.

                        2.         Funding - The sub-committee needs to know more about funding, i.e. how many dollars and when, in order to properly prioritize.

            D.        Board Liaison - Bill Stone

                        1.         Lounge - The Board has approved up to $4,500 for a new large screen TV in the lounge.

                        2.         Transporter Path - the Board approved up to $1,000 for an improved path for the transporter.

            E.        General Manager - Bill Haushalter

                        1.         Transporter - The Board will be asked to approve a pad for a shuttle turnaround instead of constructing a complete path.

                        2.         Budget - Tonight is the Town Hall and Board meeting at which the final 2007-2008 is expected to be approved. Everyone is invited.

                        3.         Golf Funding - It is recommended that the Golf Committee be pro-active in looking for funding and not to wait for directions from the Board.

V.        Correspondence

            A.        Letter from Dave Doench to Marty Domagala

                        1.         Dave expressed a concern the Golf Operational Funds were being used for basically non-golf purposes. First and foremost it was stated in the TWI that Golf Maintenance Funds in the amount of $1,000 were to be used for the Transporter Path.

                        2.         Bill Haushalter addressed Dave’s concerns and stated that

                                    a.         The TWI article was wrong. It should have said Clubhouse Maintenance Funds and

                                    b.         There is a reasonable sharing of resources between Golf Operations and Public Works in several areas, e.g. restroom maintenance on the course (PW) and clubhouse grounds upkeep (GO).

                                    c.         He also pointed out that considerable funding is provided by the total community to support the golf course; specifically that there is approximately $464,000 of replacement reserves authorized in the 2008-2008 budget. A chart detailing this was provided to the committee.

            B.        03/22/07 Milestones Quarterly Meeting - E-mail same subject from Marty Domagala - The Board has scheduled its next quarterly Objectives Milestone review for March 22.

            C.        Golf Tee Suggestion

An anonymous handwritten note was submitted to Frank Chilberto recommending rearrangement of the colored tees. The objective is to 1) increase the pace of play and 2) golfer enjoyment by stimulating use of different tees according to golfer capability. This item will be put on the agenda for future discussion.

VI.      Old Business

Golf Objective Status - Frank Chilberto reviewed the Action Plans to Vitalize Golf Course document. He will be using this for his report to the Board at the 03/22/07 Milestones Quarterly Meeting.

VII.     New Business

            A.        Golf Course Inspection Results - See IV. A. 3. above for this discussion.

            B.        Committee Member, Purpose & Structure - Deferred pending completion of document by Frank Chilberto.

            C.        Election of Officers - All positions have been filled.

VIII.    Club Reports

            A.        Ladies 18 - None

            B.        Ladies 9 - Jane Butler reported that her club is not in favor of a $5 charge for

their invitational. The 9ers Board feels it would be a hardship for some of their members and for their guests.

            C.        Men 18 - None

            D.        Men 9 - None

IX.      The meeting was adjourned at 4:35 pm.