Golf Course Authority

To: NGCA Members From: Barney Caulfield, Chairman NGCA Re: Minutes of NGCA monthly meeting of June 26, 2013 Members Present Bernard Caulfield Charles Whitty Richard Podurgiel Michael Driscoll Richard Strouse David DiBattista J.P. Mereen Others Present Mike Svab, Pro Manager Bruce Morse, Superintendent Tony Madeira, Finance Department Glenn Meadows, Member’s Club Call to Order  Chairman Caulfield called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Minutes  A motion to approve the minutes of the May 22, 2013 meeting was made by Mr. DiBattista, seconded by Mr. Podurgiel, and approved with a vote of 6-0, Mr. Driscoll abstaining. Financial Report Mr. Madeira presented the financial report. Revenues in May were $145,333.20, approximately $6,000 more than May of 2012. The year to date revenue however is $488,033.25, approximately $80,000 less than the same period in 2012. Mr. Madeira noted that weekday resident greens fees, weekday specials, weekday cart rentals, and dues are all lower. Expenses in May are up roughly $18,000 compared to May 2012. Year to date expenses are approximately $20,000 over a similar period in 2012. Maintenance year to date expenses are down $2,000, and Pro Shop expenses up $11,000 which includes the website development and one extra month on the golf cart lease. General expenses are up $17,000. This includes a $7,000 payment towards insurance not booked at a similar time last year and repairs and maintenance expenses up approximately $11,000. Capital expenses are down $6,000. The Net Income for May 2013 was $26,532.86, down approximately $12,000 over May 2012. Year to Date, revenues have exceeded expenses by $333.68. The cash position as of the end of May 2013 is $195,738, a healthy cash figure, but $92,000 less than the same date in 2012 and  less than the comparable figure for 6 out of the 8 years between 2004 and 2011. Again, it was acknowledged that 2012 was an unusually good year for play weather-wise and 2013 has been less so. We have had heavy rains in June, the course was flooded twice in one week, followed by very hot and humid temperatures. The combination imposes maintenance cost while reducing revenues from play. A motion to accept the financial report was made by Mr. Mereen, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, and approved unanimously. Caddy Shack Mr. Madeira also reported on the Caddy Shack. It has paid a total of $16,000 towards its obligations in 2013 and as of the date of the meeting owes $10,540. Mr. Mereen made a motion that a draft of an RFP for restaurant operations for the 2014 year be prepared and presented to the Authority for review. This was seconded by Mr. DiBattista. Discussion followed and Mr. Mereen withdrew his motion with Mr. DiBattista withdrawing his second to it. Mr. Whitty then made a motion that the Caddy Shack be notified that it would need to pay $10,000 towards its past and current obligations by the Authority’s next meeting in July to reduce the debt to approximately $5,000 and make a similar payment by the Authority’s next meeting in August to become current on its obligations. This motion was seconded by Mr. Podurgiel and approved unanimously. COMMITTEE REPORTS  Chairman’s Report Chairman Caulfield reported that the Authority had received a communication from the Authority Treasurer, Joseph Ruffo, suggesting it would be a neighborly gesture to assist the Ice Rink, which is temporarily closed, by trimming up the overgrown grass there. Mr. Caulfield spoke with Mr. Morse who dispatched a crew to trim up the grass at the Ice Rink. Chairman Caulfield also reported that millings from the resurfacing of the New London Turnpike had been moved to the back of the Ice Rink premises and that the Authority had received permission from Public Works to use some of these for repairing or resurfacing cart paths at the course.  Clubhouse Committee Chairman Caulfield reported that landscaping work was being done at the front entrance of the clubhouse to improve the appearance of the same. Trees and shrubs have been removed; he will remove a rotted board along the foundation; the site will be graded away from the foundation; and plants and flowers will be planted in the next week or so. It will present a more colorful appearance.  Greens Committee The Greens Committee had no report. Mr. Meadows asked to present some issues raised at a recent Member’s Club meeting. He indicated that there are some missing out of bounds  markers which the Authority might consider replacing. There are areas on the course that should be marked as ground under repair and it seems unclear as to who is responsible to do this. He asked about the Authority’s plans with respect to the steps leading up towards the 14th green and whether the area to the left of the 11th green could be marked as a hazard.  Planning Committee  No report presented.  Marketing Committee Mr. Svab reported that the website has been very successful with over 200 hits a day. Video and still photographs remain to be loaded onto the site.  Beautification Committee Mr. Podurgiel reported further on the work to be done in front of the clubhouse. He noted that Mr. Morse had completed work on the tee box of the women’s tee on the 5th hole and that maintenance had been performed on the ornamental plantings at the parking lot entrance. Mr. Strouse inquired as to where the funding for the flowers to be planted in the clubhouse would come from and Mr. Svab reported that these were being donated, along with services, by Mr. Rob Cardini, a landscaper who has hosted a tournament at the course.  Budget Committee Mr. Whitty noted that careful control would be need to be exercised over expenses over the next few months given the fall off in revenue. Some projects which might otherwise have taken place this autumn may need to be put on hold.  Superintendant’s Report Mr. Morse reported on two infestations currently causing damage at the course. Several fairways have hyperodes weevil infestation (annual bluegrass weevil). Previously we have had damage from such an infestation to the collars around greens and the spraying program used on the collars has worked well this year. Spraying in the fairways has not. This is a two generational problem with hatching at the end of June and at the end of August so there will probably be a problem on some fairways until September. He has been working with the University of Rhode Island and consulting with other superintendents to formulate a spraying program for next year. Such programs are expensive and there is a risk that overuse of particular chemicals will result in the spraying becoming ineffective as a protection against the infestation. He also noted that the course has an infestation of nematodes on the 11th, 14th, 15th, and 17th greens. These are small un-segmented worms which eat poa roots. The problem is first identified as summer patch on the 14th and 15th greens, but the nematodes were identified with the assistance of the University of Rhode Island. Otherwise the course is in good shape.   Pro Manager’s Report Mr. Svab reported on the work to be done by Mr. Cardinni and his employees at the entrance to the clubhouse. It will involve the installation of low maintenance drought resistant plants and flowers and the result should be very pleasing. He also reported that the score board would be installed over the next few weeks and be operational before the Invitational. Once the score board is up a cover of two inch stone will be placed on the hillside to prevent erosion. Mr. Svab reported further on the challenges the weather has presented in 2013. In response to a question from Mr. Podurgiel, Mr. Svab reported that the give back program would start this Sunday with an event sponsored by the Griswold Basketball Program.  Member’s Club Mr. Meadows reported that two major’s tournaments of the club had been completed. He also reported that the club has purchased 36 small American flags which the members would like to place on the tees for the 4th of July. Consensus was that this was a very good idea for which the Member’s Club should be congratulated. Mr. Meadows reported that the club was replacing or rebuilding the picnic tables near the 10th tee which are used by the Member’s Club. Adjournment A motion to adjourn was made at 8:20 p.m. by Mr. DiBattista, seconded by Mr. Podurgiel, and approved unanimously.