Golf Course Authority

To: NGCA Members From: Barney Caulfield, Chairman NGCA Re: Minutes of NGCA monthly meeting of September 25, 2013 Members Present Bernard Caulfield Charles Whitty Richard Podurgiel Michael Driscoll Richard Strouse David DiBattista 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 was made by Mr. DiBattista, seconded by Mr. Podurgiel, to approve the minutes of the August 29, 2013 meeting with a correction to the Marketing Committee report deleting the words “except Saturday” as to the availability of the special package. The minutes as corrected were approved unanimously. Financial Report Mr. Madeira presented the financial report. Revenues for the month of August 2013 were $150,160.23, down approximately $700 over the preceding year. Year to date revenues through August 31, 2013 were $922,022.11, off by approximately $104,000 over the revenues for the similar period in 2012. The category of outing fees is up approximately $20,000 but all other categories are down. Expenses in August 2013 were $126,584.22, approximately $3,000 higher than in 2012. Year to date expenses are $842,253.39, approximately $15,000 less than in 2012. Using approximate figures, the maintenance budget is down about $33,000 with a $14,000 reduction in course supplies and a $7,000 reduction in repairs and maintenance accounting for most of the reduction. The Pro Shop account is down $5,000 mainly due to reductions in the fringe benefit account. The general budget account is up $28,000, $14,000 in the insurance account representing earlier payments and an increase in cost given a larger golf cart fleet. The line item for repairs and maintenance is up $10,000.  Net income for August was $23,570.01, slightly less than $3,500 below the 2012 figure. Year to date net income is $79,768.72, just under $90,000 lower than in 2012. Cash on hand is $273,944. While less than comparable cash on hand in 2011 and 2012, when compared with figures over the last 9 years, it is a respectable sum. September revenues through September 24th were $98,000. Projecting $13,000 in income for the remainder of the month would yield September revenues of $111,000. Based on a three year average of revenue from September - December, Mr. Madeira predicts revenues of $207,809 from September 1 – December 31 for projected 2013 revenues of $1,130,415.45. Mr. Svab noted that in 2011 and 2012 the season ended earlier than anticipated due to significant weather events. He projects revenues for 2013 of $1,160,000. A motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report was made by Mr. Strouse, seconded by Mr. DiBattista and approved unanimously. Caddy Shack Mr. Madeira reported that the Caddy Shack is current on its rental obligations with a credit of $231 as of September 25, 2013. A motion to accept the report on the Caddy Shack was made by Mr. Podurgiel, seconded by Mr. DiBattista and approved unanimously. Correspondence Mr. Svab reported that he had received a telephone call from Ms. Ingrid Thomas thanking the Authority for its prompt work in arranging to have a tree removed on Fairway Circle. She reported the tree to the Authority as she thought it was a risk. The Authority has received a thank you letter from the Connecticut State Golf Association for hosting its Father and Son Golf Tournament at the Norwich Golf Course. The Authority received a letter from Mary Beth Barber thanking it for putting on a retirement party for her father, long time Authority employee, Joseph Jacaruso. The Authority received a thank you letter from United Community and Family Services for a Give Back Day supporting it run at the golf course COMMITTEE REPORTS  Chairman’s Report Chairman Caulfield reported on a Tour of Inspection of the course which he had conducted with Authority members Podurgiel and DiBattista, Member’s Club representatives Glenn Meadows and Larry Carver and Messrs. Svab and Morse. Among other things, several areas  suitable for winter work and projects to be planned and completed over the next several years were identified. Chairman Caulfield further reported that he had received an estimate that it would cost approximately $13,000 to convert the existing heating system at the clubhouse and the maintenance building from oil to natural gas. This would entail the installation of pipes running down the maintenance road to split to the clubhouse and the maintenance building and the conversion of the existing heating systems. He will include the cost of the same in the 2014 Clubhouse Repair and Improvement Budget.  Clubhouse Committee  No report presented.  Greens Committee Mr. Strouse reported on proposed first tee renovations intended to change the golf cart traffic pattern. As proposed, golfers will access the first tee from the west side of the tee just in front of the existing starter shack. This will require the removal of three trees and a construction of steps up to the tee. Carts will line up along the west side of the tee. The current earth path will remain. He proposes this work be done in the spring of 2014.  Planning Committee  No report presented.  Marketing Committee  No report presented.  Beautification Committee New signs have been put up on the scoreboard and at the Pro Shop.  Budget Committee Mr. Whitty reported he had received proposed budgets from Mr. Svab, for the Pro Shop and Chairman Caulfield for the Clubhouse and still needed a proposed budget from Mr. More. Mr. Meadows, on behalf of the Member’s Club, asked the Budget Committee and the Authority to keep in mind the member’s concern that they keep membership rates competitive with those of other area courses. He noted the Authority has established daily fee specials to bring in more revenues and increasing memberships is another way to do this.  Superintendant’s Report Mr. Morse requested permission to host the 2014 Connecticut Superintendent’s Tournament at the Norwich Golf Course on Monday, April 28, 2014. A motion to approve this request was made by Mr. Strouse, seconded by Mr. Driscoll and approved unanimously.  Mr. Morse reported on course conditions. He has had good control of gray leaf spot during 2013. He is utilizing a new form of spraying program and it seems effective. He plans to spray once more, then anticipates that the frost will eliminate the risk this year. Control of grubs of the Oriental beetle has been less effective. He has been spraying but the spray depends on the weather. The heavy rains in June may have diminished the efficacy of the spraying and we are seeing the consequences now. Over the years he has used various types of spray which have ranged in cost from $2,000 to $10,000 per application. He is considering what to use next year and will include an estimated cost for the same in his budget. Grubs notwithstanding, Mr. Morse notes the course is in very good shape at this time.  Pro Manager’s Report Mr. Svab thanked Mr. Madeira for preparing many of the materials to be used in making budget determinations. He also noted that a pro from Wallingford had recently played at Norwich and stated he thought it was in the best condition of any municipal course in this state. Mr. Svab stated that a member, Bob Meyer, had affixed the slate topping pieces on the wall outside the clubhouse which essentially completes the renovations in that area.  Member’s Club Mr. Meadows stated that a slate of officers had been presented to the Member’s Club and the election would be held in November. Two tournaments are coming up in the next several weeks, both of which are tee time tournaments and which will not interfere with regular weekend play. The Norwich Shennecossett Competition was held at Norwich this year and Mr. Meadows reported that Norwich prevailed by a score of 38-10. Each course had 32 members competing. Adjournment A motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 8:00 p.m. by Mr. DiBattista, seconded by Mr. Podurgiel and approved unanimously.