Golf Course Authority

To: NGCA Members From: Bob Malouf, Chairman NGCA Re: Minutes of NGCA regular meeting of July 17, 2024 Members Present Bernard Caulfield Susan Dutilly, remotely David DiBattista Todd Postler Richard Strouse Bob Malouf Ray Lathrop Michael Driscoll Others Present Mike Svab, Pro Manager Eric Kundahl, Superintendent Micky Busca, Member’s Club CALL TO ORDER Chairman Malouf called the July 17, 2024 meeting of the Norwich Golf Course Authority to order at 6:00PM. MINUTES A motion to approve and adopt the minutes of the June 26, 2024 meeting of the Norwich Golf Course Authority was made by Mr. DiBattista, seconded by Mr. Postler, and approved by a vote of 8-0. FINANCIAL REPORT A copy of the Finance Report and the Financial Report narrative was summarized by Mr. Postler, and follows: OPERATING REVENUES for the month of June 2024 were $193,116.92 compared to budgeted revenues of $169,032, $24,136.92 over budgeted revenues, and $30,314.61 more than June 2023 revenues. 1 EXPENSES for the month of June 2024 were $142,833.41 compared to budgeted expenses of $183,974.22, $41,140.81 under budgeted expenses and $58,374.68 over June 2023 expenses. Please note: $57,750 is moved from the Course Improvements line item to Fixed Assets on the balance sheet and depreciated accordingly. This makes the actual to budget look more favorable than it in reality is. NET GAIN for June 2024 was $50,335.51 compared to NET GAIN for June 2023 of $78,395.58. CASH BALANCE for June 2024 was $169,954.04, in comparison to the prior month, May 2024, of $190,786.37. This was a decrease of $20,828.33. YTD YTD OPERATING REVENUES were $848,366.89, compared to YTD budgeted revenues of $806,595. This is $41,731.89 over the YTD Budget, and $59,246.38 over the prior year. YTD EXPENSES were $781,165.70 compared to YTD budgeted expenses of $769,360.95. This is $11,804.75 over the YTD budget and $173,274.51 over the prior year. (Please note: Course Improvements, Course Supplies, Dues and Subscriptions, Material and Supplies Pro Shop and General Budget Repairs and Maintenance are overspent for the year. The overage is approximately $20,000 on these line items. This overage will need to come from other budgeted lines.) YTD Total Revenues were more than Expenses by $67,171.19; which is over budget by $29,937.14 and $114,028.13 under YTD June 2023. Items of interest on the Balance Sheet: • The lease for the Caddy Shack is paid in full through the end of June 2024 as of the date of this report. • The balance in Accounts Payable (products/services received but not paid for as of 6/30/24) is $11,638.52. • The balance in Due to Member’s Club is $520 and the Sale Taxes owed are $2,711.82. • The Due to General Fund is the NGCA’s cash balance as of 6/30/24. An amount in the Asset section means the City owes the NGCA those funds of $169,954.04. NOTE: June Cash Balance less items to be paid = Cash available (Shortfall): 2  $169,954.04 ‐ $14,870.34 = $155,083.70 A number of questions with regard to the Financial Report were raised by members of the Authority regarding the report and the reasons for certain calculations. The Chairman of the Budget Committee, Todd Postler, offered to arrange he meet with Sandra Kutcha to discuss these questions and the process of preparing financial reports. Chairman Malouf requested that Budget Committee Chairman Postler also request she attend Authority meetings periodically to answer questions Authority members may have with respect to financial reports. A motion to receive and accept the Financial Report was made by Mr. Lathrop, seconded by Mr. DiBattista and approved by a vote of 8-0. CADDY SHACK Mr. Svab reported that he had received a check of $9,050 from the Caddy Shack representing payment in full under the lease through the end of July plus payment of $2,500 for the lease of the beverage cart. CORRESPONDENCE Mr. Svab noted that he had received a text from the occupant of property adjoining the golf course on the 14th hole relative to a fallen tree limb. Mr. Svab indicated that he will respond. Mr. Svab also advised that he had received a letter from a Norwich Golf Course seasonal member relative to an event on the course. Mr. Svab provided information with respect to the same and made a recommendation to the Authority regarding this. A motion to accept Mr. Svab’s recommendation and to advise the individual of the decision of the Authority was made by Mr. Lathrop, seconded by Mr. Postler and approved by a vote of 7-0, Mr. Malouf abstaining. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Mr. Malouf indicated he had no report beyond recognizing the superb job the maintenance crew has done and is doing at the golf course and the results which flow from it. He also indicated that this opinion is generally expressed by those playing at the golf course, both members and greens fees players. This result has occurred despite weather challenges which seem to routinely occur. 3  SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Mr. Kundahl thanked Chairman Malouf on behalf of the maintenance staff for his remarks but noted that fate, in the form of mice, somewhat undermined it. Mice have chewed in such a fashion as to impact and disable the clocks which controlled the watering of portions of the course. As a consequence some greens, including 17 and 18, were without water at a crucial time on a very hot day causing visible browning but not affecting the playability of the greens. He has arranged to treat the greens to improve the appearance and assist in stabilizing them. He has also obtained materials to deter the mice but recognizes similar events will likely occur from time to time, all efforts notwithstanding. PRO MANAGER REPORT Mr. Svab observed that the financial report shows that dues category is up $33,000 at this point but the Twilight League greens fees are down by approximately $20,000. He attributes this to the new young professional category of memberships at the course as a number of individuals who formerly played as greens fees players at the twilight rate now play under the young professional season pass rate. Mr. Svab also advised the Authority that the course supply budget of $185,000 is already fully expended and he and Mr. Kundahl will need to keep a close watch on expenses going forward. Anticipating questions, Mr. Svab noted the costs of course supplies, particularly chemicals, have gone up appreciably. In response to a question he reported that the course attempts to buy supplies in bulk and by preordering. In his opinion the course is making enough money to pay for the supplies it needs. Mr. Svab advised the Authority that he had received a communication from Mr. Nevins who had planned to be at the meeting but was unable to do so. Mr. Nevins wished the Authority to be advised that he believes the crosswalks used by golfer across New London Turnpike have been improved as to safety but suggests that blinking lights also be installed. MEMBER’S CLUB Mr. Busca reported on the several successful events held in the auspices of the Member’s Club. The Member Guest Tournament had a full field of 120 members. The Senior Club Championship had 36 participants with Gary Everett reporting the lowest gross score and Bruce Jakubowski the lowest net score. The Junior Club Championship had 6 participants with Tyler Hollis prevailing. The winners of the Presidents Club were Laurie Jakubowski and Bruce Jakubowski. The Member’s Senior Invite will take place on August 8 with 66 golfers currently registered. The Women’s Club Championship will be held on August 10 and 11. The Shennecossett Norwich Challenge on August 17, with 34 golfers currently registered for Norwich. 4  HOLE #2 FLOODING ISSUE Mr. DiBattista advised that the DEEP had been sent a letter signed by City Manager John Salomone on behalf of the City of Norwich, and letters on behalf of Montville, the Mohegan Tribe, and the Norwich Golf Course Authority signed by appropriate representatives. The DEEP representative, as reported by Mr. Warzecha, said that the letters were well received. Mr. DiBattista also indicated that he had sent a request to a member of the city council to see if a meeting with Senator Osten and members of the Norwich Golf Course Authority might be arranged. Chairman Malouf, Mr. Strouse and Mr. DiBattista discussed efforts to get more information with respect possible repairs required along Trading Cove Brook as it runs along the 9th hole. Mr. DiBattista also asked the superintendent about the feasibility of removing a buildup of branches which is occurring between the start of the fairway on the second hole and the New London Turnpike bridge crossing the Trading Cove Brook. BRIDGE PROJECT HOLE #9 Mr. Malouf reported that the bridge project is likely to start next week. Work could have started on Monday, July 15 but this would likely have interfered to some degree with the Norwich Invitational. Given the significance of the Invitational he felt it wiser not to have work initiated until the tournament was completed. Mr. Strouse noted that Trading Cove Brook flow was presently low which will assist the contractor and others in installing the bridge. GREENS COMMITTEE Mr. Strouse advised that he and Mr. DiBattista have conferred with regard to long range and short to mid-range projects at the golf course. The committee’s report is attached to these minutes. BUDGET COMMITTEE Mr. Postler reported that the Budget Committee has not yet met and has no report. He will be meeting with Sandra Kutcha to discuss the preparation of the budget for the 2025 season. Mr. Svab and Mr. Kundahl anticipate preparing their recommendations for the budget in early September. CLUBHOUSE COMMITTEE Mr. Malouf indicated that he plans to meet with the city manager to discuss long-term projects which will be required at the Norwich Golf Course Authority, projects including replacement or improvement of the irrigation system, major work inside the clubhouse including the heating system and air conditioning system, and other long-term related 5 improvements. He noted that it was his understanding that when the clubhouse was built it was designed to also serve as a shelter and at this point it lacks some aspects that one would expect a shelter to have including a generator. COURSE MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE Mr. Lathrop stated that he had no written report but wished to advise the Authority that he was having difficulty getting information with respect to the installation of port-a- potties. He also indicated that he had spoken with a number of women golfers who were not favorable to the idea of placing port-a-potties on the course. Mr. Lathrop raised a question with regard to additional work that is required to stabilize the rip rap in place on the 11th hole. Mr. Strouse suggests that we attempt to utilize previously used granite curbing or two large boulders for stabilization. This may require the use of equipment presently unavailable to the course for proper placement. ADJOURNMENT A motion to adjourn at 7:16 PM was made by Mr. DiBattista, seconded by Mr. Lathrop and approved by a vote of 8-0. 6