Jacksonville Area Golf Association

Directors Meeting

Deerwood Country Club

June 23, 2008

 

Officers Present:  Lee Crowe, Jerry Kay, Bob Streightiff, Joe Power, Jim Andrews, Jim Edwards and Tom Tierney.   Absent: Barney Poston. 

 

President-Lee Crowe called the meeting to order at 10:02 AM. , filled us in on the status of Jerry West, Ed Babola and Harry Little, and asked for a moment of silence for them and all past JAGA directors and/or officers who have either passed away or who continue to suffer from ongoing illnesses. Lee then introduced Deerwood Club Professional, Scott Grospitch, who welcomed all in attendance to the Deerwood Country Club. Thereafter, 117 directors and guests were introduced to one another.

 

Treasurer, Jerry Kay reported a current balance of  $31,399.44 in the treasury. This includes at least $16,306 from the Fathers Day and City Amateur  Tournaments.

 

Secretary’s Report, Minutes of the May meeting were approved as previously posted on the Web site.

 

Scholarship Committee Chairman- Tom Tienery  announced that a full report of the JAGA Trustees would be made to the Directors at the July Meeting. Tom then accepted contributions to the JAGA Scholarship Trust from: (A) Al Miller, $1150 from the Deerwood Country Club, (B) Jud Ammiano, $1400 from the Marsh Creek  Country Club, (C) Jim Edwards, $250 from the Men’s Association of the Fernandina Beach Golf Club, (D) Bob Streightiff, $1680 from Queen’s Harbor Yacht and Country Club, $1000 from the Members, the remaining $680 came from a personal contribution, (E) Jerry Kay, $250 from the Senior Men’s Club of the Champions Club at Julington Creek.

 

Webmaster – Barney Poston had responsibilities to the Men’s Interclub Series that would not allow his attendance today.

 

Vice President–Tournaments, Bob Streightiff had Lee Crowe  report on the 2 Man Tournament at Ponte Vedra Inn that was held on June 16th. Not only was it a great success, but is proving that the 2-Man series is reaching the course limitations for play. Get your applications in early for the August 4th  2-Man at Sawgrass Country Club. Also, there are a few openings for the Fathers Day Tournament this June 28/29. Play is scheduled at Hidden Hills Country Club with 1:30 PM Shotgun Starts.  Bob Sreightiff needs Directors to help with the City Amateur. There will be Qualifier on July 7th at San Jose. SanJose is also the venue for the July 17-20 JAGA City Amateur. Volunteers for the Amateur will meet at noon on July 2 at Queen’s Harbour.

 

Vice President-Administration, Jim Edwards reported (1) the next JAGA directors meeting will be Tuesday, July 15th , 2008 starting at 10:30 AM at the Slammer and Squire of World Golf Village. (2) The Directors Meetings for 2009 are still being worked out. Think about having a JAGA meeting at your Club next year and let Jim know as soon as possible that you are interested. 

 

Old Business – Ed Witten reported that the JAGA Directors shirts are now $25 each.

 

New Business – (1) Howard Whitaker of Southern Oaks has raffle tickets for sale to supplement the JAGA Scholarship Fund.

(2) Welcome back Boots Farley, now Pro at Quail Heights Country Club. (3) Fred Seeley reported that the July edition of the Golf News will be the last printed edition.  In the future, more information will be coming regarding Internet editions.

 

Guest Speakers Panel– consisted of Cathy Harbin, General Manager of the Slammer & Squire and the King & Bear courses at the World Golf Village, speaking for the General Managers; Will Newman, PGA Head Professional at Panther Creek, speaking for the Professionals;  Ken Arsenault,  Grounds Superintendent at Panther Creek, speaking for the Superintendents; and Lee Crowe, JAGA President, speaking for JAGA. Earl Kelly, past president of and current historian for JAGA acted as the Moderator.

 

(1) What can we do among our groups to improve our commitments to improve golf?  Cathy - attend monthly meetings of general managers, state your purposes and goals; Will – work with us to make the game enjoyable; Lee -

have working meetings together, work closely with the Pros; Ken – if  something is wrong or if something is working well, let the Groundskeeper and Pro Shop know, communicate.

 

(2) What projects might we do together?   Ken – Days like today help, provide opportunities to mix with others, maybe a banquet;  Cathy – It is vital that all clubs know who we are, where we are going and how we plan to get there; volunteer  (or give money) for events ( Habitat for Humanity), a get together to pass the word to each other;  Will – go to each others meetings,  Lee – Work more closely on Scheduling, JAGA meeting in June each year with a representative from each of the groups, perhaps a Summit meeting with each of the 50 or so Clubs sending the Pro, GM, Groundskeeper and one JAGA director.

 

(3) Questions from the floor involved:  (1) Wetting agents for lawns and/or greens – while they are used in stressful times, it may be a too costly item. (2) The outlook for golf in the area – with recession comes less spendable income; hopefully we will stay flat until better times. (3) Coordination of dates when Clubs schedule their Member-Guests – for the most part, efforts are made to avoid conflicts.  (4)  Generating business in a time of marketing cuts will involve more use of e-mail and special events (5) Maintenance schedules for golf courses are very dependent on Mother Nature; even when efforts for the best conditions, especially greens, are desirable, conditions vary from place to place making it difficult to have one method of approach. Ask your grounds superintendent what’s going on and get information about grounds from the USGA.org web site. (6) Club’s business decisions will dictate a move from individually maintained repair shops and equipment providers to Demo Days and large golf retail stores. (7) The loss of Shell’s sponsorship has had a dramatic negative impact on the activities of the America Junior Golf Association.

                                             

(4) Free Speak from Panel:   Ken – if you have questions, ASK, it will help everyone.  Cathy – Survey your members, ask yourself, Why am I a JAGA director and what do I do for the organization, Get on board with Player Development and Grow the Game.  Will – Get every Club on the same page; work as a community to enhance the game, Play Golf America; be proactive within your Club.  Lee – Pros, GMs and Grounds should communicate with JAGA directors more often and encourage them to be more active with one another and with JAGA.

 

Pairings Coordinator, Ed Tormollen reported that we have 25 Foursomes playing today. Check carts for your hole assignment.

 

The Blessing for Lunch was given by Russell Hamilton.

 

Meeting Adjourned at 11:30 AM

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Joe Power, Secretary