JAGA MEETING MINUTES

DEERWOOD  GOLF &  C.C.

JUNE 22, 2009

OFFICERS IN ATTENDANCE:   Jim Edwards, Bob Streightiff,  Gary Owensby, Barney Poston and Jerry Kay.

CALL TO  ORDER:  10:30 a.m. 

INTRODUCTION OF CLUB PRO:  Club superintendent David Scott welcomed us to his club and reported the course condition to be very good.

MOMENT OF SILENCE:  President Edwards asked for a moment of silence for those serving in the military and those less fortunate than us.

INTRODUCTION OF DIRECTORS AND GUESTS:  Some of the guests  had not arrived as yet, this being the meeting where club professionals and general managers and superintendents are invited.  Therefore an accurate count was difficult.  However, we know we had 88 players  (22 teams) that competed in the tournament.

TREASURER’S REPORT:  Jerry Kay reported we have $21,550.79.  However, of that total, $4351.32 belongs to JAGA.  The balance represents entry fees for upcoming tournaments.

SECRETARY’S REPORT:   Secretary Owensby announced that the minutes are posted on the web site and asked for a motion to accept them.  A motion was made and seconded.

VICE PRES. TOURNAMENTS:  Joe Power was on vacation in New York State and Gary Owensby acted in his stead.  He first called upon George Halvorsen to report on the progress of the Junior Tournament.  George turned his cap backwards, to the rally position, and gave an inspired plea for help from the directors and guests to  help in getting more enrollments.  George said he had only 13 signed up , so far.  North Florida Junior Golf Assn. had agreed to guarantee 30 enrollments.  However, even at 30, some divisions would have very few participants.

Next, Barney Poston reported on the upcoming Father-Son Tournament.  Barney said that although entries had been slow, early on, registration were now up to 76.  He said they had enough volunteers for the tournament and appreciated the help.

Amateur Tournament Chairman Bob Streightiff said that with about 2 weeks to go,  enrollment for the tournament is very low.  At this point only 18 are signed up.  Bob asked for help from directors and guests to generate registrations.  He said he certainly didn’t want to cancel the tournament; however, an all out effort is needed to insure success.  He also asked for additional volunteers for the tournament.

Russ Hamilton gave the report on the last 2-man tournament, which was held at Ponte Vedra-Ocean Course.  Seventy four players competed.  The next 2-man will he held July 20^th at the Amelia Island Plantation-The Ocean Course.

V.P. ADMINISTRATION:  Bob Streightiff  said the upcoming month would be a challenge, with all the tournaments coming up.  Additionally, our next director’s meeting would be at Timuquana Country Club, on the  21^st of July.  Bob again stressed the need for more participation in the upcoming Amateur tournament.

WEBMASTER REPORT:  Barney reported that he had experienced several power outages on the webpage.  Otherwise, everything ok.  However, he said we need to do a better job of updating our information in the website.  If there is a change in our club’s management or pro, the director needs to make sure that information is conveyed to Barney.  He also asked any new directors to see him after the meeting for a picture. 

SCHOLARSHIP COMM.:  Windsor Park presented  a check for $3400 to the scholarship fund.  The men’s golf assoc. also presented a check for $500.  Bob Streightiff reported that the scholarship committee had awarded 6 scholarships, giving us a total, now, of 31 scholarships.  This is about a $99,000 yearly obligation for JAGA.  With the economy as it is, we have reduced the # of scholarships to make sure we stay fluent.

OLD BUSINESS:   Jim Andrews gave recognition to the directors that worked as volunteers at the Player’s Tournament on the 2^nd hole.

Gary Owensby said he wanted to amend last month’s minutes by making sure proper credit was given to Ponte Vedra Inn and Club for the $5940 contribution to the scholarship fund last month.

NEW BUSINESS:  None today

GUEST SPEAKER:  President Edwards introduced our guest speaker,  Jim Lear.  Jim is the incoming chairman of the North Florida chapter of the PGA and is with the Florida First Coast of Golf.  He is married and has three children , ages 10, 16 and 18.  Jim moved here with his family in 1965 at the age of nine.  He didn’t play junior golf at the time.  As the story goes, his father traded a horse for a membership in a golf club.  In the late 70’s Jim began his golfing life, went to California for two years and Mike (Fluff) Cowan helped get him a job as a caddie.  After two years, he decided to return to school and returned to Jacksonville.  He wanted to work at the TPC, and got a job in the cart barn.  To his amazement, they kept promoting him.  He moved to Sarasota, where he met his wife.  He received his PGA membership, and in 1991, met Steve Melnyk, and joined The Riverside Company, which managed 15-20 golf clubs.  He later left Riverside and became involved directly in club management.  Jim is currently the manager of The  Champions Club at Julington Creek and Windsor Parke Golf Club.

Jim’s spare time is taken up with his duties as incoming chairman of the North Florida chapter PGA and the Florida First Coast of Golf.  The latter is involved in marketing our area as a national and international golf destination.

Jim posed the question “how can JAGA, golf course managers and the PGA work better together”.  His suggestions were:

1.      Improve communications.  He made an example of his experience with the PGA pro ams, and their lack of interest.  Their answer was better communications.  Now their pro-ams are sold out.

2.      Utilize your network opportunities.  Get to know the radio and tv personalities.  Make friends with the newspaper sport reporters.  Advertise your celebrities that play in your events.  It gives you notoriety and credibility.

3.      Be ready for change and adapt to it.  Understand why the change is taking place, understand the market.

Of course, some things don’t change.  I hear the same member complaints I heard 20 years ago; like, why doesn’t the cart girl come around, or I can’t get the tee time I want.

JAGA was founded to improve amateur competition and hold tournaments in the best tradition of amateur golf.  Jim said he felt “mission accomplished”.

Question and Answer Period.

Question:  Ed Witten asked considering the state of the economy, what is the condition of  of golf?

Answer:  Membership is down, rounds are down, and many clubs are operating on survival mode.  We all have heard of clubs closing.  High end resorts are being hit hardest.  It is a challenge.  But, as I said earlier, we must change with the times and adapt.

PAIRINGS COORDINATOR:  Russ Hamilton went over how to score the round correctly and announced that we will be playing the ball down.

BLESSING FOR LUNCH:  Before the blessing, which was given by Earl Kelly, President Jim said that every member and guest here is an influential member of the golf community and asked each to use that influence to bolster the events coming up.  As he said, “ we need your help “.

MEETING ADJOURNED:  10:20 a.m.

Submitted by your humble secretary,

Gary Owensby