JAGA MEETING MINUTES

 

                                                             MAY 18, 2010

 

                                    JACKSONVILLE BEACH GOLF CLUB

 

OFFICERS IN ATTENDANCE:  Jim Edwards, Bob Streightiff, Joe Power, Barney Poston, Tom Tierney, Jerry Kay , Gary Owensby & Lee Crowe.

 

CALL TO ORDER:  Meeting was called to order by Pres. Jim at 10:30

 

MOMENT OF SILENCE:  Pres. Edwards asked for a moment of silence.

 

INTRODUCTION OF CLUB PRO & GUEST SPEAKER:   Our host club pro and guest speaker for today is Sandy Suckling, a native of Sweden, a product of a Swedish mother and an American father.  Sandy played golf from a young age and came to the U.S. at age 16.  He was awarded a full scholarship to U. of Nebraska.  After college, he turned pro and played in Europe, Africa and Asia.  Sandy is married to an American girl.

Sandy talked about the differences of golf in Sweden and America.  Sweden has the highest % of population of golfers in the world, even though there are only about 550 courses.  Golf in Sweden is very affordable; $2,000 initial fee and $500 per year to play any course.  For juniors, no initiation fee and $300 per year.  You have to take 5 lessons from an accredited pro and receive a certificate before you can go on a course.  Rules of golf, etiquette as well as playing lessons are taken.  There are only 2 private clubs in Sweden, everything else is municipal.  Everyone has a golf card, which is scanned at each club before you play.  If you don’t enter a score after each round, your card will not work for the next round.  No one pays cash, all pay with the card.  There are also no walk-ons.  You must have a tee time.  There are no starters, no carts, etc., which is one reason it is cheaper.  Physical education is stressed in Sweden and golf is taught at an early age.  There are excellent indoor practice facilities.  The mental side of the game is stressed.

There are no scholarships for golf in Sweden.  Sports and academics are treated separately.

 

Sandy wished us a good day and said the club was happy to have us.  He said, due to the rough winter, the course was not in the best condition.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:  Jerry Kay reported we have $16,351 in the bank, $1657.57 is from the Amateur and $1925.62 from the Senior.   

 

SECRETARY’S REPORT:  Gary Owensby corrected a mistake in last month’s minutes. The check last month was not from the Sawgrass Men’s Assoc. but from the entire club.  Also, Gary congratulated Jim Andrews on surviving another year at the Players, where he works as head Marshall on hole #2.  Gary said he works only 3 days of the tournament, and is worn out.  Jim works every day.  Hats off to you, Jim, and all the volunteers.  April’s minutes were accepted.

 

VICE PRES. OF TOURNAMENTS:  Joe Power discussed the coordination of tournaments with other organizations.  Lee Crowe gave a report on the JAGA 2-man tournaments.  The Slammer & Squire tournament was cancelled due to lack of participation.  The next one is at San Jose and Lee said they are trying to keep that one on the schedule.

 

Bob Streightiff discussed the upcoming Amateur, with qualifying set for July 12^th.  He asked for volunteers to help run the tournament.

 

Joe said George Halvorsen is working on the Junior Tourn. , setting up committees, etc.  It will be held August 9 & 10 at Eagle Landing.  We also need volunteers for this event.

 

Question came up as whether non JAGA club members are eligible to play in our events.  Joe said the board will take up that question at our next board meeting.

 

VICE PRES. OF ADMINISTRATION:  Bob Streightiff reminded us that next month’s meeting will be at Eagle Landing on June 22^nd.

 

WEBMASTER’S REPORT:  Barney asked if any new directors needed their picture taken.  Barney reminded us the user name is ‘remember’ and the password is ‘billblack’ to access the directory on the web site.

 

SCHOLARSHIP COMM:  Tom Tierney said next month is deadline for applications for scholarships.  He reported that our cd’s are maturing and due to the low rate, the funds will go into money market accounts.  Tom said we will begin this year using the interview process, which has been discussed at other meetings.

 

Earl Strickland presented a check for $3000 from Orange Park C.C. Men’s Assoc.

 

OLD BUSINESS:  None

 

NEW BUSINESS:  Mark Rutland suggested an e-mail blast through, perhaps, Dick’s Sporting Goods or some other company to support our tournaments.  This would protect our client list.  Barney Poston said it could be done, as well as Pres. Jim.

 

PAIRINGS COORDINATOR:  Pat Caffrey said he had checked all the handicaps and our game should run much smoother this month.

 

BLESSING FOR LUNCH:   Earl Kelly gave the blessing.

 

MEETING ADJOURNED:  Pres. Jim adjourned the meeting at 11:30

 

Submitted by your humble Secretary, Gary Owensby