Green Committee Minutes       

March 8, 2012 Meeting

Meeting was called to order at 2:05 pm by Chair Harriet Shemer.  Those present were:

Committee/Sub-committee Members:            Harriet Shemer, Pete Schwartz, Manny Mederos, Jon Michels, Linda DeWitt, Tim Butler, Cliff Sansot, Mike Brenny

De Facto Members:              Mike Jahaske, Jon Whitmyer, Mark Gianonnatti

Guest:  David Thatcher (Robson Ranch, Denton, TX)

Minutes of the February, 2012 meeting were approved as submitted.

Maintenance Report (Jon Whitmyer and Pete Schwartz): 

• Status of employees:  Jon reported that things are going well.  He sent some staff to Phoenix for OSHA training regarding equipment safety.  Requirements for chain saw use will be implemented including helmets and safety guards.
• Progress of course upgrades:  Desert work is almost completed.  Work is now focused on getting prepared for transition.  More mowing has started to the following heights: 1/8” on greens, ½” fairways and 1” rough. Jon noted that complaints about the course are down.
• Grass change at the Preserve/Grass sample update:  Jon stated that preliminary results on the plug samples taken analyzed indicate that we have enough Bermuda, but he feels we need more tests.  He will be submitting additional 2 ½ inch samples to be analyzed to establish a baseline count of nodes. There was discussion about RCI’s commitment to re-grass with Mini Verde.  Mark indicated that the decision will not be based solely on financials but whether the new grass makes sense for our members.   He also stated that the re-grassing will increase the value of the golf course.  Jon will continue with the additional testing as well as continuing to monitor HOA #1.  He said some of the HOA #1 issues include adjusting to the speed, spot killing poa, visibility of old hole plugs and wear patterns. The grass decision must be made in the early April-mid May timeframe so Jon will know whether to begin preparing the greens for new grass as part of the transition work.  Mark will continue discussions with Ed Robson to keep him apprised of the project status.  He also said that Quail Creek will not be changing to Mini-Verde.

Golf Operations (Mike Jahaske):

• Mike stated that we’re still down 32 annual memberships and five playcard memberships over last year contributing to a revenue shortfall of about $95,000 so far this year.  He also said that outside play has been strong due to the good weather which is helping to make up some of the revenue shortfall.  It will probably take an entire year of the Golf Now revenues to make up the total shortfall.
• The Turtle Program discussion:  Public players are not “turtled”.  If they do not pick up the pace after ranger warnings, they will be asked to leave the course and given refunds.  He stated that the delay in assessing turtle penalties is due to the analysis that must be done on all the cards to determine valid slow players eligible for penalties.   Mike currently allocates 4 hours, 30 minutes for an “on time” shotgun round. There was a discussion about what “finishing” time should be recorded: the end of the last hole or when the card is returned to the pro shop or ranger.   Slow play on association play days may require that the associations assign pace of play monitors.  Jon M. will notify the Men’s group and Linda will notify the Women’s group.

Committee Reports:

• Adopt-a-Hole:  Jon M. reported that we still have the following open holes on TP: 1, 15, 16, 17 and 18.  There was discussion on potential ways to recognize the current 116 AAH volunteers.  Mike, Jon and Linda met and discussed some ideas including hosting a gathering of all volunteers with perhaps pizza and non-alcoholic beverages and giving out items such as logo golf towels to each volunteer.  Jon and Linda will develop some options with budget figures to present at the next meeting. 
• Standards:  Cliff sent out the revised priority list of the Preserve greenside bunkers. He indicated that we may need to prioritize within each priority list. Mark G. will contact the course architect to work with Jon W and review the bunkers in person and discuss the maintenance issues with the current bunker configurations. Pete and Cliff will also be involved during the review.   There was discussion about the needed repairs on the gold #6 men’s tee which is heavily worn and the black tee on #16 which needs to be raised.

RCI—Mark Gianonatti.

• Annuals/pricing:  It was agreed that we need to begin discussions regarding the 2013 pricing structure.  There will be a Pre-Ad Hoc pricing meeting on March 29 at 1:30.  Harriet will confirm the date, time and location and notify everyone. Harriet encouraged everyone to solicit input from other residents and bring those ideas to the meeting.

Old Business:  None

New Business:  Goals for 2012:

• Harriet stated that we still need to identify 4-5 goals for 2012 and asked members again to submit ideas to her. 

Announcements:

• Mike Brenny has formally resigned and April will be his last meeting.
• Harriet indicated that she my re-assign duties due to the vacancies for Communications and Mike’s duties.  She will personally notify members of any changes.
• On March 24 from 11am to 4pm, there will be a “Celebration of SaddleBrookes” at SB Ranch celebrating 40 years of Robson Communities.  She asked that Associations provide flyers, posters, and/or brochures, for the program.  Harriet will be the point of contact for Associations.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 pm.  The next meeting will be April 12 at 1:30 pm in the Cholla Room at MV.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda DeWitt-Acting Secretary