The following are the minutes of the Brewster Golf Commission meeting held on 4/9/2013 at the Captains Golf Course. The meeting was called to order at 4:00 PM by Jim Ehrhart as acting Chairman in the absence of Cindy Bingham.
Commissioners present: Jim Ehrhart, Vice-Chair
Ed Pavlu
Marc Fontaine
Lori Arnold
Jeff Odell
Anne O’Connell
Staff present: Mark O’Brien, Director of Operations
Steve Mann, Superintendent
Others Present: Rob Harris, Men’s Association
Judy McCarthy, Women’s 18-Hole Assn.
Anne LeMaitre, Women’s 9-Hole Assn.
Jerri Carlin
Mike Austin
Review of meeting minutes:
A correction was noted to the minutes. Steve Mann the correct organization that Steve Mann was named president of is New England Turf Grass Foundation. Jeff Odell made a motion, seconded by Lori Arnold, to approve the minutes of the March 12, 2013 Golf Commission meeting as amended. Motion approved unanimously.
Association Reports:
Jeff Odell reported that The Friends of the Captains Golf Course is in the process of installing a screening structure for the loading dock. All agreed this will be a great improvement.
Suggestion Box:
A comment was submitted that there are broken tee boxes missing from some of the par three tees. Steve Mann said this was being taken care of.
Director of Operations Report (Mark O’Brien):
Mark O’Brien reported:
The March financials were reviewed.
The advertising program is taking off. Our Open House event is taking place on April 27th and will be advertised on the radio, press releases in the newspaper, facebook, and by email blasts. We are being featured in the Cape Codder with a weekly golf instruction article, we are expecting some press for the restaurant, and much more to come.
Mike Austin made a suggestion regarding make the “Early” membership category more attractive by allowing that group to book tee times before the other groups have access to the system. Mark O’Brien said he would look into this.
Report on meeting with Finance Committee:
Mark O’Brien reported that the meeting with the Finance Committee on March 27th did not go well. They continue to believe that further cuts are necessary to our maintenance operations and wage line items. To make matters worse, the Executive Director of the Brewster Chamber of Commerce made a comment that the Golf Department has not reached out to the Chamber regarding our marketing efforts. Mark O’Brien said he called her the next day and asked what programs the Chamber offers that we do not take advantage of, and her reply was “none”. He informed her that her comment did not accurately reflect our relationship with the Chamber and asked her to email a statement to Mike Fitzgerald to clarify, which she agreed to do. In the end, the Finance Committee voted not support the golf FY2014 budget request.
The golf budget will be discussed again by the Selectmen on April 22nd at 6:00 p.m. Jim Ehrhart suggested the Golf Commission hold a special meeting on April 22nd at 4:00 p.m. to discuss any adjustments to the FY2014 golf budget.
Superintendent’s Report
Steve Mann reported:
· The conditions are good.
· Currently there is no apparent crane fly activity.
· The irrigation system has been started up and appears to be in good shape.
· Jim Ehrhart asked Steve if he could do something to address the sink hole on Port #10 next to the forward tees. Steve said he would put some fill in there.
Review pace of play and ranger duties:
Marc Fontaine said he asked for this to be on the agenda because he feels it is very important to make sure we continue to make improvements in this area. Mark O’Brien said there are a number of new rangers on staff this year and we will work hard on training and making sure that the staff makes this a priority.
Reconsideration of college discount:
Jeff Odell brought up this issue. Mark O’Brien said he will discuss this with the marketing people.
The next meeting of the Brewster Golf Commission will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2013.
Lori Arnold made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Anne O’Connell. Motion approved unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 4:50 pm.
Mark O’Brien, Director of Operations