Commissioners Present: Anne O’Connell (Chair), Andrea Johnson (Vice-Chair), John Kissida, Wyn Morton, David Valcourt
Others Present: Jay Packett, Director of Operations, Colin Walsh, Golf Course Superintendent, Rob Harris (CCMGA), Donna Potts (9-Hole Women’s Assn), Sarah Robinson (18-Hole Women’s Assn), Peggy Jablonski (member 18-Hole Women’s Assn), Dave Whitney (Selectboard Liaison) and Bill Meehan (Finance Committee Liaison).
THIS MEETING WAS HELD REMOTELY WITH AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDED. The meeting may be viewed at: http://video.brewster-ma.gov/CablecastPublicSite/show/5529?channel=1
Jay Packett called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm after reading remote meeting guidelines and procedures.
Reorganization:
- Andrea Johnson nominated Anne O’Connell for Chair of the Golf Commission, seconded by John Kissida. There were no other nominations. Anne O’Connell was re-elected Chair of the Brewster Golf Commission. John Kissida nominated Andrea Johnson for Vice Chair of the Golf Commission, seconded by Wyn Morton. There were no other nominations. Andrea Johnson was re-elected Vice Chair of the Brewster Golf Commission.
Rating of the golf Courses:
- Anne O’Connell recognized Peggy Jablonski who spoke about the rating of the courses especially the difficulty for women golfers on Starboard 16. Jay Packett explained the handicap assignments of the various holes and will look into the various handicap assignments. Rob Harris spoke on this subject and offered his assistance.
- Andrea Johnson spoke about potential new tee boxes indicating fact gathering will continue after Columbus Day, moving forward from there.
- A request for a refund was received for two non-resident members. Discussion followed.
- A motion was made by Andrea Johnson, seconded by John Kissida, to approve the refund request of Mr. and Mrs. Marcel. Motion passed unanimously.
Tee Time Allocation Policy:
- At last night’s Selectboard Meeting the Golf Commission was directed to approve a tee time allocation of 35.8 percent. Jay Packett recommended 50 percent tee times on one course and 21.6 percent on the non-member course as directed by the Selectboard. Discussion followed.
- A motion was made by Wyn Morton, seconded by Andrea Johnson, to approve tee time allocations as recommended by Jay Packett. Motion passed unanimously.
- A motion was made by Dave Valcourt, seconded by John Kissida, that the Commission revisit the tee time allocation algorithm. Discussion followed. Motion passed unanimously.
Superintendent’s Report:
- Colin Walsh reported maintenance is in full operation. The rain has been good; the golf course is being cleaned up after the storm last week. The water is 9 million gallons below last year, saving quite a bit. There is some superficial dollar spot. The bunker on Port 13 is complete. The main pump is noisy, will be monitored and is still within the one-year warranty. The well contractor will be notified. Nitrate testing continues. Regular maintenance continues. Thanks to the Ladies 9-Holers for lunch.
Director’s report:
- Jay Packett reported on the financials. The numbers for Fiscal Year 21 are not complete. The budget is good. The month of June was good, revenues are up. The calendar year is up over $200,000. Fiscal Year 21 is up over the last five years. Plans for capital and other expenses need to be made. Play totals are the highest since the golf course expansion. Kudos to Colin Walsh and his crew for the course conditions. Calendar year totals are anticipated to be 70,000 to 80,000 rounds, depending conditions in the fall. Bill Meehan expressed his congratulations to all the employees for the current conditions at the golf course. Jay Packett thanked Mark O’Brien for his work in getting the golf course through previous difficult years.
- Colin Walsh reported the average is 445 rounds of golf per day in June and thanked his crew for their good work.
- Jay Packett has the final draft of the NGF study to be distributed to the Golf Commission. Discussion followed.
- Regarding water on the golf course, the Health Department and Town Hall, with input from Jay Packett and the Water Department, have decided water jugs will no longer be provided on the course. There will be two water filling stations, one near the Port 10 snack shack, the other off
9 Starboard green behind Starboard 1 tee. Hopefully approval from the Selectboard will be this week. Discussion followed regarding the ban on the use of plastic water bottles. Dave Whitney reported the two water stations have been ordered and will be installed as soon as they are received.
- Anne O’Connell asked about an email reporting slow play received from Dave Hussey who was playing on 12:45 on Saturday June 12. Pat Fannon has addressed this issue with the outside employees. Discussion followed regarding slow play policies. Jay Packett will follow up.
- Regarding the cancellation policy: Jay Packett reviewed prior policies and his thoughts regarding cancellations. Charging credit cards for cancelled time creates major issues. Discussion followed regarding the pros and cons of using credit cards for advanced reservations.
Anne O’Connell suggested if there is a policy regarding credit cards it should be updated or removed if it’s not in use.
Solar Project Updates:
- In answer to Anne O’Connell’s question, Jay Packet explained that the reason the road was blocked off in the solar parking lot was so the workers could get to Canopy 6. This work should be finished in several days. The plantings are going in at the driving range. The patchwork on the asphalt should be finished some time this month and then the parking lot can be striped. Dave Valcourt asked when revenues would start; Jay Packett explained it’s up to Eversource.
Strategic Planning Updates:
- Anne O’Connell will send out an email tomorrow or Thursday with her thoughts about how to tackle the NGF study as it intertwines with the irrigation study and welcomes feedback on how to structure the discussion on the 27th, starting with the irrigation study.
Review and approve minutes:
- A motion was made by Andrea Johnson, seconded by Wyn Morton to approve the minutes of 5/11/21 as rewritten. Motion passed unanimously.
- A motion was made by Andrea Johnson, seconded by Wyn Morton to approve the minutes of 6/8/21 as corrected. Motion passed with one abstention.
- A motion was made by Andrea Johnson, seconded by Wyn Morton to approve the minutes of 6/22/21 as corrected. Motion passed unanimously.
Future agenda items and meetings:
- Enforcement of members playing more than 4 times weekly.
- How to manage no shows on the part of daily fee players.
- Golf course security.
A motion to adjourn was made by John Kissida, seconded by Andrea Johnson, to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 5:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Dorothy Vesperman
Department Assistant