Commissioners Present: Anne O’Connell (Chair), Andrea Johnson (Vice-Chair), Rob David, John Kissida, Wyn Morton, Jeff Odell and David Valcourt.
Others Present: Jay Packett (Director of Operations), Colin Walsh (Superintendent,) Rob Harris (CCMGA), Donna Potts (9-Hole Women’s Assn), Sarah Robinson (18-Hole Women’s Assn), and Dave Whitney (Liaison to the Selectboard).
THIS MEETING WAS HELD REMOTELY WITH AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDED. The meeting may be viewed at: https://reflect-brewster-ma.cablecast.tv/CablecastPublicSite/show/6058?channel=1
Anne O’Connell called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm after reading remote meeting guidelines and procedures.
Declaration of a Quorum – Seven Golf Commissioners present and accounted for which constitutes a quorum.
Public Comment – Cindy Bingham (Chair to the Selectboard) – Thanks Jay Packett, Pat Fannon and the Golf Commission for allowing the Captains Spring team to be part of the great event. Spring Team matches carry a field size of 144 teams around the State of Massachusetts. There are a total of 24 cups, each cup comprising 6 teams, which play every Thursday in the months of April and May. Spring team competition dates to 1900 when the Women’s Golf Association of Boston was formed. Teams in the Captain Course’s Team Cup were Dennis, New Seabury, The Bay Club of Mattapoisett, Acushnet River Valley, and Woodshole. The Captain’s Course Team were the winners of the Cup in 2022 – The winning team members were Lori Arnold, Maria Gay, Paige Ferraguto, Anne Demming, and Peggy Jablonski. Congratulations and thank you Captain’s for allowing this to happen year after year.
Jay Packett – Congratulations to all the Ladies that played and so happy that the Championship was brought back to Captain’s where it belongs! Kudos from the whole Golf Commission.
Superintendent’s Report – Colin Walsh – Weather is contributing to the Greening of the course and going nicely coming in the busiest season of July and August (Toughest two months of the year) – Still in a drought advisory – continuing reduced irrigation to the rough (State Mandated) – Even with the rains the ground water table is still well below average and will be continuing the reduced water schedule on the rough and fairway. Due to the nitrogen reduction program, you will see a lot more divots out there, cart traffic and more clover plants encroaching. Fun fact: Clover plants take nitrogen out of the air. Colin Walsh noted that help with divot repair would be greatly appreciated. The crew is still on every 2-week top dressing program, last week was Port (helps smooth the greens provide a better roll). Next week on Starboard they will be using the Ninja tines (small aeration hole about half the size of pen) that will help take the top thatch layer on the greens and sets the course up for going into July. The following week will be Port and the process is very minimally invasive. No delays or play interruptions and really benefits the greens going into July and August. The fairways have been verticut – it encourages the spreading of the bent grass – there are two types of grass, bent grass and Poa, we want to encourage the spreading bent and discourage the spreading of Poa. Verticutting helps with this and tighten up the fairways. Staff morale is fantastic, a great group of workers. Big kudos to the maintenance staff and they have a couple new hires coming on board shortly. The detail work on the course (tree trimming, edging, limbing, etc.) will continue through the summer.
John Kissida – asked for updates on updates on the Maintenance Building and the RFQ for the Pump House.
Colin Walsh – noted seeing no interest in the RFQ and will most likely resubmit in the fall when maybe some companies will be more available. As for the Maintenance building there has been no response from Catalyst Architect and Golf Structure Alternatives.
Jay Packett – Big thanks to Colin Walsh and his crew for all their hard work.
Director of Golf Report – Jay Packett – 82% of our spent budget – anticipate that going up dramatically in the month of June due to several factors. The Captains will fall between 92-94% of the budget spent. May 2022 was a very good month for the course. Revenue was up across many categories, membership revenues, greens fees, cart fees and pro shop sales were up $10,000. Pro Shop sales are $43,000.00 ahead of previous year. Overall, the Captains is at a $300,005.00 increase from fiscal year 2021. Rounds of golf played totaled 9,597 in the month of May – slightly lower than the previous year. 19484 total rounds played for the calendar year thus far. Down 3,000 from last year. However, we are very happy with where we stand on rounds played. The solar payments have come through and were included in this month’s revenue – $72,517.00. $22,000 from the driving range project and the remainder from the parking lot Solar Project. The anticipated end of the fiscal year revenue is 1.331 million dollars. Future solar payments will follow on the anniversary dates of the completion of each solar project.
Rob Harris – asked if the revenue for nonmember greens fees of $233,000 could be inflated as it is 10% higher than last year. Last year’s average greens fee for May was approximately $36 and in 2022 it has come to $53 per round. No saying the numbers are wrong but wondering if Jay had any insight on that and what may have caused such a shift?
Jay Packet – Stated that the numbers are off the end of day reports and are reported to Town Hall, so they are definitely accurate. No direct insight but he would speculate that there has been a slight increase in greens fees, as well as many group and hotel bookings, that coupled with that most days the tee sheet is booked from open till nearly 2-3 PM and would influence raising the average daily greens fee significantly.
Currently at 1,109 members as of yesterday. 75 new members since last meeting and 156 members less than the previous year. (See spreadsheet)
Requests have been easier to grant and see far less people getting shut out. Some players are still shut out on busy weekends and people that play often with Chelsea points, but it is happening far less. Anticipate a handful more of memberships coming through but the 1,109 is looking to be very close to the number we will have for members at the end of the year. There will be a lot to talk about this fall with where we go from here, membership wise.
Capital Planning Update – Practice area is the ultimate wish after necessary updates are accomplished no updates from Jeff Odell – John Kissida did note they got a GIS map of the area and did a sight visit, as well as spoke with Pat Fannon about ideas for the area. Thank you to Kathy Lambert, IT Director for the Town, for her help. Other than that, no updates as well.
Forward Tee Project – (Andrea Johnson) – The project is being re-evaluated and is being refocused as The Tee Improvement Project – Looking at the forward and gold tees and finding 3 new locations at the holes that they will make the greatest difference. They will construct 3 new tees each winter. Looking to make a more immediate effect for the course. Rob David – asked about how course ratings and such will be affected? – Andrea Johnson noted that Mass Golf will be able to assist in the process.
Rob David – No swim lane update currently.
Wyn Morton – No new updates to swim lane. Jay Packett did state that the drone operator has submitted documentation that will be turned into the Town Hall for approval. Once there is approval the project can get up and running to update the drone videos.
Jeff Odell noted that he will have more details for Wyn Morton shortly.
Dave Valcourt – Expressed concern about what we have been able to spend on our FY22 budget. I think we should update ourselves on that. Anne O’Connell agreed and will add that they will go over capital expenditures during the 6/28 meeting. Anne O’Connell noted that on August 2nd at 1pm they will be meeting with the Town to review what was spoken about in March.
GolfNow Overview (Rob David/Andrea Johnson) – (See attached slides in packet)
Rob David – Met with Joe an area sales rep for Golf Now and this is what Andrea Johnson and himself have put together based on this meeting and other research. Looking at alternative options for taking credit cards and deposits to avoid no shows and loss of revenue. See bullet notes in packet.
Andrea Johnson noted that Cranberry Valley has been using it for 4 years and are very happy with it. Several other Cape Cod courses have had success with GolfNow. Captains will get the no show revenue to see if it is cost effective and to make sure to not create too much work for the pro shop. Also, kudos to Rob David for the great presentation. – Discussion followed on the topic
David Valcourt – noted that he didn’t see it adding too much work and could potentially lessen the load on the pro shop – great presentation.
Jeff Odell – Asked if there was any way with the barter option is there anyway the credit card can go through GolfNow? Andrea Johnson and Rob David noted they did not know and will ask but felt that it was locked in that way.
Rob Harris – suggested if we did have to give them one tee time to make it the one directly before 2 pm as that one usually never sells as the discounted greens fee begins at 2pm.
Anne O’Connell – asked how far in advance we must commit to what tee times we are giving them, could affect tournaments and other events. Andrea Johnson noted that they will find out.
Jay Packett – noted they had dealt with GolfNow in the past and it did not go well. He is sure they have refined how they operate but his biggest question is who deals with any charge back issues? Rob David noted that it is based on the model you choose. Though typically it would be GolfNow as the charge shows as GolfNow on the customer’s statement. Jay apologized for not first thanking Andrea Johnson and Rob David for doing such an amazing job on the presentation. Rob David stated they should come up with better cost data for no shows and the cost of GolfNow before bringing it to the Town. Jay Packett is working with Chelsea Systems to get the data on no shows and such. Anne O’Connell noted that until we have that data, we cannot make any proper recommendation to the Town. John Kissida noted that we could have GolfNow fully charge the card and there could be cost saving for them taking the credit card fee. Rob Harris volunteered to assist with any statistical analysis. He also noted another value of GolfNow is the user interface is a modern interface especially when compared to Chelsea. Wyn Morton seconded that and noted it is another way to market the course. Anne O’Connell will keep this on the future agenda list.
Questions and Comments from Associations and Liaisons:
Rob Harris – Note the CCMGA has 154 members currently in 2022 – they had 160 last year but they are having record play and attendance on the Wednesdays. Thanked Jay, Pat, Steve, and the staff at Captain’s Golf Course for all their help.
Sarah Robinson – Asked where the water stations are located on the course? Jay Packett stated the one that has been installed is directly behind the first tee on Starboard. We are currently in the process of getting the 2nd water station and will be located by the snack shack on Port 10. – Hoping to be installed in the next few weeks, but do not have a definitive timeline. Sarah Robinson asked if they could put up more traditional water stations on the golf course. Jay Packett noted it was determined by the golf course, town hall and health department that there would no longer be water receptacles on the golf course going forward in water jugs. That is why they would be installing the two filling stations on each course. Sarah Robinson thanked Colin Walsh and his crew for their great work on the course and saying that the course is in great condition.
Rob Harris echoed Sarah Robinson’s statements on the water and that the Town is making the decision on water on the course and that it was not for the Golf Commission to decide. Jeff O’Dell noted that having the water jugs out there without the cups is no different from filling a water bottle at a filling station. Anne O’Connell noted this, and they both stated it was not the forum for discussing the topic.
Review and Approve Minutes
5/10 – Andrea Johnson moved to approve – Seconded by John Kissida – Unanimously approved.
5/31 – John Kissida moved to approve – Seconded by Andrea Johnson – Unanimously approved.
Future Agenda Items and meetings (6/28) –
Anne O’Connell requested we vote to have a remote meeting on July 11th as that will be the last time they can.
Update on Meeting Format (Anne O’Connell)
The Selectboard voted and effective July 18th (A Monday) we will go back to an in-person meeting format. The second meeting in July will be in person barring any changes. More will be discussed at the next meeting as nothing is in writing.
Matters not anticipated by the Chair:
Rob David – acknowledged Peggy McEvoy, Dave Villandry and the Friends of Captains for the great work on the putting contest. Also thanked Pat Fannon and Jon Mohan for setting up the mini golf course. It was a great event overall.
A motion to adjourn was made by Andrea Johnson, seconded by Jeff Odell, to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously. The Meeting was adjourned at 5:30 pm.