Golf Commission

Commissioners Present: Jay Paggi (Chair), David Valcourt (Vice Chair), Girard Healy, Andrea Johnson, Jim Juras, Anne O’Connell

Others Present: Jay Packett (Director of Operations), Colin Walsh (Course Superintendent), Cindy Davey (9 Hole Women’s Association), Bill Meehan (Finance Liaison)

 

This meeting was video recorded. The meeting may be viewed at Golf Commissioners 10-82024 (cablecast.tv)

 

• Call to Order

 

• Declaration of a Quorum – Six commissioners were present.

 

• Meeting Participation Statement

 

• Recording Statement – As required by the Open Meeting Law, we are informing you that the Town will be video and audio taping as well as broadcasting this public meeting. In addition, if anyone else intends to either video or audio tape this meeting, they are required to inform the Chair.
• Public Announcements and Comments – None

 

• Update on Financials – Jay Packett

 

25. Budget Status FY25. The town pulled indirect costs of $218,458. They have not yet pulled the capital stabilization fund amount. A slight increase in spending is due to an increase in fertilization needs.
26. Comparison Report for September – We are $14k ahead of 2023.
27. Calendar year – We are $285k ahead of last year.
28. Fiscal year 2025 – We are $218k ahead of this time during FY24.
29. Budget projections for FY25 – Indirect costs caused a loss in September and the prediction is the Capital Stabilization fund will cause the same for October. Otherwise, there is an appealing bottom line.
30. Rounds played for the calendar year – we are about 2k less in rounds than last year.

 

• Update on Golf Operations – Jay Packett

 

1. Included in the packet is an email from Peter Lombardi regarding positive comments from Mark Nelson from Horsely Whitte, offering praise to Colin for maintaining low use of nitrogen per the Pleasant Bay Watershed permit.

 

• Golf Course Conditions, Projects, and Staffing – Colin Walsh
  1. Course conditions are in a great place, everyone is working well together as a team to maintain conditions. Weather has been favorable for recovery from aeration and supporting fertilization. The new fertilizer spreader has been efficiently used and is a welcome addition. Recently top-dressed greens, some sod work in the rough, and collars added. Tree work and underbrush work will be done in the future.
  2. Project updates – The upcoming NEIGA tournament offers a great opportunity to showcase the courses, so some extra work will be done. We plan to remove asphalt from the cart path and have some upcoming drainage work.

 

• Selection of 1 Commissioner for Maintenance Building Process – Jay Paggi

 

1. Dave Valcourt will take over for John Kissida. Jay Paggi will now be the backup to Dave and Andrea.

 

• Status State of Captains – David Valcourt, Anne O’Connell

 

1. Anne will send a draft to Dave.

 

• Fortieth Anniversary Discussion – Anne O’Connell

 

1. Suggestions mentioned were additional items that will have our logo and 40th anniversary or 1985-2025 within the pro shop, Freemans Grille making a special beverage, getting a banner for the front, an off-season tournament on the original 18hole course, and honoring 1985 original members.
2. Research on generating a book on the history of the golf course will be managed by Girard.
3. This will be added to the agenda for every second meeting for consistent follow-up.

 

• Initial Discussion on daily fees, membership rates, and cart rates

 

2024. Daily Fees – Daily Fee players account for 47% of our revenue. In 2023 44k guest rounds were played, and 47k in 2024. Comparative courses were compared and our rates are on the higher end of the spectrum, however, we are in line with most Cape municipality courses. Current recommendations are a 6% increase but are still being discussed.
2025. Cart Fees – Our current rates are in line with other courses for member and non-member pricing. Our current lease is $111,000 annually. For 2025 the price is approximately $192,000. Thoughts regarding how to offset the price increase and what other courses are doing were discussed.
2026. Membership Rates – Other local municipal courses were compared, and we are somewhere in the middle for cost.
2027. Discussions will continue during upcoming meetings.

 

• Questions and Comments from Associations and Liaisons
  1. Cindy Davey – incoming 9-hole Women’s Association president offered her thanks to Colin, Jay, and the Golf Commission for the ongoing work for Captains.
  2. Bill Meehan informed the commission that he has been reappointed as the liaison for the finance committee.
  3. Jay Packett representing Mary of the Women’s 18-hole league – Mass Golf Fall Cup Team won the division and went onto the finals, where they came in 2nd.

 

• Review and Approve Minutes (9.10.24 & 9.24.24)

 

1. Minutes for both dates are accepted.

 

• Future agenda items and Meetings (10.22.24, 11.12.24, 11.19.24)

 

1. The conversation regarding daily fees, membership rates, and cart rates will continue.
2. The first budget meeting with the Finance team is October 22nd. The second meeting to finalize will be November 19th. The Golf Commission will dedicate its November 19th meeting to discuss the budget.

 

• Matters not reasonably anticipated by the Chair

 

1. The Captains Golf Course hosted the Finance Committee and Selectboard on October

3rd to discuss the capital items that will be reviewed at the special town meeting in November. The maintenance building and the water source and supply were the two main focal points.

2024. The Select Board approved Golf Commission requests at their meeting on October 7, 2024.
2025. Andrea Johnson and David Valcourt represented the Golf Commission at the Volunteer Fair at the Sea Camps.
2026. Jay Paggi noted some positive feedback he received regarding the recent select board visit to the golf course.

 

• Adjournment