Commissioners Present: John Piemontese (Chair), Carl Blanchard (Vice-Chair), Andrea Johnson, Anne O’Connell, Jeff Odell and David Valcourt. Commissioner Wyn Morton was not present.
Others Present: Mark O’Brien (Director of Operations), Pete Ervin (Superintendent), Cindy Bingham (Select Board liaison), Jane Samiotes (Women’s 18 Hole Golf Association), Rob Harris (CCMGA), and Bill Meehan (Finance Committee liaison).
This meeting was held at the Captains Golf Course and was not televised.
Call to Order: John Piemontese called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
John Piemontese introduced David Valcourt as the newly appointed Golf Commissioner.
Public Comment:
- Rob Harris spoke about the success of the Captains Invitational Tournament held the weekend of 9/8.
Correspondence and Suggestion Box:
- Michael Pregot advised the commission that he has completed 2 of the histories about the captains for which the golf holes are named and that they have been put on the website.
- Sharon Hart advised the commission that the bathroom at the turn on the Port Course was not clean. Mark O’Brien stated this was the first he had heard about this issue since hiring a cleaning company. It was suggested that if this continues to be an issue that the member advise Mr. O’Brien immediately instead of putting something in the suggestion box.
- Mark O’Brien advised the commission that the LPGA Amateur Golf League had asked if they could hold a tournament at the Captains in either August or September of 2019. After discussion, it was agreed that their suggested dates were not feasible due to other annual events. Mr. O’Brien will talk to them about alternate dates in October, 2019.
- Mark O’Brien advised the commission that Mr. Sanchez had appealed the previous decision by the golf commission regarding the refund of his wife’s membership fee. Since the policy is specific and in writing, the commission declined to make an exception. Mr. Harris made the suggestion that the commission review their current refund policy.
Director’s Report:
- Mark O’Brien reported 96 players had played in the Captains Invitational.
- Mark O’Brien advised the commission that he was revising the projections for FY 2019 since, as of 8/31, revenue was lagging projections. As a result, hard decisions will need to be made regarding cost cutting. A general discussion followed on the Financial Reports.
- Carl Blanchard asked a question about ‘Comp’ rounds. Mr. O’Brien advised that these rounds were not displacing any paying players and that approximately 80% were golf staff with the remainder being played by other town employees.
- Mark O’Brien advised the commission that the amount of 9 hole play during the period 6/1-8/31 was approximately the same amount as had been played over the prior two years.
Cart Rules
- Mark O’Brien advised the commission that the Starters and Rangers had all received a supply of handouts that outlined the rules regarding the use of handicap cart flags and that they would be distributing them when someone requested a handicap flag. Additionally, the Rangers have been reminded to be on the lookout for cart abuses.
Marketing Report
- Mark O’Brien distributed a report on our advertising expenditures which included an analysis of our market share. A general discussion followed.
Superintendent’s Report:
- Pete Ervin thanked his crew for their above and beyond efforts this golf season. The course was in great shape for both the Captains Invitational and the Club Championships despite a very hot and humid summer. He also thanked the three associations for the lunches each one of them provided to the grounds crew during the course of the summer.
- Pete Ervin advised the commission that the course should end up under budget for their water allocation.
Flowers/Decorating Benches
- Pete Ervin advised that he had no issue with having flower planters near benches as long as the container is moveable. He also requested that the containers be visually consistent and that the upkeep was the responsibility of the party(ies) who put them out there.
State of the Golf Course Social
- The commission discussed having an event to update members and other interested parties regarding the state of the golf course. The discussion initially focused on having the event in the fall of 2018 but after discussion, it was decided that a spring 2019 event made more sense and would allow the commission more time to determine the format and agenda. Mr. Harris made the suggestion that the three associations plus the Friends association should be the co-sponsors who would then invite Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Ervin and the Golf Commission to participate.
Capital Plan:
- A discussion was held regarding the process which should be taken in order to come up with a Master Strategic Plan. This item will remain on the agenda.
Future agenda items:
- Final FY2018 financials.
Review and Approve Minutes:
- None to review.
Topics the Chair did not reasonably anticipate:
- Pete Ervin filled the commission in on a request for information that the golf course was required to provide. This issue has to do with a countersuit that Eversource has filed against the Town of Brewster regarding the use of pesticides and herbicides.
Adjourn:
- Jeff Odell made a motion, seconded by Carl Blanchard, to adjourn the meeting.
- Motion passed 6-0-0.
- Meeting adjourned at 6:05
The next meeting of the Brewster Golf Commission will be held on Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 at 4:00 at the Captains Golf Course.
Respectfully submitted,
Anne O’Connell, Golf Commissioner