Green Committee Minutes
August 2, 2010

Chairman:  Tim Phillips
At Large Members in Attendance: Jack Galanti, Phil Perzan; Gordy Johnson, Ed McCoy
Representatives in Attendance: Carol Clifford (QCLGA), Chuck Stensrud (QCMGA),  Mary Lehman (Lady Niners), Bob Spears (Duffers)

Also in attendance: Marc Giannonatti (Robson), Dennis Johnson (Head Golf Professional), Tom Cunningham (Course Superintendent), Marilyn Mazeika (POA Rep), Mac McBride (Finance Committee); Guest: Gil Lusk (POA)

The Meeting was called to order at 1:30 PM by Chairperson, Tim Phillips.
The minutes from the Green Committee Meeting of July 12, were approved as posted.

Chairman Report: (Tim Phillips) Tim reported a change in the schedule for the September Meeting. Due to the Labor Day Holiday on Monday, September 6, the September Green Committee Meeting will be on Tuesday, September 7 (1:30 PM – Gold Room, Madera Clubhouse)

October 29 and November 4 remain as tentative dates for the Green Committees from the Preserve and Robson Ranch to travel to Quail Creek.

There was a brief discussion regarding the final amount of the Coyote Bunker Project 2011 Budget Request Form, approved by the Committee at the July 12 meeting.  It wasdetermined that the request, as submitted, was sufficient for planning.

Finance Committee Report (Mac McBride)
Mac distributed financial statements as of July 31, 2010.

Total revenue Year-To-Date is approximately $46,600 over Budget    

Daily Green Fees          +19,300
Play Cards                    +46,600
Annual Green Fees       - 16,300
Outings                          -   3,000        

Total Revenue from www.golfnow.com YTD is double as of this time last year. YTD through June 30, 2009 revenue was $35,000; YTD through June 30, 2010 is $72,000.

Head Professional Report (Dennis Johnson)
Representatives from the Arizona Golf Association (AGA) are at Quail Creek today – to rate the Quail and Coyote Courses.  (The last time they were rated by the AGA was approximately 5 years ago).  Changes in current rating can be put into place(printed on scorecards) as soon as we choose to do so.  The current supply (of scorecards) should last thru the Winter.  Changes in rating will be printed on new scorecards when ordered.

Trimming of trees to improve visibility from tee-boxes (Quail #4 as an example) should be completed this week.  Work around the bunkers on Quail #8 should also be completed this week. 

Golfers are advised to watch for important information in the “What’s Happening atQuail Creek” notices in the next few days regarding play from newly sodded areas of fairways.

Dennis reported that the organizers for the Special Olympics Tournament scheduled for August 8^th (72-80 players) have cancelled, (adding to the difficulty in meeting the 2010 revenue budget of $20,000 for Golf Outings) Ads in local papers will appear this week for the “2 for 1” special for Green Valley/ Sahuarita residents, (scheduled for August 14^th) with the hope that some supplementary Golf Outings revenue can be generated.

Dennis reiterated the course closure schedule: Sept 13, Roadrunner Course closed; September 20 all courses closed.  Scheduled re-opening date remains as October 11.

Course Superintendent’s Report (Tom Cunningham)
Tom reported that the greens were sprayed with insecticide last week, and that he will be spraying with algaecide next week.  Verticutting continues as well as edging bunkers, cart paths, etc.  The over-seeding process this year will include much less cutting down, (no “scalping” of the fairways) followed by use of much more (heavier application) of seed, compared to prior years.

Greens will remain at 1/8 inch; rough at 1 ½ inch until over-seeding. 

New drains in reconstructed bunkers on the Quail Course were tested with the recent heavy rains.  Grass will grow naturally, (no sod or seed required) to cover the bare areas created by the new drains. 

A solution for lack of access from the fairway near the green on Quail #2 for golfers with handicap flags will be reviewed.

A sign indicating “certified wildlife area” placed in the area left of the green on Quail #5 is Illegitimate, and will be removed.

Robson Report (Mark Giannonatti)New home sales have increased slightly. Corporate-wide, thirty-two were sold in July.  Six new homes were sold at Quail Creek in July.  Quail Creek leads in generating  golf revenue year-to-date, when compared to all of the other Robson Communities. 

Mark offered congratulations to the Quail Creek Finance Committee, as well as to the Pricing Committee for all of the hard work on both the 2010 reports; as well as preliminary work done on 2011 Budgets/Pricing.

Ed McCoy (Course Committee)
Most items discussed at recent Course Committee meetings have been previously discussed. (continued work around the bunkers at Quail #8, as an example). 

Dennis will review requests to cut back fairways, (where possible) to be closer to tee-boxes.

Sales and Marketing Report (Phil Perzan)The Committee has been advised by the POA that the Annual Golf Membership Lottery discussed at the July 12 Green Committee meeting is illegal as presented.  The committee will now review options to re-present the suggestion of a Lottery – limited to within the Quail Creek Community.

Phil reported that the Committee has extensive 2011 Marketing plans ready to be put into action, as soon as numbers are available from the Pricing Committee.

Pricing Committee Report (Jack Galanti)
The Committee is hard at work, generating “creative ideas” for increasing revenue.  They are also keenly aware of the need to plan in advance (set-up reserves, etc.) for future large dollar expenses (such as replacement of the current irrigation/sprinkler systems).

Interesting results from analysis of the past 3 years of golf revenue show that the average revenue for each of the 3 years was between $21.00 and $22.00 per round.  (Despite large variances in revenue sources each year). 

Association Reports:  

QCLGA (Carol Clifford)
Association activity continues to be relatively “quiet” through the summer months. A Nominations/Elections committee is working on the slate of candidates for the 2011 Governing Board..

Members are looking forward to the golf outing, arranged by Dennis Johnson, to La Paloma Country Club on August 3. 

A “no-frills” Guest Day is scheduled for August 5.

QCMGA (Chuck Stensrud)
As with the QCLGA, Association activity has slowed down through the summer months. 

The Association Nominations Committee is having a surprisingly difficult time recruiting candidates for 2011 Governing Board positions.

Lady Niners (Mary Lehman)
They have formed a Nominating Committee for 2011 Elections, and also are having a difficult time in recruiting candidates. 

The Association has a Golf Tournament planned for September 9^th with the Duffers,and, as reported at previous meetings , work continues on the Rally for the Cure golf event scheduled for October21.

Duffers Golf Association (Bob Spears)
The Duffers are looking forward to a combined Duffers/Putters Tournament/Event scheduled in August.

Suggestion Box:
Items in the suggestion box were briefly reviewed.  Most comments were positive. 

New Business:
Two of the at-large positions on the Green Committee will expire at the end of this year.  Tim will review the process for recruitment/interviews.

With no other items for discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 3:05 PM

Respectfully submitted,
Carol Clifford

Minutes - Green Committee Meeting
June 7, 2010
Madera Clubhouse – Gold Room - 1:30 PM

Chairman:  Tim Phillips
At Large Members in Attendance: Jack Galanti, Phil Perzan; Gordy Johnson
Representatives in Attendance: Carol Clifford (QCLGA), Chuck Stensrud (QCMGA)
Mary Lehman (Lady Niners), Bob Spears (Duffers)
Also in attendance: Dennis Johnson (Head Golf Professional), Marilyn Mazeika (POA Rep), MacMcBride (Finance Committee)
Guest: Scott Zeller (Desert Reflections)

The Meeting was called to order at 1:30 PM by Chairperson, Tim Phillips.

The minutes from the Green Committee Meeting of May 3, as well as thenotes from the Green Committee Open Forum on May 19 were reviewed and approved as posted.

Chairman Report: (Tim Phillips)
Tim reported on a productive day “exchange day” at the Preserve on May 14.  The newly formed Green Committee from Robson Ranch (Casa Grande) was also in attendance.  Tentative dates of October 29 or November 4 were discussed  for the Green Committees from the Preserve and Robson Ranch to travel to Quail Creek .

The committee briefly reviewed (and made suggestions for slight changes in wording) a draft of revised Golf Course Etiquette guidelines, to be posted in rental carts.  Dennis Johnson and Carol Clifford will meet later in the week to finalize the document.

Tim was asked to check on the status of removal of the erosion berms on several holes on the Roadrunner Course.  (some are split, etc.).  He will follow-up with Tom Cunningham.

Finance Committee Report (Mac McBride)
Mac distributed financial statements as of April 30, 2010. Highlights include:  average revenue per round from tee-times booked through golfnow.com = $37.45.
Total revenue is 7.7% over Budget (approx. $250,000):
Daily Green Fees           3.9%
Play Cards                   71.8%
Annual Green Fees       -4.1%
Outings are currently under budget, but a large outing to be recorded in May (Southern District Tournament) should bring actual closer to budget. Maintenance is over budget by 12.0%. Payroll burden accounts for 32.8%, while 41% is due to unexpected pump station repairs (computer drivers for Road Runner pumps).  The remaining is due to early (timing in relation to budget) purchase of chemicals, fertilizer and soil amendments.

(Note: Directors have already begun work on 2011 Budgets.  The Pricing Committee  will work with the Finance Committee to obtain budget numbers for 2011 as soon as possible.  The Pricing Committee would like to be able to present initial pricing proposals for 2011 to the Green Committee at the September meeting.  (To allow approval by the POA at it’s meeting scheduled on September 13) 

Bunker Restoration Project Report (Scott Zeller – Desert Reflections)
To date, work has been done on bunkers on Quail #1, #2 and #3.  The depth of sand/dirt in some of the bunkers was more than anticipated, but is not considered a major problem. Drainage will be achieved with the installation of new sumps, as it does not appear that there are sufficient existing drains to tap into.  The project began on schedule, and should be completed within the initial estimated time-frame of 4-6 weeks.

Head Professional Report (Dennis Johnson)
The Committee reviewed a revised Quail Creek Policy for Golf Tournaments, recently approved by the POA.  The policy defines parameters for green fees and tee times for Community Golf Events as well as Outside Tournaments held at Quail Creek. After discussion, three minor changes to wording were made.  A motion was made, seconded, and approved to accept the Policy (with the minor wording changes.)  Copies of the final Quail Creek Policy for Golf Tournaments will be available for review at the Pro Shop  As proposed at the last meeting, the Golf Course Dress Code Policy from Pebble Creek (which had been recently updated) was reviewed.  After much discussion, it was determined that the current Quail Creek Dress Code only needed a few minor changes (clarification of type of denim) to bring it up to date (rather than re-writing the entire code to mirror the Pebble Creek Policy).  Marilyn Mazeika will meet with Dennis Johnson later in the week to finalize the changes.

Sales and Marketing Report (Phil Perzan)
“Project assignments” were made to the various committee members at a recent meeting.  The committee is anxious to receive numbers from the Pricing Committee early in the Fall to allow them to begin the 2011 Marketing campaign as early as possible.  (See note under Finance Committee Report).

Pricing Committee Report: (Jack Galanti)
No Report – (Items on the Agenda for the Pricing Committee were discussed earlier in the Meeting)

Association Reports:  
            QCLGA (Carol Clifford)  Carmen Smith was the winner in the recent QCLGA “President’s Cup” 3-Day Tournament.  Inter-Club competition continues through-out the Summer.  Association activity continues to be relatively “quiet” through the summer months.

            QCMGA (Chuck Stensrud) The QCMGA is preparing for it’s 2-Person Match Play Tournament. A Nominating Committee for election of 2011 Officers has been established.

            Lady Niners (Mary Lehman) The recent golf event and barbeque for 36 Continental Middle School students was a great success.  They also have formed a Nominating Committee for 2011 elections, and have begun working on plans for the Rally for the Cure golf event in October 

            Duffers Golf Association (Bob Spears)  The Duffers are planning a Major Tournament on August 24^th. 

Suggestion Box:
Items in the suggestion box were briefly reviewed.  All suggestions were those that are“typically” received (lack of grass on the fairways, poor conditions of bunkers, etc.) All suggestions will be forwarded to Tom Cunningham.

New Business:
The Committee agreed to change the date for the July Green Committee meeting from July 5th to July 12th. Tim will research availability of meeting rooms, and advise Committee members of meeting location/time.

With no other items for discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 2:40 PM

Respectfully submitted,
Carol Clifford