May

What do they say? April Showers bring May Flowers; again, we got our tournament in, between rains for another Great Golf Day. The rough on the course made play a little slow and very difficult as was evident to the scores, but overall I think the course was in excellent condition. For the first time in almost two years we had a Hole-in-One by Scott Royle on hole # 3, I believe I heard Scott say there would be a Keg at the May Meeting, Congratulations on a great shot. Remember to see Tom Link to pay your $3 Hole-in-One Insurance Premium.

At the May 9^th General Meeting you can see Jerry for a tee time on Father’s Day, if you sign up for a tee time you are responsible for that time, if you don’t show up for the time you have to pay for the green fee’s anyway. Be sure to put your name in the pitcher before the start of the meeting for a tee time for the June 24th 4-club tournament. The Member-Member Tournament is on the 27^th & 28^th of May. The Friday night Cocktail party and Putting contest on the 26^th has turned into quit a popular event, do not miss it, it all starts at 5:30.

If you have, any questions or concerns about the club feel free to contact any of the Board Members at any time.

The monthly meeting was held April 11, 2006 under the El Dorado Park Golf Course restaurant auxiliary tent. The restaurant provided a selection of Mexican food which included beans & cheese, beef, tamales, flour tortillas and ice tea for your nominal donation of $7. President Rich Dennison called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the membership in allegiance to our flag.

Past Presidents in attendance: Tom Conlisk, Steve Shure, Ray McElhenney, Mike Montgomery, Greg O’Brien, Bob Livingstone, and Tom Link.

Tom Burris, Bob Livingstone, Fred Gibson, and Tom McCutcheon represented our life membership.

The Minutes and Treasurer’s report as printed in the newsletter were accepted.

Tom Link took the podium to announce our nominees for the long Beach Golf Commission are Ray McElhenney, Dennis Smith, and Jon Monat. Tom allowed them a couple minutes to speak their position on being our rep. Ray noted he became involved with the Policies and Procedures changes that have been started and wants to see it through. Dennis advised he has spent a lot of time with non-profit concerns and wants to serve El Dorado Men’s Club. Jon was absent from the meeting. No other nominations were made from the floor. Mike Montgomery and Steve Shure handed out the ballots.

One new member introduced himself, stating his name, occupation, and presumed handicap. Bob Livingstone took him on the new member tour.

Ray McElhenney – Golf Commission: CIP (Capital Improvement Fund) has been geared lately towards the bond. They now have $295,000. A sub-committee is to look at the courses to find things that need to be done. If we see some capital type things please let Ray know. The tent conversion to a permanent structure is not going to happen due to people across the street have complained. GPS is to be installed at Big Rec. Lastly, there is on-going talk about the rates to play Skylinks as their Men’s Club and the public are upset. The rates are up, but the amount of play is down. The Commission will have recommendations for the City to reduce the rate. No guarantee anything will change but they will provide recommendations.

Bob Livingstone informed our membership Bob Forster and Steve Pircher took 3^rd place in the SCGA 4-ball tournament. Dick Reagan and Tom McCutcheon also competed but did not place as high. Also, Mel Collins won the Senior Amateur tournament at Tijeras Creek in Rancho Santa Margarita. The SCGA has a lot of events members can participate in that area well run with starters, rules officials. Groups of three players are the format. Be sure to check out these opportunities.

Bret Holloway (for absent Chris Benes) – Handicap: Bret thanked everyone for doing a great job completing and turning in their scorecards. A chart is being prepared that will be posted on the board and the website noting which tourneys are Regular and which are Tournament scores. New member SCGA cards can be collected from under the computer cabinet in the Prop Shop.

Tom Link took the podium again to advise of the election result. Ray McElhenney will be our Commissioner for the next 2-years.

Nick Zamora – Entertainment: Playing SCGA April 28, cost $75. May 13 is the bus trip to San Vicente, shotgun start. In June we’re playing Green River.

Rick Evans – Director: Putting contest had good participation. It was an Aces only event with a 4, a 3, and a bunch of 2’s. Roger Scaife took 2^nd with his 3 while Terry Henson won it by sinking 4. G.O.M. Gross went to Kevin Orr with a 72, and Net went to Mike Supple with a 64. Mike prevailed over Randy Kervin on a card off that went to the front nine. There will be a chip-putt at the Member-Member Pairings party on the Friday night May 26.

Terry Fulford – Director: 9-hole tourney had 18 players. Winner was Scott Knoob. David Ahmadi and Wayne Neilson tied for 2^nd; while Steve Giroux took 3^rd. Terry reminded everyone that the 9hole event is to be from the front nine.

Mel Collins – Rules: There has been a lot of discussion to change all of the lake penalties at El Dorado to “lateral”, and not “water hazard”. A round of applause followed.

Jerry Leininger – Tournaments: Quad Club roster to be posted on the website and on our board. April tourney format to be 1-Gross & 2-Net on April 23^rd. Some spots are still available. May is the Member-Member with Friday night event as usual. Cost $95 per player for the 2-day event. Jerry thanked everyone in the room for making it to a non-raffle for tourney time meeting. Jerry noted that we will now play at full handicap for our tourneys wherever we can. The 90% was USGA and SCGA recommendation for when all balls do not need to be counted.

Dennis Tramer – Special Events: Dennis did not have any updates. No questions followed.

New Business: Bill Johnson inquired as to why no one from American Golf attends our meetings anymore. Bill expressed his displeasure with the course bunker conditions.

Raffle tickets continued to be sold. During the raffle, the prizes included all the usual goodies including Pro V1 golf balls and range cards. Dennis Tramer read off the raffle ticket numbers and Terry Fulford handed out the prizes.

50-50 was $32 tonight. The winner was Frank Followell. That was a quick $16 for Frank and $16 for Jr. Golf.

The membership drawing tonight was for $80. The number of Tom Baker was drawn. Tom was not at the meeting. Next month the prize will increase to $90.

Our April 1 gross- 2 Net Tournament could have been named the “Blind Draw” Invitational. I had several last minute changes and a few no shows. I want to remind everyone of the Club’s cancellation policy. If you do not notify the Tournament Chairman within 48 hours of the tournament that you are not able to play or if you do not show, you will be charged for the tournament. You also will have to pay the fees before you can play in another Men’s club event. I understand there are emergencies and last minute changes but I do need to hear from you to adjust the tournament.

Congratulations go to Scott Royle for his Hole In One on hole number 3. The shot still could not beat out the blind draw for first place in the B flight.

Our first major tournament of 2006 will be the Member- Member on May 27^th and 28^th. We will be playing Best Ball on Saturday and Aggregrate (count ‘em all) on Sunday. On Friday night starting as 5:30, we have our Putting/ Chipping contest and a chance for you to “set the stage “ with other teams for the weekends events. The Friday night gathering is always good for some laughs and a good time.

I still have tee times available so get a partner and get your money in as soon as possible. Your entry fee of $95.00 per person is good for 2 rounds of golf, tournament fees, 2 beverage tickets and a breakfast or lunch on either one of the days. Don’t miss this one.

Qualifications for the Member-Member are you must have an established handicap and have played in 3 Men’s Club Tournaments within the last 12 months. If you have any questions regarding your handicap, please contact Chris Benes or the Handicap Committee.

Our June tournament will be a 4 Club tournament based on the tally taken at the last tournament. I will announce the team format shortly but we will be playing from the White tees.

I will be taking sign ups at the General Meeting, May 9^th for anyone interested in playing El Dorado on Father’s Day. Our times are from 7:30 to 11:30 AM and are on a first come, first serve basis. If you sign up for a group, you bought it and are responsible for the fees. All cancellations must be within the American Golf, El Dorado Golf Course policy. This is a fun day with no tournament format. Family and or friends are invited to play with a Men’s Club member.

I know there is a lot going on this time of the year and I appreciate the support and participation from everyone. Your taking part in our events is what makes our club successful. Please contact me if you have any questions or ideas for future events.

Beginning Balance Checking Account			$ 11,522.99

DEPOSITS
Dues 2006	$ 475.00
April Raffle	$ 282.00
Checking Interest	$ 0.08
April Tourney	$ 5,270.00
50/50	$ 16.00
Member/Member	$ 4,940.00

TOTAL CASH RECEIPTS	$ 10,983.08

SUBTOTAL			$ 22,506.07

DEBITS

April Tourney		$ 6,019.75
Directors Meeting		$ 50.00
2006 SCGA Dues		$ 285.00
2006 Seaside Printing		$ 613.97
Misc		$ 37.94
ISP Mar 2006		$ 15.00
Los Altos Trophy		$ 62.50


TOTAL CASH DISBURSEMENTS		$ 7,084.16
CHECKING ACCOUNT BALANCE			$ 15,421.91
CERTIFICATE of DEPOSIT			$ 10,000.00
CERTIFICATE of DEPOSIT			$ 6,425.07
TOTAL FUNDS			$ 31,846.98

The April away trip was played on April 30^th at the SCGA course in Rancho California. The results will soon follow. We ended up with 72 players. I hope we had a good time.

May 13^th is the bus trip to San Vicente Golf Club in Ramona. We are playing a shot gun start at 12:00. The bus will be at El Dorado at 8:30 am. The cost is $85.00 each and the format is a123 Waltz. This will be our first night trip. (We will probably be back by 8:00 pm) So come join in the fun. I will be making final preparations at the meeting.

June 11^th is the Green River Away Trip. Tee time will be a shot gun. The cost will be $75.00 each. The format will be 2 best ball with a blind hole on the back. Let’s get the summer started with a BANG.

I would like to begin my article by thanking you for your support by re-electing me for another two year term as your Golf Commissioner. I will continue to support the club in the best way possible.

Let’s start out with the usual stuff!! The rounds of golf for the month, for all the courses were down slightly, 1.24% to be exact. Year to date for all the layouts the rounds are up by 19.49%. Here at El Dorado our month to date rounds were up by 6.76%. For the year we were up by 31.75%. Amazing what a little nice weather will create!!

Nominations for the Hall Of Fame are still open, but the final day is 5-10-06. If you have some who is deserving of this award, please let me or “Livy” know ASAP.

The revenue generated by the courses was again over 1 Million dollars. The city garnered over 367 Thousand!! Not Bad!! The CIP fund as I spoke about last month will be put into use starting very likely next month. The sub-committee brought to the Commission their findings regarding what project should be first. The majority were in favor of leveling several tee boxes. All the tees will be examined, and a decision will be made as to which ones are in need of leveling. I do not believe any of our tee boxes are affected.

Our Jr. Golf program continues to flourish. The current membership is 390, with a fund in excess of $112 Grand. The annual D-Day Golf event for Jr. Golf will be held on Saturday June 10^th. It will be at Heartwell Park, and the entry fee is $40.00 per player. That includes Golf, Tee Prizes and luncheon. There will be a live auction held at the conclusion of the luncheon. Anyone interested there are flyers at Heartwell. Several other events are on the horizon. I mentioned previously of a tournament that will also benefit the Jr’s. This event will be held at Skylinks on Friday August 18^th. All the information can be found on the City’s web page.

One other event that is being sponsored by the City with all proceeds going to our sister City Long Beach Mississippi, which was greatly affected by Hurricane Katrina is being held at Skylinks on July 24^th. All of that information can be obtained on the web site Lindsay@ljgroup.biz or www.longbeachcares.org. Phone number for Lindsay Shields is 562-621-0521.

Finally as I mentioned last month some recommendations for the lowering of rates at Skylinks have been brought to the commission. There are 5 recommendations, again all addressing Skylinks. Basically in a nut shell all of the recommendations would like to see the rates at Skylinks be the same as they are at El Dorado, and Rec Park. They address the senior rates and Junior rates. Also one recommendation is to lower the rate for the Men’s and Ladies events to match what is charged at El Dorado. A senior discount should be offered to non resident seniors, in efforts to increase play by our seniors. I will not go into full detail at this time but I am certainly open for any questions you may have. Well now that I have warn out my key pad, I will close by adding that American Golf is going to re-do the “green’/flag areas on the driving range, They have become a bit rounded so they are going to flatten those areas out somewhat!! That will be all for this go around.