Newsletter

Our 2008 Club Championship was completed on august 31^st. We had some very competitive flights. Going into the last round, 4 players were tied for the Club Championship. Thanks to those who participated and congratulation to our winners.

A special thank you goes to Bob Livingstone, Al Ostberg and Dennis Tramer for their assistance and time given in this years club Championship.

The flights tournament seems to be running smoothly with the first round matches completed. Good luck to all in future rounds and contact Mel Collins or a Board Member if you have any questions.

All members planning on attending the Weekender October 3, 4 and 5^th in San Diego, please make sure to get at least your deposits to Nick Zamora as soon as possible. The sooner we get a final count and deposits, the better Nick can finalize our reservations. You can fill out a white EDMC envelope and put it in the drawer next to the computer if you wish. Please make sure to fill out the envelope completely and clearly so we can easily read it.

Rich Dennison will present the 2009 Slate of Officers at the General Meeting September 9^th. Plan on attending the meeting to hear the Slate the Board of directors has recommended. Nominations form the floor will be taken at the October 14^th meeting. If you are interested in running for an elected office, please contact Rich Dennison or a Director in September.

The monthly meeting was held August 12, 2008 in the El Dorado Park Golf Course tent area. The restaurant provided sirloin tips and broth with mashed potatoes, and the salad bar with coffee or tea and a cookie for your nominal donation of $7.

President Jerry Leininger called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and led the membership in allegiance to our flag.

Past Presidents in attendance: Richard Scoville, Steve Shure, Bob Livingstone and Richard Dennison.

No new members were at tonight’s meeting. Mike Vaughn made note that we had not just a new member this month but a renewal from last year as well.

Bob Livingstone – Rules and SCGA Representative; Bob has learned that El Dorado will be placing new tee boxes for all of the par 3 holes. Congratulations to El Dorado representation in the Long Beach Pro-Am as we took about 60% of the prizes. Paul Wildy, Terry Fulford, and Steve Sure won the Net game while Floyd, Ian and Clay McCutcheon won Low team Gross with Clay winning low Amateur. Larry Grant won the Costa Mesa Seniors. Nick Zamora, John Davis (JD), and Don Russell took 2^nd in the Pro-Am Net. Good work guys. The SCGA is trying to make some changes for what we see (last 20 scores, trends, able to post for a course from anywhere, etc.). Mike Vaughn said to post where you play. Lastly they are curious if members use their membership card. If you have anything to ask or add send Bob an email.

Mel Collins – Director: Tonight’s Putting Contest had a $120 pot. Four (4) tied at 15. Winners of $30 each were Chris Benes, Terry Henson, Eddie Fernandez, and Tim Braswell. Flights are going along well. Five (5) divisions of 16 players per. Mel only has one tee time for this weekend. President Leininger will have some times following the Club Championship on the 24^th, 30^th, and 31^st. Jim Gibson asked about getting the phone number for who you are playing. The numbers are available at the Pro Shop in the Flights binder. Several people have called Mel for the number as well. Mel took a survey of the attending membership as to who would like to have their phone number and email on our website providing it was secure. Most everyone thought that would be good. Mel will work with Mark in providing this.

Pres. Leininger advised that anyone that does not want their info on the website to let Mel know ASAP.

Terry Fulford – Director: Only had (9) entries in today’s 9-hole tourney. Terry Henson took 1^st place and $23 with his 38 – 3 for a 35. 2^nd place and $14 went to Terry Fulford, while JD took 3^rd and $8. The Red, White and Blue tourney turned in some great scores. Gross GOM for July was Dewayne Kirksey shooting a lights out 68 and having to win on a card off. Net went to Steve Giroux with a 66.75.

Tom Retterath – Handicap: There were no changes to report or questions from the floor.

Nick Zamora – Entertainment: We’ve played two (2) events since the last meeting, San Luis Rey and San Clemente. San Luis was sort of disappointing as it seems to be being a bit run down so we won’t be going there next year. San Clemente was a great course with a great clubhouse. Our Weekender is October 3, 4 and 5 at the Double Tree in San Diego (used to be Carmel Highlands). Nick needs to receive your deposits ASAP to secure the rooms. Our last away trip will be to Rio Hondo.

Bret Holloway – Special Events: Bar-B-Q and Raffle this month. Be sure to buy raffle tickets as we’ll have over $7,000 worth of prizes. Looking for donations, company stuff, whatever. Remember to turn in your Special Events stuff to the table. This is your responsibility. Scrip and monies won must be picked up within 60-days or the money goes to the General Fund. Bret has been easy this year and not transferring until the 3^rd tourney or meeting. Remember to collect them in a timely manner. Special Events game this month will be “South of Willow” (1, 2, 3, 8 and 9).

Dennis Tramer – Tournaments: This month’s tourney is filled up. There are a few on the stand by list. Call Dennis to get on the list as there are cancellations every month. Partner-Partner sign up sheets are in the Pro Shop. Handicap will be based off the lowest index player. If there is one day you need a certain time get that info to Dennis ASAP. First come, first serve.

Old Business: 2009 Renewal forms are being sent to members. October 15 is the deadline date to have your Renewals submitted to receive the early rate as well as to remain on the January, 2009 SCGA roster. This is critical for Team Play members or they will not be eligible to play 2009 Team Play competition. Al Reinking inquired as to how the membership rate increase is going to help our Club. Pres. Leininger advised the membership that as with everything going up in price the cost to keep our Club where we want it to be has also risen. Our membership has been in a declining mode for several years, and we need to perform a website upgrade as the one we have now is antiquated.

New Business: Kerry Bryan thanked Jim Baird for providing the keg for tonight’s meeting. Kerry then provided a motion to increase the insurance fund to $5. This was seconded, and unanimously carried. $5 will be the amount following the next winning. If you are interested in running for a BOD position or to be an appointed member see Richard Dennison. Dudley will present the slate at the September meeting. Nominations from the floor will be accepted at the October meeting and the election of next year’s Board will be in November.

Cash raffle tickets continued to be sold. Bret Holloway called the winning numbers. Tonight’s Grand prize of $30 was won by Corey Smith.

The Membership drawing tonight was for $50. The number of Ken Louie was drawn. Ken was at the meeting and collected the check from our Treasurer Al Ostberg. Next month the prize will again start at $50, progressing $10 each month until it is again won.

The August BBQ went off fairly smoothly considering how difficult the transition is between 9's. The early groups played a little fast and had a 40 minute wait to turn 9. As the the day went on though it got better as groups only had to wait approx. 10 minutes. I like to commend Mr. Holloway on a fine raffle as he had many great prizes to give away. Everybody seemed to have a great time. In the gross, the young guns came through as B. Hass, J. Hass, M. Hass. B. Huntington, and C. Price shot a nice 205 Gross(-11) to win in going away. Every month we seem to have 1 team shoot lights out. This month it was a shocker as I know these guys can't play a lick. The group of D.(Yellow Dog) Marmion, M. (It's Going Left) Montgomery, T.(Hit The Ball Drag Frankie) Braun, F. (Hit The Ball Drag Tommy) Followell, and W. (Mr. McGoo) McGhee. They clobbered the opposition in "A" Flight shooting an outstanding 188 and winning the flight by 11 shots. If these guys can win, anybody can so I can't wait to get back into action. I would also like to mention a fine round by Mr. J. Hasselman who shot a fine round of 67. All results can be found on our website or the Men's Club board in the hallway.

For The PARTNER-PARTNER TOURNAMENT on SEPTEMBER 13TH and 14TH you will fill out sign-up slips (they are in the pro shop on the window sill next to the computer) put them in an envelope and put in the drawer. Cost will be $110.00 per player. I will not take anything by hand for this tournament. The format will be Saturday FRONT 9 SCRAMBLE - BACK 9 CROSSOVER. On Sunday FRONT 9 BEST BALL - BACK 9 AGGREGATE. This Tournament is played at L.I. or Assigned Index or handicap. On Saturday you will have a 2 drive minimum for the scramble 9 hole portion. Your front 9 HCP will be figured as follows: You will take 1/2 off the low player on the team. Then you will add shots based off the team differential as follows.0-3 diff +0--4-6 diff. +.5 7-9 diff. +1 10-12 diff. +1.5 13 and above +2. EXAMPLE: Orville Schwartz is a 4 HCP. His partner Dufus McGillcuddy is a 13 HCP. There front 9 Hcp is 1/2 of 4 for 2 and a team differential of 11 for an additional 1.5 TEAM HCP FOR THE FRONT 3.5!!! The crossover side you take your total team HCP and divide by 4. Saturday's scorecards will have a team HCP only on them. I will provide a sheet with everybody's HCP's for SPECIAL EVENT SIGN-UPS. Sunday play to full HCP with strokes as the fall. Any questions feel free to call me.

Beginning Balance Checking Account			$ 9,748.67

DEPOSITS
JULY TOURN	$ 4,850.00
HOLE IN ONE	$ 18.00
CLUB CHAMP	$ 840.00
CKING INT	$ 0.51
DUES '08	$ 400.00
FROM CD	$ 5,000.00
SAN LUIS REY	$ 2,048.00
SAN CLEMENTE	$ 1,464.00
AUG TOURN	$ 2,790.00

TOTAL CASH RECEIPTS	$ 17,410.51

SUBTOTAL			$ 27,159.18

DISBURSEMENTS
HOLE IN ONE		$ 546.00
DIRS MEET		$ 50.00
09 POSTAGE		$ 126.00
DIRS OUTING		$ 559.00
RAFFLE		$ 321.41
LB OPEN		$ 1,110.00
JULY TOURN		$ 8,146.00
LOS ALTOS TROPHY		$ 66.81

TOTAL CASH DISBURSEMENTS		$ 10,925.22
CHECKING ACCOUNT BALANCE			$ 16,233.96
NEW CD			$ 5,205.65

TOTAL FUNDS			$ 21,439.61

Well boys, looks like another summer at El Dorado is fast approaching an end; no way better to finish then a Weekend Golf Trip to San Diego. The dates are October 3^rd thru 5^th. We are going to the Doubletree Inn in San Diego. I have posted an application on our website regarding costs for rooms, golf, and partners and so on. The dead line is September 10^th. So give me your money!

Our last trip of the year is to the Great Rio Hondo course in Downey. The date is November 8^th, Saturday; starting at 9:30 am. The cost is $80.00 and the format will be Count 2 Scores on the Par 3’s and 5’s and 3 Scores on the Par 4’s.

Regarding the “Little Brown Jug”, there are three opportunities to score on the weekender. I am going to use the net scores on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Remember you need at lease 5 scores to qualify. I will take the 5 lowest net scores for the year. First Prize is 150 Points, Second Prize is 100 Points and Third Prize is 50 Points. You can also use the Rio Hondo course to score as well.

You can email, call or see me at the meetings to sign up. So let’s finish this year strong and go out with a bang.

I am looking for new courses for next year so if you have any requests let me know. Until we meet again, THANKS for all your participation.

Be at the September Meeting, as I will cover how to make a claim, and handle Rules of Golf disputes in Match Play since I have had several calls from the first month of the Flights.

I went to one of the SCGA Delegate Meetings at the end of August at Mesa Verde CC (if I still liked to play golf I would have been really pissed that they didn't let us play afterwards!).

Of particular note, through IGN (International Golf Network) you can post almost any round you play in the US or civilized world on the computer at the course you play...the Hawaii Golf Assn., hasn't signed up yet...guess they are too busy watching Michelle and Tad? You can also do stats on your rounds of golf through the Handicap Section. While you are there, check out the Casual Golf Days as well. They have a deal at Indian Wells CC (the layout used in the Bob Hope) on a SATURDAY in September, lunch and cart included, for $65! You can take from one player to a group or more...what a great deal!

The SCGA Foundation is really getting active, and there are specials related to golf that kick money back to junior programs, including one day tickets to Riviera and Torrey for the Tour events...the tickets are dramatically discounted AND most of the money goes to charity!

On August 27th, the monthly meeting was called to order at Skylinks Golf Course. Elections for new officers was held with John McCann elected Chair and Robin Bellamy elected Vice-Chair for the following two years. New assignments to other committees were chosen and I will be on the Tournament and Capital Improvement committees.

Terry Lortz is retiring after serving 13 years as Superintendent of Golf Operation for the City and Bob Livingstone has contracted with the City to serve in his place until new job search for new appointed person is completed. Rounds per course and course revenue for the year are down 4.13% most likely due to the economy. The Long Beach Golf Festival again was a success with record participation in the nine events held with donations of $5000.00 to the Assistance League, $2500.00 to Long Beach State golf and $1000.00 to Partners of Parks. In addition, various goods and services were donated to other golf charity tournaments and community fund-raising events.

El Dorado Golf Course has been rated 55th in the top 100 courses in the United States (I guess they haven't been back after the Open). Jason and Jerry are in the process of trimming the rough and repairing a few greens that always seems to happen after the Open tournament. They punched the green right after the tournament but Jason said there was a little pilot error along with heat stress and high salt content and reclaimed water just does not get the job done correctly. New sprinkler heads have been ordered and should be installed in October. As usual they are trying their best to get the course back in shape. Over at Skylinks, a new practice area with chipping facilities and putting green is being put in behind the 18th green and should be ready in a few months and Rec-9 has a 3 year master plan in process for trees, cart paths, and course upgrades along with the club house and restaurant. At Eldorado, new tee boxes will be built on 3, 9 and 12 within the next few months. Until our next report, keep your head down and hit 'em straight.

August was a full month of events and the Flights Championship was part of that mix. We have a large field of 80 players, 5 Flights, that's 40 matches to be played in August. 90 % of those matches have been played. I will extend the time for one week for the 4 remaining matches, to September 7, because of our loaded schedule in August. You know who you are, please get them played. Those who still owe me the $10.00 entry fee, deposit in the El Dorado Men's Club Box.

I not sure I can secure tee times for the month of September, call or email me and I will let you know. Players are responsible for scheduling their matches. Lets have all matches completed on time in September.