Let me begin by saying thanks to all those that were able to attend the meeting on July 23rd. We had 30+ people present and much discussion about relevant topics to the MGA. Most of the discussion revolved around the results of the recent survey. Personally I think the input from the survey gave us a good idea as to what the general membership thinks about how we conduct our business.
I have posted the results to the survey on our Website. You can access the survey results by using the Menu at the top of the Home Page and selecting MGA News – 2015 Survey Results. You can also select the link below:
I will try to summarize the highlights of the meeting:
- There was a lot of discussion relative to whether we should allow women and/or Jr golfers to play in the game. It was decided not to allow either for varying reasons. The most common reason was that we did not feel that it was appropriate for women or Juniors to be subjected to some of our negative behavior. It may be be fine for adult men, but we were not ready to take on the responsibility of how our habits would be accepted or viewed by others.
- Roll the ball year around? It has been a topic of discussion for a couple of years. The main reasoning offered by those in favor of moving the ball, was simply that we are here to have fun and less skilled players do not feel it right to have to play out of divots or the like. It was kind of a compromise that we voted to allow a player to roll the ball in his own fairway but is limited to the length of a scorecard. Hopefully all members will follow the spirit of this change and only use it when needed and not just use it to gain the “perfect lie”. We do not want to slow play down any more than it is already.
- Weather Delay/Cancellations: After much discussion we decided that the golf club will manage whether the course is playable and safe. We also approved that we be willing to wait out a delay up to the point where the round could be completed in less than five and a half hours after start of play. What this means is that if we start at 1 PM, then you should be willing to wait out any delay as long as the conditions allow us to finish the round by 5:30.
- It was approved that all players will pay the money to the team captain before the round begins. We will collect the money before leaving the clubhouse area. This goes hand in hand with the weather delay ruling (item #3 above). If there is a delay and it is determined that the round can be finished per the rule, you will not be entitled to a refund. If the round is cancelled in compliance with the new rule, refunds will be issued.
- We have been playing a drop if you are in the ruts on the right of #7. That option has been rescinded. It was decided to play by USGA rules which has a provision for washouts. So it is up to the discretion of each team captain whether the area in question is a washout. If it is determined to be a washout, the a free drop is allowed.
- There was discussion as to whether we should count all scores rather than the ” all birdies rule” we adopted at our Annual Meeting last December. The decision was made to continue to count all birdies but not all scores.
- We voted to offer a different format for the game on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. We will announce and send email 2 weeks prior to each such match specifying the format change for those days. This gives everyone the option to play or not play based on whether they like the format that particular day. The vote also included that we will try this on a trial basis until the end of this year. We do not yet have a list of formats but some suggestions are “peer day”, scramble, points (maybe individual one time and team another) and blind draw. We are open to suggestions.
- We voted to form a Hole-In-One club. This is limited to just MGA Members and the Hole-In-One must occur during one of our sponsored events. Right now that means the game on Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, the Fish Tournament and the Annual Fall Trip. Other events may be added in the future. It will be at the discretion of the BOD to make the determination as to what constitutes a sponsored event and full membership will be notified via email when a new event is added. The fee for the “club” will be $5. A hole in one will payout 50% of the pot. If more than one Hole-in-One should occur in the same event on the same day, the 50% will be split by all winners that day. this ensures we have a nucleus to build the pot. Over time the value of the pot will grow to a nice number using the method. We will start this “club” on August 1. 2015.
- There was discussion about changing the method of determining when a play is eligible to play the white tees. No changes to the current rule were implemented.
There were some items that I had on my list but I forgot to bring up. The main one is that I would like to respectfully request that once a team is finished with the round that the scorecards be dropped off at the clubhouse before you go to the parking lot to put away your clubs. This will expedite getting the monies paid out. This will help out the person who is handling the pay out that day.
Thanks again to all of you that attended the meeting as well as all of you that took the survey. If you see something I missed in the list above, please drop me an note and I will append the document.
Jody