11/9/2024 Golf Committee Meeting

posted 12/11/2024

DRAFT Minutes from Golf Committee

The meeting was called to order by Lee Leksell at 9:30 a.m. Members Present:  Lee Leksell, Debbie McMullin, Mike Harris, Diane Marchand, Bill Messick, Sam Miller, Don Sanders, Marcy Tixier

Members Absent: None

SB2 Board Member Liaison: Dan Linegar

SB2 COO: N/A

Finance Committee: Pat Lenz

Troon Staff: Mike Karpe, Mark Soto

Guests: Al Bolty (Representing MPMGA), Brad Nickum, Sherri Grupe, Kerry Gille, Al Citron, Nick Nicholas  

1. Debbie McMullin is retiring!!!???...after ‘who knows’ how many years on the Greens Committee and our Golf Committee? Thanks for all of your work Debbie – see you on the course.

2. Minutes of the November 11, 2024, meeting was virtually approved on November 14th and electronically posted on the SB2 website.   

3. Management Team Reports:

Mike Karpe – Director of Golf   

• Operations Update
  • Mason Hage started today, Dec 9th, as the Assistant Golf Professional.
  • Ray Nilsen started today, Dec 9th, as the MountainView Superintendent.
  • Mike and Wayne are beginning to plan next year’s Social Golf Events calendar (e.g., couples golf, nine & wine, team events, etc.).
  • Holiday Sale Week has been a success, and to continue the Holiday Spirit, the Sale will continue through Friday, December 20th.
  • During the coming Holiday weeks –
    • Hope to see an increase in guest play over the holidays.
    • Plan on more aggressive pricing on the online portal.

• Membership Product Update through December 6, 2024

• Rounds of Golf for the month of November 2024:

• Rounds of Golf year to date through November 2024

• Outside Play Rounds for the month of November 2024

• Outside Play Rounds for the Year thru November 2024

• Daily Green Fees for the month of November 2024

• Merchandise Revenue for the month of November 2024

Mark Soto – Director of Agronomy

• As Mike noted, Ray Nielsen is now on board as the MV Superintendent. Mark has worked with Ray in the past and attests to his agronomy and leadership experience.
• Hydroseeding completed (approximately four acres). This completes the Renovation contract requirement that had been delayed for weather temperatures.
• The gate system is now in effect on both courses. Additional markers are on order but expected shortly.
• Quotes for the Preserve Pump station are coming in.
• Now that the winter rye is mature, the fairway height of cut is being decreased this week and will remain at this height for the season. Golfers may notice that this height is higher than in the past (not as tight). The taller leaf will provide a better, fluffier surface for golfers.
• Pre-emergent action is in progress, particularly in the rough areas. This will also get a jump on weeds and poa.
• Cultural practices: Brad asked if the study done several years ago on the turf buildup goal (USGA sand recommendation) is still valid.
  • Mark explained that the cultural practice (top dressing) is necessary and should continue. However, the amount of sand per area will be reduced (per Troon guidance) and therefore not as heavy as in years past. That will reduce sand costs. Mark will provide the Board with the planned coverage numbers.
• Brad noted there is an erosion issue on the cart path approximately midway from #9 green to the golf shop. The location in question is a collection area where water drains from the higher terrain on the north side of the path, across the surface of the path, to a single outlet in the path curb on the south side. The drainage has eroded the south side soil and rocks and gives the appearance that the supporting bank may be destabilized. Initially, it could be assessed by Ray Kuhn, Michael Park or others for a decision on whether to bring in a civil engineer for an opinion.
  • NOTE: On Tuesday morning, December 10th, Michael Park (Common Area) responded that he had previously assessed the area and has the erosion in his work plan. He believes the bank can be repaired and a drainage solution implemented that will not require work on the path concrete. 
• Mark was asked about the possibility of repairing the heave on the MV #9 cart path. Temporarily, they can remove the two panels and install crushed granite. However, Ray (new superintendent) has concrete experience, and may be able to complete the fix in-house as opposed to paying a contractor. 
• There is more Javelina damage on the Preserve and the question was asked about spraying. Mark explained that the team has been spot spraying, but wider coverage is needed. The spray is on hand, and he will work with Gordy on preemptive spraying for grubs. 

4. New Business 

• Committee meeting schedule for 2025
  • Lee polled the members on a potential schedule change for next year. The consensus was that Mondays are best, but an afternoon time may fit more individual schedules. The second Monday of each month at 2:00pm was proposed. That day/time is dependent upon the Catalina room availability and Lee will check.

• Voice of the Customer
  • Lee commented that some pin positions have been challenging recently. Mike and the staff are looking at options for variation and to spread wear and tear. There are some limitations to consider though; for example, there are limited locations for white pins on both courses (only one in some cases). 
  • On both courses, there are some holes with a forced carry that makes it difficult for some golfers to reach the fairway. Two solutions have been implemented: move the tee line up within the existing tee ground, and add a red/green combo.  Other options being considered to counter the ego stigma of moving up a color are changing the tee labeling from the current color scheme to letters or adding additional colors. 
  • There are some folks who play here regularly but are not residents. As a result, they may be restricted from joining the associations. For example, the MPMGA bylaws do not allow non-residents to be members. MPWGA does. Al Bolty noted that there are limitations in our CC&Rs that restrict use of SB facilities by outside golfers (interpreted as having to pay a fee for the facility if an outsider is participating in an association activity). There may be exceptions and the MPWGA has managed to work around those restrictions (legally).
  • There is a tree on the Preserve #1 that inhibits a direct line to the fairway from the red tee. The recommendation is that it should not be taken down but trimmed effectively to provide fairway access. 
  • The MountainView short game practice area is being heavily used. Several golfers asked if we could place a box with the sand/seed/mulch mix in the area to repair divots. Mark agreed that they could provide two of the short green boxes on the path near the instructions sign. 
  • When on the MountainView short game practice area, golfers will frequently hit balls beyond the west targets and into the brush. Several have asked if a wall or berm of soil or sand could be installed to prevent having to go into the brush to retrieve golf balls. Some years ago, a wall was proposed but residents objected. A short wall is possible for the long term, but a simple berm may resolve the issue from the golfers’ perspective.   
  • A question was raised about priority for booking tee times. The question was raised because SB 1 gives priority to their Preferred Card holders over daily play. The Canyon Card does not and in fact is subservient to daily play booking. The consensus was that the Canyon Card should have equal or priority billing to daily play. The current scheme was determined by Troon. However, we do have the advantage of a longer advanced booking time (eight days versus five at SB1) to reserve tee times. The thought process was to be competitive with other courses in the local area by matching or exceeding their tee time booking period.

5. Old Business

• New Homeowner Golf & Lunch Program
  • Debbie is retiring and will pass on her responsibilities for the program. In recent weeks, she and Mike have worked on an update and Mike now needs to implement it. Debbie has offered to continue distributing the packets if needed. The golf information is currently included in the new homeowner packet (distributed at Admin when ID cards are provided), but the homeowners’ packet is large and the golf information may get lost in the bundle.

• Next Year’s Committee Goals for consideration
  • Lee submitted our proposed 2025 goals to the Board. No feedback yet.

• The LINKS
  • Lee submitted our letter to the Board proposing to keep the LINKS open until a broader evaluation/study can be conducted. Dan provided examples of past and current sales, all of which are disappointing. There is hope that Darren’s experience and a serious effort by F&B might provide a different perspective on the operation. 
  • Brad recommended that we need a 19th hole experience for golf (food and beverage that accommodates the golfers). The current F&B operation is not necessarily focused on providing either for the golfers. They really need to reexamine their methods to accommodate all amenities, not just golf. That introspection would include the LINKS, the MountainView Bar & Grill and the Preserve.
  • Pat asked if anyone making the F&B decisions, particularly on the LINKS, had considered asking the community what we would like from a food resource on the course. It seems as if the Board and F&B have made those decisions to this point without input from the customer. Our model is obviously failing and needs to change.

• Rate Sheet Feedback
  • There have been varying comments, pros and cons, but nothing to the degree that demands action at this point in time. Comments and opinions will continue to be collected and considered for decisions as we proceed.

• On-Course Volunteers
  • Deferred

6. Bin: 

• Adopt-A-Hole
• Special Events

7. Committee Liaison Reports - None
8. SB2 Board Liaison – None

9. Next Meeting 

The next Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 13th, 9:30 am (tentative) in the Mesquite Catalina room. 

10. This December 9th meeting was adjourned at 11:30 am. 

Sam Miller - Secretary