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Minutes 01-08-09 MINUTES OF THE GOLF COURSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2009 AT 4:00 P.M. IN THE CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA Present: Herb Suss, Chair Dan Hager, Manager of Golf Operations Lynda Frederick, Vice Chair Scott Wahlin, Manager of Golf Maintenance Arthur L. Matthews, Jr. James Smith Corrado P. Giangreco, City Alternate Frank Scicchitano, City Alternate Absent: Arthur Gabler Ron Levy, County Alternate Kurt Bressner, Non-Voting Member I. Openings A.Call to Order Chair Suss called the meeting to order at 3:59 p.m. It was determined a quorum was present. B. Agenda Approval 1. Additions, Deletions, Corrections There were no additions, deletions or corrections. 2. Adoption Motion Mr. Matthews moved approval of the agenda as presented. Mr. Scicchitano seconded the motion that passed unanimously. C. Announcements Mr. Smith noted the passing last week of golf legend, W.A. "Dub" Pagan. 1 Meeting Minutes Golf Course Advisory Committee Boynton Beach, Florida January 8, 2009 Mr. Pagan, who lived to be 90 years of age, won every major golf event in the State of Florida and was a mentor and close friend of Mr. Hager. A memorial service was held yesterday, and Mr. Hager was honored to have officiated at the standing-room-only service. II. Minutes A. Minutes of Golf Course Advisory Committee Meeting of May 22, 2008 Motion Mr. Matthews moved to accept the minutes as presented. Mr. Scicchitano seconded the motion that passed unanimously III. Reports A. Manager of Golf Maintenance Report 1. Irrigation Control System Update Mr. Wahlin provided a PowerPoint presentation. The control system had been changed out because the selector valve was no longer manufactured. The installation of the new Toro OSMAC RDR Irrigation Control System had been completed and was estimated to be 25% more efficient than the old electromechanical system. Authorization had been received to sell the valves on eBay. As a few golf courses still utilized the old system, Mr. Wahlin believed the bidding process would be speedy. The system could be computer controlled or manually controlled using a radio, and had the potential to be controlled by the use of a cell phone or the Internet. The system had been installed in-house and included new sprinkler heads around the greens. According to Wayne Deker, the golf course's Toro Irrigation Representative, the cost for a contractor to install the system was between $750 and $1,000 per box. The golf course had 19 boxes. The cost for having the system installed in-house was $225 per box including wages, benefits and administrative costs, saving between $10,000 and $15,000. Watering the golf course could now be accomplished within two or three hours utilizing the new system. Staff attempted to complete the pumping of water during off-peak times, as it was less expensive. It was noted water usage was calculated monthly. 2 Meeting Minutes Golf Course Advisory Committee Boynton Beach, Florida January 8, 2009 2. Championship Course Greens Resurfacing Update Good construction on the greens was crucial. While several varieties of grass had been considered for the resurfacing, Pike Creek Tifdwarf was selected. Much of the organic layer that had built up over the past 15 years would be removed. Sand and rototill would be added until it was compatible with the original root zone mix below. At the time the greens were originally redone, the architect provided staff with plans that would help locate the original ends of the greens. It was questioned whether staff would normally redo the sprinklers at the time the greens were resurfaced. Mr. Wahlin replied earthwork would normally be completed first and the irrigation could be done in-house. However, staff was not planning on redoing the irrigation. 3. New Greens Roller A Tru-Turf Roller had been purchased in December at a cost of $12,000. It was currently used three times a week and helped to smooth the surface of the greens and increase speed. 4. New Tee Signs for Championship Course The granite tee signs had been installed and were strategically placed to assist players who were unfamiliar with the course. B. Manager of Golf Operations Report Mr. Hager noted the funds for the purchase of the irrigation system and rollers came out of the reserve accounts and not the operating budget. Players would pay an additional $2 which was used to offset the cost of repairs to the golf course and for capital improvement projects. The individual who played the most paid the most for the improvements. 1. Business Report Rounds in fiscal year 2007/2008 were down 5%. The national average was 4.5%. For the first quarter of 2008/2009, rounds were down overall 1%, with a 7% decline on the Championship Course and an 8% increase on the Family Course. As a result of the economic climate, people were playing less on the Championship Course and more on the Family Course, which was less expensive. People were playing less often. A major concern related to competition with other golf courses. Four competitors in the area 3 Meeting Minutes Golf Course Advisory Committee Boynton Beach, Florida January 8, 2009 held their prices down as low as $17 below prices charged by the Links for an 18-hole round. Another concern related to a major competitor of the Links Club card players. For national rounds played, various reports for municipal courses fluctuated from 1% up to 1% down. No information was available for Palm Beach County. With current economic trends expected to continue, staff had implemented the following plans for budget year 2008/2009: ?The 2:00 p.m. special was moved to 1:00 p.m., with quite a bit of success, and the 3:00 p.m. special was moved to 2:30 with some success. ?The CanAm Group assisted in filling the 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. slot, with some initial success in November and early December. ?Afternoon specials on the Family Course during November through December th 24 yielded some success. Filling "dead time" was important in providing revenue sources, and staff would be giving this further thought. ?Staff had trimmed the budget by 2.5% in 2008/2009, which was substantial in light of salary increases of 5%. Personnel costs comprised a major portion of the budget. A hiring freeze had been in effect. Vacant positions, as well as one part-time and two full-time positions in the restaurant had been eliminated. It was questioned whether Mr. Hager had noticed a drop in the number of permit holders. Mr. Hager responded requests for permits had decreased about 10% each year as a result of policy changes in 1992 which restricted the issuance of new permits. In the late 1990s, the Commission adopted legislation providing a maximum of 150 permits could be issued to individuals residing within City limits. It was questioned whether there were drop-offs in County and City permit holders because of economic conditions. Mr. Hager responded the percentage was between 12% and 15%. The Links had received a 4½ star rating for six consecutive years, and this was noted in Golf Digest's Best Places to Play. Staff had received certificates evidencing the rating, and the information was currently available on the internet. The rating was based on golf course conditioning, good service, pace of play and value. Staff contributed greatly to the success of the Links. 2. Events held since 12/13/08 ?The Play for P.I.N.K.– Scheduled for March 28, 2009 4 Meeting Minutes Golf Course Advisory Committee Boynton Beach, Florida January 8, 2009 ?Executive Women's Golf Association is on board for the event ?South Florida PGA Senior/Junior pro-pro Championship – Scheduled for April 30, 2009 ?Palm Beach County Ladies Travel League ?Monthly Pro-Am Success – This event had been monthly since May, 2008. 3. Junior Program Three Junior Golf Schools had been offered since May 22, 2008, and another was scheduled for February 2009. The junior data base included 380 juniors, ages 17 and under, that had attended the schools. Of the 380, 106 had graduated with full credentials. Mr. Hager reported on the success of the Junior Golf Academy which held seven tournaments and offered six clinics. 4. Pace of Play Report The Links had always measured these reports carefully in order to meet commitments to customers. Golfers teeing off before 8:00 a.m. were required to play their rounds in three hours and 45 minutes or less. Those teeing off between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon, in four hours or less, and those favoring a more leisurely pace, in four hours and 15 minutes in the afternoon. Mr. Hager reviewed the statistics for the start times, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's Office, and noted results as to whether the sessions finished early, on time or late. The pace of play results had been successful. 5. Restaurant Report The furniture, which was 25 years old, had been reupholstered rather than replaced at a cost of $5,400, the funds for which were allocated from a restaurant reserve account, and a 52" television for the restaurant was purchased at a cost of $1,400. The restaurant had been repainted and new light fixtures installed at a total cost of $400. Losses to date were 46% less than they were last year. Styrofoam cups would no longer be purchased, as the City was currently on a "green" campaign, and Styrofoam cups were not biodegradable. 5 Meeting Minutes Golf Course Advisory Committee Boynton Beach, Florida January 8, 2009 It was noted the Links would be recertified as an Audubon Sanctuary within the next few months. Mr. Wahlin would be meeting in February with Jeff Klontz, of the Country Club of Florida, to discuss future projects. IV. New Business 1. Pro Shop Renovation Mr. Hager reported the renovation had been postponed until a later date. V. Old Business None VI. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, the meeting properly adjourned at 5:04 p.m. J'rY'~fl-.. Stephanie D. Kahn Recording Secretary 011209 6 ~.~.~'. '~ I :Y , ... " '.~\ , \ \ <r'" ~ \\ ~ 0:. III 0\ , \ 1: ' ..,' ..- \ ! t i a i - l- i tn ! j .1 a 'i I tt \\ ~l 1 go . fit'" 1 \1 \\ ~m \ , ~.,.. .....~ \ t l ~ 1 ~ ~ $ ..c'J - I e ~ ~ \1 1 I ~ ,I 51 , \\ \\ \\ 0.. 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