The meeting was called to order at 8:05 AM. Board members present: Bill Thompson (President), Richard Webb (Treasurer), Terry Bailey (VP & Secretary), Jim Ghrist (Golf Chairman), Jim Stewardson (Assistant Golf Chairman), Jay Gaskin (Social Chairman).
A quorum of Golden Boys membership was achieved with 40 attending.
Secretary’s Report:
Minutes from the March 8, 2017 meeting were approved.
Treasurer’s Report:
For 2018, there are 67 golf members and 7 social members. The continued drop in membership resulted in the dues increase to $30 for 2018.
The 2018 proposed budget was distributed to the membership for their review. The membership approved the 2018 proposed budget.
Social Chairman’s Report:
There will be four dine-a-rounds planned his year. The first will be March 27th at City Range and will be a special event honoring Conde Sargent, and our oldest member John Mickler’s 96th birthday. Later in the year we will be dining at Peddler’s and Bocca. The fourth event location is TBD.
Jay distributed a questionnaire regarding the membership’s input on dine-a-rounds, the annual picnic and the Christmas party.
Golf Chairman’s Report:
Jim distributed member’s interclub event results. This year the available number of interclub slots for the Golden Boys was reduced from 18 to 16 as a result of our not filling our max at every event. In order to keep this from further diminishment it is critical that we have 16 players at every event.
The 2018 Golden Boy tournament schedule was distributed.
Changes and updates to the procedures were discussed including changes in USGA rules. Jim noted that copies of USGA rules are available online and free of charge.
Jim urged participation in the GB Match Play tournament, and in fact all events.
Captains and volunteers are needed for the Interclubs and tournaments. Please pitch in to support them.
Other golf related new and old business.
The golf committee will look into organizing a mini member-member tournament.
George Baker urged that the Golden Boys approve continued financial support for the 4th of July tournament, and dedicating it to Conde Sargent. He suggested that this expense might be offset by combining the annual picnic activities with the tournament. The Board will consider the suggestion and discuss with the membership.
A suggestion was made to adopt a change to the USGA out of bounds rule to the following: A ball hit out of bounds or clearly lost may be dropped at the point it went out of bounds or closest to the point the ball was lost, with a one stroke penalty. Support was basically unanimous, and the Golf Committee will consider implementing the change.
Member/Guest Tournament
Gene Witherspoon reported that this year’s Member/Guest event is scheduled for June 11& 12, 2018. He passed out sign sales packets and indicated that the sign-up sheet and schedule will be posted on the Bulletin Board. In addition to the info distributed Gene emphasized that even if you are not currently able to field a team or have reverted to social membership, you may still be eligible to receive a tee gift logo garment by securing two sponsorships for the tournament. There are still a few on Dick Davis’s list of sponsors available to be renewed. Grab them from Gene.
Gene has warned us all that this is the last year he will lead and drive the Member-Guest. SO, WE NEED A NEW GENE! While impossible to ever replace him, if we are going to continue the tradition someone needs to step up. Talk to Gene.
Breakfast this year is up in the air as we don’t know the status of the Grill Room. But at most it will be reduced to a continental breakfast from the full breakfast of the past.
Tee prizes will be supplemented the next three years utilizing $900 each year of the Member-Guest surplus. This to offset lowered participation and to manage the surplus down.
Conde’s leaving also affects the Member-Guest, especially the production of the tee sponsor signs. If anyone has any experience in this area and can volunteer to help, everyone will be most appreciative.
Because we have lost many of our regulars this past year, fielding enough teams to form four flights may be a challenge in 2018. So, Gene is hoping to recruit some new Golden Boys participants from among you who may not have tweaked on what a good deal this tournament offers! If you don’t play because finding a teammate is the problem, several of our former Golden Boys golfers who played in past tournaments are now eligible as guests and you may be able to recruit one of them. Additionally, Gene has several other potential partners from Thornblade Country Club’s Silver Blades that he can try to recruit. Get on the bandwagon for this “best deal in town!”
Bylaws and Procedures Amendments:
ACE CLUB – proposed change alternative #2
A Hole-in-one reward program will be maintained by the Treasurer for payout to Ace Club members who make a hole-in-one during Golden Boys completion at Pebble Creek. The payout will be $125.00. This money may be used to pay for drinks if the Ace maker should choose. There is no obligation by the Ace maker or the Golden Boys to cover the bar bill.
A periodic fee of $15 will be required for members to join and/or remain in good standing in the ACE club reward program. The $15 joining fee will need renewal when the Treasurer determines that reward club funds are too low to meet future payouts.
Approved by near unanimous vote.
Bylaw Section V.2 – NOMINATION AND ELECTION. Delete the indicated words. During October each year the Board, serving as Nominating committee, shall nominate two candidates for each of the two Board members whose terms expire in December. A ballot listing the four candidates, and showing the two board members whose terms are expiring, shall be distributed…
Approved by unanimous vote.
Add a new section. Section III.4 – EMERITUS MEMBERSHIP. A former member who has permanent physical limitations make him unable to play a full, active schedule and has decided not to join Pebble Creek Club may elect to become an “Emeritus Member.” The Emeritus members will continue to pay annual dues as regular members, may participate and vote in meetings, but are not required to maintain membership in Pebble Creek Club. Normal green fees apply. Play for Emeritus members is restricted to Creekside.
Approved by unanimous vote.
Adjust the definition of Section VI.3–VICE PRESIDENT. The Vice President shall, in the absence of the President, or at the request of the President, perform all duties of the President. The Vice President shall be an additional role assigned to one of the other officers during the first meeting of each new board.
Approved by unanimous vote.
Add Golf Chairman and Asst. Golf Chairman to Section VII.2 – TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE. The President appoints two elected members from the board to act as Golf Chairman and Assistant Golf Chairman to head the committee. The committee members are responsible for organizing weekly games, annual home tournaments, and interclub tournaments. (The re remainder of the paragraph remains unchanged).
Approved by unanimous vote.
Adjournment: 9:00 am