KMGA Newsletter - Aug. 30, 2005
Included
in this newsletter:
IT
HAS BEEN A TOUGH SUMMER
SALE OF EASTERN HILLS
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
UPCOMING
EVENTS
MEMBER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PRO SHOP SALES
IT
HAS BEEN A TOUGH SUMMER
As September 1st approaches we reflect on one of the hottest
summers we have had in
Western Michigan
in a long time. We have taken
our lumps, have lost some turf, but we are determined to come back better
than ever.
I am including some
comments made by Bob Vavrek, the Senior Agronomist for the USGA Green
Section, in a briefing he sent out on August, 15th of this year.
“The weather has
moderated, finally, but the damage is already done to turf on greens
across the upper
Midwest
after more than a month of exceptionally hot, humid conditions.
Take-all patch, Pythium blight, and basal rot anthracnose are
partly to blame for moderate to severe losses of creeping bentgrass and
Poa annua. “
“Don’t pass on any
opportunity to improve the exchange of air and moisture into the upper
root zone. Spiking, water
injection, and small diameter solid or hollow tine aeration can improve
growing conditions for turf when little of the root systems can be found
more than a half-inch into the soil.”
“I have never seen so
many superintendents looking forward to the time when they aerate greens
this fall. In the upper
Midwest
, aeration time coincides with mild days, cool nights, and little
humidity. Leaves begin to
change colors and the season is finally winding down…and it continues to
be one of the most difficult seasons during the past 20 years or so for
maintaining turf.”
We take full responsibility
for the problems on the third and fourth greens at Milham but find some
comfort that we were not alone. Be
assured we have thoroughly analyzed what happen to us this summer, are
putting in place the steps needed to bring us back 100%,
and will be more knowledgeable in the future when similar conditions
develop.
SALE
OF EASTERN HILLS
Are they or are they not? That
has been the focus of a lot of discussion in the clubhouse and on the links
this summer. It appears that we
will begin to get some answers by mid-September.
The idea of selling Eastern
Hills is scheduled to go before the City Commission on the 19th
of September. At that time, they
could do one of three things:
- Abandon
the idea of selling the course at this time
- Delay
the process until spring of 2006 to address some budget and planning
problems that will develop if they decide to go forward.
- Go
forward with the process of selling the course, seeking any interested
parties, and evaluating any proposals that come forward.
In all likelihood this process will take from 3-5 months to
complete.
Obviously, I would vote for
number one but the second option would allow us some time to develop some
contingencies.
If you are acquainted with
any of the Commissioners I think it would be appropriate to express your
opinion on the sale. The
President of the KMGA Board of Governors, Orlin Loen, recently sent a letter
to the Commission expressing the Board’s unanimous support opposing any
sale of Eastern. The KMGA is
very sympathetic to the problems that our City Commissioners face for budget
2006, but feel that operating profitable, well-run golf courses is part of
the solution, not the problem.
–Jim Roschek
TOURNAMENT
RESULTS
Congratulations to the following winners of the 2005 KMGA Club
Championship:
 |
 |
 |
John
Schumacher
Club Champion
|
Mary Jo
Reynolds
Women's Club Champion
|
Ken Goodman
First Flight Champion
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
Mike
Varricchio
Second Flight Champion |
Joe Grosser
Third Flight Champion |
|
Click
here for complete results.
UPCOMING EVENTS
4-PERSON SCRAMBLE will be held at Milham
Park on Saturday, September 10th. Cost is $35 per player ($15
members). Gross and net divisions.
CLEVELAND
TECH VAN will be at Milham Park on Wednesday, September 21st from 1:00pm
to 7:00pm. This is your chance to get custom fit using a Launch
Monitor and have your clubs built to your specifications while you
wait! Sign ups are recommended.
FALL
FESTIVAL will be held at Eastern Hills and Milham Park on September 24th
& 25th. This 2-day 2-person team event is a popular end to our
tournament season. Saturday’s
round at Eastern Hills will consist of 9 holes Pinehurst and 9 holes
Alternate Shot. Teams are
broken into flights based on the first round score and then compete at
Milham Park on Sunday by playing 9 holes Best Ball and 9 holes Scramble.
Entry fee is $15 for members and $45 for non-members (includes greens
fees).
Visit either pro shop or
our tournament
page for entry.
MEMBER
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
 |
| Lynn
Meisterheim recently made a hole-in-one on #3 at Eastern Hills
West! |
PRO SHOP SALES
Fall clearance sales have begun at both pro shops. No need to wait
until after Thanksgiving for the best prices!
Eastern Hills has Etonic
and Nike shoes on clearance as well as clothing from many
manufacturers up to 70% off retail.
Milham Park has the following sales:
All 2004-2005 model Foot-Joy men's & women's shoes 40%-60%
off retail!
Buy a pair of Oakley sunglasses, get a free
dozen Nike Mojo golf balls!
Greg Norman clothing - Buy one at $10 off,
buy 2 at $15 off each!
Maxfli Noodle golf balls - $9.95
/ dozen!
Current in-stock drivers and fairway woods up to $60 off! Click
for prices
Current in-stock iron sets up to $250 off! Click
for prices
CLEARANCE CLUBS:
MacGregor V-Foil Titanium Driver: $119.95
(Save $220)
Cleveland Launcher Titanium 460cc: $179.95
(Save $120)
Cleveland Launcher Fairway: $99.95
(Save $100)
Taylor Made 540XD Titanium Driver: $149.95
(Save $250)
Odyssey original White Hot 2-Ball Putters: $119.95
(Save $50)
Milham
Park Pro Shop
Quality Merchandise, Professional Service, Discount
Prices!
Open 8am - 8pm daily.
|
