SSBGC
Directors Meeting Jan. 3 (& Feb. 6), 2016- Minutes
MEETING
CONVENED at Victoria Golf Course Club House- 9:04 a.m.
ATTENDEES
Board
Members- Jim DeToskey, Chuck Devereaux, Steve Hill, Ray Sandoval Jr., Ted Sonju
General
Member- John Nering
OLD BUSINESS
It
was recognized that minutes of some previous Board meetings are unavailable/ unposted. As of this meeting, the Board recommitted
to preparing, maintaining and posting in a timely manner the minutes of this and all future Board meetings. Responsibilities
of each of the Board members were discussed and clarified relative to this commitment.
CHAIRMAN'S
REPORT
Currently
the position of Chairman remains vacant.
DIRECTOR
REPORTS
Accounting
& Tournaments – Jim DeToskey
Jim
reported that the Club’s checking account stood at $5516.77. He said that there was an additional $116.00 in “petty
cash”, and a total of $1656.00 on deposit with golf courses he has booked for 2016 tournaments. Outstanding liabilities
at this time are comprised of the tournament fee balance to Los Amigos and SCGA membership fees, in total approximately $4000.
The published 2016 Tournament venues are firm, although a few contractual documents have yet to be finalized. The rest of
the Board commended Jim for a difficult and time consuming job well done.
Handicap
& Membership – Chuck Devereaux
As
of January 1, 2016 the club has 58 active members in good standing. Normally at the end of the year, several members do not
renew. This year only four members did not renew. Two have moved out of the area, and one will almost certainly renew
just a little late. And already we have 3 or 4 guests playing in January who have expressed an interest in joining us. So
obviously membership remains strong. Chuck is in the process of updating all roster details in the GHIN database consistent
with the latest information provided by members on their renewal forms.
Rules
& Archives/ Special Events/ Entertainment - Steve Hill
Steve
reported the results of recent “satisfaction surveys”. All received above average reviews with a strong
majority, approving future play at each of the venues. The Fall Special Event will remain at the Alisal River Course in Solvang.
However the Spring Event will move from Carlton Oaks to Sycuan. This change would be further explained in detail under
New Business. Steve will continue sending his timely and informative Rules emails to the general membership.
Communications/
Tournament Announcements & Master of Ceremonies-
Ted Sonju
& Ray Sandoval
It was
agreed that Ted would take responsibility for posting of almost all information on the web once the board has approved it.
Ted’s specific responsibilities will be that of posting the results for tournaments in a timely manner, keep the MPC
standings up-to-date, post handicap indexes, tournament starter sheets and meeting minutes on the web. He noted that our web
site remains a work-in- progress. We will continue to provide more pertinent information relative to club activities as soon
as available, hopefully adding to the enjoyment that comes along with belonging to this club, even in the days between tournaments.
(as decided per February 6th meeting).
It
was also mentioned that board members check their emails for updates from Ted so information can be approved in a timely fashion.
Ted, also will text or call board members to verify approval if no approval was given through an email. (as decided per February
6th meeting).
Ray will
continue composing the individual tournament announcements, which he does in his own inimitable fashion. He will be
emailing these and the follow-up reminders to the general membership as always in a timely manner. The Board noted that he
also prepares the Big Score Sheet ahead of time, and at each tournament he compiles results on the fly immediately as score
cards come in, thus announcing winners and distributing prizes as early as possible. These duties of course necessitate that
he be assigned a starting hole position that maximizes the likelihood that he will be one of the first to finish. Otherwise
the departure of all participants would almost certainly be delayed.
NEW
BUSINESS
Consideration
of changes to the Annual Club Championship Competition
This
subject had been placed on the agenda as a result of a number of comments offered by the general membership at the close of
the December tournament.
John
Nering presented a written list of potential changes to the entire process by which the Club determines Club Champions. The
list was well thought out and complete, presenting a number of rational individual options for consideration.
Relative
to his presentation, the four primary issues clearly were these:
A) In recent
years competitors for Championships have been separated into two groups based upon age- old and even older. Should we continue
in this manner, or is there a more equitable way to separate the competitors into two flights?
B) The bylaws
declare that club champions shall be determined by Match Play. Should this continue to be the case, or should the bylaws be
changed so as to permit Championships to be achieved through some form of Stroke play?
C) In the past, eligibility to compete for Championships has been based upon a point system, rewarding participation
in a tournament (10 points), plus win (5), place (3) and show (1). Obviously the primary objective of this approach has been
to reward members for participating in as may tournaments as possible. Is this the best method to establish the ultimate
list of 32 members permitted and committed to participation in the Championship rounds, or would some other system be better?
D) This
same point system has been used to establish seeds in each flight, the participant with the most points opposed by the participant
with the fewest points, etc. Usually in competitions that establish opponents by seed, the player with the strongest net performance
is rewarded by being paired against the player with the weakest net performance. Our system does not necessarily achieve this
because it emphasizes participation so much more than relative net scoring. Is there a better method to establish seeds, once
the 32 qualifiers have been determined?
All of these issues were discussed at length:
In discussing Issue (A), the Board noted that while there
was some correlation between HI and age, there also were some very significant exceptions. Rather quickly it was agreed
that separating the Championship completion into two flights based upon Handicap Index rather than age was more likely to
result in an enjoyable Championship series for all involved.
The board voted unanimously to
adopt this new format for the 2016 MPC Championship.
Regarding Issue (B)- Match Play
versus Stroke Play;
A number of valid reasons as
to why Stroke Play should be considered were expressed. The primary one was that eliminations are not necessary. Those in
the running stay in the running, instead of half of the field being eliminated after the first round. The primary objection
to the use of Stroke play seemed to be that it might result in just a special way of accounting for results within our regular
play, deemphasizing the significance of a particular round being played toward the Club Championship.
It was pointed out that our bylaws
do specify that Match Play shall be the means by which the Club Champions are determined, and the use of Stroke Play would
necessitate a change to the bylaws approved through a vote by the general membership. It was also noted that as a form of
play, Match Play is considered just as valid and important as Stroke Play. This fact is in evidence on almost every page of
the Rules of Golf, and is validated by the high level of interest in the Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup, and numerous USGA
Amateur competitions. Therefore if the Club’s mandate includes an obligation to educate members in all aspects of the
game, some Match Play is of value.
On the other hand the Rules of
Golf do not permit any club to conduct a Match Play tournament within a Stroke Play tournament because the rules for each
form are so significantly different. Yet this is what we have been doing, in effect ignoring many of the Match Play
rules, thus eliminating the educational experience of true Match Play. Even though this is a conflict the board voted unanimously
to continue Match Play within a Stroke Play Tournament as we have done in the past.
Issue (C), Eligibility determination-
Minimum age of 50 as of the date of the first round remains in effect. It was decided that the use of the current point system
to determine the order in which members will be offered the opportunity to complete for Championships should continue, as
it does accomplish the primary goal of encouraging participation in all tournaments. However it will be used to establish
the entire field of 32 players without respect to flights. Once the entire field has been set, the field will then be
separated in two flights based upon Handicap Index.
Issue (D), Establishing seeds-
Although all Board members agreed that the established point system was right for Eligibility, and Handicap Index was the
best way to split into two flights, still it was not the best way to set seeds once the fields in each flight are set. After
some discussion it was agreed that the best way to establish seeds was to use average net score in our tournaments as the
basis. In each flight, the player with the lowest average net score will be opposed by the player with the highest average
net score. The player with the second lowest average net will be opposed by the player with the second highest average, etc.
Returning to Issue (B)- It was
decided that for this year at least, Match Play would continue to determine Club Championships. But in order to bring us back
into compliance with USGA Rules and to reinforce our educational goals, the tournament encompassing the first round of
Championship play will be played under the rules of Match Play, not Stroke Play, by everyone. The pairing of those playing
for Championships will be set as described above. For all of the other players, opponents will be set by matching players
as closely as possible based upon their Handicap Index. For this one tournament, our usual method of prize distribution will
be suspended. Everyone choosing to participate in prize money walks away with $40 or nothing. He wins against his opponent
or he loses.
1) The $20 wager will be collected by Chuck Devereaux like in all
tournaments. (as decided per February 6th meeting).
To emphasize the educational
aspect of this experiment, the Board will precede this tournament with communiques pointing out a number of the unique aspects
of Match Play such as conceding putts, conceding holes, order of play, recording of strokes on each hole regardless of concessions
such that scores remain valid for posting, etc.
In the subsequent three Championship
tournaments, play by Championship contenders who have not been eliminated during the first round will revert back to the “Match
Play Within Stroke Play” rules as in years past.
All other participants in these
next three rounds will resume playing under the usual Stroke Play rules and our regular rules of prize distribution.
Because we probably will not
be allowed to continue beyond 18 holes for tied matches, tie breaking rules for the first (true) Match round will be a coin
flip. This method is approved by the USGA. (decided upon at Feb 6th meeting)
All ensuing rounds Tiebreakers
will be done as in the past. See by-laws.
Also discussed, motion approved
and seconded, was that the MPC Handicap will be current Handicap at the time the round is played. This was voted on and passed
4-1.
Steve Hill, Chuck Devereaux,
Jim Detoskey, and Ted Sonju – Yes
Ray Sandoval Jr. – No (as
decided per February 6th meeting)
Member/Guest Tournament
This year the second of our Special
Events, the Member/Guest tournament, will take place at the Green River Golf Club in Corona on September 8. As always
this tournament offers a nice opportunity to partner up with friends and maybe show off our club to potential members as well.
The Board voted on a menu selection for the traditional banquet. Promises to be a very pleasant affair inside, sit-down, air
conditioned, no flies, and desert.
Most Improved Golfer
The GHIN system was queried and
Ray Jr. was the Most Improved Golfer for 2015.
The Board will take appropriate
action.
Revisions to Rules of
Golf and Handicap Manual, Effective 1/1/2016
Ray reviewed some of the more
significant changes, including a more reasonable approach relative to a ball moving after address, less severe penalty for
turning in a wrong score on a hole, prohibition of anchoring, and less severe approach relative to artificial devices such
as multi-functional range finders. Also solo rounds shall not be posted. Ted said he would email the general membership some
related internet links including a link that permits downloading the entire Rules of Golf document as a PDF file.
Spring Three-Day Resort Tournament
Jim confirmed the fact that we
have a brand new location for one of the big favorites among our club events. After many years of good times at Carlton Oaks,
changing circumstances led Jim to look at other venues for this event.
It looks like he has found a
great one, Sycuan Golf Resort and Casino in El Cajon. Exceptional rooms, two very nice 18 hole courses, stowage of clubs at
pro shop, shuttle services, several restaurants in the casino- lots of nice amenities with reasonable rates.
Ray will be sending out all of
details in the initial announcement early in February. Everyone will have plenty of time to adjust plans and schedules so
they won’t have to miss out on this one. Tentatively, deposits will be due around March 3, with payment-in-full due
around April 14.
Board Position of Chairman
(this business was conducted at FEB 6th meeting)
As per our bylaws, our club needs
to have the office of Chairman filled. Jim Detoskey, volunteered and was unanimously voted Chairman of the Club. Since Jim
cannot hold two offices at one time, Ray Sandoval was voted Tournament Director. Jim and Ray will work together in the future
on setting up all tournaments.
Tournament Handicap Rules
Tournament Handicap rule that
states that all Golfers with a 35 or 36 Handicap will not get two strokes or “pops” on holes that are Par 3’s
and the 17th and 18th handicapped holes on the golf course. They will receive one stroke or “pop”.
This issue was discussed, motioned and seconded and approved unanimously by the board.
Victoria Tournament Rules
The board voted on specific rules
for the Victoria Tournament in February due to poor conditions members may encounter on the course. Ted will relay these changes
on the rules sheets before the tournament. (as decided per February 6th meeting).
(End of NEW BUSINESS)
MEETING ADJOURNED at 11:13
a.m.
