FT. MEADE GOLF COUNCIL MEETING
Held at The Courses of Ft. Meade
March 31, 2011
Start Time:  1500 hrs.
End Time:   1630 hrs.

                                                 Members Present:                     Members Absent

Director, PGA                            Rick Aleshire
Pro Shop Mgr./PGA                                                                   Jason West
Restaurant Mgr.                                                                          Kim Gunderman
Council Chairman                       General Rod Isler
Council Secretary                       Janet Strejcek
DOD/Ft. Meade Rep.                Greig Huggard
Ladies Golf Assn. Rep.               Barb Bryant
NSA Rep.                                  Dave Blackburn 
Military Retirees Rep.                 Tyrone Spry
Civilian Retirees Rep.                  Joe Shepherd
Active Duty Rep.                        Brad Rice
Active Duty Rep.                                                                        Bill Yates
MISCA Rep.                                                                              Ron Perron

 I.               CALL TO ORDER:

General Isler called the meeting to order at 1500 hours.  In the future we will be following Robert's Rules of Order with the reading/waving of reading/adoption of the minutes.  Each Council Member will receive the minutes via e-mail for review before being sent as soon as possible to the golf course members.  For this meeting, our last available minutes were October 2010.

 II.             OLD BUSINESS

The Clubhouse has been repainted with only a few areas to complete.

General Isler revisited the possibility of having a driving range to generate income for the golf course.  The original plan was to use Parks holes #1, 8 and 9 as a driving range.  The course would be reconfigured to use the best 18 holes to retain a championship course.  General Isler stated that with all the employees working in the DISA buildings, we could generate income with a driving range.  This would not be something we would do this year but possibly for the 2012 season.  Rick is to look into this.

 III.           MEMBERSHIP STATUS

As of this date we have 232 members:  162 Annual Members and 70 Weekday Members.  This figure is expected to increase.  Last year we had 431 members.  This figure did not include the Play Cards.

IV        COURSE MANAGER'S REPORT

WE WILL HAVE A 27 HOLE GOLF COURSE THIS YEAR contrary to rumors.

There is to be a reconfiguration of the 27 holes again, though.  As you know, Parks 13 will have a road across it to be used by NSA to build antennas.  This hole will become a Par 3 by moving the tee boxes in front of the road.  Parks holes 11, 12 and 13 will become holes 3, 4 and 5 on Applewood, and Applewood holes 3, 4 and 5 will become holes 11, 12 and 13 on Parks.  There is only a difference of about 50 yards and the Slope Ratings will not change on either course, but making this change will negate having another Par 3 on Parks and it is felt the flow will be better on Parks. The integrity of Parks as a Championship Course will be maintained.  

 The new scorecards for this change have been approved and direction signs as well as tee markers will be ordered or changed.  The exact date that this change will go into affect is not determined at this time. 

 To reduce expenses at the golf course, the number of employees has been drastically reduced.  One employee was our Grounds Superintendent, Mike Doetzer.  His replacement, Jim Ladebush, was our previous Assistant Grounds Superintendent.  The restaurant staff has been cut as well as the Maintenance Staff.

 Doug Dehner, who is in the Pro Shop, is handling all the bookings of events.  Weddings, room rentals, and the calendar in general are all looking better.

 There is very little to report on the new golf courses.    We have reports that various groups are pushing hard for the new courses.  They are really starting to notice the lack of income to various organizations on post that was generated by the golf course over the years.

 Rick stated that the Enhance Use Lease is being looked into again.  Trammel Crowe, who won the bid to build on government grounds many years ago, has not started yet.  

V        NEW BUSINESS

Col. Thomas, Installation Commander, has reaffirmed that to his knowledge there are no upcoming changes to the existing golf course. 

General Isler stated that we needed to generate more business at the golf course.  We need to market people on post.  With DISA opening up, he suggested we try to get a booth at their Open House on April 8, put something in their monthly newsletter, or have our own Open House and invite DISA.  Rick is to look into this. 

Rick stated that the Theme Dinners and the Monday Texas Hold'em Poker nights are doing very well, but we need more activities like this.  There are usually 70 to 80 people on poker nights and 90% of them are returning customers. It is FREE to play, so come on out.

Some suggestions for generating money were:  advertise the Play Cards, advertise a Happy Hour with free appetizers with beverages, cart passes, a Masters Party, and Bingo.  Members, please send us some suggestions.

Ty Spry suggested that we build a tee box on Parks #1.  As it is now, it doesn't have any character or designation.  Everyone agreed.

Ty would like to see a drink cart on the course.  He also mentioned a cooler/barrel with ice and beverages to purchase at the end of the day when the bar is closed.    The Council discussed the fact that the driver of the drink cart had to be 21 to sell alcohol.  Could we get a volunteer?  Summer job?  Soda machine?  Keep the bar open longer since it generates good revenue. Rick to look into these suggestions.

Joe Sheperd mentioned that when he is marshalling he sees 2 or 3 single riders in foursomes when they should be doubling up.  We need to police this a little better.

Dave Blackburn clarified the fact that golf carts could stay out on the course in the evening until dusk.  Then they are required to be returned 

Brad Rice made a suggestion that the Council would like to see happen.  He suggested that the golf course adopt a payment plan to pay for dues.  He said a lot of young E5's and under would join, but they cannot pay dues in total at one payment.  We discussed how this could be accomplished, how much manpower it would take, and could the golf course handle the workload.  The general feeling was that if it involved only E5's and under maybe it could be accomplished.  Rick to consider this.

Anyone wishing to attend a Council Meeting in the future is welcome.  Please hold any discussions or questions you might have until the end of the meeting 

General Isler inquired about the frequency of the Council meetings.  Should we meet monthly, every other month, etc?  It was decided that we would meet every other month.

Therefore, the next meeting will be May 12 at 1500 hours. 

 VI        ADJOURNMENT    

There was a motion to adjourn by Joe Sheperd and seconded by Barb Bryant.  The rest of the Council agreed with an "aye" vote. The meeting was adjourned at 1630 hours..

Minutes submitted by Janet Strejcek, Council Secretary

**** Update: Rick has contacted Thorne Murrell from DISA, he is helping arrange a day to go and tour the facility. ****