June 17, 2020

Board Members Present: Bill O’Brien, Rob Harris, Peter Hall, Peter Lynch, Ken Eisner, Emile Poirier, Dennis Toland, Gary Senecal

Membership Report: We currently have 76 members.

Financial Report: We have an cash balance of $3871.98.  There are committed funds for the Scholarship and Hole-In-One reserve totaling $1100.00. This leaves $2771.98 in available funds.

Scholarship Report:

Liam McCarthy Oâ€Hara is the 2020 CCMGA Scholarship in Memory of Michael Austin award winner. He resides in Brewster and attends Nauset Regional High School.

Liam is a two sport athlete participating in golf and basketball. For the past two years Liam was selected as an All League All Star of the golf team. His recommendations from his golf coach and guidance counselor state that Liam is “an outstanding young man, teammate, and role model for young students.”

Liam compiled a 3.68 grade average, and was enrolled in High Honors and Advanced Placement courses in his senior year. Interested in science, Liam will enroll in California Polytechnic State University in the fall.

Golf Commission Report: The Golf Commission held a virtual meeting on June 16, 2020.  Here are some selected highlights of the meeting:

• Pro Shop scheduled to be opened on June 29, 2020. There will be a limit of 4 people in the shop at a time.
• At the May meeting, there was a projected deficit for FY20 of $322,000 because of COVID-19. Revenues from reopening have been better than expected and the new projection is a $63,000 deficit.
• There are 164 new members this year, including 95 non-resident member and many collegiate members.
• The search for a new Superintendent has resumed and the committee has narrowed the field down to four applicants. The hope is to hire someone that could be on the job by September. In the meantime, Steve Mann has been hired as a consultant, as well as an Agronomist consultant.
• As we are currently at 12-minute tee time intervals by Executive Order, there are fewer total tee times. However, the ratio of member tee times to guest tee times is being adjusted so that the Members will have the same number of tee times as last year.
• In the first two weeks of June, the number of rounds played *5260) with virtually the same as last year even with 12-minute tee times.
• The driving range is open again. It is being used more than normal even with social distancing requirements in place.
• The cups will be replaced with a new technology next week called EZ Lyft.  Here is a short video that shows how it works.
• There are some porta-johns on the course now.  There is no plans to place water coolers on the course, so don’t forget to bring your water bottle or purchase one at Freemans Grill.

Wednesday Play: We have had two weeks of association play so far and both have had great participation.  We had 32 players the first week and 36 the second.

A motion was made to start collecting entry fees of $5 starting with our first event in July. The money will be collected by the staff at Freemans Grill from each player as the pro shop has not any plans to accept cash. The entire prize pool will be paid out each week in the form of food & beverage credit at Freemans Grill. [Motion passed 5-3].

A motion was made to provide lunch to the maintenance staff for appreciation of all of their efforts at a date to be determined. [Motion passed unanimously]

The meeting was adjourned at 2:00pm.

OPENING REMARKS : Bill Oâ€Brien
Accepted the minutes of the August 22, 2019 MGA Board Meeting

MEMBERSHIP & TREASURERS REPORT : Emile Poirier
MGA Membership remains at 103 (vs 104 in 2018)

Available cash @ Sep 10 = $ 2511.43 ($ 3901.43 less $ 1000 committed to 2019 Nauset HS Scholarship Award (Myles Walther) less $ 390 Wednesday Hole-In-One prize pool)

CAPTAINS INVITATIONAL RECAP
The Board wishes to thank Ken Jones, Emile Poirier & Orin Segall for their time and effort in organizing the water / crackers / golf balls provided to each player in addition to managing the 50/50 raffle following Sundayâ€s round.

Given the single day Tournament & associated insurance refund for Hole-In-One coverage, the MGA net financial outcome is a profit of ~ $ 150.

BREWSTER GOLF COMMISSION MEETING (SEP 10, 2019) : Bill Oâ€Brien / Rob Harris
The potential for Captains Course to utilize an Enterprise Account is being reviewed (likely 2022 or later) .. such practice would make Captains Course responsible for covering itâ€s own expenses on a forward basis. Further discussions ahead.

Potential construction of a solar canopy at Captains Course (parking lots) remains under discussion / negotiation with provider. If an agreement is reached, the canopy may be erected in 2020. A number of details yet to be concluded.

Captains Course aeration plan is to have a rotating number of tees & fairways undergoing aeration through the Fall. The aim is to maximize golf rounds throughout the period. Greens will be aerated in late October / early November following the NEIGA college golf tournament.

Captains has sold ~ 40 Off-Season golf memberships to date (similar to 2018)

Initial proposal by Club Cart for 2020 electric cart fleet is $ 130K annually (an increase of ~ $ 10K). Details of cart equipment / options remain under review. Contract will likely cover a 3-5 year period.

Captains Course long range Strategic Plan continues to be developed. An updated annual Five Year Plan will be presented to Brewster Town Administrator by end October.

WEDNESDAY MGA COMPETITION
Sep 11 play drew 15 players.
The 2019 MGA Flight winners are :
“A” Flight = George Weiss.
“B” Flight = Emile Poirier
“C” Flight = Dick Eble.
Flight winners will hold an 18 hole stroke play competition for the Memorial Trophy.

The Board approved an estimated $ 150 to be used for procuring 3 Individual Flight trophies + 2 nameplates (2019 Memorial Trophy winner & Scholarship Award winner).

The final 2019 Wednesday MGA competitions will be held September 18 and October 2. Both competitions will be 2 Man Best Ball formats. There will be no Wednesday play on September 25.

OCTOBER 2 MGA COMPETITION & ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)

The Board accepted the following proposal for the October 2 MGA competition which will be followed by lunch & the Annual General Meeting (both in Captainâ€s Pavilion) :

8:30 shotgun start / 2 Man Best Ball format (90% handicap) / entry fee = $ 30

Crackers & water will be provided to each player. Additionally, 3 dozen golf balls will be raffled off at the AGM following play (3 winners of 1 dozen balls each)

The following cash prizes will be awarded :
(A) $ 500 Hole-In-One prize (assumes no winners on September 18) .. or a $ 100 premium to the Hole-In-One prize as re-established post any Sep 18 winner
(B) $ 50 Closest To Centerline on selected Par 5
(C) $ 50 Closest To Pin on selected Long Par 3
(D) $ 50 Closest To Pin on selected Short Par 3

In addition to the above cash prizes, $ 500 worth of Captains Gift Cards will be awarded across the top 4 teams.

MGA by-laws will be updated to allow nomination of a General Board slate of candidates (if required). The intent is to allow a new Board the opportunity to review itâ€s makeup & establish individual roles post AGM election. Should specific Board roles be agreed prior to an AGM, the new slate of candidates will be so nominated. If specific roles have not yet been confirmed, a General Board slate of candidates may be presented to MGA membership for election (with understanding that the new Board would agree on individual roles moving forward).

NEXT MGA BOARD MEETING
OCTOBER 2, 2019 (AGM)
Captainâ€s Pavilion Room

GUESTS
Orin Segall / Steve Litwinowich / Tom Magner / Ron Harrison. / Mike Oâ€Connell

OPENING REMARKS
The Board would like to thank those MGA members who completed the recent Survey. It would also like to thank Guests attending the Aug 22 Board Meeting for sharing thoughts aimed at providing meaningful & enjoyable golf options for Captains Course players. Points noted in both the Survey results and Board Meeting discussions will be progressed for potential 2020 implementation.

TREASURY & MEMBERSHIP UPDATE (Emile Poirier)
Current MGA membership = 103 (104 in 2018)

Cash available (Aug 21) = $ 2629.03  —> $ 4004.03 account balance less contingencies of $ 1000 (Scholarship) and $ 375 (Wednesday Hole In One Pool).

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD: (Bill Oâ€Brien)
$ 1000 is being held for disbursement to Myles Walther (2019 Nauset HS Award winner) pending receipt of his 1st semester college academic progress report. The 2020 Scholarship program will be initiated early next year.

CAPTAINâ€S INVITATIONAL (SEPTEMBER 7-8)
Tournament details can be referenced via pro shop signage or by calling the Captains Course at any time (Invitational is managed by Captains Course).

Insurance arrangements for the $ 10,000 Hole-In-One prize (sponsored by the MGA) are in place. The cost of coverage will be $ 506 with sponsored holes being #5 Starboard (Saturday) and #11 Port (Sunday). Per insurance requirements, 3P witnesses will be in place on both days. Appropriate signage will be provided, identifying the Hole-In-One competitions.

In-cart refreshments (crackers / water) & ball sleeves will be provided for all competitors .. a 50/50 raffle will be held following Sundayâ€s round (10 tickets @ $20).

MGA SURVEY (Rob Harris)
A quick recap of Survey results :
(a) 85% favored the MGA continuing as an organization
(b) 11 respondents indicated they may consider MGA Board membership
(c) 30% favored some form of social aspect be considered for MGA events
(d) large majority indicated they would not be significantly impacted if MGA competitions were not offered (assumes current Wednesday formats)

As an extension of Survey results, discussion took place among Board members and Guests. The discussions were open, informative & appreciated by all participants. It was agreed there may be opportunities for improving the golf experience for Captains players via changes in timing &/or formats. Although late in the 2019 golf calendar (note : the MGA Sep 18 competition is under review for a potential format change), attendees agreed to continue discussions through the winter with an eye toward the 2020 season. As noted earlier, with several Board members departing at the end of the 2019 season, it will be imperative to maintain a viable MGA Board in driving any modified or new golf concepts.

WEDNESDAY PLAY UPDATE
Given the low number of sign-ups ahead of Labor Day, there will be no MGA Wednesday competitions on August 28 or September 4. The remaining MGA events will be a September 11 Individual Quota .. September 18 TBN (a new /expanded event is under review) .. and October 2 Best Ball w/AGM following.

OPENING REMARKS : Bill Oâ€Brien 

– accepted minutes of the April 10, 2019 CCMGA Board Meeting 

MEMBERSHIP & FINANCE UPDATE : Emile Poirier 

– 2019 Membership @ 83 (14 new members / 36 non-renewals) .. 2018 Membership was 104. Reminders will be sent to prior members who have not renewed. 

– MGA account balance $ 3934.03 less $1000 Scholarship Award & $310 Hole In One Prize Pool. Net available funds = $2624.03. 

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD UPDATE : Bill Oâ€Brien 

– Nauset High School (NHS) has been advised of the MGA Scholarship Award nominee. Once NHS notifies same / announces the recipient, a letter will be sent from MGA to the award winner confirming the Scholarship parameters. 

WEDNESDAY PLAY : All 

– continue to average 20-22 players for Wednesday competitions 

– 12 players have currently registered for the May 15 / 22 Two Week Tournament. The entry fee is $30 per player and includes two rounds of golf, electric cart on May 22 and a post round meal / awards banquet on May 22. Prizes will be in the form of Captains gift cards. 

– reviewing the potential to hold a single day Tournament on May 22, concurrent with but separate from the Two Week Tournament. 

OPEN DISCUSSION : All 

– the future of the CCMGA remains uncertain .. declining Membership & Wednesday play numbers, plus a lack of response for new Board members raises questions as to MGA relevancy moving forward. Consideration is being given to an open MGA meeting aimed at discussing issues & options. 

– Brewster Golf Commission will meet on May 14 

* NEXT CCMGA MEETING -> JUNE 12 @ 2PM (Captains Meeting Room) 

ATTENDEES : Bill Oâ€Brien / Rob Harris / Ed Stefanik / Emile Poirier / Bruce Beauchemin. Guest : Orin Segall. 

OPENING REMARKS : (Bill Oâ€Brien)
– motion carried to accept the minutes of the March 13, 2019 CCMGA Board Meeting 

– Brewster Golf Commission (BGC) will meet April 11 @ 4PM at Captains Golf Club. An update to the proposed solar power project at Captains Golf Club now indicates the Town will receive annual lump sum payments of $ 100K vs earlier reported $ 18K. This subject will be further discussed at the April 11 BGC meeting. 

MEMBERSHIP & FINANCE UPDATES : (Emile Poirier) 
– 2019 MGA Membership @ 66 (w/recent additions) vs ~ 60 last year at this time. Anticipate additional memberships as snow birds return. 

– current MGA account balance is $ 3409.03 with no outstanding obligations. 

MGA SCHOLARSHIP AWARD : (All) 
– 2 applications were received from Nauset High School and were reviewed by Board members. A response will be provided to Nauset High School shortly, following which the awardeeâ€s name will be announced. 

WEDNESDAY PLAY UPDATE : (Rob Harris) 
– 9 members have signed up for the opening April 17 Scramble .. several more members are expected to join. 

– May 22 and October 2 competitions will employ Shotgun starts with food provided afterwards. Arrangements have been confirmed with the Freemanâ€s Grill team. For these events (linked to meals afterwards), the Board adopted a proposal to limit maximum team scores to Net Bogey on each hole (players will be encouraged to pick up promptly when max score is reached). The intent is to optimize pace of play and allow meals & awards to take place without undue delay. 

– there will be no 11AM starting times for Wednesday MGA competitions in 2019. This was introduced last year to determine whether there may be preferences for later tee times, however responses did not show any significant variation from the traditional (earlier) starting times. 

– the Wednesday Hole In One pool had no winners in 2018. The 2019 season will start with a carry-over $ 295 prize bucket, increasing weekly until a winner is recognized. 

* NEXT CCMGA MEETING -> MAY 8, 2019 @ 2PM in Captains Meeting Room. 

Discussion:

President’s Report: The Round Robin idea is not getting much interest from other courses. Town of Dennis doesnâ€t appear to want to participate.

The Board received a thank you note from Mark Oâ€Brien for our donations to Junior Golf Day.

Secretary’s Report: The Board unanimously approved the May 20, 2015 minutes.

Treasurer’s Report: We have $5,246.59 in our checking account. Treasurer’s Report was unanimously approved.

Membership: We have 174 members versus 174 at roughly the same time last year. We had a total of 188 members last year.

Wednesday Play: The newly appointed committee met and is moving forward with their responsibilities. Ray Gomez said that the meal for the October 7 Annual Meeting will be provided by Ardeoâ€s in the banquet room. Golf will be an 8:30am shotgun. Recent reports regarding the food from Ardeoâ€s has been good.

Golf Commission: No report.

CCMGA Scholarship: No report.

Old Business:

VFW 9/2 cookout: Ed Lewis needs 4 volunteers (Austin, Jones, Poirier volunteered)