INDIANOLA COUNTRY CLUB NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 2010

Tournament Results
Congratulations to the recent tournament winners. The winners of the Sole Survivor were: Women: Annette Hoover, Senior Women: Lynn Long, Super Senior: Dean Schmitt, Senior: Chuck Collins, Open: Tim Toombs and Championship: John O’Hair.  In the Husband & Wife Club Championship Roger Overman & Annette Hoover took first place with a 74.  For all tournament results go to http://www.indianolacountryclub.com/golftournaments.html.

Board Approves Major Projects
            At its last meeting the Board of Directors approved proceeding with several high priority projects needed to maintain and improve the club.  It was a unanimous vote of all members present.  The Board of Trustees members present also approved the borrowing that will be required for the projects unanimously.  The projects include:
Creek Crossings - Repair and upgrading the creek crossings by #7 green, #8 green, and #3 tee were approved last fall, but not completed due to the weather.  The board has now approved additional crossing repair work including the crossings on #3 fairway and by #3 green.
Tiling – In order to improve unusually  wet areas of the course, tiling work will be done on hole #6, by #8 green and #9 tee, and on the south part of #13 fairway.
Cart Paths – The cart paths on the east nine will be resurfaced.  The Board recognized that this was a high priority item for many members.
Driving Range Development – Several years ago a consultant brought in by the IGA visited our club and identified a practice facility and a major need.  Our survey last fall also showed that newer members and those who played less frequently viewed a practice area as very desirable.  Because of this, the Board has considered adding a driving range as a priority to better retain current members and attract new members.  Development of the practice facility including a putting green/short game area was also approved.  Many of you may have seen the initial grading work has already begun.  We are working on a plan to do the development in partnership with Simpson College, which will reduce the cost to the club in exchange for the college team’s use of the range.
            These projects will be paid for using both a loan (maximum of $200,000) to be repaid over 10 years from future revenue and funds (currently over $70,000) in the capital improvement account.  We have hard bids for most of the work, but as with any construction project there are some estimates involved.  The cost of servicing the loan will be $7.56 per month per member based on 300 members if the maximum loan amount is needed.    Another way of looking at it is that an increase in membership of 18-20 members would pay for the loan at current new member family dues rates.  
            The money to repay the loan will be available from several sources.  Additional money will be available from cart shed fees since members who prepaid fees to build the last new cart shed will need to pay yearly again beginning next year.   Some capital improvement fees are also available to make payments.  Lastly, part of any dues increase for next year and increased dues revenue from any increase in membership could also be used.   The finance committee and the board will decide on the mix as next year’s budget is developed.
            The board felt that it was important that these projects be completed now, both for the current member’s enjoyment of the club and to better recruit future members.  Waiting would only cause conditions on the course to get worse and costs to increase.  They also felt that the cost was very reasonable for the significant improvements that will be made.

President’s Comment
            I want to commend the Board for their vision and hard work in putting this improvement plan together.  Special thanks go to Mike Lathrop, Chair of the Green’s and Driving Range Committees, and Kevin Halterman, Chair of the Finance Committee.  While this is my last year as president, I am excited for the future that these needed, overdue, improvements will bring to the club next year.  I hope you will all join me in helping to recruit new members to the club to make next year a great year.

Donate a Tree for the Range
            One of the conditions of the City selling the land for the practice facility to the club was that trees be planted along the road to separate the road from the range.   I want to ask those of you who are supporters of the development of the practice facility to show your support by donating $200 to plant a tree on the range.  I’ll get things started by donating the first $200.  A plaque will be put on the practice tee recognizing those who donated a tree.   Just fill out the form below and send or drop off your check with the form to Jason in the clubhouse.   Thanks for your help.
Werner