MARCH 2008 INDIANOLA COUNTRY CLUB NEWSLETTER

Course Opening

The warm weather melts much of the snow this past weekend giving us hope the golf season could be just around the corner and then we get more snow.  Let’s hope this is the last of it and that the normal March highs in the 40’s return soon.  The course typically opens in mid to late March.  The clubhouse will be open normal winter hours until the course opens.  At that time the clubhouse will be open additional hours depending on the weather. Let’s hope we get on the golf course before the next newsletter.

O’Hosey St. Patrick’s Day Party

Dennis and Melissa  Hosey have hosted the St. Patrick’s Day celebration for a number of years.  In honor of Melissa this party will go on.  The annual "O'Hosey's St. Patrick's Day Party" will be held on Saturday, March 15th.  Starting at 6:00 p.m. Corned Beef and Cabbage will be served with the party to follow.  The event will be held in the upstairs ballroom. 

Clubhouse Improvements

Some improvements were made in the clubhouse over the winter.  Check them out the next time you come to the club.  There is a new TV and some new paint downstairs.  The ballroom received some improved woodwork and the upstairs bar got a new ceiling with improved lighting and a new railing.  Still to be added are a new front entry door, and an improved deck off of the kitchen.

Valentine’s Day Dinner Draws Rave Reviews

The Valentine’s Day dinner crowd was not large, but those who attended were glad they did. Here are some member comments we received:

                        “We want to extend our thanks to the club for the wonderful Valentine dinner.  The tables were beautiful, the food exceptional, and the dinner music was without equal.  What an enjoyable outing!  All of us at our table decided our club was the best “restaurant” in town.  It was so nice to have this offered right out our back door.  Ruth and her staff did a wonderful job!  Thanks so much!!”

                        “That was the best meal -- and I don't mean best for the money, or best in Indianola -- I mean the best meal period that I have had in a while.”

For those of you who were unable to attend the Valentines event, I hope you will attend the next event Ruth schedules. 

Lunch at the Club

Don't forget that lunch is available at the club Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11AM-2PM.  Feel free to bring your friends or co-workers.  It is one of the best deals in town.

2008 Club Calendar

Work on the 2008 Club Calendar is currently in progress.  If you know any needed changes in your address or phone number let Jason know.

A Letter from Superintendent Joe Burke

Winter 2008
 
Dear ICC Members,
 
All I can say about 2007 is that it was interesting and I learned a lot.  I learned that by simply raising the height of cut on the greens, a disease called anthracnose, which is difficult and expensive to control, was no longer a problem. And although the greens were at times a little slower than in previous years, by the end of the summer I think green speed improved after I figured out the proper rate and timing of growth regulators. So, with a slightly higher height of cut, using more growth regulators and topdressing frequently, expect the greens in 2008 to be healthy, smooth surfaces that still have great speed.

I also learned how to cost effectively control a disease called grey leaf spot. This disease affects our predominantly ryegrass fairways in the late summer. I experimented with different rates and timings of fungicides and came up a strategy to control this potentially devastating disease. With the knowledge I gained from these trials and with frequent overseeding, expect our fairways to be the best they have ever been.
 
I used several different types of fertilizers last year and found some products that provide great color while keeping costs down, which is tough to do because the fertilizer market is very volatile these days. I also learned that preventative grub control is now needed EVERYWHERE on the West nine!
 
And finally I learned that if you expect a warmer/drier than average November and December you’ll get, well…..this. However, I’m still hoping that the new irrigation will be installed on the East 9 and the #1 fairway project will be graded, seeded and well on it’s way to playability by the time you show up in the Spring.
 
Thanks for putting up with me and all my experimentation last year. I’m feeling very good about 2008 based on what I learned in 2007. I think course conditions could be the best ever (especially having a new mower to keep the rough under control in the Spring). As always, if you have any questions or comments, please stop me on the course, call me (249-8543) or send me an e-mail from the website.
 
See you on the course,
 
Joe Burke

Membership Changes

We have received resignations from Doug & Sara Opie, Ron & Nancy Cambron, Mary Louise Mathews, and Ann Kirkegaard.  We now have 320 golf and 14 social memberships. 

Automatic Dues Payment

MARCH 2008 CLUB ACTIVITIES

CLUBHOUSE HOURS:  We are now on winter hours:

Winter Hours