THE MAPLE RIDGE MESSENGER

The Official Newsletter of Maple Ridge Golf Club, Columbus, Ga.

JANUARY 1, 2009 EDITION

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!                                       Tom Kubik, General Manager

Out with the Old and in with the New.  Happy 2009!  We want to close out 2008 by once again thanking our members for your support and our employees for all of their efforts to make Maple Ridge such a great place to work and play. 

We resolve to continue to add value to your Club membership by expanding your opportunities for fun and fellowship:

·         Thursday Night Grille Games & Other Ideas – Shootouts / Stymies

·         Friday Night Dining & Expanded Menus

·         Dogfights, Couples, Junior Events, and Tournaments

·         Additional Reciprocals

·         Clubhouse Restroom Renovation

·         Continual Improvement of Playing Conditions – Addition of a Greens Roller Unit, continued Bunker Renovations

·         And Most Importantly – Keeping an open ear to what you, our valued members want in your club.

May the New Year bring you Good Health, Happiness, and Prosperity!

GOLF SHOP ACTION                         Mike Gill, Dir. of Golf & Gene Matthews, Head Pro

            Now is a great time to have Gene or Jason re-grip your clubs.  It makes a big difference in the cooler weather.  We can usually manage same-day service.

            Results from our Junior Christmas tourney on Dec. 23 (Maple Ridge members in bold):  15-16:  (1) Jimmy Beck - 75, (2) Chris Campos - 75, (3) Rhodes Sturkie - 81, (4) Travis Oestmann - 82;  13-14:  (1) Bo Hatcher - 83, (2) Will Johnson - 84, (3) Parker Derby - 91.  11-12:  (1) Zack Shelnutt - 48, (2) Matthew Whisnant - 64, Andy Brookins - 64.  10-under:  (1) Warren Gallatin - 45, (2) Daniel Davis - 47, (3) Sung Yong O - 52;  Girls:  (1) Katherine Barnes - 64, (2) Su Jin O – 68.  Congratulations, all!

            From the wonderful world of handicaps, Susan McCollum says now that today’s statements have been mailed, please call her at 706-569-0966 if for any reason you don’t wish to have your handicap renewed.  Your 2009 renewal has been billed ($25 adult, $15 junior) if you haven’t notified her otherwise.  A quick phone call to Susan at any time is all it takes to put you on the system.

            Coming up on Sunday, February 1 – it’s the _?_th Annual (no one can recall how many) Super Bowl Tourney & Chili Cookoff!  Whether it’s Giants-Titans, Steelers-Panthers or other matchup, we always have a spectacular time and big turnout.  Entry is $20 plus cart fee, with a 10 a.m. shotgun start.  Knock $5 off if you make chili – breakfast and lunch are included.  The cookoff champion wins a free month’s dues.  We’ll play a “Shamble”:  team selects the best drive and golfers play their own ball out from there.  Best 3 of 4 dogfight point scores count, no handicap is required.   The golf shop will assign your point quota and draw teams.  Details are at the signup podium.

WINTER GREENS                       Doug Smith, CGCS & Greg Heinrich, Course Supt.

            Not terribly much to report, as much of the maintenance crew catches up on vacation time.   Due to our relatively short-staffing recently, we haven’t been able to use our new greens roller as much as hoped, but are very pleased with it and plan to increase its usage soon.  You’ll notice the improved smoothness of our greens, resulting in truer roll of your putts.  If you played here New Year’s Day, you know what we mean!

            We’re also seeking member feedback for an idea we’re considering:  overseeding of the fairways, which we’ve never done here.  The packed-down surface you contend with this time of year on your fairway woods, hybrids and irons would be replaced by a thicker surface allowing your ball to sit up even in winter.  The downside is a much greater expenditure of manpower and budget.  Grab either of us, Mike, Gene or Tom and let us know your thoughts.  Input from the members is very beneficial in making the decision whether to overseed.

GRILLE GAMES MENU’S                                Shawn Robinson, Dir. of Food & Beverage

            Thursday, Jan. 1 – Lasagna, Salad, Garlic Bread

            Thursday, Jan. 8 – BBQ, Ribs, Baked Beans, Cole Slaw, Cornbread

            Thursday, Jan. 15 – MGA Meeting & Dinner:  Steak Night 

            Thursday, Jan. 22 – Catfish Fry, Hushpuppies, Cole Slaw, Cheese Grits

            Thursday, Jan. 29 – Meatball Subs, Pasta Salad

Dinner ($10) served 6-7 p.m;  Poker ($20) & “Corn-Hole” ($10) Tourneys start 7 p.m.   Please sign up by 3 p.m. at the Golf Shop, or call in – it’s always a great time!

ONWARD, FORWARD, UPWARD!                     Rick Jacobson, Dir. of Sales & Marketing

          We made it!  A personal goal of welcoming 150 new members in 2008 was achieved yesterday when Ray and Karen Collins, owners of The Mattress Factory, joined as Weekday Members, as have Chick-Fil-A franchise operators Todd Morgan and Todd Kalish as Christmas gifts from their wives.  Previously, Mack McLaughlin, owner of MotorMax, became a Full Senior Member.  Several others are just about ready to commit.  We’re definitely concluding the year on a high note.  What lousy economy?

            I’d like to recognize and thank the following members who referred new members this year:  Justin An, Ben Armistead, Jerry Brammer, Mike Braxton, Michael Carrick, Michael Dempsey, Mitch Goare, Ed Haag, Bob Hagadorn, Charlie Hamlin, Jon Harris, Fred Huff, C.T. Kim, Dennis Lewis, Wayne Martin, Rickey McRae, Chris Meacham, Shane Parrish, Rick Peebles, Bob Snipes, Mona Sprinkle, Rob Stone, Mike Taylor, Lavon Thurman, Rick Wahlert, Kevin Ward and Tony Welch.  When sponsor a new member, we credit $50 to $125 to your account, you contribute to the financial and social well-being of Maple Ridge Golf Club and bring us closer to the “cap” numbers that allow us to hold dues at their current levels.

             We’ve made a few changes in the initiation-fee structure for 2009, decreasing the one-time charge for Full Membership from $2,000 to $1,500.  Younger and military Members still get reduced initiation and dues.  Group rates for two or more members who join together have proved to be quite successful for us.  Student Memberships (age 10 thru high school senior year) are a steal at $550 with unlimited greens fee and practice range access.  Please let me know of friends you think may be interested.  We’d like them to visit our facility, meet with them and try to bring them aboard.

            For non-golfers, we’ve established a $150 annual fee to become Clubhouse Members (no golf privileges, except as a member’s guest).  It’s a good way for folks to enjoy Chef Shawn’s and Chef Bill’s great vittles on a regular basis, and to partake in our Thursday Night Grille Games.  

            Again in 2009, the Club is paying Men’s Golf Association (MGA) annual dues for all new male members 18 and over, helping you get involved and meet playing partners

            Finally, we’re booking company golf outings: medium and large (60+) for Tuesdays and small (8 to 40 golfers) for Saturday afternoons and certain weekdays that don’t affect member play.  Please let us know of any organization you might know of looking to improve or establish their annual or first-ever event!  With our full-service staffing and dozens of happy clients, we’re the #1 outing hosts in the area!  New 2009 clients already include the Spencer High School Athletic Appreciation Association, Columbus Board of Realtors, Shaw High School Baseball Team, the Exchange Club of Columbus and, perhaps, the Columbus Lions Professional Indoor Football Club.