THE MAPLE RIDGE MESSENGER

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

MID-SEPTEMBER, 2009 EDITION

RAISING THE ADVISORY COUNCIL!!                          Tom Kubik, General Manager

We have practiced an open door communications policy and have encouraged your feedback over the last few years, and some of that feedback has resulted in several requests to reactivate the Maple Ridge Advisory Committee at the Club…we are going to do so.  I will be contacting a cross section of members to serve on the committee for a one-year term.  The joint goal of the Club and Committee will be to improve communications in both directions as to what is important to the membership to make your membership and golf experience more enjoyable and to let membership know what is going on with ownership and management as we continue to try to improve the course and amenities.

Thanks to the MGA for the new flat screen wall mount HD television that took the place of the old console set that was in the left corner as you entered the grille.  The old set was appropriately donated to the First Tee Program for their use or to help in a fundraiser.  Speaking of good feedback, the MGA Executive Committee and membership have been great in expressing their concerns and in supporting the Club…thanks and keep up the good work! 

Thank you so much for your continuing support!

LET’S TALK TURF!                                    Doug Smith, Certified Golf Course Supt.

Golf Course Projects Update.  During the hot summer months it can be a delicate balancing act on the golf course to accomplish anything more than mowing and watering the grass. However, over the past few months the maintenance department has also managed to continue its efforts in improving the “playability” of the course with the completion of the bunker projects at   no. 7 fairway & 17 green,  and the sod work in the left rough at hole no. five.  So next time you’re enjoying “a round” be sure to acknowledge the following dedicated fulltime crew members for making Maple Ridge the best it can be! …  Greg “Tight Lies” Heinrich, Steve “The Hammer” Menke, Ray “Sprayzall” George, Ben “Monster Grip” Thomas, Sergio “No Blade Untouched” Gonzalez, Manuel “No Tiendo” Manriquez, Sammy “The Sandman” Hardwick, and Charlie “Too Smooth” Joseph.   And our seasonal part- timers …  Paul “Land O’ Lakes” Anderson, Holt “Laser Line” Redding, Charlie “Sneezy” McLochlin, Henry “The Horseman” Sutherland, Terry “Blue Book” Aubin, Richard “Daddy Long Legs” Bowman, Cason “No Strokes” Hammock, and the “Three Amigos” Ari, Jose & Oscar.

CLUB CHAMPIONS CROWNED                                          Mike Gill, Director of Golf

          Congratulations to our 2009 Club Champions as determined Sept. 3-4 in two competitive rounds by 70 golfers in picture-perfect weather!  Kevin Padgett won the Men’s Division, Michael Ray is the Men’s Senior (50-59) champion, Fred Wadsworth won Men’s Super Seniors (60+), June Holder is our Ladies Champion and Jeff Keefe won the Governor’s Cup (low net score).

          Padgett edged Brent Paul and Chad Glanton by a stroke, turning the tables after losing by one to Chad in last month’s Chattahoochee Valley Amateur.  Michael Ray finished six back, winning the Seniors title (players were pre-flighted by handicap), with Larry Jay fifth in the “Masters Flight”.

          Mike Alford won the “U.S. Open Flight” at 6-over, followed by Jay Blankenship, Keefe, Donnie Russell and Mick Longstreet.  The “British Open Flight” was captured by Gregg Osborn at 160, trailed by Greg Stone, Danny Sellers, Brian Williams and Al Markham. 

          Wadsworth led the “PGA Flight” at 156, with Jim Holder, Coy Jones, Roger Hewitt and Fran Buchta finishing 2^nd through 5^th.  And in the Ladies Flight, June Holder won by 10 strokes over defending champion Angie Lee, with Mary Henderson, Patty Hudspeth and Mona Sprinkle next in line.

            Complete results of the Club Championship are on our homepage at www.golfmapleridge.com, as is the entry form for the 12^th Annual RidgeFest invitational set for October 3-4!  This two-man scramble pretty much always fills up with 60 teams, including non-members.  Of course, the front desk also has forms.  We’re seeking to firm up two sponsorships for the RidgeFest by the 30^th, a true bargain at $750 for multi-media advertising support, product and literature display for the weekend and networking opportunities with the 120-player field, including your own two-man team!  Call Rick at 706-569-0966!

FABULOUS FALL APPROACHES!                        Rick Jacobson, Sales & Mktg. Dir.

          Nothing like a little cooler weather to make for perfect golf this time of year!  We’ve got a great lineup already for our last “Potential Member Day” of 2009 this Saturday, Sept. 19 – and there’s still room for another ten golfers to reserve their spots!  Just $25 for a great burger-and-fries lunch, 18 holes with range balls and cart and a cold drink after the round.  That’s when we'’ll gather in the grille to see just how many are ready to join, saving up to $1,250 each on initiation fees.  We have a strong batch of prospects, leading me to believe you’ll likely get in for the minimum $250 fee, plus 1/3 of your first-month dues (pro-rated for Sept. 20-30).  Not to mention your “Gimme” worth at least $100 from our “Hit the Pin, Tap it In, Win-Win!” membership drive, ending Sept. 30!

          Here I get to welcome two new members who joined just ahead of “PMD” to help get your discount almost halfway home – Jason Desai, 25-year-old U.S. Army officer from Yorktown, NY, and Bill Tebo, insurance broker and president of Kingdom Assurance, Inc. of Salem, AL.  Earlier this month, we added some fine young blood: new Student Members Robert Swift (Brookstone golf team) and Ben Hatala (a sophomore hoping to make Columbus High’s golf team).  It’s great to have all of you with us!!