The Maple Ridge Messenger 12-1-09
1/13/2010 10:39:49 AMTHE MAPLE RIDGE MESSENGER
The Official Newsletter of Maple Ridge Golf Club, Columbus, Ga.
DECEMBER 1, 2009 EDITION
REFLECTIONS AND VISIONS… Tom Kubik, General Manager
2009 was a challenging year for individuals and business alike. We have and continue to achieve our goal to be The Chattahoochee Valley’s Friendliest and Most Affordable Private Golf Club.” The Club froze wages last year and expenses were cut when possible to continue to hold the line on member fees while trying to maintain the quality product that you deserve and expect. The good news is that we have survived and our vision for 2010 is …
… To continue as a Private Club with the same goal as stated above. We will continue to control operating costs and ask for your continuing support in 2010 as we work together to get through this difficult economy. There will be a minimal $5 dues increase effective March 2010 to help us meet the increased costs of doing business.
Our thanks go out to our members, employees, and ownership for all of your efforts and continuing support! May the Hope and Promise of the Holiday Season be with you not only at Christmas, but also throughout the New Year. Merry Christmas!
HOLIDAY DIPS, CHIPS, BLIPS & QUIPS Mike Gill, Director of Golf
Chipping Nightmares: Learning to figure out how to chip in the winter can be a nightmare. The key to being successful is being able to identify what the ground conditions will allow you to do with your shot. When you have soft conditions, you need to really consider hitting the ball along the ground using 6, 7, 8 or even your putter. Using this style of play will minimize the really bad shots, and with some practice you can get a feel for your distance control.
Local Rule Change for winter: This winter the Men’s Golf Association voted on allowing players to be able to tap down spike marks. Since this is the first year we are not overseeding the greens, we are unsure what to expect with how the greens will be affected with regards to spike marks. I know the maintenance practice will change some, so for the first year we are putting in the local rule to be able to repair spike marks for our MGA & Club Dogfight events.
LET’S TALK TURF Doug Smith, Certified Golf Course Superintendent
When Less is Best. As we leave fall behind and progress into the winter months there has been noticeable changes in the condition of the greens from the past years when we have over-seeded with “winter” or cool season grass. From the turf manager’s point of view we have seen two distinct benefits from not over-seeding the greens this past fall; Less maintenance and better playing conditions in the form of predictable & consistent putting, firmer & drier ground around the greens, and less use of labor/water/fertilizer & pesticides in maintaining the greens.
When Less is not Best. However there are a few disadvantages we are beginning to notice as well, faster than normal green speed and lower turf density or “thin turf” in some of our greens. As we get into the heart of winter, approximately 10 weeks from late December through early March these issues of speed and density will become more pronounced. To correct these problems in the future we will be making adjustments in next year’s mowing and fertility maintenance practices as well as eliminating trees that are causing extended morning shade at these “problem” greens.
If you experience some of these “problem issues” this winter, please be patient as our maintenance practices are constantly evolving in order to make Maple Ridge the best it can be!
IT’S THAT TIME OF SEASON! Susan McCollum, Member Services
Members, get ready … Guest cards will be included in your November 30 statement for golfing members. Be on the look-out for the ORANGE punch cards which allow you to bring 1 – 3 guests at $20 each up to six times. Member must accompany the guest. The cards are good for the months of December, January and February, expiring Feb. 28, 2010. You must present the card at the time of check-in!
Our Winter Tee Time procedure will be in effect for December, January and February. Call Wednesday, Dec. 2 for Saturday, Dec. 5 and Thursday, Dec. 3 for Sunday, Dec. 6. This allows us to use the extended weather forecast to more accurately predict a starting time for the weekends, based on the predicted low temperatures and the presence of frost.
The GSGA Handicap system charges will remain unchanged for 2010, $25 for adults, $15 for juniors under the age of 18. These charges will be billed on the December 31 billing. If you are currently in the system and wish to continue maintaining your scores in the handicap system, then no action is necessary. However, if you wish to discontinue the service and avoid having the charge appear on your bill, please contact me prior to December 30 so that you will not be billed.
A DELIGHTFUL DECEMBER! Rick Jacobson, Director of Sales & Marketing
The days get shorter, but the new member list gets longer! Please welcome Jeremy and Jessica Ferris (Jeremy’s self-employed in the radiology field and Jessica’s a physical therapist with CareSouth); Wesley “Lee” Halvorson, sales consultant for Automated Business Machines and pastor at Cornerstone Church of God; and Mike and Kristi Robinson (Mike teaches and coaches at Calvary Christian School, while Kristi, a former Miss Phenix City, is a pharmaceutical sales rep for Warner Chilcott).
The timing is perfect for a holiday gift of a Maple Ridge Golf Club membership to a loved one or yourself … maybe both! With initiation fees reduced by 30% to 50% through December 31st, it truly is “Not Quite a ‘Free Fall’ at Maple Ridge, But It’s Close!” You might even be able to squeeze a little extra savings out of me to help us reach my goal of 100 new members in 2009! Take the pain and strain out of your holiday shopping, keeping in mind, also, our Student ($550) and Clubhouse ($150) annual memberships.
There’s not a whole lot of slowdown in our activity calendar this month, starting with Thursday Night Grille Games on the 3rd, 10th and 17th. We’re having home-style meatloaf, mashed potatoes and California medley this week; lasagna, salad and garlic bread next week and will decide soon on a menu for the 17th. Dinner from 6-7 p.m. is just $10 (soft drink included), followed by Poker ($20 buy-in) and Corn-Hole ($10 entry) and games on our three flat-screens (we’ve got the NFL Network). Members, please sign up at the golf shop, or call by 3 p.m. so we can get a head count for dinner reservations.
The Ladies Golf Association (LGA) has its annual Christmas party December 7. The Dixie Seniors join us on the 8th, their fourth Tuesday outing of 2009, with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce’s Partners In Education (P.I.E.) tournament slated for the 11th. Maple Ridge hosts the rotating PGA Central Chapter dogfight on the 14th and welcomes all our outing organizers and sponsors on Customer Appreciation Day, Tuesday the 15th. Hartin Electric Co.’s private party on Dec. 18 (thanks, members Andy and Michelle Hartin!) and our employee party Dec. 22 round out a busy month.
LIMITED PUBLIC PLAY CONTINUES: “Sensational Saturdays” are working nicely as a way for non-members to try Maple Ridge! Starting each Wednesday prior, call for available tee times between 1-2 p.m. and play for a mere $30, including cart and range balls! Please adhere to our dress code and fill out a brief contact information form, so that we may send you Club newsletters and promotional messages online. More than two dozen golfers have taken advantage so far. With December 5 and 12 left, we’ve decided to extend “Sensational Saturdays” six more weeks through January.
Congratulations to Donnie Russell, 2009 Men’s Golf Association Maple Cup champion and reserved parking space winner! He scored 760 of a possible 900 points in nine monthly tourneys. See MGA point totals: www.golfmapleridge.com/ClubNews.