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Home My Public Portal AboutGolf Commission -- 2021-04-27 Minutes yO ,d o 9F+ngy.,. y Al //////////IN1111111111111111\\\\\\��\ RRE11'S"1'F.1� I TOWN OF BREWSTER Brewster, Massachusetts 02631 ( 508) 896-3701 GOLF COMMISSION Minutes of April 27 , 2021 Commissioners Present : Anne O ' Connell (Chair) , Carl Blanchard , John Kissida, Wyn Morton , Jeff Odell, and David Valcourt Others Present : Jay Packett, Director of Operations, Colin Walsh, Golf Course Superintendent, Rob Harris (CCMGA) , Sarah Robinson ( I &Hole Women 's Assn . ), Donna Potts (9-Hole Women ' s Assn . ), Dave Whitney ( Selectboard Liaison) and Bill Meehan (Finance Committee Liaison) . THIS MEETING WAS HELD REMOTELY WITH AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDED . The meeting may be viewed at: http : //video . brewster-ma . gov/CablecastPublieSite/show/5397 ?channel= l Anne O ' Connell called the meeting to order at 4 : 00 pm after reading remote meeting guidelines and procedures . Director 's Report : • Jay Packett reported on the recent update regarding COVID restrictions regarding the golf course grounds and carts . Face coverings are mandatory in all areas of the golf course until April 30 . Carts are being sanitized . The water stations have not been put out; sanitation will be difficult . Bunker rakes are back in the bunkers . Shot-gun tournaments will be held respecting social distancing . The restaurant is open with all tables six feet apart, six people per table . Restaurant guidelines will be upgraded on May 29 . Tee times were not addressed by Governor Baker. Anne O ' Connell reported golf facility specific guidelines are being withdrawn as of April 30 according to information she received from the Mass Golf Association . Discussion followed . Wyn Morton expressed his concern regarding water stations and would like to discuss this at a future meeting. Course Operations Questions and Concerns : • Colin Walsh reported maintenance is at full staff and practicing social distancing : one person per cart, face coverings are worn indoors . The staff continues to work at full capacity. Weekend work begins on May 1 . 1 Impact of growth in membership in 2021 on golf course operations including, but not limited to FY22 budget, tee time allocation, association block times, staffing, 2022 rates, number of members : • The process of tee time allocations will be discussed at the first meeting in June . Jay Packett reported a break even point of $42 per round and reported a projected $ 500 ,000 loss over a 7 - week period going to 20% . The formula in place should be honored, but the commission needs to be aware of these possibilities . The golf course is currently solvent . Future capital projects need to be done so that The Captains maintains its reputation of being the premiere 36-hole golf facility on Cape Cod . A balance needs to be in place making the members ' experience a happy one and providing the revenue necessary to allow future projects to go forward . Membership for April up to today is $214 , 000 . Jeff Odell asked for a total membership number : it is 972 as of April 22 . He commented on the formula and spoke about the point system . Wynn Morton suggested explaining the Chelsea system on the website . Anne O ' Connell said in reviewing emails received she feels there is a lot of false information out there . Discussion followed regarding the effectiveness of the current Chelsea system and providing educational feedback to the membership . John Kissada thanked Rob Harris for his explanation of the tee time system and would like a review of the quantity of memberships, noting the by-laws should be reviewed and asking if the Chelsea system is providing the proper balance in play time, i . e . should extra times on hold be made available earlier in the day to be booked . In answer to Rob Harris ' question, Jeff Odell said the number of non-resident members originally was capped at 100 , then raised to 200 . No cap has been in place for at least ten years . Jay Packett explained the 200 cap on memberships had never been reached and advised that after early resident members play 25 times , they are at the $42 per round figure . In answer to John Kissida ' s point about the on-hold times , Jay Packett will have Chelsea adjust the times earlier if the commission so desires . Jeff Odell explained the history of advanced bookings and the on-hold times . Carl Blanchard spoke of the financial issues involved in balancing revenues vs . expenses, noting Rob Harris ' report regarding golf course costs and efforts to keep membership fees down and employee wages stable . Rob Harris explained his report was a fact-only of past tee times . The formula was developed when golf membership and golf was in decline . Discussion followed regarding capital goals and membership fees collected so far this year. Anne O ' Connell asked whether changing the tee time cut-off would adversely affect guest play significantly. Jay Packett doesn 't think it will make a difference . • A motion was made by John Kissida, seconded by Wyn Morton, to change the time that members can get a free tee time the day before play from 8 p .m . to 4 p .m . Motion passed unanimously. • Anne O ' Connell suggested the opportunity in choosing not to increase rates this year was missed in order to thank the membership for its loyalty and support . She mentioned the differential between morning rates and early rates . This matter will be discussed at another time . Wyn Morton suggested tweaking the tee time system . John Kissida agreed and suggested a public information guide be sent to the membership advising what their membership buys . Dave Valcourt re-emphasized communications with the membership and suggested adjusting fees . Jay Packett spoke about fee adjustments and benefits to the members . Anne O ' Connell asked for opinions on limiting non-resident members and suggested prior budget reports be reviewed. Discussion followed . Anne O ' Connell said additional insight on these issues is expected from the next draft of the NGF report regarding tee time allocations and possibly membership rates . Discussion followed . • Anne O ' Connell assured the association representatives that their blocks are safe and indicated 2 unused tee times will be used by the golf course . She asked anyone with suggestions regarding communications be sent to Wyn Morton so that they may be addressed in a timely manner. Public comment : • None . Topics the Chair did not reasonably anticipate : • None . Future agenda items and meetings (5/11 , 5/18) : • 5/ 11 - Regular business meeting • 5/ 18 — Irrigation study • Possible draft from the National Golf Foundation A motion was made by Wyn Morton, seconded by Jeff Odell to adjourn the meeting . Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 5 ; 40 p .m . Respectfully submitted, Dorothy Vesperman Administrative Assistant 3