HomeMy Public PortalAboutGolf Commission -- 2023-04-25 MinutesTOWN OF BREWSTER
Brewster, Massachusetts 02631
(508) 896-3701
GOLF COMMISSION
Minutes of April 25th, 2023 -
Commissioners Present: Anne O'Connell (Chair), Andrea Johnson (Vice -Chair), Rob David, John
Kissida, and David Valcourt.
Others Present: Jay Packett (Director of Operations), Colin Walsh (Superintendent,), Rob Harris
(CCMGA), Terry Ivester (Ladies 18 Holers), Susan Olin (Ladies 9 Holers), Peggy McEvoy (Friends of
Captains)
THIS MEETING WAS VIDEO RECORDED. The meeting may be viewed at: https:l/reflect-brewster-
ma.cablecast.ty, CablecastPublicSitelshowj7488?channel=1
Chairperson Anne O'Connell called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
Declaration of a Quorum — 5 Golf Commissioners present and accounted for which constitutes a
quorum.
Public Comment: Peggy McEvoy (Friends of Captains) noted the "ball -popping" event at the range the
next day with over 20 people attending. They also mention upcoming events on May 7th and May 18th,
including a Brewster in Bloom celebration with a closest to the pin contest and a planned divot repair
event.
Superintendent's Report: Colin Walsh the speaker praised the weather conditions which have helped
the golf course recover well from a recent aeration. The greens are smooth and will be regularly rolled to
maintain their speed, and growth regulators will be used to control growth and maintain the greens. The
speaker also mentions that the irrigation system is fully functional, but the jockey pump that handles
smaller jobs has been giving some issues. On Thursday, a new jockey pump will be installed, along with
paving work starting at the cart barn area and moving to the starboard first tee. Colin Walsh noted that
there will be plenty of trucks and paving machines on the course, so golfers should be careful when
playing. Colin Walsh noted the arrival of a new piece of equipment, a mower, that has been on order for
16 months from a company called Turf Products Corporation. They will be using this to replace a 37 -
year -old mower. Colin Walsh also mentions that they are preparing for the Mass Senior Four Ball
Tournament in a month's time and are short-staffed with seasonal workers. They are also looking forward
to the month of May as it is a great month for grass maintenance. Overall, morale is high, and the team is
excited about the upcoming events. John Kissida asked about divot boxes and Colin Walsh noted they
will be out this week.
Director's Report: Jay Packett starts by praising Colin and his crew for their hard work in maintaining
the property. The mower is being replaced after 16 months, and Jay Packett gives a shout out to Rob
Campbell and the mechanic crew for keeping it running for 7 years. There will be paving work done
around the first tee area, and the professional staff has come up with a plan to handle the inconvenience
caused by the project. Lawrence Lynch, the paving company, will be on site around 6:30 am on Thursday,
and Jay Packett, Pat Fannon, and Ed Beckler have gone over the plan and will communicate it to the
clerks. The cost of the paving project will be around $65,000. Jay Packett acknowledged the hard work
done by staff and contractors in preparation, which has saved money. Jay Packett also mentions other
improvements being made, such as addressing sinkholes and adding parking spaces. They emphasize the
importance of recognizing the team effort and getting a lot done with a modest amount of money.
Terry Ivester provided an update on the Spring Cup Golf Tournament starting on Thursday for four
Thursdays in May. The Captain's Team of the Spring Cup will play with the Bay Cup, including Dennis
Highlands, Duxbury Club, Pocasset, and Woods Hole. Terry Ivester mentions that the league play is
starting on May 2.
Jay Packett presented a budget status update, stating that they are hanging close to where they were last
year at 67% versus 65% for FY 2022. The biggest driver behind this is unanticipated costs for plumbing
and work done to get the restaurant open. The part-time wages were significantly higher due to the mild
winter, which led to the need for additional pro shop staff. The full-time wages and overtime expenses are
set by Town Hall and should not go over. However, the wildcard is the part-time wages, and Jay Packett
hopes not to overspend in that area. They are being more vigilant about spending and tracking invoices to
avoid overspending. The capital spending in FY 22 was primarily for the HVAC project in the restaurant
area, and they have spent $230,000 of the $265,000 allocated. They have $75,000 remaining for FY 23.
They spent $2,000 on refurbishing the loading dock and the bulkhead, which is a short money expense,
and they did not have to contract out for the work. In March, total revenue was behind compared to
March of 2020 due to bad weather and closure for two days. However, looking at the calendar year and
fiscal year, the revenue numbers for membership, greens fees, and cart fees are ahead. Overall, the total
revenue for the calendar year is over $73,000 ahead of where it was in 2022, and for the fiscal year, the
total revenue is up by more than $203,000. The increase in memberships and greens fees by 4% is the
main driver behind the revenue increase. Miscellaneous items had a slight decrease in revenue.
Jay Packett reports positive financial results for the current month and is confident that they will meet or
exceed their overall projections for the fiscal year. Greens fees are at $1.6 million, with a projection of
just shy of $1.9 million for the year. Membership revenue for April is just under $250,000, with $1.2
million in season passes for FY23. Non-resident membership revenue is currently $285,089 short of the
projection of $1.459 million, but Jay Packett is optimistic that they will reach or exceed this number.
March had the highest number of rounds since 2002, with just shy of 2400 rounds played. The speaker
anticipates an increase in memberships as people return from southern states and good weather prevails.
There is also an increase in bookings for groups and prepaid rounds from hotels. The speaker believes that
they are trending in the right direction and expects play totals to continue to rise as the weather improves.
Jay Packett provided an update on membership numbers, stating that as of the current date, there are 239
fewer members overall compared to 2022. However, the speaker anticipates members coming back from
down south, and there have also been inquiries from new members moving into town. The non-resident
waiting list currently has 15 people who have taken advantage of the 25 available slots, with four more
expected to join in May. The speaker expects to fill all 25 slots soon. The non-resident wait list currently
has just under 150 people. There were six unresponsive people on the waiting list, so Jon Mohan has
begun reaching out to the remaining names. There are still some people adding their names to the waiting
list.
-Course Operations and Concerns - John Kissida asked about the progress on pump station
protection and if there is a schedule for the work. He asked for an update on what has been done to date
and when the work is expected to be completed.
Colin Walsh spoke about two projects: pump station protection and maintenance, and updates on the
progress. They haven't spoken to Laura Kennedy from Horsley Witten recently, but she has been out to
the site and they expect to receive something from her by the end of May. On the maintenance front, no
payments have been made yet, and measurements have been taken, but there is no schedule for when to
expect something. The speaker also mentions not hearing from Kurt regarding initial drawings but
anticipates receiving some concepts soon.
Jay Packet noted that the HVAC project is fully operational and functioning. The new makeup air unit
was delivered and will be housed for the summer months. That portion of the work is deferred until after
the restaurant closes for the 2023 season. The makeup air unit currently in the ceiling has had a full look -
over and the Performance Plumbing and Heating has zero reason to believe that it would not fully
function for the entire year, tied in with the new system. The owner of the company was responsive and
easy to work with. Sean from Freeman's Grill is aware of the plan moving forward and is okay with it,
despite both parties wishing that the timing had been different. The new unit will be stored in cold storage
off of Port number one green until the restaurant closes, and then it will be installed. Rob David asked if
there is a contingency plan in case there is an issue with the new makeup air unit, and if they have
discussed accelerating its installation? Jay Packett noted that if they decided to install the unit, it would
take about 10 days to get it up and running, but they would need to get the company back on the project,
which might be a challenge. However, they have no reason to believe that the current system will not
work since the professionals have assured them that there should be no issues moving forward.
Anne O'Connell suggested that it would be a good idea to inform members about the four-ball
competition and the course closure until 2 pm. Jay Packett noted that the courses would be closed for the
entire day, and agreed that it was important to stress the importance of this to the golfers. Jay Packett will
reach out to other municipalities to let them know about the closure and the reciprocal play schedule.
Strategic Planning Updates (Commission): - None
Questions and Comments from Associations and Liaisons: Rob Harris (CCMGA) provides an update
on the CCMGA League, stating that they have a limit of 64 players each week, and this week reached
their player limit and have a waiting list. They also mention membership numbers, which are currently at
79% of last year's numbers, with 25 new members and 116 returning members, bringing their return rate
to 73%. There are still 46 members who have not renewed yet, which could potentially bring the total
membership to 185. Rob Harris is happy with the league's success and hopes it continues.
Review and approve minutes:
- 3/28/23 -The 3/28/23 minutes were discussed and some revisions to reflect who was present and
who spoke during the discussion of the business manager/project manager.
Anne O'Connell thanked Jeff Odell for his service on the golf commission and announced that the next
meeting would be in Room B on May 9th. The 3/28 Minutes were approved with revisions.
Future Agenda Items and Meetings (5/9; Room B) - John Kissida asked about the driving range
schedule - Jay Packett noted the driving range will be closed on Thursday mornings as it is a maintenance
day. This past Thursday it may have run longer than the expected time of 10 am, the times are noted on
their website and the rules and information guide. There were yardage markers installed during the
maintenance day. Jay Packett noted the closure may have been unexpected for some, but it was a normal
maintenance day, which will continue every Thursday moving forward.
Rob David asked if there has been any interest in the open position on the Golf Commissioners, to which
it was mentioned that some applications have been received by the town manager's assistant. The
applications will then go to Dave Whitney as the liaison.
Matters not anticipated by the Chair: - None
A motion to adjourn was made by Anne O'Connell - Motion was approved.
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