January started with some bad weather but for the past two weeks, we have seen some very nice temperatures and no rain. I like the rain. It's good for the soil and the golf course. But I don't like it when it rains so much that the area floods and the County closes the roads. Hopefully it will stay nice for awhile.
At the course, we're gearing up for Spring and specifically to work on the greens. Once the ground temperature gets above 50, things start to grow. So it's a good time to treat the greens. Many of the golf courses in the AV and elsewhere have seen there greens plagued by the spurge weed. We tried to eradicate this in the Fall through the use of diluted weed killer. It was somewhat effective but has lead to some bare patches on the greens. This is our #1 priority for this spring. We still need to do some analysis and test to make sure we have diagnosed the correct week have the proper remedy planned.
Look for a chance to win some nice prizes with our Super Bowl contests. Details will be sent in email in a day or so.
Wow! January came in with vengeance! Rain, hail, snow and that was just on a Sunday morning when some of our die hard men's club members were golfing. Fortunately for those that finished 18 holes and came into the club house cold and wet we had hot chili, hot dogs, polish dogs and drinks ready for them. Kudos for those that stayed out and were able to post their 18 hole game! can't say that I would have been that dedicated or (crazy). I was ready to go home and sit by the fire and watch the snow that came down all night. There was enough for us to have to close the course Monday morning. Also the rains have closed us down more times this year then I can remember. But it is good for the course.
We hope that 2011 will be a healthier and prosperous year for all. This year we have leased a new fleet of carts. They are much faster then our old ones so if you do rent a cart please be careful and do not take them onto the dirt areas off the course as we are trying to keep them in great shape. With our last batch we had to pay for damages done to the carts and to continue to do this we would have no choice but to raise the cart prices.
Valentine's Day is fast approaching and we are having the following specials:
1. Two for the price of one golf excluding carts so bring in your favorite special someone and also receive.
2. Buy a $50 gift certificate and get a $5.00 gift certificate free.
3. A free lunch with a paid 18 with cart special.
The gift certificates don't expire but these deals do, so get them before Valentine's Day (February 14) ends.
We will also be starting a "Have you noticed" questionnaire sheet it will contain information about what the outside staff or doing and if there is any thing new you would like to hear about. In this sheet, we answer a few questions about your golf habits and if you have any questions or suggestions about the course you will then be entered into a drawing for a free day of golf, we will pick one a month. The owners appreciate every comment that comes from the players who golf at this course.
Now is a good time to get your company, friends or birthday groups to play a tournament together. We have quite a few packages to chose from, starting at 15 players and going up to 50 players with different features (e.g. side contests, meals, etc.). Book your preferred date while it is still available.
Here's a good quote, "The biggest liar in the world is the golfer who claims that he plays the game merely for exercise." Another is "Golf is like solitaire. When you cheat you cheat only yourself." I don't know about these. I play just for exercise and I always score under par.
Take care and smile to a stranger or say hi! Make their day and yours.
Remember you can follow us on Twitter and we now have a Facebook page. Check it out. You might see a special or two! Shirley
Men's Club News
Belated HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
There’s still time to become a 2011 member of the Rancho Sierra Men’s Club. Membership fee is only $45 whether you're a returning member or new member. If you join now and post your scores, you become eligible for the first major tournament of 2011 - the Winter Classic on Sunday, February 13. This is our quarterly, blind draw partner’s best ball tournament. Entry fee is $50 and must be received by 5 pm on Friday, February 11.
Club membership also entitles you to membership in the Southern California Golf Association (including a subscription to FORE, the SCGA magazine), reduced green fees during club events, guaranteed tee times, an official handicap which is valid anywhere in the U.S. and you get to play golf with a great group of guys.
See the Rancho Sierra starter for a membership application.
Golfer of the Year Winners!
Congratulations to Bud Bryant and Dominic Falco who won the 2010 Golfer of the Year Tournament. Congratulations also to all of our Golfers of the Month for 2010: Tony Abrams, John Yates, Joey Chewning,, Jack Harvey, Tracy May, Jacques Arnold, Paul Bergerner in the low bracket and Ray Fontaine, Bob Gonzales, Dave Smith, Jim Jucksch, Ralph Cotell, Jason Mentry, Mike Villa, Bobby Griffin and Tracy Yates in the high bracket.
Upcoming Events
The Rancho Sierra Mens Club has many activities planned for the upcoming year. On Jan 29-30, we will have a two-day combined low net tournament. On Saturday, we’ll be guests of Muroc Lake Golf Course at Edwards and Sunday, we’ll play our Home course.
The first of our quarterly Classics will be held on Sunday February 13. Our other remaining Classics will be held in May, August, and November. The Mid-week group will hold their 50-50 tournaments in June and December and the Sunday group will have their Points tournament in June and December also.
We’re also in the process of scheduling a few Away tournaments during the year where we will be guests of another course. The first away trip will be in Palm Springs in March. Details to be announced. We’re also looking at Primm, Laughlin, Mesquite, Greentree, and Crystalaire.
SLOW PLAY (or why does it take 5 hours to play a 3 ½ hour round?)
Recently there was a discussion in the Clubhouse after a Mens Club event about Slow Play. No one likes slow play but few do anything about it while others need to be more tolerant of it. I read recently that the average weekend golfer could pick up at least 10 seconds on every hole just by being prepared. That doesn’t sound like much, but when you multiply it by 18 holes and then by a foursome of golfers, it becomes a grand total of 15-20 minutes. Multiply that by the number of foursomes in a regular Mens Club tournament and you’re looking at 30 minutes to an hour overall. Here are a few ideas sent to us to help keep play moving on the course.
Be ready to hit when it’s your turn to play! (Have club in hand)
Walk faster between shots
Get the information and GO!
Think about the upcoming shot BEFORE you get to your ball
Reduce the length of time of your pre-shot routine
Speak to your fellow competitors. Encourage your group to stay in position!"
If your playing partners are slow, find new playing partners. Or reduce your 4-some to a 3-some.
And here are a few others from another source:
Limit your practice swings to one or two.
Be quick and decisive about which club to use. (note from Bob: We’ve all played this course many times. We know the yardages and hazards. It shouldn’t take that long to choose a club for a shot you’ve hit many times before.)
Be ready to hit when it’s your turn. That means glove on; tee, club, and ball in hand.
Keep an extra ball handy, preferably in your pocket, for OB and provisional shots.
Learn to walk quickly. If you want a leisurely stroll, go to a local park and walk your dog.
On the green, look at and line up your putt while others are putting.
Of course, the ultimate way to play faster is to hit the ball less often during the round!
Any other suggestions to keep play moving? We’d love to hear it and I’ll post them in the next newsletter. You can email us at RSMensgolf@aol.com. We’d love to hear from you.
Bob Gonzales
Have a Great rest of January. Enjoy the Super Bowl!
At the course, we're gearing up for Spring and specifically to work on the greens. Once the ground temperature gets above 50, things start to grow. So it's a good time to treat the greens. Many of the golf courses in the AV and elsewhere have seen there greens plagued by the spurge weed. We tried to eradicate this in the Fall through the use of diluted weed killer. It was somewhat effective but has lead to some bare patches on the greens. This is our #1 priority for this spring. We still need to do some analysis and test to make sure we have diagnosed the correct week have the proper remedy planned.
Valentine's Day is fast approaching and we are having the following specials:
Congratulations to Bud Bryant and Dominic Falco who won the 2010 Golfer of the Year Tournament. Congratulations also to all of our Golfers of the Month for 2010: Tony Abrams, John Yates, Joey Chewning,, Jack Harvey, Tracy May, Jacques Arnold, Paul Bergerner in the low bracket and Ray Fontaine, Bob Gonzales, Dave Smith, Jim Jucksch, Ralph Cotell, Jason Mentry, Mike Villa, Bobby Griffin and Tracy Yates in the high bracket.
.jpg)
