INDIANOLA COUNTRY CLUB NEWSLETTER
DECEMBER 2009

Party Time
            There are several parties in December that you don’t want to miss.  If you enjoyed the Karaoke at the Halloween Party you won’t want to miss the clubs traditional Karaoke Christmas Party hosted by Dennis Hosey and the Vanderpools.  The New Years Eve Party is also a great time.  For those who want dinner, come early and feast on prime rib or salmon.  The dance starts at 8:30pm and goes until 1:00 am.  Come for either one or both.  There is no cover for the dance so you can just stop in for a while if you like.  We will be open on Friday January 1st for a bowl game party for those who would like to watch football on the two big screen TV’s.  Details are below:

Winter Golf
             Joe will keep the greens open as long as we have playable weather although from the current forecast the 2009 golf season may be over.  We will be on winter clubhouse hours in December, but Jason will try to have someone in the clubhouse if good weather is likely to bring some golfers out.  Once the greens close due to being frozen, you can still play to the temporary flags Joe will put in front of the greens on the east nine.  Since the grass will be dormant, expect it to be cart path only.

Membership Survey
            Thanks to the more than 200 members who completed the survey.  The on-line survey is now closed and the membership committee still has to add the results of the paper surveys submitted by those who are not on-line.  The board will begin reviewing the results at the next meeting.  When we have the final results we will email and post the results for the membership.

From the Greens Committee
We continue to address the creek crossings on the west nine, particularly those in the south to north channel of the creek.  We have hired Snyder & Associates to do an engineering analysis of the water flow characteristics of that water shed.  After receiving their report, we believe we will be doing work to reinforce the existing crossings as as well as performing some armoring work to the banks and constructing stilling basins within the channel itself on the downstream sides of the crossings.  We are currently finalizing the plan specs and requesting contractors to submit bids.  We are hoping to receive all bids by December 9.  Once the work starts the west nine will be closed regardless of any nice weather Mother Nature sends our way.
Following the annual Fall greens maintenance (aerification and top-dressing) it seemed that we saw a resulting decline in the number of ball marks being repaired.  Because the greens were not easy to play on it appeared as though people felt it was not necessary to repair ball damage.  Quite the contrary, the greens are at their most susceptible following this work.  Please always repair divots and ball marks.
With the great golf weather we have seen recently there has been a rising chorus among the members wondering why the Cart Paths Only signs are up, even though the course appears to be dry.  I'll admit that as a Greens Committee member, I too have asked this question.  My common sense tells me that Joe knows more about growing grass than I do.  He has pulled the signs on occasion in response to these questions, showing us that he is listening.  But as the Calendar turns to December and the grass plants move toward their period of Winter dormancy, expect to stay on the cart paths if you play.  A little walking now will result in a better course next Summer.
As always feel free to address any questions to the committee -- Mike Lathrop, Dave Button and Rob Curtiss.

Need Firewood?
Joe will be cutting some dead trees down on the course over the winter.  If you are interested in the wood for firewood call Joe at 249-8543.  There is some available now.

Membership Changes
We have received resignations from Brad & Deanna Schultze, Jim & Gail Schee, John & Rhonda Marshall, George & Sandy Mickesh, and Zach Christensen.  Welcome new trial golf members Donald & Myra Hewitt.  Welcome new golf members Steve & Becky Evans  . We now have 303 golf, seven trial golf, and 18 social memberships. We had 318 golf and 17 social memberships at this time last year and 325 golf memberships 2 years ago.

Reminders:

Lunch at the Club - Don't forget that lunch is available at the club from 11AM-2PM Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.  Feel free to bring your friends or co-workers.  It is one of the best deals in town.

New Members Needed - The poor economy continues to have an effect on our membership.  Now is a great time for new members to join since cart shed spots are available, they will pay only social dues until April 1, 2010. Details of our current new member special are on the website at http://www.indianolacountryclub.com/prospectivemembers.html. If you know of anyone who is a potential member, let them know about this opportunity to join the club at a reduced rate.  Just let Jason know their name and address or email, and he will send them the information.

Board Members Needed - Each year we receive suggestions from members on how we can improve the club.  Now is your chance to help make the club a better place by running for the Board of Directors.  There will be 3 positions available in the year end elections.  Let any current board member know if you are interested in running.