Committee Meeting Feb. 28th 2007.

The new 2007 committee had a very productive meeting last night attended by yours truly, Johnny, Wayne, Liam and Glenn.  Stevie and Paddy couldn't attend.  Here are the minutes:

Finance:

Glenn provided the end of January statement which shows an available balance of around $2000.  We are accounting for the raffle separately this year.

Membership:

We have requested members to decide if they want to be active this year and the result is that we now have 86 members. There are quite a few that are planning on joining and, I am sure, that there will be a few more drop outs.  Please forward your renewal ($25 + $20 for handicap + $80 for 4 raffle tickets) to Glenn Hume at 12167 Eddyspark Drive, Herndon, VA 20170 or drop it off at Ned's in an envelope marked for his attention.  Thanks to the 25 who have already renewed.  Any one who joined after September only owes the $80.

Raffle:

The committee discussed the issue raised by Pat Barron at the AGM and to clarify:  In June of 2006 the committee unanimously approved the inclusion of the requirement to purchase 4 raffle tickets in the renewal fee.  This will enable us to get a jump on this key fundraising event by selling about 340 out of the 600 available tickets.  It was agreed that, if this causes financial hardship to any member, that a confidential email to Glenn will allow us to waive this requirement.  We have, in the past relied on members to take a few tickets and sell them but only 30 or so participated.  As a result, last year, we fell $3500 short of our goal.  The tickets will be available within the next two weeks and will be distributed to those of you who have paid.  It should not be difficult to sell 4 tickets over the next 4 months (the draw will be in May or June) and we sincerely appreciate your participation.  Thanks for your understanding in this matter.  The first prize will again be 4 round trip tickets to Ireland, car rental and accomodation for a week.

January Tournament It was decided to try for only 11 tournaments in our calendar year instead of trying to squeeze in 2 polar bear tournaments so January will be an off month.  Having said that we are working to have an indoor tournament hosted by John O'Leary Golf Academy towards the end of February, probably on the 24th at Ned's in Sterling.  The fee will be $25 and will include drinks and some food as well as some sort of competition and instruction using a launch monitor. Stay tuned.

February away trip: For many reasons this has been cancelled.  In its place we are planning a trip to Pinehurst in late March (or mid April depending on when the peak rates kick in).  Johnny is researching this so stay tuned.  When we announce the details please respond with your plans to participate QUICKLY!  Thanks.

Home course: Pleasant Valley will again be our home course.  As Mike (the GM) has now taken over South Riding also we will likely have 2 tournaments in PV, 1 in SR and we will split the Ryder Cup between the two courses.  I will get back to you in early March with the details on the arrangement but, in the meantime, you will still get the discounts if you show up. 2007 matchplay: The draw for this year's club championship will be after the March event.  We are accepting entries from any member who wishes to participate.  The first 60 to apply (you can start now by emailing me) will get byes into the first round.  The remaining will have to play in to the other 4 first round spots.  The total entry fees will be applied to the prizes.  This year Andre won $4000, The Kid won $2500, Will won $1000 and Darrin won $500.  Entry is free.  The draw will also involve the bidding for ownership of players. Each round must be played in the given month, there will be NO carryovers allowed this year. Payment for players bought must be made prior to that person playing their first round (preferably at the time of the auction).  We are still trying to collect from last year and that is not acceptable as we have paid out the prizes.. 2007 strokeplay championship: This year's strokeplay championship (another chance to have your name emblazoned on the wall in the pub) will be held over 18 holes in Old Hickory. 2007 calendar: The tentative calendar is as follows: February:  Indoors March:  Herndon April: Pinehurst trip May: Pleasant Valley June: South Riding July: Old Hickory/Strokeplay August:  Laurel Hill September:  Pleasant Valley/South Riding Ryder Cup October: Virginia Oaks November: Pleasant Valley December: Sterling Par 3/Polar Bear Ryder Cup: This year we will have a 20 person team competition.  16 spots will be filled by members who have the best average of the top two scores recorded in NGS singles tournaments and there will be 4 captain's picks.  If you want to participate you must indicate your intent to try to qualify to the Captain by 4/30/2007.  Stevie will Captain the Rest of the World Team and the Captain of the US team will be announced shortly. Handicaps: We will again keep these at PV.  The VSGA does not allow posting until 3/1. Leigh Banting: Sadly Leigh passed away this week.  In his memory we will be designating the March tournament as The Leigh Banting Memorial Tournament and will make a donation to the American Cancer Society in his name.  Please keep Leigh and his family in your prayers.  A memorial service will be held in Adams Green Funeral Home in Herndon this Saturday at 11 am. Charitable donations: We donated around $1500 this year mostly to Kids R First for school supplies in the Reston area.  This year we are going to donate to The Fisher House which builds hotel like accommodation at Military Hospitals so that families can stay with their loved ones during thier recuperation from injuries received in combat.  In this time of war it seemed appropriate to the committee to go that route and to help our injured servicemen and their families. www.fisherhouse.org

Sponsorship:

Robin has kindly agreed to act as Sponsor Chair and will attend every second committee meeting to update us on progress.  After the next meeting we will update you with plans to raise some money.  Meanwhile please feel free to step up and offer to sponsor one of our tournaments. Thanks: To George and Carl for participating on the committee last year and to Ned's and all our sponsors.

Dave