Golf Committee hears about volunteers
Members of the Joint Advisory Committee on Golf heard about volunteers at their regular meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 13. One volunteer group, the Friends of Dogwood, has been working to beautify the course, golf maintenance director Keith Ihms said. He said there are policies in place in regard to volunteers and donations.
Committee member Susan Nuttall said the Friends of Dogwood raised $4,600 with its tournament and wants to spend it on a practice area. Golfers, she explained, need a place to warm up. The plan is to add netting to an area adjacent to the cart barn. Unlike a driving range, golfers would bring their own balls.
When people want to place a memorial, they need to work closely with the course superintendent, Ihms said. Plans must be made for upkeep on any memorial because the golf course staff doesn’t have time to take on more responsibilities. In some cases, water is an issue. There are areas on every course that may not have access to water.
People who want to add a memorial bench at the course can do so, but they need to speak to the superintendent of the course. That way the benches are all uniform and will hold up over the years.
Ihms said volunteers will need to sign a waiver of liability each year. This would include both members of the support groups and volunteers who come in after flood events to help clean up.
Ihms brought all his course superintendents to the meeting to introduce them since he has several new faces. Rob Dreesen is at the Country Club since Scot Seifert moved out of the area. Dreeson had been at Metfield (which includes both Dogwood and Brittany) where Scot Hansen is now superintendent. Kyle Soller replaced Larry Shepard, who retired from Scotsdale. Reed Holly and Greg Jones have both been in their positions at Kingsdale and The Highlands for some time.
Dogwood will be closed during January and February while new bunkers are installed, Ihms said.
Golf operations director Phillip Wright said he is working on the tournament schedule for 2018. Tournament information is posted on the POA website, bellavistapoa.com/ amenities/golf/.