ODDS AND ENDS
Virtual 2021 ASGC Winter Meeting
Due to the pandemic, we will be holding ONE meeting this winter and it will be virtual via ZOOM (provided by the County). It will take place on February 10, Wednesday starting at 10 AM. Mark your calendars. More information will be made available as we approach the meeting date.
In advance of the meeting we will nominate and vote on board officers. We will use email to elect/confirm the board members with an option of nominating other members to the board from the “floor”.
Shortly before the meeting we will also email out the 2021 Golf Schedule and information on a tentative September Getaway and anything else you will need in advance. Pizza will be emailed out as well (J).
Bill Dawson
We need a new Tournament Director
In 2021, the club will need to install a new Tournament Director. Richard Brandenburg, who has served ably in the post for the last several years has seen the wisdom of spending more quality time with his wife.
It remains to be seen how many tournaments can actually be held, due to the coronavirus; however, we need to stay ahead of the game and be prepared.
If you have an interest in serving in this role, or know of someone who might be a good match, please call or send me an email.
John Mashaw, Nominating Committee Chairman
jmmashaw1942@gmail.com
703-801-0101
Please note I have a new email address.
ASGC 2021 Fees
Now that 2020 is almost behind us, we can look forward to a new year and hopefully fewer trials and tribulations. The Pandemic has dealt many a severe blow. Some worse than others. Gratefully, for our league the inconvenience was not overly painful for most. The cancellation of events has left the treasury with an abundance of funds for the coming year. What this letter will explain, is how we will structure the financial side of the upcoming season. Please make sure to read till the end.
It is still too early to tell exactly how the 2021 season will work out. There is much encouraging news about vaccines and when they will be available. What effect the virus will have on league play and how will restrictions be handled is anyone’s guess. All we can do is plan for a normal season and make corrections as we proceed.
There are three fees associated with the senior golf club. The first is the ASGC fee which you pay directly to the golf club. The other two fees go directly to Arlington County. All fees will be explained below.
As you know, last season members were given the opportunity to suspend their membership and have their CLUB DUES moved to 2021. 60 members chose to take that route. In the following paragraphs I will direct my remarks to 3 separate groups. Carryover members, Returning Members and New Members. It should be pointed out that if you were a member for the 2020 year, requested and received a full refund of Club dues, you will be considered a new member for this exercise.
Carryover Members. If you are one of the 60 members who requested to have your club dues carried over to 2021, you will owe nothing in CLUB DUES. The Membership Chairman will contact you with an official memo of membership. Your membership is automatic, and you need do nothing.
Returning Members. The remaining members will be sent an invitation to rejoin the leagues in December. They will be assessed the dues of Five Dollars ($5.00) for the 2021 season. They will be instructed to send the Club Dues, by check to the Treasurer.
New Members. In mid-January, those on the Wait List will be sent invitations to join the league. They will be assessed the regular $25.00 Club membership fee.
The two fees that need to be paid directly to Arlington County are the 55+ membership pass fee and the Golf Program fee. For Arlington County residents, the 55+ membership fee is $20, and the golf program fee is $25. If you reside outside of Arlington County, your 55+ membership fee is $45, and your golf program fee is $50. Due to the current pandemic situation, existing general 55+ membership pass holders were given a 7-month extension. Because of this, your renewal date for your 55+ pass will be seven months from the time of your original renewal date. You should receive a reminder from the County when it is due. New members will need to obtain a 55+ membership pass prior to paying to Golf Program fee.
The membership fee and the golf program fee can be paid several different ways. Starting on January 4th, you can make the payments online at https://registration.arlingtonva.us . Login and use the Renew My Membership (for renewals) or "Become a Member" if you are new golfer. You can also pay by mail. If you choose to pay by mail please send your check to 3700 S Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington, VA 22206. Checks should be made payable to “Treasurer at Arlington County.” Please make sure to state that you are paying for county golf fees in the memo section of your check. You can attention the letter to Allison Cheek. Please direct any questions you may have about the county fees to Allison Cheek. She can be reached by phone at 703-228-4756 or by email at acheek@arlingtonva.us
The budget for 2021 has enough funds set aside to run a normal season, if that occurs. If more cancellations occur, we will revisit 2022 for possible rebates. For now, we will assume that we can move forward but keep a watchful eye out for changes. If anyone has questions about this matter, feel free to contact me. I hope everyone has a safe and joyous holiday season.
Rick Townshend
Treasure
Arlington Seniors Golf Club
Rtownshend5@msn.com
Odds and Ends – Recap of 2019 ASGC Season
Interesting stats: only 39% of membership plays each week. 107 members played less than 7 times (through Herndon). It takes approximately 8 rounds to get your total membership fees back via reduced course rates. Less than 25% of membership play in the scrambles and club championship where $4000 in prize money is distributed.
I’ve noticed over the years a gradual increase in “clickish” golf where members only want to play in their regular group. When one or two cancel the rest do. They won’t play in scrambles because they are forced to play with strangers. Pretty sad.
The weather cooperated this year – not to hot/cold and not nearly as wet as last year.
No-shows have stabilized this year but are still too high. The number should be ZERO since all it takes is a simple email to me even if the morning of play!
Pace of play overall was pretty good with a few exceptions. By stressing the importance of faster play and better (not great) marshaling the demon has been put to sleep but not slain.
BUT, I’ve noticed a few players spending way too much time calibrating their GPS/sight finders to the exact foot to the pin. What a waste of time. If you shoot par, maybe.
Everyone seems to max out when sign-ups are opened up, signing up for everything. Then a few days before the cutoff players start canceling like mad. Remember I’m advising courses sometimes 4 weeks in advance on counts and then suddenly the pairings I send them have fallen dramatically. Not good for course relationships. Rectification of this problem is………
Bob Odmark is doing a great job! Let’s hear it for Bob! He’s busting his butt at the course while I sit comfortably in my lair tapping on my laptop. Doesn’t seem fair.
I’m now thinking Williamsburg for the 2020 Getaway. Change my mind.
I’m dropping Lake Presidential, cutting Potomac Shores to one week and hopefully adding back Lansdowne and Hidden Creek for 2020. Plus we will have two regular scrambles (spring and early fall), a Getaway scramble along with the Club Championship.
If you have constructive criticism or ideas regarding our league let me know.
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