THE IMPROVED LIE Petaluma Golf & Country Club, January 2018

President’s Message By Harry Pearson

This is my last article. Hard to believe a year has already passed by since I made the mistake

of accepting the presidency. Just kidding! It's been my humble honor serving as your

president. Yes, we've certainly had our fair share of adversity but thanks to all who have

worked tirelessly and with your support, we've busted through to the other side and I believe

2019 is going to be a banner year for the club.

I want to thank my fellow Board Members, who have helped guide us through the rough waters. The Staff;

Megan, Darcy, Tiffany, Londyn, (who recently left us), Danny, Cole and all the others who went above and

beyond the call of duty when the front office was a little 'helter skelter'. Thanks to Chris Gay, who was doing

double duty here and at Foxtailand and to CourseCo, who provided us with the support that was needed to get us to

where we are now, which I believe, is in great shape. With the hiring of Travis as the GM and Jeff as the Pro, I

can't wait to see what next year brings. I want to thank the Committees and their Chairs, who kept to their tasks

and responsibilities and especially to You, the Members, who understood what we were going through and gave

me and the board your support. Thank you!

Inside this Issue:

- President’s Message

- PG&CC History

- 2019 Golf Rule Changes

- Fairways and Greens

- Men’s Tournament

- 18 Hole Ladies

-Junior Golf

- January Calendar

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December started off with the Men's Medal. Congratulations to Ron Fedrick for winning it. Next up was the

Women's Annual Christmas Party and this was a huge success with 90 attendees. A couple of days later was

'Family Movie Night'. The movie was Polar Express and there were 40 children and adults. This is really a great

'family' event and the staff puts in a lot of time and effort in planning and facilitating it. Next up was the 'Christmas

Brunch'. This was attended by 140 people! Now that's what I'm talking about. I heard the food was fantastic,

(kudos to Megan and her staff), and that Santa made his annual appearance. The 'Friday Night Mixer' was well

attended and unfortunately there was no winner. January's drawing is up to $1,300!

By the time you read this, New Year’s will have come and gone. Maybe, the Men's Medal scheduled for Jan. 12th

will have already been played.

The ballots for the Board of Directors election will be counted on Jan. 7th. The 3 elected members will take office

at the Jan. board mtg. scheduled for Wed., Jan. 16th.

'Movie Night' is on Jan. 11th. The movie is Toy Story. Woody and Jesse will be on hand from 5-6pm and the

movie will start at 6. If you're planning a child's birthday party, maybe start it off at the movie.

The Ladies Member/Guest Bridge Tournament is scheduled for January 16th, 23rd & 30th. Contact CeCe Mullins

for more info.

Golf Fitness Seminar is on January 17th from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. Contact Jeff Hwang for more information.

Annual Crab Feed on Sunday January 20th with cocktails starting at 2pm and dinner at 3pm.

The 'Friday Night' mixer will be on Jan. 25th and the pot will be $1,300!

We are still seeking members to join our Social Committee. If you think you might have some talent or interest in

helping or planning events like the 'Fall Bash' we had in November, please contact Travis. We would like to do 2

or 3 Club Events next year. You don't have to chair it, we will have a board member do that. Come on people, I

know you're out there. Give it a go.

Brenda Roberts who is a board member and 18 hole Women's Chair, conducted a Women's Golf Survey and had

73 responses. This goes hand in hand with directing Jeff, (Assist. Pro) and Travis, (GM), to try and get more

women involved. A lot was covered in the survey and I'll see about how we can get the results out to you.

At December's board mtg. on the 19th, we discussed the proposed budget for 2019. We are projected to lose

$12,000 this year, (we have reserves to cover it). The loss is due to over spending for Cost of Goods Sold in our

Food & Beverage Dept. Unfortunately, this area got away from us when we transitioned to our first GM hire and

his subsequent leaving. His departure and the 3 months it took to hire a new GM were contributing factors. Since

Travis has been on board, things have been tightened up and he has a plan to tighten it up even more. Our F & B

program was upgraded this year, bringing Megan on full time and she has been putting out a very good product at

reasonable prices. One other thing we can do is bring in more 'outside events'. This can be very lucrative for us.

The 2019 budget has proposed 3 'outside events'. We've asked Travis and CourseCo to try and bring in more of

these, maybe even up to 12. It's a competitive field but we have a lot to offer that other venues don't have.

Another area we've asked CourseCo to address for 2019 is the Greens Committee's suggestion to hire an Assist.

Superintendent for our maintenance crew. I addressed this in paragraph 4 of my Greens Committee article in

December's, (last month's), issue of the 'Improved Lie'. In that article I mentioned it would be about $20,000 over

what an entry level 'Fairway' crew member would make. I was told that it would be more like $25-30,000. We

need to give our Superintendent Bill Maeder the proper support to achieve our mandate of maintaining the golf

course at a high level. When the Head Supt. leaves for the day, we have found out the hard way, that there needs

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to still be supervision of the workers, especially the summertime waterers. It's been extremely difficult to keep a

full crew because of the rising labor cost and the shortage of the work force. We would hire the assistant to fill one

of our existing spots on the crew. We feel that a higher skill set will greatly benefit maintaining the high level of

conditions we expect and to also supervise the crew when Bill is off premise. Bill has been getting support

provided by CourseCo, from the Head Supt. of Stone Tree but he has his own course to maintain and can't be here

every day.

Having said all that, the board discussed raising dues $10 per month which would add $31,440 based on 262

members which the 2019 budget is based on.

$4,716 of this would go into CIDM, which I've covered in this month's Green's article. That would leave $26,224

in operating, which would cover the cost of hiring an Assistant Supt.

Also discussed, was an increase of $25 quarterly for Food & Beverage. With the tightening in purchasing of Cost

of Goods, getting more 'outside events', we can achieve our 2019 goals of a 'balanced budget', improved conditions

on the golf course and have a better, more efficient food service for our members.

As I said, we discussed this but we defer any decisions to the 'new board' that takes effect in January. We solicit

your opinions, suggestions, and comments, (negative or positive). You can talk to or email me at;

hp1852@yahoo.com or email or talk to any of the board members.

We care what you think!

I've tried to welcome all our new members who have joined in 2018 so I'd like to welcome our newest members;

Matt & Laura Rodrigo.

Since this is my last article, I would be remiss in not mentioning our members who have 'passed away' over the last

few years and to let their families know we haven't forgotten them. I realize not everyone knows them but we're

all part of something great here at the Club. I'm doing this alphabetically and if I've forgot anyone, you have my

deepest apologies.

The families; Brady; Burnham;; Dardis; Fauss; Haynes; Jensen; Kriegsman; McCarter; Ramatici; Shutteroff;

and Tencer. Please hold them in your thoughts.

Thank you all.

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PG&CC History – Part 9 By Keith Brians

This is a part of a series of articles about the club’s history.

Information about the club’s early years is derived from digitized

copies of the Petaluma Argus Courier available at the Petaluma

Library using Newspapers.com. The Press Democrat and the

Oakland Tribune were also used. The club’s own records before

1943 have apparently been lost to history. However, the club’s minutes and other

historical pieces from 1943 on remain.

Play Continues 4

The dangers of golf were vividly illustrated on February 27, 1927, when J. Emmett

Olmsted, editor of the Argus, was hit in the throat by an errant shot. Olmsted was

knocked unconscious and fellow players rushed him to Hillside hospital. Dr. James G.

Anderson attended to Olmsted and said if the ball had hit one-half inch higher, the

blow would have killed him. Olmsted recovered quickly and was released from the

hospital later in the day.

The 1927 golf season kicked off with a dinner and a “jollification’ get-together on

Saturday night, March 12. About 60 of the club’s 110 members participated. George

P. McNear led off the evening with a short speech and announced of his gift of an

additional twelve and one-half acres of land to the club. The club had been using a

portion of the land, but did not own it. McNear’s generous gift was enthusiastically

applauded and set a good tone for the rest of the evening. Dr. Maclay emceed the

evening’s events and had the honor of teeing up the ceremonial first ball of the season.

An indoor canvas driving net had been set up in the hall and when Dr. Maclay hit the

ball, a pistol was fired from behind the net and the retort rung through the hall to

everyone’s surprise. During dinner, a variety show featuring many club members was

put on. Jack Cavanaugh, chairman of the social committee and organizer of the event,

spoke on encouraging more active member participation in all of the club’s events and

getting to know each other better. Denman McNear performed a piano solo, George

Ross reviewed the club’s first four years of history, Mose Goldman played a violin

solo, Jack Cavanaugh performed a vocal solo and a trio of Leo Bourke on violin,

Ernest Nielsen on trombone and Lewis Hamilton on the piano with comedy in mind.

An initiation ceremony was conducted by Ham Farrell and Clarence Hardin for Sandy

McFadden that required him to drink large quantities of milk from a beer bottle that

kept getting refilled.

After dinner Dr. Maclay spoke about increasing the club’s membership. He reported

that the club was in good financial condition and the course itself was in the best shape

it had ever been. To close out the evening there were indoor putting and driving

contests followed by card games until a late hour.

The qualifying round for the Maclay Cup was held on Sunday, March 20. Scores

ballooned due to the high rough, some of the better players shooting in the 90’s and

low 100’s. As allowed by the rules at the time, dropping a second ball in the rough at

PG&CC Board of Directors

President

Harry Pearson

Vice President

Larry Riis

Treasurer

Keith Brians

Secretary Michael Johnson

Director

Wayne Guptill

Director

Timo Rivetti

Director

Sue Berger

Director Jeremy King

Director Brenda Roberts

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the presumed location of the first with a one stroke penalty was a possibility, but put the player at risk of losing the

second ball too. Some players opted for a two-stroke penalty to drop in the fairway.

Another stag party was held on Wednesday, April 27. Sixty-three golfers were treated to a chicken pie dinner

featuring the committee members serving the meal dressed up as French chefs. Instruments were pulled out after

dinner and Mose Goldman played two piano solos accompanied by Louis Hamilton on the piano. Jack Cavanaugh

sang and the pro, John Grady, and Bill Thomas demonstrated proper swings and use of various clubs.

The final round of the 1927 Tri-City Tournament was held on May 22. Petaluma’s eight-man team used their home

course advantage to beat Santa Rosa by 39 strokes and Healdsburg by 53. This, however, was not enough to

overcome the 44 stroke lead Santa Rosa had built in the first two contests of the year. The win gave Santa Rosa

three consecutive victories and permanent possession of the Hill Cup.

The club’s lady golfers traveled to Healdsburg on Friday, June 3, for a competition with the Healdsburg ladies

team. After several previous trips to Healdsburg and failed attempts to secure a victory, the Petaluma lady golfers

finally beat Healdsburg on the Healdsburg course. A delightful lunch and bridge followed in the afternoon.

Around noon on Wednesday, September 14, a serious fire south of town was reported. Fire Chief Adams and

Captain Benoit responded with a detail of fireman and a large crowd of volunteers rushed to the scene near

Kastania Ranch. Here they were reinforced by the male occupants of cars passing on the highway conscripted by

traffic officers and made to fight the fire. The fire swept up from Kastania Road around the Smith houses, then

burning north-west up the hills towards Haystack Landing and the golf club. The fire reached the course on the

current 7th and 9th fairways where it was beaten back by the house and ground keepers and at least 20 members,

who having heard of the fire, came to protect the course and club house. The fire burned over 500 acres and took

three hours to control. Considerable pasture and fencing was destroyed as well as many large trees that burned into

the night.

The six anniversary of the club was celebrated on Saturday, March 3, 1928. Dinner at the cost of $1 was served

and a program followed. Miles Murphy, the membership committee chair, spoke about the upcoming membership

drive and requested everyone’s help to build the membership list. Dr. Thomas Maclay a timely presentation on the

etiquette and rules of the game which was very enlightening to some of the membership.

Golf had been adopted as a sport by Petaluma High School in January 1928. The first competition was with Napa

High School on Saturday, April 7. The five starters, William Perry, Ray Studdert, Arthur Smith, Oscar Martin and

Charles Good were humbled by Napa’s nine-hole course and superior talent, losing all five matches. Napa’s

closely mown, narrow fairways and several sand greens proved to be quite different from what the local squad was

used to at PG&CC. The second defeat came at the hands of San Rafael High School at Petaluma on April 15.

Showing improvement, the team only lost by one match.

The sand greens at Napa also bedeviled the 28 members of the men’s club who played the first match of a home-

and-home tournament at Napa on Sunday, April 15. Petaluma won only one match out of the 15 played. The day

was not a total loss though, Napa hosted a lunch on the club house veranda and friendly nine and eighteen-hole

matches were played in the afternoon.

On April 22, Emmett Olmsted, Jr. beat Geo. Ross 4 and 3 at the 33rd hole to win the Maclay Cup. Olmsted shot

nine-hole scores of 41, 37, 40 and 38. The 38 could have been better as Olmsted was one under after seven holes

on the last nine, but took a 6 on the par 4 No. 8 (current 7th) and another double bogey 7 on No. 9.

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2019 Changes to the Rules of Golf By Jeff Hwang

As you are aware, the United States Golf Association (USGA) and Royal and Ancient (R&A)

have made changes to the Rules of Golf, beginning Jan. 1, 2019. The information below is

taken from the USGA and provided for your information.

While the majority of Rules remain intact, important changes have been made.

Dropping procedure: When taking relief (from an abnormal course condition or penalty area), golfers will

now drop from knee height. This will ensure consistency and simplicity in the dropping process while also

preserving the randomness of the drop. Rule 14.3

Measuring in taking relief: The golfer’s relief area will be measured by using the longest club in his/her bag

(other than a putter) to measure one club-length or two club-lengths, depending on the situation, providing

a consistent process for golfers to establish his/her relief area. Def. of club length

Removing the penalty for a double-hit: The penalty stroke for accidentally striking the ball more than once

in the course of a stroke has been removed. Golfers will simply count the one stroke they made in making

the hit. Rule 10.1

Balls Lost or Out of Bounds: Alternative to Stroke and Distance: A new local rule will be available

permitting committees to allow golfer the option to drop a ball in the vicinity of where the ball is lost or out

of bounds (including the nearest fairway area), under a two-stroke penalty. It addresses concerns raised

about the pace of play. Rule 18.

Moving or touching loose impediments: A player may now remove loose impediments in a bunker. There

are still restrictions on touching sand in a bunker. See rule 12

Penalty areas: The term “water hazard” is superseded by the term penalty area. Rule 17

Search time: Only three minutes are allowed to search for a lost ball. Def. of Lost.

Putting greens: You may repair damage to the green including spike marks. The flagstick may be left in

the cup during a stroke made on the putting green. Rule 13.1 and 13.2

Note the “Balls Lost or Out of Bounds” section above. The Rules updates have specific guidelines under

“Committee Procedures”, “Model Local Rules”, 8E, under E-5, “Alternative to Stroke and Distance for Lost Ball

or Ball out of Bounds.” Here’s the link to the USGA site outlining the recommended procedures for consideration

of this local rule:

http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/rules-of-golf/rules-and-

interpretations.html#!ruletype=cp&section=rule&rulenum=8&subrulenum=5

For those of you interested in a more in depth knowledge of the rules, visit:

https://ncga.org/rules/rules-education/

http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/education.html

http://www.usga.org/RulesFAQ/rules2019.asp

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Fairways and Greens Report By Harry Pearson

We didn't have a meeting in December as it is a traditionally slow time of year and not

much is going on in relation to the golf course. Since we've had so many new members over

the last couple of years I thought I’d give an overview of our Capital Improvement Deferred

Maintenance program. This is commonly referred to as CIDM.

Fifteen percent, ($45.00), of each member’s monthly dues goes into the CIDM expenditure

account. At 264 members, this works out to $11,880 per month. The first 10%, ($1,188), goes into the 'Reserve

Account' which deals with emergency type issues. The remainder, ($10,692), is split 50/50 between the House and

Grounds and Greens Committees to do their planned projects for the year.

The Greens Committee has identified these areas for their yearly projects:

Cart paths & cart path maintenance; changing the cart paths from asphalt to cement began in the early 2000's. This

project should have already been completed but because of emergency type issues re: the golf course, the money

earmarked for cart paths was diverted to pay for the emergencies. Up until last year, we used unspent CIDM

money to cover operating shortfalls but the board made the decision to let H&G and Greens roll over unspent

funds to the next year so that we can fiscally plan for big expenditure projects like cart paths. We plan on using

the unspent funds from 2018 and adding them to saved funds from 2019 to do the cart paths on #7 & 8 next fall.

Tree removal and replacement: This year we've spent $13,150 in tree removal. It's not cheap and we use in-house

labor when we can. Most of the trees on the course were planted between 60 & 80 years ago and they're coming to

their life's end. We have been using the 'Memorial Tree' donation program to plant new trees. Check with Travis

if you're interested in purchasing a tree to be planted on the course to honor a deceased ‘Loved One'.

Tee & bunker renovations: Most of the time we will use in-house labor to renovate tees like we did on #4, the

Ladies #9, Jr. Tees and the bunker on #6. If we build a new tee like we did a few years back on #15, we'll use a

contractor. We are planning to renovate the Ladies #7 tee. A suggestion was made to move that tee over toward

the cart circle to change the direction of the tee shot. Bill is going to meet with Brenda Roberts to explore this and

I'm sure Brenda would like to get input from the women golfers before a decision is made.

Drainage: We do drainage work every year and this is done in-house. Years ago, after heavy rains, the course

would be unplayable for long periods of time but the drainage work we've done has helped immensely.

Sprinklers; This year we spent $35,826.06 in adding 4 sprinklers to each green, wiring to the control boxes and

adding control modules to the boxes. This work was done by a contractor. This was done on recommendation from

a golf course irrigation architect we hired 5 years ago to do an assessment of our total irrigation system. What this

does is separate the irrigation of the greens and surrounds which is more efficient and cost effective.

Landscaping: We budget $1,500 each year for this project.

Miscellaneous: This is anything that's not covered such as renting equipment, etc...

From Jan. 1st, 2018 through November, we have received $58,337 in CIDM funds and will accrue approximately

$5,300 in December's CIDM for a total of about $63,500 for the year. We also had a rollover of $25,175.65 in

unused funds from 2017. This year we've spent $35,826.06 for adding 4 sprinklers to each green and module

components to the irrigation control boxes. We spent $13,150 in tree removal. We spent $6,000 on a bed and

wheel grinder for the Fairway's mechanic to sharpen blades and $5,888.40 for landscaping and misc. expenses.

8 | P a g e

Clear as mud?

Anyway, I want to thank Bill Maeder and his Fairway's Crew, Stacy Wallace, ( Head Supt. at Stone Tree and Bill's

2nd set of eyes), my committee, (Keith Brians, Charley Freeman, Tom Isaak, Steve Lambert, Mark Nizibian and

Larry Riis), for their time and dedication to our club.

Thanks to all the members who have given their support, whether it be compliments, constructive criticism or

suggestions. We all are working towards the same goal of having the course be the best it can be with the

resources we have.

Next month, (Jan.), I will give a detailed and educational report on aeration, the reasons for it and what we plan to

do in 2019 to make our greens consistently good through the golfing season.

As always, send your comments, suggestions, and constructive criticisms to me at hp1852@yahoo.com.

Please be AWARE of where you take carts on the course during the rainy season. Check with the pro shop before

going out to see if it's, 'Cart Path' only and if you see stakes in an area that means DON'T DRIVE there. Please fix

ball marks, fill divots, rake bunkers and leave the rakes near the traps in a convenient, easy to find place.

Thank you.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and Merry Christmas and a healthy and Happy New Years.

See you next year!

Men’s Tournaments By Nick Smith

December Medal Results:

Gross:

1st Place – Ron Fedrick (32 stableford points)

Net:

1st Place – Rick Mossi (41 stableford points)

T-2nd Place – Harry Pearson (37 points)

T-2nd Place – Bob Deering (37 places)

Upcoming Events:

Men’s Medal January 12th

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18-Hole Women’s Section By Eileen Ostroff

Pictured above: Eileen Ostroff, Sue Berger, Claudia Little, Lois Skarsten, Kelly Downey, Joan Johnson, Ruth Giacomini, Sandy King

2019 will herald many revised Rules of Golf. The 18-Hole Women’s Section sent a group of women to Santa Rosa

Golf & Country Club for the rules seminar that was held Dec 1. When we resume our golfing year in March, we’re

hoping the rest of us will get on board and be as up-to-date as Kelly Downey, Ruth Giacomini, and Claudia Little.

The Annual Holiday Cocktail Party was a HUGE success with way more attendees than expected. (always a

great thing!) Thank you Brenda Roberts and crew for your organizational skills!

Open Days begin with Round Hill on Feb, 5th!! Notice and further information will be coming via Team Snap!

Junior Golf By Mike Morgan

To all Junior Parents & Grandparents:

We expect to finalize dates & details for this summers’ Junior Golf programs, camps, tournaments & leagues

(PGA Junior & Northbay) by the beginning of February. Jeff Hwang will post the information ASAP for your

summer planning.

Thank you all!

Jr. Golf Committee

.

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Socials

JANAURY 11: Movie Night: Toy Story. Meet Jesse and Woody from 5:00pm to 6:00. Special Menu will be

available starting at 5:00. Movie starts at 6:00pm

JANUARY 17: Golf Fitness Seminar 6:00-7:30 (Presented by Jeff and Megan)

JANUARY 20: Annual Crab Feed from 12:00 to 6:00pm

JANUARY 25: Member Social! 5:30pm to 7:30pm. With special menu. Don’t forget our BOUNTY drawing

could be up to $1,300.

FEBRUARY 8: Movie Night: Cars. Meet Sally and Luigi from 5:00pm to 6:00. Special Menu will be available

starting at 5:00. Movie starts at 6:00pm

FEBRUARY 13: Golf Seminar: Rule Changes in 2019

FEBRUARY 22: Member Social! 5:30pm to 7:30pm. With special menu. Don’t forget our BOUNTY drawing

could be up to $1,400.

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JANUARY2019 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

01 02 03 04 05

Men’s Twilight

Dinner

Happy Hour

5:00pm-

7:00pm

Event in the Hall

11:00 – 4:00

Sponsoring

Member

Allan Holmberg

06 07 08 09 10 11 12

Board of

Director

Ballots Due by

5:00pm

Men’s Twilight

Dinner

Food and Beverage

Meeting 4:00pm

House and Grounds

Meeting 5:30pm

Movie Night:

Toy Story

5:00-8:00pm

Men’s Medal

Event in the Hall

6:00 – 11:00

Sponsoring

Member

Stacey

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Event in the Hall

4:00 – 6:30

Sponsoring

Member

Rick Warner

Men’s Twilight

Dinner

2019 Women's

Bridge Tournament

Day 1

11:30 – 5:00pm

Greens and

Fairways Meeting

5:00pm

Board Meeting

6:00pm

Golf Fitness Seminar

6:00-7:30 (Presented

by Jeff and Megan)

Happy Hour

5:00pm-

7:00pm

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Annual Crab Feed

12:00 – 6:00pm

Men’s Twilight

Dinner

2019 Women's

Bridge Tournament

Day 2

11:30 – 5:00pm

Event in the Hall

4:00 – 7:00

Sponsoring Member

Jim Decoto

Social Mixer

‘$1.3K

Bounty’

5:30 – 7:30pm

27 28 29 30 31

Men’s Twilight

Dinner

2019 Women's

Bridge Tournament

Day 3

11:30 – 5:00pm