BOARD MINUTES
last updated:  03/26/24  |  Total Club Page Views:1,580,345

March 18, 2024, meeting called to order by President Bob Lieb at 1:03.  Members present: Bob Lieb, Ed Gooze, Steve Greenbaum, Jan Bernard, Steve Skinner, Blane Goldwater. Roger Cowan, De Ron Jones, Larry Tash, and Dean Abston.

Absent:  Don Kihara, Harvey Goldsmith. past-president Saul Eisler, volunteer Wendy Furth. 

Minutes were accepted though not read. 

President's report:  Bob stated the post office box is paid through the year with Harvey having the key. Jan's Club debit card has been updated. Our dues portion from SCGA is mailed to the PO box. 

Treasurer's report: Harvey emailed the following: Balance today of $11,906.52.

1. A deposit put down for the banquet in December 2024, of $750.

2 Minor deposits and withdrawals from Jan for Mulligan fees and stationery

3 $1539 check was deposited from SCGA for our portion of dues.

4 We will receive an additional check this month for our portion of dues from SCGA for $644.88

5 We receive either$24 or $49 from SCGA of dues depending on if Associate or Full 

Membership report: Dean submitted the following: 236 members: 180 Full; 56 Associate. Full: Steve Thomson; Associate: Jeff Caprio, Jerry Szymanski, Michael Feingersh, Bill Schwartz, Spencer Schneider, Leonard Miller. Welcome and good golf! 

Handicap: Larry reported Wilson, with its unfair pin

placements, created scores much higher than handicaps. He stressed again members should not post scores except continuing rounds in President's Cup and Founders' Cup. 

GHIN uses 8 lowest of last 20 rounds and is updated daily. 

Tournaments: Jan reported February 12th and 22nd matches rained out. February 26th 70 players, 63%received money; Wilson, 80 players 2 walked off; 63% received money.

 5:20 pace of play primarily caused by putting difficulty. April 8, 72 players--Roger and Skinner will run the event. March 18th will be at Woodley rather than Balboa. April 29th will be at Woodey rather than Encino (only 16 holes available) Bob will marshal April 29th. 

President's Cup is moving smoothly. 

Skinner stated the Founders’ will start June 3 at Encino.

Away tournament at Westlake [see Addendum 1] will cost $55 and will be on a Wednesday. 

Sunshine: Blane reported she sent a food basket to Marv Brown. She will follow-up to see what happened to Mike Teague, Andy Levine, and Bernie Taylor.

She needs a key for the display. 

Niblick: Greenbaum thanked Ed Gooze, Saul Isler, Mike Cornner, and Roger Cowan for their contributions to the last publication. Mile will continue his trip to Scotland with two more installments. Everyone is encouraged to contribute..

Old Business: As reported in the previous minutes the Awards Banquet will now be a Shotgun followed by an Awards Luncheon on December 11th. Cost will be be $68 for green fees, mandatory cart, and prize money. Luncheon is $30 per person. Guests and spouses also pay $30. Not decided what portion of the food—none, partial or all will be paid for by the Club. Bob pointed out that with the 72 players the kitchen will cook for 85. The luncheon will mirror the previous banquets except food will be served buffet-style. Format of the tournament and prizes to be discussed further. 

Bob reported no MGA this year. Slow play was supposedly the reason. Whether it will be resumed next year TBD. Len Zambito is captain, with an assist from Bob. 

Larry pointed out we need more communication from GAC and MGA. He and the Board expressed frustration with the bot(s) situation and the difficulty in getting started times. 

Jan is adjusting to allow women to play in skins by having them score on men's handicap holes but allowing them to hit from the yellow tees. 

The budget--or lack of-- was again discussed. Dean, along with others, has continually expressed the value for one, but since the Club has always had more income than expenses, there never has been a formal budget. 

New Business: GAC meeting today. We need to be informed. There will be discussion of the bot(s) capturing tee times. [See Addendum 2] 

Meeting adjourned at 2:35; next meeting April 22nd at 1:00. 

Respectfully submitted, Steve Greenbaum, secretary 

Addendum 1: [The editor, a long-time member of the Westlake Village Men's Golf Club,

 is pleased that Westlake has been chosen to be an away tournament. He would like to point out the official Wikipedia entry: “Westlake Village Golf Course is an eighteen-hole regulation length golf course located in Westlake Village, California, USA.”.

He points out the sporty links, being under 5,000 yards, gives the longer hitters opportunities to drive some par fours as well as setting up another eagle on the par five. With its par 66, many will have their last best chance to shoot their age. There surely is much to be said for playing Westlake. 

Addendum 2 

Subject: GAC Updates for the Sepulveda Seniors’ Golf Club 

Hello Anne,
I am Larry Tash, the Handicap Chair for the Sepulveda Seniors’ Golf Club.  Brendan from the Sepulveda Golf Course gave me your contact information.  Our Board of Directors is very interested in being kept informed about the business taking place at the GAC meetings which take place every other month.  We do not have a GAC representative so we are hopeful that you can forward agendas and minutes to us for the meeting which occurred yesterday and for future meetings so that we can be kept updated as to the workings of LA City Golf. 

Also, if an issue comes up, are you able to represent our opinions and concerns with the GAC organization? 

Besides the issue of tee time reservations, which has been a hot topic for us for years, we do have interest in several other issues that you might be able to give us input or represent our concerns for us.

1.  We have asked but no one is clear on how much money or what the money is planned to be used for that comes from each tee time.  We know that originally the money was used to improve the practice area at our course, and I believe that the City did a good job with that.  However, that has been completed for several years and the money should continue to be generated for course and facility improvements. Is there a plan that you are aware of that can be shared with us for future use of these funds?

2.  I know that there is a discussion occurring about equity issues for the arranging of tee times for clubs from the City courses.  I would very much like to be updated on this topic.  I saw that it came up at a previous GAC meeting, but I could generate very little information from what I read.  This discussion would be very useful for our co-ed seniors club.   

Thank you so much for giving your time to benefit all golfers in the Sepulveda area.  I hope that we can get the opportunity to meet with you at one of our Board meetings sometime this year. 

Sincerely, 

Larry Tash

 

 


February 19, 2024 meeting called to order at 1:00 by President Bob Lieb. 
 

Members present: Bob Lieb, Roger Cowan, Don Kihara, Jan Bernard, Ed Gooze, Harvey Goldsmith, De Ron Jones, Steve Greenbaum, past president Saul Eisler.  

Absent: Dean Abston, Larry Tash, Steve Skinner, Blane Goldwater, volunteer Wendy Furth. 

The minutes were corrected to indicate Larry passed his handicap recertification and gremlins inserted random question marks. Minutes were approved as corrected though not read. 

President's Report: Bob stated our PO Box, 56416 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 had been paid by Ron Trachtenberg through 2024. Cost-- $274. Harvey has the key. Harvey and Bob are each authorized to sign checks. Jan needs an updated Club debit card. 

Bob is disappointed that members don't stay and socialize after play.

 Treasurer's Report: Harvey stated our balance is $11,340.09 with 

a recent deposit of $1,420, giving a total available of $12,760.09.  

Membership: Bob reported for Dean that we have 233 members,179 Full and 54 Associate. New Full member is Michael Brown.  

Harvey will contact SCGA to determine when the Club receives money for Associate members.   

Tournaments: Jan reported the January 22 and February 12 tournaments were rained out. Eighty had signed up for the February tournament. Jan has the ability to increase times if sign-ups are early enough. No date when Encino will open fully. February modified Stableford at Balboa has 72 sign-ups, as does March 11 at Wilson. 

The City has given us permission to have a shotgun tournament on December 11th. This will replace one Monthly.  

The cost will be green fees, $35, cart (mandatory), $18, prize money, $15--total: $68. Play begins at 7:30 on 1st tee and then 18, 17,16 etc.  

Blane contacted Mike about having a buffet luncheon following the golf. Anticipated cost: $30 pp. 

After much discussion, a motion was made and seconded that "An awards luncheon immediately following the shotgun tournament will replace the awards dinner banquet."

Passed unanimously. 

At subsequent board meeting(s) details will be addressed: 

1. Format of the tournament (perhaps modified scramble); 2.  Members pay ($10 or more) or Club comps the luncheon; 3. Whether members who don't play can come to the luncheon; 4. Whether guests/spouses can attend; 5. Prizes: $50 Roger Dunn gift certificates to 40 players, golf lessons, free rounds, everybody should receive something;  6. Sign-up applications in August to play and attend/not attend luncheon 7.Payment by cash or check at tournaments or mail to PO box to be due no later than November 18th tournament. 

Don Kihara reported that the Presidents’ Cup has 53 players signed up.  64 needed to have 32 in each flight. It's been difficult to get sign-ups because two tournaments were canceled. Also, it seems lower handicap golfers do not wish to participate. 

De Ron, reporting for Skinner, stated Sterling, Los Robles and Olivas are set for away tournaments. He brought up the possibility of using executive courses like Westlake and El Cariso. The board chose Westlake. 

Niblick: Greenbaum reported he was disappointed by the lack of input from the membership to write stories of their personal experiences with golf or creative stories about golf. 

Old Business: Ed reported he had filed the appropriate postcard tax return for a non-profit organization. 

Jan brought up the continuing discussion about Golf Genius vs. Mulligan Golf format for our website. Jan is comfortable with Mulligan, but Golf Genius would be able to deal better with the issue of women playing in the skins side-pot. Larry and Jan will continue to discuss this.

To be resolved: creation of a budget and the future of MGA. 

Next meeting is March 18th, 1:00. 

Meeting adjourned at 2:21.

 


January 15, 2024, meeting called to order by President Bob Lieb at 1:06. 

Members present: Bob Lieb, Dean Abston, Steve Skinner, Don Kihara, De Ron Jones, Larry Tash, Blane Goldwater, Harvey Goldsmith, Steve Greenbaum, Jan Bernard and past president Saul Isler. Absent: Roger Cowan, Wendy Furth  

Minutes of November were accepted, though not read. 

President's report: Bob was disappointed at the banquet turnout, only

46 (35 members) while there were 68 in 2022. Why?

Len Zambito told him at the banquet that MGA may be ended due to slow play. 

Bob has made multiple attempts to get clarification. He will continue. 

Blane was also surprised at the small turnout at the banquet. She believed there was adequate communication in Niblick and from Jan's emails. Razzle-dazzle was successful with three winners receiving $195 each. Dean had many fine gifts with his $2000 allotment.  He recommended only club members should get blue ticket prizes. Greenbaum suggested there should be more winners, each receiving something. Larry suggested we ask the 90 active golfers why they did not attend. It was approved that Blaine make a reservation for the banquet this year with a refundable deposit. 

Blane inquired if there could be a shotgun prior to the banquet. She also suggested the Club give $10 chits (for hot dog/drink/snack) at some tournaments. Will check with Mike. 

Banquet discussion to be continued. 

Treasurer's report: Acting-treasurer Harvey stated the bank balance is $9455.09. Larry pointed out that money received from SCGA January 1st will be adding to our balance shortly. Harvey will have facts regarding December's balance to the present.  

Membership: Dean said we have 229 members, 152 Full, 77 Associate. New Full: Jeff Markle and Richard Willits; Associate: Mike Clink. Welcome and good golf!  

Handicap:  See Larry's complete report below: 

1.    Explanation of three changes to the GHIN Handicap System 

a.    Changes in place as of January 1, 2024

b.    Course rating changes for short courses

                                      i.        Rate nine-hole course if 750+ yards

                                     ii.        Rate eighteen-hole course if 1500+ yards

c.     Nine-hole scores will receive an immediate differential and not wait to be grouped with a second nine hole score.  Found that by combining two nine-hole scores usually receive a lower differential than if an eighteen hole score

d.    How to treat holes not played

                                      i.        If an incomplete round for any reason of nine holes or more, you must post using hole-by-hole posting

                                     ii.        No longer will we use net par for unplayed holes.  Now use expected scores for unplayed holes, this is done by the computer system

                                    iii.        New: if you play ten to seventeen holes, post hole by hole and a differential will be given as if you completed eighteen holes.  We no longer use net par for completing a round

                                   iv.        This only works for those who have a twenty-round set of postings in the GHIN system

2.    Explain exceptional score

a.    If a player shoots a score that has a differential of 7.0-9.9 less than their current GHIN, then all 20 reported scores prior and including that score will have a reduction of one stroke on their differential, which reduces the person’s handicap more than if just one low score.

b.    If a player shoots a score that has a differential of 10.0+ then the differentials will be reduced by two strokes.

c.     If a player shoots two or more very low scores within the same block of 20 posted scores, the deductions are combined.

d.