PLAYING A QUICK NINE...

.. 1 Elk City Golf & CC is expanding a cart barn for the rental carts. For now, we have 15 rental carts for the season, the new barn will hold approx. 24 carts.

.. 2 So far, most people are checking in before going out. We appreciate your cooperation. It helps the club, it helps control of play and in the long run, it helps all members.

.. 3 Temporary teeing areas are a "necessary nuisance". Here is a stat for all: the USGA recommends at least 150 sq ft of usable teeing area for every 1,000 rounds of golf played, and double that amount in Par-3 Holes. By all estimates, Elk City Golf & CC has about 15,000 rounds a year. Do the math!

Taking a little time off
for some fun!

.. 4 Congratulations to Elk City Golf & CC member, Allen Robinson in his recent victory in the city's commissioner's election. He won by a margin of 2 to 1. In a golf match, he would have been done by Hole #15! It looks like golf will wait a little longer in his schedule, but not without benefit for the community.

They better not screw up!

.. 5 Recently, the club hosted the "President's Ball", this year for Joe Wynn. If you didn't attend, you missed a great dance and party, and you also missed (but should not surprise you), Ann Cowan doing just about everything, from getting the party ready, to waiting on tables, helping the staff, greeting the attendees, etc. If there is such a career as a “professional volunteer”, it is being redefined at a higher standard. As well, if you did not attend, you missed my 67 seconds speech which no one understood. It’s OK, all I said is that Ramona and I are very happy to be here and that we will try our best to follow all the Board’s directives to make your club successful.

..6 Which bring me to this: Thank you to all the Board, but especially to Cory Smith, who has been the most graceful, welcoming and professional “former golf professional” to deal with; a true “pro’s pro”. It's nice to have "heads up" on the "do's and dont's" and his insight.

What do you mean "only"
140 showed up?

..7 I don't know about you, but I truly enjoy seeing our practice area full of youngsters. It is almost like it is "natural", but there is nothing natural about it, it is a credit to the adults who receive these future adult golfers with open arms and encouraging words.

No words necessary, other than
"WANTED" (alive, of course!)

.. 8 Playing by the rules: I noticed during the High School Invitational that a visiting coach came to coach Garrett Mantle about "waving a rule" because of the windy conditions. To his credit, Mr. Mantle did not support the suggestion. Here is the deal: You play golf by the rules. Had the coach agreed, I would have intervened and cited Rule 1:3 (Agreement to waive the rules, which leads to disqualification of the players agreeing to wave the rules). It is bad enough that players are allowed to lift, clean and place in most of these events, stretching the option of "preferred lies" as suggested by the USGA when conditions are (very) bad (in their written suggestion, it clearly says that a player may not improve the line of play, such as taking a tree out of play). But conditions at Elk City Golf & CC ARE NOT BAD ENOUGH TO GUARANTEE "preferred lies".... THE RULES OF GOLF ARE FAIR: KNOW THEM AND PLAY BY THEM! Moving right along.....

..9 TO END, DON'T FORGET TO WATCH "THE MASTERS".