wait staff, help plan special functions

and manage most of the details of the dining room. As some might say, “That dog won’t hunt forever.”

Both Pam and I believe we are at our best when serving large groups, such as during member nights and at special

functions. Pam has pointed out many opportunities for more functions, like weddings and other celebrations and

meetings of local groups who would like to use our dining room. For 2014, Pam and I will propose including a din-

ing room manager position in the budget. The right person in this job will meet operational requirements and

help us grow the business.

Improve Communication with Members

This year’s annual meeting will be held on Sunday, August 18, 2013, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. in the IRGC dining room.

We plan to spend approximately one-half hour on by-law requirements and an hour on open discussion with mem-bers. I encourage you to attend. Your

participation is important. Craig Druskins, Karen Pung and Mike Cher-veny will help focus these discussions.

It is hard to believe it’s already time

for the August newsletter. Here’s how we stand going into the most important months of the year.

Break-Even Budget Through June 30, 2013, we have

posted a loss of $65,000. That’s $20,000 better than our budgeted loss of $85,000 and 2012 actual re-

sults. While revenues are flat, lower overall expenses more than account for the improvement. We are in good

financial shape going into the peak July and August months, and I have a high degree of confidence that we will

achieve our 2013 break-even budget.

I’d like to give special recognition to Dick

Binder for helping the club reduce its an-nual property taxes by $5,000, not just for this year, but also for years to come. If Dick hadn’t hatched the idea, analyzed

commercial market values of nearby golf courses, presented the idea and followed through over the past 10 months, our club

never would have realized such savings. Grow Membership

I expect our golfing memberships to de-cline from 170 last year to around 165.

Although that’s an improvement from the double-digit losses we have experienced for many years, there’s still much work to

be done. Growing memberships remains our number one job. As Jim Beebe shared in our last newsletter, we now have un-

precedented low rates for family golf at IRGC, and the cost of joining IRGC has never been better. We need everyone’s

help to stabilize the loss of members and to grow our membership. The future suc-cess of our club depends on it.

Deliver a Quality Dining Experience Most of you have expressed satisfaction

with your dining experience this year, es-pecially regarding food quality. Of course, we make mistakes now and then, but we

are working hard to improve every day. I want to share some operational concerns

that we need to correct, and some oppor-tunities we should explore to expand our dining room business. Right now, our gen-

eral manager, on top of everything else she does, is required to stay nearly every night until nine or ten o’clock to work with the

From The President, John Gibson August, 2013

Inside this issue:

Manager’s Report

Upcoming Events

2

Treasurer’s Note

House Committee

3

Tournament & Golf 4

Pro Shop 5

Green & Grounds

Membership & Marketing

6

Social Committee 7

Cards; Mah Jongg 8

Thank you for your

membership…... thank

you for your business!

2

August 3rd Men’s Stag Day

Tournament

August 4th Women’s Resource Center 4 PM Shotgun

August 9th Board Meeting

August 10th McFadden Wedding

August 11th Burt Lake Cottages

August 15th Cheboygan

McLaren Hospital Event: Dining

Room Closed

August 18th Annual Meeting

August 24th and 25th Club Championship

September 2nd Labor Day: No Leagues

From Our Manager, Pam Phipps

Upcoming Events

New Members

BINGHAM, WILLIAM

wbingham2@tampabay.rr.com Address: 8516 Kingsley Beach Drive

Indian River Michigan 49749 Alternate Address: 1254 Lindenwood Drive

Tarpon Springs Florida 34688 Cell Phone: 703-201-3277 Spouse: Tina

Spouse Phone:

703-201-3793

The staff and I have been working hard to make the club enjoyable for all.

The majority of the staff is new and has been trying hard to give you an

enjoyable experience when you come to the club to dine or play golf.

The sad news is that we are about to lose almost everyone who worked

in the golf shop and at bag drop, because they are going back to school.

Thankfully, Justin and Lauren will be here until the end of the season.

Once again, I want to encourage everyone to join in the fun activities that

are planned in August such as the Club Championship, Member's Night,

Euchre, Yoga, Mah Jongg and Bridge. Also, Mike Ridley is scheduled to

play on the deck August 7 and August 14. Reservations are appreciated.

My final little tidbit to report is that July was a good month for the club. I

appreciate your support and loyalty with a thank you and a couple of

coupons that give you some better savings on merchandise.

10% OFF

Food and Beverage

Expiration Date: August 31, 2013

This coupon is not valid with other offers.

Take an additional 15% off plus your 15%

for a total of 30% on merchandise in the

golf shop.

Golf Shop Merchandise

Expiration Date: August 31, 2013

Indian River Golf Club This coupon is not valid on sale items or on special orders.

3

House Committee Bud Garlick, Chairperson

Treasurer's Notes Suzanna Stump, Treasurer

Art Policy at IRGC This policy statement applies to pieces of

art created by our members (or nonmem-bers, employees, family, friends,) who wish

to display the art at the Indian River Golf Club. Art for display is welcomed, espe-

cially art that pertains to IRGC, golfing or art of the Northern Michigan area. It is

hoped that the art will add warmth and friendliness to the club house. The art

includes, but is not limited to, paintings, sketches, photographs,

sculptures, …

1 - A request to display art will be submitted to the house commit-

tee for approval. The request should be in writing in the form of a

letter to the house committee chairperson.

Net Profit/ (Loss) for the club was very close to budget for the month of June and $19,427 ahead of budget year-to-date.

The money we bring in (Net Operating Income or Gross Margin) fell $10,975 behind budget YTD, but that was offset by Total Operating Expense at $30,403 better than budget. Please recognize our managers and staff for their efforts in maximizing income

and controlling costs to give us these results.

As always, we encourage members to utilize their club as much as possible for dining, golf, and social activities. In an effort

to better communicate the club’s financial picture, summary financial reports as well as the Treasurer's Report will be posted on our web site (members only) on a monthly basis. The 2013 Finance & Budget Committee includes Bill Bray, Bob Foster, Bud Garlick, John Gibson, Jerry Lesperance, Margie Reh, Tom Soltis, and Pam Phipps. Thanks to the committee for all their hard

work.

2 - If approved, the house committee will determine where the art pieces are to be displayed, and for how long. Suggestions from the

artist are welcome. The house committee will actually hang the art

work.

3 - The house committee will also approve when and where pieces

are to be moved.

4 - The house committee must also approve the inclusion of any

pricing information.

5 - The club is not responsible for any damage or loss that may

occur to the art while at the club.

Yoga will continue all summer.

Mondays at 9:30

Time For A New Cart Barn?

We have begun the planning process for a new cart barn. The cur-

rent barn has never been quite large enough, as we now store some of the carts outside most of the summer. Part of the area where

carts are stored is just a dirt floor. The roof also needs to be re-

paired in the next year or two.

Work on a new cart barn was actually started about 15 years ago. We have the blue prints for the cart barn as well as the layout with

cart paths, cleaning area, parking, and entrances dated August of 1998. The plan at that time included charging stations for the even-

tual switch to electric carts. We will be evaluating the option of using

electric carts as part of this planning process. At this time we have a

preliminary estimate for the pole barn (about $45,000) and are re-viewing the options for the use of the land. Where is the best place

for the new cart barn? Tear down the old cart barn or fix it up for some other use? Add more handicap parking near the putting

green?

Timing is also being reviewed. It is probably not possible to do it

this year, but it should be targeted for either 2014 or 2015. This is all part of the ongoing work to keep all of the IRGC facilities up to

date and working for you. We will keep you posted on our pro-

gress.

4

Tournament and Golf Karen Pung

President Cup matches are well

on their way with the semi-final matches now being played between Gary Vizina and Ray Eaton (Bobby Jones Division)

and Mike Thompson and Charlie Lange (Hogan Division). Peggy Rappleye and Candee Tucker will play the final match

on August 7th in the Women’s Division.

Good Luck to all!

Mullett Lake Country Club cancelled the July 21st interclub

match but extended invitations to all to golf on that day anyway. Several showed up and had some great fun and competition. Hopefully we can schedule

this event again next summer…

Steve Reh represented IRGC in the

Mullett Lake Country Club Chal-lenge Cup on July 24th, coming in sec-ond of four behind Kasey Hocquard of

Cheboygan.

The first annual Couples Champion-ship was played on Sunday, July 28th. The field consisted of 23 couples and

consisted of 6 Holes-Scramble, 6 Holes-Alternate Shot, and 6 Holes-Better Ball. Once again, the weather forecast was

wrong and the day was beautiful! A Hole-In-One was shot by Judee Hender-son on Hole # 17!!! Winners were an-

nounced after a great dinner. They are:

Gross Winners:

Ginny Braidwood and Steve Cheli (74)

Net Winners:

1st: Margie and Steve Reh (54)

2nd: Carol and Gary Freismuth (55)

3rd: Diane and Al Thompson (57)

4th: Muriel and Charlie Lange (58)

5th: Paulette and Steve Paschen (61)

Proximity Awards: Closest to the Pin:

#2-Craig Druskins, #9-Margie Steller,

#13-Margie Reh, #17-Ralph Lindgren

There are seven artists from IRGC creating a work of art for the Chair-ity Auction. There will be over

twenty chairs to bid on ranging from antique potty chairs to outdoor furniture. The event will be Aug. 15, 2013 at IRGC. The cost is $25.00 per person with a cash bar. Appetizers are being served. The event be-gins at 5:00 PM with the auction starting at 6:00 PM. All proceeds benefit the McLaren Northern Michigan

Cheboygan Campus Emergency Department. Reservations for the event can be made sending your money to Jill Lutz. Make your check out to McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation/Cheboygan Campus. Charlene McClug is the chairperson of this event and also the outgoing president of the MNM Cheboygan campus

guild. (Pictures shown above are examples of the type of work done.)

Chair-ity Auction at IRGC

INDIAN RIVER GOLF CLUB PRESENTS: 2 MAN BEST BALL TOURNAMENT

Saturday August 3rd – 8:30 am Shotgun

Format: Better Ball of 2 - 100% Handicap with Maxi-

mum Handicap of 36 Strokes. Handicaps required. Net Winners will be awarded in each flight.

3 Divisions Cost

Member/Member $50 Members Father/Family $60 Guest

Member/Guest

Includes: 18 Holes, 2 Bloody Mary Tickets, 2 Beer Tickets, Range Balls, Prizes & Awards

Optional Contests: $10 Team Net Skins, 50/50, $5 Beat the Pro, $5 Chip-Off

REMINDER: Check in with the Pro Shop EVERY TIME before you Play!!!!

5

If you find yourself struggling with making proper contact, try this drill out next

time you are on the range. Place a towel about 6 to 8 inches behind your ball

and grab a mid iron such as a six iron. Don't do anything differently with your

setup or swing when you start hitting shots with the towel be-

hind each ball. Having the towel behind the ball will force you to properly

transfer your weight on the downswing to your front side. It will help eliminate

any casting of the club from the top of your swing and will get you swinging to a

proper finish with all your weight ending up on your front side. Add this drill

to your practice sessions and watch your contact and distance improve.

Tips From The Pro Justin

Eighty women played in the Ladies Invitational on July 24th. Many

thanks to the numerous committees that put together the “Wine, Women & Song” event this year. The day couldn’t have been nicer.

Winners were:

Gross:

1st: J. Burgoon Henderson, E. Burgoon, S. Kett, L. Edie (68)

Flight B: S. Eno, S. Hanley, J. Gariepy, S. Neighbors (78)

Net:

1st: C. Freismuth, J. Anderson, M. Steller, P. Paschen (69)

2nd: N. Hatfield, R. Swiss, S. Wixson, H. Trim (70)

Flight B Net:

1st: L. Dellpenta, S. Palandra, G. Altonen, J. Theise

2nd: R. Barnes, C. Martin, K. Pfister, T. Bingham

#1 Closest to the Vine- Jill Lutz (Margie Steller)

#9 Closest to the Pin- Rachel Swiss

#14 Closest to the Musical Note- Muriel Lange

#18 Longest Putt- Margie Steller

Ladies Invitational: Results and Pictures

6

Members: Craig Druskins Chairman, George Miller, John DeMond, Verne Binder, Joanne Hawthorne, Steve Cheli, Pam Phipps, Mike Reardon, Cliff Stanton and Pat

Whitman

Course condition: Again, the course is in great

shape! The greens have recently been veridical cut, rolled and mowed. They are rolling faster and smoother. The three benches in storage have been

placed on the course to give the walkers additional places to sit down.

Gardens: The new members Bill and Tina Bingham volunteered to be gardeners for the garden by the pond on number one. They have put some work into getting the garden back in shape. Thanks, Tina, and a

thank you to Jeff Hamal for planting the tall grasses along the fence near #9 Tee Box. "Nice touch Jeff". The proposal for an herbal garden by the cart barn was

discussed and put on hold until next year.

If you have any suggestions for improving the course,

please let a member of the committee know or submit a comment card.

Greens and Grounds Committee Meeting Craig Druskins

Is Your Family Taking Advantage of Our Special Family Golf Rate?

Don't forget as a golfing member of IRGC your children (including in-laws)

and grandchildren of any age get these special rates for golf: 18 holes with a cart

$25 or $15 for 9 holes. Take advantage of this members benefit. Tell your kids

they can come enjoy “The Friendliest Club in the North” at an unbelievable

rate. They don’t need to shop for rates and travel to play golf. We want your

family to be part of Indian River Golf Club!

Membership & Marketing Committee

If you are a MSU

or a U of M fan,

you will enjoy

the carvings of

golf bags located

in the flag pole

garden. They

were carved by

Brent Willison.

The rivalry of

the schools lives

on at IRGC!

Recently, rolling has become popular as an accepted turf

management tool. The most obvious benefit is the increased greens speed due to a firmer and smoother surface. This effect is seen immediately, but the effect diminishes over the

days following rolling. While this effect is most beneficial to golfers and other end users, there are also some agronomic benefits as well. It has been shown that there are decreased

occurrences of dollar spot disease. It has also been shown that there appears to be less damage from cutworms on turf that is rolled regularly. Rolling can also help a light topdress-

ing of sand move down into the turf canopy. Finally, you can mow at a slightly higher height and maintain the same green speed as a lower height of cut. This allows your stand of turf to be better able to withstand many of the stresses that are

put upon it.

There have been some negative effects of rolling reported. These include increased soil compaction, decreased water

infiltration and a thinning of the turfgrass stand. All of these are the results of an overly aggressive rolling program, ie 4-7 times per week; rolling when the soil is saturated, especially

on native soils and continued rolling during the excessive heat of summer. You should be able to avoid all of these is-sues by limiting your rolling to 2 times per week on sand-

based turf, once per week on native soils and put rolling on

hold during the heat of summer.

University of Minnesota Turfgrass Science

7

Social Committee Jerry Lesperance, Chairperson

If entertainment is what you want, we will be provid-

ing more for the August Member Scram-

ble. Following the scramble on Wednesday, August

28th, Denny Beach and Sam King; aka, Beach Kings

will provide the kind of entertainment we all enjoy.

Put this event on your calendar, and invite a guest to

join us for the scramble, good food and fun entertain-

ment.

Other events you should note on your calendar in-

clude the September 18th Member Scramble

(think Fall and football), the Last Hurrah on Sun-

day, October 13th, and Italian Night, Thursday,

October 17th. BUONI ALIMENTARI, BUONI

AMICI!

The IRGC Social Committee is in need of Christmas

decorations. If you happen to have any extras, or if

your current decorations don't fit your decor, contact

any of the committee members, and we will be happy

to put them to good use at the club.

We play hit songs from the 50’s to the present. We especially excel in

rock and pop oldies that still get plenty of airplay today. The difference with

our music is that we play these songs with acoustic instruments, as a folk

duo. Denny sings the lead vocals and plays guitar, and I accompany him with

backing vocals, upright bass and harmonica. We’ve played weddings, con-

certs, garden parties and special events for clubs and organizations. Every-

where we play, audience reception is enthusiastic. We can be as quiet as you

need for conversation, and we can move you to dance when you are ready!

We love playing our songs as much as you love to hear them. We are

easy on the ears, and you will be able to hear all the words to the songs! If

you enjoy hearing familiar songs that you can sing and dance to, look no fur-

ther than Denny Beach and Sam King.

11:30 AM Registration

12:00 Lunch

1:00 to 3:00 PM Tournament

Awards and Prizes

Play for Fun After 3:00

$25 for Lunch and Prize Money

Not to be outdone, Kathy Piotraczk won the

most difficult hand on the Mah Jongg card the

same day as Sheila Ashcroft!. Skillful playing!

8

Indian River Golf Club

P.O. Box 428

Indian River, MI 49749

231-238-7011

2013 Officers:

President: John Gibson

Vice-President: Craig

Druskins

Secretary: William Bray

Treasurer: Suzanna Stump

Tee Times 238-7011

Restaurant 238-8515

W E A R E O N T H E W EB !

W WW . I ND I AN R IV ERG OL FCL UB . C O M

Euchre Every Thursday

Join players for dinner from

5 to 6: PM

Card play is from 6:30 to 9:00 PM

Please call or email

Sue or Bob Schultz

by noon on Wednesdays

SCHBOBIR@HOTMAIL.COM

231-238-4281

We need to know numbers to set

up for dining, staff, tables, tallies, etc. If

you would like to learn to play euchre,

please contact Sue to make arrange-

ments.

The IRGC Bridge Club at Indian

River Golf Club is offering sanctioned duplicate bridge on Tuesday eve-nings. The group meets for dinner

(optional) at 5:00 pm with bridge at 6:00. Bridge is open to the public through a “Bridge passport” which can be pur-

chased for $99 for any 3-month period (once per week play) or $125 (twice per week play). The club also offers Party

Bridge (no partner needed) on Thursday afternoons with lunch at noon and play starting at 1:00 pm. Please call Pat Stanton to sign up or for more informa-

tion. The club welcomes new players. Mah Jongg play is Tuesdays from 10:00

AM to 2:30+ PM. Beginners are welcome. To inquire about learning the game, con-tact Jessie McFadden at 238-7369. There

is an on-going beginner table.

Golfers in America dream of the day when

they get to mark an ace on their score-

card. Japanese save for it. In that tradition-

bound, golf-crazy country, custom calls for

players who score an ace to buy each of

the witnesses an expensive gift, offer

drinks for the entire clubhouse, and plant

a tree commemorating the event some-

where near the green where the feat was

done.

In 1990, identical twins Barry and Jody

Wolfe, 15, each aced the 2nd hole at the

Scott County Park Course in Gate City,

Virginia. First, Barry holed his six-iron tee

shot. Then Jody, also using a six-iron,

smacked his shot into the hole, right on

top of his brother’s ball! It was the first

ace for each of the Wolfe boys, both 16

handicappers at the time.

Incredible Aces

Astonishing but True Golf Facts: Allan Zullo