AGC Annual Meeting Agenda

Saturday, October 19, 2019, 10:00 AM

President’s Message – Jack Jemsek

2019 has been relatively kind, as our membership has held steady despite an unfortunate loss of members due to folks passing, moving out of the area, or seeking greener pastures so to speak. However, we have gained almost 50 members, many of whom were introduced last year at this time.  We’ll have our Treasurer Gordy Palley acknowledge our new members this year later in the program, along with his Treasurer’s Report.

The bad news is that we have not fully recovered from the disastrous 2018 shortfall that resulted from the combination of the historic rainfall and heat we had that decimated all turf-related industries in the area.  The conditions in 2018 led to untimely course closures and turf damage that affected play and revenue.  In the end we found ourselves $30k hole, which we’ve been trying to refill during our 2019 season. In the last few years, our revenue and expenses have always been a few percent within each other.  To further elaborate, our revenue has been handcuffed by a national and regional golf industry that has declined significantly since 2008, as evidenced by numerous course closures in the area . . . in the meanwhile, we have Hickory Ridge hanging on, but in the meanwhile giving away greens fees for the cost of cart rentals . . . it’s insanity really.

But we can balance some bad news with good news . . . we have received encouraging words from Amherst College regarding their interest in committing to some level of long-term support of AGC, i.e., it appears that AGC may be a line item in their FY 2021 annual budget moving forward . . . this will be the first time ever in the club’s history that Amherst College would recognize AGC as a partner in this respect, as they do consider us an asset to their operations.  This development is a result of numerous meetings over the last 5 years or so with our board representatives, and I thank our past Presidents, John Hunter our VP, Gordy Palley and Jack Arena for making this happen.

Our success would not be possible without Carl Teschke and David Twhohig’s successfully run in their roles as Superintendent and Club Pro/Manager. Carl, who has ~23 years as Course Superintendent with the club, has kept the course quality at a high level despite the limitations of being able to hire a full staff and without being able to purchase all the equipment that he would ideally have. The quality of our course provided by Carl with the limited budget he has at his disposal has been amazing. Our Pro Dave Twohig, 41 years in as our Pro and club manager, continues to work his 70 to 80 hours a week during the season, and I don’t know how he does it. We have so many members, myself included, that are here because of the welcome mat he provides and the care that he provides to members and guests alike on a day in day out basis.  Thank you Carl and Dave!

I also wanted to note that we are so thankful for two of our standout board members who will be standing down this next term.  Thank you Jack Arena, after 30 years as the Amherst College representative, and John Hunter, who has been my main support as VP during our various efforts to promote and retain membership at the club these last few years. You both are class acts . . . What is awesome is that they have both offered their ongoing assistance to the club on as-needed special projects.  More good news is that Sue Everden has accepted an invite to assume the Amherst College representative role, and Mark McCandlish has accepted taking on the VP position on the board.  Thank you Sue and Mark – we are elated to have you and thank you in advance for your past and future contributions to the club.

AGC also thanks our continuing Board members that have also given their best to the club.  Gordy Palley as Treasurer, has been in the trenches for us every day in his role.  I’d also like to recognize Dave Dougan as Secretary, Jean Gowdey as member-at-large, Edith Hunsberger as AGCWA rep, and Jay Morgan as member-at-large and member liaison for their service on the board.  Jean does so much behind the scenes work that we really need to acknowledge her for her numerous efforts on behalf of the Women’s Association and the club in general. Jay Morgan has been our secret sauce, also behind the scenes . . . the insight and experience that Jay brings has been awesome for us.  So thank you Dave, Jean, Edith and Jay!

• Committee Reports:
  • Secretary – Vote to approve minutes from 2018 Annual Meeting
  • Treasurer’s Report – Gordy Palley
  • Women’s Association – Edith Hunsberger
• Presentation of 2019’s Awards and Prizes: Dave Twohig
• Election of the Board of Directors for the coming year: Jack Jemsek
  • President: Jack Jemsek (1 yr left of 2-year term)
  • Past-President:
  • Vice President: Mark McCandlish
  • Treasurer: Gordon Palley
  • Secretary/Clerk: Dave Dougan
  • Women’s Representative: Edith Hunsberger
  • Green’s Committee Chair: Carl Vigeland
  • Amherst College Rep: Susan Everden
  • At Large Jean Gowdey, Jay Morgan

Vote to accept

• New Business:

We’d like to hear from our membership at this time.  What can we do to increase our membership and further improve our golf experience at Amherst Golf Club?

• Adjournment

A big thank you to Dr. Bob for making this event grow each year!