Complete results:

 AGC Annual Meeting Agenda

Saturday, October 14, 2017, 2:30 PM

President’s Message – Jack Jemsek

 2017 has been a bit of an epiphany for me regarding Amherst Golf Club.   We were able to essentially replicate another solid year, making it two years in a row where we haven’t lost membership.  I am confident we as a club are going to make in the long haul, because the core of our membership is comprised of a fellowship of golfers that take pride in our course, buoyed by the innate friendship that golfers have with each other . . . because of our mutual “love of the game”.   But I also take pause with regard to the changes that the new millennium has wrought on the game:  the sluggish economy, the advent of screens dominating our lives, and the passé of our traditional pastimes.  Will we ever be the social enclave that the Club was 20 years ago?  Probably not . . . but our membership still rocks . . . my adopted slogan for the course that is used time to time in our social media was taken from our writer and past President Carl Vigeland . . . this is the place where “Whispers of a fabled past mingle with the pleasures of a perfect present”.

So on to business . . . with some resolve, our volunteer Board of Directors, Pro Dave Twohig and Superintendent Carl Teschke have amazingly kept our head above water since the post-2008 dip in the golf industry.  If you recall, several area courses went up for auction at that time . . . that is when I found a Pro in Dave Twohig who I could turn to and give me the right perspective on the game and a wonderful introduction to Amherst Golf Club. . . . Thank you Dave for all that you do for us amateurs!!

For us to have survived the ravage of the 2016 drought to the extent we have is not insignificant.  A salute to Carl Teschke is not enough . . . he needs a standing “O” for what he’s been able to do with so little during his tenure as our Superintendent.  He recruits a top notch crew, frequently calling upon his family, Kathy, Carl Jr. and Samantha to the cause, to keep the course in tip top shape.  During the year, including the winter, he also wears a mechanics hat to enable him to extend the life of our greens equipment.  As we’ll hear from our Treasurer Gordy Palley, our operating budget is slim . . . and even miniscule compared to other comparable courses . . . yet we are blessed to provide our patronage with what I think is the best golf experience in the area.  Carl must also be part magician to make this all work!

About our membership . . . we could use another 50 members . . . it would make all the difference and we wouldn’t be having some of these discussions.  Members need to recruit new members . . . you all are our best asset for sustaining the Club!  The members we have are pretty special . . . 45 of us joined in the Spring Cleanup to save the club a couple of thousand dollars in jump starting our season.  Look for another Fall Cleanup event in the December timeframe . . .

Our board is amazing . . . I thank Doug George and Carl Vigeland for allowing me to help to the extent I have, and Sam Lussier for his guidance as Past-President . . . Gordy Palley goes to the mat for the Club day in and day out as our Treasurer.  John Hunter shows great ingenuity regarding membership/marketing as our Vice-President, Carl Vigeland’s passion for the course as the Greens Committee chair is unwavering, Bob Nakosteen continues to do so much for the club as the Secretary, and Jean Gowdey and Ann Kieser champion the AGC Women’s Association.  Jack Arena, our Amherst College representative on the Board, is doing a tremendous job in getting assistance from the College, which we are in debt for their generosity.   Please contact one of us if you have some interest in assisting the Club or being on the Board.

• Committee Reports:
  • Secretary – Vote to approve minutes from 2016 Annual Meeting
  • Treasurer’s Report – Gordy Palley
  • Women’s Association

• Presentation of 2017’s Awards and Prizes:   Dave Twohig

• Election of the Board of Directors for the coming year
  
  • President: Jack Jemsek (will serve 2^nd year of 2-year term)
  • Past-President: Sam Lussier
  • Vice President: John Hunter
  • Treasurer: Gordon Palley
  • Secretary/Clerk: Bob Nakosteen
  • Women’s Representative: Ann Kieser
  • Green’s Committee Chair: Carl Vigeland
  • Amherst College Rep: Jack Arena
  • Membership Chair:  Dave Dougan
  • At Large:  Jean Gowdey
  • 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

Novemberfest I, the Two Day Two Ball event on Oct 28th and 29th, kicks off the popular Novemberfest Open weekend events. . . . Novemberfest I is filling up fast, so contact Pro Dave Twohig to get your team signed up with a tee time!

Complete results:

Bryan Pelchat holed out on No. 4 during his round on October 8, 2017.  He used a pitching wedge to make the estimated 129 yard shot.  It was the first hole-in-one of Bryan’s career, which was witnessed by Alex Kielb, Dave Cody, and Jamieson Jones.

Congratulations Bryan!

Amherst Golf Club will be holding our 2017 Scramble & Annual Meeting on Saturday October 14th.

Noon: Shotgun Start – 9-hole Scramble
$15 fee for A/B/C/D scramble including BBQ lunch – a chance to meet and greet within our great membership!  Sign-up or call Pro Dave Twohig at the Pro Shop by Thursday 5 PM.  (413) 256-6894

NOTE:  You don’t have to attend the Annual Meeting if you play, and if you don’t play, we certainly want your voice at the Annual Meeting ($5 for lunch only) .  The scramble will be followed by . . .

2:30 PM.: BBQ Lunch/Annual Business Meeting
All members are welcome and encouraged to attend. We will be reviewing the year in golf at Amherst Golf Club, financials and all.  Awards will be handed out and this year’s champions will be acknowledged. The slate for next year’s officers and board of directors will also be presented, along with our President’s message (Jack Jemsek), and the roll out of the Club’s 2017 Fall Fund Drive. A 50/50 raffle for the benefit of the 2017 Fall Fund Drive will be conducted, as well as ca$h prizes for the scramble winners!

We are a fiscally healthy golf  club . . . but with our strong membership, can always do better in promoting the the joy of playing Amherst Golf Club and the benefits of becoming a member, which include unlimited golf, league play, numerous tournaments, and taking on some of the best greens in Western Massachusetts.  We want and need to sustain this special club for all.

Gratefully yours,

AMHERST GOLF CLUB

Amherst Golf Club will be holding our 2017 Scramble & Annual Meeting on Saturday October 14th.

Noon: Shotgun Start – 9-hole Scramble
$15 fee for A/B/C/D scramble including BBQ lunch – a chance to meet and greet within our great membership.  Sign-up or call Pro Dave Twohig at the Pro Shop by Thursday 5 PM.  (413) 256-6894

NOTE:  You don’t have to attend the Annual Meeting if you play, and if you don’t play, we certainly want your voice at the Annual Meeting ($5 for lunch only) .  The scramble will be followed by . . .

2:30 PM.: BBQ Lunch/Annual Business Meeting
All members are welcome and encouraged to attend. We will be reviewing the year in golf at Amherst Golf Club, financials and all.  Awards will be handed out and this year’s champions will be acknowledged. The slate for next year’s officers and board of directors will also be presented, along with our President’s message (Jack Jemsek), and the roll out of the Club’s 2017 Fall Fund Drive. A 50/50 raffle for the benefit of the 2017 Fall Fund Drive will be conducted, as well as ca$h prizes for the scramble winners!

We are a fiscally healthy golf  club . . . but with our strong membership, can always do better in promoting the the joy of playing Amherst Golf Club and the benefits of becoming a member, which include unlimited golf, league play, numerous tournaments, and taking on some of the best greens in Western Massachusetts.  We want and need to sustain this special club for all.

Gratefully yours,

AMHERST GOLF CLUB

To our Membership,

As you may know, our club’s financial condition has eroded over the past 10 years, in large part because of the current golf economics and the continued challenge of maintaining a healthy and growing membership.  This past Spring, our course had a late opening to allow recovery from last year’s drought, which has impacted our revenue in 2017.  However, through the efforts of our amazing staff at Amherst Golf Club, we are only in need of a small infusion of funds at this time, unlike a number of our neighboring courses, who are in much worse financial woes.

To continue sustaining the quality of golf at Amherst Golf Club, we are requesting voluntary contributions by those that have the means to do so, in lieu of raising membership dues.  These contributions will help defray our operating costs as part of the Fall 2017 Fund Drive.   Can you contribute $50?  $100?  More?  We thank you for anything you can provide above the membership dues you have provided.

Currently, our budget only permits us to operate on a thin margin, with a minimal reserve to cover unanticipated events and needs.  To offset this situation, we have set a goal to raise $10,000 to close the 2017 Fiscal Year.  This will allow the club to cover the labor and expenses to continue to successfully maintain this great golf course of ours.  Minimum wage rates have risen, and expenses range from purchasing materials necessary to recondition our sand traps to replacing aging equipment that is vital to upkeep of the course.  Without the support of generous donors like you, these needs will likely go unmet.

As a donor, you will be recognized for your generosity on the Amherst Golf Club website and in upcoming newsletters, unless you prefer to remain anonymous.

Come to the annual meeting/BBQ with the Board of Directors on Saturday October 14, 2017, 2:30 PM (shotgun scramble at noon), to hear more about your golf club.

Gratefully yours,

AMHERST GOLF CLUB

Complete results: