At the annual Town Hall Meeting on Friday, March 27th, I presented highlights of our most recent year.  These slides are available online at the following link for your review by Clicking Here.

This year we moved our meeting earlier so we could present the Financial Operations Committee's (FOC) recommendation for any dues or capital assessment adjustment.  The Board will not formally approve the 2016 Budget until its meeting on April 30th.  This allows time for the golf community to express any concerns or questions regarding the FOC recommendation before approval.

This year the FOC recommends the following monthly charges:

The staff has worked diligently to produce a budget holding the line on costs.  We plan to have an operating surplus this year due to higher than expected revenues and lower expenses.  Some of this surplus will be applied to cover 2016 costs and freeze dues.

forward looking

hand

five year

In conjunction with the MGA Desert Classic, we will have the Titleist and Footjoy Concept Shop open to all members and their guests Thursday, April 9th from 8:30am - 12:00pm. All merchandise is sold for 10% over wholesale. The shop will be staged in the multi-purpose room.

Regular season group play will continue through the end of April. Those groups desiring times in May and throughout the summer can submit their requests to me via email or by calling the golf shop. A summer reciprocal club list will be made available in mid-May.

Don't miss out on the end-of-season Progressive Sale in the golf shop the weekend of April 17-19. All apparel, headwear, shoes and accessories will be 30% off on Friday the 17th, 35% off on Saturday the 18th and whatever is left on Sunday the 19th will be sold at 40% off (discounts taken off of the retail price).

I'd like to recognize Ron Gobeski, our Employee of the Month for April. Ron is the glue to our outside operation that operates in high gear at this time of year when we average nearly 400 rounds per day. He ensures that our starters, player services staff and rangers are all on the same page regarding changes to the tee sheets that occur throughout the day. Having worked at Tonto for over a decade, Ron has been the definition of reliable and his consistent effort sets a standard for all of us that have the pleasure of working alongside him.

Masters Pools are now available in the golf shop for those of you seeking some action on the event known as "a tradition unlike any other."

Until next time, keep 'em flying long and straight!

Jeff Ostlund
Head Golf Professional

As spring gives way to summer, so does the seasonal Ryegrass to Bermudagrass.  And the Golf Course Maintenance staff gets ready for projects and cultural practices like aerification and verticutting.

We plan on starting the fairway irrigation head replacement on the Peaks in mid-May.  Landscapes Unlimited has been contracted to perform the work, and the project should last 4 weeks.  Switching out the fairway heads will greatly improve the irrigation efficiency on the Peaks by ensuring all the heads are the same model and age.  Currently, there are no less than 5 or more types of sprinkler heads in the fairways with an unlimited number of nozzle combinations.  Some of these older heads turn at a slower speed than newer ones, and thus create dry or wet areas in the fairway.  We are hoping to reduce or eliminate these areas with the new heads.  As part of this project, I am also switching out the older control satellites with newer models to allow for great irrigation efficiency.  The old satellites are not manufactured anymore, and parts are getting hard to find.

I have hired a new Assistant to help me maintain both courses and manage the staff.  Brandon Berreth most recently came from Encanterra Country Club in San Tan, Arizona, where he served as Assistant Superintendent over 18 holes and 140 acres.  He was looking for more of a challenge, and Tonto Verde seemed to be a good fit for him, except now it is 36 holes and 140 acres.  Brandon is originally from Washington and is excited to be a part of the Tonto Verde experience.   Our main focus over the next few weeks is getting details in order and ensuring all associates are in line with what he and I are trying to accomplish in regards to daily maintenance.

I would encourage anyone who is still around on Friday, May 1st to sign up for the Superintendent's Challenge Golf Tournament.  From what I have been told from the previous year, this event is great fun with a lot of comradery.  And you even get awarded for something to do with a pink ball. 

Golf Course Superintendent

April 22 - MGA Closing Day - Morning or Afternoon

Please remember to sign up for Morning or Afternoon on the Golf Events page at tontoverde.org. Click Here and then choose either "MGA Closing Day Morning Shotgun" - 8:00AM shotgun on the Ranch golf course or "MGA Closing Day" - 12:30PM shotgun on the Ranch golf course. During the sign up process, answer (Yes/No) to "Will you attend dinner and awards?" 

If you wish to not play golf, but attend the MGA Closing Dinner and Awards, sign up on the TVA side of tontoverde.org - "Event Registration" - "MGA Closing Day - Dinner Only"

April 15 - MGA Tee Times

Last Chance for an MGA Cup Point. Click Here to sign up on the Golf Events page and choose "MGA Tee Times April 15th". The Golf Shop will make pairings and times.

MGA Cup

The top 48 point getters qualify for the MGA Cup Championship play - April 20 & 22.  Click Here and move to "MGA Cup Current Standings" to check the up-to-date standings.

MGA Board

Here are retiring board members Marianne Cooper and Dave Burns presenting the "Apple Award" to TVGC President Scott Thiss for his excellence as a Leader and Teacher. The Award was presented at the TVGC Annual Town Hall Meeting.