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December 8, 2015
Greetings!
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As we continue to improve the mobile friendly layout to the Divot Digest and Update you will notice some changes this month. For instance, in addition to finding links to information in the Information Central section you will see some of the same links interspaced adjacent to the section to which that item applies.
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From The President
The Board of Directors met in the clubhouse on December 3rd at its regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting agenda was not lengthy and the Board heard a great presentation on marketing and branding from our Director of Marketing, Shari Cashman. There certainly is a great deal of activity and excitement as we position ourselves for the future.
The Board did approve two items.
Event Space: A new golf event space is planned near the new cart storage facility. It will include new scoreboards, landscaping, pavers and accent lighting. Although separate from the facility itself, Jeff Ostlund, Dave Burns and Rich Varda have designed a wonderful venue for us to meet after golf events to see scores posted and socialize. Pam and Chuck Torrance will provide their landscaping expertise to dress the space appropriately. Total funds were approved for $7,000.
Critical Issues: Each year the Board has met to assess what are the "Critical Issues" to be addressed during the golf season. This year the following were determined to be those requiring attention and a game plan.
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Critical Issue
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Process Owners
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Mike Morehouse, Gregg Libbey
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Harry Ward, Dick Danais
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Russ Chance
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In addition several key initiatives were identified. These include creating a Communications Committee and renegotiating the Desert Maintenance and Putting Course agreements with the TVA. These agreements terminate in June.
We will report back to you as we make progress..
Scott Thiss
President
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The Next Board of Directors Meeting is Thursday January 7th
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Superintendent's Tee Box
Seasons greetings Tonto Verde members. Living in a place with no snow, it is hard to get the full feeling of the holidays. But the cold weather we have had for the past 2 weeks helps to add to the experience. It is nice not having to shovel snow and defrost windows.
When the weather changes, so does the turfgrass plant as well as the environment with which the plant grows. Almost all turfgrasses grown in cooler climates are happy when the soil temperatures are between 50-65 degrees. Anything below that and the plant goes into a state of reduced growth. With our recent cold snap, the Ryegrass on both courses has had little to no growth. To help the Ryegrass along, we fertilize it utilizing liquid sprays which are absorbed by the leaves for rapid uptake and use. We also use granular fertilizers, but the results are much slower as the plant has to utilize some chemical process to utilize the fertilizer. One issue we are seeing at Tonto Verde, as well at Rio Verde and Vista Verde Ranch, is an increase of wetness in the fairways. Most of this is due to the cold weather causing the soils to tighten up and reducing drainage. We are dealing with this issue by reducing watering and evaluating sprinkler runtimes. Also, I have applied wetting agents which will help move water from the surface and through the root zone. To help the golf course during these cold periods, we ask that all carts utilize the 90 degree rule. Carts should leave the path at a 90 degree angle to their ball. Then proceed to hit the ball and maybe your partner's ball, then get back on the path. I have noticed carts getting on the turf right past the tee box then getting back on the path near the green. As I stated above, the turf does not grow much in cold temperatures. Less turf damage will result by limiting the amount of traffic on the fairways from using the 90 degree rule. The Tonto Verde Agronomy staff wishes everyone Happy Holidays and to a great New Year. Keep it in the short grass, Travis Blamires Golf Course Superintendent
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From The MGA
As the holidays approach and everyone gets busy, remember to register for the January 6th, 12:30 MGA shotgun and dinner meeting. Our annual Match Play Tournament starts on January 13th. It is flighted by handicap and is always a popular event. You can Click Here to sign up today for the January MGA meeting and beginning December 13th for the Match Play event.
You will also see tabs for Interclub sign up. If you would like to be considered to play in one of the Interclub matches, sign up and Captain Bill Banholzer will be selecting the team from those guys who are on the list. The dates and times for each match are listed. Do not sign up if you cannot play on the day listed.
Our December shotgun was won by the team of Lee Carlson, Rob Crosbie, Marty Robertson, and Pat Echelbarger with a score of 21 under 115. Everyone be safe during the holidays and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the MGA.
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Click Here For The Golf Event Calendar
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From The WGA
Another successful WGA event took place on December 1. "Girls Gone Wild" was the theme for this season's 1-Day Guest Day. 72 participants enjoyed golf and dinner with a safari theme. Congratulations to all the flight and hole event winners, and thanks to Sandy Palmer, Karen Reams and their committee for planning a great event.
Don't forget to set your alarms for 7:00 a.m. on January 2, 2016 to register your team for the very popular 4-MemberTournament scheduled for Tuesday, February 2nd and Thursday February 4th.
"It'll be here before you know it." The 2016 Hohokum Guest Event is scheduled to begin with practice rounds on March 13-15 and tournament rounds on March 16-17. Sign-up also begins on January 2, 2016 at 7:00 a.m.
Registration for the 4-Member and the Hohokum always fills up fast so be an early bird and sign up on time.
Congratulations to WGA member Cathy Munger for her Hole in One on November 29. Cathy scored the ace on hole 12 of the Peaks course with a 7 iron.
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From The CGA
Three couples events to sign up for soon! Click Here to signup for The Match Play Event on ForeTees. You will have 3 months from January 1st to April 1st to arrange to play four matches. Couples will be flighted according to combined handicap. Tees will be assigned to each flight for women and men on each course based on where the majority of players typically play. Current handicaps will be used for each match.
The Mixed Member/Member is on January 31st. This event fills fast and it will be limited to 96 players on the Peaks course, so mark your calendars for a January 4th signup! The format is our traditional chapman with dinner and awards following. Questions contact Gail and DeWayne Andersen or the Golf Shop.
The next Friday Night Couples Event will be on December 18th and you can Click Here starting on December 11th to sign up. We have had great turnouts this year and you can choose to be paired by the Pro Shop or, if you wish, you can request to play with someone. Guests are welcome!
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From The NDA
The Tonto Verde NDA would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing everyone on January 5th for our next monthly meeting and luncheon. Safe travels for all those on the roads.
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From The Lady Putters
The Lady Putters were greeted with a new course layout on the 18-hole putting course December 2. And despite not being familiar with the course, there were an impressive number of holes-in-one! In fact, Becky Peterson chalked up three and Sue Long earned two. Not an easy feat! Lady Putters will meet as scheduled December 9 and 16. The annual Holiday Party and Toys for Tots lunch will take place December 16. All Putters are asked to bring an unwrapped gift for the Toys for Tots campaign. Sign up for Lady Putters on Foretees. For regularly scheduled weekly events, registration begins at 10 a.m. and putting at 10:30, followed by lunch. Lady Putters will not meet December 23 or 30.
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Electric Cart Building Landscaping & Event Space
Landscaping is in progress with irrigation, boulders and plantings started. Trellises have been ordered and will be installed in the next week or two. The landscaping will flow to the Event Space adjacent to the putting green and the scoreboard. The Event Space will be about 32' x 36' and enhanced with plantings and planter pots. Pavers have been ordered and will be installed next week.
Most of the labor is being done by staff and designed by Pamm Torrance with the assistance of Chuck Torrance and Rich Varda. This will beautify the area and polish our Brand.
Dave Burns
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Process for Peer and Posting History Review
Periodically, each TVGC member should log into ForeTees and verify their personal posting history. Additionally, it may be necessary to perform a peer review of another club member. The following process outlines the steps to perform these reviews.
- Log into ForeTees and select "Golf" from the banner
- Scroll down and select "Post a Score"
- Select the Horizontal Line Icon next to the word "Menu"
- From the drop down list, select "Handicaps"
- From the drop down list, select "Peer Review Report"
- From the Member List box, select the first letter of your last name or your peer's last name
- From the Name List, select your name or your peer's name
- Once the name is populated in the Search Box, select "Search"
Another process can be followed to obtain the same information.
- Follow steps 1-4 above
- From the drop down list, select "View Handicaps and Scores"
- At the bottom of the page select "Peer Review Reports"
- Enter all or part of your name or your peer's name
- Select your name or your peer's name from the drop down list
Handicap Committee
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