Officers and Board Member Meeting

April 2nd 2009

Rolling Oaks Driving Range/Sports Bar

 

Meeting Opened at 6:40

 

Attendees: Ron Boone, Steve VanWert, Pete Cliburn, Mike Linares, John Hernandez - Jesse Flores was unavailable to attend

 

Topics of Discussion

 

1. Member Communications

2. Forming ITG Committees

3. Board Members

4. Tee Boxes (revisited)

5. Meetings of ITG

6. Silent Auctions

7. Dues

8. Games and Format Changes

9. Conduct

10. Thong Adjuster

11. Honorary Members

12. ITG ID Cards

13. Rules Books

14. Groupings

 

Meeting Adjourned at 8:58

 

Member Communications

 

It was discussed that we thoroughly communicate to our members more effectually and to poll members for changes to the clubs policies on playability rules.

 

    A. Open up a “Poll” link on the homepage so members can indicate their opinions on topics such as

        1. Courses

        2. Tee Times

 

    B. Open up a link within the website to contact the President of the Club with a direct line of communications

        1. Sent to all Board Members - but answered by the President of ITG

 

    C. State of The ITG Newsletter

        1. Sent VIA email to everyone on the ITG mailing list

        2. Sent 4 times a year - every quarter.

        3. Written by the ITG president.

 

Committees of ITG

 

It was discussed that we start to adopt committees within the ITG and start to poll members to fill these slots.  Each committee will have 1 officer/board member and 1 member each.  The committees discussed are:

 

    A. Handicap Committee (Officer acting as chairman - John Hernandez)

        1. Must take USGA Handicapping test located here:

        http://www.usga.org/playing/handicaps/understanding_handicap/seminar/

            a. Select "Texas Golf Association" as the Authorized Golf Association

            b. Golf Club name is "Iron Thong Golf"

            c. Select Member Club of Golf Association

 

    B. Merchandise Committee (Officer acting as chairman - Mike Linares)

        1. Find merchandise for the Club members to buy - With our Logo on it

            a. Hats

            b. Towels

            c. ID Cards

            d. Tournament Gifts and Giveaways

 

    C. Membership Committee (Officer acting as chairman - Ron Boone)

        1. Interview new members and welcome to club

            a. Guest can only play 3 rounds (After that point they must either join or not play)

            b. New member welcome packs

            c. Explain Handicap System, Website locations, how to sign up for tee times - etc.

 

    D. Rules Committee (Officer acting as chairman - Steve Vanwert)

        1. Must watch USGA Rules Videos located Here:
        http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/video_index.html
        2. Must watch USGA Animation Rules Violations and Exceptions

        http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/animations/index.html

        3. Take Quizzes' located:

        http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/rules_quizzes.html

       

Board Members

 

The Board Members and Officers discussed meeting requirements and direction of ITG

 

        1. Change the current By-Laws of the ITG

            a. It was voted upon that we change some miswording in our current by-laws to reflect

                - Board Members - from 5 to 6

                - The home course "Golf Club of Texas" to "The Hawk Golf Course"

                - Anything to reflect changes as to the topics of this meeting to meet our growing demands

                - Tee Boxes played from

        2. Board Members and Officer meetings

            a. The Board and Officers will meet every two months

                - issues

                - policies

                - growth

                - rules

 

Tee Boxes

 

Once again we revisited the Tee Box issue.  This playability issue has been our biggest issue ever.  We have discussed this over and over and have now decided to make another change to the Tee Box location on each course.  Some courses are harder at 6500 yards then others. 

   

        1.  ITG will play from a tee box that is closest to a "Course Rating of 70" or further.

            a. In most cases this will not change the distance unless the slope of the course is ultra high and in that case it will allow the group to move up one tee box.

        2. Any member who wishes to play a rating that is higher may do so

            a. if the group is playing "whites" any member at his sole choice may play further back

                - will be entered in the system from the players chosen tee box.

                - no member may play closer then the standard "70 Rating"

        3, Women will "ALWAYS" Play from RED Tee's unless they are marked a different color

 

Silent Auctions

 

We will try and get sponsors who wish to donate golf paraphernalia to ITG to auction off during our tournaments and/or general membership meetings.

 

        1. Approach local golf stores

            a. Supplies and merchandise

            b. Coupons

            c. Free Rounds

            d. Coupons

            e. Supplies and merchandise

        2. Responsibility falls on

            a. Merchandise Committee

Dues

 

Dues were discussed in how we handle them and how they are to be paid

 

        1. Dues changes in cost

            a. No changes

        2. Dues will be due

            a. Before tournament with current members

            b. New members must pay within 3 rounds to become a member

 

Games and Format Changes

 

It was discussed that ITG Play more formats and more pools

 

        1. Format changes once per month to include

            a. Two Man Blind Draw $5.00 pool

            b. Stableford format $5.00 pool that will replace skins

            c. Red/White/Blue tournament

                - 4th of July

 

Member Conduct

 

It was discussed because of growth how we handle members who just don't want to adhere to our mission statement

 

        1. President will discuss with member issues

            a. first offense (verbal)

            b. second offense (written)

            c. Third offense (suspension but not limited to expulsion)

        2. Rules email    

            a. once a month a rules email will be sent out to members outlining certain common rules

                - Handled by Pete Cliburn

 

Thong Adjuster 

 

        1. New Link on website that highlights the Thong Adjuster Online Magazine

            a. Written and Published by Steve Vanwert

            b. Official ITG Media Material

 

Honorary Members

 

No person may become a member of ITG who is younger than 18 years of age, as stated in the by laws.  The board has the right to make any player an honorary member. It was voted upon by the board unanimously to upgrade Alexis Cliburn to Honorary Member status. ITG fully supports all age golfers and it is our duty as a USGA Golf club to support the future of this wonderful game we call golf.  

    

           1. Alexis will start to adapt a USGA Handicap

                a. Pays $20.00 dues

                b. Mandatory birdie pool

                c. Mandatory $1.00 to kitty

                d. Plays from RED tee box

                e. Eligible for tournament  

 

ITG ID Cards

 

It was discussed that we offer our members a benefit to the ITG and to their dues. The creation of an ID Card was discussed to allow local golf shops and course to offer discounts to anyone carrying an ID Card.

 

        1. Discounts    

            a. Local Golf Stores

            b. Rounds of golf

            c. Merchandise

 

USGA Rules Books

 

The "NEW" 2008-2009 rules books have been published by the USGA.  Every member and new member will receive these at no cost.

 

        1. Members and new members receive "FREE"

        2. We have 100 books - we will share with

            a. The Hawk

            b. Tapatio Springs

            c. Hyatt

 

Groupings

 

It was discussed how groupings are handled. 

 

        1. Each member will be grouped according to their last round "NET"

        2. Members may "REQUEST" to play with other members by submitting an email or noting it in the confirmation page on our website.