annual report 2015 - northern california golf association · report of the president northern...

2015Northern California Golf Association

ANNUAL REPORT of the

PRESIDENT

December 8, 2015

REPORT of the PRESIDENT

Northern California Golf Association Annual Report 2

As the end of my term rapidly approaches one of my final duties is to prepare a report on the “State of the NCGA.” It seems like only a short while ago I was listening to my predecessor, Brian Morse address the same responsibility at then end of 2014. Now that duty falls to me as I prepare to turn the reins over to the capable hands of John Ronca, your president for 2016. In my estimation the NCGA has maintained its status as one of the preeminent state/regional golf associations in the country. Although challenged by the somewhat stagnate state of golf as a whole, the NCGA continues to provide outstanding benefits to its members and has maintained its steadfast support of many efforts to enhance golf. Two accomplishments deserve special mention as we reflect on the past year.

First, your board of directors hired a new executive director. In September, the hiring of Joe Huston was announced after a national search. Although broad in scope, our selection process ultimately selected a truly “local” candidate. Joe resides in Monterey and had been an important member of the NCGA staff for a number of months with responsibilities focusing on membership growth and strategic planning. He has a remarkable record of achievement in the business world prior to coming to the NCGA and, most importantly, has a true passion for the game. An outstanding player with an enviable record of achievement on the course he has continued his love affair with the game through his involvement with the NCGA, the AT&T Pebble Beach Junior Golf Association and his home club. I am certain that Joe will continue our proud record of success and excellence and I look forward to the leadership and management that he will bring to our association.

Secondly, with the help of professional market researchers and after nearly a of year analysis of the golfers in our region, we are on the verge of offering new membership avenues that hopefully will grow our membership. You can expect details to be announced shortly. Our goal is quite simple—we want to be of service to every golfer in our region and subsequently to be able to offer more and better service to all of our members.

We should never forget that the genesis of the NCGA was to provide competitive opportunities for its members. We continue to be the leading state/regional golf association in providing those opportunities. No other association conducts the number of both scratch and net championships. Under the excellent leadership of your director of rules and competitions, Ryan Gregg, we lead the nation in opportunities for every member to enjoy the spirit and rewards of competing in the game we all hold dear.

Elsewhere today you will learn of the remarkable achievements of the NCGA Foundation, the charitable arm the NCGA. It is a truly wonderful story of bringing golf to youngsters who would otherwise not be able to enjoy the benefits of the game. Not only is the NCGA Foundation through its Youth on Course program bringing the game to Northern California youngsters, but its phenomenal success is resulting in a rapid spread throughout the nation as other golf associations recognize the benefits the program provides. I strongly encourage every NCGA member to become a supporter of the NCGA Foundation. It is an enormously important and successful part of the NCGA.

Report of the President


Lee Gidney, NCGA President 2015

Finally, I want to recognize the tremendous benefit that NCGA members have in the opportunity to play their member courses, Poppy Hills and Poppy Ridge. Following the remodeling of Poppy Hills in 2014, the course continues to accrue national accolades for superb golf and also as a model of environmental stewardship. Our efforts to conserve water while still providing one of the finest courses in the country have been recognized by many. Poppy Ridge, our 27 hole facility in Livermore, has also taken the lead in recognizing the importance of conserving water while at the same time providing a first-class experience for its patrons. It has regularly boasted fine conditioning and superb service in spite of the ongoing restrictions it faces. If you haven’t availed yourself of these two fine courses I urge you to do so. They are your courses! No other golf association provides its members with a benefit anywhere close to these two terrific venues.

In closing, I want to thank two groups of people who have had the largest impact on the success of the NCGA. First is the staff of your association. This group of more than 40 full-time professionals works diligently to serve you, the members. Without their competence and dedication the NCGA would clearly not be the leader it is. Second, the NCGA would never be able to enjoy the success it has without the more than 300 volunteers who give their time and expertise in support of our association. No other association has the benefit of so many dedicated and knowledgeable individuals. My hat goes off to all of these people—they are essential to our success.

Thank you for the opportunity and trust you gave me to lead our association. It has been an honor to work on your behalf. I hope to see many of you out on the golf course in the future.

Secretary, Northern California Golf Association NCGA Nominating Committee Oct. 9, 2015

In accordance with the NCGA bylaws, Article V, Section 3 – Election of Directors; Nominations;

Eligibility – the Committee selects the following ticket of directors for the year 2016 to be voted on at

the Annual Meeting on December 8, 2015:

First year of two-year term: Raymond M. Coates – California GC, region II Terry L. Fitzwater – Old Greenwood GC, region I Scott W. Gebhardt –Quail Lodge GC, region III

Second year of two-year term: Samuel A. Gross – Crow Canyon CC, region II David L. Pearson – Visalia CC, region III Richard M. Wise – Granite Bay GC, region I New one-year term:

Stacey Baba – EWGA San Francisco Bay Area, at large Thomas E. Bone – North Ridge CC, region I

Thomas H. Carter – eClub East Bay, At Large John A. Dodsworth – Palo Alto Hills region II

Gary Fox - Spring Creek GCC, region IIILee Gidney – Cypress Lakes GC, region I

Robert J. Goldstein – Sequoyah CC, region II Susan Morse – The Olympic Club, region II Michael J. O’Donnell – The Olympic Club, region II Patrick N. Quinn – San Jose CC, region II Gail A. Rogers – Pasatiempo GC, region II John A. Ronca – San Luis Obispo CC, region III Michael W. Weeks – Dairy Creek GC, region III Paul F. Yost, Jr. – Kings CC, region III

The Nominating Committee has previously nominated the following officers: President – John Ronca Vice President – Patrick N. Quinn Secretary-Treasurer – Thomas E. Bone Immediate Past President – Lee Gidney Respectfully Submitted

Brian Morse, Chairman

2015 NCGA NOMINATING COMMITTEE Lee Gidney Vaughn Kezirian Pat Quinn John Ronca Mike Weeks Paul Yost

Report of the Nominating Committee



The Rules and Competitions department offers the most extensive and diversified state/regional tournament program in the country, with nearly 500 tournament days in 2015. On a daily basis, the department continues to provide NCGA members the opportunity to enjoy the tournament experience at an affordable price on championship golf courses throughout the region.

The department conducted more than 25 qualifiers for USGA championships in addition to NCGA and State Amateur qualifiers. This department also provides educational services to benefit member clubs, individual members, volunteers and employees to support and promote the game of golf.

The Junior Tour of Northern California in partnership with the NCPGA, provided 28 championships for its more than 800 members in 2015. The JTNC staff was also responsible for conducting the boys and girls Northern California High School Championships. Justin Suh and Sabrina Iqbal captured Junior Tour Player of the Year honors.

Lake Merced GC hosted the 104th California Amateur. Shotaro Ban of San Jose (Senior at Cal Berkely) won the event by defeating Josh Sedeno of Rocklin 5 and 4. The NCGA team retained the Hanna/Wehrmann Cup Matches for the tenth consecutive time over the NCPGA. The NCGA’s Morse Cup team of Bryson Dechambeau, Corey Perreira and Maverick McNealy won the Pacific Coast Amateur Championship at Eugene Country Club in Eugene, Oregon.

Nick More of Monterey captured Player of the Year honors and Jim Knoll won the Senior title for the fifth consecutive year. The NCGA had three members win U.S Amateur titles 2015. Belmont CC member Bryson Dechambeau (right) won the U.S. Amateur, Olympic Club member Hanna O’Sullivan won the U.S. Women’s Amateur and Auburn GC member Karen Garcia won the US Senior Women’s Amateur.

The department also:

Conducted five Rules of Golf Seminars and four On-Course Rules Seminars for more than 400 attendees.

Presented workshops to more than 700 individuals from member clubs, special interest groups and golf teams.

Maintained the very popular “Stump the Rules Wizards” section of the NCGA website

Coordinated with allied associations in the administration of tournaments

Trained and offered continuing rules education to more than 200 tournament officials.

Recognized K.C. Cote as Tournament Official of the Year

Rules and Competitions

Ryan Gregg, Director


Communications and Marketing

Scott Seward, Director

The course rating and handicapping department provides the best USGA-authorized handicap service and support available, and ensures efficient, consistent course ratings. Department highlights include:

Performed 70 course ratings Completed 80 course measurement visits utilizing GPS-technology

Conducted 81 club visitations to upgrade computer hardware and educate club officials Re-introduced the NCGA-online Handicap Certification Seminar to facilitate club compliance with USGA Handicap System requirement. Recognized Chuck Jett as Course Rater of the Year.

Course Rating and Handicapping

The communications and marketing department advances the desired image of the NCGA, Poppy Hills, Poppy Ridge and NCGA Foundation while increasing overall brand awareness. It engages in a dialogue with golfers in the region via NCGA Golf, the official publication of the Association, enewsletters and social media. Department highlights include:

Continued to publish the Association magazine with award-winning writing on a quarterly basis Provided monthly/weekly dedicated eBlasts to members with golf news and travel deals

Began branding project to overhaul the public image of the Association Supported other Association departments in the creation of editorial and marketing collateral Created and held first meeting of an ad-hoc committee in fulfillment of strategic plan goals Conducted research with MeringCarson of Sacramento of members and non-members to better understand golfers and the Association’s role

Jim Cowan, Director

NCGA G LFV O L U M E 3 5 | N U M B E R 3 | S U M M E R 2 0 1 5 | P E B B L E B E A C H , C A L I F O R N I A | $ 3 . 9 5

Y O U T H G O L F I S S U E

THE MOST VALUABLE CARD IN GOLF

NCGA Foundation


Membership

Adam Heieck, Executive Director

The NCGA Foundation, also known as Youth on Course, provides youth access to life changing opportunities through golf. Youth on Course has expanded to Oregon, Idaho, Arizona, Utah, Washington, and Nevada, and will continue expanding in 2016.

Organizational highlights include:

Awarded 50 college scholarships, totaling $282,000 Subsidized 60,000+ rounds of golf at more than 175 participating facilities in Northern California Operated subsidized rounds program in 6 states Surpassed 10,000 members in Northern California Provided 32 paid high school internships at 15 NCGA member clubs Trained 100 YOC Caddie Academy participants who completed nearly 700 loops combined at 8 NCGA member clubs Funded $32,650 in YOC Caddie Academy college scholarships Provided opportunities for hundreds of youth to attend golf camps, PGA and LPGA Tour championships and leadership training events Offered financial aid for families who enter their children in Junior Tour of Northern California events


Membership

The membership department has one of the nation’s most robust member benefit platforms of all state and regional golf associations. The membership team has established itself as the trusted resource for the Northern California golf community. Program development, operation and sustainability are designed to ensure membership growth and bolster membership retention efforts.

We are pleased to report that after several years of declining membership, 2015 membership ended the year nearly flat with last year, with recent months showing growth.

Department highlights and initiatives: NCGA end-of-summer membership drive generated more than 3,000 members within a 40-day (mid-August – September) timeframe

Developed an online ecommerce platform to facilitate membership growth and retention efforts for 2016 Membership referral – developed a peer-to-peer member referral platform

Continued communication to clubs of the compliance requirement to ensure 100% enrollment of all members Associated Club Representative Days – December 2015 Club Officer webinars – ongoing

Member Outings: Executed 17 Member Outings with nearly1,600 total player entries

Provided unique member trip experiences to Bandon Dunes, Hawaii, and first international trip to Scotland

Member Experiences:

Delivered unique member benefit experiences including games with the Warriors, Giants, Rivercats, Stanford, and Raiders Participated in multiple regional golf events including: AT&T Pro-Am, Haggin Oaks Expo, Swinging Skirts, WGC Match Play, US Senior Open.

Joe Huston and Rick Rangel, Staff

Membership

Poppy Holding


Membership

Brad Shupe, General ManagerPoppy Holding is the management corporation of Poppy Hills in Pebble Beach and Poppy Ridge in Livermore.

Poppy Hills Poppy Hills has been open for its first full year in 2015 following the renovation and it has been a very special year.

All three major golf publications awarded Poppy Hills with their award for best renovation project, and the course recently was recognized as the “Course of the Year” by the California Golf Course Owners Association.

The Champions Tour made its annual visit with the Nature Valley First Tee Open and we attracted some great new names, including Fred Couples, Tom Watson and Colin Montgomerie. All professionals were very complimentary, with Montgomery taking the prize for best 2015 quote “Poppy reminds me a little bit of Pinehurst and a little bit of Pine Valley in many ways. This is an excellent course.”

The big issue in golf in 2015 was certainly water, and our progressive renovation seemed to be the template for future design and operational procedures. We were thrilled to host programming for the USGA, NGCOA, and GCSAA to share our story. Golf Channel created “Water Week” in early November and we were the lead story with a seven-minute in depth look behind the scenes at Poppy Hills. In fact, Poppy Hills is leading sustainability solutions for the industry, and water usage is down 25%.

Our support of Youth on Course expanded in 2015 with a new caddy program. A total of 157 loops were made by YOC caddies this summer generating almost $10,000 in scholarships. We also hosted 1,095 $5 rounds of golf while offering complimentary practice facilities for all YOC members.

The NCGA membership really noticed the maturity of the new course and seemed to truly enjoy the experience, either as part of 60+ NCGA competitive events, the 220+ club events or just a foursome with friends. Nearly 40,000 of the 45,000 rounds played are by NCGA members and the total discounts earned through NCGA membership exceed $1,500,000. It is also interesting to note the average member is driving almost two hours, making Poppy Hills a true home course for all NCGA members, not just those in the Monterey area.

Poppy Holding


Membership

Poppy Ridge This year was another great year at Poppy Ridge. Rounds have remained close to level with the previous year while golf revenues have risen slightly due to improved check-in procedures and reduction in 3rd party reservation services. Ridge continues to offer NCGA members one of the best golf values in Northern California.

As mandated by the state, we were under a 25% mandatory irrigation water reduction. We were able to reduce our irrigation by 29% by again not filling on course water features and not irrigating non-play areas. Playing conditions did not suffer as the course continues to be one of the best conditioned courses in the local area.

The Poppy Holding Board continues to invest in Poppy Ridge and the golf course and facilities continue to improve. Projects and Extra Focus in 2015 included:

Increasing course maintenance staff by two full-time greenkeepers. This is the second year in a row we have added to our course maintenance budget Converting the driving range landing area to Bermuda grass to improve aesthetics and to save water in future years. Landscaped front of clubhouse, eliminating overgrown vegetation and replacing with drought resistant and appealing plants. Painting exterior of most of the clubhouse and replacing outside furniture.

As always, a large focus has been on balancing nontraditional F&B business with the golf experience. As the clubhouse continues to be utilized as a banquet and wedding venue, our procedures and processes have improved to provide our NCGA members with the best experience possible while utilizing the building to maximize revenues.

2015 Tournament Results


Championship Winner Score Location

Amateur Match Play Championship Maverick McNealy, Sharon Heights 6 and 5 Spyglass Hill

Amateur Stroke Play Championship Robby Salomon, Preserve GC 209 Poppy Hills

Associate Club Championship Golf Mafia 244 Spyglass Hill/Poppy Hills

Associate Club Net Amateur Eric Jarvis, Vintage Park GC 139 Poppy Hills

Chardonnay Flight

Tara Bodrouk, Eagle Ridge Rewards 141

Merlot Flight

Jason Sims, E-Club San Francisco 141

Zinfandel Flight

Associate Club Four-Ball Net Kevin Oliveira and John Greitzer 127 Poppy Hills/Spyglass Hill

Redwood GC

Central Valley Zone Tracy GCC 254 Poppy Hills/Carmel Valley Ranch

CIF State High School Championship Westlake 373 Poppy Hills

CIF/NCGA Girls High School Mira Costa 391 Poppy Hills

East Bay Zone Round Hill 255 Carmel Valley Ranch/PoppyHills

East Sacramento Zone The Ridge 254 Poppy Hills/Carmel Valley Ranch

Four-Ball Championship Scott Raber and Ben Corfee 199 Spyglass Hill

El Macero CC

Four-Ball Net Championship Travis Early and Justin Graham 124 Spyglass Hill/Poppy Hills

Shelter Cove GC 1

Junior Championship Eddy Lai (Boys) 214 Spyglass Hill

Sabrina Iqbal (Girls) 147

Junior Players Championship Joshua McCarthy (Boys) 90 (Stable) Rancho Canada

Yoonhee Kim (Girls) 71 (Stable)

Master Division Championship Jerry Ledzinski 143 Poppy Hills/Spyglass Hill

Monterey Peninsula CC

Master Division Four-Ball Championship Scott Olds and Kip Yaughn 128 Poppy Ridge

Antioch GC and Oakhurst GC

Mixed Team Championship Terry and Jim Knoll 130 Poppy Hills

Chardonnay Flight

Mary Ann and Scott Taylor 134

Merlot Flight

Sasa and Jim Puchbauer 121

Zinfandel Flight

Net Amateur Richard Rutledge, Tuscan Ridge GC 136 Poppy Ridge

Chardonnay Flight

John Moran, Saratoga CC 135

Merlot Flight

Chuck Swenberg, Mill Valley GC 134

Zinfandel Flight

North Zone Canyon Oaks CC 259 Poppy Hills/Carmel Valley Ranch

North Bay Zone Foxtail 256 Carmel Valley Ranch/PoppyHills

North Sierra Zone Graeagle Meadows GC 258 Poppy Hills/Carmel Valley Ranch

North Valley Zone Plumas Lake G&CC 258 Carmel Valley Ranch/PoppyHills

Northeast Bay Zone Oakhurst CC 255 Poppy Hills/Carmel Valley Ranch

2015 Tournament Results


Parent/Child Championship Russ and Keila Takeuchi 139 Poppy Ridge GC

Chardonnay Flight

Kelsi and Mike Stieler 138

Merlot Flight

Walt and Travis Chrupalo 121

Zinfandel Flight

Public Links Championship Nick Moore 142 Poppy Hills/Spyglass Hill

Championship Flight

Public Links Net Championship Ken Gosselin, Bennett Valley GC 141 Spyglass Hill/Poppy Hills

Chardonnay Flight

Manuel Herrera, Riverside of Fresno GC 143

Merlot Flight

Jeff Benrey, E-Club South Bay 139

Zinfandel Flight

Sacramento Zone Emerald Lakes 260 Carmel Valley Ranch/Poppy Hills

San Francisco Bay Zone Poplar Creeg GC 263 Carmel Valley Ranch/Poppy Hills

Senior Championship Casey Boyns, Nicklaus Club 146 Spyglass Hill

Senior Four-Ball Championship Terry Foreman and Casey Boyns 204 Poppy Hills

Roddy Ranch and Nicklaus-Club Monterey

Super Senior Four-Ball Championship Kemp Richardson and James Myers 210 Poppy Hills

Senior Four-Ball Net Championship Eddie Williams and Frank Kerby 122 Poppy Hills

Senior Match Play Championship Jim Knoll, Rooster Run GC 19th hole Poppy Hills/Spyglass Hill

Senior Net Championship Sue Stryker, Company Club at Pebble 145 Poppy Hills

Chardonnay Flight

Bill Carle, Harding Park GC 135

Merlot Flight

Bruce Bartfeld, Peninsula Bell GC 141

Zinfandel Flight

Senior Women’s Amateur Championship Patricia Cornett, Olympic Club 152 Spyglass Hill/Poppy Hills

South Bay Zone Santa Clara GC 260 Poppy Hills/Carmel Valley Ranch

South Coast Zone Dairy Creek GC 252 Poppy Hills/Carmel Valley Ranch

South Sierra Zone Apple Mountain GR 261 Carmel Valley Ranch/Poppy Hills

South Valley Zone Sherwood Forest GC 252 Carmel Valley Ranch/Poppy Hills

Spring Mixed Team Championship Dorothy and Steve Donnelly 140 Poppy Hills

Chardonnay Flight

Mary Ann and Scott Taylor 135

Merlot Flight

Sasa and Jim Puchbauer 131

Zinfandel Flight

Super Senior Championship Gary Vanier, Roddy Ranch GC 141 Valley Hi CC

Team Match Finals (Overall) Oakhurst Thurs. def. Oakhurst Sat.

26-10 Poppy Hills

(Third Place) Belmont CC def. Spring Creek 20-16

Valley Amateur Championship Nick Moore, Bayonet/Black Horse GC 137 Dragonfly GC

Valley Amateur Senior Championship Dale Bouguennec, Contra Costa CC 142 Dragonfly GC

Women’s Championship Carly Childs, E-Club East Bay 146 Spyglass Hill/Poppy Hills

Zone Championship Dairy Creek GC 254 Spyglass Hill/Poppy Hills

Championship Winner Score Location


2015 Players of the Year

NCGA Player of the Year

Nick Moore Bayonet/Black Horse GC 1,280

Maverick McNealy Sharon Heights GCC 1,220

Robby Salomon Preserve GC 1,110

Jason Anthony Olympic Club 1,059

Bryson DeChambeau E-Club Fresno 975

Matt Cohn E-Club San Francisco 964

Jerry Ledzinski Monterey Peninsula CC 913

Jonathan De Los Reyes amateurgolf.com 858

Shotaro Ban Saratoga CC 850

Joshua Sedeno Morgan Creek GC 818

NCGA Senior Player of the Year

Jim Knoll Rooster Run GC 2,700

Casey Boyns Nicklaus Club-Monterey 1,963

Dale Bouguennec Contra Costa CC 1,892

Mark Miller Roddy Ranch GC 1,717

Terry Foreman Roddy Ranch GC 1,652

Scott Anderson Roddy Ranch GC 1,243

Gary Vanier Olympic Club 1,185

Steve Wilson Roddy Ranch GC 1,108

Jeff Burda Del Rio GC 958

Greg O'Malley Foxtail Men's GC 913

Junior Tour of Northern Calif. Boys Player of the Year

Justin Suh San Jose 2,260

Thomas Hutchison San Jose 1,755

Eddy Lai San Jose 1,657

Noah Woolsey Pleasanton 1,651

Joshua McCarthy Danville 1,604

Brad Sparrer Hollister 1,315

Ashkaan Hakim San Ramon 1,303

Bryan Baumgarten Granite Bay 1,298

Joshua Sedeno Roseville 1,240

Kevin Velo Danville 1,158

Junior Tour of Northern Calif. Girls Player of the Year

Sabrina Iqbal San Jose 3,955

Yealimi Noh Concord 2,307

Yoonhee Kim San Ramon 2,300

Kathleen Scavo Benicia 2,060

Amanjoty Sangha San Mateo 1,684

Quynn Duong San Jose 1,437

Ty Akabane Danville 1,380

Emilee Hoffman Folsom 1,372

Kaleiya Romero San Jose 1,288

Alice Liu Pleasanton 1,205

Player of the Year Nick Moore, Senior Player of the Year Jim Knoll, Super-Senior Player of the Year Herb Jensen, Junior Tour Boys Player of the Year Justin Suh and Junior Tour Girls Player of the Year Sabrina Iqbal

3200 Lopez Road | Pebble Beach, CA 93953 P (831) 625-4653 | www.NCGA.org

MISSION STATEMENT Support and promote the game of golf

VISION STATEMENT Be the leading regional golf association delivering

unparalleled service to a diverse, expanding membership and providing indispensable stewardship for the golf

community

annual report 2015 - northern california golf association · report of the president northern...

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