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FORT WILLIAM GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

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Fall 2017, ISSUE 3

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The Super News

Rain....blah.  We have been on the wet side most of the season with a near-record rainfall of 526 mm (21 inches).  This amount of rainfall had a significant impact on the quality of the cart paths (basically undoing the repairs) and the drainage on the driving range. 

The proposed plan this fall will focus on improving drainage on the driving range to minimize the number of days the range is unavailable to players next season.  We will also be accepting delivery of new leased/purchased equipment and golf carts.  

In addition to winterizing our existing equipment, we will be refurbishing and painting the water stations, select tee markers, small benches and assisting with Proshop and Clubhouse improvements.

We are currently blowing out the irrigation system and repairing any leaks.  Leaf blowing/mulching will continue daily as we head into winter.  In preparation for springtime runoff, work will continue on improving the drainage ditches.

The last cuts are this week (fairways/tees/aprons/rough), and the course will close Sunday October 29th.  Fungicide application will happen immediately after closing as well as cross line aeration and tarping of all greens.

Have a great winter and see you next season!

Greg Hollins, Course Superintendent

Nor'Westor clubhouse Lounge

The season is coming to an end, but the spectacular fall views provide a great backdrop for lunch or a beverage after your round.  We are still offering a limited menu and Chef Graham will have soup, sandwiches and food specials in the Club Lounge.  

The beverage cart is no longer available for the season.

Lounge hours:

Noon to 5pm Monday through Friday

10am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday

The Lounge will close for the season Sunday October 29th.

Keli Foglia, Director of Member Services

Golf Passes

Reminder:   Any passes issued prior to 2017 will expire at the end of this season.  Going forward, all passes issued can be used no later than the date of expiry as indicated on the pass.

Starters wanted

The Vice President of Golf, Grant Lilley and our Head Professional Craig, will continue to monitor and track golf rounds and market trends.  Starters will be in place during times of high course utilization to record trends of green fee players and members.  

We would like to increase our volunteer pool so that we can implement this successfully.  Members or non-members can earn clubhouse credits towards green fee passes or golf carts based on the number of hours you volunteer.  

If you are interested or know of anyone who might be, please contact the Pro Shop. 

 

THE Pro Shop 

The 2017 season had many challenges as a result of the weather.  Despite the number of rainy days, our members enjoyed 25,000  rounds of great golf and our guests 3000 rounds.

FWGCC hosts approximately 24 open tournaments annually, hosting close to 1000 people in this social and active pass time.

Our goal is to provide our members and guests, our customers, quality and affordable golf and golf instruction, fun activities and good quality merchandise.  In addition, our professional staff are eager to make golf an enjoyable social experience. 

The 2018 season planning is well underway.  There will be a variety of member golf tournaments to look forward to.  

Planning for golf clinics, club fitting and demo days are on the agenda as is golf and dining special events.

On behalf of Assistant Golf Professional Jimmy Szturm, the boys in the backshop and myself, we would like to thank you for your support this season and we look forward to an exciting and enjoyable 2018 golf season!   

 

the junior development program

Our mission is to provide all children the opportunity to learn and play the game of golf.  The junior program is focused on instilling the concept that golf is "More than a game".  

This is accomplished through a comprehensive education and development program delivered by golf Pro's and our program volunteers.  

Through golf, our purpose is to instill positive life values in young golfers, including honor, integrity, work ethic, self-discipline, pride, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and perseverance.

This year was largely successful with close to 50 juniors enrolled in the program, sponsored by Paul Fitzpatrick, MNP.

We are excited to continue to develop our youth with the junior development program in 2018!

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Craig Morton, Director of Golf

Code of Conduct 

Please review the FWGCC Code of Conduct with your young golfer, follow the link below.

Click Here

 

 

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Please send feedback/comments to directors@fwcc.ca 

 

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HIGHLIGHTS

  1. The Super News
  2. Nor'Westor Clubhouse Lounge
  3. Golf Pass Reminder
  4. Starters Wanted
  5. The Pro Shop
  6. Junior Development Program
  7. Code of Conduct
  8. Message from the President
  9. Fond Farewell
  10. Thanking our Volunteers
  11. Bench Rejuvenation Project
  12. Clubhouse Improvements
  13. Chef's Tips
  14. Course Advertising

Message from the Club President

It’s hard to believe its already at the end of another golfing season.  I know personally that I didn’t get out as much as I would have liked this summer, but there is always next year!   

On a positive note, we have had a great response to the volunteer program.  For those who haven’t heard, we have a volunteer reward program in place, so if there are any members out there that want to volunteer some time to take care of odds and ends around the club, please reach out.  We have a large list of tasks that need to be done, including painting, flooring, electrical and other miscellaneous repairs, so if you can spare some time, we’d love to hear from you.

Several on the board have heard concerns from members so I wanted to take the opportunity to clarify the current situation.  As we all know, the weather this year was less than ideal.  I am not sure if we set any records for total rainfall this summer, but it certainly wouldn’t surprise me if we did.  The poor weather had a significant influence on our revenue, and predictably, we are below budget in almost every revenue category.  Unfortunately, our operating costs are pretty static, so although we did all we could to reduce costs, we do not have sufficient space to reduce costs enough to reach the projected budget results.  

We have met with the bank and they are pleased with the efforts made to keep costs in check and we do not currently see the need for an assessment. 

Further, we do not see the need for any drastic changes going forward.  As we approach the fall, the board will be setting a series of planning meetings to review our financial position, and evaluate the lessons learned this year.  A key lesson from this past year is that we need to have additional flexibility to reduce our fixed costs so we can more favourably cope with low revenue years.  Options to reduce our fixed costs without sacrificing service will be a key focus of the planning sessions.  

As always, the Board is interested in your feedback, so please feel free to email anytime to our directors@fwcc.ca email account.

Gord Wickham, President

fond farewell 

The Board of Directors would like to announce that Nancy Campbell has accepted an exciting fulltime position with a new start up company.  It was a pleaseure working with Nancy and her absence will be greatly felt.  Nancy, we thank you for your time and dedication while you worked for us.  Best Wishes as you embark on a new challenge!

thanking our volunteers

We would like to take this opportunity to the members who donated their time helping to make improvements to our club!  We look forward to increasing our volunteer pool next season.  

If you are interested, send an email to directors@fwcc.ca

Bench Rejuvenation Project

In the off season, Linda Hiscock with the assistance of Sharon Roberts and Lynda Battison have taken three of the memorial benches to Linda Hiscock's for repair and refinishing.  If you would like to participate in the Rejuvenation Project with your bench or others, please contact Greg or Craig in the Proshop.  

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CLUBHOUSE improvements

We will be replacing the flooring in the office in the coming week with the assistance of our members and friends.  Looking forward to working on these improvements!

If you are interested in helping out and having a fun time doing it, please email directors@fwcc.ca

Important Notice:  Any improvements to the club, structural or esthetic must be approved by the Board of Directors.

Chef's tips 

RECIPES ARE ONLY A GUIDELINE, NOT THE BIBLE:

Feel comfortable replacing ingredients with similar ingredients that you like. If you like oregano but not thyme, use oregano.

FRESH BASIL:

Fresh basil keeps much better and longer at room  temperature with the stems in water.

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course advertising

There will be new opportunities for local businesses to advertise on our golf course.  With close to 30,000 rounds of golf annually, this is a great way to profile and increase visibility of your business!

For more information, please email the office at  office@fwcc.ca or call 807-475-8925.

 

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