The Circle R Round-Up - February 2005

Manager’s Report

As you all know, the lifeblood of any golf course is the selling of “time,” that is, tee times. If a group fails to show up for their time, income is lost and can’t be recovered. We have had a disturbing amount of “no shows,” or members making tee times and not calling to cancel. On the most recent Saturday (which was sunny) we had 20 no shows from members, either not showing for their time, or showing up with less players than reserved. I am asking all members to help us eliminate this problem by letting the pro shop know as soon as possible any changes in their reservation. A continuation of no shows will force us to start double booking like the airlines to offset the loss of play. I am hopeful that your anticipated cooperation will “nip this problem in the bud!”

On a more positive note, our Member Roster is completed, and you can pick up your copy in the office. I would like to thank the Advisory Board for their hard work in compiling all the data required. A special thanks goes to Fred Coleman and KonicaMinolta for producing all the copies for the roster. On a personal note, I’d like to thank out-going presidents Marsha Coleman and John Buerfeind for their encouragement and guidance during my first year at Castle Creek.

Larry Taylor- General Manager

New Members

We would like to welcome the following new members to Castle Creek:

Jack and Mary O’Brien William Brown John Ueless

Jerry Mann Jack Lakin Terri and Cheryl Coombs

Victor Botello Al Stehly Audie Soyland

Welcome to the friendliest club around!

Oh’s Tee Shots- Part 1

January’s deluge provided me with an excellent view of the course’s drainage. I must tell you that I have never seen a course drain so well. We actually were never closed, at least to walkers. We did uncover a hidden drain on #14 that in the past has caused a lake in the fairway. That was fixed; and in the future, we should see a tremendous improvement in drainage on that hole. The on-rush of water in the creek actually helped clean out some of the more obnoxious Arundo, the bamboo-like bushes. The views on #3, 16, and 17 in particular were improved. We plan on continuing to clear out brush in the month’s ahead.

Oh’s Tee Shots- Part 2

With the completion of the restoration of #2 tee, we are now moving to #6. After that, we will turn our attention to #15, increasing and raising the back tee. We will be installing a cement platform and artificial mat on the warm-up cage as well during February. Our biggest project will be the dredging of the 1st reservoir off #14. The reservoir was installed in the mid 1950’s, and has never been cleaned. The accumulated silt and clay has risen at least 5 feet during that time, with the floor level literally almost at the level of the out-take pipe to the main reservoir on #7. This is why the water level on #7 radically decreases during the summer. In addition, the dirty water drawn from 14 infiltrates into the irrigation system, causing damage to the pipes and heads. Sometimes I feel like I am living a golf course version of the movie “The Money Pit!”

Tee Oh- Superintendent

News From The View

We hope to see all of you at our two big events in February- the Super Bowl Party on the 6 th and our gourmet Valentine’s Day dinner on the 12 th. Please call ahead and reserve your spot as both events will probably be sold out. I am pleased to announce that Waylon Zabriskie, our popular bartender, has been promoted to Bar Manager as a result of his great efforts.

Julian Tellames-Clubhouse Manager

Divot Party

We will be having our popular divot party on Sunday, February 27, at 3:00. Come on out and support your club. You will be provided a free drink and appetizers for your hard work!

Men’s Club News

Another year has gone and we are all a year older and, hopefully wiser. As the last putt dropped in 2004 and stayed on the green on #9, we are looking forward to a great golfing year. The course, due to Larry and Tee’s efforts, is in as good a shape as we have ever seen it. There are many more improvements in store for the coming months.

Being a rookie president, I have yet to find out what is in store for me, but I will do my best to make the men’s club strong and viable. If there are any complaints or suggestions, please let me know and I will discuss them with management. By doing this I feel our concerns will be better served. Present them to me in writing and I will see that they are acknowledged. If you know of any potential members, invite them out to play. This is your course-be proud of it and show it off!

Art Lynch- President

Hot Stick Tournament Results

1 st Flight- Tie between Alfred Holtermann and Steve Gjorkovski (68)

2 nd Flight- Clelland Ward (63)

3 rd Flight- Frank Betonte (66) Revised Hdcp- Index of 36.4 equals a 40 handicap on the white tees. In order to participate in the Club Championship, you must play in at least 12 Wednesday events. Finally, please check the bulletin board for desk assignment date.

Hugh Salisbury- Tournament Chairman

Editor’s Note

Last month we mistakenly wrote that Cliff Bernard’s high school championship team was the Vista Panthers- it was the CIF Champion Valley Center High Jaguars.

Sundowners

It was nice to see so many sign up for our monthly 9-hole event. We had over 40 golfers participate. What was particularly satisfying was the fact that we had 6 new golfers come out and join in on all the fun. All Members and neighbors are always invited to play, whether you have an official handicap or not. The purpose of Sundowners is to go out and have fun and fellowship, and to get introduced to this great game of golf! The event is held on the last Thursday of every month, starting in the afternoon, with an informal dinner afterwards. We hope to see you out this month!

Golf Course Policies

I’d like to kindly remind all members that policies regarding outside play apply to our members as well. Members who own carts are asked not to bring outside coolers or other beverage containers to the course. In addition, when there is a situation where we have multiple single cart members playing together, please try to keep your carts on the paths or roughs as much as possible. Having 4 carts in one group driving straight up a fairway doesn’t help Tee keep our fairways lush. On a final note, there may be some confusion regarding the allowance of fivesomes on the course. On a general note, we do not allow fivesomes. However, the pro shop does reserve the right to allow 5 to play, provided they keep up with play.

Floodwaters from #16 Bridge

Note how waters have cleaned out debris from creek