Castle Creek #4 Ranked Course In San Diego County

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The Circle R Round-Up - Oct 2007

CASTLE CREEK GOLF COURSE IMPROVEMENTS CONTINUE

NEW TEE FOR THE LADIES AND DECORATIVE HAZARD BORDER INSTALLED ON #14

New Tee Hazard Border

We have just completed the construction of a new Green Tee on hole #14, replacing the poorly constructed temporary style tee. In addition, we have moved it to the east side of the bridge, allowing our shorter hitters a better test of golf. We have also cleaned up and trimmed the left side of the fairway that will allow all of or golfers a cleaner look. The difference is quite remarkable. Just ahead of the new Tee you will find a decorative natural looking tree log border along the hazard. Our Rules Gurus, Jan Salisbury and Ken Smith along with Aaron, have established the official boundary of the hazard along this border. Look for a full "Rules in Pictures" explanation in next month's issue of the "Roundup"

THERE IS A NEW CLUB AT CASTLE CREEK

THE "NOONERS" INCREASE IN POPULARITY FOR CASTLE CREEK COUNTRY CLUB MEMBER GOLFERS

Nooners

Twenty Castle Creek "Nooners" participated in a nine-hole fun filled golf tournament followed by a noontime luncheon party. A very popular "order from the menu" lunch was served in the privacy of the Club Banquet Room followed by cake and champagne for all. Club decorations and table settings were at an all time best and greatly contributed to a friendly and festive gathering. The ten-thirty shotgun start allowed for a leisurely wake up call for all and plenty of time for a breakfast with that second cup of coffee. By the time of the tournament start, the last raindrops had fallen and ten teams in five foursomes set out on a nine-hole shamble contest. The weather was perfect and the scores were close. Marion and Ken Smith took first place honors with a net 28 followed by Ellie (Birthday Girl) and Harry Carter in second with a 29. Fumie and Hideki Shimazaki tied with Mara Lee Ashworth and Dan Albee for third with a 30. The hosts for this tournament, Ginnie and Ray Miller, did a magnificent job organizing and running the festivities. The Buerfeinds will be hosting the next Nooners tournament scheduled for October 18th with a 1030 shotgun start. If you haven't signed up already, give them a call. If you have a birthday coming up in the next few months sign up with Nooners and we will throw an old fashion birthday party for you in a decorated banquet room following the game. Lee Estes is the coordinator for Nooners as well as Couples so give him a call. He will make all the arrangements.

MANAGER'S REPORT

The transformation of our dinner menu to the Circle R Ranch Steak House is nearing completion. We have brought on board Geoff Atkinson, who has had extensive experience, working at such places as Chuck’s Steak house. Geoff will be preparing the best steaks around, cooked exactly to your order! Once the menu has been perfected, we will be inviting all of our members and neighbors to a special opening weekend that will feature pricing from the 1950’s - in honor of our birth date as Circle R Resort. Please continue to be patient. Our goal is to open in mid October with everyone receiving a special invitation. Larry Taylor-General Manager

BRUSH CLEARING NEARS COMPLETION

Brush Clearing

The views from Castle Creek’s tee boxes are feeling better and better each day, thanks to the clearing of Moosa Creek along holes #3,13,14,16, and 17. The clearer views not only are more enjoyable, but also create a much safer environment, as golfers will be able to now see where the other golfers are. We’ll continue cleaning additional areas in the next month or so.

AARON'S PRO TIPS - THE DREADED PUNCH SHOT

How many times can you recall staring down that flagstick on #6, only to hit a shot that balloons up in the air and is knocked down short of the green by a gusting wind? Times like these are perfect for a little knockdown that cuts in under the wind and actually makes it to the green. I really don’t know too many amateurs that can successfully accomplish this shot not because they don't have the ability but more for lack of understanding on how to execute the shot. Several things to remember here; always grab one club more or higher, swing easy with plenty of body rotation and never let the hands and club finish above the shoulders. As I stated earlier, this is a smooth swing, trust the club (it will get there) that's why we grab one club higher. Place the ball about one ball width back in your stance for what you normally would with that club. Now as you swing through impact the hands and the club will stay directly in front of your chest. Imagine that you are driving that ball into the ground; this will allow you to stay down and through it. As you finish allow you body to rotate facing the target with your hands and club low. No big rush here, once you are able to flatten out these shots on cue, you'll be boring through the wind and knocking down flagsticks in no time. Aaron Kelsey, Director of Golf

OH'S TEE SHOTS

Normally in the past, October has been a month of trauma to our course. Typically the greens are punched and sanded heavily, causing 2-3 weeks of misery for both members and guests. We then add insult to injury when later in the month we over seed the fairways with winter rye grass. This October will be different. The greens will be aerified in the same manner introduced early this summer - smaller tines with a light sand dusting. This process has been producing acceptable turf growth, and we*ll continue this practice throughout the balance of the year. Within 2-3 days, not weeks, the greens will be normal again. Our approach with the fairways will be different as well. We will not be over seeding the fairways with Rye, but rather establishing a process in which we will be nurturing the Bermuda and Kikuyu grass to withstand the cooler seasons. This protocol has had success in other finer courses in the San Diego area such as Torrey Pines and Steele Canyon, and we intend to do the same. The concept of encouraging warm grasses to grow without competition from Rye eliminates the awkward spring transition period where the Rye blades and canopy severely restricts Bermuda and Kikuyu growth. The annual late spring ‘hot spots’ we encounter when the rye dies and the Bermuda hasn’t developed will be eliminated. You particularly see it on holes #10,11, and 12 where we’ve historically encounter poor turf quality. The obvious down side will occur if and when we are hit with below freezing temperatures for an extended period of time, causing the Bermuda to go dormant (the Kikuyu will better withstand such temperatures). There are now available several heating agents that we will apply that will help the Bermuda to snap out of its winter sleep. Our hope is that the result will be stronger, fuller fairways throughout the entire year and establish a base for the years to come. We will, however, over seed the tees as usual with rye, and add additional rye on the green collars to eliminate these unsightly clumps we encounter each winter. We’ll keep you posted on our progress throughout this season.
Tee Oh- Superintendent

MEN'S CLUB NEWS

October is the month to renew your membership. “It’s in the mail”, or “my wife takes care of that kind of stuff” won’t hack it. You will still get charged an extra $10 if you procrastinate and don’t get your fee in by the 15th of November. Lets help Lee out and everybody get their dues paid during the month of October. We thank you.
October brings us three weeks of the “Shoot Out”. We hope you have already lined up a partner for this interesting major Tournament.
We are only fifty-two days away from voting on your 2008 team of Officers and Directors. Remember, all nominations must be in writing and submitted no later than seven days before the election.

CASTLE CREEK TRAVELING GOLF TEAM

A team comprised of Bud Barnes, Hal Helfand, Dan Albee, John Lizotte, Charles Newcomb and Gayle Harlow played Cottonwood there on August 31st for our 18th match of the season. The B group of Albee and Lizotte managed a fine 5 to 1 win, which pulled the team through to a 9 to 9 split. The re-match here at Castle Creek was played the following Thursday, Sept. 9th. Ken Smith and Hal Helfand garnered 4 points by shooting 69/67 and this fine performance was complimented by the C group of Newcomb (66) and Harlow (75) who won a split with a 3 to 3 tie. The resulting score of 7 was not enough, however, to pull the team through so it lost by a score of 11 to 7. A team of Myron Vanetsky, Ken Smith, Bud Barnes, John Lizotte, Charles Newcomb, and Gayle Harlow played Torrey Pines at Rancho Bernardo Inn. It was a tough day for the locals - they lost by the ugly score of 2 to 16 and Myron's 71 (net) was the low score for the group. The return match here at Castle Creek was played the following Friday, Sept. 21st. Our Home Boys redeemed themselves with a win by the score of 10 to 8.
Ken Smith, Team Captain

RULES IN PICTURES

Rules In Pictures

Jim's ball is in a tire rut. The rut is muddy but Jim does not see any water. The area has not been marked as "ground under repair”. What are Jim's options? Since a tire rut doesn't qualify as an "Abnormal Ground Condition" under the Definitions, and since the Committee has not marked the area as "Ground Under Repair", Jim must play the ball as it lies (without penalty) or declare the ball unplayable and use one of the 3 options available for play under Rule 28 - Ball Unplayable (one stroke penalty). However, if Jim is doubtful of his rights or the correct procedure to follow and he thinks that he may be allowed a free drop because he believes the area qualifies as Ground Under Repair, he may, without penalty, play two balls. (see Rule 3-3 Doubt as to Procedure) In the situation pictured, Jim may play two balls as outlined above but the Committee should rule that play with his first ball (played as it lies) must count because the tire rut is not an abnormal ground condition nor was it marked as ground under repair. The provisions under Rule 3-3, Doubt as to Procedure, do not apply in Match Play.

CASTLE CREEK MEN'S GOLF CLUB - 2008 RENEWAL FORM

Your Renwal fee is due in October. After November 15th there will be an additional $10 reinstatement fee.

WOMEN’S CLUB NEWS

Once again, the question comes up, where has the year gone? Even with the summer like weather still around (minus the high humidity), our yearly Rally for a Cure is less than a week away. This year’s event is chaired by Hanalei Sun. On Oct 2nd there will be a field of approximately 32 players enjoying a round of golf followed by a luncheon and ceremony to support the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Each year we look forward to being a part of this worthy cause dubbed “the race for the cure”. Two days after Rally, your board will vie the Men’s board with a Ryder Cup style format and then a steak dinner compliments off Larry Taylor and the CCCC. Sounds like a great get together! About two weeks after, on Oct. 16th, the ladies’ will enjoy Beat the Pro day. This is always a lot of fun. We hope to have a large field for that sweeps day. Look out Aaron and company; we have a “take no prisoners” mind set!
A quick reminder to all to please sign up for the Viejas Casino and Outlet Center day trip. Mark Thursday, Nov 15th on your calendar. The ladies’ club has reserved two luxury, air conditioned buses to take all to Viejas from our pick up location which is the parking lot of CCCC. Reports from last year’s “day trippers”, fun was had by all while a select few came home big winners $$$. Contact Cookie @ 760 749-8861 to get listed on the bus manifest.
Coming (too) soon Halloween and Thanksgiving. (Don’t even want to mention the C holiday). Reports to follow in the next few issues on how we celebrated those two special dates. Barbara Bell, President

SANTA MARGARITA TEAM PLAY

On September 6 the team played at Lake San Marcos against Morgan Run. The net results: them 67, us 59. The margin of loss was kept down by our 1st place team of Pam Estes and Hanalei Sun, plus the 2nd place team of Cookie Johnson and Mary O'Brien. On September 10 they played at San Luis Rey Downs against Meadowlake. Our team was forced to play two members short due to previous plans. A hearty thanks to Cookie Johnson and Mary O'Brien who agreed to play alone. The net results were: them 69, us 57. Keeping a firm hold on our net status were 1st place team of Nancy Bassett and Fumie Shimazaki, plus the 2nd place team of Jan Salisbury and Monita Patry. The 6th match was held on 9/24 at El Camino. Castle Creek had a bye that day. With all teams now having completed a bye, the individual team ratings are yet to be determined by the team major. In October there are two remaining matches: 10/1 at Pendleton against Pendleton and 10/8 at Meadowlake against El Camino. These brave ladies need all your support. Only two more matches; think those good thoughts. Watch the team board for results posted by Captain Monita Patry. Dorothy Berger, Publicity

MOST IMPROVED!

Most Improved

For the month of Sept., CCWGC's most improved golfer is Fumie Shimazaki. Her handicap went from a 27 to 25---a decrease of 9.4%. Good golfing, Fumie. Pam

ACE OF THE MONTH

Ace of the Month Red Tee Ace

Congratulations to Jane Mullen and Marge Hicks who tied for Green Tee Ace for September with net scores of 69. Red Tee Ace for September is Jeannie Fredenburg with a net 72. There are three more months to qualify to play in the Ace of the Year 2007 Tournament. All you need to do in order to be eligible is have the lowest net score of the month from the tees you have committed to play. Hope to see more names added to the Ace of the Month roster! Jeannie Fredenburg

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