New Members Wanted

Over the years, the Palo Alto Golf Club has enjoyed high membership numbers often reaching the 600 mark.  Since 2005, we have seen a decline in those numbers of almost 25 percent.  When we began our most recent membership drive on October 1, 2008, we had 447 members.  As of January 1, 2009, that number was only 375.

This decline has two effects on the club.  It reduces the amount of income we need to run the club.  See the accompanying article below about our 2009 budget.  The reduced membership number also means that we get fewer spots for qualifiers in our NCGA sanctioned events.

Most of you know at least one golfer who does not belong to a club but plays a lot of golf.  You might also know a casual golfer who has thought about joining a club.  The next time you see someone who might be interested in joining the club, tell him or her about the benefits of being a member.  If nothing else, they can be guaranteed a tee time at least twice each month with an opportunity to win credits in the pro shop.

2009 Palo Alto Golf Club Budget

In preparing the club's budget each year, we have based our projections on having at least 400 dues paying members on January 1.  This number allows us to schedule a full round of tournaments and reward the top finishers with pro shop credits and TOC points.

As the renewals trickled in this year, it became apparent that we weren't going to reach the magic number of 400.  As of January 1, we had only 375 members which is ten percent less than the count on January 1, 2008.  To determine the full impact of this decline, Treasurer Chuck Cali headed up a budget analysis committee comprised of Vice-President Larry Bazinett and Secretary Jeff Segol.

The committee looked at all aspects of our club operation for ways to cut costs and to maintain the current tournament schedule.  At their February meeting, the Board of Directors voted on several changes that will allow us to remain viable as a golf club in 2009 and in the future.  Most of these changes will be transparent to the members with the exception that the club's contribution to tournament prizes will be reduced.  That means fewer places paid and/or lower amounts to the winners.  The board is still evaluating the possibility of raising the tournament fees as a way to retain the current payout levels.

The bottom line is that the slow economy has everyone pulling back in many areas.  As a club we are seeing tournament participation remaining constant with membership declining.  Like many, we've had to make some adjustments.

2009 Match Play Championship

The 2009 Match Play Championship begins March 28.  This year there will be no overall club champion but one champion in each flight with the number of flights depending on the number of signups.  Play will continue with the second round on March 29 with the semi-finals on April 25 and finals on April 26.

Sign up early to avoid missing out on this great event.  If we end up with a number of players that's not a multiple of the 16 needed to create a flight, preference will be given to those who signed up first.  Check the Tournament Chairman's space on the website for current information on this event.

2009 TOC Points Standings

We are off and running in the 2009 TOC points race.  Starting with the Monterey weekend at the end of October, tournament players began accruing points.  Since then players have accumulated points up through the Poppy Ridge event on February 8.

Tracy Powell has been scooping up points by cashing in all but one event so far this season.  Patrick Beaulieu and John Binns are second and third respectively with Keith Arends and Rocky Wolf rounding out the top five.  There are plenty of events between now and next October when we crown the Player of the Year but you can't win points if you don't participate.  Sign up today for the upcoming events.