The 2015 Tellico Village Men’s Golf Association board of directors is made up of three members carried over from last year, including Pat White, president; Gene Hammer, vice president; and Lynn Pinkerman, treasurer.
Last fall, new members Dave Prince, Ed Frandle and Ron Coles were elected to the 2015 board. We also welcome Adam Jacob, who replaced Jeff Harrington as the golf staff professional.
Personal scheduling conflicts for 2015 prompted Ken Moore to tender his resignation for his remaining term in 2015 and 2016. The MGA bylaws allow the board to select a term replacement. Tom Feil was the highest, nonelected vote recipient in 2014 and was asked to serve the remainder of Ken’s term and has accepted the role of secretary for 2015.
After the success we experienced in recognizing the Player of the Year and Most Improved Player as they were established in 2014, we have chosen to continue that format for 2015. The Player of the Year was decided during the last match of the year between players at both ends of our handicap range. The weekly points that were awarded not only recognized the flight winners but also recognized individual low gross and low net scores.
Most Improved Player of the year is determined by establishing a base during the player’s first six rounds played of the MGA season. Course scores are adjusted based on course differentials, and the winner is determined based on highest percentage improved from the base score.
We are pleased that the 2014 MGA board enacted an initiative to provide members an opportunity to have a competitive weekly game, vary playing partners, provide challenging weekly games, promote sportsmanship and joy of the game and promote personal improvement in the challenging game of golf. We found that both Player of the Year and Most Improved Player were part of this successful initiative.
You will recall in 2014 that we fully embraced the Tee it Forward campaign by eliminating the prior MGA 90-plus tee guideline. That guideline stated that a player could elect to play from a forward tee if a combination of their age and handicap totaled 90 or greater. We chose to allow every player to decide the tee box that they wished to play. You may recall that there were a few issues with this change, but sportsmanship prevailed, and the Tee it Forward initiative was accepted. We will continue the same Tee it Forward initiative in 2015.
The MGA board closely followed pace of play in 2014 and is enacting additional initiatives to further improve pace of play for 2015. Before these initiatives are explained, take a moment and recall the number of Thursday rounds when you personally waited at the scorer’s table for the last couple of groups to finish.
The MGA has seen tremendous improvements in pace of play with typical rounds being played in 4 hours, 15 minutes. We continue to find that there are a few golfers who will not follow proven pace of play methods, including ready golf, cart management, keeping up with the group ahead, etc. Pace of play is nothing more than consideration for your fellow golfer.
For our 2015 season, we are enacting three additional initiatives. First, all pregame announcements will be made 15 minutes before the posted tee time. The matches will start at the posted time. We will not wait on late arrivals. Be considerate of your fellow golfers and be on time. Second, Thursday scorecards have posted time guidelines for each hole. We expect each group to follow these guidelines. We tested these per hole timed guidelines and found them to be very reasonable. Third, each team will have a round completed time posted next to their score. A round completed is when the scorecard is given to the scorer.
The MGA board recognizes that we all have other fun events to attend after golf. We ask that each of you follow pace of play guidelines and be prepared to turn in your scorecard within the goal of 4 hours and 15 minutes.
In 2015, we are making a change to the selection process for our team participating in the Tellico Lake Challenge. There will no longer be any automatic qualifiers including automatic MGA board members. Our Tellico Lake Challenge captain is Lynn Pinkerman, and the co-captain is Dave Prince. They will be responsible for recommending team members in 2015. Their primary selection process will involve recommending golfers who have won events, placed high in overall point totals — both group points and individual points — and are showing gains in the Most Improved Golfer standings. The selected team will be presented to the board and a final team will be selected.
We are attempting to make our MGA member-member tournament a premier event for 2015. Overall winner awards have been increased, participation gifts have improved and a Friday evening get-together with a skill event has been planned. There are two events scheduled before tournament, in which players can compete in the normal Thursday event with their member-member partner. Those are choose your partner Thursdays and the last one is scheduled for April 30. The tournament is set for May 2-3. Be sure to sign up with your partner and play to win.
We had a great 2014 season with a diverse group of men with different backgrounds and handicap levels coming together each Thursday to compete at a high level while still having a great time playing golf. Our 2015 season will continue these efforts. Please feel free to contact any board member with questions, suggestions and concerns.
Pat White is president of the Tellico Village Men’s Golf Association.
