Location:           South Windsor Library

Attendees:        Rick Frechette, Kieran Curtis, Doug Cadiz, Al Cusson, Ed Murphy, Rick Owen, Phil Richards, Casey Morris, Erik Ritchie, Jose Flores, Paul Resetarits, Jared Albert, Doug Clouser ( member)

Meeting was called to order at 6:10pm.

1. Opening Remarks / Housekeeping Issues:

Rick Frechette introduced new board member Jared Albert to the attendees.  Casey introduced new assistant pro Erik Ritchie.  Erik comes from Tower Ridge Country Club.

1. Approval of February 13, 2008 Meeting Minutes:

A motion to approve the minutes was made by Doug Cadiz, seconded by Phil Richards and passed by the attendees.

1. Membership Report:

Rick Owen reported that 244 membership applications have been submitted for the 2008 season which includes 249 returning members and 28 new.  A comparison to last year was unavailable.  Rick also informed attendees that new member packets and tournament punch cards will be available at the spring banquet and afterwards at the pro shop.  Lastly, Rick reported that approximately 80 members have signed up to attend the spring banquet so far.

1. Handicap and Rules Report:

Rick informed that Doug Cadiz had volunteered to replace Kevin Anderson as Chair of the Handicap and Rules Committee.  Kevin tendered his resignation after a long and continued presence on the Executive Committee.  Rick made note of Kevin’s outstanding support to the board the Men’s Club.  The Senior Tee Policy will be formalized and put into our Local Rules to be posted on the Club’s website.

1. Tournament Committee:

Al Cusson presented the approved 2008 Tournament Schedule and a copy of the 2008 pocket schedule which will be available to all members at the spring banquet. A description of the new tournaments will be posted on the club’s website.

1. Member Communications / Web page Administration:

Phil informed attendees that an email reminder of the 3/12 spring banquet and the need for members to RSVP John Sawka to assure an accurate head count is achieved.  It was noted that members in general should be aware that an inaccurate advance head count places an undue burden on Maneelys and could result in the Men’s Club paying for more attendees than actually show up.

The following will all be prepared and posted to the Men’s Club website: Topstone Local Rules; letters from Al Cusson, Tournament Chair, and Rick Frechette, Club President; and, the updated Men’s Club By-Laws.

Paul Resetarits made a motion to continue offering to Men’s Club Seniors, those age 65 and older, the opportunity to play from separate Senior Tees with the proviso that anyone doing so will not be allowed to play that day in the Pro Shop run skins and closest to the pins events. Jose Flores seconded the motion which attendees passed.

Kieran Curtis informed attendees that the Club currently advertises only in the South Windsor Life Publication yet new member applications for 2008 received thus far have been predominantly from outside South Windsor.  Kieran suggested that the Board review this policy later in the year to determine if this venue is still the most cost effective use of our advertising budget.

1. Treasurer’s report:

Jose Flores, Treasurer, passed out to attendees a first cut proposed budget.  A brief discussion followed.  Jose stated that he will revise the proposed budget to include a few optional budgets based on a varying number of proposed members and provide the data at the April board meeting.

The question of how to account for the Hole in One Pool money was raised again.  Ed Murphy informed attendees that he had not received the 2007 Annual Report from our Club Accountant and accordingly had not had the opportunity to discuss this topic with him but stated that he will as soon as possible.  Secretary’s Note:  A few days after the meeting, Ed did discuss this topic with our accountant and will report his findings to the board at the banquet and the April meeting.

1. Professional report:

Casey reported that the Club will open for the 2008 season, weather permitting, on Saturday March 15.  Men’s Club Tee Time Sign up sheets for the first and second weekends will be available at the banquet.

1. Old/New Business:

The following topics were raised and discussed:

1. Food at the banquet will be served at food stations in lieu of a buffet.
2. Name tags will be available and optional at the banquet.
3. There will be a 50/50 raffle and a purchased ticket prize raffle consisting of about six prizes at the banquet.
4. Board members were asked to be at Maneely’s on banquet night around 5:30pm to help out.
5. Doug Clouser participated in several discussions presented during the meeting.  He asked if attendees would be interested in having a speaker from Court House One make a short presentation to spring banquet attendees on golf fitness and flexibility.  A discussion ensued with attendees accepting the offer on the express condition that there be no sales pitch and the presenter leaves immediately after the presentation.  Doug agreed to coordinate this.  Doug also asked board members to keep him in mind if ever there is a need or a desire for help in conducting board/club business.  Attendees thanked him for his offer which will be duly considered. 
6. Joe Staszowski’s name was presented by Rick Frechette to fill the board vacancy created by the departure of Kevin Anderson.  A motion to approve was made by Al Cusson and seconded by Jose Flores and passed by the Board.
7. Phil Richards raised the issue of possibly changing the payout system for those days early and late in the season where attendance is very limited.  Opinion was mixed and after a lengthy discussion the topic was tabled with the understanding that Paul Resetarits will provide to board members and Rick Frechette copies of the current payout system and last year’s actual payout data.

1. Adjournment:

A motion to end the meeting was made by Ed Murphy, seconded by Doug Cadiz and passed by the attendees at 8:20pm.

Next meeting date: 

1. Spring Banquet 3/12 at Maneely’s Banquet Hall, 6pm
2. Wednesday April 2 at the Topstone Golf Course Grill, 6pm