Tee Times - Sacramento Golf Club

Tee Times
All the news
Sacramento Golf Club Members
need to know...
SPRING 2015
From the President…
Every year I have the privilege to attend the PGA Merchandise Show and
this year I was able to attend the Golf Industry Show as well. Both of these
national golf trade shows are wonderful opportunities to see the latest
products coming this spring, network with other golf facilities and attend
informational seminars to improve our golf facilities. Below are some highlights of the golf industry and some trends coming in the 2015 season:

The golf industry continues to struggle as the numbers of golfers in the
United States slipped from 26 million to 25 million in 2014. At the
height (in 2007), the golf industry consisted of 30 million golfers. 150
courses closed their doors in the United States in 2014. The golf industry needs 5 more years of 150 courses closing per year to become
healthy again. The golfers that left the game tended to be men, middle
income, and millennials who are considered “fringe players” because
they played golf 1 to 8 times per year.

20% of the golfers in the United States are women. In Germany, Canada
and the Netherlands, between 35 and 40% of golfers are women. In
those countries, Equality Rules, with everything being gender neutral (all
events are mixed, facilities are set up for both men and women, families
play together).

In Europe, there are no player assistants, it is common to have groups
play through multiple times a round, 9 holes is considered a real round
of golf, and the dress codes are totally relaxed. In the United States, the
country clubs set the tone for golf and its reputation, and that is not
healthy for the game in today’s culture.

The most popular tournament format in Europe is Stableford. This
point system format speeds up play with a max score of double bogey
and automatically has an equitable stroke control built into the format.

The Millennial Generation (roughly 16 to 34 year olds) are not playing
golf at the same percentages as prior generations. The game of golf appears hard, takes too long, and is not high tech enough for this generation. Golf courses are doing their best to be attractive to this generation, as this will be the future of golf in years to come. FootGolf and
Top Golf (being built in Rocklin) are attractive to this generation. Top
(Continued on page 3)
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE….
Events & Clinics…………... 2
Superintendent’s Message…3
Handicapping………………4
Membership………………. 4
Advisory Board…………….4
MIDWEEK TOURNAMENTS
The midweek events for the coming quarter are:
April 9 - Stableford
May 14 - Spring Beat the Pro
June 11 - Individual Sr. 4-ball Net NCGA Qualifier; SGC 4-Ball
All events are on the MacKenzie Course.
WEEKEND TOURNAMENTS
The weekend events for the coming quarter are:
April 18 - 2 Person Scramble - Member/Guest or
Member/Member
May 16 - Stableford
June 20 - Individual Net & Gross
(NCGA Net Amateur Qualifier)
April & June events are on the MacKenzie Course; May event on Arcade Creek Course.
We’re pleased to introduce our Weekend Tournament Directors: Jim Plutchak and David Blaise.
Reminder: Deadline to register for tournaments is
one week prior to the event.
CLINICS
The clinics for the coming quarter are:
April 23 - 5:30 pm - SAM Putting Lab* - Tom Morton
May 28 - 7:30 pm - Fitness for Golf - Greg Parry
June 25 - 7:30 pm - Pitching and Chipping - Mike Woods
* Attendees at SAM Putting Lab will receive certificate for discounted fitting
All clinics are free to SGC Members! Please register online or in the Pro Shop so our instructors can
plan for attendance.
Page 2
Golf Course Superintendent Update – Stacy Baker, GCSAA
The Alister MacKenzie Golf Course at Haggin Oaks is a very
special course. Built in 1932 by the legendary designer Dr.
Alister MacKenzie, the course hosted the PGA tour in it’s early
history. Today, the parkland course is in wonderful condition
through the commitment of Morton Golf after receiving the
maintenance contract in 2012. Morton Golf continues to invest in this course each year. As I finish my second year at
Haggin Oaks, I feel good about the playing conditions our team
is providing and expect increased levels this season. Below are
some accomplishments and future activities.

Bunker renovations continue. The bunkers on holes #3, 5, 8, 12, 13 & 16 have been improved by reshaping the bunker edges, removing the existing material, adding new drainage, and refilling them with
USGA specified bunker sand.

Tree safety continues to be a priority at Haggin Oaks. Many trees have been removed to reduce the
risk of their causing injury and damage. Throughout the coming years, more trees will be removed and
added to enhance the course.

The Tee It Forward Tees have been completed and opened. New tee signs have been installed and ballwashers are being refurbished. The course now offers teeing options for all skill levels, from 4,500
yards to 7,000 yards. The elimination of the traditional colors has resulted in golfers feeling comfortable playing the proper tees for their appropriate driving distance. Two new tee boxes have been constructed, grown in, and opened for play, with more to come. Several existing tee boxes need to be renovated. Specifically, the par 3 tee boxes on MacKenzie. We will continue to renovate and build new
tees within the coming months and years.

The addition of an automated irrigation system on the driving range is complete. The range is being cultivated to promote turf through shaping, tilling and seeding. Our goal is to establish turf throughout the
range in 2015. The new turf should improve the look, reduce the dust, wear to the equipment, and improve the quality of the range balls.
Water conservation is always a priority. We attempt to provide exceptional playing conditions while complying with mandated restrictions. Our
focus will be on greens, green surrounds, fairways and tees. Other areas,
such as roughs and out of play zones, may be brown this year. Depending
on the severity of the restrictions and availability of water, these areas
could expand.

(Continued from page 1)
Golf is expanding rapidly. In addition, over 350 courses are playing FootGolf in the United States. Haggin Oaks was
the 5th course to adopt FootGolf on the Arcade Back Nine.

Dynamic Pricing is coming to golf, similar to hotels, airlines and sporting events. Some courses and management companies have incorporated this pricing model over the last 2 years. This computer generated model will cause tee
times at a course to change by the minute, based on demand. Demand is influenced by day of week, area course
rates, occupancy percentages, weather, time of year, day of week, time of day, etc... Prices will fluctuate up and down
depending on demand. Should be interesting to see how golfers react over the next few years?
Mike Woods, SGC President
PGA Director of Golf
Haggin Oaks Golf Complex
Page 3
Visit www.sacgolfclub.com
SACRAMENTO GOLF CLUB
3645 FULTON AVE.
SACRAMENTO, CA 95821
916-808-2525
CLUB HANDICAPS
I will post all scores that result from Sac Golf Club
(SGC) tournaments and will calculate all tournament
handicaps. Remember, your handicaps for SGC tournaments are calculated from the lesser of your NCGA
index or your SGC index (based on performance in
SGC tournaments). This is our way of maximizing equity in SGC tournament play. Also, if you have any
posting problems (double posting, wrong date, score,
etc.), I will resolve or help resolve the issue for you.
Contact me through the contact list on the club web
site or at the address listed in the advisory board list in
the column to the right.
Your Club Handicapper,
Chuck Millard
MEMBERSHIP
Hi to our new and returning members! We have had
some very good weather for winter golf. We have had
some great tournaments as well. Remember, that you
have a FREE tournament round with your paid membership. You can use you FREE round on your first or a
subsequent tournament. Your Sac Golf Club Advisory
Board has worked to make this your most enjoyable
year. Our tournaments' popularity is growing, so sign-up
and join the fun. I am here to answer your questions.
Gil Robles
[email protected]
ADVISORY BOARD
President
Mike Woods
[email protected]
916-871-2672
Weekday Tournament Directors
Tom Marks
[email protected]
Bob Adams
[email protected]
Weekend Tournament Directors
Jim Plutchak
[email protected]
David Blaise
[email protected]
Membership Director
Gil Robles
[email protected]
Handicapper
Chuck Millard
[email protected]
Communication & Website Director
Linda DeLong
[email protected]
Rules & Clinic Director
Tom Triplett
[email protected]
Haggin Oaks Tournament Directors
Charlie Cheung
[email protected]
Karl Van Dessel
[email protected]
916-808-2525
Treasurer
Jack Gillette