Breton Bay Golf and Country Club Newsletter
July 2008
From the Board of Directors
Our season is well underway with golf, swim, and tennis activities going full swing. We had our first social activity last month at our "Meet and Greet" with about 70 members attending. We are planning several more social events this year with the next one being Italian Night on July 11th. See the Social Section of this newsletter for details.
We received 53 responses to our survey this year with the majority of the responses rating our facilities as good to excellent. Our staff garnered ratings across the spectrum with about half rating us good to excellent and the other half poor to fair. While our service ratings have improved over the past two years, we are concerned that some feel that we need improvement. Much of our staff is young and the young employees got the lowest ratings for customer service. We take this complaint very seriously and will take steps necessary to improve this particular quality in our employees. We will continue to counsel them on manners and proper behavior and will increase our efforts to improve the service of all our employees. Please help us by continuing to bring inappropriate behavior to our attention.
We received comments asking that we schedule more mixed couples golf tournaments and better promote club tournaments. In the past, member participation in tournaments such as opening day and others has been low. We canceled our recent par-three tournament because we had a very low number of sign-ups and could not justify closing the course for it. We plan to schedule some additional member tournaments and hopefully will get enough member participation to justify them.
Our junior golf program got several comments criticizing the number of kids versus the number of instructors and timeliness of starting the sessions. The number of participants is quite large and we are pleased that so many youngsters are showing interest in golf. We are looking into splitting the sessions to provide fewer students per instructor.
Several comments criticized the outside tournaments we have on weekdays. We know that these inconvenience some of our members but are necessary for us to meet our expenses without significant dues increases to our members. Course utilization by our members during the week is low thus necessitating the accommodation of outside groups. Most of our members are employed and therefore demand for weekend and holiday tee times are the greatest. Although two comments cited difficulty getting weekend tee times, we are not aware of any member being refused a weekend tee time. Please keep in mind that members can reserve weekend and holiday tee times at any time. Non-members cannot reserve a tee time until after noon on Thursdays. So, reserve your tee time early in the week to get the preferred times.
Some comments like lack of a practice bunker and chipping area, course marshal, and increased staffing are items we would very much like to provide but are limited by funds.
Our 10% increase in dues this year raised some complaints but, compared to other semi-private courses in the Washington /suburban Maryland area, we are on the low end of the dues spectrum. We are in the unenviable position of having to compete with three government owned and operated golf courses in southern Maryland which undercut us significantly in membership dues and greens fees. We hope we can offer enough value and recreational experience to merit your continued support.
Thanks to all who took the time to respond to the survey and please feel free to provide comments throughout the year.
From the Business Office
Members paying their dues by installments should have received their bill for the second installment in early June. If you have not paid your second installment, it is now PAST DUE!
If you know anyone who would like to join Breton Bay or who has any questions about membership, please ask them to call the Business Office at (301) 475-3068 or e-mail us at admin.bretonbay@md.metrocast.net
If you are interested in selling or buying shares of stock, please call (301) 475-3068. The following shares of Breton Bay Recreation, Inc. stock are for sale:
Ruth Garner 3 shares
Hank Miller 1 share
Breton Bay Recreation, Inc. 28 shares
Social Calendar
A great time was enjoyed by all that attended the "Meet and Greet" at the Breton Bay Golf and Country Club on Saturday, June 21st. Many members joined us for the fellowship, music, plus it was a great opportunity to meet some of our new members. The Social Committee sends a big thank you to Mary Lou Lumpkins and her staff for the great hors d'oeuvres.
Our next event, to be held at the Club House, will be "Italian Night" on Friday, July 11, 2008 from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. The main courses for this evening will be Spaghetti and Lasagna with other sides and of course, dessert. See the attached flyer for more details. Reservations are needed by July 6th, so call now.
Mark you calendars for our future events:
July 26 (Saturday) = Hawaiian Night with Roasted Pig (Poolside)
August 15 (Friday) = Under the Sea Night (Club House)
August 29 (Friday) = Mexican Night (Club House)
Pro Shop News
Phone number – (301) 475-2300
E-mail address – proshop.bretonbay@md.metrocast.net
Pro Shop Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday 7:30 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Driving Range – closed Monday morning for maintenance
July 2008 Schedule of Events:
5th and 6th – Men’s Senior Club Championship
10th – Rotary Golf Tournament – noon shotgun
12th and 13th – BBLGA –Member-Member
29th – Holy Angels Golf Tournament 9:00 am – course closed till 3 pm
24th – Boys and Girls Club Golf Tournament 9:00 am – course closed till 3 pm
12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th – WMGA A Team Matches – 11:30
August 2008 Schedule of Events:
2nd- BBLGA Ladies Member Guest
4th - Guy Bowling Benefit Golf Tournament 9:00 am course closed till 3pm
6th - Ladies Home and Home 8:30 course will remain open
8,9,10th – Member/ Guest - course closed all three days
12th - Dollars for Dylan Golf Tournament 9:00am course closed till 3pm
14th - Three Oaks Golf Tournament 9:00am course closed till 3pm
16th,17th,23rd 24th - Men's Club Championship
19th - Johnny Wood Classic Golf Tournament
21st - Dollars for Dylan Rain Date
25th thru 29th - Green Aerification
30th - Divorce Open 2pm
Men's Golf Association
2008 Breton Bay Member-Guest
The 2008 Breton Bay Member-Guest will be held August 9th & 10th. See the Entry Form and information sheet included with this newsletter. The team entry fee is $350 for BBMGA member and guest and $380 for non-BBMGA member and guest. Please sign up as soon as possible.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2008 Southern Maryland Amateur tournament held here at Breton Bay on June 13th – 15th. The condition of the course and the weather were outstanding. The overall champion was Brent Martin, the Senior champion was Bruce, Richardson and the Junior champion was Jay Dove. The rest of the results of the tournament can be found on the club website: www.bretonbaygolf.com.
Reminders to golfers:
The pace of play is important. Always keep the foursome in front of you in your site.
We play by the USGA Rules of Golf (ie. 14 club limit)
The Rules Corner
Definition of a Water Hazard:
A "water hazard" is any sea, lake, pond, river, ditch, surface drainage ditch or other open water course (whether or not containing water) and anything of a similar nature on the course. All ground and water within the margin of a water hazard are part of the water hazard.
When the margin of a water hazard is defined by stakes, the stakes are inside the water hazard, and the margin of the hazard is defined by the nearest outside points of the stakes at ground level. When both stakes and lines are used to indicate a water hazard, the stakes identify the hazard and the lines define the hazard margin. When the margin of a water hazard is defined by a line on the ground. the line itself is in the water hazard. The margin of a water hazard extends vertically upwards and downwards.
A ball is in a water hazard when it lies in or any part of it touches the water hazard.
Stakes used to define the margin or identify a water hazard are obstructions.
From the Golf Course Superintendent
It looks like summer is here. The golf course is responding well to the ample rainfall and warmer temperatures we have been experiencing lately.
We have begun replacing the sand some of the greenside bunkers. Please keep an eye out for the guys while they are working so near the greens. Sometimes they get so involved working, they may not see you before you see them.
We have had a few problems with, I assume, neighborhood children scuffing up the greens, burying flagsticks in the bunkers, throwing tee markers and hazard stakes in the ponds, etc. If anyone sees any of this going on, please let Golf Maintenance or the Pro Shop staff know.
Thanks to everyone that has been paying more attention to keep all four cart tires on the paths around the greens and tees. Your efforts are beginning to show some positive results.
Ladies’ Golf Association
Happy Birthday wishes are extended to the following BBGLA members: Michelle Ranere (July 5), Amber Suder (July 16), Ginni Stein (July 30), Lucy DeCarlo (August 3), and Diane Dixon (August 6). We hope everyone has a great day.
Upcoming Tournaments of Interest:
July 12-13 BBG&CC Ladies Member/Member Tournament-This is a two-day handicapped club tournament open to all BBG&CC Lady members. The cost is $10 per player (excludes normal cart fees) and tee times will be assigned starting at the regular Ladies weekend tee times
(8:18). Pair up with another member and play for two days. The format for the first day will be best net ball. Day two will be nine holes captain's choice (4 drives from each player) and nine holes alternate shot (4 drives from each player). The tournament chairmen are Sandi
Albert and Eleanor Abell, and signup sheets are posted in the Ladies Locker Room. Please signup by July 9.
August 2nd – BBG&CC Ladies Member/Guest Tournament-Open to all BBG&CC Lady Members and their guests, this is a 2-lady best net ball, handicapped tournament. The cost is $110/team (member & guest) and includes cart, green fees, lunch and prizes. The purpose of this club tournament is to enjoy a day of golf at Breton Bay with a guest. You are responsible for finding your own guest and obtaining her handicap for our tournament chairman, Pat Merrill. Look for signup sheets in the Ladies Locker Room and please signup by July 23rd .
Snack Bar
And finally……
It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to one of our own. Sue Pforr, one of the BBLGA's newest members, passed away suddenly on Memorial Day. Barbara Zeiller, Sue's lifelong friend and golf buddy, has provided the following on the Breton Bay Ladies Group's behalf:
"This past Memorial Day we lost Sue Pforr. She was a new member to Breton Bay but loved the club and playing golf. She suffered from pulmonary disease and Scleroderma for years and , unfortunately, finally lost the battle. In spite of her pains and breathing difficulty she
always looked forward to a round of golf and never complained about her challenges. She and her husband Rich had just moved to California and built their retirement home. One of the first things she did before unpacking was to get her clubs out and join Breton Bay. She will be missed by all of us."
Snack Bar Phone # - (301)475-7228
Snack Bar Hours - Tuesday through Friday: 9 am – 8:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 7 am – 8:30 pm
Monday: 9 am – 4 pm (limited sandwich menu)
Please remember: Proper attire (shirt, shorts and shoes) is required in the Snack Bar. If you are coming from the pool to get something to eat, bathing suits must be covered.
Pool
Pool Phone # - (301)475-3825
Pool hours – Sunday through Thursday: Noon – 8 pm, Friday: Noon – 10 pm, Saturday: 10 am – 8 pm.
Breton Bay swim team is hosting swim meets on July 1st, 8th and 15th. The pool will close at 4 pm on those days. Breton Bay is also hosting the Coaches Age Group meet on Saturday, July 12th. The pool will close at 8 pm on Friday, July 11th, and reopen at 4:00 pm on the 12th. We apologize for any inconvenience this causes non-swim team members. All members are welcome to the swim meets – come cheer on the Sea Devils!
We will be having several social events at the pool this summer. Be on the lookout for signs posted at the pool for more details. Please come and join us!
Tennis
BRETON BAY YOUTH TENNIS CAMP NEWS
Tennis Camp is off to a fantastic start! The younger players are finding quick success with the “Spinner” balls and the experienced campers are improving their tennis skills through challenging drills and exciting games.
YOUTHLETE EVENT FOR YOUTH TENNIS CAMPERS – JULY 18th
The annual YOUTHLETE Event will be held Friday, July 18th. There will be no regular tennis classes that day. ALL tennis campers and parent volunteers should arrive at the tennis court at 9:30 a.m. We will enjoy a fun morning of tennis, golf and swim events followed by a poolside awards luncheon at noon. Tennis campers have been given detailed information sheets and sign-up
forms at tennis camp. Please fill out the Youthlete registration form and return it to Mrs. Robinson by July 11th. We need an accurate count to ensure proper staffing for all age groups and activities.
Parents, thank you for your help with this event. We could not do it without you!
Cindy Robinson, Youth Tennis Camp Director
TENNIS NEWS FOR JULY 2008
Youth Grand moved to Sundays, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. We’re changing the times to beat the heat. Players arrive by 5:50 PM. Russ then sets up even matches (singles and/or doubles). For players of all levels, but players must be able to get their serves in, rally a bit, and keep score. Please contact Russ prior to attending. Cost is $10 per session.
Group and individual tennis lessons: Now is the time to fix that wristy forehand or push serve. Although Russ coaches high school tennis from March to May, he’s available for evening or weekend lessons during that time. Russ is currently coaching players from the 2.0 through the 4.0 USTA levels, as well as complete beginners.
The next big youth event is the Youth Levels Tournament, August 2 – 3 (Saturday and Sunday). Players compete against players of their same level. For players of all levels who can get their serves in, from beginners to advanced high school players (including players who just graduated from high school this spring). You must register by the Wednesday before the tournament. The registration form is available at our website, or contact Russ.
July 4: Redcoats versus Bluecoats! The Revolutionary War resumes, tennis style. Players sign up by contacting Russ at least two days beforehand, then compete for their teams against players of similar ability level. From 9:00 AM to approximately 12:00 PM. A fun, stress-free, but highly competitive battle is guaranteed for all.
Under the August Moon? That’s the name for the couples event being planned for one Saturday evening in August, to be announced. More later!
To contact Russ Carrington, call him at 240-925-8068, or email him at: