Private Club Relationships

Private Club Relationships

I have gotten out of the habit of posting regularly.  That said I apologize for the length since my last posting.

As many of you know by now, yesterday morning Walt Alloway passed away unexpectedly.  Walt was a dear friend to many of us but more than that, he was truly a great man.  He was active at the club in many ways including Board and Committee involvement, not to mention a fixture at the Club almost daily holding court in the Member Grill, Lounge or on the Course.  He was a friend to every Member, a tremendous ambassador for the Club and his presence will truly be missed by all of us.    We will fly our Club Flag at half mast Friday and Saturday upon re-opening from over-seed to remember our departed friend. 

Upon reflection over the last 24 hours, it made me think of the relationships that are created at the club.  It also reminded me of why I feel Clubs are so unique.  Many of you have heard me speak about the Private Club Experience and my belief that a Club is all about relationships.  It is about whom you know when you join, who you meet after joining and how Members can expand their circles of influence both personally and professionally while at the Club.  Those reflections and remembrances reminded me of the day I started this blog following the loss of another very good Member and reminded me of my absence from posting.

My first day at Arrowhead was August 9, 2009 and I met Walt Alloway on August 10^th.  Since that time we have shared on numerous occasions meals, meetings, drinks and even a round of golf.  We have always interacted at the Club and I may have seen him elsewhere on only a couple of occasions.  The reason this is relevant is that I have always felt you can determine the strength of a relationship by the weight you feel from its loss.  The strength and importance of this relationship became very clear to me yesterday as we now collectively as a Club, individually as Members and I personally mourn the loss of a Member, respected colleague and friend. 

As I have additional details about memorial arrangements and the like, I will certainly pass them along.

Kindest regards,

Course Transition Update

We want to take the opportunity to update you on course condition as transition is upon us.  Transition is the process where perennial rye (cool season grass) completes its life cycle, and the Bermuda grass base re-establishes its dominance for the summer growing season.  This has been an abnormal year for the weather creating a roller coaster constructed by Mother Nature; from dramatic temperature swings, warm to cool and back mixed with excessive wind.

Fairways: Neither species of grass has had the most ideal growing conditions.  Rye grass prefers temperatures from overnight lows in the 50’s to highs in the mid 80’s.  Bermuda grass thrives in temperatures ranging from overnight lows in the mid 60’s with highs in the upper 90’s.  Daily lows are just as important as the daily highs. Cooler night time temperatures discourage Bermuda from engaging in respiration that is a critical component in the recovery process.

Irrigation Pump Station: In addition to some weather challenges, we also experienced a strange situation with our pump station.  On May 12, our pump station failed due to a low pressure discharge.  This basically is a safety built into the pumps so they recognize when flow is not high enough to sustain operation and shut down to prevent catastrophic damage.  We were fortunate this happened in May rather than July as it took a several days to trouble shoot to find the problem.  The cause for the failure was the pressure regulator valve not closing fully when the controls were requesting water be sent to the course.  While investigating the valve we found a screen filter, which is normally outside the valve, clogged causing the valve to send a portion of the water meant for course distribution to go back into the lake.  We removed the screen filter from inside the line and installed a new strainer that is accessible for cleaning by our staff rather than having to contact and outside vendor.  This problem has probably been slowly worsening for months causing less water to go to the farther reaching areas of the course.  Many of you notice that holes 5, 6, 12 – 15 are the hardest hit showing transition due to their distance from our pump station and the normal pressure fall-off as water travels through the pipe.  Now that it is back to peak operating condition, this will help us through the tough summer months.

Insect Problem: a few weeks ago we found symptoms of Grubs on the course.  We tested and found that holes #12-15 were affected.  Two weeks ago we treated and killed the Grub population before too much damage occurred.  That said there presence is still evident.  Grubs are a white worm like larvae that feast on the roots and can cause complete desiccation of the plants very quickly left untreated. 

Remedies:  Things that we are doing to improve the playability of the golf course, and ensure the health of the Bermuda grass through this summer are as followed:

·    Moisture control of mounds and trouble areas through the use of hand watering throughout the day.

·    General Fertilization to all fairways and rough.  Weekly supplement and nutrient applications to thin areas.

·    Aerification to all fairways and roughs to enhance the growing medium for the Bermuda grass.  Weak areas will be aerified several times throughout the summer to target nutrients as well as give appropriate air to the subsurface promoting more plant growth.

·    Continued pest management through turf monitoring and spot applications as needed.

The majority of the course is transitioning well.  We do have some areas that are a challenge currently but will be rapidly on the mend with these core agronomic practices in place, as well as the cooperation of the now warmer temperatures.  We have seen a noticeable improvement to the thin areas in just the last few days but they are far from where we expect them.  They are showing strong signs of resurgence and we will continue to evaluate their improvement, and make any necessary adjustments accordingly to re-establish the conditions we expect in these areas.

Kindest regards,

Greens Vandalism Recovery Update 3.15.11

I will open by saying that the damaged greens (4, 8, 10, 11, 16) are improving everyday.  Since our new superintendant, TJ Guyer arrived, he has been vigilant in monitor their recovery each day for color, fill in and basic growth.  To aide in that effort, he has selected one section that he takes a weekly photograph of the area so we can compare impacted area each 7 days for specific improvement.

The next steps are as follows:  With the increased overall temperatures rearing 150 degrees combining the daytime high with the over night low, the Bermuda grass will start actively growing and responding to cultural practices.  As is visible in the areas now, the Bermuda grass is starting to break dormancy and will continue to improve at a rapid pace. As this occurs, all affected greens will receive the following:

• Weekly Light top-dress which will improve ball roll and playability
• Fertilization with ¼ lb of nitrogen every 3 days
• Hand spiking damaged areas every 3 days to ensure penetration of fertilization and supplements as well as encourage lateral growth
• Weekly needle tine aerification which improves soil penetration so air and nutrients get to the optimal growth zone as well as creating soil fractures for quicker root growth
• Spray growth enhancer supplement every two weeks once we have the first 150 degree combined temperature.

Our challenge is #8.  It has sustained enough damage in certain areas that the recovery will surpass and acceptable amount of time left to repair itself with the above cultural practices.  The areas I am referencing on #8 are quite visible as with the Bermuda coming out of dormancy there is a 3 to 6 inch wide area that is approximately 80 feet in length where we see no color coming back.   That said, we will be removing 80 linear feet of sod from the Chipping green and installing it in this area.  Please be patient with the golf course maintenance staff as they make this repair.  This is the best way for us to repair the area as it is mature grass which has received the same agronomic practices as our other greens turf making it the most consistent surface possible with the quickest healing time.  We will repair the chipping green with cultural practices and sod purchase when it becomes available. 

Overall we are fortunate the vandalism was done right after a really cold spell which forced the Bermuda in deep dormancy creating a situation that for the most part only killed the Poa Trivialis over seed.

Upon completion of the sod removal and replacement the green will almost instantly play better and be little more than a slightly cosmetic disruption in 30 days.  If you have any specific questions, please feel free to contact our golf course superintendant, TJ Guyer or myself.

Kindest regards

Dues Announcement

2011 AVID GOLFER Rankings just in…Arrowhead Country Club:

#1 Private Club below $10,000 Initiation. #4 Best Family Club at any price.

Do You Golf? Time To Enroll!!!

Hello from beautiful Arrowhead Country Club!

In this time of economic instability, Arrowhead has continued to grow, and if you are in the market for a private club or a new club, there is no better time to take a look at Arrowhead!

Full golf Single Dues are only $299 per month

Full Golf Family Dues are only $349.00 per month

Junior Golf Memberships start at $219 per month

Seasonal Memberships Available

Initiation Fee is only $500 before March 31^st!

Think you can’t afford a private Club? THINK AGAIN!

This offer is limited and as we near our membership cap wanted our friends and neighbors to be the first to receive this information.  If you would be so kind as to contact one of our Clubs membership directors with questions.  Your can reach Barbie Gonzales or Chris Robinson at 623.561.9600 or email: bgonzales@eaglegolf.com, crobinson@eaglegolf.com.

We look forward to hearing from you before March 31st!

I have attached answers to a few questions you may have:

Market Comparison:  We continuously monitor all neighboring private clubs to ensure we know exactly what other clubs offer in terms of initiation fees, dues and services.  Over the last two years, knowing that we were not only the best value in the entire market, but also the most active, we are thankfully not only maintaining our size, but growing slowly rather than the 30% to 40% membership reduction horror stories at other Clubs.  That said; we want to grow more rapidly to continue being the most vital and relevant Club providing the most value to our Members.

Dues Pricing:  Through our price comparisons with other Clubs, with our extensive amenities, activities, membership involvement and facility, we are far and away already the best value in the area.  Upon completing a detailed study of the entire area, we found that although we have the strongest offering of any other Club in the greater Phoenix area, no Club in the area adjusted to the local market conditions...including us!  Our existing strength allowed us to act on this information by resetting our dues levels.   

Future Dues Increases:  I am sure there will be questions regarding annual increases.  These dues levels are not for any length of time and then returning to “normal.”  These dues levels are our normal prices.  Like every other Club, we will review pricing annually as has been done in the past.  We have been in the 3 to 4% range each year since 2007 and you can expect that normal CPI range of 3 to 5% to continue.

2011 Avid Golfer Ratings

I just received my advance release copy of Avid Golfer.  This issue contains the 2011 Best of the Private Clubs.  I am very pleased to announce that Arrowhead was recognized in the two areas listed below:
#1 in the Private Club below $10,000 initiation fee category.
#4 in the Best Family Club at any price category.
This is very nice recognition for the Club, it's Members and Staff by the community we serve. 

To see the full article, don't forget to pick up your copy of Avid Golfer.

Medical Insurance Benefits...Worth Checking 1/21/11

As we start the year, It is worth knowing your medical insurance benefits.

I have been preparing letters for several members showing the annual cost of membership dues and that those gain them access to a fitness facility.  Many of your health insurance policies will cover a portion of the dues to a health club because they are all encouraging healthier lifestyles to reduce high medical costs later.  There are a wide variety of amounts I have heard from the various Members requesting the letter...in all cases it was enough to be worth a 5 or 10 minute call. 

Call your insurance company and enquire if your coverage includes reimbursement for a health club or gym.  If so, ask how much and what documentation is needed.  Then, contact the accounting department or myself and we will get you the appropriate information to send in.

Lastly, it is a new year!  We have a great 36,000 sq. ft Sports Club only 40 steps from the main Clubhouse.  They have anything you are looking for including complementary classes, specialty classes, personal trainers, free weights, weight machines, cardio equipment and sport courts.  We do indoor and outdoor training not to mention the tennis courts and cardio tennis.  I encourage you to use it...then when you are all done, use our spa services to reward yourself with a haircut, style, massage, manicure, pedicure or other skin therapy services.  A new year and a new you!

See you at the Club...Sports Club...maybe both!

Kindest regards 

Fish Population 1/19/11

As you may have noticed as you play golf, we have a portion of the fish population expiring currently.  This unfortunately is an annual event that we experience about this time every year.  This is a fairly specific problem localized to the Tilapia species.  When atmospheric conditions become correct each year it causes the lakes to “turn over.”  When that occurs it fluctuates the environment in the water enough that it causes the weaker fish to expire.  The science surrounding this annual occurrence as I understand it is as follows.  Each year when atmospheric conditions are correct it causes the water on the surface to be "much warmer" than the water below causing layering or "stratification."  This causes 2 distinct things: more oxygen in the warmer surface water than the cooler water below (this is a strange event in itself as typically cooler water holds more oxygen) and it insulates the cooler water below.  The reduction in dissolved oxygen below causes a "stress" situation.  Then when conditions are correct and the top warm water is mixed with all water during "turn over" lowers the overall temperature of the lake.  Tilapia are very sensitive to temperature and this drastic temperature change will cause death in weaker "stressed" fish.  In extreme cases if the "turn over" lowers the temperature near 60 degrees even healthier fish can be in jeopardy.

Each year we gather these fish daily and place them in containers.  At the end of this event each year Arizona Fish and Wildlife collects them from all area properties for disposal.

This event has nothing to do with any practices we utilize to maintain the property.  While not a specialist, it has more to do with size of the body of water, water temperature, atmospheric conditions and the specific ecological environment in the particular body of water.

Kindest regards

Front Entry Information 1/19/11

You will notice we are having extensive tree work done at the entrance to the club in the front esplanade.  This work will take place today through Friday.

The esplanade located at the front drive is actually the property of the City of Glendale.  It is an easement area that some time ago we requested the right to maintain this area so we could protect the appearance of the entry drive.  This has been a good and long-standing relationship with the City that continues today.

A couple of weeks ago I was approached by the cities street light management officer.  They make regular inspections of over 19,000 street lights and as a oversight on our and their part, they did not realize the entry esplanade was their property with an easement granted to us.  That said they have not inspected our street lights for compliance for quite some time.  With that knowledge, our entry lamps fall under the jurisdiction of city code which we must comply with.  That code says in summary that from the top lamp on the light pole there must be an unfettered line-of-site at a 30 foot ground level distance from the base of the pole.  I met with the officers last week to find out what work they felt needed to be done for us to comply.  From that meeting it is necessary for us to remove 6 trees from the entry esplanade as well as trim a few additional trees to comply with the code.

In reviewing the work, we believe this will have a positive effect on the appearance of the entry as we will be relocating our entry sign as well as re-working grass and ornamental flower areas.  This will also allow us to do some grading work to level those areas.

I hope this keeps you informed of happenings as they occur.

Kindest regards

Course Vandalism 1/18/11

We experienced an act of vandalism on the course overnight Sunday, January 16, 2011.  The damage occurred to the green surfaces on holes 4, 8, 10, 11 & 16.

We have taken sample plugs of the affected areas and are having soil analysis done to determine the chemical profile of the substance used.  This will help us determine the course of action to correct the damage.  The odor profile we can detect leads us to believe the common chemical Round Up was used.  We are basing our actions on that assumption until the lab results are back in a few days.

Monday morning when the vandalism was noticed, our first course of action was to treat the area with activated charcoal.  This treatment is placed in direct contact of the affected area and begins to neutralize the chemical on the surface and as it penetrates the soil, treats the sub-surface area as well.  After 24 hours, the activated charcoal is deep watered to flush it through the soil and stripping the root mass of all chemicals…both detrimental and beneficial nutrients.  These steps have been completed.

Moving forward we will “spike” the affected area, introduce seed, top dress with sand and then have an aggressive supplement and fertilizer schedule for these areas.  Once we complete this process we will monitor progress daily and weekly to determine if plugging some areas would aide in the healing process.  We are confident this will be the best course of action delivering the best outcome.  Do to the sensitive sub-surface and the delicate grading of the greens, it is very desirable not to strip and sod these sections.

To our Members who live in the neighborhood and on the course.  If you saw anything strange that night and can identify location or person, we would truly love to hear that information.

Kindest regards

Continuing Migratory Bird Issue 1/5/2011

Continuing Migratory Bird Issue

I continue to speak to many members individually regarding our migratory bird (geese, ducks and coots) population.  I am writing this in my continuing effort to keep everyone informed on our activities to control this problem/population.

We all know the destructive nature of this wildlife including extensive turf loss from feeding and waste deposits as well as just the overall sloppy conditions it creates.  I will take this opportunity to give you a broad view of our approach and list our specific efforts below.  Arrowhead Country Club works very closely with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Arizona Fish and Wildlife to employ every legal means at our disposal to aide in the management of these migratory bird species.  We also utilize the above organizations and the specific items mentioned below to control the species that end up being resident population.  It is important to note that both on the Federal and State level they realize that this migratory bird population is a problem.  That realization is what leads to extended hunting seasons and the programs mentioned below to control the population.

Due to the seasonality of this issue, I will begin this detailed account beginning with August just prior to the “season.”

How we utilize the outside organizations:

·  The USDA is on property beginning late August each year.  At this time, we begin monitoring activity to determine if a pre-season baiting can be employed.  This all comes down to timing.  The USDA needs a large enough population of birds on-site to feed for 14 days to establish a feeding habit that the maximum number of birds will take advantage of.  At that time, they switch the feed to a heavy sedative called Alpha Chloralose which allows the birds to be harvested and removed.  This process comes down to timing because they have to complete this process 10 days prior to the first state published hunting season.  This process is also employed in February after the last published state hunting season.  It may not be utilized during hunting season as someone could potentially eat a bird exposed to the heavy sedative.

·  Once the USDA is on-site beginning sometime in late August or early September, they hunt the migratory birds on our property on a bi-weekly basis turning to weekly or more frequently as we get deeper into the fall and winter months.  Early on they may harvest 10 or more birds with each visit.  As time goes on, the birds get more nervous and stay aloft longer so those numbers decrease.  The hope in this ongoing effort is that they will ultimately choose to leave and go to a place where they are not nervous.

·  Through Fish and Wildlife we have a Resident Canada Goose Registration which allows us to disrupt birds, nests and habitats on our property.

·  Both organizations provide us counsel on their latest studies in tactics which we may utilize in an effort to control these species.

What we do in-house:

·  We nuisance all species of birds with an air paint ball gun.  This is done at multiple times each day but is most effective during feeding cycles.

·  We disrupt all species daily.  The most effective way is to get them into the air.  Sometimes all you can accomplish is getting them into the water.  The goal is to disrupt their feeding so either is beneficial but getting them to take flight is the desired outcome.

·  Laser pointers or red lens lights are beneficial during the pre-dawn and dusk hours as they view them as potential predators.  The hope is they will become scared and choose to leave the property.

·  Predatory decoy mechanisms are placed in many or our lakes which also are supposed to resemble a predator in the area at those pre-dawn and dusk hours and aide in moving the birds off property.

·  In the last visit with the USDA on Monday, we discussed wire lining lakes to create a “disruptive” area while birds are trying to enter and exit water.  This is more effective on coots than other species and while singularly would not control any issues, it in our USDA representatives words “may be one more thing that might help.”  We will begin this work on some of our smaller water areas next week to see if they have a positive outcome.

·  To help control the waste left behind, we utilize jet blowers several times each week and have increased the frequency of mowing high impact areas to clear the area.

·  After hunting season ends in February, we continue to have the USDA come out to hunt the birds that become “resident.”  They are usually on property after season every week or two until we have the resident population narrowed down and spooked to where our nuisance and disruptive tactics keep them at bay.

·  Those practices carry us over to August when we started at the top of this section.

We can use your help:

·  Please do not feed any birds on Club property.  No migratory bird is a pet.  I ask that those of you who read this update educate other Members you see feeding birds on Club property.

This obviously is an area that we spend significant resources on in both time and money.  When we employ a baiting strategy, each area costs approximately $1000 excluding our USDA representative’s time.  Each visit for baiting or hunting costs approximately $200.  When you add the staff payroll to those figures our annual investment in these control efforts reaches tens of thousands.

This above is a bullet point summary of our efforts in controlling the bird population.  We continue to revise this plan as new techniques are brought to our attention by federal and state organizations.  If you have any specific questions or would like a more detailed explanation of the items below, do not hesitate to contact me at the Club.

Kindest regards,

Steve