It’s too early to spend future earnings. Let’s get the economy out this hole and then think about grandiose improvements. We have a kitchen that’s too large, a club L/R that’s much too large and a stupid $5000 painting over the fireplace. Let’s concentrate on golf-unsigned

Many of these ideas require a new or expanded club house. That should be the question as then the expansion could be layed out to include the various requests. I am not in favor of this until we can implement a plan to pay off our bond obligations to a reasonable level. We can’t continue to use retired members’ money to expand on enhance the club beyond the golf course itself.-Tom Flaherty

A lower membership fee for singles would be more attractive, especially for our widows, widowers and divorcees. They, in turn, will pay guest fees for family members and guests. I believe this is the right thing to do.K. Bastides

Widows and widowers should pay a reduced rate after being members for 2 years. Singles should not be able to include significant others if not living at the same address.-unsigned

I understand you do not need to pay off bonds if the membership has not reached 300. However, you can cause membership to never get to 300 if you want. The cash flow is there, please work off the debt before embarking on new projects.An afterthought: We and many other members have a 20-30 minute drive to get to the club. Encouraging evening dining and drinking is not something we take advantage of. We, like many other members belong to another private club where good food service is offered and the drive home is much shorter. Please do not expand the dining. If you do, you will need to impose a minimum, too. That will force people to drive a long way on dark twisty roads to get their money’s worth. And accidents will happen.

2nd surveyThe course looks great. I agree. The back 9 are as pretty and challenging as you’ll find anywhere. If better sprinklers will make the grass greener, that is a good idea.I am worried about encouraging drinking. The roads are narrow and accidents happen. If the club expands the bar, more people will drink too much and people will get killed. Then the club will get sued (trustees, too).When Tony Halsey asked me to join in 1987 he said we would get our money back when we quit. My wife has had an accident and cannot play golf anymore. The day is coming when I will want to resign. It is my understanding no bonds have been paid back yet. I think the club has a very strong moral obligation to honor this debt. Now that the club is liquid you need to retire the obligation and honor the spirit of the deal.-Martin Lyons.

Keep SCC as a Golf Club and do not spend money we do not have. The course as is is great- many comments from guests.

-L Horner

My opinion is that the club needs to become more family friendly. The club has made many improvements in this area(?) but needs to continue to create more reasons for younger families to join. The younger couples with children are the lifeblood of the club and will ensure its future growth. The club has only recently established more reasons for the entire family to enjoy the facilities. Please keep up the good work and keep the club heading in this direction.-Peter W. Hoops

Sorry so late, I hope my votes can still be counted. The number one reason I hear for not joining SCC is “If they had a pool I could sell it to my family.” A pool coupled with family friendly activities would create a stable membership base with consistent growth. “If you build it they will come.”-Signature illegible

Our preference is to keep SCC a golf club. We also like the low key, informal nature of the club. We think it is great. Very little change needed.-Signature illegible

It is hard to comment on some of these choices without knowing the financial impact to the club and its membership. I favor enhancements to the course as a priority because that is why we belong to SCC and improvements will be appreciated by all.-unsigned

Why does the club have to “go” anywhere? The long range plan should be to maintain the golf course and club house. The tendency of many directors of clubs is to “improve” the facilities, spending capital where it is not needed, such as, swimming pools and indoor tennis courts. Soon the maintenance costs go up and the the dues go up. A perfect example is the bar put in a few years ago. The cost of a drink there must be astronomical. It is hardly used but we have to pay for a liquor licence[sic] and a bar man. Those wishing a drink could have brought their own and put it in a locker, as they do in all counties in the US that prohibit the sale of liquor. The club is just fine the way it is (it would be better without the bar) but it is “low key” not “flash”.S. Willard(?)

-----Original Message-----From: Chauncey Bartholet [mailto:cbartholet@comcast.net]Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2010 7:20 PMTo: SCC IBMSubject: SCC survey

Hi Linda,

I hope this reaches you.

I'm in Mexico and not on my ususal computer.

I have the survey re club improvements and want to forward these comments to Jackson and Joe. Would you please do that for me?

Survey response:

Rather than line by line response, I'd like to submit the following general comments.

First - it is a great idea to do the survey.

Second - We don't have to put the money from admissions into capital improvements; we just have to pay 10% tax on stuff we use for operations. It might be good to go slow on capital stuff until we are sure where the economy is headed.

I don't use the facilities other than the course and driving range much now since my wife doesn't play, so I won't comment on the clubhouse.

I don't think putting the golf operations in a seperate facilty is a good idea - it leaves the clubhouse management isolated. And the

clubhouse gets minimal use now and would get even less if the golfers didn't have to be there to post scores etc.

Better restroom facilities on the course is a good idea.

Double row sprinkler system seems a luxery we don't need.

The architect who made the improvement suggestions was part of the company that did the back nine so all the suggestions were for the front nine. I don't think they were good ideas at all - taking out the grass bunker on four was, I think, a mistake; planting trees on the mounds was considered a bad idea due to bad soil by other architects; changng the traps on seven looks like busy work; the ladies love the tee on three as it is now; etc.

More paved cart paths is good.

.

Beautification is nice but increases maintenance.

Driving range -

regrading to make it possible to see your ball land would be nice.

target greens and clearer yardage markers would be nice.

The purchase of the facility was of no interest to the CGF the last time we explored it a few years ago. Unless they were eager sellers it is unlikely we could get it at a price that was comparable in cost to the lease. It would take a major change in attitude for them to put any kind of a price on it that could make it attractive to us. The lease issues as to how it inflates over time have been resolved largely in our favor and it is now a pretty attractive lease.

It costs about a mill a year to maintain the course; it would cost about 6 mill (?) to rebuild it so the sunk costs are relatively low compared to the maintenance costs. The CGF will probably want to lease it to someone 80 years from now and the club should be in a strong position in bidding.. If they bid to extend the ease when there were still 10 or so years left the CGF would face the prospect of our letting the course gradually run down as the lease expired. So instead of getting back a great facility they would get back one that needed a lot of work. Extending the lease would be an attractive option.

There are a lot of courses in Myrtle Beach that you could buy for cheap right now.

There is no way to guess at what it might or might not be worth 80 years from now

The bonds now represent free cash float to the club.

Retiring them is nice for th people who get the cash, but only hurts the club.

I would only do this if I had a major cash surlpus and and assured waiting list of member applicants.

Good luck with it all and I am personally most grateful to have you guys working so hard so I can loaf and play!

Sorry I'm not there to help with the grunt work, but happy to be here in Mexico and away from the snow.

Chauncey

Got to be kidding or no way for roof top deck, expand clubhouse patio, swimming pool, day care, more outdoor tennis courts, and indoor tennis courts. Why? To retire bonds. (Michael Smyle)

Total waste of money for rooftop deck. Don’t tinker with golf course architecture. Reverse the nines is a good idea. Isn’t acquiring the land too expensive? Proceed very carefully on retiring the bonds.

Roof top deck – why? This was done at my former club, was not used and finally phased out.

Reversing the nines is a big mistake as #9 is a poor finishing hole and the current back nine is much more appealing (aesthetics, challenge, etc) and would be an after thought if played as the front nine. (Ray Uzanas)

I think the club is pretty great as it is….as it has evolved over a relatively short period of time. It could continue to use some tweaks along the way. I believe there is one major issue that needs to be addressed: How do you accommodate older members who want to scale back in anticipation of future withdrawal/retiring from the club. (Bruce Biddle)

Excellent survey. (Jim Sullivan)

I judge the dining room/bar area needs to be combined and made to be more comfortable and inviting. Certainly a decorator or some of our very talented women members would be capable of designing a room that everyone would enjoy and spend more time in. (Janet Sullivan)

Our comments are prepared jointly after completing individual part 1 sections. In general we give priority to golf course improvements on the premise that SCC is a dedicated gold facility. We don’t favor plans that go in the direction of a “country club” with a large diversity of amusements and child caring activities. We have long felt that our model should reflect something very close to The Black Hall Club. We have strong opposition to a full service dining room, swimming pool, and child care activities. Clubs

that have these amenities have great problems with cost containment, not just from operational expense but also from those associated with insurance and liability. Two non golf amenities we do support are tennis and paddle tennis courts. These provide significant activity options at comparatively reasonable cost. As an avid tennis player, Jon fins the existing tennis courts quite satisfactory assuming their present condition can be maintained at reasonable cost. Paved cart paths would seem to be an unnecessary expense (including future maintenance) in most areas. Certain severe pitch areas, such as between 10th green and 11th tee may require keeping paved. We once felt reversing the nines was appropriate, but the current configuration is so ingrained into the SCC personality that nothing is to be gained from the logistical task of changing it. In focusing on the golf experience and long term viability of the club, we give high priority to electric golf carts, double row irrigation, and better and consistent sand in the greenside and fairway bunkers. Acquiring the property from the Coast Guard Foundation should be a top priority subject to feasibility and probably should take priority over bond retirement. (Jon and Miggie Belden)

Have a new schedule for seniors who will be playing less and wanting to pay less. I think the club has made valuable and efficient changes to the course, the clubhouse, and to activity. We think it is a great bang for the buck. Well done. (Betsy Biddle)

Suggest the course be made more available to those who just would like to play golf.

Maintain as golf club, not country club (costs of latter cannot be justified). Please add prisms to flagsticks so yardage guns can be used at SCC also. (Mac Smith)

Move proshop to new facility. Electric golf carts, acquiring the property, and retiring the bonds is a function of economics. These thoughts are sent with humble recognition that it is always easy to comment than to actually implement and balance diverse constituencies. From my experience Clubs that diversify from golf to include other activities (swimming, upgraded tennis, full dining, etc) generally regret the decision as there often turns out to be insufficient funds to please all and support this diversification. I believe SCC should focus on golf. That said I would like to: one, expand locker room facilities by moving the proshop and bag storage to a separate structure (see #2). It’s become an embarrassment to have guests at a men’s outing and have no room to shower and make one presentable – if possible - for the evening’s activities. This even applies to those hot summer days when shower would be really appropriate before lunching or whatever. Two, relocate his structure between the first and tenth tees. Three, reverse the nines. It would be much more enjoyable for those of who can walk to start on the more rigorous back nine and finish on the front. The current ninth can be made more challenging by new traps and rebuilding the green to make it more like 13. And then the truly most difficult hole would be on the front side. With respect to finances I am concerned that any capital improvement must be maintained properly in order to justify investment. I trust the budget for maintenance is continually adjusted to make sure it reflects any new capital investment. I wonder if today we are spending enough on maintenance to keep the course in the condition the experts desire.

Pursuant to the architect’s plans, it is necessary to insure that any changes are consistent with the annual maintenance budget. (Thomas Settle)

This summer will be the first time my husband and I will play SCC as members. I would love to fill out a survey in September. We summer in GLP. (Helen Passano)

It seems that we need additional lockers, even if we don’t redo locker rooms. The dining room furniture I falling apart, so that will have to be addressed at some point. Additional bag storage and cart storage is important. I feel the entrance road is dangerous. At one point only one car can pass at a time. On course bathroom facilities would definitely improve the quality of our club. We owe it to our former members to return bond money. An improved practice range would be tremendous. (Bonnie Battison)

Course is not finished. Must complete irrigation plan, pave cart paths, improve layout. (James Worcester)

Do we need expanded bag, hand cart storage? Better restrooms on the course would be nice. Reversing the nines is a great idea. We have only belonged to SCC for five years. It seems to me the club has come such a long way in this short period of time. For some reason, I just hate those loud, jerky, tacky gas powered golf carts – so popular on most public courses. I realize you probably have to build a cart shed to plug them in at night but it would be dollars well spent. Many thanks to the hard working board members. Keep up the good work. (Ann and Michael Adair)

I like the food service much better with Jon Kodama. I also like that you sent a survey out to the members. (Jennifer Kimenker)

Happy to consider any number of improvements (even ones I checked off as “low” interest). My main concern is how they are paid for. I recognize that for the purposes of the survey we were not to consider cost. Having said that though, especially in an era of financial distress and generally declining interest in “full service” golf clubs, the worst thing we could do is cause any kind of dramatic increase in dues. (Jim Kimenker)

We should be very careful not to price the cost of membership to a level that makes SCC less attractive compared to other good private courses in the area. (Bob Liguori)

Would like to see the locker facility expanded. Improved to allow for full lockers, showers by moving out the bag storage and possibly the proshop and offices to a separate building or addition. (J Basile?)

Restaurant minimum of approximately $100 a season. Tee times on Saturday mornings. (W Andrias)

Have simple building near new first tee for golf operations. No rush on double row irrigation, make sure we have enough water. Let’s improve the turf grass and greens.

Acquiring the land is the number 1 priority. Why perpetuate the problem of bonds – eliminate the $6000 bond and raise the initiation fee and use the money to pay off debt. Good survey and good luck. (Norm Auger)

We have lived in several parts of the country and belonged to country clubs (golf, tennis, paddle, swimming, full bar/restaurant service, etc). Since there are no such clubs in the area, we were pleased to be given a brochure which described something much like the above. I respect the club’s desire not to borrow heavily incurring a big debt so things have been done as they can be paid for. What concerns me is that newer members are strictly golfers and several of those whom I know are strongly opposed to adding different facilities, etc and want only a golf club. I have thought quite often about leaving as I only play golf a few times per year (I hesitate to leave because I paid a large fee on joining and am one of those people who helped finance the paddle court (not paid for by the club). I doubt that SCC will ever become a full scale country club, but wanted to make my thoughts known. Thanks for the opportunity. (Fred Eaton)

I feel strongly that as a long time couple membership there should be a dues adjustment for senior/single membership. The yearly dues should be no more than what the junior membership pays. Over the years I have truly enjoyed the club and would hate to drop my membership. (Mary Oberhelman)

Keep the current back nine as the finishing holes. Increase the difficulty of the front nine in accordance to a master plan – particularly the ninth hole. There wasn’t enough info provided to comment on acquiring the property from the Coast Guard Foundation – e.g. costs. Clear out the area between the 1st tee and 18th hole to beautify the course. Keep costs under control. (Bill Roderick)

I would very much like to have the dining room serve a limited dinner menu at least on Friday and Saturday evenings in the summer. Ideally, I would like to use the dining room twice a month for dinner year round. It would also be nice to expand the bar in the summer to at least 8:00 PM if we play nine holes in the evening everything is closed by the time we come in. (Kathleen Hantman)

Although the golf course could be improved in a variety of ways it is my opinion the “club” would be better served and made more attractive by focusing on issues that may be impeding future members, i.e. the lack of a country club experience. The lack of a fully functioning food and beverage service and the paucity of lockers, basically no locker room, are major deficiencies. The latter is a simple physical problem and can be corrected with little pain – Note 1. The dining room issue and lack of country club milieu is more complicated. If we are to attract more and younger members we need to improve the image of our membership – a bunch of trunk banging golfers. We need functions that encourage use of the dining room and/or a monthly minimum food service charge. The amount could be as little as $25 – 50 a month per family for at least May through September. We should consider any opening season (May) and closing season (October) Pro-Am that can be a breakfast or lunch Pro-Am. A true scotch (alternate shot) format, 9 holes, for spouses/significant others with dinner to follow

would also be helpful in promoting more use of Jon Kodama. These are difficult times but it is more dangerous for us in my opinion not to improve, increase our young membership and provide long term stability for the club. (Ronald Hantman)

We need new chairs (like the ones with fabric) for the dining room. We do not need paved driving range areas for mats. The land could be obtained over a period of time. I feel we should try to pay off as many bonds as possible (some waiting are getting on in age). If the golf pro feels he doesn’t have enough room to display items maybe we should consider some thing. I am not in favor of having a huge assessment and expanding beyond our needs. (AL Halsey?)

When Jackson suggested that there were both economic challenges to our country and our beloved game of golf at this time, I could not agree more. Recognizing these challenges is a key ingredient to any sound financial plan. However, a close examination of the improvement menu could suggest that the resources available to the country club are unlimited. For example, if my memory serves me well, enhanced rest room facilities on the course has failed the cost benefit analysis at least three times. Yet, in these trying times, it has a place on the menu. Replacing the sand is humorous. I can still see Ed Ettinger, Ray Uzanas and the gang shoveling sand. I was involved attempting to learn why the replacement sand cost so much. I have the notion that the sand, has been replaced on several if not many occasions, and will continue to be replaced. As note #4 recognizes the property is rented from the Coast Guard Foundation. The property needs to be purchased. At a minimum, two things are suggested: (1) start a fund designated for the purchase of the land, and budget dollars to the fund each year, and (2) engage the Board of Trustees of the Foundation and our elected representatives. Note #5 represents a marketing nightmare for the SCC. The prescribed policy for retiring equity bond obligations is disingenuous. The obligations were to be paid when full membership was reached. Exactly when full membership was reached I do not recall; but I do recall that I was the Club’s treasurer, and there were approximately 30 resigned members in the queue. Last summer, a newly resigned member told me that there were 67 on the list. How can a club with such expansive designs, as implied by the “wish list” menu, ostracize their retired members, many of whom built the place? (Robert Fox)

The traps need drainage. Install a level green for chipping practice. I enjoy my SCC membership for many reasons; friendships, the staff, reasonable food, great location and a challenging beautiful course. I trust our board and committees to continue responsible improvements. My list is minor – improved sand traps and practice areas, but can live with what we have if improvement is not cost effective. However, I will give up my membership if the club moves toward a swimming pool or day care. I value the adult recreation the club now provides. The cost of new facilities is only the beginning; liabilities, insurance, certifications and licensing will place an undue burden on those of us not using the facilities. I love my grandchildren dearly but will not inflict them on other members except for an occasional lunch. (David Thaxton)

I’m somewhat of a golfing purist. I think the bulk of the changes should be to improve the golfing experience. Everything else is secondary. (Eric Wong?)

I feel that the ultimate goal of the club should be the enjoyment of the golf course. Secondary to that are all the other areas. Another course of action that is crucial is continued growth as we have a higher age demographic. Benefits that focus on a better experience for more, younger members will sustain the club for years to come. Better, longer course (irrigation, length, design, exposure). Better, longer range. Pool will bring family membership. Although our challenge is always catering to the unique interests of each member’s club charter should provide direction and a club mission statement. (Jason Cerniglia)

It would be nice to have a separate building for the golf shop, bag storage and electric carts closer to the first tee which could also make picking up drinks, snacks and food on the turn more convenient. Supervision of the first tee would be easier. A restroom between the 4th green and 15th tee should be a high priority. Paved or ground up asphalt cart paths for inclement weather or wet fairway conditions would also be good. Retiring bond obligations should be attempted in part even before we have full membership to our founding members. It would be a nice way of saying thank you to them. If the price is right to purchase the property, it should be presented to the membership. (John Urban)

I would love to see the club work to make itself a family club. This means actively pursue putting in a pool and making the tennis program one that could compete with area programs. And of course a pool, pool, pool. I have been a member at different clubs here and outside the US and this becomes a focus for many members, young, not so young and mature. It could make the club more vibrant all day long. Young families would be more likely to want to join. Young families are essential for the life of the club. (illegible)

We have too many tournaments during peak time during the summer. I like not having tee times but when the course gets taken over for a tournament on Saturday or Sunday it defeats the whole purpose. Mike has done a great job of trying to minimize the time the course is shut down when tournaments take place. I am a weekend person and take my vacation in August, I think we had a club tournament every weekend for some groups, seniors, junior, club championships. It is out of control. At many of these tournaments it’s the same people from what I can see on the sign up sheets. It would be an interesting statistic to research what per cent of club members play and what per cent doesn’t. I’ve spoken to a lot of members like myself. For infrequent members like myself the cost per round is getting prohibitive. We end up subsidizing the local residents and retired folks. Sorry to rant like this but you asked for feedback. I like the club, its members and state. It’s reasonably good value. You should do exit surveys of people who leave too. See what they have to say. (Robert Osieski)

Implementing the course architecture master plan is a bad plan. The use history does not justify improving the racket area. (Bob Offen)

I think the SCC is a gem. I wouldn’t mind some improvements but it meets my needs very well. (John LaMattina)

Stick to functionality, improve course features. Plantings are great don’t overdo it; water demands and increased maintenance will follow. Cost for a swimming pool, staff, and maintenance are prohibitive. We have a golf club that needs to be the focus of expenses until it is at the level of excellence we seek. Other projects need to be set aside until that event is reached. We have made great progress in that direction. Let’s keep focused on it. Storage of clubs, push carts, should be expanded. Now it seems “exclusive” instead of inclusive of all members. This should not be the case. Furniture is functional and dos the job. Consider how often spaces are used and whether expense to renovate/expand is warranted or justified. Focus on spaces that are most often used by members. The bar area makes a statement, it’s not a big part of who we are. Works fine whenever I am there – perhaps another staff member when events occur. Pay off debts, purchase land, always look to resource and maintenance costs; grow it slowly and with functionality as a golf course the first priority. (Fred Scule?)

I think we have a wonderful club! I’d like to see a canopy over part of the practice area. I’ve seen moveable canopys ---- that way you can practice in the rain or out of the sun. Thanks for all your hard work.

Reversing the nines is very appealing to me. Walking the back nine first would make it much easier to complete eighteen walking for th(os)e over 70. The pro shop, bag storage and Mike’s office all need to be enlarged and upgraded. Continue to focus on the golf course for additional improvements. Mike has done a fabulous job to date. (Joe Kirby)

I’d like to see a fitness center w/o a swimming pool. If we could add a library corner I’d spend more time at the country club. If more people spend time around the club our restaurant and pro shop should benefit. This will make our club more attractive to new members as well as to member’s families who do not golf. (Jackson King ?)

More chairs (in the dining room). Pave (the entrance driveway). Get rid of the furniture because someone is going to get hurt (pro shop patio area). (Unreadable)

Chairs (clubhouse). Bench across west wall (bar facility). Composting toilets (on course restrooms). The chairs that were purchased for the dining room were a mistake from the start. They are too big, do not stack and they tip the occupant back away from the table. They were selected because “the men like to be comfortable”. I certainly believe that stackable, upholstered, armless chairs would be better. When the bar was originally designed a padded bench with back was to be attached to the west wall of the room. The smaller rectangle tables were to be place(d) in front of the bench followed by chairs. At the time we were running out of money but the plan was a good (one) with more seating and better use of the space. Perhaps it could be considered again. There

is a very extensive market of composting toilets. Many are without use of water and use photo electric cells to operate ventilators. These systems work well however since they will not be in use during the winter they will have to be regenerated with bacteria in the spring. This technology is ongoing and not labor intensive. Hand washing water could be delivered to the system periodically once a month. As to the paddle court. I make reference to the original plans which did include a second court and warming house. The utilities are already in place at the corner of the existing court (electricity, cable and phone lines). However until there is an assured number of players in the winter I do not think that it would be advisable to build another one even thought two courts make the potential for tournaments or scrambles attractive. Please contact me for the how’s, why’s etc of the plans. (Julie Doering)

I think all of the suggestions are excellent ones. I believe clubhouse/pro shop/ locker room upgrades are essential to put a new “face” on the club. I think the quality of the golf course speaks for itself --- we just need improved infrastructure to match. (Unreadable)

Suggest building an operational reserve fund to ensure there will not be a need for assessments when times are tough. (David Wolf ?)

I feel it is important to reduce our liability for bond obligations to resigned members and clean up our balance sheet. Purchasing the land from the Coast Guard (Foundation) is something we should seriously consider to maintain the legacy of our club for future generations. In my opinion expanding/improving locker rooms and tennis operations is not something we should be considering based on the use that these areas currently receive. Also, swimming pools, day care, and exercise facilities don’t make sense to me because of the demographics of the club. They are costly, place us at greater risk when we experience financial downturns, and move us away from what I think the charter of the club should be --- To provide an excellent golf club, not a country club, with reasonable amenities. Some of the most famous golf courses in the world in Scotland and Ireland, which I have been fortunate enough to visit, have extremely modest facilities with very few amenities. Thank you for the opportunity to allow the members to express their personal opinions. (Jerry Snyder)

Survey is a good idea. Critical that the club remain financially sound and not take on too much. Reversing front and back nine is appealing. Don’t think we need a “fancy” locker room but if the funds were there I’d like to see us have something better than we have now. (Fred Ziegler)

Some have the newer fine gravel --- please continue this---also the 10th – 11th hole path really needs a fix (cart paths).

I think the decision that is most significant is “Are we a golf club or a country club” and can we afford any major improvements and still keep our membership dues low? (Joan Cerniglia)

I have always thought that a modest minimum, $50 – 75/month, would encourage more active use of the dining room/patio food service. I realize that this is a minority opinion. (John Lyon)

The wooden areas inside the course are a jungle of vines. I’m not saying those areas need to be cleaned up to the level of the area between 17 and 18, but a pass thru those areas to at least cut all the major bittersweet vines would lead to more attractive woods over time. I’d even be willing to do it in the winter. (Jim Anderson)

• Re acquiring property: Depends on lease terms, purchase price. Can you renegotiate lease terms? I doubt it makes sense to buy. (no signature).

• Joe C. you know my pet reeves: Steps from 11th tee, Steps to 16th tee, Benches for the men’s tees. (Joe Nig.).

• SCC is attractive pleasant and adequate for now and longer. Most important is to repay bond holders – this was a promise. If there is sufficient need for daycare, it should be organized and paid for by those using it. (no signature).

• Would like to see a different golf architect evaluate our course. I was not impressed with the firm we hired – I think we need new professional eyes to play the course and make suggestions. If the nines are reversed, I would want to see the current 9th hold improved dramatically to provide a challenging finishing hole. Perhaps water added in front of the green? Would like to see a minimum (monthly, seasonal, yearly?)instituted for food. Tee times on Sat. morning. (Mary Lou Andrias).

• I would like to see more activities for families with young children. In 2 years, I have played golf about 3 times b/c I have young children. Young members are critical to the future of this club. Why are our needs not being addressed? I am very frustrated and if a peer asked to whether or not to join, my answer would be to wait until the club stops catering to only the older members. The club has enormous potential. Stop finding reasons t say “no” and say “yes”. (Jamie Terrell?)

• SCC is in a unique position to offer tremendous amenities that no other club in SE CT offers. To have a full service club with golf, dining, pool, and tennis would broaden the appeal of the club to a greater demographic that has not been well developed. (no signature).

• Our biggest issue is the cramped lower floor of the clubhouse. I like the idea of a separate building for the pro shop, club storage, etc. Then use the lower floor for locker rooms. (no signature).

• Social membership needs more activity. Bridge is enjoyed by many and especially the ladies. (no signature).

• Have available maintenance personnel shovel the paddle courts after a snow storm. If they do it on their “off hours” pay them overtime and charge the paddle players. Change the handbook to a three ring notebook and include a brief bio of members. Maybe a picture! Only changes would have to be distributed each year and could be made available on the internet. Make available an aerial view of the club that members could use as a screen saver. Organize member group

outing to other clubs. Maybe even negotiate a discount! (Fishers Island, TPC Cromwell, Newport National, Augusta). (H.R. Burgess).

• Given the high debt obligation owed to former members, I feel that a plan to reduce that amount should be a very high priority. This club as good as it is, owes a lot to the many former members to which we are indebted. A firm plan might enable us to avoid future problems that could affect our ability to attract new members. (Joe Vidon?).

• I think reversing the 9’s is a great idea. I believe it would speed up play. Walking the course for 18 holes it seem to me that it would be much less taxing physically to finish on what is now the front 9. (Jack Reid).

•

• Original charter member and very proud of the great progress the Club has made. No longer can play golf.

Concerned that the original intention was to have the new members pay off the bonds of the retiring members. Poor image for the club to initiate new members. A real liability.Peter Briggs

• Implement course architecture changes per master plan - results were very superficial and only covered the first 9 holes because the same architect designed the back nine.

Tees too small and longer holes would make the course more interesting for better younger players.Would favor improvements to practice facilities.Bill von Gladen

• The club should not strive to be something that is not feasible in the local economic area. Club should focus on golf course condition, programs and practice facilities.

Sam Chapin

• We can improve the look of the club by letting natural fescue grasses grow.Richard Beaudoin

• Assess each family $ 1000.00 for three (3) years which could generate up to $ 3M. This money could fund many improvements.

Paul Holland, Jr.

• You should have scheduled tee times early on weekends so you know when to arrive. Fast playing twosomes for the first 30 minutes.

Matt Coudert

• Important to improve the golf course, practice areas and golf operations and I am opposed to significant expansion of the physical plant for other purposes, i.e. swimming pool. Do not want to undertake more financial responsibility for major infrastructure improvements.

Electric carts with wind screens would be great.Christine Grady

• Water for the rough.M. Leslie • The Club is at a crossroad. The course and clubhouse have made great strides

but neither are complete. Focus on one or the other.Assigned a $ 1000.00 assessment for two years to get the projects done in a timely way. The club is getting younger and more of us are realizing that we will be part of the club for many years and are anxious to get moving with significant capital improvements. Time to move forward in a responsible and aggressive way. Matt Amaro

• Emphasis should be on the care and improvement of the golf course. Receptacles on every tee for used tees, along with dirt and seed to replace divots.

Care is important to attract new and younger members.(Cannot read name)

• A separate building operations sounds like a good idea. Instead of doing “patch work” do it right the first time! Could be located between the 1st and 10th along the path.

Better bathrooms on the course should be a top priority. It’s embarrassing to hide what we have.Bond obligations should be addressed, if not at all, some each year.(No Name)

• A slightly better locker room, not too high end, would enable others to use the course more. Transition from golf to dining and invite more guests would create a better pipeline for new younger members with families.

(No name)

• We should build a 19th hole to replace any hole under construction, considering greens and bunkers to be included.

(Name unrecognized)

• I believe significant improvement can be achieved by adding surround irrigation , not double-row irrigation. Over-rated and expensive.

“The club cannot disregard costs.” Stay the course, our conservative strategy has SCCIn better shape than most other clubs.Stanley Wells

• Define who we are, a country club or golf club with amenities.

Evaluate tournament/scheduling to minimize “interference/disruption” of general member play, especially weekends in July and August.Upgrade cart quality ASAP, with windshields. Also, reduced rate for special events to increase participation.Ray Shorpe?

Graeme and Christine Taylor – Maintain high standards of course stewardship, reduce average age of membership, and develop more entertainment options for non-golfing family members – pool, bocce court

Rick McCarthy – get rid of unsightly driving screen near first tee or move to where it’s not visible. Overall remain conscious of keeping cost of playing at SCC reasonable. Money should be spent on improving the golf experience including the esthetics. Front 9 needs help, especially 5-9. Do we really need to take down so many trees? I feel course appearance has suffered.

The club’s first obligation should be to its own financial future. Use the current strong financial position to reduce bond obligation and purchase golf course property. Secondly, the bar facilities should be improved. At the very least a bartender should be on staff during course hours. Thirdly, a pool would also make the club more attractive to families and younger membership.

I think this survey is a terrific idea. My top two priorities are: Making the front nine more interesting. 2. Building/adding something appealing to non-golfing family members. A pool would work, but other things might too. A separate issue, I would also like to see some period of cheap guest fees like afternoon on Saturday and Sundays. We have some weekend guests who don’t play much and current weekend guest fees are punitive.

Bob Martin - Stop with all the projects. You have done a fine job creating a pleasant golf experience we don’t need more stuff at the club. Ask how many members use SCC as the only club for activities. If you load up the extras and raise the freight; I may not want to pay the extra. I hesitate to do the math to calculate the cost per round now.

Things I see at “select” clubs that I don’t see at SCC are: indoor tennis and gyms, comfortable locker rooms with steam rooms, electric carts, nice tee markers, and a distinctive logo.

Dave Remmert - I’m split down the middle on course and clubhouse improvements. I believe they are equally important to the successful future of this club. Clubhouse focus should be on lockers and locker rooms with compliment of shower facilities. The idea of a separate pro shop with bag storage would increase the main clubhouse square footage enough to do so. Golf course focus should be on fairway, green and bunker conditions. Design changes should be secondary but considered.

Joe Birmingham – Excellent club, lets reverse the front and back nines.

I would like to see the club expand its services; swimming pool with snack bar, seating, bathrooms with showers; better appearance with more flower beds, more formalized tennis programs, upper deck on patio with services, exercise room with lockers, camp for kids with counselors, (golf, tennis, swimming)

Keep dues low while improving the course. I would not take on any big projects other than to upgrade carts to electric. I believe no. 5 would require a by-law change. We should not be paying back until the club is full.

Future plans – long range planning – remain a golf club. 1. 300 active members only, improve and beautify course as necessary, hopefully no major changes. 2. Establish a senior married membership such as independent associate with reduced dues and full privileges and whose spouse is no longer active, perhaps only participates in dining etc. 3. Do not agree with seniors only 6 rounds of 18 holes should be able to play 12 9-hole rounds. At present a married couples pay full rate even if one is active and non active become social.

Joe Blair – Great job. Hard do answer questions with no $s attached. I believe we should not be spending a lot of money except for better and electric carts. Also, why would we prematurely retire bond obligations? This makes no sense to me unless we have more $ that we know what to do with. I know that at my other club, no is getting paid back. Thanks for listening.

Not a member very long, but course is in fairly good shape. Agree with cover letter that focus could change to clubhouse and other facilities.-RG Harley

I feel the club as it currently exists is more than adequate. We are primarily a golf club and should remain such with top grade maintenance and improvements to the course as needed. Substantial changes to the clubhouse are not necessary and will only raise dues and cause members to leave. -Bill Rockwood

It would be nice to own the land covered by the ground lease. However I don’t want to see the club leverage the property with a lot of debt. I believe we need to continue to keep operating costs down to survive in the future. Large capital improvements or buying out the land lease which require leveraging the property should be avoided.-William Grady

The mission should be to keep SCC as a golf club in the country rather than a country club. Those words were used to describe our club when If firs joined and is why I love it so much. Our investments should be golf centric vs. social and non-golf activities.-unsigned

It’s all about trying to attract & retain members. Improved facilities will bring younger members with families which would be good. The golf course could be improved significantly with more minor improvements in new tee areas on several holes and some alterations in bunkering. Greens conditions need to be maintained as continuously excellent. The club has been very successful financially and is in good shape. This approach should continue into the future.-??

Goals for this club should be good golfers and young families. To do this:Course improvementsSwimming poolNice outdoor diningProvide summer memberships - ways to entice younger membersKids’ golf, tennis & swimming. “Build it and they will come”Provide some of the social stuff like SHYC.

An asset like above in Stonington will attract more families to the area, increase property values, etc.-unsigned

I keep meeting young families who are ready, willing and able to join a club that would offer them both tennis & golf. Can’t we beef up our tennis program by having a pro set up adult clinics & events? Let’s get these younger families on board.-unsigned

Projects that improve the “quality” of the playing experience should, in my opinion, continue to be the focus of the long range plan.Improvements to the irrigation system, better cart paths, improved bunkering, more hospitable OB and lost ball areas together with aesthetic on-course plantings, etc. that would add visual impact would be great.Although long range plans tend to be facilities related, I would like to see a greater emphasis placed on the availability of the the club facilities for the general use of the members. Specifically, there has been an increase in the number of events that preclude membership play, multiple men’s member-guest, senior member guest, women’s member guest, interclub leagues, etc. The SCC Board and this committee have done a great job. Keep up the good work!-Karl Parks

It would be nice to have a small building housing bathroom facilities closer to the course.-Karen ??

In my view we have a wonderful club now because we have:a) a very nice, interesting group of members.b) an attractive, challenging golf coursec) reasonable dues and fees

I don’t see any need to get “fancier”.-Ivy Bartholet

Perhaps it can be inferred from responses, but long term resolution of philosophical question of golf club or country club should have been asked. I vote GOLF.I would place a high priority on redoing front nine (which should be back nine) Greens to make them more contoured, interesting and challenging.

Get golf carts with windshields.Have shoe cleaners at every tee; more benches; relocate ball washer on #10 to a useful location; secure shoe cleaner poles so they don’t spin when used and lower all the shoe cleaners to more or less ground level (some are too high to use comfortably).Thanks for asking!-unsigned

When I joined there were more year round social activities, it was to be a Country Club.Now it has become a golf course mainly. The Stonington Harbor Yacht Club, a seasonal yacht club, has become a year round club and taken some of our members, especially social members, away. If you want “social members” you need to provide more activities.-Swimming pool & day care really attract younger members. Not needed for older members. -great expense, don’t think income from it would be that great -living by the shore, lots of places to swim or join, many already in YCs or swim clubs-Membership of widows (especially) have to pay a large price, many hardly play, many 9 hole ladies, not seem fair. Maybe half-price, limit amount of golf they play to ladies league and 6 times?-Membership of unmarried couples. I know of a young couple, hardly together for more than a year, only the man was approved, then he + girl (not approved) get to join for one price (also older couple, not living together, are joined as a couple), yet long time widow pays full frieght for a single.Golf is not my only priority. What about Bridge Ladies? This year every Tuesday, about 10 or more had lunch each week at club and played in the PM. They play all winter and can’t even have a cup of coffee, since no coffee provided anymore. Many of them are social members. Couldn’t we have a Mr. Coffee?Food - Good food this year, but mnay golfers leave and don’t support the food service. These people want better golf, better facilities but don’t support what we already have.Paddle Tennis- Again not treated with respect. Need 2 courts to enjoy- not let us use little building for warming area, not clean courts, not build wood “duck walk” through mud.More benches on course (both men’s and women’s tees)Bring back bocce tournament or funThanks for asking for our ideas and considering them.-unsigned

Golf Course Enhancements1. Improve greens to assure consistent high quality pace.2. We should strive to be regarded as one of the best conditioned courses in the area.3. Enhance and develop image of SCC as a unique high quality, low cost provider of

great golfing value.-Marc Ginsberg

We should remain focused as a golf club, with most of our resources dedicated to the course. We do not need a fancy clubhouse, and I strongly believe that a swimming pool would destroy the fabric of SCC. -WH White

Replant trees, bushes on left side of 10th tee to hide equipment and to look better.Rebuild bocce court- great activity for families, especially on Sunday morning.-Jan Virginski

1. The small size of our pro shop is a disgrace.2. Target greens are way overdue3. Ditch on side of entrance drive is a hazard4. Bonds should be retired in a timely mannter5. The gap between left and right bunkers on 7 and 8 should be increased so short

hitters have chance to run the ball up. Fairways on 1, 7, 9, 14, 17 should be brought towards tees when sprinkler system is redesigned.

6. Clean out underbrush in woods on #5 right of 150 marker.-Walter VirginskiI am strongly against building a swimming pool w the attendant maintenance, staffing and insurance costs.I want Stonington to remain a golf club. I do not think now is the time to for the club to embark on major expansion projects beyond the improvements to the course.I think that the facilities, clubhouse, etc. are perfectly fine and do not see the need for indoor tennis courts, a golf operations center, etc. Kudos to the board for a well-run operation.-Michael M Janson

Locker rooms with an exercise area and co-ordinated instruction from the pro (or trainer) would be beneficial-unsigned

Major expansions and commitments (swimming pool, new clubhouse, greatly expanded tennis, etc.) should be undertaken with the philosophy of if they come, we will build it. SCC has a unique niche - change should not be casual.-David Brown

Focus on and improve the golf course and practice areas.-John ??

I have not been visiting the club frequently to make an informed recommendation.-??

Complete the master plan for the course, improve bunkers and irrigation. Also improve the aesthetics of the course, parking lot, club house and surrounding areas to increase attractiveness. Good that we are improving the bar area. We need to continue after-golf support of the bar. Not only on Wednesdays.

If we can finance a pool and have it self-sufficient, I’m in favor for that. We can tie it in with a class locker room.-Al Nosal?

I am happy with the management and priorities of the club. I encourage the club to continue to explore ways in which we can both improve it, but without incurring too much incremental debt. One of the ways that this can be acheived is to focus on long-term improvements that can be directly linked with incremental revenues and increased membership. In my opinion, a pool is an example of a feature that would both increase usage of the club, and be a powerful attraction to prospective membership.-Tim Ognisty

As a fairly new member who doesn’t play very often, I don’t have many strong opinions one way or the other.I do however feel we need restroom facilities on the course and that bond obligations are a top priority.

SCC has done a great job at pacing itself and I would hope this trend doesn’t change. Many of the ideas would be wonderful but of course will be spread out over the next 20 years.-Donna Brown