NEW SEASOIN BEGINS!

Today was really the start of the new season!  Opening day was yesterday, but the Spring meeting was held this afternoon preceded by a scramble which was attended by 13 golfers.  It was a bright sunny day with a strong Northwest wind and a chill in the air.  Winners today included Ron Vose, Dusty Batley, Bob Richardson, Hank Read, Chris Blum, and Dave Allen.  The meeting was well attended and all present had strong feeling toward a great year of golf ahead.  Let's get our friends out there to become members.  See you on the course!

GREAT NEWS!  The golf clinic returns on May 30th!  Free to public, with golf pro Matt Murphy.  Look for info on the website.  Contact Hank at 845-2347 to sign up for a one-on-one.  It is a great opportunity to bring friends to see the course and meet a few people.  We gained a few new members here last year.  During the afternoon, the course will be open to play at no charge...SO...this is the time to spread the word and get some new possibilities on the course!  Make the effort...and improve your game at the same time!

Just a quickie to welcome Jim Murphy onto the Board of Directors!  Jim was the unanimous choice to replace the vacancy made by the new bylaw combining President and Chairperson of the Board.  Get to know this guy!  He brings new energy to the board...and hopefully new members to the club!!
Welcome Jim!

Another season opens with the annual Spring Meeting !  There was a record turn-out at the meeting which is really good news.  We heard about the general financial situation of the club, the problems with the property that happens to include our 4th green and 5th tee that will be sold in May, the revisions to the bylaws, our plans to hold another clinic this year, our club logo hats that are for sale, the condition of the course, the loss of our "beloved" pine tree at the corner on the 3rd hole, the progress of course projects, and the important problem with our numbers in membership.  We re-elected Les Demmons, Hank Aho, and Kerry Jett to the board for another term, established dues at $230 single and $380 couple for this year, left greens fees at $15, and limited the membership to 210 people (should we ever be able to get it up to that!).  In all, it was good to see the faces of old friends and fun to share a few laughs with them.
Please take my email seriously and give us a hand in pulling in members this year.  It is vital to the continuance on our organization!  Any good ideas on how we might increase our membership would be gratefully accepted.
I took a few swings the other day and realized that I am dead meat for Butch and all on Thursday nights...but somehow, I can't wait!
See you there!
Bogey Bob

There was a certain sadness I felt the other day in seeing that twilight league has pulled to a close this season.  It was a good year for Thursday nights...and I looked forward to it every week.  I'd like to report, on the upside, that the course is in great shape...lush late season grass and perfect greens....and I really had the whole courser to myself...it was heaven on earth.  Let's not let this place go without your notice!  Come on out and get the last joy of the season...before the snow comes!

PERFECT WEEKEND!

This weekend was perfect for golf and just great for the UCC!  This afternoon was the Bob Heald Memorial Tournament with a good turnout of sun-drenched golfers.  It was as close as it could be with the winning team of Hank R., Butch W., Chris B., and Bob R. shooting a 2 over 31.  The other two teams tied for a close second at 3 over.  A great day that was followed by a cookout in front of the clubhouse.  Just a great picture...for which I did not have my camera!
BUT...I did have my camera for the clinic on Saturday.  It was well attended and all were given personal attention by pro, Scott Hoisington, before partaking in a morning ending couple of holes with Scott.  It was a terrific help to many and brought new faces to the club...and I hope, some new memberships.  It was a welcomed sight to see so many women showing up to get a start at this crazy sport.  Below are some of the mornings shots...a great time had by all.
Make sure to sign up for the President's Cup in the clubhouse!  It would be great to have a full bracket.It begins in earnest next Saturday (or whenever your match can be scheduled).

A BUSY WEEK!

Thursday is going to be great weather so there is NO excuse for not coming to Twilight League!  See you there!  Also, Saturday morning is the end of my slice...that is, I have a lesson lined up at the clinic.  There is still room, I think!  Bring friends to play in the afternoon for free!
Also...Come to the Bob Heald Memorial on Sunday at  2:30 P.M.  It's a scramble format and all should have a great time.  Come honor the guy who made this all possible.  If you are new to the club, this is a must.  Let's break records!

NEW TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR!

At the recent Board meeting, Chris Blum was elected to replace Les Demmons as the Tournament Director for 2014.  Chris has new ideas and some statistics on the previous years participation, so we should know soon what this years schedule looks like.  I hope that this year will break all records in participation.  Also, Thursday night Twilight League has begun in earnest!  If you are new to the club, come on down and have a great time on Thursdays, 6:00 P.M..  You don't have to be a great golfer!!  ALSO...new and old, remember to sign in before playing so that we can keep a record of course usage.
See you on the course.
Bogey Bob

HERE WE GO AGAIN!

I went out this morning to discover how much I had deteriorated over the winter.  The course is open and expectantly wet.  It will take a few days of sun to slow down the flow from the hill behind us, but Ed is there taking his usual good care of things...so no worry.   Two weekends away (the 17th) is the open-house and golf clinic.  I am going to attend with the hope that he can correct my slice in 15 minutes!  I hope to see you all there....with friends.  Free golf all afternoon!
Thursday marks the first Twi-light league gathering.   Bring your $1.50 and a good sense of humor!  It is forecasted to be good weather...let's get this year off on the right foot!
I can't for the world figure out where I got a 6 handicap....I shot a 40 today...with a few adjusted ball positions along the way.
Hank Read was up to the course yesterday during the hail and lightning and witnessed the demo of a large tree near the 4th green.  I am attaching his description:

  I have not given my golf game much attention yet this year, and I am aware that I better give it a little before I pay out the ransom that the Thursday Twilight League will extort this week and every week thereafter to October.  So, after today’s storms rolled through and the sun came out this afternoon I drove on up to UCC.

  On the way, it got darker and started to spit rain again, but it’s a quick drive so I continued on.  In the parking lot, I opened the trunk to gear up, but I heard something higher up Barrett Hill.  It sounded like wind or really heavy rain, a strong whooshing. And it was clearly getting closer, so I closed the trunk and continued to watch.  When I actually saw it approaching, I got back in the car to wait it out.  It was hail, and I was amused to see the pellets bigger than BBs bouncing around on my hood and on the ground.  Loud!  I reached up to open the screen between me and the moon roof so that I could see them up there as well, and that’s just when there was a spectacular flash and crash, simultaneous lightning and thunder.  I was definitely glad to be in the car.

   It eventually cleared enough for me to do what I came for, and I hit five balls off the first tee that dispersed over a wide area, leaving me in despair over my chances against the extortionists.  On my way to hit them again, I noticed a tree over by the 4^th green appeared to be striped white.  A closer look revealed that the bark had been blown off an ash tree from tip to roots, and pieces were scattered from the 4^th green to the 5^th tee, some of the larger pieces impaled in the ground.  Very impressive.  About the same time, the Union Rescue sirens started and the trucks went out, soon followed by more from up Rte 17.  When I left, Rte 131 was closed off, so I guess there was another strike further down.

  Go figure – the dreaded pine tree on the 3^rd remains intact.

See you all Thursday.!

MEMBER/GUEST OPEN HOUSE

The Member Guest Open House...commonly known as the Member/Guest Tournament was a measured success.  Four new faces appeared on the course and four faithful UCC members gave them a real good time.  The weather was perfect and the company was entertaining.  We played 18 holes of "best ball" format golf.  It was surprisingly close after adjusting for handicaps.  Mike Collins and his nephew, Steve Powell shot a sizzling 46 first first place money.  (I'm happy getting that for nine holes!)
Pat Powell and Lew Puriton managed a 50 and won second place money.  Members Bob Richardson and Don Carleton played with guest Dusty Batley and Scott McFarland...coming close, having a good time, but finishing out of the money.
We have got to remember that the only way we are going to increase our membership is by bringing new faces to the course.  This tourney is for that purpose.  It would have been great...and not too hard to imagine, if there had been three times the number of guest/member attendees.  It was a perfect day for golf....and all had a wonderful time!

THE WACKO!

Wacko doesn't quite describe the crazy layout for this year's tournament....but I overheard ideas for the next generation...next year....it should be even wackier!!  Many of the shots required in this tournament required shots into, over, or around the woods...so I lost a couple of balls.  I did have a great time, though, and look forward to the next big adventure in 2014.  Hope to see you all there!

A NICE PROBLEM!!

OK...Let's get something straight.....We have a very, very good golfer on the course in the person of Mike Collins.  I think there should be some new ruling...perhaps having him play blindfolded!  Being on his team on a Thursday night assures one of at least getting his money back...!  If the guy wasn't such a likeable, affable, decent guy, I'd think about having my friends from the city meet him in the parking lot!  Seriously folks....what are we going to do???  Mike...you are terrific, and a great addition to our club!  May you be around forever!
Get your names up on the list for the President's Cup starting June 2nd.  That should be a good one.  All the higher handicapped golfers know that it much easier when the other guy has to give you a stroke on most holes.  Also, although it may say that matches have to be played on certain days, in actuality, it's much more loosely scheduled....get your name on the list...find out later.  Let's have a full bracket for this one. 
See you all Thursday if it don't rain!

A QUICKIE!

Just a quickie...although those who read this blog are probably not the ones who need to be told...but this weekend is the Robert Heald Memorial Tournament....a good one for everyone...one that we all should attend because it is in remembrance of Bob Heald who gave us the course and left us money to support it.  Please let us all show up.  Someone asked me the other day who the club officers are.  He had never seen a few of them on the course....neither have I...so let's all show up.
Thursdays are going well....look forward to seeing more tomorrow (Thursday at 6:00).   Let's set an example and attend the events.
Cheers!

Well...The 2013 Thursday evening Twilight League got off to a great start tonight...but maybe that depends on what team you were playing for!!  We waited for a brief shower to pass and then got started with two teams of four players each.  They seemed to be equally balanced at the start, but the final score was 80 to 57!!  The winning team saw one player shoot par (29), another with a 9 handicap shoot a 32!  It was probably that glass of wine with dinner.  Anyway, a great time was had by all and we look forward to a great season.
I got word tonight that the Robert Heald Memorial will be on Sunday the 19th, so save the date...nine holes followed by  a board meeting...who can beat that?
The course is in GREAT shape!!

OK!  Been away a long time with all sorts of problems, but it doesn't take more than a fabulous weekend for Phil Mickelson and a rising stock market to get my mind thinking golf!  Phil gives hope to the "lefties" of the world...and the stock market will return our endowment to the level where we might have the courage to take some stumps off the course and make changes that turn UCC into the mid-coast jewel that we advertise.  It could be a great year!  Don't forget that your part in the big plan is to get some friends and neighbors to join.  Recognize that the increase in dues this year is only equal to a couple of new members.  Let's all work on getting it back to 200 members!  Of course...I know I'm only talking to the die-hard regulars here...but so what?  See you all on opening day....and (GO PHIL!)

Opening Weekend!

What a great weekend for golf!!  Everyone said they had a great time.  Congratulations to John, Dave, and Rick.  Here are some remembrances from the day.

OPENING DAY!
FRIDAY the 13th @ 12:00 PM (to let Ed do the greens in the morning.)
Scramble @ 12:30 on Sunday before the meeting.

Course Opening???

OK, OK...I understand. It is my inside information that the course will open next weekend...probably Friday. BUT....I don't know for sure. I will put it up here when I hear about it. Trust me!!

GOLF!!

I saw Ed today and he said that the course WOULD BE OPEN before the spring meeting!! I asked if I could start that rumor and he said that if it didn't start raining tomorrow and last for a week, even Friday was a possibility. That's great news!! How about a best ball tourney at 1:00 PM?? Maybe Les can run with that thought. Are you out there Les?? I'll give you a call to start this going soon.
Anyway, the course looked great and Ed was very positive. See you all there.

SPRING MEETING

Two weeks until the annual spring meeting. Could it really be that we could be playing golf by then? Les called to tell me Searsport Pines was open (back when it was 80 degrees here, but I'm still nursing a bad left hand, so haven't given it a try this year. I hope you are all in good shape and am looking forward to seeing everyone at the meeting. Got your new member quota yet?