OGC COMMUNICATIONS
*John Williston
A number of sharp-eyed readers have noticed a different name on the byline of this column in the past month. Frank Insell will be writing the Communications Column when he returns from vacation at the end of March. This writer, who has been authoring it for the past two years, will be concentrating on the Member's website and other communications efforts this coming year. He may be doing occasional blogs on that site, too.
The Valentine's Day Dinner at the Quail Inn on Sunday, February 14 was a seven course bargain, which once again demonstrated that our restaurant is capable of great things. Over one hundred enthusiastic attendees downed exquisite dishes prepared by our wizard Chef Santiago Santana. The menu included Ahi Tuna Tartar, French Onion Soup, Honey Sesame Pork Chop, Beef Wellington, Scallops, etc. WOW! Our winemaker dinners in the past have been knockouts, but this dinner was one of the best this writer has ever enjoyed at the Quail Inn. Kudos to all involved for this memorable evening. We have a restaurant we can be proud of.
Frank Joyce has resigned from the OGC Board of Directors and will be replaced by Barbara Spangler, who received the highest number of votes of the two candidates who were not elected to the Board in the last election. This procedure was in accordance with the OGC By-Laws and is effective immediately. She was also elected to Frank's vacated position as Club Secretary. Frank did a fine job, which he is leaving for personal reasons, and he will be missed. Welcome to the Board, Barbara!
Joe Leitner tied the East course record of 61, held by Zach Christ, during a Saturday Men's Club event held there on January 30. Congratulations, Joe! He didn't even realize that he had tied the record until it was pointed out to him. Two under the course par 63 may sound easy enough, but maybe not on the East course. If you should ever do better, and have attesters, be sure to report your score to the Pro Shop desk for credit, and an official listing in the NCGA GOLF magazine. Good Luck!
A very provocative golf-related article by Kevin McCallum appeared in the Press Democrat on Sunday, February 14. If you didn't see it, you might want to check it out by clicking on the link on the home page of the Member's website or enter the following URL: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100214/BUSINESS/2141060/1350
In essence, the article reviews recent trends and the impact of the current "Great Recession" on the golf business in Sonoma County. The growth boom in golf of the 80's and 90's has come to a screeching halt and a number of courses are closing around the country. The net change in the 16,000 golf courses in the country has gone from an increase of 252 in 2001 to a decrease of 90 in 2009, the fourth year showing a decrease.
In Sonoma County, public and private courses alike have felt the pinch, with even the elite Mayacama Club feeling a downturn, and many other clubs not even holding their own. Sonoma County is doing much better than many other parts of the country. Rod Metzler, President of Empire Golf, which is our management company, is quoted as saying that Oakmont has been relatively unscathed compared to other clubs Empire manages. He thinks that our exceptional situation is probably due in part to our large percentage of retirees, who have not been as affected by the economic downturn as the general population. How much of the current crisis is due to the recession, and how much may be a consequence of a longer term change in lifestyles is unclear right now, but the decline in golf play began in the early 2000's. Given the nation-wide situation, it is remarkable that Oakmont is doing as well as it is. Our aggressive marketing program and the excellent condition of the courses has no doubt played a major part in our success. Stay tuned.
If you want an update of our situation here in Oakmont, come to the OGC Annual Meeting, which will be held at the East Recreation Center on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 6:30 PM.
*John Williston
A number of sharp-eyed readers have noticed a different name on the byline of this column in the past month. Frank Insell will be writing the Communications Column when he returns from vacation at the end of March. This writer, who has been authoring it for the past two years, will be concentrating on the Member's website and other communications efforts this coming year. He may be doing occasional blogs on that site, too.
The Valentine's Day Dinner at the Quail Inn on Sunday, February 14 was a seven course bargain, which once again demonstrated that our restaurant is capable of great things. Over one hundred enthusiastic attendees downed exquisite dishes prepared by our wizard Chef Santiago Santana. The menu included Ahi Tuna Tartar, French Onion Soup, Honey Sesame Pork Chop, Beef Wellington, Scallops, etc. WOW! Our winemaker dinners in the past have been knockouts, but this dinner was one of the best this writer has ever enjoyed at the Quail Inn. Kudos to all involved for this memorable evening. We have a restaurant we can be proud of.
Frank Joyce has resigned from the OGC Board of Directors and will be replaced by Barbara Spangler, who received the highest number of votes of the two candidates who were not elected to the Board in the last election. This procedure was in accordance with the OGC By-Laws and is effective immediately. She was also elected to Frank's vacated position as Club Secretary. Frank did a fine job, which he is leaving for personal reasons, and he will be missed. Welcome to the Board, Barbara!
Joe Leitner tied the East course record of 61, held by Zach Christ, during a Saturday Men's Club event held there on January 30. Congratulations, Joe! He didn't even realize that he had tied the record until it was pointed out to him. Two under the course par 63 may sound easy enough, but maybe not on the East course. If you should ever do better, and have attesters, be sure to report your score to the Pro Shop desk for credit, and an official listing in the NCGA GOLF magazine. Good Luck!
A very provocative golf-related article by Kevin McCallum appeared in the Press Democrat on Sunday, February 14. If you didn't see it, you might want to check it out by clicking on the link on the home page of the Member's website or enter the following URL: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100214/BUSINESS/2141060/1350
In essence, the article reviews recent trends and the impact of the current "Great Recession" on the golf business in Sonoma County. The growth boom in golf of the 80's and 90's has come to a screeching halt and a number of courses are closing around the country. The net change in the 16,000 golf courses in the country has gone from an increase of 252 in 2001 to a decrease of 90 in 2009, the fourth year showing a decrease.
In Sonoma County, public and private courses alike have felt the pinch, with even the elite Mayacama Club feeling a downturn, and many other clubs not even holding their own. Sonoma County is doing much better than many other parts of the country. Rod Metzler, President of Empire Golf, which is our management company, is quoted as saying that Oakmont has been relatively unscathed compared to other clubs Empire manages. He thinks that our exceptional situation is probably due in part to our large percentage of retirees, who have not been as affected by the economic downturn as the general population. How much of the current crisis is due to the recession, and how much may be a consequence of a longer term change in lifestyles is unclear right now, but the decline in golf play began in the early 2000's. Given the nation-wide situation, it is remarkable that Oakmont is doing as well as it is. Our aggressive marketing program and the excellent condition of the courses has no doubt played a major part in our success. Stay tuned.
If you want an update of our situation here in Oakmont, come to the OGC Annual Meeting, which will be held at the East Recreation Center on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 6:30 PM.
