Got Golfers? Association leaders join Travel Michigan in major promotion–MiTeeTime.com

The new Crystal Spa

MGCOA members honored

Dewling named to Michigan Hall of Fame

Register now for “Golf Marketing 911” Photo L to R: George Zimmermann (Vice President, Travel Michigan), Golf League Network and Executive Directors Kevin Helm (Michigan Section PGA), Kate Championship fl yer Moore (Michigan Golf Course Owners Association) and Steve Yencich (Michigan Lodging and Tourism Association)

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News From The President

On October 12, 2008, Bill wrote this letter to Mr. Ron Whitten, Senior Editor, Architecture Golf Digest in response to the New Criteria for Course Evaluations. We thought it pertinent to share with you. Dear Mr. Whitten, Bill Fountain, President Mr. Whitten, we met about 20 years ago in East Lansing, Michigan at the Jerry Matthew’s designed Timber Ridge Golf Course. You had visited our course as we were being considered for the “Best New” opening public course for 1989. This year, on behalf of our shareholders, I would like to MGCOA thank Golf Digest for considering The Majestic at Lake Walden Golf Course for America’s and Board of Directors Each State’s Best Course for the 2009 rankings. It is a great honor. PRESIDENT Bill Fountain Along with being the Operating Partner here at The Majestic, I am also the current President of Majestic at Lake Walden the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association. Having been in the golf course business my VICE PRESIDENT entire adult life, I have observed many changes to course design and conditioning over the past Bob Koutnik 30 years. Michigan courses are currently going through challenges that many have never seen Fox Run Country Club before, both financially and environmentally. TREASURER Your letter, stating the redefined Conditioning category, could not have occurred at a better time. Jim Scott Gull Lake View The pressure for course operators to maintain tournament like conditions is causing an added burden to the bottom line of most courses. The benefit of encouraging water conservation is the Kathy Aznavorian Fox Hills Golf & Banquet right thing to do. Also, with no emphasis on the color green, these criteria will have a positive Center impact on the following, including but not limited to: Larry Bowden The Natural • Reduction of mowing, saving fuel, labor costs and wear on expensive equipment. Ed Clark Reduction of fertilizer, the price having doubled or more in the past year. Sandy Ridge Golf Course • Jim Dewling • Reduction of water, putting an emphasis on conservation. Total Golf Inc. Frank Guastella • Water reduction also saves on electricity needs, wear on pumps, heads etc. Franklin Golf Jeff Hoag • Limit over-seeding, an excellent option for southern courses. Scott Lake Country Club Mr. Whitten, your proactive approach to course conditions will be well received by the course Jim Jeltema Clearbrook Golf Club operators across the Nation. If it is appropriate, I would like to promote your position to our Association. A “Go Green” initiative on our courses has excellent marketing opportunities in Toni Joers Concord Hills the golf business. Thanks again for your support. Lynn Miller Sincerely, Indian Lake Hills Larry Moore Bill Fountain U.S. Golf Cars Operating Partner, The Majestic at Lake Walden Carolyn Olson Elmbrook Golf Course Steve Ramey Chisholm Hills Thank You! Dave Richards Resort & Golf Marketing Services Special thanks to the sponsors of our Tom Schwark Sycamore Hills 2009 Golf Industry Legislative Day Curtis Wright Copper Hills Golf Course Details of the event will appear in the May TeeOff Times 4 Tee-Off Times

MGCOA Board Member Jim Dewling Honored Two Amateurs, Two Pros Voted to Michigan Golf Hall of Fame TROY — Longtime Edgewood co-owner Ernie Fuller who encouraged Dewling to amateur stalwarts Bill enroll at Michigan State in the hospitality and hotel management Curtis of Northville and curriculum. Randy Lewis of Alma, Dewling graduated from MSU with a business degree in 1966 and Champions Tour star also became a PGA member. After seven years at Birmingham as Tom Wargo, formerly an assistant pro, Dewling moved into a field he’s never wavered of Marlette, and PGA from club management. He spent 10 years working for Joe and Master Professional Jim Steve Slavik at the new Great Oaks Country Club in Rochester Dewling of Clarkston and from that was the seed of Dewling’s Total Golf Inc. He has have been elected to the owned and or managed more than 40 properties and co-designed Michigan Golf Hall of three courses. Fame. Dewling, Curtis, Lewis and Wargo will be inducted May 17 at Dewling, 66, has spent a dinner at Indianwood. For more information, contact Loretta most of his life in golf from Larkin at [email protected] or (248) 719- that early introduction 0650. sweeping floors to twice being elected president of the PGA’s Michigan Section. Dewling learned from two outstanding The Michigan Golf Hall of Fame is located at the Troy Officentre, club professionals, Paul Van Loozen at Edgewood and Hall of 320 East Big Beaver, Suite 160, in Troy. The Web address is Fame member Ray Maguire at Birmingham Country Club plus www.michigan-golf-foundation.com.

Acting Locally

DON’T GET THE WORNG IDEA. JIM SCOTT IS A BIG BELIEVER IN THE VALUE of the NGCOA’S national office, which the Michigan golf course owner has supported as a board member since 1981. But he says it’s at the local and regional level where the benefits of NGCOA membership have been reinforced for him over the years. “Networking is so important in our business,” says the owner of Gull Lake View Golf Club and Resort, southwest Michigan’s oldest and largest golf resort. “We’re able to get together a couple of times a year for national events, but we can come together much more often for chapter meetings. And that’s where you really develop the close contacts you have with your peers and where you learn from successes and mistakes.” Scott, who started working at the family owned Gull Lake NGCOA President Charlie Birney (left) presents Jim Scott with View course before he finished college, has been at the Paul Porter Award forefront of the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association “I’m very anxious about the golf business in the year ahead, for the last two decades, sharing new ideas and looking out for but here in Michigan we already know what empty Saturdays the best interests of fellow owners and operators. In the last are like. We’ve dealt with that for the last five years,” Scott several years, he’s worked on behalf of the state association’s says. “We don’t have a true champion for golf, like we had political action initiative, which successfully lobbied to years ago with Dwight Eisenhower and Bill Clinton.” remove green fees from a Michigan sales tax amendment. He also helped spearhead the standardization of an online Michigan course owners and operators who have benefited tool that helps golf courses manage their league play with from Scott’s counsel and encouragement over the years might less labor but greater consistency. tend to disagree. March/April 2009 5

MITeeTime.com A collaboration of industry allies to promote tourism spending in Michigan with proceeds returning to fund golf marketing The process of finding and booking tee time reservations often organizations (go to mgcoa.org and click on the MITeeTime.com requires multiple phone calls and time-consuming manual logo for a brochure). There is a nominal charge to the golf course procedures. Golf courses are challenged with increasing tee time for booked tee times. After the technology company is paid the inventory yields and finding new ways to attract customers without minimal booking fee, the rest of the income generated from the fee breaking the bank. The ability for tee time resellers to market and is split among the program collaborators. Travel Michigan received sell golf reservations was hindered by the prevalence of closed 50% of all profits from the site. The MGCOA and the MIPGA, architecture tee sheet software programs preventing easy access who own the company that manages this program, MIGolf, LLC, to golf courses and their tee time inventory. MITeeTime.com was agreed to the 50% contribution to Travel Michigan because that established to increase tee time yields for golf courses and enable revenue will be directed to marketing golf in Michigan exclusively. profitable relationships between buyers and sellers of tee times and The success of this project is due to the fact that the major golf golf vacations in Michigan. MITeeTime.com will also help fund organizations in the state, along with the marketing power of Travel the marketing efforts for golf in our state. Michigan and the support of the Michigan Lodging Association Working with technology provider and industry partner GolfSwitch, recognized that they needed to work together to accomplish such an we have created a new, real-time marketing and distribution outreach to the consumer. Never before has there existed a website channel for Michigan golf courses and new, more efficient ways and booking engine that can be accessed internationally to drive for consumers to find and book tee times anywhere, anytime. This traffic through a State’s travel site. MITeeTime.com can also be U.S. patented technology is from GolfSwitch Network, the largest access independently as it has its own URL. Once in the site, the tee time marketing network in the world. GolfSwitch has now consumer is in Michigan.org and may move about the site to see consolidated 62 different interfaces to tee sheets systems around all that Michigan has to offer, in addition to golf. the world. GolfSwitch has developed 10 unique bookings engines that can facilitate a golf tee time transaction however it may be embedded at the golf course today. Whether it’s a stand alone tee time reservation or a complete real time golf vacation booking The Oetzel - hartman Group GolfSwitch is equipped to process the transaction. Real Estate Appraisers and Consultants In 2008 The Michigan Golf Course Owners Association, Michigan Section PGA, Travel Michigan along with the Michigan Lodging and Tourism Association worked with GolfSwitch to Confidential Valuation and launch a real-time, 24/7 access to the GolfSwitch Network the Analysis of largest network of online golf courses and tee time inventory in Golf Course and Resort the world. The private-label booking engine, MITeeTime.com establishes a state brand and maintains a consistent look and feel. Properties MITeeTime.com is accessible to the consumer through the golf portal on the Travel Michigan website, Michigan.org. By linking Contact: with Travel Michigan’s data base we are able to attract new and past customers with comprehensive golf course content and the James T. Hartman, MAI, SGA advanced functionality featuring availability search, booking and 321 Woodland Pass Suite 200 cancellation. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 336-0001 office Tee time search capabilities allow a consumer to search for desired (517) 336-0009 fax tee times by individual course, geography, date and time or price [email protected] range. GolfSwitch can book a tee time in real time, remove it immediately from the course inventory and charge the consumer between 0 and 100% of the green fee at the moment of booking. The collected proceeds can then be distributed into the merchant James Hartman is a licensed general certified account of the golf course through the internet gateway processor. appraiser in the States of Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. All golf facilities in the state of Michigan may participate in the program. Those facilities that are currently on the Golfswitch Network will be connected immediately to the State Portal Site. Others enroll through the marketing efforts of the collaborative 6 Tee-Off Times

Fellowship to Improve Profitability By Kate M. Moore, Executive Director The vision of the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association is of a fellowship of owners and operators sharing ideas to improve profitability and staying ahead of changes affecting the golf industry. We are a community of experienced owners and operators of all types and sizes of golf facilities. The MGCOA is charged with the mission to promote and preserve the best interest of the Michigan golf industry. That is a sweeping generalization and a broad task in these trying economic times. A major focus of the MGCOA is to represent the golf industry legislatively. Intense efforts that put lawmakers on notice about industry issues matters most to owners and operators, especially today, in this economy. We offer a multitude of resources that guide our members and the golf community on legislative issues affecting them. Every successful golf operation has hands on a variety of tools from POS systems, turf equipment, F & B procurement to human resource management. The NGCOA (National Golf Course Owners Association) and the GCSAA realized this crossover relationship some years ago when creating the Golf Business Show, combining the trade shows of both organizations. Here in Michigan, the Michigan Section PGA, MiGCSAA, GAM and the MGCOA have partnered on many projects realizing there is crossover for many individuals at a given property within our industry. This knowledge allows each of our organizations to be a resource so the individual golf property has as much opportunity for success as possible. The Michigan Golf Course Owners Association is dedicated to helping the golf industry. Whether it’s educational seminars, networking opportunities, group purchasing discounts, or protecting your business at the Capitol, we’re here to see all golf courses in the State succeed. The MGCOA serves exclusively to promote, protect and educate members of the golf industry in our beautiful State of Michigan. Best wishes for continued sunny skies and an early spring in 2009.

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Creating a new sustainable business model for golf By Tom Mead During the past forty years, the golf business has evolved from an affordable switchover to renewable energy sources. Within insignificant industry to a $76 billion per year business. Michigan this short and long-term capitalization framework, the annual has been a leader in this growth, currently ranking second in operating budget becomes consistently focused on a program that the United States with 956 active courses. While the boom has emphasizes playability and efficiency, utilizing agronomically generated increased golfing interest and expanded the industry, sound standards and practices. An adaptive management plan, current maintenance standards and practices at many operations establishing alternate paths consistent with originally-stated goals are no longer financially viable. The trend for the past forty years and objectives, aimed at achieving long-term golf course health, of building bigger and more expensive courses and continually is designed and adopted proactively, to guard against unforeseen increasing maintenance intensity and budgets might be financially circumstances. feasible for facilities that cater to the most affluent golfers who The spirit of the game, the financial aspects of the golf business are willing to pay anything to play the game. But for everyone and the environmental practices necessary for a sustainable golf else, the reality of this trend has become financially unsustainable. course are all compatible. We have the knowledge, technology Furthermore, it is not in harmony with the spirit of golf, with its and budgets to design, construct and maintain sustainable golf connection to the natural world or justifiable if we are interested facilities right now. All we have to do is shift our values, then in preserving or improving our environment. reflect them in a new business model that emphasizes the true Economic tough times now require Michigan’s golf facilities, spirit of the game and environmentally sound standards and regardless of type and annual budget, to develop new business practices. models based on sustainable standards and practices, with the goal The end result of thoughtful, economic decisions is a golf game of establishing short and long term financial viability. that is more fun and interesting to play, with considerably less A sustainability action plan will vary from facility to facility, but input and expense. To survive as a national pastime and remain there are basic requirements to transition to a financially viable, profitable, the game needs to evolve back to its origin, more sustainable business plan. There needs to be a clear understanding connected to the natural world and local community. A transition of where a facility has been and where it is at present, and a to sustainable standards and practices will not only prove to be realistic vision of what the possibilities are. Pragmatic, whole- important for the future of the game and the planet, but will also system thinking about what a particular site offers leads to designs be a prerequisite to improve the bottom line for many Michigan and practices that are economically and environmentally sound. golf courses.

Perhaps most importantly, a sustainable business model Tom Mead has been in the golf business for thirty-six years. recognizes, and plans for, a post peak oil economy. Peak oil is For the first fifteen years of his career he worked as the Golf the point in time when the maximum rate of global petroleum Course Superintendent at four private clubs, culminating extraction is reached, after which the rate of production enters in five years at the Mackenzie/Maxwell masterpiece located terminal decline. Virtually all aspects of golf course maintenance in Frankfort, Michigan, Crystal Downs Country Club. At are directly tied to the cost of oil, and the world’s peak oil date is Crystal Downs, his work included the implementation of a conventionally defined as somewhere between 2008 and 2012. comprehensive restoration program in collaboration with Golf The Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas (ASPO) Course Architect, Geoffrey Cornish. predicted in their January 2008 newsletter that the peak in all oil (including non-conventional sources), would occur in 2010. The With extensive renovation experience gained during his years actual date is not critical, as dramatically increased volatility in as a Superintendent, coupled with a keen personal interest in oil prices, associated with this worldwide culture-changing event, golf architecture, Tom transitioned to the development side of is already apparent. the business, collaborating on Tom Doak’s first design effort, High Pointe Golf Club near Traverse City, Michigan, where Creating a sustainable business model requires the development he served as Project Manager and Grow-in Superintendent. of new, clearly defined, financially realistic values, standards and practices. Implementation is based on highly efficient Tom has freelanced on numerous projects, providing planning, operating budgets, integrated with 5-year capital improvement permitting, construction management and consulting services programs, and 10-year capital equipment programs. A 5-year for new and existing courses. capital improvement program emphasizes design modifications Throughout his career, Mr. Mead has stressed the importance that measurably reduce maintenance expenses, establishes a of the environmental aspects of the golf business. He has high degree of self-sufficiency and maximizes the utilization quietly and consistently implemented creative, pragmatic and of on-site and local resources. A 10-year capital equipment environmentally sound designs, practices and specifications on program emphasizes reduced energy consumption, with a gradual, numerous noteworthy projects throughout the country. 8 Tee-Off Times

The Crystal Spa to LEED by Example Crystal’s new spa will be among just six LEED certified facilities in U.S. When Crystal Mountain’s new spa, the Crystal Spa, opened “We believe in promoting healthy lifestyles at Crystal Mountain this winter it became one of just six spa facilities nationwide to and the facility we construct is just as central to that philosophy be LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental as the spa services and fitness activities we will provide,” said Design) and the only in the Midwest. Jim MacInnes, president & general manager of Crystal Mountain. LEED is a third-party certification program through the U.S. Crystal Mountain has long been committed to serving as a leader Green Building Council (USGBC) and the nationally accepted in environmental stewardship. Crystal was the first Michigan ski benchmark for the design, construction and operation of energy resort to use renewable energy to power its high-speed chairlift, efficient and environmentally friendly buildings. During design the Crystal Clipper. In 2007, Crystal became the first four-season and construction of the 18,500 square-foot facility, Crystal golf and ski resort to earn Leader certification within the Green Mountain worked to meet a list of criterion provided by the Lodging Michigan program. In that same year the Michigan USGBC that demonstrates the building to be environmentally Chapter of the Sierra Club recognized the resort’s environmental responsible, profitable and a healthy place to live and work. efforts with the White Pine Award given to one non-member group or organization that has shown extraordinary dedication Throughout construction, crews have separated excess wood to protection of the environment. and cement materials for recycling. An environmentally-friendly foam insulation (Icynene) creates a seal throughout the building The Crystal Spa opened winter 2008/09 and includes 12 treatment that maximizes energy efficiency for heating and cooling. Other rooms, a manicure and pedicure area, men’s and women’s locker features integrated into the design such as compact fluorescent rooms, steam rooms, infrared saunas, and a private meditation lighting, motion sensors on restroom fixtures, ground water heat garden with hot tub. In addition, the facility includes an indoor pump and an automated power control system will only further pool, fitness and strength-training equipment as well as indoor enhance the Crystal Spa’s energy efficiency. and outdoor motion studios for classes such as yoga and Pilates. “The addition of the Crystal Spa and a state-of-the-art fitness center will uniquely position Crystal Mountain as the Midwest’s premier four-season resort destination to relax, renew, and revitalize,” said Chris MacInnes, vice president of Crystal Mountain.

Continued on page 11 March/April 2009 9

2009 Golf Business Awards Jack Berry Recognized with Matthews Lifetime Achievement Award The MGCOA is proud to recognize Jack Berry, renowned sports write as the 2008 recipient of the Matthews Lifetime Achievement Award. Jack has written about Michigan golf for 40 years. During this time, he has had a strong national influence on promoting the sport for all golfers. He served for more than ten years on the Board of Directors of the National Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA), two years in the mid ’80s as President and eight years in the ‘90s as Secretary-Treasurer. Golf throughout the state of Michigan has benefited from Jack Berry’s powerful pen. He advanced the promotion of golf in our state by writing the Guide to Michigan Golf, first published in 1991 and updated in 1993. He followed this in 1992, with an influential inside back cover column for Golf World entitled, “A Convincing Case for Michigan: When it comes to golf, this Northern state is state of the art.” He is a regular contributor to the Michigan Golfer and Chicagoland Golf. The GAM Distinguished Award in 1997 acknowledged his wealth of contributions to amateur golf and more than three decades of writing that inspired the growth and maintained the popularity of golf in Michigan and in 2007 the PGA honored Jack with their Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism, as the 18th individual to be recognized with this Award. The award honors members of the media for their steadfast promotion of golf. The Matthews Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals or organizations who over a lifetime have had a major impact on the golf industry in Michigan. Bill Fountain Receives Lyle Leeke Distinguished Service Award MGCOA president Bill Fountain, receives 2008 Lyle Leeke Distinguished Service Award. “The effectiveness of a leader can be measured by the degree to which they enable others to act: this includes those that work for them and those that volunteer,” said John Dodge, Government Affairs Coordinator of the MGCOA in explaining why Bill Fountain had been selected for the Lyle Leeke Distinguished Service Award. Bill’s professional career has taken him many places in the state from Riverwood Resort in Mt. Pleasant, Clearbrook Golf in Saugatuck and Timber Ridge, East Lansing to name a few. Bill has the distinction of being a graduate of the turf school at Michigan State along with his business acumen achieved from his many mentors in the business. As the managing partner at the Majestic Golf Course in Hartland, Bill has accomplished some pretty amazing feats. Fountain’s golf course supports several local charities with unique events such as “Golf Ball Drop Raffle” where up to 1,000 golf balls sold for the charity at $25 each are dropped “en masse” from a helicopter 300 feet over the practice green. “Whack a Mum” weekend at the Majestic during the Thanksgiving season had people whacking flowers, ala “Caddy Shack”, when they turned in frozen turkeys for a free round of golf. To quote Michigan media icon Art McCafferty “Bill Fountain is one of Michigan’s most fertile marketing minds in golf. He has graced the pages of the likes of Wall Street Journal to Golf Business Magazine. Fountain has adapted his thinking about his golf product and how he can maintain both interest and the rate card.” In addition to running the successful business in a down economy, Bill is the elected Supervisor of Hartland Township. Bill has served on the Board of Directors of the MGCOA for eight years. Bill spearheaded the Michigan Golf League Championship (now in its 5th year) with technology partner Handicomp, served for 6 years as Chairman of the MGCOA Government Affairs and PAC Committees. Bill current serves as president. 10 Tee-Off Times

Dul Family Player Development Leadership Award Goes to Saskatoon Golf Club Pro The commitment to growing and sustaining the new golfer embodies the spirit of the Dul Family Player Development Leadership Award. The trustees of the Educational Support Foundation award a $1500 grant to the winning applicant. The winning program will be featured in an edition of the MGCOA’s Tee Off Times in 2009. This year’s winner, Carol Farquhar, is a PGA master professional from Saskatoon Golf Club in Alto. Carol submitted the club’s Junior Golf Program. Oakland Hills Country Club Earns MGCOA 2008 Golf Course of the Year Award Having a beautiful golf course is not all it takes to earn the distinction of Golf Course of the Year. The Course of the Year Award honors a member in good standing with the MGCOA demonstrating four criteria: 1. exceptional quality of the course Carol grins as she is about to recieve the check for 2. exceptional quality of ownership and management $1,500 from Dul family member and sponsor of the Education Foundation’s award, Kathy Aznavorian. 3. outstanding contribution to its community 4. significant contribution to the game Founded in 1916, Oakland Hills Country Club has, and will continue to play a significant role in the history of golf in the United States. Walter Hagen, five time PGA Champion, was the club’s first head professional. The South Course has played host to 16 Major Championships including: the 35th Ryder Cup in 2004; three PGA Championships — including the 90th PGA Championship in 2008; six U.S. Opens; two U.S. Senior Opens; U.S. Women’s Amateur; U.S. Men’s Amateur; Western Open; and the Carling World Open. Some of the greatest players ever to play the game including Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Ben Hogan have competed and won on the famed South Course, also known as “The Monster”. The state of Michigan and the MGCOA is proud of the heritage of this MGCOA member club and consider it a Michigan and national golf treasure. The accolades for Oakland Hills go deep. Rick Bayliss, chief operating officer has been “Club Manager of the Year” and currently serves on the Club Managers Association of America’s Board of Directors. The executive team at Oakland Hills combines 175 years in the golf and private club experience focusing on making every moment memorable for the customer. From the 35th Ryder Cup matches in 2004 and the 90th PGA Championship alone, over $4.5 million dollars were directed to local and regional charities. They partner with YMCA of Metro Detroit, “For the Kids” Foundation, Junior Achievement of Birmingham/Bloomfield Hills, Vattikutti Foundation for William Beaumont and Henry Fort Hospitals and Illitch Children’s Charities to raise over $2.3 million annually for their respective charities. In addition to hosting numerous national and international events that showcase our state, Oakland Hills staff has dedicated time to Midnight Golf in Downtown Detroit, invests in the Evans Scholarship Foundation and has its own Scholarship Trust. It has made contributions to the USGA for the Arnold Palmer History Museum, the World Golf Hall of Fame and the Tufts Archives in Pinehurst, North Carolina that memorializes Mr. Donald Ross. These are some of the many contributions this great golf organization has made to the local and state community. Executive Director Kate Moore presents Jim Scott with a Happy Meal as a substitute for the Paul Porter Award he was preparing to receive in Oakland Hills Country Club is an icon for the February at the National Conference. state of Michigan’s proud golf industry and the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association. March/April 2009 11

The Time Is Now To Reform State Budget By Tom Schwark, Past President, MGCOA and owner of Sycamore Hills Golf Course, Mt. Clemens, Chair of Government Affairs Committee We all know that Michigan’s economy of Commerce, have been pushing for budget reforms for over is in rough shape, and it’s not going a year. Their list of specific recommendations can be found to improve much soon. The auto at www.thecenterformichigan.net. They list $1.5 billion in industry is still laying people off, spending cuts. The proposals that are presented are ideas that and the layoffs are spreading to other have been presented in Lansing the last couple years. These industries such as retail and restaurants. ideas are both republican and democratic and have not been Even hospitals are slowing down their debunked by state budget experts. expansion plans. Many people that haven’t been laid off are There is also a bipartisan commission of financiers, lawyers, seeing their salaries reduced 10%-20% to prevent even more and budget experts that was put together by House Speaker layoffs. This will surely have an impact on state revenues. Andy Dillon and Senate majority leader Mike Bishop. This State income taxes drop as more people are laid off or having panel, after two years of research, will very soon issue its their salary reduced. State sales tax revenues are also dropping report on inefficiencies and reinventing state government. as we all cut back on our spending. There are many ideas on how to reduce state spending. This is why it is imperative that our state leaders reform the The state leaders have plenty of cover to make these tough state budget now. Governor Granholm has said she will not decisions. They can make the necessary cuts and say it was raise taxes again. Therefore the state must reduce its spending. needed to make Michigan competitive with other states to The state has spent its rainy day fund and used one time attract new business and new jobs. They can say the cuts accounting gimmicks to get us from one year to the next. It were painful, but necessary, and only made after a consensus appears as though Michigan will be getting some additional of current and former public sector and private sector leaders funds from the Economic Stimulus Plan, but the state leaders who only had the best long term interests of Michigan in mind. must refrain from the temptation to use the stimulus funds to balance this year’s budget. Otherwise, we will be in this These spending cuts must be supported by Governor same predicament next year and the year after. Michigan’s Granholm. The worst thing she can do is to form another budget has a structural deficit problem that will not go away commission to study Michigan’s budget deficits. The second by itself as we have witnessed the last few years. The longer worst thing she could do is to make some minor cuts to our state leaders put off dealing with this problem, the worse balance this year’s budget, but doesn’t fix Michigan’s long the problem becomes. term budget structural deficit. All these will do is to put off the tough decisions for another year or two and pass on We know there will be hard and difficult decisions to make the budget problems to the next governor. During the first to reform state spending. That is why it hasn’t happened yet. six years under Granholm’s administration Michigan has However, Governor Granholm has the recommendations from floundered badly. She has two more years left to turn around several commissions that have formed the last several years to her legacy. If not, she will go down as one of the worst, if study state spending. Two years ago the Emergency Financial not the worst, governor in Michigan’s history. That would Advisory Panel issued a report outlining recommendations be sad for all of us. to help Michigan resolve its financial crisis. This was a 12 member panel that included former governors James Blanchard and William Milliken, former attorney general Continued from page 8 Frank Kelley, and former state treasurer Douglas Roberts. This report, which is over 100 pages long, discussed various The Crystal Spa to LEED by Example measures needed to get Michigan past its annual budget deficits. The report discussed methods to increase revenues Celebrating over 50 years, Crystal is a family-owned resort and decrease expenses. The report recommended raising taxes featuring 45 downhill slopes, 40km cross-country trails, 36 holes which, of course, the state did. The report also recommended of championship golf, the Michigan Legacy Art Park, one-acre spending cuts which, of course, the state did not do. However, outdoor water playground, Michigan’s only alpine slide, lodging, it is not too late to go back to this report and implement their dining, skiing, and IACC-approved conference facilities.Crystal recommendations. Mountain’s gardens have been nationally recognized by the Private sector leaders including the Center for Michigan, Perennial Plant Association while SKI Magazine rated Crystal Detroit Renaissance, Detroit Regional Chamber, Michigan the #1 Resort in the Midwest in 2005. For more information Chamber of Commerce, and the Grand Rapids area Chamber visit www.crystalmountain.com. 12 Tee-Off Times

State of the State Address February 5, 2009 Governor Jennifer Granholm delivered her 7th State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate Tuesday night. With Michigan leading the nation in unemployment and jobs lost for the past several years, it was no surprise that her focus was heavy on budget Legislative cuts and proposals to bring jobs to Michigan. The most sweeping change Granholm called for is a consolidation of Michigan’s state Bulletin departments from 18 to 8 in an effort to save money and improve efficiency. Likewise, she called for closing three more state prisons - six other state prisons have been closed in recent years. Another major theme was her goal to lower Michigan’s reliance on fossil fuels by 45 percent within 11 years, partly through large-scale efforts to weatherize homes - a move that could lead to a boost in sales of insulating products. Granholm pointed to numerous instances where this 45-percent goal would help shift Michigan’s economy from an auto manufacturing-based model to an alternative energy-based model, with wind turbines, solar farms and new battery technology firms employing the state’s next generation of workers. Other items of note in the governor’s speech included the call for a 10-percent reduction in the salaries of all state elected officials, a voluntary freeze of rates by auto insurers for 12 months while the state implements a plan designed to keep rates in check, and asking public universities and community colleges to freeze tuition for the next academic year. The latter two proposals understandably drew serious concerns from the affected groups. Granholm has been talking extensively about the state budget getting a major boost from federal stimulus dollars expected from the Obama administration. With the state approximately $1.4 billion in the red for the upcoming fiscal year, she has expressed hope that the stimulus dollars will help stem the tide until Michigan’s economy can get back on track. She was cautious during her speech, however, against relying too heavily on stimulus funds and stressed the need to make structural changes to the state’s budget. This was a point of the speech that was met with Republican approval. Her speech was very general. There was little or no mention of issues such as the environment. We sure to see some of those issues surface during the year. If you have questions let me know.

Allen Reintroduces Tourism Funding Plan Legislation that would provide funding to the state’s in sales-tax revenue is generated for the state, usually tourism industry and help jumpstart Michigan’s within the same year. When Allen introduced a similar struggling economy has been reintroduced by Sen. plan last session, analysts said it would have added $30 Jason Allen, chair of the Senate Commerce and Tourism million to the tourism promotion budget per year. Committee. “It increases state tourism promotion, using funds from Senate Bill 18 takes sales tax revenue as it is received existing revenues, yet avoids additional taxes or fees,” by the state, provides constitutionally-mandated he explained. disbursements to the School Aid Fund and revenue The 37th District lawmaker said that his measure would sharing programs, and invests a portion of the remainder help Michigan compete with states like Illinois and into tourism marketing and promotion. Pennsylvania which spend heavily to attract visitors. “Considering our economic challenges, this legislation “Michigan has a great story to tell and we need more makes more sense than ever,” said Allen, R-Traverse people to hear it,” Allen said. “We have a four-season City. “This is a realistic approach that acknowledges product that is attractive to well-educated and well- our obligations to schools and communities, while still traveled consumers. The more we can expose them to helping the state promote itself and generate revenue.” this information, the more tourists we will attract to the The state’s Travel Michigan agency estimates that for Great Lakes State.” every $1 spent on tourism promotion another $2 to $3

March/April 2009 13

Government Affairs Committee 2009 The MGCOA wishes to thank and Name Golf Course or Company Location recognize the members of the PAC Kathy Aznavorian Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center Plymouth and Government Affairs Committee. Ed Clark Sandy Ridge Golf Course Midland These individuals volunteer to oversee Salvatore Cottone Twin Lakes Golf Club Oakland and consult with the MGCOA staff John Dodge MGCOA Lansing and government affairs coordinator Bill Fountain The Majestic at Lake Walden Hartland and lobbyist on issues relating to our Jim Jeltema Clearbrook Golf Club & Restaurant Saugatuck industry. They are also on the front Bob Koutnik Fox Run Country Club Grayling line when it comes to communicating Patty McCarthy Reddeman Farms Golf Club Chelsea with the legislature on your behalf. Joe Miesle Hunters Ridge Golf Course Howell If you are interested in participating Matt Milosch Carleton Glen Golf Club Carleton on the Government Affairs or PAC Steve Ramey Chisholm Hills Golf Club Lansing Committee, please contact John Dave Richards Resort and Golf Marketing Bloomfield Hills Dodge ([email protected]). Tom Schwark, Chair Sycamore Hills Golf Club Mt. Clemens Jon Scott Gull Lake View Golf Club Augusta Joe Tignanelli Wyndgate Rochester Hills www.mgcoa.org Curtis Wright Copper Hills Golf Course Oxford

Legislative Update from John Dodge 2008 with the tough economic climate and budget shortfalls, passage is going to be very difficult. Gross Receipts tax or tax on tax This tax which had you paying .8% on sales tax collected by food Ergonomic Rules and beverage and pro shop sales will be phased out over 5 years. We will be monitoring this effort closely. These ADA rules can We lobbied for this bill. get carried away easily as we have witnessed with the handicap golf car issue. Simple things such as golf pro’s swinging the club Gift Cards too much and bartenders who use the same repetitive motions Prohibits businesses from reducing balances and charging fees could be included in the shuffle, for example. prior to 5 years after issuance. Terms of the card must be disclosed to the purchaser. Also, after 5 years the remaining balance on Corrections Reform cards can be kept by the business and not returned to the state. As corrections and prison have been one of the fastest growing costs to the state, a close look will be taken to see where cuts can be Wine Sales made. We will be watching closely. This issue might have some Prohibits stores in state and out of state from sending wine ramifications regarding more lenient penalties for employee theft. directly to customers. The law comes after a federal court ruling saying Michigan’s old law was unfair in that it only Smoking Ban restricted out-of-state stores. This will definitely be back. The House and Senate have agreed to work together for passage. Great Lakes Protection Compact After years of effort all states bordering the great lakes and 2 Canadian Minimum Wage Payroll Wages for Tipped Employees provinces ratified an agreement. The compact was then passed by the House Bill 4452 would have increased the wage for tipped U.S. House and Senate and President Bush signed it into law. employees from $2.65 per hour to $4.90 on July 1, 2008. Annual indexing would have occurred after that. HB 5246 would have 2009 eliminated the tip credit all together. Both bills died but are MBT Reform expected to re-surface in 09. The MGCOA opposes these bills. Two bills supported by the MGCOA, one phasing out the 22% surcharge and another removing provisions in the MBT that added Sunday Morning Alcohol Sales the value of other taxes collected by businesses into their MBT tax The bill allowed liquor-licensed establishment to sell beer, wine and base - died. These bills are sure to be re-introduced in 2009 but liquor starting at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings. A special permit Continued on page 15 MGCOA and the Educational Support Foundation Programs and Events for 2009

Save these dates. Complete information will be available soon at: www.mgcoa.org or by calling 800-860-8575. Date Event

April 8 Education Workshop 1⁄2 day with golf: Marketing Solutions by Andrew Wood 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. / The Emerald Golf Course / St. Johns

May 5 Education Workshop 1⁄2 day with golf: Get Golf Ready and other Player Development and Retention Programs 9 a.m. - noon / Yarrow Golf & Conference / Battle Creek

June 3 Education workshop 1⁄2 day with golf: What Your Customers Want 9 a.m. - noon / Fox Hills Golf & Banquet / Plymouth

August 13 16th Annual Golf Outing and Supplier Field Day, Bedford Valley Golf Club, Battle Creek

October 7 Education Workshop 1⁄2 day with golf: Niche Marketing 9 a.m. - noon / Location TBA

December 1–3 Michigan Golf Business Conference and Vendor Fair, Bavarian Inn Lodge, Frankenmuth

MGCOA has partnered with the MI Restaurant Association to offer members SAVE special discount registration for ServSafe Certification classes. As an MGCOA 25% member, save 25%! Contact the MGCOA office for registration details.

Merchant Processing Annual Golf Outing & Golf Industry Awards Supplier Field Day Tee Time Guide to Successful Reservation System Restaurant & Office Supply Golf Outing Discounts Electronic Gift Cards Golf Industry Publications MGCOA Buyer’s Guide 603 South Washington Avenue Bulk Fuel Savings Michigan Golf Business Suite 303 Legislative Advocacy and Conference & Vendor Fair Natural Gas Savings Lansing, MI 48933 MGCOA PAC Toll-Free: (800) 860-8575 Golf League Championship Education Support Phone: (517) 482-4312 & Network Foundation Programs Fax: (517) 267-8984 www.mgcoa.org e-mail: [email protected] March/April 2009 15

MTESP Program Changes and Enhancements for 2009 Warm wintery greetings from East Lansing! The Michigan change should facilitate re-engaging of the MSU Turf Team Environmental Stewardship Program (MTESP) is a dynamic, with the program and streamlining content development in proactive program intended to organize efforts of the the future. turfgrass industry, state agencies, Michigan State University Membership Fees: As of October 1, 2008 we no longer (MSU), and environmental advocacy groups to advance the charged an annual membership fee to participate in the environmental stewardship of the turfgrass industry and to program. Starting in 2009, courses will be considered recognize environmental achievements. The program was members of MTESP if they maintain certified status or if they started in 1998 and has helped over 250 Michigan golf courses have had a site visit in the last three years. This should allow identify and prioritize environmental protection efforts on for an increase in the number of courses that can informally their properties. The program was the first of its kind in the participate in the program while maintaining a distinction for United States and has received national and international properties that are actively pursuing certification. recognition including the GCSAA Environmental Leadership Award and the Most Valuable Pollution Protection Award from Distribution of Modules: All program materials are now the National Pollution Protection Roundtable. available to any golf course property. We received a grant from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station to place the As with any program, business, or organization, changes are program modules on a USB drive for distribution to Michigan necessary in order to stay current, adaptive, and sustainable. golf courses. Contact the MGCOA (800-860-8575) to request Over the last 15 months the program has been through and your free virtual copy of the updated MTESP workbook ($50 exhaustive review process. The result is a more accessible, value). more nimble, revitalized program that is poised to serve the Michigan Turfgrass Industry into next decade. Incentives: We are pleased to announce some special program incentives for 2009. We are offering an incentive for properties You Can Go Home Again: We are pleased to announce that receiving a visit before September 30, 2009. These properties the MTESP operations are once again housed at MSU. This will receive a discount of $150 off the site visit fee or $200 off the certification visit fee. Program Costs: The site visit fee is $500 (minus the $150 incentive equals $350 out-of-pocket). During your half- day site visit one of the trained stewardship officers will help you assess your level of environmental compliance on your property. After the visit, they will develop a custom Environmental Action Plan for your property that lays out the steps necessary to achieve certification. When you complete all the required elements of the EAP you can apply for certification. The certification visit is $600 (minus the $200 Fore! Reservations is the leading provider of golf incentive equals $400 out-of-pocket). To maintain certification course management and marketing software that courses must have a visit once every three years. helps courses increase rounds and revenue. It accomplishes this by providing an easy‐to‐use Tee What if I paid a membership fee in 2008? This change in the Time Reservation System, Integrated Online Tee fee structure is really exciting, unless you paid a membership Times, Automated E‐mail Marketing tools, fee in 2008. We cannot fully express our appreciation to sophisticated Customer Database Management, a all the properties that have supported the MTESP over the powerful Point‐of‐Sale system, and unrivaled years. However, as a small token of our gratitude, we would Customer Service. With over 1,800 golf course like to extend a special offer the 106 properties that paid a installations represented by every state in the U.S. membership fee in 2008 by discounting your next site visit and numerous installations in Canada, it is the by an additional $200. We will be contacting those courses number one selling tee sheet in the golf industry. directly to encourage them to take advantage of this offer. When it comes to cutting edge technology for the How do I get started? Contact Debbie Swartz with any business of golf, Fore! Reservations delivers. Visit inquiries, questions or comments at 517.241.1987 or our website at www.forereservations.com or call [email protected]. We will get a welcome pack in your 630‐789‐9705 to learn more. hands so you can get on the road to certification. 16 Tee-Off Times

Another Tea Party By Douglas A. Troszak CPA, MBA, President, Troszak CPA Group Last week a reporter for CNBC suggested to a group of traders at the requesting other states that are refusing to accept federal money to pass Chicago Mercantile Exchange that they should have another Boston it on to Michigan. With the possibility of extending unemployment Tea Party in Lake Michigan to protest increased government taxation. benefits to seventy-two weeks, the solvency tax in Michigan could It has been 236 years since the Boston Tea Party, but the reason behind become a staggering number. the American colonists dumping forty-five tons of King George’s finest If paying the MBT and Solvency Tax isn’t painful enough, many golf tea into the Boston Harbor has not changed. The Michigan legislature course owners are getting an additional slap in the face through real continues to increase taxes on its citizens. estate taxes. Real Estate taxes are increasing while the value of the The new Michigan Business Tax (MBT) is clearly intended to golf course is declining in this poor economic climate. dramatically shift the tax burden from manufacturing firms to non- The tax burden on Michigan businesses has become just as oppressive manufacturing firms. Fundamentally, the Golf industry in Michigan as the taxes King George imposed on the colonists back in the late is experiencing a tax increase, the severity of which is still to be 1700’s. The golf course community needs to circle the wagons and determined. get Lansing to reform the tax structure in the State of Michigan. Under the MBT, unitary business groups would be required to file In order to restructure the tax system and supply relief to the golf a combined tax return. A unitary business group includes a group of industry we should request the following reforms. First, let’s look businesses that are controlled by one of the businesses that has activity to lengthen the seasonal UIA requirement from 6 months to 8. Be or operations flowing between them.Note: Owners of multiple golf proactive for a more objective approach to golf course assessments, courses in Michigan should pay close attention to their structure and particularly with the economy moving toward a more difficult business formation, being deemed a unitary business group will substantially climate. The piling on effect of the gross receipts portion of the MBT increase your tax liability. effectively confiscates the fruits of the golf owner’s efforts to increase The State of Michigan and the federal government have teamed up to rounds for enhanced profitability. Small businesses through out impose a “Solvency Tax” on employers in Michigan. The Michigan Michigan have been harpooned by the gross receipts tax and it needs Employment Security Act requires a solvency tax be imposed if, on to be phased in at over $10,000,000 in revenue, so the bigger fish truly the preceding June 30, the balance in the Trust Fund is less than the more capable, can absorb its negative fiscal impact. total amount of un-repaid federal loans. On June 30th of 2008 the Trust It was reported that tea washed up on the shores around Boston for Fund had $177 million in unpaid federal loans. We understand that as weeks, let’s be hopeful that sound political leadership can be found at December 31, 2008, the Trust Fund liability had reached $300 million. the Capital so the Great Lakes can always stay blue. I was watching our governor on the nightly new just a few nights ago,

MGCOA Welcomes New Corporate Member: Harrietta Hills Pond and Water Management

If your greens and fairways are in tip-top condition but your water augmentation, algaecides and herbicides. Our evaluation leaves something to be desired, Harrietta Hills can help. We have processes includes identifying the causative factors of problems been helping people achieve their pond and lake management and developing possible remediation opportunities. This can goals for over a decade and are now reaching out to the golf help save money in the long run by reducing the long-term industry with solutions to difficult water management problems. management needs of the water body. We are Michigan licensed aquatic herbicide applicators and we install and service all of the Let us put our years of aquatics experience to work for you in equipment that we sell so we can take care of the job from start dealing with your water management issues. We can help by to finish. evaluating your current situation and listening to your goals and then developing a plan to help you achieve the water you have Harrietta Hills is a small family owned company with a always wanted. commitment to getting the job done right. We service clients throughout all of Michigan. Give us a call to set up an on-site Our goal is to develop the correct set of solutions for your water evaluation and get moving toward having the water that you have in order to achieve your goals. We offer a full range of water always wanted. Call toll free 1-877-389-2514 or visit www.. management solutions including aeration, fountains, bacterial harriettahills.com Andrew Wood 18 Tee-Off Times

What is the Michigan MS Longest Day of Golf? WHAT IS THE MS LONGEST DAY OF GOLF? WHERE DOES THE The MS Longest Day of Golf, Presented by Ford, has risen MONEY GO? close to $3 million in Michigan over the years to fight MS 18,000 people in Michigan and nearly $250,000 so far in 2008. LDG runs throughout have MS and are serviced the month of May and now, new this year we have added the by the National MS Society, option to participate during the month of September! Michigan Chapter. This is the largest diagnosis rate per WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A HOST COURSE? census of any Chapter in the As a host course, you pick the total number of foursomes nation. The money raised you will allow to golf over the entire month and on what in the MS Longest Day of days. Golfers play all day for one day at a course of their Golf goes to the Michigan choice. Course will wave golfers greens fees and the Chapter to provide local golfers will in turn raise funds to fight MS. We correspond programs and services and with the golfers and you. Your only upkeep is to take a to fund research on a national level. few minutes fill out our host course form and send in. On average, last year each course donated twelve foursomes WHY BE A HOST COURSE? for the month. √ New business and repeat customers! WHO GOLFS? √ You will be sent a merchandise receipt for your generous donation and you place the value on your Over 600 golfers statewide as part of friends and family or donation, which may be documented for tax purposes. corporate teams. We are growing fast! √ Courses receive exposure for being tied to a great cause. We list our courses in as many print pieces as possible. √ Free exposure on a statewide level. We are at the three major Golf Shows, have print and radio media sponsors, and distribute over 20,000 brochures statewide! √ Foursomes that participate on your course raise an average of $1,200 to fight MS now that’s something Everything to to feel good about! √ You will be listed on the MS Longest Day of Golf Outsource the website with a link to your courses website. Our LDG Management of website receives hundreds of hits a month! The National MS Society is the only national voluntary MS • your human resources organization that meets the standards of ALL major agencies • employee benefits that rate non-profit groups. • payroll For more information contact Kim Streich at (248) 351-2190 • payroll tax compliance ext. 204, email: [email protected], or visit www.nationalmssociety.org/mig. • unemployment claims • workers’ compensation and more. Classified Southeast MI - 9 hole course for lease. 71 acre links style course. For more information please email [email protected] March/April 2009 19

Midwest Golf & Turf Becomes Club Car Distributor Midwest Golf & Turf, headquartered in Cincinnati, OH Club Car is best known for its golf cars and utility has entered into an agreement with Club Car to become vehicles that have long been considered market leaders the Club Car Distributor for territories in Indiana and on the course. Club Car also manufactures utility Michigan. and transportation vehicles for commercial, industrial and “We are pleased to be adding the recreational purposes. Club Car line as a part of our total product offering, Club Car Midwest Golf & Turf is a has long been recognized as the privately held Jacobsen industry leader in the golf and equipment dealer with locations utility vehicle industry. With in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan Club Car we now can offer our and Ohio. Midwest provides customers the top of the line equipment and services to golf and utility vehicle products businesses and organizations as part of a total equipment involved in the care and solution”, says Chris Dirksing, maintenance of natural and CEO Midwest Golf & Turf. synthetic turf. Club Car manufactures a wide For more information range of gasoline- and electric-powered small vehicles contact Dan Raver Midwest Golf & Turf at that are used to make moving people, equipment [email protected] or (866) 514-8873. and materials more efficient, more cost effective.

Continued from page 13 Legislative Update from John Dodge would be required. The MGCOA supported this bill as many golf courses have Sunday brunches and outings along with a beverage cart in operation. Overall *With a $1.6B short fall anticipated for 08-09 and the possibility of an even larger short fall for 09-10 look out for the Legislature and Governor to search for ways to increase revenue with increasing taxes. Our industry could be targeted in the form of liquor license fees, or alcohol taxes. *Rep. Brian Calley has introduced legislation that would prohibit local Municipalities from raising assessments on real estate when the value of the real estate is dropping. If the legislature fails to enact reform Calley says he will start and petition drive. *Governor Granholm announced she is forming a bi-patrician commission to re-invent state government. We hope she is serious but 2 things come to mind. First, the chairperson is Lt. Gov. John Cherry. Cherry is considered a front runner for the Democratic nomination for 2010. Possible politics? Secondly, these efforts have been tried before. It took John Engler almost 7 years to split up the DEQ and DNR. After 3 years Engler was able to partially reform the liquor control commission and the purchase, storage and issuance of liquor. Don’t hold your collective breaths on this one. 20 Tee-Off Times

Protecting Your Course From Cyber Assaults by John S. Seiser, Senior Vice President, Kapnick Insurance Group

Nearly every business today, across a broad spectrum of individuals in writing. It also purchases one year’s worth industries - including golf courses - are storing sensitive of credit monitoring services on their behalf to detect information about their clients and employees on a computer unauthorized activity in their credit accounts. Later, the network. A great number of these businesses also host web attacker sells the stolen information to an ID theft ring. sites. They all face increased exposure to computer attacks, The ID thieves age the information for a year (after the viruses and security breaches as a result. This has created a credit monitoring stops). They then begin using it to demand for expanded insurance coverage commonly referred fraudulently obtain credit in the name of the compromised to as “cyber liability.” Is your golf course vulnerable? Should individuals. The affected individuals sue the course for you consider additional coverage? breach of privacy and seek consequential damages. Consider these scenarios: These are but a mere couple of examples of the many types of incidents that are occurring more and more frequently. • A hacker penetrates your network security and steals Even simple tasks, such as sending an infected email that member/guest credit card information from a database brings down a customer’s or supplier’s network, can result in containing stored transaction data. The hacker uses liability. Traditional coverage forms alone including Property, the harvested information to make purchases and to General Liability, Crime and Errors & Omissions (E&O) fraudulently obtain loans in each cardholder’s name. typically fall short of covering information and network Cardholders can sue to recover their cost to repair credit related risks. Coverage is now available, however, to fill the and discharge fraudulent loans - and seek damages gaps by providing first- and third-party cyber risk coverage for emotional distress. The banks that issued the cards to address a broad range of exposures. compromised in the attack can also sue to recover card re-issuance and cardholder notification costs. You need to talk to your insurance agent and find out what your unique exposures are, and what is available to address • A golf course maintains employee and 1099 contractor them. You can also contact John Seiser and his team of records on its network. The records contain private, professionals at Kapnick Insurance Group they will be happy personally identifiable information for tax reporting, to set up a no-obligation consultation to answer your cyber including Social Security numbers and tax payer IDs. liability questions. Contact John at 888.263.4656, x1300 or The course’s network security is breached. The attacker [email protected]. steals personal records. The course must notify all affected

For more “If you look in the past and present only, you will not be part of the future.” -anonymous information

Kosch’s goal is to provide bottom line improvement to F & B visit operations and as part of the entrepreneurial stake that Kosch will maintain, there will be a profit/loss participation. The profit/loss program will provide an annual 50/50 share of the F & B financial improvement only after the Kosch fee mgcoa.org has been expensed. Also, should the performance of the Kosch program not improve the F & B annual financial results by at least the amount of the annual Kosch fee, Kosch will credit 33% of their year one fee towards the year two fee. *We are here to assist in your success, your management has final say on all recommendations.

Golf and Country Club Food & Beverage Outsourcing Call Gordie Kosch at 248.608.0690 ext. 13 Or email [email protected]

Professional Hospitality Services since 1981. March/April 2009 21

Major Dan Rooney Named Recipient of the Inaugural PGA Patriot Award Major Dan Rooney of Broken Arrow, Okla., a PGA Professional and founder of Patriot Golf Day, a campaign that captivated a nation to give back to the families of the men and women who had been wounded or paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in time of war, has been named the recipient of the inaugural PGA Patriot Award. Rooney owns Grand Haven Golf Club in Grand Haven, Michigan and is on the board of directors of the MGCOA. Rooney, 35, completed his third tour of duty in Iraq this month as an F-16 fighter pilot, and was presented the award at The PGA of America’s 92nd Annual Meeting, Nov. 8, at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Ariz. “In my opinion, all professionals who supported Patriot Golf Day should be receiving a Patriot Award. Yet, the true reward lies in knowing that together we are helping a small portion of the over 180,000 dependents that have had a spouse killed or disabled in defense of our freedoms,” said Rooney. “I truly believe helping these military families is part of my life’s mission. And I vow to continue fighting until we are able to help all of our military families affected by the ravages of war.” Go to www.patriotgolfday.com for more information or to sign up for this year’s event. Taken and edited from a PGA release.

MGCOA Members Receive 25% Discount For Class Food Manager Certification Many Michigan food establishments must employ at least one certified food manager by June 30, 2009. Local health inspected establishments that must have a certified manager include all food service establishments (i.e. restaurants, bars, schools and hospitals) except mobile food establishments, special transitory food units, vending machine locations and temporary food service establishments. Becoming Certified or Recertified To be certified you must pass an ANSI/CFP nationally accredited exam once every 5 years. To prepare for the exam, most individuals take a class (in person or on-line) or self-study. Exams are proctored and must be taken either at an approved testing site or are given at the end of a course by an approved instructor. Finding a course, trainer, textbook or exam On-Line you can visit the Michigan Restaurant Association at www.michiganrestaurant.org or the www.mgcoa.org. For specific courses, texts, on-line training, exams or NSF HealthGuard Certified Professional Food Manager at http:// nsf.org/cphe/course_offerings/index.asp for specific courses, on-line training, and trainers. Contact the MGCOA at 800-860-8575 for more information and assistance. 22 Tee-Off Times

Reciprocal Play Program This member benefit program Reciprocal Play was started in 1999 and will continue this year. At the end of last season there were 85 of Reciprocal Play Michigan’s finest courses included. Under the Reciprocal Play Program participating courses extend a professional courtesy to fellow MGCOA Contact Name(s): ______course owners/managers and provide complimentary (or reduced fee) rounds of golf. Generally this includes 18 holes of golf for two with ______a cart, or 9 holes for two with a cart if the property is a 9 hole facility. To take advantage of your reciprocal status call the pro-shop of the Course Name: ______course you wish to play for advanced tee times and ask for the owner or individual listed on the MGCOA Reciprocal Play Directory. This Address: ______allows each host course to participate in the program, yet controls it both internally and based on availability of space. The MGCOA Reciprocal ______Play Program directory will be sent to each participating member the first week in May. Last years participants will automatically be included City, State, Zip: ______unless we are otherwise notified. If you have not participated in the past and you wish to be included, Phone: ______MICHIGAN GOLF COURSE OWNERS ASSOCIATION simply complete this form Reciprocal Play Program 2009 Membership Card and fax it to (517) 267-8984 or e-mail jpaisley@mgcoa. Email: ______Signature org with the information. Participation cards will be A list will be compiled and distributed to those Golf Course sent to you along with the members wishing to participate. Expires: 12/31/2009 directory. March/April 2009 23

MGCOA Membership Application Membership doesn’t cost… Business Name ______...it pays! Contact______Title______Join the MGCOA. We want Address ______to save you government City ______regulations and fees. We need State ______Zip______participation to fight unfair legislation. This is one example Telephone______of the work of the MGCOA. Fax______Every group needs a leader Toll Free______to survive and prosper. We Email______are taking the lead in growing Web Site______the game. Taking the lead in education course owners and Number of Holes:______operators. Taking the lead in motivating you for success. Annual Membership Dues: Taking the lead in saving you money. • Daily Fee 9 holes $235.00 • Daily Fee 45 holes $595.00 • Daily Fee 18 holes $415.00 • Daily Fee 54 holes $635.00 • Annual Conference and • Daily Fee 27 holes $485.00 • Daily Fee 63 holes $695.00 Trade Show • Daily Fee 36 holes $535.00 • Multiple Courses $795.00 • Educational Workshops • Corporate Chapter Member $300.00 • Bi-Monthly Publications • Insurance Savings • Credit Card Programs All golf course memberships • Food and Fuel Programs Annual dues investment is based on your size of operation and includes membership • Networking Opportunities in both the MGCOA and the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA). • Information Processing Membership is open to existing privately held golf courses (both public and • Legislative Advocacy private). Courses owned by resorts or in conjunction with real estate development are also eligible, as are lessors of golf facilities who operate on a for-profit basis. • Office Supply Discounts

The Michigan Golf Course PAYMENT METHOD: Owners Association…  Check enclosed The Voice of Michigan’s golf  Charge to my credit card:  Visa  Mastercard American Express business. Card # ______Exp. Date ______Call today to enroll or fax back this form. It’s just that simple Name on Card ______and it’s very important. Signature______FAX: 517-276-8984 Make Check Payable and Return to: 800-860-8575 Michigan Golf Course Owners Association 603 S. Washintgon Suite 303, Lansing, MI 48933 Phone (517)482-4312 Fax (517)267-8984 Presort Standard U.S. Postage PAID 603 S. Washington Suite 303 Lansing, MI Lansing, MI 48933 Permit #1096 ph 517-482-4312 www.mgcoa.org Address Service Requested

Tee-Off Times is published by the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association. Editor - Kate Moore. MGCOA offices are located at 603 S. Washington, Suite 303, Lansing, MI 48933. ph (517) 482-4312, fax (517) 267-8984. Articles written by outside authors do not necessarily reflect the view or position of the MGCOA. MGCOA’s position on key issues will be clearly stated. Manuscripts are accepted at the approval of the editor, who reserves the right to reject or edit. Appearance in the Tee-Off Times does not constitute endorsement of the advertiser, its products or services, nor does Tee-Off Times make any claims or guarantees as to the accuracy or validity of the advertiser’s offer and reserves the right to reject any advertising deemed unsuitable. Advertising rates and other information available upon request.