Southmouth March 17, 2008

Sergeant-at-arms:  George Fitzpatricklaid claim to being Irish...and exemted all wearing green. He then fined Rich for an apparent snub ?? Gregg was happy for the CIS  Basketball Championship won by the Brock Badgers. June happy for the Ice Dogs wins and recent play by her resident hockey player. Sheila and paul happy too. John debated his level of happiness? Ron just happy to be here. He was broadsided last week in a traffic accident and is okay. Any one want to ride with Ron? Julio had a great weekend. Dan, Paul, ian all happy. Frank Strathearn a happy ten dollars. Keith glad to see Frank and congratulate him on his gold medal in madison Wisconsin. Peter also claimed to be Irish...

Birthdays: Tom Schulz, Frank Strathearn and Matt Taylor (in Central America doing good deeds) all have birthdays this week. Congratulations!

Announcements:

June reminded us of the four club joint meeting at Coppola's Ristorante & Banquet Facility on April 2 at noon sharp. Guest speaker Dan Mclean.

Donation Committee recent donations include $500 to the YMCA; $500 to Sports by Ability (sledge hockey!); Child Advocacy Centre of Niagara for $2000. The latter required and recieved club approval.

Julio gave an update on the May 3 gala at Club Roma with Walter Gretzky to be in attendance and speaking really need to get tickets and donations for silent auction.

Cathy henry has six tables left for the November Take it to Heart gala.

June read a letter from the Niagara Health System thanking us for our efforts and support.

Ian announced that we are seeking nominations for Paul Harris Awards. Please make your submission in writing giving a brief summary as to the nomiee's community involvement.

50/50 Draw:  ian's number was drawn but the nine of clubs does not resemble the Queen of hearts. Alas, the pot grows...

Guest Speaker:

Paul Massuet entertained us with his introduction of Jeff Germond, the Clubhouse Manager of The St. Catharines Golf and Country Club.

Jeff has recently been employed at such fine clubs as The National in Woodbridge, St. thomas, and The Hamilton Golf Club in Ancaster. He has come to St. catharines with his wife and three youg daughters with enthusiasm. He started in the country club business as a chef for six years but knew that the front end was his calling. He spoke of Denzel palmer of the Royal Montreal Golg Club as his mentor.

Jeff belongs to and is active in the 500 strong club manager's association where solutions to the same issues are discussed. dress codes, membership levels, slow play, staffing, all are common to golf clubs accross the country. Some clubs such as our own have successful reciprocal arrangements, some are "sister clubbing", at the extreme are Australian clubs getting into gaming!

His experiences included some major eventsas the clubs he has been with have hosted two Canadian Opens, three Ontario Opens, and one Canadian Senior Curling Championship. One of the recent clubs has a 10,000 bottle wine cellar. Jeff told several good stories from his past but wanted to let us know his approach to his current challenges here. it all starts with Food and Beverage atmosphere! Most have seen the recent changes but many more are to come with new tables and chairs, glassware, TV's. layout changes among others.

Jeff fielded several questions and was thanked by Ian Forbes.