It is already February! This January had been pretty cold! (At least it has felt pretty cold to me.) As I type this it is right around freezing, but supposed to get cold again for the overnight. Hopefully, this cold is short lived and a more moderate winter will be through February. There is not a lot of snow on the course, probably about 6” on average, so when it warms it will go fast! 

I am around the Pro Shop, most days, from later morning to about 3pm. If you are interested in having any club work done (re-gripping, etc.) or are interested in paying your 2022 Season Passes and Fees early, you can do so in order to take advantage of a little break before the rates go up on March 1, 2022. Call during those times, if you need to meet up on the weekend briefly for club repair, or to pay your fees.

I have had a couple bites (so far) on looking for some help in the Pro Shop for 2022, with people giving me applications. However, the job posting is still open and once again listed here in the newsletter and will also be sent out in a separate email a couple more times before the season starts.

Sorry for the length of this newsletter, but there is a lot of information to pass along this month.

We hate to do it, but we had to! Westfield is not immune to the recent price increases happening in the economy, so we had to increase our rates and fees slightly. However, you can still take advantage of the 2021 Fee Structure, if you pay by February 28^th. Starting on March 1, 2022, the new fee structure will go into effect. The rate increase was about a 4% average, across the board on all fees. (Men’s League fees were hot effected with this increase, since that amount is what is used to help pay for balls and prizes at the end of League play.) The new fees will be posted soon on the Westfield GC website. You can also stop by the Pro Shop, or call to find out to what amount they will be increasing.

Attached is the form/questionnaire for the Thursday Men’s Leagues for 2022. It is in a PDF file which you can download, print off, fill out, and bring in to the Pro Shop here at Westfield GC. There is also a version of this form online on the Westfield GC website, www.westfieldgolfclub.com/Leagues. 

I will also upload a PDF of this form to the webpage, soon.

I NEED this form to be turned into me by the Thursday BEFORE League Starts, which would be the week before the last Thursday in April. This really helps me to get the League teams organized and in place for this season, and it helps me to get an idea as to where any openings to the Leagues will be. As always, teams who were in last year have right of first refusal for their League spots. 

Once again, the 5:00 League will start play on the LAST Thursday in April, whereas Leagues 11:00a through 4:00p will have their practice round on that day. The 5:00 League will also end a week early, as it did last season, because of light/darkness issues that time of year.

Attached is a letter from the Westfield GC Board of Directors announcing what the policy is regarding the rental of Westfield’s motorized golf cars. Basically, we are returning to a pre-COVID rental policy. This means there should be no more than TWO (2) Westfield GC RENTED golf cars, per 4-some. (Privately owned golf cars DO NOT fit into any part of this equation.) Westfield has experienced a higher than anticipated amount of wear and tear to the current golf car fleet, as well as the cost of fuel going up. Therefore, for example, if you have a group of 3 or 4 players, and you need more than 2 (two) golf cars for the group, those individuals wishing to ride by themselves, thus taking another motorized golf car from the rental fleet, will be required to pay additional. I have been asked, if I am the only one in my group taking a cart, do I have to pay for both seats on the cart? Short answer is no, which is why I said there should be no more than two (2) rented golf cart vehicles, per group. (Private carts do not matter into this equation.) However, if your group needs more than two (2) carts, then you will have to pay additional. Also, we would like for there to be one cart for a twosome, if there are only two players in that group. If you have any questions regarding this, you can ask the Golf Professional or any Westfield GC Board Member for more clarification, as I am sure there will be a bit of confusion.

Available for ALL 2021 Members/Season Pass Holders to participate in, for the 2022 Season…

Rules-

1.    Any 2021 Westfield GC Member/Season Pass Holder may attempt to bring in a “NEW” Member/Season Pass Holder to Westfield GC. (“New” Member/Season Pass Holder being anyone who has not been a Member/Season Pass Holder the previous year or more to Westfield.)

a.    If that current Season Pass Holder is able to bring in one (1) “New” Season Pass Holder, EACH person gets a 10% Discount on the year’s Season Pass Holder rate.

b.    If that Member decides to bring in two (2) new individuals, the current Season Pass Holder gets a 15% discount on their Season Pass. The two new individuals that individual brings in get a 10% discount on their Season Pass.

c.     If that current member brings in three (3+) NEW individuals, the CURRENT Season Pass Holder gets a 20% discount and ALL additional new people brought in by the current season pass holder get a 10% discount on their Membership/Season Pass Holder rate for the year.

2.    The MAXIMUM Discount to be given out is 20% off.

3.    As long as ALL individuals remain Season Pass Holders for the following year (for example a new Season Pass Holder in 2021 wishes to remain a Season Pass Holder in 2022), those individuals are now eligible to do “head hunting” for the next year and try to bring in another new person, or more at a discount.

4.    Season Pass Holders will now not only be able to join Men’s League(s) or Women’s Leagues, but they will also gain a benefit of getting 10% Member discount in the golf shop. (10% discount avail on in-stock, as well as special orders,)

a.    The 10% discount is on golf shop merchandise ONLY (hard and soft goods). (The 10% discount is NOT available on golf car rentals, push cart rentals, trail fees, greens fees, food, soft drinks, club repair or golf instruction by the head professional, or tournament entries, or League Fees.)

5.    Any Current Season Pass Holder can bring in another individual at ANY Season Pass Category. The discount per Season Pass holders could be, for example….

a.    Single bringing in Single, or Couple, or Young Adult

b.    Family bringing in Family, or Couple, or Young Adult

c.     Single bringing in Family, or Couple, or Young Adult

d.    Family bringing in Single, or Couple or Young Adult

e.    Junior bringing in Junior, or Couple, or Young Adult

f.      Family or Single Season Pass bringing in Junior, or Couple or Young Adult

The idea of this program is to try to entice more people to join Westfield GC!! This could/should work as a pyramid with one member bringing in a person, then the next year both those individuals bringing in two more individuals, etc., etc.…

Any discounts offered in the Bar/Lounge would be at the discretion of Whalen’s at Westfield.

Westfield GC is looking for some help in the Pro Shop to assist the Head Golf Professional/Pro Shop Manager. Details are below....

Westfield GC is looking for a Pro Shop Assistant, to assist the Head Golf Professional/Pro Shop Manager with the day to day operations of the golf shop.

Successful candidate will be a team player who is personable, has a positive attitude, and able to engage with members, guests, and staff in a professional and courteous manner at all times.

*Up to 25 to 30 hours/week (sometimes more, sometimes less)

*Flexible start and end dates

*Will train right candidate

Golf shop staff and assistants will be required to exemplify the standards of Westfield GC. They will be expected to work as a team to provide unparalleled service for the members and their guests.

Primary duties include:

·       Greeting members and guests in a welcoming and friendly manner

·       Daily check-in of members and guests and reconciling tee sheet

·       Check customers in and gather information for marketing needs

·       Opening/closing procedures, with attention to detail

·       Assisting Members with tee time, handicap, and other golf related issues

·       Assisting Golf Professional/Pro Shop Manager with merchandise as needed

·       Answer the phone in a professional manner, booking tee times, and taking messages

·       Maintaining an accurate cash drawer at all times in the register

·       Keep a clean, organized, and professional looking golf shop

·       Assist the Head Professional in merchandising

·       Flexible to work weekdays and/or weekends is a requirement

·       Stage golf cars with golf car attendants; wash and put away golf cars when round is complete

·       Organize and stage golf carts for league play each week. Assist Head Professional with league        results and post on the website

·       Work with Head Professional in organizing a PGA junior golf program

·       Assist with Managing Tournament Operations

·       Manage Golf Car Operations

·       Other duties as required

·       Assisting with other duties as needed

Experience Required:

·       Experience with the following preferred: moderate to advanced experience with Microsoft Word and Excel. Will train on any other computer programs as the arise

·       Previous experience in golf preferred, but will train right candidate

·       Ability to multi-task and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, at times

·       Previous experience with working a cash register/POS system and keeping accurate cash and transaction control a must!

OBJECTIVES:

Assistant Golf Professionals main objective will be to provide members and guests with the finest golfing experience in the area. The Assistants ability to provide service and enjoyment for the patrons will be measured against the finest clubs in the Winona, MN area. Team members will be encouraged to “step up” and lead others using their strengths, while at the same time learning from other staff and improving upon their weaknesses. The result of this process will be a smooth and efficient operation with well-rounded individuals. Assistants will be leaders and team players that the rest of the operation can look to as professional role models.

Please stop into the Westfield GC Pro Shop during daylight hours to apply or pick up an application, or email BJPaulsonPGA@gmail.com to arrange a time to pick up an application or to drop off a resume.

Perfect job for any recently retired individual looking for something to do!

We are always looking for donations to the Junior Golf Program! The kids are the future of golf, as well as Westfield GC. Since we do not do the Junior Golf “Turkey Raffle” any more, you can always drop off any donations to the Westfield GC Pro Shop. If you need to get in touch with me, just shoot me an email at BJPaulsonPGA@gmail.com, or send me a text at 507-450-7037, if I am not in the Pro Shop at a certain time. I’ll be happy to schedule a time to meet you at the course.

We would like to thank the following individuals who have generously donated into the Westfield GC Junior Golf Program, in memory of Sharon Durham (who used to play in the Ladies League here at Westfield GC) – Janet Brugger, Cherie Burke, and Roseann Shaw. Thank you for your donation to help the kids!

As always, we love to have volunteer help for the Junior Program in the summer. Whether it is just for walking along with the kids during the playing days on the course, or helping out with the instruction days on the range, we love to have help, and we will train you in what to do, if you are interested!

The Junior Golf Program schedule for 2022 will be created and posted soon on the Westfield GC Website. We are looking at going to an ALL ONLINE sign-up for the Junior Golf Program for 2022. An announcement will be sent out when it is up and running, live.

Whalen’s will be Closed for Vacation and Maintenance/Cleaning

Whalen’s will be closed for vacation and general maintenance and cleaning for the first couple of weeks of February. They will reopen for business on February 11^th, at 11am, once they complete the cleaning. Please call 507-452-8700 for reservations or questions to Whalen’s.

Think warm weather!!

See you this spring, if not sooner!