November 2007

Thanksgiving Day Shotgun

Come join the fun! On Thursday, November 22, Thanksgiving Day, Shoreline Golf Links will be offering a shotgun tournament. Check-in will be at 7:30 a.m. with the shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $59 including a cart. The event is limited to the first 128 paid players. This is a great opportunity to work off that turkey dinner before you even eat it! If you have questions, would like more details or want to signup, please see the Pro Shop staff.

Holiday Open House
On Friday, December 7, the Shoreline Golf Links Pro Shop will be hosting the annual Twelve Hour Holiday Sale. Excluding some Ping products, all regularly priced merchandise will be at least 20% off. (The 20% discount for golf balls is on the golf ball sleeve price). Club members have received a flyer/coupon for an additional 5% off, making for some great savings. One day Manager’s Specials will also be offered. The Pro Shop will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for the sale. This is a perfect opportunity to choose gifts for friends and family in a stress-free, relaxed setting. Golf Professionals will be on hand to answer any questions you might have about clubs, shoes, apparel or accessories. The grill and bar at Michaels Restaurant, next door to the Pro Shop, will be open for breakfast, lunch or snacks.

Paula Bettencourt, Assistant Community Services Director/Golf Course Manager to Retire

I will be retiring as of December 20, 2007. It is a very bittersweet moment for me. I remember being interviewed for a Recreation Supervisor position with the City of Mountain View in January 1979. During the final interview, the Director asked me how long I might be able to commit to the job. I answered three to five years. Instead, I have been with the City almost 29 years. Working for the City of Mountain View has been a wonderful experience. My time at Shoreline Golf Links has been rewarding and I will take many fond memories with me. The staff and the golfers (especially you regulars) are truly the best part of the job! Thank you for being so friendly and welcoming. I will miss not being part of the daily operation but am looking forward to a brand new adventure in retirement!

Volunteer Program Changes

The City of Mountain View periodically reviews the operations of the various departments to insure that the departments are operating efficiently and in concert with the community. Recently, at the request of the City Council, a review of Shoreline Golf Links was performed. The consultant selected for the project was the National Golf Foundation. One of the areas identified for further discussion by the National Golf Foundation was complimentary golf.

During the last several months, golf course staff have been reviewing Shoreline Golf Links’ complimentary golf program for volunteers. The goal is to balance the need for the public to have access to tee times while still allowing volunteers to have access to complimentary golf. The services of the volunteers are important to the course and their contributions are most appreciated.

A proposal concerning revisions to the current complimentary golf program was developed and presented to volunteers through a series of meetings. The comments of the volunteers were helpful. The original proposal developed was modified based on comments voiced by the volunteers. On November 14, 2007, staff will present findings to the Parks and Recreation Commission. The meeting is open to the public. A notice concerning the particulars will be posted at the Pro Shop.

The major difference between the proposed revision and the current program is the limiting of the number of tee time reservations to one per week. Also, currently volunteers are issued a volunteer card at the end of the shift. The card must be activated within four weeks of receipt. Once activated, it is good for two weeks. Under the proposed policy, the card would need to be activated within two weeks of receipt and would be valid for one week thereafter.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please call me, Paula Bettencourt, at 650-903-6076 or drop by my office in the Administration Building at your convenience.

New Mats at Driving Range
Several of our traditional driving range mats have recently been replaced with a new product – the Fiberbuilt Driving Range Mat. The hitting area on Fiberbuilt is composed a of nylon brush system that is reputed to be “easier on the joints” than other mats. The first batch has arrived and is in use at the range. Give them a try and let us know what you think.

13th Green
Over the years, the 13th green had settled and required renovation. Work began on the project the first week of October. City crews removed turf from the area and placed it on bare spots along the new 16th Tee cart pathways. City crews also removed irrigation lines and heads. Our soils broker, Disposal Management Services, began the dirt import. Gecko Construction, the project contractor, is off to a good start. The project should be completed by the end of November with the tee open in early spring.

13th Green after During Winter Rains		Removal of Irrigation
Soils Import Begins		Preparing for a New 13th Green