Recent Updates
“The BOG Line”
Meeting
held:
Tuesday November 6, 2007
Owners
Present:
Mr. Mark Jordan, Mrs. Sarah Catherine Norris
Members
Present:
Mr. Chuck Kerr, Mr. Robert Gavos, Mr. William Wheeler, Mr.
William Tiderman, Mr. Don Jaspers, Mr. Brandon Wilcox, Mr. Chuck
Kemp
Staff
Present:
Mr. Peter R. Palacios
Let us begin by giving Mr. Chuck Kerr,
Board of Governors-President, a sincere and grateful “Thank You”
for his initiative in maintaining the lines of communication
with the general membership by keeping you informed with
specific information regarding the Board of Governors meetings
and with the latest updates on the operations of your club.
While this has been the most direct form of understanding the
latest happenings of the club, it has also been the manner by
which your Board of Governors can directly communicate and voice
your concerns and suggestions to management for the overall
enhancement and improvement of the facility. When possible,
please give thanks to your B.O.G members for establishing this
very important source of communication.
The following is the BOG meeting review and
latest news from the club:
-
Food and Beverage operations:
o
Concerns were brought to our
attention in regards to the service in the Café and Men’s Locker
Room. These concerns came directly from the general membership
and BOG members. The following was the response and summary:
§
Due to the transition we are
going through, we have seen two complete turnovers in the Café
in a period of three months. While improving service is our
priority, we have also begun taking steps to improve our
incentive packages, benefits and training for employees both
part and full time which will enable us to better recruit and
retain the best individuals for those positions. We feel we are
at a point where we have very good employees who have had
several weeks learning our special servicing needs and requests,
although we still have learning curves to overcome and staffing
issues to address. We have had a several meetings with our F&B
manager, Rolando Lerma, and all of our servers regarding the
importance of service to the membership and how attention to
detail needs to become common practice throughout the scheduled
work shift. We have begun implementing several new practices in
our presentation and set-up. Please do not hesitate to give us
your reviews.
§
The men’s locker room will be
seeing some changes in both operational procedures and policies
by January 1, 2008, if not sooner. The importance of service and
attention to detail has also been strictly relayed to our staff.
§
The overall observation in
banquets has continued to be nothing short of excellent. With
this being our busiest time of year, our banquet service staff
has stepped it up and is doing fantastic work with very positive
marks being relayed to me directly from our hosts.
Thanksgiving Day has come and gone and we
are now in the full swing of things preparing for the remainder
of this Holiday Season. As it turned out, the day was perfect,
slightly cold and damp outside although perfect inside. Our
Thanksgiving Day Brunch was a fantastic member event that had
plenty of breakfast favorites, Thanksgiving Day delights and
homemade pies and cakes that satisfied every appetite and left
all who attended raving about the entire event.
Mr. George Argle was playing your favorites
on the piano and captivated everyone attending with his graceful
touch. Chef Roy and his staff displayed a fantastic performance
in their preparation and display of all the entrées and
specialty desserts. Rolando and his staff went above and beyond
with the undivided attention to each table, servicing with
attention to the smallest detail. Toie, Stacey and I were at the
front greeting and hosting everyone who attended. In all, the
reviews were excellent, giving us a positive start to this
Holiday Season. We have taken our notes and will do our best in
making next years’ event even more special.
-
Golf Maintenance operations:
o
The review from the golfing
membership relayed through the BOG members was that the overall
condition of the “Old Course” was excellent! I must agree with
this assessment. While this year has seen more rainfall than
normal, our golf course maintenance crew has done a very good
job providing our golfing membership with an exceptional golf
course that is likely to be in the best condition of any golf
course in the area. These remarks were also relayed to me while
making my rounds throughout the club.
§
Monday December 3, 2007, marked
the first day of employment for Mr. Michael Finke, our new Head
Golf Course Superintendent. Michael is a certified agronomist,
graduating from Texas A&M in Agronomy in 2000. We have many high
expectations from Michael and we are sure that this addition to
the team will greatly improve the department. This addition will
assist us in maintaining and improving the condition of the golf
course and will also assist us in the transition from season to
season and during the re-design phase of several holes on the
“Old Course”. When established, new maintenance programs will be
relayed to each member for a better understanding of the needs
required to properly maintain your golf course. Attached is a
copy of Michael’s resume for a better understanding of his
background and credentials.
-
Golf operations:
o
While we have had very positive
acceptance to the new golf carts and pull carts, concerns
regarding the service from the golf shop was again brought to
our attention. Specifically, the outside service staff and the
availability of practice golf balls in the chipping area and
practice facility. In addition, the concerns many golfers have
had with issues now being present and brought-on by the closure
of the “New Course”, i.e. tee time availability and weekend
tournaments.
§
Changes have already been made to
enhance our ability in recruiting more serviceable employees. In
addition, effective the first quarter of 2008, major changes to
the operation will be implemented. Raveneaux C.C. golf shop will
be owned and operated under the direction and guidance of Kevin
Longpre, our Head Golf Professional. Kevin will be responsible
for the complete operation from merchandising, staffing, golf
course rules and regulations and golf course policy and
procedure. In discussion management has relayed the importance
of establishing a better training program and the importance of
attention to detail. We wish Kevin the best and feel this will
greatly improve the overall service to the membership.
In addition, we are currently searching for an
assistant golf professional to assist with group and private
lessons and help monitor and assist in the training programs for
our outside service staff.
§
We have met with the RLGA and MGA
and have relayed to these associations the concerns brought
forth from several golfing members. These concerns are directly
related to the golf course availability and the amount of
traffic we have seen since the closure of the “New Course”. Each
association has shown immense cooperation and will work together
with management and the golf shop for scheduling of the 2008
season. In addition, the club has taken the initiative in
assisting both associations in the operations of several major
yearly events. Kevin and I have also met and we have begun
taking the appropriate steps to minimize the congestion on the
golf course, from stricter guest accessibility and policies, to
increases in guest fees.
Membership operations:
o
General Full Golf Memberships
were at a positive of three for the month and the outlook for
December is minimal due to the Holiday Season.
§
Major changes to the membership
categories and initiation fees will be seen by the start of
2008. Attached, is a detailed explanation on the changes
to membership categories and all applicable fees effective
January 1, 2008. New dues rates will be effective February 1,
2008. In addition, please look in the mail for this same
information. Major incentives and specialty programs will be
listed and explained in detail, although should any member have
any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us immediately.
-
Tennis operations:
o
Some questions in regards to the
future of the tennis operations were brought to our attention
and answered as follows:
§
Raveneaux C.C. is currently in
search of a new Head Tennis Professional. Currently Keith From
is responsible for overseeing those duties with the assistance
of Cathy operating the tennis shop. Should you have any
questions in regards to the programs, leagues and /or
operations, please do not hesitate to contact them or myself
directly. We are committed in finding an individual who will
bring the tennis operations to a new and exciting level. Thank
you for your patience.
§
I have personally met with the
league representatives for the Houston Tennis Academy, the
Jackrabbit league, NWTA and the Houston Ladies Tennis
Association. These meetings were very constructive and our guest
policies and operational procedures have been relayed to each
association. A clear understanding that stricter more exclusive
policy will be addressed and implemented in early 2008. Once we
announce our new tennis staff we will be able to better address
and implement these future changes. A general tennis meeting was
held on Friday November 30 to discuss pricing and the future
plans for the tennis program, as well. This was a very
informative and open discussion meeting that we hope explained
our goals more clearly for establishing Raveneaux C.C. as a true
private country club.
-
Administrative operations:
o
No issues or concerns were
brought to our attention although the following was discussed:
§
A sincere and generous thank you
was relayed to the BOG members for their cooperation, but most
importantly for their patience and commitment to Raveneaux C.C.
It is without question that by not having the complete support
of the general membership this facility would not have the
positive outlook in the magnitude that we are anticipating. Your
commitment, trust and belief in the future of Raveneaux C.C. has
given us the opportunity of giving something back to you as our
sign of appreciation. These incentives are more clearly detailed
in the attachment below.
§
A complete software program
changeover is in the process of being implemented. This new
software system is a state of the art program that will greatly
improve the lines of communication and offer many additional
services to the membership. This investment will certainly
assist us in expediting many of these services. The current DOS
based program has somewhat restricted us, although the future is
very bright.
§
Several recommendations were
brought to my attention both during the annual membership
meeting and at different points in time during my initial three
months, which included requests for a reduction in dues, all
inclusive cart fees, inclusive range golf balls, etc. While at
that time we were in no position to commit to these additional
services, we did keep them as part of future changes that could
possibly be implemented.
We hope that you will find added value to
the changes effective January 1, 2008, as we feel that several
of your requests have been answered.
This concludes the ‘Bog Line’ for
November/December. Please look for additional information via
separate mail-out, our website and/or by calling us directly.
We hope that this Holiday season brings you
many joyful and grateful moments.
On behalf of your entire staff here at
Raveneaux Country Club, Happy Holidays!
Peter R. Palacios – GM
Superintendents Update
12/31/07
Fall has arrived, which means that winter
dormancy is just around the corner. Our Red Oak trees are
dropping their leaves with every breath of wind. Every day we
continue in our best efforts to remove all the debris from the
golf course and common areas, although this has proven to be a
task of continued reluctance from Mother Nature. As part of our
annual maintenance program, next week we begin our winter
application of “Monument” onto our tees and greens for “Poa
Annua” control.
I would like to say how excited I am to be
here at Raveneaux Country Club. This is a premier facility in
Houston with a great reputation for excellent course conditions.
I hope that I can continue this excellence. Jeff Rickard and the
staff have done an outstanding job and the future looks very
promising. Please feel free to contact me with any comments
and/or questions.
Thank you,
Michael Finke
Golf Course Superintendent
Raveneaux Tennis Weekly Update
It is an exciting time for
Raveneaux Tennis. We are
looking forward to a new staff and a new and revised tennis
program schedule for 2008.
We are especially happy to announce that there will be
several new programs exclusively for members!
Christmas Camp is complete!
There was a great turn out with 20 kids total for both
sessions. We had a
great time, kids and pros included.
After a month break for the holidays, we
are glad to have the
Saturday Morning Men’s League starting up again this week.
It’s going to be a great season!
Up from last season, we have 10 players signed up,
including the defending champion Ron Stapleton. Call or come by
the tennis shop to join in the fun!
Ladies don’t forget to sign up for
Boot Camp. The start of
a New Year brings another New Year’s Resolution.
Resolve to get back into tennis with the
Ladies Boot Camp. It is the
perfect time to jump back on track with your backhand, polish
off that serve, and have some fun.
With a ratio of only four players to one professional,
leave it to your Raveneaux Pro’s to help you accomplish your
goals! First
Camp begins 9:30am
January 14, 2008!
For more information please call our Tennis Pro Shop.
Men’s Drop in Drill is a new program for members and guests
starting January 30th. All levels are welcome, so
come join Keith From for a fun-filled workout! Play is from 6:30
to 7:30 pm every Wednesday.
Sale!
Sale!
Sale! Drop
the tennis shop and check out the great sales! Selected items,
racquets, and shoes all at reduced prices!
02/07/2008
Weekly Updates:
We are excited to announce a couple new adult programs. There
will be two new Men's Drop in Drills on Monday and Wednesday
evenings. Both will start at 7:00
pm and last for one hour. Come out and join the fun
with Brian Dollar on Monday's and Keith From on Wednesday's!
Each drill will be working on a variety of strategies and
techniques.
Also, we have added a Mixed Drop in Drill every Saturday morning
starting at 9:00 am that
will last until 10:30 am.
So all of you couples out there, join us for some tennis every
saturday. Don't worry if you partner can't join us, singles are
welcome, too!
Don't forget to stop by the Pro Shop! We have a sale on all
apparel, shoes and racquets!
