February 23, 2009

Dear Members,

Welcome to the 2009 season.  The OHGA Board hopes you are all looking forward to another exciting year of golf at OakHills Park.  Please review this entire package which includes the 2009 Membership Application, 2009 Tournament Rules, 2009 Local Rules, and 2009 Tournament Schedule.

 The annual spring meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10th at 7:00 PM at the Laurel Athletic Club, 14 North Street,Norwalk.  We will review many of the items in this report and get updates from Vinnie Grillo and Tom Vorio on the condition of the course.  Coffee & donuts will be served.  The meeting is also a convenient time to ask questions of the Board and pay your 2009 dues to become tournament eligible.

Even though the USGA has increased the handicap fee by $2.00 per person, dues for 2009 will remain the same as last year.  That is $60 prior to April 1st and $65 from April 1st on.  Junior players and college students will have the same discounts as last year.

Members who wish to participate in Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA) events and receive the Met Golfer magazine will be able to do so by paying an additional $10 in dues.  We have created a second golf club called The Fillow Street Golf Association for this purpose.  You must be a regular member of the OHGA in order to take advantage of this supplemental membership.

Please review the attached schedule and make note of the sign up dates for the Club Championship (individuals) and the Governor's Cup (2 man teams).  We will have 2 qualifying weekends for the Club Championship again this year and all flights must participate in the qualifying round no matter how many competitors sign up.  Byes will go to the highest seeds in flights with less than 16 competitors.

This year for tournament play a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. See our Local Rules for details.

We have added a clarification to the Tournament Rules on the procedure to follow if your round is cut short due to weather problems (see new rule 18).

We have made some changes on who can attest scores this year.  For 2 man team tournaments your scorecard can be attested by both members of the team if your foursome does not include another member.  In addition, your scorecards can now be attested by a member of the Oak Hills Women's Association.

This year's awards banquet/fall meeting is being scheduled for Monday, October 26th.  The cost is only $15.00 and is open to all members.  This is an opportunity to enjoy a wonderful dinner with your friends and see golfers of all levels being recognized for their achievements during the year.

With the current state of the economy and the loss of jobs and housing, an ever-increasing number of destitute individuals and families have turned to the Norwalk Emergency Shelter, for assistance.  I'm appealing to all of you to lend a helping hand to the impoverished right here in our very own neighborhoods.  The Oak Hills Men's and Women's Associations are requesting the support of it's members during this difficult time by simply bringing some non-perishable canned goods to Oak Hills when you renew your resident cards for this year.

Shelly Guyer

President, OHGA