Advisory Board Meeting 2-24-21
Advisory Board Meeting
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Present: T. Septembre, M. Gallo, M. Wilcoxen, B. Griffith, P. Rajo, C. Baetzel, P. Arutyunov,
R. Strickland and A. Pozzi
S. Maroon and N. Powell via phone
Meeting called to order at 5:42 pm
January Meeting Minutes approved
A. Pozzi –
• Anticipating the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions and to prepare for a gradual return to more
normal business conditions, we have made some changes to the management team at Miami
Shores Country Club and reassigned areas of responsibility
o Chris Baetzel has been promoted to the Director of Golf position
o Alexis Garcia has been promoted to the Head Golf Professional position
o Resa Strickland has been promoted to the Operations Manager position
o Natasa Bollok for will fill 2 positions for the time being: the Restaurant Manager and
Catering Manager positions
o Pavel Arutyunov has been promoted to Club Manager, Pavel will oversee the food and
beverage, pro-shop and accounting departments
• Business continues to be strong in the golf department
• February has been good but will not match the numbers from last year.
• The South Florida Resident golf business has been very strong. Lapsed golfers returning to the
game and many young people taking it up are creating a welcome new demand for tee times
• Although we continue to sign up new members, membership revenue is still down from last
year
New Business:
T. Septembre –
• Serves on the board of the Florida Yacht Club Council and they have youth programs to
encourage youth into the sport of yachting, would love to do something like that here
• Spoke to Tom Benton and A. Pozzi about a youth golf program, and how we can encourage
young people to be more involved in the game of golf
• Would like to start a not-for-profit foundation, to support a youth program
• What does the rest of the board think?
A. Pozzi –
• Junior golf represents a bridge to the future growth of the game
• Several current members started in our Junior clinics and camps
• We will be happy to create the curriculum and operate the program
• We cannot solicit donations from members or the public
• The foundations’ board would have to set the parameters for the eligibility to determine who
would qualify for the scholarships (an unenviable task)
B. Griffith –
• What about the First Tee program?
• Maybe we can do a hybrid setting
S. Maroon arrived at 6:17 pm
A. Pozzi –
• The First Tee program does a lot more than we can do in our setting but the principle would be
the same
• The First Tee offers the children a classroom environment with computers and instructors to
help complete homework. To partake in the golf program, the kids have to maintain certain
grades in school
• We would have to limit the numbers in our programs because of manpower
C. Baetzel –
• It is a fantastic idea
• Right now with Covid-19 we are not going to offer summer camp unless the restrictions are
lifted
• In my opinion to start, you can host a golf tournament for October or November to raise money
for scholarships for next years camp or junior programs
B. Griffith – Where do we stand with single riders in the carts?
A. Pozzi – We are the only county in the state that still has the single rider mandate and we do not see
that changing anytime soon
P. Rajo – Should put the signs back in about pitch marks
C. Baetzel –
• Orlando is doing a good job on Saturdays and Sundays filling the divots
• Because of the limited carts, we have noticed an increase in walkers
• Will put signs in the golf carts about fixing the ball marks and will offer free ball mark tools as a
way to encourage them to fix the marks and staff will also politely remind players to fix their
marks and one other
M. Gallo –
• Congratulations Pavel
• Loves this place
M. Wilcoxen – Going to hold the club championship for the ladies in March and will play 3 rounds
C. Baetzel –
• The upcoming member – guest tournament sold out in 6 days
• We are keeping the field down to 28 teams
• The men’s club championship tournament is scheduled for April 17 and 18
S. Maroon – Chris makes the tournament and is very helpful and involved
P. Arutyunov – No Comment
R. Strickland – Next meeting is scheduled for March 24, 2021
Meeting ended at 6:50 pm