2008 Ladies’ Wednesday Twilight Golf League Welcome to the 2008 Golf Season! Your committee would like to welcome you all to the 2008 Ridgetown Ladies’ Wednesday Twilight Golf League.  We ask that you register for the league between April 9, 2008 and the first night of play, April 16, 2008.  League fees this year are $45.00 and can be paid at the Pro Shop.   Twilight green fees for the 2008 season are $25.00 and you may purchase a league membership for $150.00 and reduce those fees to $15.00.  Talk to Troy for more information.  Golf carts are also available for league members at twilight time for $10.00 per player.  Event Calendar:April 9:                        Meet and Greet and Registration (6:30-8:30)April 16:                     First night of League PlayMay 21:                      Meet your Team Meal NightJune 18:                       Healthy Heart Meal NightJuly 23:                       Christmas in July Meal NightAugust 13:     Beach Party Meal Night

*Please note: each meal night the nines will be reversed.

September 10: Little Italy Meal NightOctober 1:        “Bon Voyage” Banquet Weekly 50/50:        The weekly 50/50 draw will begin the first night of league play. The cost is $2 per person. Please pay at the pro shop.  The draw will be made every Wednesday, unless there is a rain out, at 8pm.  We will be drawing a winner each week. Tee Time:                  The league tee times are Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:00pm.  You are requested to reserve your tee times by signing the starting schedule in the Ladies Locker room. Please sign the sheet on April 9^th for the first night of league play on April 16.  If you are golfing outside of the above times, you will need to reserve your tee times at the pro shop. Scoring:                   Every member will be placed on a team and you will be advised of that team on May 21^st at the “Meet your Team” meal night.  Late members will be placed on a team as they join.  Kaye Lee will be handling the scoring and has asked that you please write your first and last name on your score cards for accurate bookkeeping.  We will be using a simplified scoring system that will be explained to all players at the May 21^st meal night.  Each player is asked to record their score, pars and putts in the binder in the ladies’ locker room.   We look forward to seeing you all on April 9^th for the “Meet and Greet” evening. Your 2008 committee, Kaye Lee, Pat Taylor, Kelli-An DeCook & Amy Caron 

2008 Men’s Twilight League Opening Newsletter

 

Dear Men’s Twilight League Member  / and or Prospective Member,

 

The 2008 golf season is not far away.  As far as we are concerned it can’t come soon enough.

 

The purpose of this newsletter is to inform all the league members and prospective members the details of the Men’s Twilight League. We are looking forward to an excellent season and hope everyone has a great time.

 

The league dues are the same as previous years - $50.00.

 

Twilight green fees for 2008 are $25.00. You may purchase a league membership for $150.00 and reduce those fees to $15.00. See the attached sheet called 2008 League Membership for more information. Golf carts are also going to be available to league members at twilight time for $10.00 per player. It’s a great deal!!

 2008 Men’s Twilight Event Calendar: 

League runs from April 17th – Sept. 25^th. The tee is reserved on Thursday’s from 4:00pm – 6pm. These tee times may be booked by any Twilight league member the day of. The names of all players must be given at time of booking.

Every night there will be both a 50/50 draw and Closest to the Pin competition. Players may enter in one or both, payable in the Pro Shop.

 

April 17, 24 and May 1 - Handicap Night

May 8      - Official Opening Night - 4 Person Scramble & BBQ Steak Dinner Night

May 15   - Team competition begins

June 5   - “Rocky” play down begins

June 12   - Meal Night

July 10   - Meal Night 

Aug 14   - Meal Night 

Sept 4     - “Rocky Finals”

Sept 18    - Final Team competition

Sept 25    - Final Night - 4 Person Scramble & BBQ Steak Dinner Night - Team prizes

 **LEAGUE FEES ARE DUE BEFORE OR ON OPENING NIGHT May 8.  IF FEES ARE NOT PAID YOU WILL NOT BE PUT ON A TEAM UNTIL FEE IS PAID, AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE STEAK DINNER YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE MEAL.  PLUS IF YOU PAID YOUR FEES AFTER MAY 8 AN EXTRA $10.00 FEE WILL BE CHARGED.** 

Hope to see you soon,

Mark Vandergriendt (674-9937) & Ken Doyle (352-2090)

Men’s League Committee

 

If you require additional information please email Don Gilbert at dgilbert@ridgetowngolf.com

  

Dear Members,

On behalf of the newly formed Strategic Planning committee I would like to say hello and let our club know of this development. The committee is comprised of Greg Babula, Chair, Scott McKinlay, John Trudgen, Tom Steven, Dave Roe, Randy Luckam, Greg Devos, and from the Board, Peter Davidson and Bill Moore from the Board of Trustees.

As our club will be facing new challenges in the years to come, a committee to develop strategic plans and suggest new directions for the survival of our club is necessary.  The issues that our club are facing, financial and balance of service, playability, and debt reduction are not new topics and certainly not exclusive to our club. The golf industry in North America is changing today based on demographics, economics and generally changing lifestyles. 

Our committee has met twice to date with more meetings planned throughout the season. As this golf season has already been put in motion, expect our committee to forward our ideas to The Board of Directors for implementation for the 2009 and onward golf seasons. 

This committee will be addressing all areas and activities at our club. Fortunately, the task that lies ahead is one that can have a very positive result at our club to make it better and more prosperous for time to come.

Thank you.

   

Greg Babula

Member RG&CC

Chair Strategic Planning Committee

 

March 29/2008  Dear Member / and or Prospective Member, Welcome to our 85^th season at the Ridgetown Golf & Curling Club. It is amazing to think that we will be celebrating our 85^th anniversary and before you know, it will be our centennial. Time flies when you are having fun and our club provides all the fun you could want. The list of events at the end of this letter attests to that, and to the dedication and imagination of our Pro-Manager, Troy Kirkwood, as well as the games chairperson and committee. I trust that everyone has had a good winter. I am looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting our new members this spring. Last year was my third year as President and so I must again thank our great management team and their staff, the Board of Directors, the Trustees, and especially the members for working together to make 2007 a great golf season. We are planning and working hard to make 2008 another successful and rewarding year for all.  Each and every year there are changes and challenges for our club and this year is no exception. We are striving to improve our operation in all areas; however we are limited by our financial situation. Here are some of the changes we anticipate for 2008. As everyone is well aware our golf course suffered its greatest financial loss in 2007. This can be attributed to many factors such as the economic climate and the exceptionally stiff competition in the golf industry, particularly in our local market place. We have addressed the short term issue of operating capitol for the beginning of this season by asking members to make an advancement to the club and in return get a gift card for the amount advanced, to be used in the pro shop, bar and kitchen.  We are half way to our goal so we need those members who haven’t acquired their gift card to do so soon, as the course will be opening later this year due to the weather. We have addressed the areas needed to be addressed in our 2008 budget and some changes are going to take place.  Counter service and a menu that has fresh food items are changes which will be implemented this season in the clubhouse.  The management and staff are dedicated to this club and a combination of great customer service and some competitive pricing should make our club appealing to golfers from the area and beyond. We have organized a Strategic Planning committee which will meet regularly to develop a long term plan to insure the sustainability of our golf course. Mr. Greg Babula is chairing this committee and we have included a letter from him to apprise you of the purpose of this committee. We will be having an all day brainstorming meeting sometime this spring. All members will be welcome to attend. Details will follow. I would like to thank Derek Fox our new Greens Superintendent for the fantastic product that he and his staff provided for us in 2007.  Consistently in 2007 the comments were nothing but positive as people were very impressed with not just our greens but the course as a whole.  Derek’s dedication to the golf course will only benefit you the member by delivering a product that is as good as any in the area.    Our appreciation and thanks must also be directed to Melissa Wysman who continues to do an excellent work in keeping our administration running as smoothly as possible. We urge everyone to visit our web site www.ridgetowngolf.com. The website will have all events and information pertaining to the upcoming season on it as well as all tournaments and outings posted on the events page. We are running a special membership promotion this spring to attract new members. Obviously membership is a very big part of our club and it has been declining in the last few years for a number of different reasons. We also need YOU, the members, to help keep us growing our club through positive comments and actively promoting our club.  We are also running a very spectacular contest this season, and huge does not begin to describe how big it is going to be.  We are going to run a contest this season that puts in a draw ticket for every green fee over $30.00 and a draw ticket for every member every time they play. There will be two contest prizes. One will be members and one for green fee players, the prize being a 10 year paid up full membership. At the end of the season we will hold a tournament where we will make the draw. If you are playing in the tournament and your name is drawn, the prize will be enhanced from a ten year membership into a lifetime membership. More details will follow shortly on this contest.  These are some of the headline news for our club this season. We thank you for supporting your club in the past and we thank you in advance for your future support. Let’s all work together and make 2008 an unforgettable successful, fun season. Let us hope that we have another great season of golfing weather. Sincerely,  

Peter J.J.  Davidson

 Peter J. J. Davidson, PresidentRidgetown Golf & Curling Club  

Ladies Twilight Opening Coffee & Desert Meet & Greet Night – Wed. April 9^th

Ridge Risers Opening – Sunday April 13thLadies Twilight Opening Play Night – Wed. April 16thMen’s Twilight Opening Play Night – Thurs. April 17^thTuesday Ladies Opening Scramble – Tues. April 22, 1pm shotgun Blind Draw Scramble Opening – Sat. May 3rd, 1pm shotgunLegion Golf League Opening Scramble – Sun May 4^thMen’s Senior League Opening – Mon May 5thMen’s 65^th Invitational – Sat. June 7th The “Goose & Ganders 4 Person Mixed Scramble” – Sat June 28th, 1pm shotgun “Pop Nicholson” Men’s Senior Invitational, - Wed. July 2nd, 10am shotgunRidgetown Day – Mon July 7th, 11:00 AM shotgunLadies 4 Person Scramble – Sat July 12^th, 1pm shotgunClub Individual Champions Weekend – Saturday July 19^th & Sunday July 20thJunior Invitational – Mon July 28^th, 9:00pmshotgun85^th Anniversary Scramble (Fundraiser) – Sat July 26^th, 1pm shotgunJunior Club Championship – Mon Aug 18^th & Tues Aug 19^th      Club Championship Weekend – Sat Aug 25^th & Sun Aug 26^thGuys & Dolls – Sat Sept 20^thMen’s Senior League Final – Mon Sept 22ndMen’s Twilight Final Banquet – Thurs Sept 25^thTuesday Ladies Final Scramble – Tues September 30th, 1pm shotgun Ladies Twilight Final Banquet – Wed Oct 1stPete Brown Scramble – Sat Oct 11th, 9:30am shotgunDTM Classic – Saturday October 18^th, 11:00am Shotgun

Guys and Dolls

Saturday September 20th, 2008

1:00pm Shotgun

Members - $55.00 (cart owners/leasee's $40.00)

Guests - $75.00 **includes cart**

"Chapman Format"

Entry Fee required with registration - signup early!!

Handicap Card required

Junior Invitational

Monday July 28th, 2008

9:00am Shotgun

$38.00

Ladies 4 Person Scramble

Saturday July 12th, 2008

1:00pm Shotgun

Members - $35.00

Guests - $50.00

May have 1 person with a 10 or less handicap

Must have 1 person with a 20 or more handicap

2 Flights - Field split into 2 even flights based on total handicap

GAO Handicap cards required

Ridgetown Day

Monday July 7th, 2008

11:00am Shotgun

Members - $15.00

Guests - $30.00

 

Senior Mens Invitational

Wednesday July 2nd, 2008

10:00am Shotgun

Members - $52.00 ($35.00 for cart owners/leasee's)

Guests - $80.00 **includes cart**

Flighted by age - Gross and Net prizes

GAO Handicap Card required

Goose and Ganders "4 Person Mixed Scramble"

Team must consist of 2 males and 2 females

Saturday June 28th, 2008

1:00pm Shotgun

Members - $30.00

Guests - $50.00

3 Flights determined after tee off

GAO Handicap Card required

66th Mens Invitational

Saturday June 7th, 2008

9:00am - 11:00am Both Tee's

Members - $40.00

Guests - $70.00 (includes one practice round with paid entry)

GAO Handicap Card required

Of all the fundamental skills involved in a pre-shot routine, you would think that alignment should be the easiest. Think again!

Alignment needs special and regular attention. Whenever hitting to a specific target, whether on the range or golf course, you must have correct alignment. Knowing that you are taking “dead aim” will allow you to make positive swing adjustments.

For example, say that you are constantly hitting the ball to the right of the target. Without checking your alignment, you make a swing adjustment to get the ball going towards the target. That swing adjustment could be based on bad aim and may be the start of years of frustration. However, if your alignment had been checked first, you may have found that you were hitting the ball straight and needed only to adjust your alignment.

Performing the following procedure each and every time you proceed to hit a ball will help you develop consistency in your alignment:
To start your alignment procedure, stand some 10-12 feet behind your ball and visualize a line running directly from your ball to your target. This will be your target line. Select an intermediate target about one foot in front of your ball on the target line. This intermediate target may be a broken tee, or a divot - something you can distinguish. As you address your ball, line the face of the club up with the intermediate target. This will assure that the clubface is aiming down the target line. Secondly, take your stance and make your body feel parallel to the target line. Remember, your body does not line up down the target line, it runs parallel to it. The club face runs directly down the target line.

Very important: You must be absolutely positive that you are taking “dead aim” before you can or should make any swing adjustments.

Good Luck,
Don Gilbert

Don’t feel too bad if you slice the ball, you are not alone. Studies reveal that over 80% of all amateur golfers slice the ball. What is even worse is that most of them do not even know what causes the slice or even how to fix it.

A golf slice is caused by the clubface coming across the ball from outside the target line creating side-spin on the ball. Why are you attacking the ball outside the target line? Why does it put this side-spin on the ball? Where does the problem lie?

There have been more training aids, drills and tips to fix the golf slice that I can’t even begin to count them all. Everyone seems to have the cure for the slice. I would like to identify four main reasons why I think the golf slice takes place.

1) Grip: Changing a grip that a player has become accustomed too for many years can be difficult; however, I do believe that a “weak grip” can be a culprit to a slice. Too weak of a grip means your hands are turned too far to the left (right handed players), or too far to the right (left handed players), and on top of the club. This will lead to an open clubface through impact. I like a slightly strong grip which means your hands are turned more to the right (right handed players) or to the left (left handed players), and underneath the club. This will make it so much easier for you to get your clubface square through impact.

2) Grip Pressure: Putting a death grip on the club is a sure way to leave the clubface open at impact. This open clubface along with coming across the ball from outside will put a tremendous amount of side-spin on the ball. Yes, you have to have a firm enough grip to hang onto the club since its traveling so fast; however, it should be as light as you can get away with, especially in crisis situations. It is also very important to keep the grip pressure consistent throughout the swing.

3) Posture: Of all the reasons to take a lesson from a C.P.G.A. Professional, getting the correct posture is one of them. I have read many articles in both my amateur and professional career about proper posture resulting in confusion. A hand on instruction is the only way to learn about proper posture; however, what you should know is that improper posture and foot placement can be another culprit to the slice. Setting up in a well-balanced position will allow you to make a good shoulder turn as well as swing in balance which allows you to swing the club on the proper path not on the outside.

4) Weight Transfer: Swinging outside the target line is caused by the upper body getting ahead of the lower body, creating an “over-the-top” move, resulting in your clubface slashing across the ball and creating side-spin. Your first inclination may be to take a lesson to fix this. If that does not work, you might buy a training aid. If that does not work you could purchase an “offset” driver. After all of the above ideas are exhausted, you are still slicing the ball. I believe this “over the top” move is quite often a physical issue within the core of your body. Your core is the middle section of your body, mainly your abdomens and your lower back. Your core is the engine of your golf swing. Core flexibility and strengthening is the answer to initiating the down swing with the lower body first, to avoid the upper body getting ahead of it. The minute you are able to separate the upper and lower body upon the initial move down, you will see that golf slice will improve dramatically. Good thing is that core exercises are done simply with an exercise ball. It’s easy!! Oh and by the way, once you improve the condition of your core and start creating torque between your upper and lower body, the extra distance you are going to get is phenomenal.

Good Luck,
Don Gilbert

Dear Member / and or Prospective Member,

Welcome to our 84th season at the Ridgetown Golf & Curling Club. It is amazing to think that in just a short time we will be celebrating our 85th anniversary and before you know it will be our centennial. Time flies when you are having fun and our club provides all the fun you could want. The list of events at the end of this letter attests to that, and to the dedication and imagination of our Pro-Manager, Don Gilbert and his assistant Troy Kirkwood, as well as the games chairperson and committee.

I trust that everyone has had a good winter. I am looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting our new members this spring. Last year was my second year as President and so I must again thank our great management team and their staff, the Board of Directors, the Trustees, and especially the members for working together to make 2006 a great golf season. We are planning and working hard to make 2007 another successful and rewarding year for all.

Each and every year there are changes at the club and we set out to make new improvements in all areas, this year is no exception. Here are some of the changes we anticipate for 2007.

I have two new board members this season and I am looking forward to their participation and input in our board meetings. They both bring a lot of experience in general business as well as the golf business. We welcome Tim Cox who will chair the Public Relations Committee and Pete Brown who will chair the Games Committee. When given the chance please offer them your support as well as any constructive criticism. Both are very excited to be on the Board and have provided us with some great enthusiasm.

I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to thank Ted Eberle for the loyal and devoted service he constantly contributed to our club over his 30 plus year career. Ted had always taken amazing pride in his work and the course we have today is evidence of that. We wish Ted and Bonnie all the best in their retirement. We look forward to seeing them play on the course instead of grooming it.

I would like to welcome Derek Fox as our new Greens Superintendent. Derek began his golf course career at Maple City Country Club in 1993 and eventually served as the Assistant Greens Superintendent 1998 – 2001. Derek landed his first Head Greens Superintendent job at Heritage Heights Golf and Curling Club in Petrolia in 2001. We are very excited to have Derek on board and we are very confident in his abilities. Derek is committed to enriching the quality of our golf course and its environment. Jim Gammage will be Derek’s first assistant, and also returning is Marty Davis. The rest of the staff is new and fresh. Derek is also our Curling Ice Technician. This winter Derek has done an awesome job providing the curlers with first-rate ice. When you get a chance please express a warm welcome to Derek and all his new staff.

We are very pleased to announce that we will be installing town water into the clubhouse this spring. The Board of Directors have treated the lack of water pressure and the problems it creates within the clubhouse as a high priority. All the professionals involved in this decision have informed us that hooking up to town water will cure the pressure problem as well as other problems associated with a well system. Please note that this is for clubhouse use only. We will continue irrigating the golf course with our well water.

We urge everyone to visit our web site www.ridgetowngolf.com. This winter the web site has been overhauled. Thank you to our Pro/Manager, Don Gilbert and our web co-ordinator Andrew Tompsett from Hughes Creative, together they have made some tremendous changes. Please check it out!!

We are running a membership promotion this spring. Obviously membership is a very big part of our club and it has been declining in the last few years for a number of different reasons. We need YOU, the members, to help grow this club. We are running a 2007 membership promotion; all new 2007 adult members will be eligible to win a 2008 membership as well as any current members that bring us a new 2007 adult member. Please, I urge the entire membership to sell this game and sell our club.

The Board of Directors are very pleased to announce that club members Brian & Judy Agar have accepted the position of GAO (Golf Association of Ontario) Certified Handicap Representatives. Please find enclosed with this mailing “The Other Rules of Golf” letter from Brian and Judy informing us of our responsibilities to maintain accurate handicap records. It is a very informative and we urge all members to please read over this letter and use Brian and Judy’s expertise in helping you understand the handicap system in order for you to compete on a fair playing field. We also like to thank Brian and Judy for taking on this very important role for the Ridgetown Golf & C. C.

These are some of the headline news for our club this season. We thank you for supporting your club in the past and we thank you in advance for your future support. Let’s all work together and make 2007 an unforgettable successful, fun season.


Sincerely,

Peter J.J. Davidson

Peter J. J. Davidson
President
Ridgetown Golf & Curling Club


Ladies Twilight Opening Coffee & Desert Meet & Greet Night – Wed. April 11th
Ridge Risers Opening – Sunday April 15th
Ladies Twilight Opening Play Night – Wed. April 18th
Men’s Twilight Opening Play Night – Thurs. April 19th
Tuesday Ladies Opening Scramble – Tues. April 24, 1pm shotgun
Blind Draw Scramble Opening – Sat. May 5th, 1pm shotgun
Legion Golf League Opening Scramble – Sun May 6th
Men’s Senior League Opening – Mon May 7th
Men’s 65th Invitational – Sat. June 2nd
Ladies Twilight - Divas’ Drive & Dine Interclub – Wed. June 20th
The “Goose & Ganders 4 Person Mixed Scramble” – Sat June 23rd, 1pm shotgun
Ridgetown Day – Mon July 2nd, 11am shotgun
“Pop Nicholson” Men’s Senior Invitational, - Wed. July 4th, 10am shotgun
Ladies 4 Person Scramble – Sat July 14th, 1pm shotgun
Junior Invitational – Mon July 30th, 1:30pm shotgun
84th Anniversary Scramble – Sat July 28th, 1pm shotgun
Junior Club Championship – Mon Aug 20th & Tues Aug 21st
Mitton’s Club Championship Weekend – Sat Aug 25th & Sun Aug 26th
Guys & Dolls – Sat Sept 15th
Men’s Senior League Final – Mon Sept 24th
Men’s Twilight Final Banquet – Thurs Sept 27th
Tuesday Ladies Final Scramble – Tues Oct 2nd, 1pm shotgun
Ladies Twilight Final Banquet – Wed Oct 3rd
Pete Brown Scramble – Sat Oct 13th, 9:30am shotgun

Discover the great play behind Ridgetown Golf Course.

Ridgetown has a reputation of being "The Friendliest Town in Ontairo" and the Ridgetown Golf and Curling Club is no exception. This member-owned, semi-private golf club features rolling fairways and small, deceptive greens. Widely regarded as one of the finest golf courses in the Chatham-Kent area, Ridgetown provides great golf to players of all levels.

Many players who play Ridgetown regard it as "the toughest easy course to play". In addition to this enjoyable golf course, Ridgetown offers a driving range, a fully stocked pro shop and exceptionally friendly C.P.G.A staff.

After golf, Ridgetown invites all guests and members to enjoy the country charm of the fully licensed clubhouse with full kitchen facilities.

Tournament groups are always welcomed and the club's casual atmosphere provides a comfortable place for groups to reminisce after their round.

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• Ladies Twilight Scedule 2008
• Mens Twilight Scedule 2008
• Strategic Planning Committee Opening Letter
• Opening letter for 2008
• Guys and Dolls
• Junior Invitational
• Ladies 4 Person Scramble
• Ridgetown Day
• Senior Mens Invitational
• Goose and Ganders "4 Person Mixed Scramble"

• League Information [2]
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