How to stay cool playing Summer Golf:
Pool Golf – Mondays & Fridays at 1:15 PM – Meet at the 1st Tee of the Championship Course – Wear Trunks, shirt & sandals. 
We jump into (6) pools in (9) holes. When finished we go to the big pool and solve the world’s problems.

Message from the Men’s Club President:

As we approach the midpoint of the Summer, I thought I would update everyone about what has been happening here at Palm Valley.  Before I do that, though, I have to thank Pete Fortenberry for his two wonderful years at the helm of the Men’s Club.  Pete’s leadership resulted in 2 terrific golf seasons, and saw our roster hit the 300-member milestone.  He has really set the bar high for those who follow.

As everyone knows, California is in the midst of a significant spike in COVID-19 reported cases and deaths.  Riverside County has also not fared well since restrictions were relaxed and everyone tried to get back to business as usual.  The Governor has reinstated mandatory wearing of face masks, indoor dining has been halted, and other non-essential businesses have been restricted.  Hopefully, these steps will provide the foundation for a return to a reduction in reported cases, hospitalizations and deaths.  We certainly hope that our Canadian members will be able to make it back for the opening of the season.

Even with this tightening, both courses remain open here.  Course conditions had deteriorated markedly during May and June because of a lack of maintenance workers, and the residual effects of the timing of the overseeding last fall.  Two weeks ago, Julie Titus and Jan Widmer (Presidents of the two women’s golf groups) and I toured the courses with Hale Kelly.  He addressed the issues head-on and was very receptive to our comments on behalf of membership.  Thankfully, as Hale’s pictures in the club email of July 17 to all members demonstrate, there has been considerable improvement in course conditions.  The greens are not yet perfect, but are much better, and most fairways continue to show progress.  Most sand traps are playable – even though there are no rakes.  The Board continues to monitor the conditions, and we expect to be able to return to posting scores in the near future.

Vice President Jim Ivy and his Tournament Committee have put together a great lineup of events for the upcoming 2020-21 season.  You can view them on the website under the “Tournaments” tab.  Our current plan is to hold all the events, although we may need to re-think the food and beverage service for some of them.  Only time will tell what restrictions we will be faced with as we head into our actual season.  We will just need to adjust according to what we can and cannot do.

One thing that is for sure, there will be the establishment of a Masters Tee set for the Championship Course.  With so many members deciding to move up to the Silver Tees, we wanted to devise a way for foursomes to play together from a common set of tees.  Similar to the Players Tees, the Masters will combine holes to provide a course that includes play from both the White and Silver Tees.  We will announce the final tee selections soon.

I look forward to welcoming new members – and seeing old friends – in the Fall.  Until then, stay healthy and safe.  And, remember to check the website often.  Gary Doyen is doing yeoman work keeping it vibrant and informative.

Michael

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7/20/2020 – Important Golf Course Closing/Opening Dates. (These dates are all subject to change as COVID-19 issues may arise.)

Currently, the Club is projecting course closings for over seeding on the following dates:
     · Challenge Course:
       o Closed September 21
       o Reopens October 24

     · Putting Green and Driving Range
       o Closed September 21
       o Reopen October 24

     · Championship Course
       o Closed October 12
       o Reopens November 14

     · Practice Facility
       o Closed October 19
       o Reopens November 14

We have 12 days (October 12 – October 23) without either course being open.  The Men’s Club Opening Day event is scheduled for November 21.
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6/5/2020
Steve Heiferman – Hole in One
Championship Course – White Tees – Hole # 5 – Blue Flag
135 yards – Club Used – 8 iron – PXG Brand
Golf Ball – Callaway – (normally uses a Srixon)
Cigar – La Aroma de Cuba
Witnesses – Mike Sheldon – Kevin Kellerman – Gary Doyen
Steve clicked a perfect 8 iron with a slight draw. The ball landed on the right side up hill slope of the green, kicked left and rolled into the cup. All three witnesses saw it disappear when it hit the pin.  Steve picked up his tee and didn’t watch.  When we drove the carts up to the green we saw it sitting in the cup. This was his second Hole in One.

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6/1/2020
News to Share from the Board of Directors recent meeting:
Subject – Silver Tees eligibility Tournament Changes for 2020-2021 Season:
1/ The “90 rule” (Age plus Handicap >=90) has been abandoned.
   2/ Each member may decide on an event-by-event basis which Tee Box he wants to play from.
3/ Any Tournament Player may play from the Tee Box (White or Silver) of their choice with (2) restrictions:
A/ When they register for a tournament they must state which Tee Box.
   B/ Once a Tee Box is declared, the player may not change his Tee Box selection during a tournament.

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