Another year of changes. Last year, we moved the Miller Park league and this year, we plan to move the Spring Lake league. I am not one for making drastic changes, because I do like the history each of the leagues have had. From what I'm told, years ago the Spring Lake league used to be the larger league and the Elmwood league was formed to catch the overflow. But it's a numbers game: more members, more golfers can bring more to our club.
The idea of a change was first discussed with league managers (who really drive the boats). Our main concern was how we could attract more golfers and whether the current league would adjust and move with the change. But like softball, the people that held the league together (or the sport) slowly disappeared. There are many factors that pull people away; their jobs, their family or other interests. I feel a change could improve and attract more golfers to our leagues.
The move that the Thursday night league took last year from Miller Park to the LaVista Falls golf course was a drastic change. Guess what, they are moving again: This time to Westwood Heights golf course. Luckily, league manager Deb Emery was willing to make the change and we hope the league golfers will, too.
The Tuesday night league will move from Spring Lake to LaVista Falls. Thankfully, league manager Diana Spencer was willing to make that change, too. Let's hope we don't lose any golfers from Spring Lake either. (In fact, I plan on signing up).
On top of all these changes, the city golf rate at the City of Omaha golf courses increased greatly. Plus, there's been talk of the golf courses being privately managed or privately owned. I hope these things get worked out between the mayor and the city golf offices before our leagues begin. Right now, we do have golf contracts in hand.
Last year, we tried to start an Iron Horse league, but only four people showed interest. This year we go back to Sunset Valley. Last month, I queried the club to see if anyone was interested in a "day league" - so far only five people have contacted me.
The Monday night and Friday night leagues are 15-week leagues (because of holidays this year). See all league details below:
Golf changes for 2010:
- The Omaha Sports Club offers a "half-year membership rate" for $15 a year; that's March 1 through September 10, 2010. (golfers and summer volleyball)
- Pay your league fees online when you sign up (and log in) at: WWW.OMAHASPORTSCLUB.COM and make your payments with one swipe of the card and be done with it.
- Attend the golf sign-up party on Sunday, March 28, at Beyond Golf in LaVista and sign up for the OSC Drive, Chip & Putt contest. Meet other Omaha Sports Club golfers, too. Look for more details in the March Sportscaster.
- New in 2010: Deadline to sign up for all leagues is April 30.
The "fine print" for golf signups:
- All players sign up for our leagues individually and the league starter for each league will group players onto teams. (Spouses or couples can request to be on the same team, but it’s not guaranteed). Tee times aren’t fixed each week, you play when you show up (within the allotted tee time span). You play with other OSC golfers that sign in at the clubhouse OSC table or the league manager pairs people up when you arrive. But we still keep score and tally everyone's scores each week for standings.
- All golfers pay for league fees in advance. You get 15 or 16 weeks of golf (depending on the league), year-end prizes and a golf-banquet after the season has ended (in mid-September). All league golfers are invited (not just winners).
- All sign-ups begin March 1 with the March Sportscaster. Sorry, no phone applications, no IOUs, but please call me if you have any questions.
- A 50 percent deposit (minimum) per person is required with each mail-in application and the balance is due on the first week of play. (No refunds after the first week of play unless there are others waiting to fill the spot).
- Some leagues have a limit to the number of applications, I will try to get everyone in the league they want, but it’s first come, first served. Deadline is April 30.
- The most important rule … You must be a member of the Omaha Sports Club! If you aren’t a member please make it easy on me (and membership) and write separate checks when you sign up. Or, consider paying online. If you were a member last year and haven’t renewed, we still need a signed membership application for the 2010 season (I will hunt you down if you don't). This includes subs, too.
- Regular season league golfers that can’t play during their scheduled league nights are required to find “substitute” golfer. I might suggest that you use a fellow OSC member from our list of subs on our "Sub List." A sub list is given to all league golfers on the first week of league play. (See your league starter for all subbing details).
- Subs are allowed to play a maximum eight weeks through the entire year, not more.
Monday: Sunset Valley CC Location, 9300 Arbor St.
Tee Times: 5:30 - 6 p.m. Cost: $252 (or $126 x 2)
League Starts: May 3
Par 35, 9-hole course. Sunset Valley has reopened their doors to the Omaha Sports Club once again on Mondays. As far as country clubs are concerned, Sunset Valley CC is Omaha's best kept secret. It's flat, yet challenging. This 15-week league has room for 24 golfers.
Tuesday: LaVista Falls Golf Course Location, 8305 Park View Blvd, LaVista.
Starting Tee Time: 4:45 p.m. Cost: $169 (or $84.50 x 2)
League Starts: May 4
We're moving from Spring Lake GC to LaVista Falls. A par 31, 9-hole course. Not a league for beginners. This is a great beginning for an existing league. Room for 24 golfers.
Wednesday: Shoreline Golf Course Location, 5th & Locust, in Carter Lake.
Starting Tee Time: 5 p.m. Cost: $218 (or $109 x 2)
League Starts: May 5
Shoreline is an 18-hole course. League golfers alternate the front nine & the back nine each month during the season. This 16-week league has room for 24 golfers.
Thursday: Westwood Heights Golf Course Location: 129th & West Center Rd
Starting Tee Time: 5 p.m. Cost: $190 (or $95 x 2)
League Starts: May 6
We've relocated on Thursday night (again), moving from LaVista to Westwood Heights. This 3-par layout will reward good shots and provide a fun golf outing for everyone. A great social league and more places to eat afterwards. Room for 16 golfers.
Friday: Elmwood Park Golf Course Location: 63rd & Pacific St. (in the park).
Tee Times: 4 – 5:30 p.m. Cost: $224 (or $112 x 2)
League Starts: May 7
Our largest league with room for 100 golfers. We use the whole course on Friday nights playing on the front and back nines each week. A great way to start the weekend.
Sunday
Sunday email group (golfing with e-mail alerts only). Sundays sometime between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. I’ll make a tee time to play 18 holes somewhere different each week. Tee times will be made one week in advance for a group of 16 (4 tee times) . Each Monday a “broadcast e-mail” is sent to everyone that signs up for the Sunday group. The first 16 people that reply to that e-mail play. A waiting list is formed for those who reply later.
Golfers are responsible for their own green fees (and cart fees if riding). All I need is an e-mail address for easy contact and tee time conformation.
Bring a friend, so he/she can see what the OSC is all about. We had 85 names on that email list last year. Or, add your name to my email list for information on our monthly scrambles.
First Week: Sunday, May 2
(Look for downloadable application on the left side).
MAKE ALL CHECKS PAYABLE TO: OMAHA SPORTS CLUB
MAIL TO: GENE HUG, 1863 So. 124th STREET, OMAHA, NE. 68144