Well I certainly don’t have to tell you this if you are an avid golfer, because you may already know this and may have already played golf this year, but golf is in the air, golf is right around the corner. That means that it’s time to think more serious

n case you missed last month's issue, the Omaha Sports Club has restructured the OSC membership pricing. The club now offers a "half-year" membership that begins on March 1st …just in time for Golf signups. The 6-month online membership is only $15… Great news, huh?

Two changes from last month… the first week of Friday golf will be on May 2nd, not the 9th. (I've been busy calling people that already signed up mentioning the change) and up-to-date details on the Monday, Sunset Valley league are shown below.

Not many people took advantage of the huge 42-cent savings at the Beer & Chili Party on March 1st, but I did hear a few people say "I forgot my checkbook"… But don't worry, you can still save on postage by attending the "Noshery-of the-Month," which will be held 3 more times before golf starts, and pay me then… (See those details elsewhere in this Sportscaster.)

Again in 2008 I will offer a “multiple leagues” discount. If you play in more than one OSC golf league, you can deduct $15 per additional league you sign up for. For instance: If you sign up for Tuesday night and Thursday night, deduct $15 off the total cost. If you sign up for Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights, deduct $30… etc. The discount reflects the “Banquet Fee” charged to each player. (All Omaha Sports Club golf budgets are available for viewing upon request.)

All those that have played in the leagues in the past know how fun the leagues are and how much fun playing golf can be. It's easy to sign up and convenient to play when you show up. A quick word to your friends can give a boost in the golf numbers in 2008, or tell your non-sports club friends or past members that haven't signed up lately. I would love to see some new faces and familiar faces come back again. We will try our hardest to not turn anyone away and get everyone in a league.

Playing golf is a good way to get some exercise, enjoy the weather, meet your friends and a good way to meet new friends too.

The fine print for Golf Sign-ups is:

1. 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 the clubhouse at the OSC table when you arrive. But we still keep score and tally everyone's scores each week for standings.

2. All golfers pay for league fees in advance. For your money you get 16 weeks of golf, year-end prizes and a golf-banquet after the season has ended (usually in mid September. All league golfers are invited, (not just the winners).

3. All sign-ups begin March 1st, with the March issue of the Sportscaster! Sorry no phone applications, no IOU’s, but please call me if you have any questions…

4. A 50% 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 1st week of play unless there are others waiting to fill the spot).

5. All 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. Postmarks will establish application cutoff, so get it in the mail fast!

6. 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. If you were a member last year, and haven’t renewed, we still need a signed membership application for the 2008 golf season (I will hunt you down if you don't). This includes league subs too.

7. 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 on 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.)

8. Once the leagues have started, you can check on your "league standings" on my golf website: www.king-of-clubs.com or added information on our monthly scrambles May thru October.

·Monday: Sunset Valley Country Club Location: 9300 Arbor Street

Tee Times: 5:45 Cost: $255 (or $127.50 x 2) League Starts: May 5th

Par 35, 9-hole course. Sunset Valley has opened the doors to public play on Mondays. The main change; The starting time and we will be playing as our own league and not joining another league. Sunset compares to Elmwood G.C. in length but with no hills. This will be a 16-week league with room for 16 golfers.

·Tuesday: Spring Lake Golf Course Location: Approx. 16th & “F” St. (in the park).

Tee Times: 4:15-5:45 (the high school team usually sneaks in our gap-time)

Cost: $151 (or $75.50 x 2) League Starts: May 6th

Par 33, 9-hole course. Plenty of hills (for plenty of exercise). A great social league, great for beginners and medium skill golfers. Great league for those who work in downtown Omaha or Bellevue. A 16-week league and room for up to 40 golfers.

·Wednesday: Shoreline Golf Course Location: 5th & Locust (in Carter Lake).

Starting Tee Time: 5:00 Cost: $209 (or $97.50 x 2) League Starts: May 7th

Shoreline is an 18-hole track. League golfers alternate the front nine & the back nine each month during the season. Played as head-to-head in the past but a new format may be discussed on week one. A 16-week league with room for 20-24 golfers.

·Thursday: Miller Park Golf Course Location: 30th & Kansas Ave.

Starting Tee Time: 5:15 Cost: $137 (or $68.5 x 2) League Starts: May 8th

A fun Par-3 Municipal course with huge trees and a lake on the last hole. Golfers usually meet afterwards for dinner, a great get-together crowd. A good course for beginners...

·Friday: Elmwood Park Golf Course Location: 63rd & Pacific St. (in the park).

Tee Times: 4:00 – 5:30 Cost: $198.00 (or $99 x 2) League Starts: May 2nd

Our largest league with room for 100 golfers. We utilize the whole course on Friday nights playing the front and back nines each week. Plus it’s a great way to start the weekend. New in 2008… A "Dinner-Afterwards" sign-up board for the league golfers.

·Sunday: Sunday Morning email group (e-mail alerts only). Sunday Mornings between 8 am & 10 am (sometimes on afternoons if I get a cheaper rate). We’ll 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 then a waiting list is formed after.

Golfers are responsible for his/her own green fees (and cart fees if riding). All that is required is that have 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 close to 82 people on the list last year… Or add your name to my email list for info on our monthly scrambles too. First Week: Sunday morning, May11th

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Golf League Registration Form

Name_____________________________ Phone (H)____________(W)______________

Address ____________________________________City _____________ Zip ________

Sign me up for this league: (please circle) and/or Sub: (please indicate)

Sunset Valley Spring Lake Shoreline

Miller Park Elmwood Sunday Morning

E-mail address: _________________________________________

MAKE ALL CHECKS PAYABLE TO: OMAHA SPORTS CLUB

MAIL TO: GENE HUG, 1863 So. 124^th STREET, OMAHA, NE 68144