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Peter Wagner

New member introduction
« on: March 19, 2008, 12:23:36 PM »
Hello Everyone,

I'm the newest addition to this discussion group and I wanted to introduce myself.  I have been lurking on this site for about 3 months and I have found it very informative.  It feels like stealing to just lurk so I thought I'd join and see if I can add anything of value to the discussions.  I have zero course design experience but I might be able to offer a slightly different viewpoint on some issues.  I have a thick hide which from what I've observed might be useful in this forum.   :)

I currently serve as the President of Sherwood CC in Thousand Oaks, California and I have about 2.5 years left on that sentence.  Sherwood has recently become member owned in July 2007 having bought out the original developer David Murdock.  The past 12 months or so have been somewhat dramatic for our membership as we voted to mutiny and take control of our club.  You might find it interesting that the chief reason for last year's mutiny was declining course conditions.  I, being the brilliant politician that I am, doubled the course maintenance budget the day after we took over.  We have been making many changes to our club - everything from reducing water on the fairways to new china in the ballroom.  This is a 50 hour a week job for me.

I am a traditionalist when it come to golf and music.  (I'm a vinyl record junkie and old tube electronics are still the best way to enjoy music.)

I'm married with 2 daughters, I rarely have to get on the freeway, and I own a motorcycle dealership as my real job.

Thanks for allowing me to participate in this discussion forum!

Best,
Peter Wagner
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PThomas

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Re: New member introduction
« Reply #1 on: March 19, 2008, 12:27:33 PM »
welcome Peter
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Peter Pallotta

Re: New member introduction
« Reply #2 on: March 19, 2008, 12:29:32 PM »
Yes, welcome aboard Mr. Wagner. And that was a fine and interesting first post.

Peter
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Tim Nugent

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Re: New member introduction
« Reply #3 on: March 19, 2008, 12:30:12 PM »
Welcome.  Thanks for alerting us that you are a club president, m condolences.  Hopefully, since all is new, you can start off on the right foot and not trip over it.  If you have policy ideas that you would desire feedback on, I can't think of a better forum.
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George Pazin

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Re: New member introduction
« Reply #4 on: March 19, 2008, 12:32:05 PM »
Welcome, don't be shy.
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rjsimper

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Re: New member introduction
« Reply #5 on: March 19, 2008, 12:32:38 PM »
Welcome, Peter...

I'm curious as to doubling the maintenance budget - was everything doubled across the board or was there a particular focus?
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Yannick Pilon

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Re: New member introduction
« Reply #6 on: March 19, 2008, 12:36:39 PM »
Welcome Peter,

It will be nice to have a different point of view to ad to the discussion.  Its always interesting to have a view from the inside of a Club....

YP
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RJ_Daley

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Re: New member introduction
« Reply #7 on: March 19, 2008, 12:37:00 PM »
Welcome aboard the GCA.com express, Peter.  WOW, with your position, you are going to really get hounded for opinions on some touchy aspects to the archie-remodelling-maintenance-membership leadership questions.  Not to mention some pestering for access, now that you declared your position in a high prestige club!  ::) ;) ;D

Seriously, it sounds like you will need a strong relationship with both sides of the archie-super equation.  Are you currently working with an archie on any tweaks of design?  Are the deterioating conditions a function of design engineering aspects that need to be changed?

Your member buyout (and the reasons for it) leads me to wonder if that will become a trend in LaLa land, as we have had much discussion over the years about another such high prestige club out there, where current ownership does not seem to be in synch with member desires, or strict reverance of architectural significance and original design of a masterpiece.  (can you guess which one  ;) ;D )
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CJ Carder

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Re: New member introduction
« Reply #8 on: March 19, 2008, 12:44:21 PM »
Welcome Mr. Wagner!  Not to fulfill RJ's prophecy on some touchy aspects, but I'd love to get your thoughts and opinions on what it's like acting as club president and interacting with a high profile tournament such as the Target World Challenge.  I'm a partial marketing major by trade (probably more due to interest rather than really wanting to work in the field) and I have a sizable interest in the details of event marketing and operations.  If this is too touchy of a topic to discuss in a forum, perhaps we can discuss offline?  Thanks!
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Kalen Braley

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Re: New member introduction
« Reply #9 on: March 19, 2008, 12:56:12 PM »
Peter,

Glad to have you aboard and look forward to your thoughts on being Club President as well as golf in Southern Cal in general.

Jump right in, the water is warm....well most of the time at least.   ;D
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RJ_Daley

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Re: New member introduction
« Reply #10 on: March 19, 2008, 01:28:50 PM »
Dave, it seems to me the more appropos comparison course would be the Lost and Sky Canyons courses... proximity and terrain type.
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Mike Nuzzo

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Re: New member introduction
« Reply #11 on: March 19, 2008, 01:32:38 PM »
Peter,
Welcome.
I'd also like to hear you expand on your maintenance doubling.
Was that labor also?
How big is the staff now?
How many acres are maintained?
How many are floral around the clubhouse and non-golf areas?
Cheers
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Peter Wagner

Re: New member introduction
« Reply #12 on: March 19, 2008, 01:56:26 PM »
Quote from: Shivas Schmidt on March 19, 2008, 01:10:10 PM
Welcome.

Now:  out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Whaddya think of Rustic Canyon?    :o

Hi Shivas,

I like Rustic a lot!  I look at courses two ways now: as a player (er, a very average 15 handicapper) and as a president.  I like Rustic from a player perspective because it's fun and easy to walk.  Good course no question.  From a president perspective it's even better because it was built so inexpensively.  There's not enough space here to justify the trickle down effect of that.  Lower greens fees are the tip of the iceberg.  Rustic is great for the community and I applaud Geoff and the countless others for the planning and execution of that track.  It's exactly what the customer wanted.

Best,
Peter

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Peter Wagner

Re: New member introduction
« Reply #13 on: March 19, 2008, 02:08:53 PM »
Quote from: Mike Nuzzo on March 19, 2008, 01:32:38 PM
Peter,
Welcome.
I'd also like to hear you expand on your maintenance doubling.
Was that labor also?
How big is the staff now?
How many acres are maintained?
How many are floral around the clubhouse and non-golf areas?
Cheers

Hi Mike,

Doubling seems high I know but you have to consider that previously the maint budget was underfunded by at least 30% for many years.  We have to make up for this so we need more of everything.  Don't forget that our members pay a lot to join and as a result they expect a lot.  It's all about value at a high level. 

We have 42 on maint staff now and SCC is on 258 acres.

I separate 'floral' into two camps: around the clubhouses; and on course.  Around the clubhouses we are changing the landscape as you might a large house.  Lots of flowers, vines up the walls to break up the visual of tons of red brick, etc.

Our on course landscape is about to change and I'm really excited about it.  We are removing almost all flowers and replanting with plants native to our area.  Reds and yellows will be replaced by tans, dark greens and browns.  I think the result will be subtle but nicer from a player perspective.

Best,
Peter

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Richard Choi

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Re: New member introduction
« Reply #14 on: March 19, 2008, 02:14:00 PM »
Can some of the old-timers remind me? Do we like Sherwood CC or do we hate it?  ;D
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Garland Bayley

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Re: New member introduction
« Reply #15 on: March 19, 2008, 02:35:35 PM »
Quote from: Peter Wagner on March 19, 2008, 12:23:36 PM
... I, being the brilliant politician that I am, doubled the course maintenance budget the day after we took over.  ...

Did you add a equivalent amount to the members dues? If so, we will label you a Democrat. If not, we will label you a Republican.  ;D
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"I enjoy a course where the challenges are contained WITHIN it, and recovery is part of the game  not a course where the challenge is to stay ON it." Jeff Warne

Matt_Cohn

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Re: New member introduction
« Reply #16 on: March 19, 2008, 02:37:34 PM »
Hi Peter,

Welcome!

You've mentioned in a couple of threads the effect of a lot of rounds on turf quality. How many rounds does the course get annually?
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Melvyn Morrow

Re: New member introduction
« Reply #17 on: March 19, 2008, 02:50:37 PM »
Hi Peter

Welcome to It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World of GCA.com.

You have no doubt, already discovered that you are not the only traditionalist and if the truth be know not many here know that much about course design. Watch out for a guy call Tom Doak, seems to think he knows something about design, don’t worry we all go along with him, it seems to pacify him, poor old chap!

Also watch out for the techno junkies, can’t post a topic until they are happy about the depth and distance of its contents.

Jump in with both feet, everybody else does and you will really enjoy yourself.
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Kyle Henderson

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Re: New member introduction
« Reply #18 on: March 19, 2008, 02:52:03 PM »
Welcome, Peter.

I hope we can coax you into providing a review of Sherwood for the "My Home Course" section.

I would also appreciate it if you could recruit members that can beat Kenny G ;)
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Peter Wagner

Re: New member introduction
« Reply #19 on: March 19, 2008, 02:58:07 PM »
Quote from: Garland Bayley on March 19, 2008, 02:35:35 PM
Quote from: Peter Wagner on March 19, 2008, 12:23:36 PM
... I, being the brilliant politician that I am, doubled the course maintenance budget the day after we took over.  ...

Did you add a equivalent amount to the members dues? If so, we will label you a Democrat. If not, we will label you a Republican.  ;D

Whoa, whoa, whoa...  I  knew I'd get a little beat up here but calling me a democrat on my first day???  Below the belt.   :)

Nope, member dues have gone up by 8%.

Best,
Peter

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Peter Wagner

Re: New member introduction
« Reply #20 on: March 19, 2008, 03:05:17 PM »
Quote from: Kyle Henderson on March 19, 2008, 02:52:03 PM
Welcome, Peter.

I hope we can coax you into providing a review of Sherwood for the "My Home Course" section.

I would also appreciate it if you could recruit members that can beat Kenny G ;)

Hi Kyle,

Yes, I am planning on doing a review for the My Home Course section.  We have recruited better players and Kenny is still in the top 10 but just barely.

Best,
Peter

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Brian_Sleeman

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Re: New member introduction
« Reply #21 on: March 19, 2008, 03:06:23 PM »
Welcome, Peter, as primarily a reader I'm looking forward to your contributions.  Great intro post.
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David Stamm

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Re: New member introduction
« Reply #22 on: March 19, 2008, 03:10:28 PM »
Peter, from one So Cal'er to another, welcome. We can always use another voice from the golden state here to balance out those east coast guys. ;)
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"The object of golf architecture is to give an intelligent purpose to the striking of a golf ball."- Max Behr

Chip Gaskins

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Re: New member introduction
« Reply #23 on: March 19, 2008, 03:13:21 PM »
you will be called worse at some point ;D

welcome
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Peter Wagner

Re: New member introduction
« Reply #24 on: March 19, 2008, 03:30:14 PM »
Quote from: Matt_Cohn on March 19, 2008, 02:37:34 PM
Hi Peter,

Welcome!

You've mentioned in a couple of threads the effect of a lot of rounds on turf quality. How many rounds does the course get annually?

Hi Matt,

About 12,000 rounds per year.

- Peter

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