Meeting notes

2/02/2019:

Travis Society Meeting Minutes                                                                                                 At Orchard Park Country Club

President Ralph Garnish called to order the February 2, 2019 meeting of the Walter J. Travis Society Executive Committee at 10:05 am. In attendance were Ralph Garnish, Steve Kubiak, Skip Lamont, Jim Holoka, Dale Schaefer and Tom Snodgrass which represented a quorum.

REVIEW PREVIOUS MINUTES. The minutes of the 09/29/2018 meeting were reviewed and duly passed.  Tom and Dale.

Treasurer’s Report: Skip Lamont.

Skip provided a report separately on yearly expenses and balance in the bank.

We are in very good shape Financially as noted by Skip.

Moved by Dale Seconded by Tom to accept Treasurers report and duly passed.

Scholarship Report: Chair Ed Homsey.

2019 Scholarship levels are to remain the same.

Ed and Kyle are sending out notifications.

Scholarship dollar distribution is to remain as is by sending a cheque to the successful applicants.

Motion by Dale and Steve that changes referring to the Scholarship Committee in the updated bylaws be approved. Duly passed.

Discussion took place about forming a Scholarship Foundation outlining Pro’s and Con’s.

Motion by Dale and Jim to pursue further the creation of a Scholarship Foundation.

Duly Passed.

Archivist’s Report and History Committee: Ed Homsey

Motion by Tom and Dale that Ed’s new Title is Archivist/Historian. Duly Passed.

Membership Update:

E-mail address is to be updated for Travis. Ralph, Pete and Kyle.

Revisions to the dues notice have been offered and need to be completed.

Plans are to recruit New Members from those in our Facebook Groups.

Motion by Skip and Jim that changes referring to the Membership Committee in the updated bylaws be approved.    Duly passed.

A discussion took place on the thoughts of increased Membership Caregories. It was suggested that these discussions continue and Documents created to support these Categories.

Strategic Planning: Ralph Garnish

Old Business:

Bylaw Changes:

Motion by Tom and Skip that Ralph’s proposed changes referring to the Executive Committee be adopted. Duly Passed.

Bylaw changes need to be communicated to the IRS. A form will be created and sent to the IRS of updated Bylaws.

New Business:

Travis Cup Shirt Colours are Orchard Park Blue, Lookout Point Red, Stafford Anything Else.

Competition:

Web Site:

Updates to be provided to Ed .

Meeting was adjourned at 1:45 pm.  Motion by Dale and Tom and Duly Passed.

Minutes recorded by Tom Snodgrass.

Next Meeting to be determined.

9/19/2018:

Travis Society Meeting Minutes 09/29/2018

At Lookout Point Country Club

President Ralph Garnish called to order the September 29, 2018 meeting of the Walter J. Travis Society Executive Committee at 10:35 am. In attendance were Ralph Garnish, Steve Kubiak, Ed Homsey, Skip Lamont, Jim Holoka, Dale Schaefer and Tom Snodgrass which represented a quorum.

REVIEW PREVIOUS MINUTES. The minutes of the 05/12/2018 meeting were reviewed and duly passed.  Ed and Skip.

Treasurer’s Report: Skip Lamont.

Skip provided a report separately on yearly expenses and balance in the bank.We are in very good shape Financially as noted by Skip. $28,000.00 in Total.Moved by Dale Seconded by Ed to accept Treasurers report and duly passed.

Scholarship Report: Chair Ed Homsey.

A discussion took place relating to the Scholarship Review Committee and the following wording was proposed but not voted on.

Extenuating circumstances based on the Scholarship Review Committee decisions should be referred to the Executive Committee in writing.

Motion by Steve and seconded by Dale that we use a minimum set of requirements as we have in the past and are listed below.

Selection Criteria for Member Club Scholarship:

The Walter J. Travis Society’s Member Club academic scholarship is reserved for a student who is associated with a Travis Society Member Club.  The student may be the child of a club member or employee, or a staff member employed in any capacity by the club.

The award:  $1,000

Criteria of evaluation:

• An above-average academic record as shown by current transcripts and teacher/professor reports.
• Participation and success in golf-related interests and activities
• Extracurricular activities, including volunteer work on campus or community and involvement in school/community organizations.
• Qualities shown in completion of the scholarship application form, e.g. an essay that reflects rudimentary knowledge of Travis and is a serious attempt to draw comparisons between Travis characteristics and his/her own.
• Current references that speak to the applicant’s character, ability to be successful academically, participation in school/community activities, events, or organizations.

Each Member Club scholarship application will be independently reviewed, and judged, by the member of the Travis Society’s Scholarship Selection Committee, using a system that enables the reviewer to judge an applicant’s level of qualifications and/or achievements on the above criteria, and to determine a ranking of applicants.  Each reviewer’s rankings are sent to the Scholarship Chairman to collate the reviewers’ results, and determine overall applicant rankings.  This system has been used, and continuously refined, since the beginning of the Travis Society’s scholarship in 2009.

–Ed Homsey, Scholarship Chairman (9/19/18)

Archivist’s Report and History Committee: Ed Homsey

The spreadsheet continues to be worked on by Ed and Steve

Membership Update:

Peter Creedon will become more involved in recruiting members.  The Old Guard Society of Palm Beach Golfers is interested in joining the Travis Society.

Strategic Planning: Ralph Garnish

Artifact Loan Program:

Cherry Hill has agreed to purchase the items on Loan to them. Tom to finalize this with Cherry Hill.

Lookout Point has expressed an interest in purchasing some items also.

Old Business:Official repository of Corporate Documents are now with the Secretary.

A motion by Skip and Tom that we either continue or discontinue Society Member Gatherings per the Presidents Requirements. Duly Passed.

New Business:

Travis Cup:  Orchard Park has agreed to host the 2019 Travis Cup on Agust 9,2019. billing purposes.

Travis Cup Trophy is in for needed repairs.

Competition:

Web Site:

Election Of Officers:

A motion by Tom and seconded by Jim to retain the current Officers was duly passed.

Meeting was adjourned at 12:39 pm.  Motion by Dale and Tom and Duly Passed.

Minutes recorded by Tom Snodgrass.

Next Meeting to be determined.

2018-5-12 Travis Society minutes of meeting at SCC076

10/01/2017:

Travis Society Meeting Minutes 10/01/2017  at Orchard Park Country Club

President Ralph Garnish called to order the October 01,2017 meeting of the Walter J. Travis Society Executive Committee at 10:00 am. In attendance were Ralph Garnish, Steve Kubiak, Ed Homsey, Skip Lamont, Jim Holoka and Tom Snodgrass which represented a quorum.

REVIEW PREVIOUS MINUTES. The minutes of the 06/11/2017 meeting were reviewed and duly passed.  Ed and Tom.

Treasurer’s Report: Skip Lamont.  Skip provided a report separately on yearly expenses and balance in the bank.  We are in very good shape Financially as noted by Skip.  Moved by Steve Seconded by ED to accept Treasurers report and duly passed.

Scholarship Report: Chair Ed Homsey.

Moved by Ed that we continue to provide 5 scholarships at $1,000.00 each and use the same process to determine successful applicants. Moved by Ed and Skip and duly passed.

A motion was presented that we change the criteria of the Member Scholarship to a student who has demonstrated an interest and participated in Golf.  Moved by Ed and Skip and duly passed.

Ed moved that one of the Scholarships be named The Walter J Travis – Rudi Zocchi Memorial Scholarship. Moved by Ed and Skip and duly passed.

Archivist’s Report: Ed Homsey

• Separate report provided by Ed and Steve.

We have discovered that the Walter J Travis Competition spreadsheet has two versions which need to be reconciled. Note that the spreadsheets need to be managed in three ways so they will remain accurate.

Travis’s Headstone has been repaired at a cost of $750.00 by the Society. Ed advised it now looks Great.

Membership Update:  A separate report was provided.  We have 81 paid members along with 21 paid Club Members.  Report was moved by Skip and Steve and duly passed.

Strategic Planning: Ralph Garnish,  Succession planning is becoming a real need. Chris M will be contacted to determine status of the Board Manuel.

History Committee:

Artifact Loan Program:  Tom to follow up with Cherry Hill either to retrieve Artifacts or to start the process of signing a new agreement.

Old Business:

Travis Rota is as follows. Stafford, Cherry Hill, Orchard Park and Lookout Point.

Moved by Tom and Skip that Brian Siplo be appointed as an Executive at Large with the Title of Curator of the Travis Society.

New Business:

It was recommended that General Annual meetings be turned into Golf outings in the Future rather than General meetings.

A member of the Golf Collectors Society has made contact with us and wishes to set up a relationship to the Walter Travis Society. This will be pursued to see where it goes.

Competition:

Web Site:  To be updated by Ed to keep it current.

Election Of Officers:  Current Slate of Officers has been nominated and duly passed.

Meeting was adjourned at 12:30pm.  Motion by Skip and Tom and Duly Passed.  Minutes recorded by Tom Snodgrass.

Next Meeting May 12, 2018 at Stafford

6/11/2017 at Lookout Point CC:

Travis Society Meeting Minutes 06/11/2017  at Lookout Point

President Ralph Garnish called to order the June 11, 2017 meeting of the Walter J. Travis Society Executive Committee at 10:07 am. In attendance were Ralph Garnish, Steve Kubiak, Ed Homsey, Skip Lamont, Jim Holoka, Ken Certo, John Devic, Dale Schaefer  and Tom Snodgrass which represented a quorum.

REVIEW PREVIOUS MINUTES. The minutes of the 10/30/2016  meeting were reviewed and duly passed.  Tom and Skip.

Treasurer’s Report: Skip Lamont.  Skip provided a report separately on yearly expenses and balance in the bank.  We are in very good shape Financially as noted by Skip.  Moved by Steve Seconded by Dale to accept Treasurers report and duly passed.

Scholarship Report: Chair Ed Homsey.  We have 30 applicants so far for the 2017 Scholarships.

Ed would like to open the qualifications for the Member Club Scholarship.  It is too late for this year but a discussion should take place at the Fall meeting.

Archivist’s Report: Ed Homsey.  Separate report provided by Ed and Steve.

Skip has donated a book to the Society named Country Club Architecture.

Brian Siplo has asked about becoming the Curator of the Society. He is well qualified and will meet with Ed, Steve and Skip to have a discussion.

Membership Update:  A separate report was provided.  We have 79 paid members along with 16 paid Club Members out of the 21. The 5 outstanding will be followed up with.  Reminders to be sent out.  We currently have 24 Members from Orchard Park based on a good Marketing plan put in place by Ken Certo.

Ed will be researching a new printed Application and if not overly expensive will order a supply.  Report was moved by Skip and Seconded by Steve.

Strategic Planning: Ralph Garnish.  Succession planning is becoming a real need. Chris M will be contacted to determine status of the Board Manuel.

History Committee:

Artifact Loan Program:  We need to contact Cherry Hill about our Loan Agreement which has lapsed. We will Send a letter to initiate a communication to renew the Loan Agrreement.

Old Business:

The question was asked if we should sell Old Man books. The answer was Yes at a price point of $70.00 signed and $50.00 unsigned.

New Business:

Passing of Rudi Zocchi.

The family has requested Donations be sent to the Walter J Travis Society in memory of Rudy. To date we have received $2,000.00 It was proposed we name one scholarship in Rudy’s name.

General Members meeting is scheduled for October 17,2017 at North Jersey CC in Wayne New Jersey.

It was also proposed to use an Intern to scan many of the documents Rudy has accumulated. Ed will have a discussion with Rudiy’s Spouse.

We are without a Representative from Cherry Hill. We will continue to make contact and try to get a Representative.  Jim Holowka is the Society Representative for Orchard Park.

Nomination of Dave Homsey as an Honorary Member. He has done a lot of work on behalf of the Society.  Moved by Jim and seconded by Skip and duly passed.

Competition:  Shirt Colors. Lookout Navy Blue, Stafford Cherry, Cherry Hill White and Orchard Park Loft/Black.

Web Site:   To be updated by Ed to keep it current. There was 159 visits to the site on May 18,2017 which usually runs about 40 to 120 visits.

Meeting was adjourned at 12:17pm.  Motion by Skip and Tom and Duly Passed.

Minutes recorded by Tom Snodgrass.

Next Meeting October 1,2017 at Stafford.

 

May 20, 2016:

Travis Society Meeting Minutes 05 22 2016 at Orchard Park Country Club.

President Ralph Garnish called to order the May 22,2016  meeting of the Walter J. Travis Society Executive Committee at 10:07 am. In attendance were  Ralph Garnish, Steve Kubiak, Ed Homsey, Skip Lamont, Jim Holowka,  Dale Schaefer, Chris Kulinski and Tom Snodgrass which represented a quorum.

REVIEW PREVIOUS MINUTES. The minutes of the 11/15/2015 meeting were reviewed and duly passed.  Skip and Tom.

Treasurer’s Report: Ed Homsey

Skip provided a report separately on yearly expenses and balance in the bank.

Moved by Skip Seconded by Dale to accept Treasurers report and duly passed.

Scholarship Report: Chair Ed Homsey.

Ed provided a separate report. A presentation to Ed Homsey was made of a Plaque naming the Walter J Travis Scholarship in the name of Ed Homsey.

Archivist’s Report: Ed Homsey

• Separate report provided by Ed and Steve.

Membership Update:

We have a Volunteer to become our Membership Chairman who is Peter Creedon a member at Columbia Country Club and a Member at Large of the Travis Society.Marketing ideas were presented outlining possible clothing items and whether new members could play Travis Courses.

A $300.00 budget was created for Marketing purposes.

Moved by Ralph and Skip and duly passed.

Strategic Planning: Ralph Garnish

Chris is willing to create a binder of Travis Procedures and Policies

Backup for reps at Lookout, Cherryhill and Penn Hills.

History Committee:

Artifact Loan Program:

Old Business:  None to report at this time.

October 10, 2016:

Travis Society Meeting Minutes 10/30/2016 at Pennhills Club

President Ralph Garnish called to order the Oct 30,2016  meeting of the Walter J. Travis Society Executive Committee at 10:07 am. In attendance were  Ralph Garnish, Steve Kubiak, Ed Homsey, Skip Lamont and Tom Snodgrass which represented a quorum.

REVIEW PREVIOUS MINUTES. The minutes of the 05/22/2016 meeting were reviewed and duly passed.  Ed and Skip.

Treasurer’s Report: Skip Lamont.

Skip provided a report separately on yearly expenses and balance in the bank.

Moved by Ed Seconded by Tom to accept Treasurers report and duly passed.

Scholarship Report: Chair Ed Homsey.  It was proposed that the Scholarship awards be Four at $1,000.00 and an additional One for Member Clubs at $1,000.00. Moved by Skip. Seconded by Ed.

It was also proposed that the process and Members of the Scholarship Committee other than the addition of one member remain the same. Moved by Ed. Seconded by Tom.

Archivist’s Report: Ed Homsey

• Separate report provided by Ed and Steve.
• Ed commented that the Front Nine at Penn Hills is a Great example of an original Travis design.

Membership Update:  A separate report was provided.

We have 105 paid members along with 20 paid Club Members.

This includes 18 new individual and 2 new Clubs.

Report was moved by Skip and Seconded by Steve.

Strategic Planning: Ralph Garnish

A discussion took place related to our Management Model. It is difficult to schedule meetings and all clubs do not attend meetings.  It was proposed that we continue with three meetings per year but with the focus on our Spring and Fall Annual meeting.

Moved by Ed and Seconded by Skip.

It was also decided that the Club hosting the meeting will manage scheduling and attendees except for the General meeting which can be held at any time and should be a Golf Meeting.

History Committee:

Artifact Loan Program:

Old Business:  None to report at this time.

New Business:  Travis Cup Rotation was discussed and the order is Lookout Point 2017,  Stafford 2018, Cherryhill 2019 and Orchard Park 2020.

Election of Officers:

President Ralph Garnish

Vice President Steve Kubiak

Treasurer Skip Lamont

Secretary Tom Snodgrass

Past President Dale Schaefer

Archivist Ed Homsey

General Members Meeting:  Work in progress by Ralph.

Meeting was adjourned at 12:17pm.  Motion by Skip and Tom and Duly Passed.

Minutes recorded by Tom Snodgrass.

 

Next Meeting: Fall 2017.

November 12, 2015:

The following is a report of the Travis Society’s general meeting at Hollywood Golf Club on October 9, 2015:

REPORT ON THE MEMBERS GENERAL MEETING
OCTOBER 9, 2015
HOLLYWOD GOLF CLUB, DEAL, NEW JERSEY
AGENDA:

9:30 AM First Arrival – Main Clubhouse, Coffee, juice and pastries
10:30 AM Meeting convenes – Status of the Society, Hollywood History and Happenings, Roundtable discussion
12 Noon Lunch – ala carte from menu
1:00 PM Golf
Apre’ Golf Winter Club House – Cocktails & heavy hors d’oeuvres, networking.
The meeting was undeniably successful in terms of attendance; a welcoming attitude of all staff; friendly service; and quality food provisions. Very importantly, the rain held off until the first cocktails were in hand, allowing for an unhampered enjoyment of the golf course.

PRESENT:

Hollywood Golf Club – Host Member Rob Wolf, Green Superintendant Michael Broome,
Golf Professional Kevin Weyeneth, General Manager Salil Bokil
Brian Schneider – Golf Course Architect of Tom Doak Associates
Stafford CC – Skip & Mari-Ellen Lamont, Ralph & Pat Garnish
Pennhills Club – Steve Kubiak
Sadaquada GC – Howie Schaffer
Oak Hill CC – Bernie Loehr
Columbia CC – Pete Creedon, Steve Northrup
Spring Brook CC – Tim Geary
Saint Andrew’s GC – Brian Siplo
Canoe Brook CC – Albert Costantini, Eric Lundberg, Joe Bardon, Jamie Devers,
Jude Gartland
Brae Burn CC – Kevin Mendick
Noah Agron – NYAC
Kyle Watson – Tour Caddy
Gary Watson – Kyle’s dad

 

President Ralph Garnish pronounced the state of the society as good and sound, and that our major expense has become the Scholarship Program due to the pace of acquisitions of Travisiana having slowed down considerably.

The need for a Membership Chairman was outlined, along with the efforts of the Exec. Comm. in certain areas of strategic planning: succession planning, permanent location for the collections and archive, a dissolution plan, backup for key functions, etc.

Treasurer Skip Lamont reported on our financial health. He described the very positive results of including an option for contributions to the Scholarship Program on the membership renewal form. Donations the past two years have fully funded the program, allowing for a Scholarship Fund to accumulate for future needs.

Vice President and Assistant Archivist Steve Kubiak read a report from Archivist Ed Homsey and spoke of recent activities in that arena, including the Spreadsheet Record of Travis’s competitions and the new discovery by Rudy Zocchi of many more. Steve personally delivered original Travis blueprints of Pennhills Club to USGA at Golf House.

HOLLYWOOD’S HISTORY AND HAPPENINGS:

Host Travis Society and Hollywood Member, Rob Wolf presented an informative and enjoyable view into the past; focusing on aspects of the golf course which we would not see as a result of the restoration.

Superintendant Michael Broome outlined the architect selection process, describing both why Brian was selected and their pleasure with the choice.

Head Professional Kevin Weyeneth addressed playing characteristics of the restored golf course.

Golf Course Architect Brian Schneider spoke at a high level of the restoration, stressing it was a restoration of Walter Travis’s art, not a renovation to someone else’s concept. Factoids – 220 bunkers once, then 128, now 175, 4 acres of sand. He was nearly effusive with his appreciation of the role which the Travis Society played in his research and ultimate success. That point is obviously directed to the efforts of Society Archivist Ed Homsey. He also described his deep regard and respect for all the works of Travis, his many contributions to so many areas of the game, and his esteemed place in the history of golf. Brian also mentioned that he has worked on a number of projects with Travis Scholarship winner Clyde Johnson.

SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION:

This was the most active and fertile roundtable we have had so far. Every person at the table participated. The following topics are neither in a particular sequence nor a complete record.

There was general agreement with funding a project to digitize appropriate pieces of the archive by hiring a person to begin scanning. No conclusion was reached on a permanent location.

Brian Siplo has volunteered to appraise our collections, gratis.

Canoe Brook GM Albert Costantini will contact his counterpart at North Jersey CC to stimulate interest in their joining the Society. North Jersey is the only NJ Travis Club not a Society member.

A suggestion was made and discussion followed on the merits of having a second day of golf at a second golf course included in the Members General Meeting. This is currently being explored with two possibilities to be pursued.

Kevin Mendick outlined a concept for Travis Book II, an estimate of costs, and various possibilities of funding the project. The concept is a focus on Travis’s golf courses replete with photos. Most of the expense would be travel for visiting the courses and photography. Enthusiasm from the table was expressed for the project, with details to be worked.

Kevin raised possibility of Round Hill and Westchester becoming member clubs. He has a contact with Westchester Pro John Kennedy.

Albert Costantini described his plan to recruit all Canoe Brook Green Committee members and others into the Society.

Various comments were made on the desirability of multi-year memberships and Paypal for ease of payment.

A suggestion was made that WJTS periodically host a Hickory Stick Tournament. Metropolitan Hickory Stick organization…? Challenge matches?

Another suggestion was for a tour or arranging for a group or groups of members to play Travis courses.

Comment was made that many of Travis designed courses are approaching their centennials. A marketing opportunity.

Bernie Loehr commented that with all their hundreds of members, and $150 / year dues, the Ross Society only garners 12 to 40 members at their meeting. Conclusion: we are doing fine with the attendance we experience.

The question was asked if our Constitution and By-laws address electronic meetings. The point being that such participation could promote more participation from members distant from Western NY.

Discussion was held regarding joint activity among Travis, Stiles and Tillinghast Societies. The Seth Raynor Society has also recently contacted Ed Homsey.

Ralph asked if the draw for attendees at Hollywood was the golf course or the Metropolitan NY location. A non-scientific summary answer is both. Suggestions of other desirable locations included White Beeches, Canoe Brook, Spring Brook, Westchester, Garden City CC, etc.
Following the meeting a volunteer for Membership Chairman came forward. Hopefully we can soon announce the filling of this very important position.

Respectfully submitted,
Ralph Garnish, President
November, 2015

* Contributors to this report by taking notes – Mari-Ellen Lamont, Pat Garnish