Blog Post

Wayne's World 1st Quarter 2023

Well, we asked for rain and boy we have received it, almost to the point of complaining about it. But I will withhold that as having this amount of rainfall will end one of the many issues facing this industry for some years to come.


As I write this, we have received 28 inches of rain at La Cumbre and have smashed records from 1952. A rounded annual average of 16 to 18 inches is typical at this site. We could be on course for double the average amount. As a result, the lake is over the discharge pipe on the 12th hole. We can retain water about 10 to 12 inches over this pipe before it affects drainage and backs up into the 15th fairway and the 14th hole.


Additionally, it has been unseasonably cold for this time of year so the turf and plantings still need to start and push their springtime flush of growth. But when it warms up soon, all areas will take off here on the course plus the local flora and fauna will be beautiful.


We have the new Greens Committee in place and we all realize this is a year of collaboration and planning for the club. Listed below are some projects we can do to keep the playing surfaces up to date until we start our capital improvements.

 

• Level and sod Tees that are not identified for changes.

• Level and sod Driving Range tees.

• Sod wear areas around the course

• Manage the lake to keep aquatic plants at an acceptable level.

• Prepare the course for Major events in May, July, and September

• Repair some sliding on the back of the 8th hole.

• Work on Native areas planting and cleaning.

• Remove some sand dams around greens to help with drainage.

• Plus, the unique issues that seem to arise each season.


See you on the course,

Wayne Mills

By La Cumbre CC March 4, 2025
La Cumbre Club Benchmarking Updates
By La Cumbre CC February 22, 2025
Dear Members, Subject: Club Initiatives & Financial Updates I’d like to take a moment to update you on the work being done by the Board, our committees, and our management team to ensure La Cumbre’s long-term success. Committee Engagement & Financial Planning This Wednesday, committee members participated in an All-Committee Orientation led by Adam and his team. This marks the second year of this initiative, designed to strengthen collaboration with our management team and alignment across all committees. It was so good to hear from each department head about the work they do and the goals they have for their area of the club. It was truly an impressive presentation, and we are lucky to have this talented staff. I encourage members to get to know these leaders. Link to staff here . We recognize that many members have concerns about the club’s financial position. The Board, Adam, and I remain laser-focused on providing clarity—starting with our year-end 2024 financials and the development of a long-term capital funding plan. These challenges were not created overnight, and they will not be solved overnight, but we are actively finalizing financials and planning the next steps to position La Cumbre for a strong future. As I noted in my early January communication, a Capital Planning Task Force was formed to evaluate funding strategies. As part of this review, this week, our Asset Reserve Study was updated by Club Benchmarking, and the results are expected to be finalized in the next 8-10 weeks. Key Updates on Club Initiatives Capital Planning Task Force – Formed in mid-January, this group (Kevin Newman, Dan McGuire, and Rick Nightingale) has been developing a proposal that will be reviewed by Adam, our new Director of Finance, and me this week. We anticipate presenting it at the February Board meeting and rolling it out to members in early April. Clubhouse Renovation – Committee chairs and our contractor are finalizing detailed quotes for necessary repairs and improvements, with details expected to be shared with members by the end of March. Financial Leadership – Our new Director of Finance, Homer Allbritton, started on February 18th. His expertise will be instrumental in enhancing La Cumbre’s financial reporting, ensuring clarity for management, the Board, and members. Year-End Financials & Budget – The 2024 financials will be reviewed at the February Board meeting and posted on our website as soon as the audit is complete and our audit committee has approved them. The 2025 operating budget is also undergoing final refinements before Board review. Strategic Pillars & Club Development To ensure La Cumbre’s long-term success, we remain committed to our four strategic pillars: Member Experience – The member satisfaction survey was sent out last week. Once results are compiled, we will analyze feedback and identify areas for improvement. Employee Recruitment and Development – The hiring of Homer Allbritton is a key step toward professionalizing financial reporting, ensuring a clear understanding of the club’s financial strengths and obligations. Financial Responsibility – Our top priority is financial clarity and accountability. Now that Homer is on board, the Board will appoint a Treasurer and begin convening the Finance Committee in March. Governance, Environment & Sustainability – The Governance Committee met this week and began its work on these priorities: Aligning by-laws and policies with best practices and California corporate governance standards. Establishing a GM evaluation framework for consistency and accountability. Launching a Leadership & Nominations Committee to develop a Board skills matrix and engage talented members as future leaders. Member Engagement & Moving Forward Adam and I held a Coffee Talk on February 14th, where we had a productive conversation with about 15 members. Great questions were raised, and we had an open dialogue about club issues. We plan to continue these monthly Coffee Talks as an opportunity for direct member engagement—please join us for the next one on February 28th at 9:00 am! Link to RSVP here . Additionally, neither the Board, Adam, nor I will respond to anonymous communications. We welcome and encourage open, respectful dialogue and constructive feedback from all members—our goal is to work together to solve challenges. Thank you for being part of this journey.  Sincerely, Tracy Jenkins President, La Cumbre Country Club
By La Cumbre CC February 19, 2025
Why We Need Sound Governance
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