Blog Post
Wayne's World Spring 2022
Spring has come early this year, and it feels like it started on January 1st! Our greens are trying to produce seed heads, a typical March through April event. Our fairways have good color and are growing. Our native planting areas are trying to bloom, and the bugs are out! Nothing is following our typical patterns. I know we are enjoying some of the best-golfing weather, as the rest of the country is frozen stiff. So, I hope you enjoy the facility, as it may be the best weather days for golf over any place in the United States.
What’s to come over the next few months:
- The Reclaimed Water Contract starts March 1st and will be in place for 25 years. We are very fortunate to have this contract during this current weather pattern. This contract provides a more secure water source at a reduced rate to potable water.
- The hillside behind the 6th green, where we ran the reclaimed pipe, will be planted and the fence repaired.
- Work around the Campus has started with updating the landscape planters and plants.
- The 10th Green tee will be relocated for safety issues. Many members requested this change because there is no visual from the 10th tee, and the access to the current location is too steep. In addition, the tee is too small for its usage.
- The driving range tee plus the 5th and 7th teeing grounds will be leveled and resodded.
- We will begin cart path reductions on holes 12 through 16, starting in late April. In addition, Todd Eckenrode, our club’s architect, is reviewing these holes for tee adjustments and new cart path installations.
I hope you enjoy the nice weather, while we wish for more rain!
Wayne Mills
PS: Many members have asked about my new dog; his name is Rusty. He is a French Britney, or for the more cultured than me, his name is Omar Du Young, and his breed is “Epagneul Breton.” He will be three years old in April. I acquired him from individuals whose life changed and who had to move. So now he’s stuck with me. You will see him on the course if you look quickly.
La Cumbre Club Benchmarking Updates
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
Why We Need Sound Governance
