No Freeways ~ No Homes ~ No Noise

Sugarloaf truly does offer a “back to nature” golf experience.  You’ll enjoy your round surrounded by the sounds, smells and sights of our magnificent Sugarloaf Valley.  The beautiful vistas allow ample opportunity to snap some wonderful photos.  You’ll have the chance to take pictures of one of the most breathtaking views of the Sugarloaf Mountain as well as some close up shots of our bluebirds and local wildlife.  We aren’t located in a golf community which allows for wide fairways & roughs instead of narrow fairways and back yards.  Our course was designed as a stand alone golf course by world renowned architect Geoffrey Cornish….not as a part of a housing development.  Don’t let the openness fool you.  Well placed bunkers, two pristine ponds, a rambling creek and “just enough” woods & hazards reward a well placed shot!

We are conveniently located just 8 miles from I80 or I81, but you won’t hear the sound of a highway…..just the call of a Mockingbird here and there.

But there is one more thing that sets us apart.  Sugarloaf has been a family owned and operated business for over 47 years.  We live here, work here and shop here.  When you call the Pro Shop for reservations, most likely Wayne or Judy will answer your call.  We are here every day during the golf season overseeing our operation and doing our best to make your experience enjoyable.  We are a part of your community and we like it that way!  We hope you’ll be visiting with us in the near future.

It’s hard to believe it, but we are officially open for the season!  Thanks to the mild winter weather, this is our earliest opening ever.  Starting times are available, but not required….hope to see you soon!

Wayne & Judy

Dust off your clubs and head to Sugarloaf!  Due to the mild forecast, we will be opening Tuesday January 31 at 8:00am.  We will also be open Wednesday February 1st.   Unfortunately, the forecast past Wednesday doesn’t look promising, but we will let you know when we will re-open.  If you’d like to be among the first to know about open days this winter, just text “SGC” to 570-956-0671 and we will add you to our text notifications.  See you soon!

Keeping Your Volunteers Motivated

Article #5 in a series on Golf Tournament Planning

By: Judy Knelly, Special Events Coordinator, Sugarloaf Golf Club Inc

Positive feedback Weekly emails are a great way to keep your volunteers informed.  Let them know how many sponsorships have been secured and how many golfers have signed up.   Recognize individual or group accomplishments.  Stay positive and motivated yourself!  Share your enthusiasm.  Emails are so easy to send in bulk and only take a moment of your time.   Set a specific day of the week and time to send your group email….your volunteers will look forward to your updates.

Rewards/Recognition A simple “thank you” note is a great way to let a volunteer know you recognize their efforts to make your event successful.  Getting  to know them personally is good on two levels….it keeps your communication open and, as you get to know your volunteers on a personal level, you can better determine if their talents are being used in the best possible manner.  When you schedule press release photos, include several volunteers in the photo and accompanying news article.

Be available to your volunteers/Communicate If a volunteer calls or emails you with questions or concerns, respond quickly!  Making your volunteer’s issues your priority is a great way to keep them motivated.

Food!?! I know, this sounds crazy, but have food at your meetings!  Every major motivational speaker will tell you food is a huge motivator!  It can be simple…chips & dip, a veggie tray or light snacks or a volunteer breakfast the morning of the event.   A few years ago we had a very big fundraiser with about a dozen very active volunteers who all came from out of town.  The entire tournament was put together long distance.  The night before the tournament the volunteers filtered into the clubhouse to prepare for the big day.  The tournament director had made arrangements for a light dinner for the volunteers and when we finished our work, we all took an hour or so to relax, talk out some last-minute details and take a deep breath.  As I looked at the relaxed smiles and light conversation around that table, I remember thinking it was such a nice way to reward the people who collectively were responsible for a very successful event.

Post-Tournament Recognition Even though you are probably exhausted after pulling off an incredibly successful event, DON’T forget to give your volunteers the recognition they deserve!  Why not send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper and publicly thank your volunteers.  Let your community know what the results of your efforts were.  Were there direct benefits to your community?  This is also a great way to get volunteers for next year!  Do you have room in your budget for a post-tournament barbeque, picnic or banquet?  If so, thank each volunteer personally and try to mention how important their individual contribution was.   You don’t have to present a thank you gift to everyone, but sometimes something as simple as a certificate of appreciation for each volunteer means a lot.

What NOT to do….NEVER treat your volunteers in a condescending manner.  Remember, they are volunteering their time and energy for a cause they feel good about.  Keeping your volunteers happy is the key to keeping them motivated.

Ms. JoAnne Skelly of the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension penned one of the best articles I’ve read regarding motivating volunteers.   Below is a link to her article.  It is worth your time to read it!

http://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/files/cd/2000/FS0030.pdf

The new iPhone4 iPing Putting App/Cradle is HERE!!!

Hot off the UPS truck this afternoon is the new cradle for the iPing Putting App.

Sold at online golf stores for $29.99 plus tax & shipping

Our price is just $24.99 + tax

Call to reserve your cradle today!  Supplies are limited.

Timeline for Success

Article #4 in a series on Golf Tournament Planning

By: Judy Knelly, Special Events Coordinator, Sugarloaf Golf Club Inc

I have seen incredibly successful fundraisers put together in six weeks and I’ve seen tournaments that were a year in the planning fall well short of the tournament director’s expectations either in low sponsorship or in number of golfers.  This timeline can’t provide the manpower you will need, but it can provide some  ideas you may have not thought of using (like press releases ~ they are free advertisement!).

9 to 12 months out: - Hold initial planning meeting with Chairs and key volunteers

- Contact golf course(s), obtain rate & availability information

- If possible, visit possible courses & meet with event director

- Define your goals

- Discuss sponsorship goals & prepare sponsor letter

- Determine format of tournament

- Begin to gather email addresses for volunteers

6 to 9 months out: - Begin holding monthly meetings (don’t forget food!)

- Make sure all volunteers know their jobs & have what they need to

Accomplish their goals

- Contact Hole-in-One Insurance providers & secure a sponsor

- Determine venue, date, time menu

- Prepare tournament flyers

- Contact local newspapers and arrange photo op with a major

sponsor(s) and several volunteers.

3 to 6 months out: - Continue monthly meetings (determine any weaknesses in committees)

- Determine contests, raffles, give-aways, door prizes, awards

- Determine other opportunities for more free press

- Arm all volunteers with flyers & sponsorship forms ~ sell, sell, sell!

- Re-confirm details with golf course (ask if the course would be willing

to hold a meeting with the committee and provide light refreshments)

- Decide what kind of signs and/or banners will be used for sponsors

1 to 3 months out: – Continue monthly meetings (are volunteers meeting their goals?)

- Continue to promote event

- Begin making or ordering sponsor signs & banners

1  to 2 weeks out: - Finalize list of sponsors & signage

- Begin compiling list of golfers

- Call golf course with final details (# of golfers, format, contests,

# of extra dinners needed for volunteers, lines or circles on course)

- prepare give-aways and/or goody bags

- schedule jobs for volunteers for day of event

- instruct volunteers regarding contests they will man

- begin gathering supplies (cash boxes, tickets, pens, markers, tape,

sunscreen, cameras, etc)

- Prepare programs

1 to 5 days before event: – Contact golf course with list of golfers & pairings

- Have final volunteer meeting & wrap up last minute entries & sponsors

- Gather all supplies

- Prepare notes for banquet (Thank you’s!)

- Finalize contests, raffles, door prizes, give-aways

- Make any gift baskets for door prizes or raffles

- Print Rules sheets

The day of: - Possible breakfast meeting at course with volunteers

To make sure all jobs are covered

- Set up registration area

- Put up signage

- greet all golfers personally

- Make sure contest markers are placed on course

- make announcements before start

- coordinate scoring & summary of winners with golf course

- oversee post-banquet announcement of winners

- clean up supplies

- arrange payment to golf course

Within 2 weeks prior: – have final meeting/wrap-up party

- Thank all golfers, sponsors and volunteers

- pay all outstanding bills, prepare final written accounting

- prepare letter to editor thanking community publically

- Secure venue & date for next year’s event

This list probably looks daunting at first glance, but you’ll notice a common theme ~ communicate, communicate, communicate

Putting Your Team Together

Article #3 in a series on Golf Tournament Planning

By: Judy Knelly, Special Events Coordinator, Sugarloaf Golf Club Inc

We all have strengths and weaknesses and it’s your job to “exploit” those traits in your volunteers. In my previous article (First Things First) I suggested you keep your committee structure fairly simple by keeping your “management” team at you and two “department” heads. Sounds like you’re running a business, doesn’t it? Choose your chairs carefully…you need two people you are comfortable working with and who will persevere. Remember, this isn’t a once and done type of fundraiser and your volunteers will be expected to get out in the community and muster up all the contacts they have. Many things need to fall into place to make a successful event and your first priority should be to draft solid hard-working team members.

Sponsorship Team

Determine sponsorship opportunities
Prepare sponsor letter
Organize volunteers to solicit businesses & individuals
Be sure volunteers “follow-up”
Determine if a hole-in-one contest will be part of the event
Secure insurance or sponsorship for above
Collect gifts
Coordinate any advance ticket sales for prizes/raffles
Secure sponsor signs & advertiser program
Price & order any player gifts (tee-shirts, etc)
Send sponsor thank you letters

Tournament Team

Determine format & price
Prepare tournament flyers
Distribute flyers to volunteers
Determine on course contests and secure volunteers
Prepare a “day of” schedule
Secure volunteers for registration
Secure volunteers for set-up & cleanup
Co-ordinate registration with golf course
Determine when payment is expected
Prepare “goody bags”
Send player thank you letters with “save the date” cards for next year’s event

Once you have chosen committee chairs, give them clearly defined objectives. Here are a few ideas:

Sponsorship Team Chair/Tournament Team Chair
Assign tasks with clear objectives
Communicate progress to you
Reconcile income and expenses

Consider one more position that can make a huge difference in every aspect of your event planning…Call on one of your volunteers who is computer literate and has the time to coordinate your email lists and do any online planning. This person should work with your golf course planner to coordinate joint efforts at internet marketing. I think this could make the difference in so many areas of your planning, from finding sponsors, keeping in touch with your committees and registering more golfers.

FYI …You have a few responsibilities, too!

Follow your timeline! (we’ll provide a sample timeline in a future article)
Communicate with Chairs/track progress
Address any committee concerns promptly
Disseminate information as needed
Communicate with golf course events coordinator
Coordinate Publicity
Prepare documents & final reconciliation of all income & expenses for post-tournament meeting
Thank committee chairs & volunteers

“Lessons to the Links”

Golf Clinic

Beginning Monday, June 13^th from 5:30 to 7:30

(No Clinic the week of July 4th)

Finally…a golf package that makes sense for beginners!  Our all-inclusive “Lessons to the Links” clinic will start you off with instructions from our teaching Pro Mike Dulina and take you through the golf swing over the course of the 8 week program.  Midway through, you will begin to learn about the Rules of Golf and etiquette and you’ll move onto the course for on-course instruction that will you’re your game to the next level.  The clinic includes 16 hours of lessons and/or playing lessons, golf & cart for playing lessons, use of the range anytime during the entire framework of the lessons (7 days a week…not just on the day of your lesson).  Bring a friend & a 5% discount is available for both!  Bring two or more friends and your entire group will receive a 10% discount.  The all-inclusive price is $249.00.  Space is limited, so call the pro shop for details and sign up soon!  570-384-4097.

First Things First

Article #2 in a series on Golf Tournament Planning

By: Judy Knelly, Special Events Coordinator, Sugarloaf Golf Club Inc                                                                                                                Expert Author, ezinearticles.com

Your Goals:   RAISE MONEY, get organized, choose committees, gather information

Before you schedule your first official meeting you will need to do some homework.   A little planning can start you off on the right foot and clearly define the contributions you expect from your committee members.  I recommend putting your goals on paper and giving your volunteers a preliminary outline of your strategy.  It might look something like this:

Tournament Planning Outline

1. Select Committees
   1. Sponsorship committee – charged with determining sponsorship opportunities, preparing sponsorship letter,  distributing letter to all volunteers,  obtaining a large prize & insurance (if desired), collecting sponsorships & gifts-in-kind, follow up calls, signage,  post-tournament sponsor thank you letter, assisting event committee with distributing event flyers, finding golfers & participating in day-of-event volunteer needs.
   2. Event Committee – charged with preparing & distributing event flyers, signing up golfers,  pre-tournament press releases, photos & post-tournament press release, obtaining small gifts or tee shirts as handouts to golfers, setting up volunteers for tournament prep, registration  and “spotting” on holes for on-course contests, sending thank you notes to golfers & assisting sponsorship committee with obtaining sponsors, door prizes and gifts.
   3. Communication is key!
      1. Two committee chairs act as Secretary & Treasurer for event.  Treasurer collects all donations & entry fees, pays all expenses and prepares reconciliation for final tournament meeting after the event.   Secretary prepares email list and communicates with all volunteers regarding progress of entries & sponsorship and coordinates press releases.
      2. Email list – all committee members should be kept abreast of progress with a weekly email.  All updates & information should be directed to you as (tournament chair) and you will send weekly email updates to all volunteers.
      3. Select golf course and date

This outline should really help get everyone off on the right track.  Volunteers are usually excited to be a part of a fundraising event and getting them organized at the early planning stages is key (we’ll talk about keeping volunteers motivated in a later installment).  You will need to select your chairpersons carefully.  Probably the best advice is to look for organized people with lots of contacts.   You should also make sure your volunteers have something to offer besides manning a registration table.  Make sure they are willing to talk your tournament up to neighbors, relatives and coworkers.  They shouldn’t be timid about asking everyone they know for sponsorships, donations and players!  They should be available to attend planning meetings and help during crunch time the last two weeks leading up to the tournament.  Remember…..

Your Committee & Volunteer Goals:

#1 GOAL IS TO RAISE FUNDS!

The last task you should do before your preliminary meeting is to contact several golf courses.  Here are some things to consider:

1. What will our golfers be willing to pay for an entry fee?  Green fee & cart packages can vary substantially between weekdays and weekends.  Ask the courses if the offer packages or discounts for off-peak times.
2. Will you have lunch, beverages, prizes & an awards banquet?  Ask for those prices.
3. What dates are you considering?  Ask the course for several options if you aren’t tied into a specific date.
4. What services does the course provide?  What additional charges can you expect?  Many courses offer comprehensive planning assistance and others don’t.  Be careful ~ some courses charge for ancillary services such as scorekeeping and facility fees for banquet rooms.
5. Be specific.  Communicating your needs and expectations with the golf course event planner is important.

Once you have gathered this information, you should narrow the choices to two or three courses based on which fit your needs the best.   I would urge you to read all the articles in this Tournament Planning series BEFORE you have your first meeting.  Future articles will cover topics such as how to choose a venue how to keep volunteers motivated, and how to secure & retain sponsors.

Two hole-in-ones recorded in 10 days!

Gene Grobelny of West Hazleton aced the par three 17th hole on Tuesday May 10th for the THIRD time in his career.  This ace bring Gene’s total number of Hole-in-ones to five!  He used a pitching wedge from 120 yards.  The event was witnessed by Bill Schneider of West Hazleton and Fred Groce of Sugarloaf.

Not to be outdone, Todd Kos of State College PA carded an ace on the par three 7th hole on Sunday, May 15th.  Todd used a 4 Hybrid from 197 yards.  Todd’s ace was witnessed by Dan Youells, Marv Van Duzer and Jim Myers during the 22nd annual Hilltown Sportsmen’s Golf Classic.