dlwicks@sbcglobal.net

2017 Course Survey Results

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Thank you for all the responses to the 2017 Course Survey.  The results were discussed with the Tournament Committee.  This was used as part of the decision process to set our target courses for the 2018 season.

The responses came from 224 members (30% of total) who played almost 4000 rounds (40% of the total – averaging 18 rounds each. These folks have seen all the courses.

I would like to see more responses from members who didn’t play as much. They might help us understand how to get them out for more fun.

The short summary of the Survey follows.  For those who want to see a more detailed analysis, see the link to the full report.

Executive Summary – Member Guidance for 2018 Weekly Tournaments

  • Eliminate or Minimize “reverse” shotgun starts
  • Start Times
    • Shotgun Starts at 7:30 AM with some at 7:00 AM (mid-summer, June, July, August)
    • Tee Starts at 7:00 AM preference (6:30 AM start still OK especially for mid-summer)
  • Target Tee positions Regular (5800 to 6200 yds) and Forward(5200 to 5800 yds)
  • Schedule with 2017 courses as preference for 2018
  • Convenient distance and quality of course are valued higher than cost
  • Consider adding “quality” courses

 

CLICK HERE to see the Full Survey Results

 

 

Member Smartphone Survey

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We are looking a possible methods to improve our scorecard data collections and entry.

Mobile Data Entry (MDE) is a very promising technology.

APPs for MDE are already available is downloaded from the Google Play Store or ITunes onto members’ smartphones.

Simple as point and click on a smart phone, that would make completion of scorecards faster (than pencil), more accurate (click-on selections for Names, ID numbers, courses), hole score totals automatic, easy edit for corrections and immediate electronic transfer (no mailing and waiting for postal service).

Purpose of Survey – what type phones Apple -IOS or Android (everything but IPhone), experience with internet and APPs, knowledge and use of golf apps, and problems/issues with green cards.

Should only take a couple of minutes.

Members w/o smartphones go to scorecard, bypass rest of survey.

https://goo.gl/forms/B5DgXRbcCY2fkrNa2

Pace of Play Update – 23 Week of 2017

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Thank You!

You have made some significant improvements to Pace of Play during 2017.

So far with 113 rounds in the books, (only 2 weeks and 10 more rounds remaining).

  • 4 hour 30 minutes average tee group play time, about 19 minutes faster than 2016
  • Only 19 of 113 rounds averaged more than 4 hour 45 minutes
  • NO ROUNDS AVERAGED MORE THAN 5 hours.

We have a lot of quick players.

  • Fastest groups average just over 4 hours almost thirty minutes faster than the field.
  • These are usually the first starters in Tee Starts or with holes open in ahead on Shotgun starts.

We still have a very few players and tee groups that frequently slower than average or are the slowest group on the course.  Several of these have improved after seeing the data or with some encouragement.  When these groups start early in tee starts, they slow 4 to 6 groups behind by 20 to 30 minutes.

Start types are significant for pace.

  • Tee Starts – 4 hours 26 minutes (84 players – 64 rounds)
  • Regular Shotgun Starts – 4 hours 35 minutes (87 players – 33 rounds)
    • Average 3 to 4 tee groups – slow average by 10 to 15 minutes vs Tee Start
  • Reverse Shotgun Starts – 4 hours 47 minutes (84 players – 15 rounds)
    • 4 to 6 more B Tee Groups – slow field by 15 to 30 minutes vs Tee Start

Courses are significant (difficulty and start type).

  • 19 Rounds on 9 courses with average times over 4:45
  • 3 Courses represent are 11 of the 19 high average rounds
    • Bear Creek – Reverse Shotgun
    • Far Oaks – 2 Tee / 2 Reverse Shotgun
    • Stonewolf – 1 Tee / 2 Reverse Shotgun

We know that weather and course conditions are significant.  However, with rain, few members play and times are fast.  Also with Path Only conditions, we had relatively few rounds played so data is not definitive

We can still improve.  Encouraging our slower players to simply keep up.  Our slowest groups finished with at least one hole open ahead.  They start 10 minutes later and lose an added 10 to 20 minutes.  Staying aware of groups ahead and behind is the most important part.

The Pace of Play Logs have given us a wealth of data.  As Tournament Committee schedules courses for 2018, we will use this along with your Survey input to help in course selection for 2018.

Averages
DIV Rounds Avg Min Max Avg
Played Players Time Time Time
1 Friday 22 73 04:10 05:01 04:37
2 Friday 22 79 04:02 04:52 04:30
3 Thursday 23 96 04:04 04:49 04:28
4 Thursday 23 89 03:54 04:55 04:25
5 Thursday 23 87 04:03 04:54 04:31
       
All Divisions 113 85 04:02 04:54 04:30

 

Course Survey Update – Submit Problems – Fixed

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Steve Bugg reported a problem with the Survey that I think is now fixed. (Could not Submit at the “I am not a Robot”).

If you completed the form and could not SUBMIT or did not get the Form Submitted confirmation, please go back and retry the form now.

CLICK HERE to retry the form

THE PROBLEM (for those who want to know)

I am sorry for the problem.  It was not visible or obvious in form design or testing.

At the end of the Survey there was an “I am not a Robot” check button.  This was not in the original form and did not show up in testing or with the initial responses.

Apparently Google adds this at some time AFTER the form is released.  It is not visible or an option to delete in the form design.  There is a large complaint area in the Google Forms Forum.  Many people with the same problem.

Fortunately there was also a work-around that seems to work.

 

Special Events Committee Organizing for 2018 Season

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Frank Mantia, Chairman for Special Events, is organizing the Special Events Committee for 2018.

We will be discussing the Special events and courses for the 2018 season.  Discussion can include the structure and some of the details for each tournament.  If you have an interest in making these better and more fun, this is a great way to participate.

The first meeting will be on 31 October, 10:00 AM, Frank’s home.

Please contact Frank Mantia by email

 mantiafb@hotmail.com

To let him know you are interested.  He confirm the address and time.

Course Survey 2017 – Closing Soon

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The Survey has received almost 200 responses so far.  There is a pretty good balance of responses by Division and Flights (handicap range) except for Division 4 and our D Flight players.

The Survey will remain open for a few more days.  If you are in Division 4 or are a D Flight players, there is still an opportunity to express your opinions.

For more information on the Survey and links to the Survey – CLICK HERE.

Course Survey 2017 – Please Respond ASAP

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UPDATE – We have almost 100 responses in the first day.  Divisions 1, 2, and 3 are responding more than Div 4 and 5. We are getting a fair mix of handicaps.  D Flight members are responding well under average.  A, B and C flights are fairly equally split.  Please respond.

All course have been played by most of our members.  Now we need your help to evaluate the 2017 courses.

The link below will take you to a Survey Form for 2017 Courses.  We are looking for some information from you as a member.  Then we ask you to rate the 2017 courses.  Next we want your ideas for possible new courses for 2018.

Most questions require only a simple click.  Keep a course, or drop it because Too Hard, Too Far, Cost, Maintenance or Design.  Don’t like a course? Click on the most important reason to drop it.

UPDATE  – Survey requires a response (Keep or Drop) for all current courses.  If you don’t have any opinion on a course, please vote to KEEP it (no reason to drop).  If you have chosen NOT to play a course (cost, location, difficulty, et al) then please vote to DROP it for that reason.  This way we understand that this course has a problem for you.

We have several courses that have been suggested as additions.  What do you think?

I past surveys, we know that most courses are keepers.  Negative responses can help us in discussions with the courses.

The survey will be open for about 1 week, or until we get a significant response.  Results will be published in the website in October.

CLICK HERE to start 2017 Course Survey.

 

Association Championships – Update – 8-20-17

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The Championship Results are ALMOST complete – we are waiting on the last week scores from Division 2 at the Falls.

HOWEVER – I’d be checking now if you think you might be close.  Although you might be listed as out the best 16 for a bracket, we usually have a few qualifiers who cannot attend.  We can easily ask for 4 or 5 substitutes so even if you are 20th or 21st or …. , you may still be invited.

Click Here for the current results.  The Final Championship Results will be available as soon as all data and analysis is complete.

Congrats to all players who have qualified and near qualifiers.  You have had a great season!  I hope you enjoy the results.

If you are already in the top 16 and you already know that you CANNOT attend, consider an email to Frank Mantia ASAP or decline immediately when you get the invitation.

If you are in the top 20 or so, please be ready to accept or decline the invitation immediately if you are contacted.

The Championship Tournament Team and OurGolfStats.com have been working very hard to make sure the results are accurate and timely.  You will receive an invite as soon as we go through process.  Please be ready to respond immediately.

 

 

 

August 17/18 – Final Week for Championship Qualifications

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August 17/18 is the final week of tournaments to finish qualification for the annual Metro Seniors Association Championship.  To find out where you stand – go to the Weekly Green Sheet report (CLICK HERE) and click on the Championship Qualifications.

For each bracket, the Lowest Net for each member is shown in order.  Note, members must have at least 10 rounds recorded in 2016 AND 2017.  The top 16 members, ties, and substitutions are invited for each Bracket are invited.

When you get an invitation, please respond ASAP.  We have only a few days to fill out all 64 spots.  If you are in the top 20 to 25 now, Stay Tuned!  You may still be eligible and invited as some higher qualifiers may not be able to play.

Marking Scorecards – Info needed on Course Scorecards, too!

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Make sure you Universal Scorecard is complete!

Everyone (well almost) knows that all players are required to completely fill out the Universal Scorecard (USC).

Unless you complete the card with tee color, hole scores, totals, names and ID numbers, your round may not count.  It is every member’s responsibility to make sure the information is complete and correct.

Course Scorecard – Same Data Needed – Because USC get Lost!

If the USC get lost or damaged before data entry, we use the backup course scorecards.  This happens once or twice per year.  We simply can’t record your score, with no name or ID number.  We can’t give you the proper handicap without a tee color.

WE MUST HAVE THE SAME COMPLETE ACCURATE DATA ON THE COURSE SCORECARDS.

Data entry can’t guess who you are – we need your name AND ID NUMBER!

We can’t GUESS which tee you played from.  We need the hole scores to be accurate and properly totaled.

All this must be on the backup course scorecard. too.  You should check and complete and sign the course scorecard with as much care as the USC.

Space on Course Scorecards is Limited  – Get Creative

We know that space is limited.  But Data Entry must be able to identify the player and ID and the score and Tee Color that go together.  Without a complete course scorecard,  your round may not count for scores, championship qualification, flight prizes, handicaps.  It will be as though you didn’t show up.  Don’t let this happen.