Harry Mussatto Golf Course NewsletterVolume 19, Issue 1 | December 2013

The First Tee The First Tee of Western Illinois University

Lia Lukkarian, Assistant Director The First Tee Program had a great year! Ninety area children

participated in our twice-weekly summer sessions for six weeks. Despite the very warm weather we managed to stay cool and have a great time on the course. During the winter months, The First Tee Target Program is taken to area schools. Last year we reached over 1600 children in their physical education classes and plan to increase that this year. The indoor golf class exposes the students to putting, chipping and the ever popular snag baseball. The First Tee was created in 1997 to introduce young people of all backgrounds to the game of golf. The Life Skills Experience sets The First Tee apart from other junior golf programs and ultimately strives to instill in participants The First Tee Nine Core Values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, courtesy, judgment, confidence, responsibility and perseverance.

A Note from the DirectorGet Your Nature On

Mel Blasi, Director of GolfAll of us play golf for different

reasons. Some play for exercise, some for competition, some for recreation and some even for entertainment. Regardless of why we choose to play, we enjoy the game for many reasons. The fresh air, the freedom of being outside and the simple pleasure of walking or riding down a carved out golf hole is well worth the time spent. Personally, I love the green grass, the different species of trees, the sand traps, ponds and rivers that adorn the Harry Mussatto Golf Course. I always try and enjoy golf for the right reasons, no matter what my score.

Maintaining the delicate environmental balance of the golf course can be a challenge. Combining the wild outdoors with meticulously manicured greens and fairways is tough. Cleaning ponds and river banks, maintaining healthy trees and grasses while allowing natural areas to grow are just a few of the items on a Greens Superintendents’ never ending chore list. Having just the right mix provides the golfer with a unique recreational experience. The sound of a purely struck golf ball with the sight of a blue heron swooping across the water on hole #18 or watching your 20 foot putt curl into the hole just as a doe and her two fawns walk out of the woods is something you can’t get in the city. We are fortunate to have this wonderful blend at the Harry Mussatto Golf Course. These moments of recreational sport combining with nature provide the golfer with lasting impressions and make golf the special game that it is. Compliments to Kevin Hainline and his marvelous staff for making these opportunities possible.

The next time you play golf in the spring or early next summer, keep your eyes and ears open. You may see a bald eagle, a heron or an oriole gliding across the sky. Or you may see a snapping turtle making his way to a new water hole. Or it may just be the warmer water causing the fish to dance at the edge of the ponds. Whatever it is, if you’re paying attention, you will enjoy golf much differently.

Don’t forget to buy your 2014 Season Pass by

Friday, January 31, 2014 for our best rates!

2 Western Illinois University

Men’s League

New Format Enjoys First Year of Stroke Play: The Men’s Golf League at HMGC enjoyed its first year of a new format in 2013. Play began on May 13 and ran for 12 weeks which were divided into two six week halves. The League was comprised of six 8 man teams the played every Monday evening. Every player was assigned a handicap to help determine a net score for 9 holes. The low net 4 scores provided a team handicap score each week and points were awarded according to this net score. We also gave awards for the individual low gross and low net score each week. An end of the year playoff between first and second half winners provided some great drama. We are excited to build on our first year participation by adding more teams in 2014. Here were the final standings for the 2013 season.

First 6 Weeks1st Place Bowens’s Bruisers 32.5 points2nd Place Crowley’s Cruisers 24.5 points Montalvo’s Muscle 24.5 points

Second 6 Weeks 1st Place Crowley’ Cruisers 26.5 points2nd Place HMGC Scratchers 24.5 pointsPlayoffsCrowley’s Cruisers defeated Bowen’s Bruisers for 1st Place.Montalvo’s Muscle defeated HMGC Scratchers for 3rd Place.

Traveling League

The Western Illinois Senior Traveling Golf League had a very successful year with 20 teams participating spread over 3 divisions.

In the Senior Division (55 and over) the Harry Mussatto Golf Course team led by Captain Tom Riedel with team members Ben Lampitt, John Owens, Jim Miner, Les Baldwin, Chuck Gosnell, Bud Sackett, Sue Owens, Jim Hackbarth, Steve Heard, and John Brewer placed second in the league in the spring season and 4th in the fall season. The Macomb Country Club Team swept both the Spring and Fall sessions.

In the Super Senior division (68 and over) the HMGC team of Al Bowen, Bob Bowen, Art Peterson, Jay Carter and John Mowery captured 1st place, outlasting two Little Swan Teams from Avon.

In the Quota Division (55 and over) the HMGC team of Bill DeJong , Pete Hughes, Chuck Oprian, and Rich Mathers placed 5th in the Spring session and 2nd in the Fall. A new Macomb team composed of Rich McCann, Bob Abbott, Dick Keene, and Earle Cramer was added in the Fall session. They placed 6th in the league in there initial venture.

Women’s Morning League

The Wednesday morning women golfers started the season with a breakfast planning meeting at Old Dairy on March 22. We played from April 10 to October 16 and enjoyed lunch together on October 9. Golfers include: Diane Fox, Chic Carter, Roselyn Chown, Bev Brewer, Diane Tichenor, Jo Curtis, Martha Mitchell, Jan Lindsay, Candace McLaughlin, Lorna Provine, and Melanie Rawlins. Roselyn planned the weekly games, and Melanie did weekly emails. We thoroughly enjoyed golfing together and had lots of fun, laughing, and little stress. Skills in the group are quite varied - beginners are more than welcome. It would be difficult to find a more encouraging group. We would love to have more golfers next season and plan to continue Wednesday morning. Please let Mel or Heather know if you would like to join. Call the Pro Shop at (309) 298-3676 or email Heather at HD-Higgins@ wiu.edu, or Mel at MB-Blasi@wiu.edu.

Women’s Evening League

The Harry Mussatto Women’s Golf League plays on Wednesday evenings at 5:00 from the first week of May until the second week in August. Last year’s league was comprised of 18 women of varying skills and abilities. The seasons top four overall finishers were Darcy Plymire, Vicki Green, Nancy Sackett and Kathy Veroni.

The league’s format of group play and games gives every member a chance to play, to improve, and to enjoy the company of other golfers. Highlights of last season included our multi-format “Solheim Cup” where teams of two golfers played three holes of best-ball, three holes of alternate shot, and three holes of scramble. From beginner to expert player, the Harry Mussatto Women’s Golf League offers camaraderie and competition for everyone.

Contact Nancy Sackett (sack5@sybertech.net) and/or in April check the women’s bulletin board in the clubhouse for information on the upcoming season.

Harry Mussatto Golf Course 3

HMGC is on Facebook!

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Rules Corner Why Only 14 Clubs?

In 1938 the United States Golf Association imposed a rule that would allow a player to carry only 14 clubs in his or her bag. In 1939 the R & A put its stamp on the rule and it has been in the rule book ever since. Why only 14 clubs? During the time of the manufacturing revolution golf clubs became easier to design. With so many different companies emerging with many different designs, the USGA feared that too many club options would interfere with the skill of the game.

Today we are left with choice of how many clubs to carry and which combination to put in the bag. For a beginner, fourteen clubs is an astronomical amount. For a seasoned scratch golfer, choosing the right clubs for the specific golf course they are playing and keeping it at fourteen can be a challenge. In my experience teaching beginners we focus on the scoring clubs first. The short irons and putter are the most important clubs and often hitting a fairway wood with more loft is much easier than trying to tackle the driver. For a collegiate player it’s just the opposite. Knowing when to pack the 2 iron instead of the hybrid or how many different wedges to throw in the bag can make all the difference in determining how to attack a specific course.

Experimenting with different clubs is fun and enlightening. You may discover that you hit hybrids much better than irons, or that putting that 7 wood in your repertoire has really helped you out of the tall grass. Whatever the case, just remember, fourteen is the limit at any one time.

WIGA WinnersMen Danny Perez Galesburg ,IL

Women Kathy Veroni Macomb, IL

Scramble WinnersRed, White and Blue Scramble1st Place 2nd PlaceRyan CodyTom CodyDave WilsonKen Durkin

Mike Estes Jeff StocktonLarry ThompsonRyan Hansen

Labor Day Scramble1st Place 2nd PlaceJon Stockton Emily BrinkClaire GurshBecky Allen

Brendan MaguireCurtis BisbyRick Moore

Golf Course Employees 2013Pro Shop

Heather Higgins AlthoffLia LukkarinenBrian SullivanJon StocktonRichard SampleEmily Brink

Konrad DekaAdam ZembruskiRyan JandakConnor JachinoJacob RobertsMel Blasi

Rangers

Earle CramerChuck Gosnell

Ron RayRich McCann

Grounds Crew

Kevin HainlineJeremy NickelBob LambertJim MinerJeff StocktonWes Parker

Justin CrabtreeWilliam DabrowskiAndrew ThurmanMike EstesTyler Harker

Marion Moon

4

Congratulations

Congratulations to the following on their terrific accomplishments this year:

Hailea Hadsall Illinois State High School 38th place

Bryce Carper LP Collegiate Championship 1st Place

Kathy Orban 3rd in Net Division of Illinois State Women's Amateur for Age Division

Julie Davis 3rd in Net Division of Illinois State Women's Amateur for Age Division

Kathy Veroni Peoria Fall Classic Sr. Women's Champion, 4th in Gross Division and

3rd in Net Division of Illinois State Women's Amateur for Age Division Bud Sackett HMGC Men’s Match Play Winner

2013 Hole in Ones

Bob Bowen May 10Hole #3 Gold Tees 9 WoodKirk Abernathy September 26Hole #3 Gold Tees 6 IronMarcus Christensen July 20Hole #12 Purple Tees 5 IronScott Dahl August 26Hole #17 Purple Tees 9 Iron Scott won $10,000 for his hole in one in the Illinois Pork

Producers Golf Outing.

11WesternIllinoisUniversity

Harry M

ussatto

Golf Cou

rse

NEW! Membership Add-on!Add your grade school, junior, and senior high school children

to your Season Pass Membership for only $75.00 each!

NEW! Golf Course/Rec Center Combo

Western Illinois University Faculty, Staff, Alumni, Retired and their Spouses or Domestic Partners are now eligible combine the purchase of a season pass to the Harry Mussatto Golf Course and a yearly membership to the Spencer Student Recreation Center! You get a discount on both!

The Golf/Rec Combo is only $690 and add your Spouse or Domesic Partner for only $510! for a total Combo Savings of $275!

Don’t Forget!

Early Bird ratEs End

Friday, January 31, 2014!

Harry Mussatto Golf Course 2014 Season Pass Order FormMembership Category Early Bird

Rates ‘til 1/31/2014

Regular Rates

NEW! Golf Rec Combo*

Amount

Public Individual $590 $630 n/aWIU Faculty, Staff, Alumni, or Retired Individual

$510 $550 $690 An $850 vAlue!*

Junior Individual $205 $220 n/aSenior Individual $485 $520 n/aWIU Student Individual $315 $340 n/aWIU Student Semester Pass $160 $175 n/a

Membership Add-onsPublic Spouse/Domestic Partner $295 $315 n/aWIU Faculty, Staff, Alumni, or Retired Spouse/Domestic Partner

$255 $275 $510 A $575 vAlue!*

Senior Spouse/Domestic Partner $245 $260 n/aWIU Student Spouse/Domestic Partner $160 $170 n/a*NEW! Children $75/each $75/each n/a

Special OptionsWIU Student Punch Card (10 18-Hole Rounds)

$120 $120

Non-student Punch Card (10 18-Hole Rounds)

$150 $150

Individual Cart Lease $590 $630Family Cart Lease $875 $945Individual Driving Range Pass $175 $175

TOTAL

Complete this form And mAil to hArry mussAtto Golf Course, 1215 tower roAd, mAComb, il 61455. mAke CheCks pAyAble to hmGC. pleAse print CleArly.

Name _____________________________________________________________________ Local Address ________________________________________________________________ City _______________________________________State ________ Zip Code ____________ Phone Number (Please include Area Code) ________________________________ Email Address _____________________________________________________

membership Add-on informAtion

Spouse/Partner ______________________________________________ Child (Add-on Membership) _____________________________________ Child (Add-on Memberhsip) _____________________________________

for more informAtion, pleAse CAll mel blAsi At the hmGC pro shop, (309) 298-3676, or emAil At mb-blAsi@wiu.edu.

*Definitions of Categories and details of Membership Add-ons and Special Options are listed on the back.

2014 Season Pass Dates March 1—November 30 eArly bird rAte payment must be received by Friday, January 31, 2014.

Each season pass includes a WIGA membership with a reciprocal card good for reduced rates at over 20 area courses.

CArt leAse: A cart lease agreement allows only the holder of the lease to use the cart. The additional passenger must pay cart fees. Lease holders playing in the same group must share carts when possible.

fAmily CArt leAse: Available to immediate family members only.

Golf reC Combo: A purchase of a season pass to the Harry Mussatto Golf Course and a yearly membership to the Spencer Student Recreation Center entitles you to a discount on both. Available to Western Illinois University Faculty, Staff, Alumni, Retired and their Spouses or Domestic Partners. Golf Course: A three-month payroll deduction membership is available for the HMGC. Use credit or debit card, or make check payable to HMGC in the amount of $435.00 for WIU Faculty, Staff, Alumni, or Retired Individual and an additional $255.00 for Spouse or Domestic Partner. reC Center: A monthly payroll deduction membership is available for the Rec Center. Payroll deduction memberships to the Rec Center are obligated to pay all 12 months of membership. Cannot be revoked prior to one year. The Rec Center portion of this combo must be purchased at the Spencer Student Recreation Center, 1001 West University Drive, Macomb, Illinois 61455. We cannot accept credit or debit cards at the Rec Center. Make check payable to WIU Campus Recreation in the amount of $255.00 for each member.

For more information, call Julie Terstriep, Campus Recreation Business Manager, at (309) 298-2773.

Junior individuAl: Available to grade school, junior, and senior high school students only.

membership Add-ons: Spouse, Domestic Partner, and Child Add-on Memberships are available to Public, Senior, and WIU Faculty/Staff/Alumni/Retired Individuals with the purchase of a Season Pass.

Children: Available to immediate family members only.

senior individuAl/spouse/domestiC pArtner: Available to individuals 62 years and older only.

student pAss: Available to full-time undergraduate student taking a minimum of 12 semester hours & full-time graduate student taking a minimum of 9 semester hours only.

student semester pAss: Spring Semester (March 1–May 31), Summer Semester (May 15–August 15) or Fall Semester (August 15-November 30)

for more informAtion, pleAse CAll mel blAsi At (309) 298-3676, or emAil him At mb-blAsi@wiu.edu.

Contact UsWebsite | wiu.edu/golf

HMGC Pro Shop | (309) 298-3676Harry Mussatto Golf CourseWestern Illinois University

1215 Tower Road, Macomb, Illinois 61455