Bill Patterson (right), President of Sacred Heart Men’s Club, and Buddy Dixon (left), Program Chairman, welcome John Paul to the club’s October meeting.

On October 11^th members of the Men’s Club at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church gathered for a dinner meeting.  They were joined by John Paul, Director of Golf for Hot Springs Village.  Following dinner, Mr. Paul updated the members on the status of golf in the Village.  He explained that the spring tornado and extremely hot summer had taken a toll on the Village courses.  Coronado, Balboa and Ponce were particularly hard hit.  At present, he reported that 95% of the tornado clean up has been completed thanks to lots of hard work and also partly to an insurance policy taken out a year ago that has paid over $300,000 in reimbursements for work completed.  During his talk John mentioned the newly implemented E blast email system that the POA is now using to inform residents about activities in the Village.  Of interest to golfers, there are golfing specials now being offered such as a two for one special at DeSoto on a Sunday afternoon.

John spent time reviewing the discussions underway on changing the course greens from Bent Grass to Bermuda Grass.  Hot Springs Village is in the “transition zone” from a weather standpoint which makes this a difficult issue.  There is no perfect solution, just a series of pluses and minuses depending on which way you go.  At this point no decision has been made and John emphasized that any change will be made slowly and only following careful evaluation and trials.

After briefly outlining the plans for renovations and improvements projects during the coming year John took questions from the audience.  Bill Patterson, President of the Men’s Club, thanked John for his presentation and for taking time to stay and answer the member’s questions.

Tim Keating, (left) past Men's Club President receiving past president's plaque from current Men's Club President, Bill Patterson.