La Cumbre Country Club Blog

Wayne's World May/June 2022

Fri, 13 May 2022 16:25:08 GMT

Good Morning La Cumbre!

We are starting to transition from spring to early summer. The property is transitioning too. So, the Greens and Kikuyu are taking on a different look and feel in fairways. Both need constant irrigation, so less roll on both surfaces than in winter. Ball marks and divots repair faster this time of year, but we still need your support in fixing these blemishes from your execution of that perfect shot.

This year's weather is very eradicated, and everything seems to be a month to two ahead of historical growth patterns. But all our contractors and material suppliers are a month or two behind. So, the work we have slated for this year will get done, but it looks like the window of June to early September is when this will be completed.

On the waterfront, the deliveries of reclaimed have been steady. Again, this came online just as the State and local agencies beat the drought drums. They are looking for a 35% reduction in water usage throughout the system. Agriculture rates are being adjusted way up with the mandated reduction. As this intensifies, different groups will be pointing fingers at each other. Being a private club, they would love to point them at us.

With the continued drought, certain tree species show signs of heavy stress and decline. Mainly the Redwoods and Monterey Cypress currently. Using water with lower qualities will only add to this if we do not get heavy winter rains to clean the soils.

But the property is in good shape with some excellent additions planned for the season. See you on the course. I'll be somewhere behind Rusty.

Wayne Mills

Wayne's World Spring 2022

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 16:12:37 GMT

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.

One With The Land: Sustainability Actions Speak Louder Than Words - FORE Magazine

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 20:37:14 GMT

“I don’t use the word ‘sustainability,’” said Wayne Mills, superintendent at La Cumbre CC in Santa Barbara. “I use the words ‘reduced inputs that benefit society.’ Potable water is a fluid people need to sustain life,and we were using it to irrigate turf. If we use reclaimed water, we use less potable water and still employ people, create living wages, and give people a place to enjoy themselves.”

President's Annual Report and Upcoming Budget

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 22:46:25 GMT

President's Annual 2021 Report and 2022 Budget

COVID is coming to an end; be it vaccinations, pills, masks, or herd immunity, LCCC has conquered variants, lockdowns, staffing and supply shortages, and a great deal of frustration to become even stronger. Our memberships are full. We experienced a relatively small operating loss because of COVID and increased water related costs. Member equity is at an all-time high.

Membership

All categories are full and have waiting lists. To date we have added 79 new members with a record $2.9 million from initiation and transfer fees, as a result we have increased our capital reserves and member equity. The average of the last three equity sales was $212,500.

Golf Course

Wayne’s world continues to stand out above all. Reclaimed water is in the final phases of testing and governmental approvals. He expanded natives on the 10th and 11th fairways, while accommodating a record number of golf rounds. The cost of water is up 43% over last year and it is extremely unlikely that rates will be reduced, even if we get substantial rains going forward.

Clubhouse Renovation

We are still sorting all the data and comments.

I want to thank the more than 600 members who have responded (including 347 equity members), for their input and perspectives.

In varying degrees we overwhelmingly agree that our clubhouse needs a lot of help. While Club Insights is still sorting all the data, it is unlikely that the late returns will statistically change the initial flash report. Sixty seven percent agree or strongly agree on the importance of the clubhouse renovation project and another twenty six percent are neutral. On the question of “Has the conceptual information been helpful to understand the scope,” fifty six percent agree or strongly agree, and twenty nine percent are neutral. Still, lots of work to do, and we will keep you posted.

Management

Eric and his team have had to deal with a high level of uncertainty, staffing, and cost issues. Not only have they helped shepherd us through the year, but we have seen a dramatic upgrade and improved levels of service and staff support in food and beverage, golf, and tennis operations.

The financial results for FY 2021 actuals, the operating budget, and dues information for FY 2022 are attached.

Congratulations to Russ Werner as the new President elect for FY 2022.

In closing, I recognize that this has been a very long and frustrating year for all of us. I would especially like to thank all Board members, their committees, Eric, our entire staff, and all our members for the work, encouragement, patience, and support that keeps La Cumbre special.

Best regards,

Robert Lowes
LCCC President

Record initiation and transfer fees of $2.9m, and a large tax credit of $872k have significantly increased member equity and capital reserves.

September year-end cash was $3.2m (after funding the entire reclaimed water project!)

Audited financials will be available March 2022 due to the change from fiscal year to a calendar year.

* Net of $250k transfer to capital reserves

FY 2022

While there is still a great deal of uncertainty about the economic realities next year, the one thing we are sure of is that our costs for everything from labor to food, supplies and water are up and expected to continue in that direction. This budget forecasts returning to a breakeven operating budget and has been extensively reviewed and unanimously approved by both the Finance Committee and the Board of Directors.

Key Assumptions

Revenue

A more normal non-COVID year
Offer 5 nights per week Clubhouse dinner service and seasonal lunch service
Membership remains full at 815
Dues increase of $140 per month for regular members and pro-rata increases across other applicable membership classes as of January 1, 2022

Expenses

Full year of food and beverage staff, Club ownership of tennis operations with new employees, and the golf shop maintaining full staffing levels
Minimum wage increase and cost of insurance benefits up 3% to 10%
Water rates continue to increase but at a slower rate

Capital Expenditures

Ongoing repair, maintenance, and replacement activities $1,080 preliminary estimate
Clubhouse roof and HVAC upgrades $800k
Continued expansion of natives around the lake $500k

UPDATED COVID-19 ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE GUIDANCE TO ALIGN WITH CDPH

Blake@longdriveagency.com (Blake Davis) — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 14:44:33 GMT

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has updated their COVID-19 isolation and quarantine guidance to align with new guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

La Cumbre in Golf Digest

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 16:22:33 GMT

Wayne's Work featured in Golf Digest

Some of these changes are brought on by passion or ethos—from supers, board members or players—and others are dictated by nature. Such is the case in drought-stricken California. Wayne Mills manages La Cumbre Country Club in Santa Barbara, where cutting down on water is not only the right thing to do but is state-mandated. When Mills got started in 2016, he was looking to take advantage of incentives the government was offering to properties that reduced water usage. Mills’ first thought was increasing the course’s native populations, which are predisposed to fare better in the arid climate and retain water more efficiently. One day, some college researchers were studying a creek nearby. He asked them to come take a look around the grounds. “I realized I needed some help,” he says. They introduced him to a local biologist, who, with her husband, specializes in mitigation. Together, they decided to restore the native oak communities using the surrounding hills as a guide. To do this, they hiked the nearby mountains to propagate the exact genetic varieties local to Santa Barbara.

Mills still plants some non-native species for the “show factor.” Members have affectionately nicknamed the annual crescendo of red flax, purple lupines and white sage the “super bloom.” Mills orchestrates the plantings to flower at different times, attracting pollinators from hummingbirds to sweat bees and mimicking the drama of changing seasons, a rarity in the Golden State. Mills describes it as a “snowball effect.” If you give a course a flowering garden, you’ll end up with aphids seeking nectar. Then the birds arrive to munch on the insects. Mills and his team are converting another 30,000 square feet to meadow. It’s the last of the “easy pickings.” After that, they will chase another creative, water-cutting, wildlife-friendly solution—still to be discovered.

The Water Reclamation Project Update

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 15:12:33 GMT

Members,

Just an update from the trenches. Last week was a big week—some highlights of what has been completed and what to expect.

Completed:

320 ft of 8in HDPE delivery piping bored from 6 cart paths under bunker to the point of connection behind the green. This was done to meet water control board requirements of separation from domestic water and reclaimed systems.
Connection to city supply and all hardware installed.
1,200 lin ft. of piping installed from 4th green to the 15th hole.
Irrigation and drainage installed on Holes 11 and 12 teeing grounds.
Grading and sand cap on all teeing grounds to finish the grade.
16,000 sq ft of Kikuyu Sod installed from 6th green to 5th green.
7,500 sq ft. of cart path installed.
16,000 sq ft. Of Bandera Bermuda installed on the 11th and 12th teeing areas.

As you can see from the list above, it was a hectic week, and many of you witnessed it. Again, I can thank you for the overall positive support during this wild phase of the project.

Work in the next phase will be.

Complete piping to the irrigation reservoir approximately 600ft.
Start 6in pipe run on 10th hole primarily working in the deep rough area.
Hook up drainage from cart path drains to existing systems.
Complete repairs and on 5th and 6th Holes (Sodding, Irrigation Planting natives and Mulching).
Complete sodding Kikuyu surrounds on the 11th and 12th holes.
Add drip irrigation and plant 11th and 12th holes with natives and mulch.
Sod old path area on 10th hole plus start work on the transition from cart path end to the turf.

This is approximately a two-week work plan. Things change as supply chains are very difficult right now.

Now we will get to what you, as a member, really want to know. WHEN will this be over, and when can we play the new areas?

In two weeks, most of the crews and machinery will be leaving for Nebraska. A small crew will be around installing hardware for 3 to 4 more weeks, but this work will not be very intrusive.

The 11th and 12 holes should be open to play by mid-September, just in time for the clubs’ major events and one of the best times of year in the fall months.

Again, thank you. This has been an enormous undertaking in a short amount of time. But with a drought that seems not to want to go away and no ceiling in domestic water prices and its lack of availability. This connection could not come at a better time as negations for this resource could and would only get more complex. Plus, its pricing and availability are more stable than the alternatives. With the bonus of public perception that a non-potable source is being used for irrigation.

Wayne

8/13/21 Update

Thu, 12 Aug 2021 21:23:55 GMT

Wayne's World Update

Just an update on continuing work on our various projects.

Once again, thank you for your understanding and patience with this work. Todd Eckenrode, the club’s consultant, visited all areas and reviewed the ongoing work. He made some adjustments to the alinement and depths of new teeing areas. He then studied cart path flows, plus entrance and exit points. After reviewing these areas with the contactor, club members, and staff, he approved the work and felt good about the progress.

What members should expect to see in the next couple of weeks:

Teeing areas on holes 11 and 12 fine gradings and irrigation installation will be completed.
Monday and Tuesday, the 16th and 17th, Cart path repairs and installation will be completed.
More path reductions on ten will be completed on the south side, plus areas converted to non-irrigated native areas.
We will install Piping for a water transfer pipe on the 10th hole.
Sodding on the 5th hole and cleanup will be completed. Native areas mulched and damaged plants re-planted.
Teeing should remain the same for two more weeks; after that, we will have a concise tee area on the 11th hole.
The lower area on the 6th hole could see some sod being installed if deliveries are on time.

Thank you,
Wayne

Proposed Work on Golf Course

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 22:36:09 GMT

Wayne's World

Dear La Cumbre Members,

I've been getting asked while in the field what we are doing on the 11th hole. So here is an overview of the changes in various areas.

With a layout of the 11th hole tee grounds, this could have some slight changes after Todd Eckenrode's field visits.

The 12th hole work is still under review if we will complete it this year or not.

Thanks, Wayne

President's Half Year Report

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 17:08:12 GMT

President's Half-Year Update

Dear La Cumbre Members,

Some years just seem longer than others, but despite the Covid alphabet soup of variants and staffing shortages, La Cumbre has never been stronger. Our membership, golf course, financials and management team are in great shape.

Membership: All categories are full except Social Clubhouse and Social Tennis, which are filling up rapidly. There have been 21 Regular memberships sold to-date, the average price of the last three sales being $220,000. Currently, 15 applicants are waiting to purchase, with four available.

We have already honored four new Emeritus members, with an average age of 88 and 55 years of Club membership: Doctors Robert Logan, Glenn Hemingway, William Rack, and Edward Hawks, with a fifth in progress.

Golf Course: We continue to benefit from the outstanding work by Wayne and his team. The connection between the City and the 6th hole is complete for reclaimed water. Cart paths are either out or coming out and Wayne has started laying pipe. Wayne will be sending out flash green reports to keep everyone up to date.

Water costs from the extended drought, heat, and winds are significantly higher than initially forecast. Water supply costs are exceeding our budget plans. We can’t thank Don Logan, Wayne, and many others enough who have helped push through the approvals and plans for our reclaimed water. While water is clearly an issue, the use of reclaimed water and planting more natives will significantly mitigate higher water costs in the future.

Financials: We are far exceeding budget based on record initiation and transfer fees ($2,449,398) and further help from $623,266 in tax credits. This combination of unplanned favorabilities along with aggressive cost controls have resulted in reduced operating losses, generating a cash position of $3,235,940 as of July 27, 2021. The Club is in a position to internally fund the reclaimed water project without resorting to financing or assessments. (Click here to view the Financial Report from the Club Treasurer.)

Management: Staffing continues to be a major financial and operational issue and will continue into 2022. Government Covid programs, minimum wage increases, salary inflation and cost of living spikes make it difficult to be open and provide our very best service. Management has had to adapt and deal with a myriad of challenging and fatiguing issues to provide safe and cost-effective service. I extend my compliments to Eric, his management team, and a special thanks to our members for their patience.

With the explosion of dining reservations, we welcome several substantial additions to our Food and Beverage staff: Josh Blumenthal, Food and Beverage Director, Kaity Swanson, Service Director and Inger Kelly, promoted to Events Coordinator. We can finally get back to our ever-popular special events such as Winemaker Dinners, Thursday night BBQs by the pool, etc. Be sure and check the Divot, the online event schedule, and weekly emails for updates, as each week has a slightly different mix of food, events, and availabilities.

Clubhouse Renovation: We have moved from previous master plans and focus groups to committee work directed by Tom Carey. The committee has engaged Anacapa Architects and Cabana Homes Interior Design to develop concepts. They are currently working with Armstrong & Associates for construction estimates. Once we match the potential design components and costs, the committee will reach out to the membership for feedback. We hope to consolidate everything into one proposal and go back to the membership with a design and financial plan for approval by late fall.

In the next couple of months, look for more information and requests for feedback addressing the long-delayed refurbishment of our Clubhouse.

Tennis: John Kinsella, our long-term tennis professional, announced his retirement to be effective September 1st. John will be greatly missed. John is currently assisting Eric, Annetta Patrick, and a search committee for his replacement. Expect more information from the committee soon.

Golf: The Board has appointed current Green Committee chair, Greg Moss, to chair a special committee working with Evan Colavincenzo to both stabilize our golf operations and dramatically improve our member’s golf experience. Greg uniquely combines outstanding business expertise with a deep appreciation for La Cumbre and the game of golf (two-time Senior Club Champion, USC Golf team ’80 -’84).

Covid has been and remains crazy and unpredictable! We continue to encourage everyone to protect themselves, their families, friends, and La Cumbre by getting vaccinated.

I want to again thank Eric and his staff, the Board, and committee members for their hard work this year, and a special thank you to our members for their continued enthusiasm, patience and support.

Very best regards,

Robert C. Lowes

President

8/4/21 Update

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 19:17:15 GMT

Reclaimed water project update for the week of 8/4/21

Thank you for your understanding and patience with our course projects, especially the ladies and their guests who played yesterday. We had quite a bit going on during this event with two road crossings and work on the 6th hole. Thank you again.

Everything we hoped to get completed this past week was completed. So, we are on track!

Here’s what is next:

Lash Contractors will be building a concrete vault in Calle Los Amigos to install the control valves for water delivery. (This is off-site and will not affect our golf course.)
11 and 12 tee areas will be under repair, with sod and irrigation to be removed. This is in preparation for the piping installation, and tee modification per the Todd Eckenrode approved plan.
The 11th Hole tee box will likely play from a temporary short tee location starting August 10th for two weeks.
Piping will be installed from 5 to 4 then across the 14th fairway. So, expect some disruption on the 14th hole as it may need to play as a par three on some days.
Leveling, grading, and clean-up will follow all work after the pipeline installation.

So, lots going on, stay tuned! Thanks again!

Wayne

7/26/21 Update

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 19:13:54 GMT

Reclaimed water project update for the week of 7/26/21

Dear La Cumbre Members,

Last week was a successful start to what will present as a larger undertaking this week. Landscapes Unlimited, Mac Brown Co, and Lash Contractors are on-site and off-site, completing the pipeline run from Valle Verde behind 6th green. In addition, we will commence runs along with the 6th and the 10th fairways to the reservoir off the 15th.

As always, we will try to keep disruptions to members at a minimum, and we greatly appreciate your patience and support with us during this process.

Ok, so what did we complete last week, and what do we expect to complete this week?

Last Week:

In Calle Los Amigos, Lash Construction installed 900 linear ft of 8in pipe for reclaimed water.
On the 6th Hole, work started on the pipeline that will extend from the back of the 6th Hole to the 15th Hole and the lake reservoir.
More Materials were delivered, and Landscapes Unlimited set up camp in the irrigation island area along the 15th fairway.

This Week:

Lash Construction will complete the pipeline run from the Calle Los Amigos point of connection behind the 6th green distribution point.
Cart Path removal will be commencing on the 5th, 10th, and 11th holes and possibly be completed by the end of the week.
The palm tree planter on the 11th Hole will be removed to make the pipeline and refreshed teeing complex.
Boring under the road at Monte and Via Laguna should commence this week.
Pipeline work will be underway in the old cart path locations, from the 6th, 5th, and leading over to behind the 4th green.

In recognizing the draught restrictions that are likely coming to our community, we are very fortunate to be in a position to complete this project that will ensure water to our property for years to come. As many of you are aware, we are all hearing discussions of severe water restrictions that would, at a minimum, materially increase our water costs.

Again, as we have shared over the months, the work will primarily exist under the existing cart paths routes. This may be disruptive to play, but we will do our best to manage our contractor's footprints on the course and the project swiftly moving toward a positive outcome.

Thank you again for your patience and support!

Wayne

The Water Reclamation Project

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 19:05:16 GMT

About the Project

Dear Members,

Article II, Section 8 of the Club’s Bylaws provides as follows:

(f) Authorize such alterations and improvements of the Club’s property as they may deem proper and modify or discontinue any Club facility where such action seems necessary or expedient. [ In connection with such alterations and improvements, modifications or discontinuance, the affirmative vote of a majority of the Regular Members voting in response to a written request by the Board of Directors shall be required in order for the Board of Directors to (i) incur capital indebtedness of more than $500,000, (ii) authorize the expenditure of more than $1,000,000, or (iii) re-route existing holes or create new or additional green complexes on the Club’s golf course.]

The Board of Directors has unanimously recommended approving the signing of a contract with La Cumbre Water District and the City of Santa Barbara for reclaimed water, subject to the approval of the Members as provided in the Bylaws as set forth above.

Members have previously been provided information regarding the Club’s need for reclaimed water in my article Water Everywhere , our General Manager’s article in the September Divot, and the Green Committee reports regarding reclaimed water.

The Board and management have spent a great deal of time completing negotiations to assure a future water source for our golf course. It should be noted that the expectation of reclaimed water has been a topic of many past Boards. In fact, several years ago, in anticipation of reclaimed water, we installed a reclaimed sprinkler system while awaiting the City’s ability to deliver the reclaimed water. Given the water situation in California, and especially here in Santa Barbara, it is essential to establish a long-term source of water. We have already experienced significant pricing increases for potable water and restrictions on potable water use during drought conditions. As we look forward, reclaimed water may not only be our only source of water, but it may be more cost-effective than potable water. Wayne has followed the water issue for our Club for 11 years and feels reclaimed water will be our only option to maintain our golf course in the future. He has provided an in-depth analysis (insert link) on the website for your information.

The Board has looked at several options for financing this project. After reviewing those options, and given the excellent financial position of the Club this year, the Board has determined that a combination of debt financing and the use of reserve funds can be used to finance this project based on an estimated cost of $800,000 to $ 1,000,000.

The Board is requesting your approval by voting “ yes ” on the attached e-mail ballot or the ballot mailed to you to and returned in the envelope provided .

Sincerely,

La Cumbre Country Club

Tom Carey

Tom Carey, Club Preside n t