The Water Reclamation Project

La Cumbre Country Club • September 25, 2020

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 Presiden t

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Wayne's World May/June 2022

By La Cumbre Country Club • May 13, 2022

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's World Spring 2022

By La Cumbre Country Club • February 17, 2022

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.

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

By La Cumbre Country Club • January 31, 2022

“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.”