ON COURSE WITH THE PRO
By Lou Dechert, PGAMember, GSCAA Member, NGCOA Member, USGA Member
WELCOME TO THE BEST LITTLE COURSE IN LOUISIANA We have had some great weather and the turf is starting to grow. Unfortunately so are the weeds and as many of you already know we do not have the funds like the tax payer funded courses across the river to purchase the products that keep the weeds out. The good thing is that the some of the weeds are starting to die. We have aerified all the fairways and will fertilize April 15th with 20-8-8- to get the bermuda going. You should do the same with your home yards. We will begin to aerify the greens the week of April 21st. Our Two Man Scramble to benefit the PGA Wounded Warrior Program will be Saturday April 19th at 1PM. The entry fee is $60.00 per team and we will have a cookout beginning at noon. Don't forget the club scramble on Sunday April 27th at 1PM.
THE FIRST TEE OF CENLA BENEFIT SCRAMBLE FRIDAY MAY 9TH 1PM @ The Golf Club at Timber Trails
Each year the Central Louisiana Youth Development and Education Foundation holds a golf tournament that raises the necessary funds to take the game of golf to the youth of Central Louisiana. Over 1,000 children have been taught the great game of golf and the life skills it teaches. The First Tee of CENLA has been recognized as the top First Tee Award winning facilities in Louisiana and one of the top First Tee Chapters in the Central Region! It takes the support of businesses and individuals to bring the program to our area and we appreciate the support you give us by participating in the annual tournament or sponsoring signage for the program.
I believe this could be the year that will affirm the fact that we are leader in Central Louisiana at promoting the game of golf. First we are planning to build a new hitting area that will allow me to teach and you learn the game. It will also give you a place to practice and a place where we can work with our kids in our award winning First tee Program. Then we will reach out to all our neighbors to ask them to get involved with our club. We do so much for the community and now more than ever we need their support. the clubhouse and swimming pool areas will be utilized for many community activities. Please go to www.playgolfamerica.com for information about all the golf programs we are offering at Timber Trails-------we might be a small course but its heart is large when it comes to teaching the game to just about anyone who wants to learn. THAT IS THE FUTURE OF GOLF!
REAL TRUE EVERYDAY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
When this course was built in the late 60's only two homes were on the course. Today I have over 300 homes surrounding the course. Those homes pay over $300,000 a year in parish property taxes, the homeowners spend additional funds from their jobs on utilities, insurance, note payments, cars, clothing and food! THAT IS REAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT that the state seems to have forgotten. If you maintain that base and continue to grow it then you are continuing new economic development every day! This was made possible by this golf facility which the homeowners chose to build or buy on.
THE NEW TIMBER TRAILS VETERANS IN PLAY PROGRAM
We are placed to announce a new program for our Veterans. It is the VIP Veterans In Play program that allows all current and past servicemen of our country to be our guest at the course on weekdays. We also will be part of the Wounded Warrior Program that the PGA is sponsoring to help returning servicemen with disabilities have a chance to play the game. I am excited to announce we have a total of 40 Veterans who are participating in this new program as of March 12TH! I am also pleased to announce that we raised over $600.00 at the Dogwood Classic Golf Tournament from the sale of mulligans which will go towards the purchase of a single rider cart that we hope will allow our Veterans with Disabilities to play the game.
PLAY GOLF AMERICA www.playgolfamerica.com
The PGA of America, which I am a proud member, is sponsoring many ideas to grow the game. If you go to the Play Golf America website you can punch in your location and zip code and it will lead you to the closest PGA Pro that is participating in this great program. If you click on my programs you will see all the events and programs I will be offering this year at the club. You can also register on line.
TWO MAN SCRAMBLE
Don't forget that Saturday April 19th at 1PM we will host a two person scramble to benefit the PGA Wounded Warrior Program that assist the children of fallen soldiers with their educational expenses. Last year the PGA raised over 2 MILLON DOLLARS for this national program. . The cost is $60.00 and you may invite non-members as well. The Timber Trails Golf Association will be doing a hamburger/Fries cookout on the deck immediately at the completion of play. Please plan on participating by calling the shop and signing up!
I am excited about the prospects of our best ever year here at Timber Trails. Rest assured we will do everything we can to give you the best facility to enjoy golf and enjoy LIFE...............isn't that what it is all about?
Lou Dechert Class A PGA Professional/Class A GCSAA Golf Superintendent/
ANYONE WHO CAN BEATS ME ON MY COURSE PLAYS FOR FREE!
ANY TAKERS? Come on I am just waiting to play!
OUR NEW UPGRADED POOL SIDE GAZEBO WAITING ON SOME SWIMMERS
OPENING FOR 2008 SEASON MAY 9th
GREAT JOB PAULA SUE!
2006-2007 TWO TIME DOGWOOD CHAMPIONS DON SMITH & HALEY SAWYER......DOESN'T SEEM THERE IS ANYBODY IN THE AREA WHO CAN CHALLENGE THEM?
Number 10 Tee Box, Scoreboard and Clubhouse Staging Area...........................................................
THE PRO VERTI-CUTTING Number THREE GREEN--Preparing for Fall Overseeding
BLOWING OFF CUTTINGS TO REMOVE THATCH GETTING READY TO SEED
KEEPING THE THATCH IN CONTROL
THE PGA PRO AND THE UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION --PROMOTING GOLF
THE PROS NUMBER ONE FAN CLUB
WELL, ACTUALLY PAULA DECHERT IS THE CEO OF THE PROS FAN CLUB............HERE SHE RECEIVES A NATIONAL ZONE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AT THE NATIONAL FIRST TEE ANNIVERSARY MEETING IN JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA FROM THE FIRST TEE CEO JOE LOUIS BARROW AND TAI MORAN REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE FIRST TEE. OUR FIRST TEE OF CENLA CHAPTER WAS RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE TOP CHAPTERS IN THE NATION.. GREAT JOB PAULA.............................................