GEC reviews plans for July 2 125th celebration: two shotguns, scramble format and evening festivities

Club staff presented a draft plan for the July 2 125th-anniversary celebration and asked the GEC for feedback on format and logistics. The proposal calls for two shotgun starts (a morning wave around 8:30 a.m. and an afternoon wave around 2:00 p.m.) to keep play moving and allow an evening program; the event would be a two-player scramble to broaden participation.

"We would have two waves of players so it moves through a little faster than what a normal shotgun would," the operations presenter said, and staff recommended splitting entries approximately half members and half public to reward membership loyalty while allowing public participation.

Food planning remains under development. Staff described a typical Fourth of July cookout menu and said they will finalize details with the restaurant, which is meeting with event staff this week. Prize contests, best-dressed and novelty events (for example, play with hickory clubs on an assigned hole) are planned to increase engagement. Organizers estimated sign-up fees of about $125 per team member (public and members) with member cart/fee offsets and estimated the golf portion could net roughly $10,000 depending on sign-ups.

Logistics include shuttle/parking planning, a possible fireworks display to end the night (contingent on permitting and safety planning), and a request for volunteer support from the GEC for morning or afternoon shifts. Staff said sign-ups, promotional outreach (email to an 15,000-person list, social media and town support), and QR-code signage on GPS units will be used to publicize the event. The committee asked staff to finalize the sign-up page and return with a confirmed food plan and a volunteer schedule.

The meeting closed the event discussion by asking staff to coordinate a final sign-up release and confirm any required permits for night programming.