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Oak Hills Golf Club

10059 Northcliffe  Blvd.

Spring Hill, Florida 34608

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 CALL (352) 683-6830

TO BOOK TEE TIME

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In This Issue:

• Catch-up on the latest news and see what's happening around Oak Hills Golf Club with Mike Sussman's Golf Shop News

• Know the Rules... Buzz Walker, Oak Hills teaching professional, discusses a golf rule all golfers ought to know. Read this golf rule at Golf Rules

• We are always willing to improve our game - right! See the latest Buzz suggestions at Golf Tips and have a better round next time you're out swinging. 

• Want a good laugh. Read the newest golf jokes at TeeTicklers.

• Summit Feedback each month for a chance at Winning a FREE Round of Golf in Golf Give-Away! Go to Feedback and enter right now.

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2009 winding down to a close...  

We would like to express our thanks to all of the golfers and Frequent Player Club members whom enjoy our beautiful golf course. We enjoy seeing you all out there having a good time; hopefully your golf game doesn't get in the way of having fun! 

Time as arrived to renew Frequent Player Club membership for 2010 if you haven't done so yet. It's $41 for renewals and $50 for the first-time Frequent Player Club membership. Plus - renewals and first-time members receive a FREE Round of Golf with your new 2010 Frequent Player Club card. 

Please give yourself a few extra minutes before your next round of golf for filling-out your FPC application and for the processing of the 2010 FPC membership card. A note for all renewals: please be sure to update addresses, phone numbers and email addresses too. 

Gift certificates are available for your favorite golfer. Makes a great Christmas gift! They can be purchased in the clubhouse for any denomination you desire. Come in person or call (352) 683-6830.

looking back on the year that was...  

This summer was a hot one - not uncommon for Florida. Our fall weather ended with cool and comfortable - fall-like days. The weather, for the most part, cooperated and our course has been in magnificent shape - thanks to course superintendent, Bud Marrilla, and his hard-working maintenance crew... along with Mother Nature of course. 

A new fleet of golf carts arrived in November. They are E-Z-Go-RXV carts, like the one pictured (click on photo for a better look). It delivers the highest level of durability, reliability and performance. This electric cart has an innovative AC Drive and full-time regenerative braking. Nice improvement over the old ones.

Effects of inflation were felt at every level of the economy, making for a challenging year. The impact of rising commodity prices on golf course maintenance budgets is extensive. Due to increasing cost of operation some of our neighboring courses had to close their doors. A larger number of courses nationwide have disappeared for the same reason. Hopefully we will see things turn around in 2010 and the economy will pick up again not just for the golf courses - but for every one.  

a moment of glory for two...

Did you know the odds of getting a hole in one for the average golfer is more than 8,000 to 1? And for those who finally get one, it is their moment of glory. For some, it can be a life pursuit while others get one almost immediately after beginning the game. Even solid golfers have gone decades and hundreds of rounds on the golf course without one. 

On Saturday, October 24th, John Franklin aced the 15th hole. John said the wind was blowing so he took his 3 wood and hit from 175 yards. The ball disappeared into the hole. John said this was not only his first hole-in-one, it was also his first eagle. 

Our 2nd ace since the last newsletter was scored by 72 year old Harry Hiscock. Harry said this was his first hole-in-one also, although he had eagled a few holes before. His ace happened on Saturday, November 14th, at the 15th hole from 170 yards.

John and Harry, congratulations to you both! 

As of this writing we had 6 golfers celebrate a hole-in-one at Oak Hills Golf Club during 2009. For a list of who they were go to our Hall of Fame link.

junior golfers playing at oak hills...

Two giant thank you posters made for Oak Hills Golf Club and staff hang in the clubhouse (click on a poster to enlarge). One created by the Hernando County Girls Golf Teams and their coach, Cheryl Paradis. The second poster was done by the Junior Golfers of Powell Middle School and Explorer K-8. 

The girls of the Hernando County Girls Golf Teams is made up of girls from Springstead (Eagles), Hernando (Leopards), Nature Coast Technical (Sharks) and Central (Bears) High Schools. They played several games at different courses for championship. The Girls Golf County Tournament was held on October 6th at Oak Hills. It was a pleasure to be a part of the Hernando County Girls Golf Teams championship-type events. 

The second poster from Junior Golfers at Powell Middle School and Explorer K-8 and Coach Hnatink is a thank you to Oak Hills and staff for their support of the golf team and for giving them a place to practice. 

It's nice to see youngsters interested in golf. Who knows - someday we may see these young men and women who started golfing here in Spring Hill play professional golf in events on both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour. 

some league news...

President Jim Bird presents winner Eric Roller of the Wellington at Seven Hills League with the Wellington Cup.  (Click on photo to enlarge)

Jim Bird, President of the Wellington at Seven Hills Mixed Golf League presented, for a second time, the Wellington Cup to Eric Roller. 

The Wellington Cup is played each fall and is open to all residents and friends. The tournament is scored using the Callaway scoring system.  This year they had 75 players on Sunday, October 4.

Tom Hébert's Tuesday League is at full strength and growing. The snowbirds are back in Florida and several new members are now qualifying. Two completed rounds are required before one becomes eligible for prize monies. A typical turnout of players on Tuesday mornings is in the neighborhood of thirty people. Read more about this Tuesday League click here.

A note to league members: Please call the pro shop or your team captain before your tee time if you are unable to play on league day. It is important your team captain be notified of your absence for setting up teams, cart count, etc. 

welcome back ...

Along with the arrival of the cooler weather comes our many friends and golfers from the north - our snowbirds. We welcome all our old friends who return year after year and we look forward to seeing you again as well as our many international visitors. We hope you all had a healthy and enjoyable summer. 

the buzz...

Because of demand, Buzz Walker will continue his Junior Mini-Camp through the winter every Saturday from 3 - 4 P.M. This is for youngsters ages 8 to 15. Call Buzz at (352) 683-6830 for signing up your enthusiastic young golfer. You can also email him at buzzgolf@yahoo.com. 

See more about Buzz's lessons at Golf Lessons. Also check out Buzz Walker's Golf Tips about How to Beat the Breaks in Putting and the USGA policy on gambling in his Golf Rules.

Buzz would like to remind you to be kind to your fellow golfers. Please repair ball marks and fill in divots. It's good golf etiquette, keeps the ball rolling smoothly and it helps everyone to score better.

as we start the new year...  

The foundation of all businesses is friendship and with each holiday season it gives us pleasure to extend our greetings to those whose friendships we treasure. On behalf of the entire Oak Hills Staff and myself, we wish you all a happy holiday season and a happy, healthy and prosperous 2010. We appreciate your friendship and support. May the remedy of today's economic ills many families and businesses have encountered sustain economic growth in the New Year.

One more thing -- remember to keep those feedbacks coming. After all, your feedback has a chance to win a FREE round of golf - so keep sending them and good luck! 

Happy swinging and best wishes....

Barbara Gravely  - TeeTalk Editor