We don’t have any aces to report since our last Avalanche, indeed we didn’t play much golf in later December through mid-January. I’m writing this on January 24 and though windy of late, with a couple of minor snows, we’re able to play all holes at Alto and 15 at Outlaw. Moisture so far this winter has been pretty sparse. The snows I previously mentioned have been spaced out where just about the time we’re able to open 18 holes, here comes another little one which shuts us down, or limits open holes for a few days.
 
The 68th PGA Merchandise Show is the 26th-29th of January so it will be over by the time you see this. Due to Covid, it will all be virtual this year so this will be something new to be sure. While we’ll be able to see everything online in virtual showrooms through Zoom and such, I’ll miss being actually able to see the product up close and be able to feel it whether it be a club or clothing. You’d be surprised how much close inspection you can do as to fit/finish on clubs, as well as the hand of the fabrics and seam detail/quality when you can actually touch the item. We’ve have never had to do one this way and I certainly hope we won’t have to again.
 
Check elsewhere in your Avalanche for the 2021 season Tournament Schedule. As of this date, it still needs to be approved by the Board, but what you’ll see on its own page in this Avalanche should be the approved schedule.
Lance will probably cover this as well in his blurb, but please be aware handicap charges were billed last month, and if you no longer need one here at Alto, you must let us know prior to February 10 if you need to cancel. This date is the “drop dead” date for billing of WHS/GHIN handicap charges, so if you’re on our list at midnight the 10^th, we’re billed for the year’s calculations. This is a USGA/WHS/GHIN policy (not ours), and your cooperation in notifying us if you will no longer need handicapping services is paramount at this time. We have gone through ( in great detail) these lists and have removed those we know might have moved on, or have requested to not renew, but if any doubt, just give us a call and let us know your wishes. Thanks!
 
Speaking of the WHS/GHIN Handicap System, you may have seen a notice about establishing a players’ profile. This is new this year and ties in with each player needing to have a unique-to-you email address, so no mare sharing an email with your spouse. As I understand it, this is being mandated from WHS/GHIN to further “secure” a players information. There apparently were some instances of the wrong players index being used in a competition when the player’s name is fairly common (there are an awful lot of Brown’s, Smith’s, and Miller’s for example) in addition to John Smith Jr’s index used instead of John Smith Sr…you see the point. Some of this additional player profile info should help these errors they say. If you run in to problems with this just give us a ring and we can walk you through it.
 
Until next month, think moisture in whatever form Mother Nature will allow.