After giving it some long thought, a decision has been made to no longer offer a league at Miller Park. The Omaha Sports Club has a lot of history at Miller Park, but the size of the league has declined the past several years and it might be a good time to move on. Hopefully we won't lose those the die hard Miller Park golfers as members, but I'm banking on the fact that the Omaha Sports Club can grow from this. We are also not returning to Sunset Valley CC in 2009.

This year the changes will include a new 16-week league at LaVista Falls GC, in LaVista on Thursday night, beginning at 5:15ish and a 12-week Monday night league at Iron Horse in Ashland beginning at 5:45ish, beginning the first Monday in June.

click here to download the league info & application.

We were given a few days of nice weather in early February, hopefully you got the chance to play. It put me in the mood for golf, and sort of gave me a subtle reminder that my golf article was due and that the March signups were right around the corner.

Golf Specials for 2009:

1. The Omaha Sports Club is again offering a "half-year" membership rate for $15  (for golfers and summer volleyball)… that begins March 1st and ends September 11th, 2009.
2. A “multiple leagues” discount. If you play in more than one OSC golf league, you can deduct $15 per additional league you sign up for. For instance: If you sign up for Tuesday night and Thursday night, deduct $15 off the total cost. If you sign up for Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights, deduct $30… etc. (The discount reflects the “Banquet Fee” charged to each player).
3. Attend the Beer & Chili Social on March 14th, (see details in this Sportscaster) and receive $5 off your golf fees IF you pay me, in person, at that Beer & Chili party. Please note: I will not accept envelopes from those outside the front door.
4. Those that are PAID-IN-FULL by April 22nd, will have their names entered in drawing for a Limited Edition, Omaha Sports Club putter. It will be "custom fit" (left or right and cut to your length), Designed and made by Prairie Golf of Omaha. Only 5 will be made, this could be worth millions in the future…

All those that have played in the leagues in the past know how fun the leagues are and how much fun playing golf can be. It's easy to sign up and convenient to play when you show up. A quick word to your friends would help us grow in 2009. Tell your non-sports club friends that you are planning to play or tell some past members that haven't renewed. I would love to see some new faces in 2009. I always try not to turn anyone away and get everyone in a league.

The fine print for Golf Sign-ups:

1. All players sign up for our leagues individually and the league starter for each league will group players onto teams. (Spouses or couples can request to be on the same team, but it’s not guaranteed). Tee times aren’t fixed each week, you play when you show up (within the allotted tee-time span). You play with other OSC golfers that sign-in the clubhouse at the OSC table or the league manager pairs people up, when you arrive. But we still keep score and tally everyone's scores each week for standings.
2. All golfers pay for league fees in advance. You get 16 weeks of golf, year-end prizes and a golf-banquet after the season has ended (usually in mid September). All league golfers are invited, (not just the winners).
3. All sign-ups begin March 1st, with the March issue of the Sportscaster! Sorry no phone applications, no IOU’s, but please call me if you have any questions…
4. A 50% deposit (minimum) per person is required with each mail-in application and the balance is due on the first week of play. (No refunds after the 1st week of play unless there are others waiting to fill the spot).
5. Some leagues have a limit to the number of applications, I will try to get everyone in the league they want, but it’s first come, first served. Postmarks will establish application cutoff, so get it in the mail fast!
6. The most important rule… You must be a member of the Omaha Sports Club! If you aren’t a member please make it easy on me (and Membership) and write separate checks when you sign up. If you were a member last year, and haven’t renewed, we still need a signed membership application for the 2009 season (I will hunt you down if you don't). This includes league subs too.
7. Regular season league golfers that can’t play during their scheduled league nights are required to find “substitute” golfer. I might suggest that you use a fellow OSC member on our list of subs on our "Sub List". A sub list is given to all league golfers on the first week of league play. (See your league starter for all subbing details).
8. New in 2009, www.king-of-clubs.com, will no longer be in service. The Omaha Sports Club, www.omahasportsclub.com will have a new look and golf will be part of that site… Hooray!
9. After web details are worked out, You'll be able to pay for golf & events online!


Monday: Iron Horse Golf Course Location: 900 Club House Drive; Ashland, NE
Tee Times: 5:45 - 6:00ish Cost: $300 (or $150 x 2) League Starts: June 1st
Par 71, 18-hole course. Iron Horse is a gorgeous track, with turkeys & deer running about. Details not ironed out. Some Mondays would be booked with events, (with prior notice given). Tee times would be 6:00ish, on weeks with no events tee times would be a little earlier. Alternating front and back nines and started a few weeks later because of the early sunset. The cost will include golf carts each week. (A shotgun start may also be utilized on event nights). A 12-week league with room for 12-16 golfers.

Tuesday: Spring Lake Golf Course Location: Approx. 16th & “F” St. (in the park).
Tee Times: 4:15-5:45 (the high school team usually sneaks in during our gap-time)
Cost: $158 (or $79 x 2) League Starts: May 5th
Par 33, 9-hole course. Plenty of hills (for plenty of exercise). A great social league, great for beginners and medium skill golfers. Great league for those who work in downtown Omaha or Bellevue. A 16-week league and room for up to 40 golfers.

Wednesday: Shoreline Golf Course Location: 5th & Locust (in Carter Lake).
Starting Tee Time: 5:00 Cost: $210 (or $105 x 2) League Starts: May 6th
Shoreline is an 18-hole track. League golfers alternate the front nine & the back nine each month during the season. Played as head-to-head in the past but a new format may be discussed on week one. A 16-week league with room for 20-24 golfers.

Thursday: LaVista Falls Golf Course Location: 8305 Park View Blvd, LaVista.
Starting Tee Time: 5:15ish Cost: $162 (or $81 x 2) League Starts: May 7th
We're giving LaVista Falls a try. A Par 31, 9-hole course. Hopefully this league will continue the group get-togethers after golf, a Miller Park tradition. Room for 16 golfers.

Friday: Elmwood Park Golf Course Location: 63rd & Pacific St. (in the park).
Tee Times: 4:00 – 5:30 Cost: $214.00 (or $107 x 2) League Starts: May 8th
Our largest league with room for 100 golfers. We utilize the whole course on Friday nights playing on the front and back nines each week. A great way to start the weekend.

Sunday: Sunday email group (golfing with e-mail alerts only). Played Sundays sometime between 8am & 2:pm.. I’ll make a tee-time to play 18-holes somewhere different each week. Tee-times will be made one week in advance for a group of 16 (4 tee-times) . Each Monday a “broadcast e-mail” is sent to everyone that signs up for the Sunday group. The first 16 people that reply to that e-mail play then a waiting list is formed after.
Golfers are responsible for his/her own green fees (and cart fees if riding). All that is required is that have an e-mail address for easy contact and tee-time conformation. Bring a friend, so he/she can see what the OSC is all about..
We had 85 names on that email list last year… Or add your name to my email list for info on our monthly scrambles too. First Week: Sunday, May 2nd