A New Year’s note to the members of the Ann Arbor Golf and Outing Club:

Well, as 2007 comes to a close, I wanted to give the membership an update on some issues from this past year and offer a few comments regarding 2008.

Over 170 club members and their guests enjoyed the annual Holiday party on Dec. 28^th. The restaurant staff again provided an evening of delicious food and everyone had a great time celebrating the holiday season.

The final financial numbers for the year are not in, but we parked cars at all eight home University of Michigan football games. Because of that fact, our parking revenue is $200,000 more than anticipated! We purchased a new Toro Reel Master, eight blade cutting mower to replace the one that has seen us through the last 12 years.

Our budget for 2008 has been approved by the Board and it includes a modest increase of 3% in annual dues. We expect to purchase new lower dining room chairs and upper dining room tables. If you recall, the member survey had these expenditures as priority items. We also plan to upgrade the women’s locker room.

We continue to have great interest from people in the community who want to become members of Golf and Outing. The Membership Waiting List has 192 names on it! The list goes back to 2003 and it is taking up to five years to become a member. That’s an indication of the health and viability of this club.

As you are aware, we have been very concerned about the proposed East Stadium Boulevard Improvements and South Main Street Non- Motorized Improvements. We have a Sidewalk Subcommittee consisting of Greg Spaly, Dick Carlisle, Tom Wilkins, Ingrid Sheldon, Tony Werderitsch, Jeff Carter and myself, as Chair. There have been several meetings with the city officials and engineers over the past year. We believe they are starting to take us and our concerns about the negative effects of the projects on AAGOC much more seriously. The visible and vocal support of our members at the community meetings at Pioneer this fall was extremely important, and we believe it had a significant impact on the city’s plans for the projects. Additionally, we would like to thank those members that have written letters to council members, the mayor, and the city administrator expressing their concerns that the projects as presented at the community meetings were detrimental to AAGOC and the city. The creation of the proposed Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) committee has been put on hold for the time being as the 4^th Ward Council members have expressed concerns about the projects and are questioning the wisdom and need for any CAC at this time. We are continuing to meet with the city officials and engineers to explore the issues and alternatives for the projects. We will keep you posted on further developments.

The Board is working on the 2008 calendar, planning a number of new events and outings this year. We hope that you will support our many events in 2008. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at 971-2502 or at president@aagoc.org. Many thanks go to Tom Wilkins and Myra Walters for their service to the club as they enjoy their “retirement” from the Board. Kudos go to Tony Werderitsch for his excellent leadership as President in 2007.

John Dahl

President, 2008

Ann Arbor Golf and Outing