TWG has a long tradition of service

A true leader is not loud and does not brag or need continual praise. Rather, the true leader diligently and faithfully performs. The Canyon Lake Tuesday Work Group (TWG), formed in 1973, is that kind of community leader – the quiet brilliant star.

 

Here’s a little history.

In the February 1974 Canyon Lake Golf Bulletin, there was a call for attendees to a “Rock-Pickin’ Party,” since “there are still rocks to be removed from 14 and 15 fairways (now 16 and 17) so the mowers can go through without ruining the blades.” As a footnote – the back nine was renumbered around 1980 because it was felt that No. 18 should not be a par 3, with No. 17 becoming No. 10, on up to No. 16 becoming our now No. 18.

That “Party” was not the first nor the last, with lots of non-contracted maintenance and improvements needed all around the course. Seeing this, a couple years later, residents Harvey Malcolmson, George Meyers, Clyde Carter and others called for volunteers to meet on Tuesday mornings for three or four hours of donated labor.

Soon after, this corps of 20 or so became the Tuesday Work Group. The next few years were largely spent with rock removal. After the fairways became “fair,” the rough areas had to be cleaned up for eventual planting (pre water district drought-tolerant programs) and other cleanup.

Those hardy souls brought their own tools, including wheelbarrows (as well as their sweat) to get the jobs done. It was normal for years to have a bucket on your golf cart into which, after taking your shot, you’d toss a few rocks.

The TWG – from those early days until now – has continued as a group of true gentlemen (mostly retired and only sometimes the bad joke) dedicated to their community, faithfully working hard, with knowledge born on the forge of experience and the skills of their many careers.

In 2003, the TWG drafted its charter, which was submitted to and approved by the POA, making the Tuesday Work Group a standing committee with “the primary responsibility to perform volunteer work that will beautify and improve Canyon Lake Golf Course.” 
Based on the comments from new non-resident golfers (35 at this writing resulting from the superb, POA authorized, Membership Committee recruiting effort) and resident golfers, the course condition far outshines that of many neighboring facilities. TWG is an important part of this achievement. 
Also of note, the regular course maintenance in that “yore” time was by POA employees, now Operations, the primary guide for TWG projects.

Over the years, many hundreds of thousands of dollars have been saved in the work done by TWG. The cart paths, originally blacktop, were all redone in concrete framed by the TWG. Other improvements include rebuilding and improving the many tees, including those with block retaining walls; tee-side concrete steps replacing railroad ties; tee-side stairway railings; irrigation system improvements; and enclosing the course signature lake at the juncture of the 13th green and 14th tee, where the retaining-wall timbers (phone poles) were donated by Tom Steinle, with bottom surfacing.

Other projects included installation of system-controlled piping, the river rock-faced retaining berm and the lake waterfall; many planted areas around the course (the raised area including palms behind No. 9 blue tee being one example of many); building and maintenance of four bridges: three spanning the drainage basin, one at the lake; and the list goes on.

So as the 2015-2016 season winds down it seems appropriate to highlight some of the things accomplished these past nine months:

  • After the course re-layout required yardage revision, the TWG installed new tee monument plaques donated by CLAPPS, as well as new tee yardage markers and new fairway yardage markers.
  • They refurbished yardage cart path dots. They worked on stairway railings at the 2, 3 and 4 tee boxes. They worked on damaged cart paths – sometimes demolishing and re-pouring new paths in several locations. They removed and split for community use extensive storm-downed tree trunks and limbs.
  • They installed new split-rail fencing alongside No. 4 and No. 6 tees and extended it next to No. 9 green. They reseeded plantings at No. 17 red tee box, extracted and replaced railroad tie shore retentions alongside No. 14 tee, and installed new ball washer mountings at 5 and 6.
  • They were involved in ongoing, weekly tree trimming, weekly fairway divot repair sanding, weekly tee monument cleaning, etc.

What do the guys think?

A random survey at a pre-work coffee of members who have worked with TWG as long as 35 years yielded a few observations:

Many members were recruited by friends already serving with the words, “This is something important.” Some became aware of the TWG’s work in reading The Friday Flyer or seeing the members in action. Every man responded with pride in their ability to give back to the community.

Many noted that this work provides major cost savings to the community (this is well documented). Others say the TWG is a rewarding opportunity to join together with good people. Some noted the benefit from good exercise and great camaraderie. One said with emphasis that this is an investment for his children and grandchildren. Each man expressed his dedication to Canyon Lake.

For this season to date, the Tuesday Work Group has worked 3,388 man hours with an aggregate 968 in attendance.

All said, when the true tally of accomplishments achieved over the past 40 years (only touched on herein) is made, it takes little imagination to visualize the cost, if done by outside contractors, and to recognize the benefit to this community given by the Tuesday Work Group.

Oh, and approximately 1,332 donuts and 64 gallons of coffee were consumed on Tuesday mornings this season; which brings us to this important point: join us! On Tuesdays, at 7 a.m., beginning in October, travel down the road beyond the No. 10 green and through the gate to the Golf Course maintenance yard. You will be welcome!

The Tuesday Work Group is dark in July, August and September.




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