Rotary Spoke 05/18/15
Posted by Murry Awrach
on May 18, 2015
Mr. Joe Rotellini, the Executive Director of The Constellation Senior Players Golf Championship Speaks to Rotary
Today was an absolutely beautiful May day, partly sunny, in the low 60's, cool in the shade and warm in the sun, as we met at Waxy's for a delicious lunch of chicken parmesan and all the fixings. In attendance were 20 Rotarians and our guest speaker, for a total of 21.
Our Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alan A, first Verse of America by PP Dan O., and invocation given by PDG Jack M. Jack sadly announced the recent passing of Donald Jenkins, a past Lexington Rotarian, and a very good member in his active days, and that we remember Don in his invocation.
Charlie V. lead us in the welcome song.
Happy dollars donations and fined were aplenty as Sue C. donated for the recent graduation of her daughter from Lesley University, President Dave for a surprise birthday party he gave his wife, and for their daughter's dance recital, Connie N. for her son Jared's birthday, and also for her own birthday yesterday, PP Spencer B. for having run a 5 mile race yesterday, PP Nick as he congratulated our speaker Joe Rotellini for having been on TV yesterday (more on/with Joe later in this bulletin), again President Dave for being out of order when he had fined himself, and PP Murry A. (yours truly) a dollar fine to help PP Dan B out! 😊 for being late, and another dollar since PP Dan B. showed up late and thus helped PP Murry A. to not be the last one in for the meeting.
President Dave had sign-up sheets passed around for the next two events:
1) The reception at Bedford VA Hospital on Monday, May 25
2) Sports Night at LHS, Tuesday, May 26. PO Dan O. said more members attending this event are needed.
Our Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alan A, first Verse of America by PP Dan O., and invocation given by PDG Jack M. Jack sadly announced the recent passing of Donald Jenkins, a past Lexington Rotarian, and a very good member in his active days, and that we remember Don in his invocation.
Charlie V. lead us in the welcome song.
Happy dollars donations and fined were aplenty as Sue C. donated for the recent graduation of her daughter from Lesley University, President Dave for a surprise birthday party he gave his wife, and for their daughter's dance recital, Connie N. for her son Jared's birthday, and also for her own birthday yesterday, PP Spencer B. for having run a 5 mile race yesterday, PP Nick as he congratulated our speaker Joe Rotellini for having been on TV yesterday (more on/with Joe later in this bulletin), again President Dave for being out of order when he had fined himself, and PP Murry A. (yours truly) a dollar fine to help PP Dan B out! 😊 for being late, and another dollar since PP Dan B. showed up late and thus helped PP Murry A. to not be the last one in for the meeting.
President Dave had sign-up sheets passed around for the next two events:
1) The reception at Bedford VA Hospital on Monday, May 25
2) Sports Night at LHS, Tuesday, May 26. PO Dan O. said more members attending this event are needed.
PP Spencer B. reported on Comedy Night. The Club raised $15,159.75. Although attendance was less than in past comedy nights and ticket sales brought in less money than last year, the Silent Auction and the Ad Book sales made more money than last year, and those plus ticket sales gave us the net amount raised, as per the above. PP Spencer B. announced that the Comedy Night Committee said that if anyone would like to give feedback to the committee, to please notify the committee.
Our speaker for today was Mr. Joe Rotellini, the Executive Director of The Constellation Senior Players Golf Championship. This year, the event will be held at the Belmont Country Club on June 9-14. The Belmont Country Club has an excellent golf course, and will be providing the opportunity for the event to not only come to Belmont, but also to the Greater Boston area, and will thus also provide for showcasing, besides broadcasting the event itself, the surrounding towns and the Greater Boston area on TV both nationally and internationally.
The senior professional golfers are world renowned. They love having an audience to watch them play, as they have as much of a desire to be watched and admired as anyone else, including egos as much as other athletes. Each golfer is an independent contractor – they do not work or play for any specific company or organization.
The total purse is $2.7 million, with $400,000 going to the winner
Joe spoke of several things that are needed in order to make the event successful, including financially:
1.) A sponsor, in order that the money will be available to the golfers, and the championship event is on international television for three days - very expensive, and the cost of this plus all the services must be covered by the sponsor,
2.) Partners for operational costs (tickets, structures, bleachers, other facilities including bathrooms, various pavilions, etc.),
3.) Ticket buyers,
4.) Vendors (they are almost always the same and they follow from tour to tour.)
5.) Volunteers – very critical, and there will be about 600 volunteers to help with crowd control, keep the event flowing, helping the players and public as well.
Joe gave a well-organized and very informative presentation. This is a big event, and as many of us as possible should try to help out – volunteer. PP Dan O spoke about his own personal past experience as a volunteer at Nashawtuc Country Club in Concord and now of the support that many Lexington Golf Club members are offering for this event. Thank you for your fine presentation, Joe.
There will not be any meeting next Monday. The event at Bedford VA will take place instead. There will be a Board meeting on June 1.
President Dave adjourned the meeting in good order.
PP Murry A.
PP Murry A.