Issue Eleven, Volume Four November 2010 Waterwood ...Richard Herring Houston/Montgomery County...

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Waterwood Neighborhood News November 2010 Issue Eleven, Volume Four -1- WNN has produced many feature articles on the condition and the future of the Waterwood golf course. Our first article on the course closing appeared in the June 2009 edition. Sixteen months later we are still facing continued problems both from the lack of adequate donations and the course’s old irrigation system. The WMGA under the leadership of Willie Wiginton and Barry Stanley have done a “Great Job” keeping the course and surrounding areas in relatively good shape. They and all of the volunteers have and still are conducting a good maintenance program. Willie says, “We currently have some 78 property owners contributing an average of $172.00 per month and over half of these do not even play golf. The only problem is the monthly expenses are running over $15,000.00 per month.” (continued on p age 7) THE GOLF COURSE SAGA The Atascocita Golf Course on Lake Houston that was closed in January of this year has recently been compared to Waterwood. Atascocita was for many years a top tier golf course in the area and for quite a while was ranked in the top 50 in the state. Atascocita has approximately 2,600 homeowners in the subdivision and 412 have a home on the golf course. Before the course was closed they only had 81 members with an average dues line of $175 per month. The course operators had set a goal of $50,000.00 per month to operate the 27 hole course and it does not take a great mathematician to determine that the goal was missed. The Atascocita property owners were unable to agree and implement a plan to keep the facility open and maintained. The photos on page 10. demonstrate how bad a 50 year old course can deteriorate in 9 months without care.

Transcript of Issue Eleven, Volume Four November 2010 Waterwood ...Richard Herring Houston/Montgomery County...

  • WaterwoodNeighborhood News

    November 2010Issue Eleven, Volume Four

    -1-

    WNN has produced many feature articles on thecondition and the future of the Waterwood golfcourse. Our first article on the course closingappeared in the June 2009 edition. Sixteenmonths later we are still facing continuedproblems both from the lack of adequatedonations and the course’s old irrigation system.

    The WMGA under the leadership of WillieWiginton and Barry Stanley have done a “GreatJob” keeping the course and surrounding areasin relatively good shape. They and all of thevolunteers have and still are conducting a goodmaintenance program.

    Willie says, “We currently have some 78 propertyowners contributing an average of $172.00 permonth and over half of these do not even playgolf. The only problem is the monthly expensesare running over $15,000.00 per month.”

    (continued on p age 7)

    THE GOLF COURSE SAGAThe Atascocita Golf Course on Lake Houston thatwas closed in January of this year has recentlybeen compared to Waterwood. Atascocita wasfor many years a top tier golf course in the areaand for quite a while was ranked in the top 50 inthe state.

    Atascocita has approximately 2,600 homeownersin the subdivision and 412 have a home on thegolf course. Before the course was closed theyonly had 81 members with an average dues lineof $175 per month. The course operators hadset a goal of $50,000.00 per month to operatethe 27 hole course and it does not take a greatmathematician to determine that the goal wasmissed.

    The Atascocita property owners were unable toagree and implement a plan to keep the facilityopen and maintained. The photos on page 10.demonstrate how bad a 50 year old course candeteriorate in 9 months without care.

  • WNN "Happenings"Was October dry or not? The ole rain guagehas bugs and dust in it. We did have somebeautiful, cool nights in late October though.

    With the dry weather we have a county wide“BURN BAN ”. Please do NOT burn anythingbecause it could cause a real severe fire.

    Your 2010-2011 WIA Board elected new officersfor the coming year. They are: President - JohnCharlton; Vice President - Tom Readal; Secretary– Walt Ringler; and Treasurer – Joe Moore.

    WIA Committee Assignments

    ACB Joe OatesAudit Financial Tom ReadalCommunications John ShidelerCounty & State Gov. Donnie MarshallEMS & VFD Donnie MarshallMaintenance Dick HansenMUD & Security Walt RinglerNominations Walt RinglerReal Estate Mike BercuSocial Events Lisa Aguero

    Where were all the WIA members? Theannual meeting was held on Saturday, October9, 2010. Only 20 home owners (whichincluded Board members) and 1 propertyowner showed up. This is the smallest turn outin recent history. See photos on page 8.

    The Waterwood Boat Club held their annualmeeting on 10/16 at the home of Earl and CarolMc Vay. The “make your own omlet” brunch wasenjoyed by all who attended. New officers wereelected: President – Tom Readal; Vice President– Walt Ringler; Secretary – John Shideler; andTreasurer – Earl McVay. Photo of the annualmeeting are on page 6.

    The 2nd Annual BBQ/Chili Cook Off was held onSaturday, October 23, 2010. It was held at theend of Doral. The weather was great andWaterwoodians turned out to enjoy the food andfestivities. The winners were: BBQ – 1st PlaceBill Miller; 2nd Place Pat Nabors. Chili – 1st PlaceSam Nabors; 2nd Place Earl McVay. See photosare on page 9.

    The VFD held its 2nd Annual Halloween HayRide for Waterwood Kids. There were over 30children who rode on two trailers loaded withbaled hay. See more photos on page 7.

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    THE WNN IS PUBLISHED ON A MONTHLY BASIS. THE ARTICLESAND COMMENTS ARE WRITTEN TO INFORM AND ENTERTAIN THEPEOPLE WHO LIVE AND/OR OWN PROPERTY IN THEWATERWOOD COMMUNITY. IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS ORSUGGESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT US. THANK YOUR FORREADING THE WNN.

    John Shideler – Editor

  • Kevin Cook Broker

    Anita Treadway Office Manager

    Palmer Real Estate www.waterwoodsales.com

    Palmer Real Estate is made up of a team of professionals who will give you the best individualized service you deserve, whether buying or selling your home. We not only sell more Waterwood property than all other agencies combined, we have now expanded into the Conroe, Houston and Montgomery County areas! Call us today!

    Thank God for His blessings… Happy Thanksgiving from our

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    Call the Waterwood experts!Greg Cagle Walker County

    Richard Herring Houston/Montgomery County

    Melanie Cook Waterwood/Lake Area

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    21 Monaco, Emerald Estates

    Beautiful 3/4 acre, lake-front cul-de-sac lot in a nice, quiet subdivision on Lake Livingston. This lot is mostly cleared and ready to build! Boat house has a jet-ski slip with electric lift and a boat slip with an electric lift. The boat house also has an enclosed tackle room and patio. The lot not only has a magnificent view of the lake but is gently sloped with plenty of hardwoods for shade!

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    Women's League NewsThe WWL members who attended the Octobermeeting at the Messina Hof Winery are muchmore knowledgeable about wine than before theywent. They were given a tour of the wineryincluding the orchard, the grape processing andthe bottling.

    Then they were then treated to a wine tastingwhere they learned to ‘swirl’, ‘trill’ and ‘cluck’ thewine to enjoy the full flavor of each sample tasted.The ladies had a very tasty lunch in the lovelyglass enclosed Vineyard Room near theorchards.

    The owner/winemaker, Paul Bonarrigo, was thereto greet the members. They have vineyards allaround Texas where they grow several varietiesof grapes, but all the processing is done in theBryan location.

    In addition to the winery, the property housesthe Vintage House Restaurant and the Villa, aunique bed and breakfast. It has themed roomsdecorated in antiques that Paul and his wife,Merrill, collected as they traveled around theworld.

    You can sign up for cooking lessons and duringharvest season you can even spend a few dayshelping them pick grapes and learn how to stompthem-yes, with your feet! See photos of trip onpage 5.

    The next WWL meeting will be at the PineywoodsHerb Farm on November 10th. The meeting willbe followed by a tour and luncheon.

    WWL Meeting Schedule

    December 8 – Christmas Luncheon

    January 12 - Homestead Restaurant tour ofhistoric buildings and luncheon

    February 12– Valentine’s Party -round robindinner (husband or significant other invited)

    March 12 – Round Top Guitar Festival(husband or significant other invited)

    April 13 – “An American Woman in Iraq”,Crystal’s Patio, Coldspring

    May 11 - Decorating with Phyllis Palmer

    The WWL could use more books for the READfor Scholarships program. If you’d like tocontribute your gently used books, call JaneMiller at 936-891-5397 for pickup.

    Books are available at the Palmer Realty officeon a bookcase located across from the P.O.Boxes. Books only cost $.50.

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  • WATERWOOD BOAT CLUB

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  • The WMGA plans to continue operating thecourse and need more donors to meet their futurerequirements. WNN asked Willie about hisprojections for the future of the course. Heresponded, “Obviously our expenses are goingto increase as time goes on due to costs increasein chemicals, etc. As long as we can keep theirrigation system operating we should be ok. If itgoes out then we will be unable to continue withany maintenance and will have to close downoperations.”

    If the Waterwood course was forced to closewithout maintenance, all of our property valueswould suffer. WNN asked Kevin Cook of PalmerReal Estate to comment about this worse casescenario. Kevin said, “ If the golf course closesand grows over, we will see yet another reductionin property values."

    "This devaluation of property will be seen byevery owner in Waterwood whether they are onthe golf course or not. The water front propertieswould not, in my opinion, see as much of adevaluation as the rest of Waterwood but everyproperty owner would be affected.”

    The WMGA is seeking new contributors. If youwould like to become a contributor and help keepthe Waterwood course alive and beautiful, youcan contact one of the individuals below or seeAnita at Palmers office for a pledge form.

    Justin Currin ......... 936 891-6881Mike Prine ............ 936 891 7019Norton Schump .... 936 891 5782Willie Wiginton ..... 936 891 7118

    (Golf Course continued from page 1) More Halloween Photos

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    WIA Annual Meeting

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    BBQ Cook Off Photos

  • WaterwoodAtascocita

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