july e-newsletter

Wasn't that a party?

The reviews are in and it's official: Cordova Bay Golf Course's 15th anniversary bash on July 15 was an unqualified success. From the early-morning skirl of Jamie Troy's bagpipes to the rock 'n' roll renderings of Hutsey and That '70s Band in the late afternoon/evening, it was a grand day of fun, food, merriment and, of course, golf.

It was also a precedent-setting day, because we pushed through 370 rounds of golf, which is a Cordova Bay record. We also served up enough food to feed the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line for a week -- 700-plus meals (burp!), another record. There's also rumour that a beverage or two was consumed by members, guests, the public and staff (buurrrrrrp!).

We'll do it all over again, naturally, but probably not for another five years, by which time everyone's indigestion should have cleared up.

Hutsey, including pro shop guy Drew Pearcey (right) on bass,
ramped things up late in the afternoon and early evening with some serious rock 'n' roll.

The bagpiping of Jamie Troy was a nice touch just back of the 16th tee box.

There was food a-plenty for members, guests and staff -- 700-plus meals worth.

World-class instruction/coaching
is right here at Cordova Bay

Randy Henry, the true pioneer of clubfitting and one of North America’s most respected golf coaches, recently made his way to Vancouver Island to join the professional staff at Cordova Bay for two days of intensive coaching. He also conducted two public-access clinics during his visit, Building A Stronger Swing and Equipment Affects Motion. Randy touched on several components of the tour player’s swing, and how it contrasted the swings that we see the amateur player making. In many instances, he explained, the amateurs are being pinned into weaker swing motions by trying to make clubs that are generally much too strong for them somehow perform.

Randy also told the attendees of the clinics how lucky they were to be here at Cordova Bay.

“You people are very lucky," he said. "With the staff at Cordova Bay, I would say that this is one of the top two or three places in the world to get clubs fit for you. And as the founder of a golf club manufacturer that only makes custom clubs, I have a factory in Australia, we have a German outlet. We have a connection in Hong Kong, I can tell you I have seen a lot of operations. This place has got to be right up there. And because of the direct connection of clubfitting to teaching … you obviously have a strong staff of coaches here.”

Strong praise indeed from Randy Henry, founder of Henry-Griffitts, and a coach who has worked with Peter Jacobsen, Dave and Mike Hill, Homero Blancas, Jim Dent, Tim Herron, Scott McCarron, Christina Kim, Sandra Palmer and Natalie Gulbis, to name just a few. Take advantage of what you’ve got. You can get the marketing sound bites from XYZ club manufacturer from anywhere in town. Or you can have a professional with a thorough knowledge of golf clubs and their influence on your swing motion take your game to the next level and beyond right here at Cordova Bay.

A look from the inside of your maintenance staff

I have been blessed to have some amazing people work with me during my 22 years as a golf course superintendent. The degree of dedication, commitment and pride that they exhibit during their summer job or lifelong career is admirable.

I may use a few examples that are experiences here at Cordova Bay, but I am certain that you will find the same commitment and dedication on all golf courses throughout Vancouver Island.

Over the years, our maintenance staff has been comprised of individuals of all ages. We have had staff as young as 13 and some of our senior staff have worked into their 80s. During the peak of our season in the summer, this team of 30 individuals from various walks of life all contribute to the golf course's success in a variety of ways, working to the best of their abilities to prepare the course for everyone to enjoy. During these efforts, because of the number of people that golf each day, interaction between maintenance staff and players is inevitable at times, and perhaps sharing our day-to-day activities with you might help shed some light on the subject.

Believe it or not, our alarm clocks go off between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m. each day. This gives us enough time to stand under some water for a couple of minutes while brushing our teeth and attempting to wake up from the sleep that has been too short on yet another night. Some of us eat, while others can’t stomach food that early, some drive into work, while others bike. But the common denominator that awaits us as we stroll into the maintenance building each morning around 5 o'clock is the company of those who share our lack of sleep each day, the smell of fresh coffee and a golf course that is waiting to be groomed for that day's play.

Mornings are usually hectic as we carry out the chores that we try our best to complete ahead of the first tee time. This includes preparing the course with course setup, raking bunkers, cutting tees, greens and fairways. We try to start 45 minutes before the first tee time each morning in an attempt to complete these duties before play, but inevitably the first group is usually a twosome with a cart and often a few groups are put out on the back nine. Thankfully, many of the early groups that go out each day are regulars and they understand the pressure we are under to complete the work efficiently and with attention to detail.

Once the morning chores have been completed, we usually break around 8:30 or 9:00 for a recharge on the coffee and a bite to get us through until lunch. During the break, the second wave of maintenance items is assigned, including detail work, string trimming, rough mowing, irrigation maintenance, gardening, etc. It is during these chores that maintenance activities often come across play and, although we try hard to be seen and not heard, this is virtually impossible with the equipment we use.

In summary, wherever your next game of golf takes you, I am sure you will come across some maintenance workers during your round. Take a minute to say hi and thank them for their efforts, because the individuals who work on your golf courses during ridiculous hours in the summer are the same dedicated group that will be waking up in the dark during the winter to the sound of rain. They know that they have that same common denominator waiting for them at the maintenance building -- good friends, the smell of coffee and a golf course that is waiting to be groomed for another day of play.

This article is dedicated to Peter Ukeniek, a young man who was on our 2006 maintenance team. He passed away on the weekend of July 15. We will miss you Pete.

Time to focus on the Club Championship

Hard to believe we are nearly in August. It has been a busy summer so far, with a great June Social – thanks to all who attended and said it was the most fun ever! Mark your calendars for next year, ladies.

We are currently looking forward to our upcoming Club Championship, Aug. 25-27, so be sure to get in your five qualifying ladies' events or ladies' days and sign up before Aug. 12. And we are looking forward to hearing the Riplees results, as all matches are completed.

I recently attended a Zone 5 Captain’s forum and was asked to remind our RCGA members:

All rounds played must be entered into the computer, at Cordova Bay or away, (like them or not!) including interclub matches which are entered as 'T' for tournament scores. If picking up in match play, enter the most likely score for that hole.

Our new Ladies' Club webpage is updated regularly with Cordova Bay news, Zone 5 and RCGA info. We will use this rather than the e-mail circulation for more of our communications in future, so be sure to visit it at cordovabaygolf.com and sign in (password available from the pro shop).

Congratulations to Miriam Nelken who scored an eagle three on No. 7 with a shot from 120 yards across the water that went in. Wow!

We live to dream ... see you on the course!

From Cathie Keener, Events Chair ...

A reminder about our Ladies' Club Championship, Aug. 26-27.
This is a great two-day competitive event (18 holes per day) that you won't want to miss! To qualify, you must have played five recorded Ladies' Day events as of Aug. 12, i.e. Ladies' Days, interclub, June Social, etc., and hold an established handicap no greater than 45 as of Aug. 12. Players with handicaps higher than 45 will play at 45. There will be four draw flights based on handicaps. A 'Kickoff' event will get underway on Friday, Aug. 25, at the Cordova Bay Ridge Course that includes the tournament rules clinic.

Entry forms are available in the locker room, as well as online.

Please contact Sybil Hurwitz ad urwitz@shaw.ca if you have any questions or wish further information.

From Karen Brown, Social Chair ...

Are you interested in sponsoring a hole at the Ladies' Club Championship? Professional signage, two days for only $60. Contact Karen Brown for more details and signup information at 727-7658 or karenjbrown@shaw.ca.

From Connie Dykstra, Vice-Captain ...

Hello everyone.

Our ladies have had a very successful interclub season (way to go ladies) thus far, winning all matches except two (losses to Olympic View and Nanaimo) with three Interclub matches remaining - Colwood, Arbutus and Salt Spring. Well done everyone, keep up the good playing and remember ... never give up!

Hole-In-One Hower

You can call her Roberta (Hole-In-One) Hower after her recent ace at Winchelsea View Golf Course in Nanaimo. Roberta used her trusty driver on the 150-yard sixth hole.

The lowdown on the stroke hole

By Penny Baziuk

The hardest hole at your course may not be the No. 1 stroke hole.

Most courses have a particular hole that strikes fear into all players. It usually requires a long approach shot and boasts plenty of hazards and perhaps a dastardly green thrown in for good measure. (Nos. 5 and 14 at Cordova Bay would fit this picture).

It seems logical that such a nasty golf hole would be designated the course's No. 1 stroke hole for handicap competition purposes, but if the RCGA recommendation of procedure for allocating stroke holes is followed, its place on the scorecard may surprise you.

The hole that is the toughest for all players is not likely the hole on which you most need a handicap stroke. A handicap stroke is intended as an equalizer, and should be available on a hole where the variance in score between a low handicapper and a high handicapper is greatest. (Nos. 2 and 10 at Cordova Bay are examples.)

Let's compare a scratch player and a bogey player on two holes. The fifth at Cordova Bay is 390 yards with greenside bunkers. The scratch player's approach shot from 190 yards often misses the green, resulting in a bogey most of the time. The bogey golfer comes up short of the green in two, but pitches up and often makes bogey as well. Although they both consider the hole to be difficult, they generally halve the hole.

The 10th hole at Cordova Bay is 350 yards with water in front of the green. The scratch player has a mid- to short iron to the green and would expect to make par at worst The bogey golfer has a longer approach shot and has to lay up to the water. The difference in ability is magnified on such a hole, as is the need for a handicap stroke.

For more information on this, go to the RCGA website www.rcga.org and view a copy of the Handicap Manual. It is very interesting.

A Perfect Penny!
Congratulations to Penny Baziuk, who recently had a hole-in-one on No. 13 and scored her best round ever, 67, beating her previous course record of 68! Aside from the ace (it was Penny's fourth hole-in-one) she also carded six birdies in going low to 67.

Our interclub woes

The Willie Park (no handicap) and Harry Young (using handicaps) interclub competitions wrapped up last month, with both Cordova Bay teams getting good marks for participation. The Willie Park team was last in A Division, thereby relegated to B Division for next year. The Harry Young team struggled early this season, but ended up tied for fourth spot overall. Many thanks to all who participated from team captains Mike Oliver and Larry Bachiu.

2006 Willie Park Final Standings
A Division	Points	Matches
Victoria	67.5	10
Glen Meadows	56	10
Uplands	43.5	10
Royal Colwood	39.5	10
Gorge Vale	39	10
Cordova Bay	24.5	10
B Division	Points	Matches
Bear Mountain	46.5	8
Duncan Meadows	43	8
Olympic View	36.5	8
Cowichan	30	8
Cedar Hill	24	8

2006 Harry Young Interclub Final Standings
Cedar Hill	59.5
Uplands	58
Victoria	54.5
Cordova Bay	52.5
Duncan Meadows	52.5
Gorge Vale	48.5
Olympic View	47.5
Arbutus Ridge	47
Glen Meadows	46.5
Cowichan	43
Royal Colwood	42.5
Bear Mountain	42

The Senior Men's Club Championship is less than a month away, (Aug. 14-15), so start putting all those lessons and new equipment to good practice ... and make sure to put in your entry form. All Men's Club members 55 years and overare eligible. Three flights of low, medium and high handicaps will compete for pro shop script prizes.

The Men's Club Championship goes Sept. 16-17; with four handicap flights. Entry forms are in the pro shop.

Tournament Schedule
June/July/August: Laurie Caroll Cup (match play)
Aug. 14-15: Seniors Club Championship (flighted medal play, age 55-plus)
Aug. (TBA): Four-club event (9&Dine)
Sept. 16-17: Club Championship (flighted medal play)
Oct. 15: Partners (two-man team event; 6/6/6)
Nov. 12: Autumn Leaves and annual general meeting (Individual Stableford and Hidden Team Stableford)

Pro-spective: Play 'smart golf'

By Brian Hann
CPGA Teaching Professional
Henry-Griffitts Master Clubfitter

I ask each and every one of my students what their take is on the concept of course management, and I have gotten some pretty interesting answers. Most have heard the term before, and some have a strong idea what course management entails, yet there are few that know how to develop a strategy to manage their own game. This is one of the reasons why we have taken to spending some of our coaching time on the actual golf course. There are many strategic principles that we can outline while we’re out on the course, and there are situational learning opportunities that can only happen on the battleground.

I would like to share a methodology for infusing some 'smart golf' into your game immediately. The smart choice rarely means aiming at a distant flag at the far end of a long fairway, and then smashing the ball as hard as humanly possible. Sometimes there is a better way to get the job done, and herein lies the formula. You’ll need to ask yourself a few questions before you even tee your ball.

How many shots to reach the green? (Realistically)
Given the answer to Question One, where shall I hit my approach shot from? (Distance and angle)
How can I best play to my strengths and away from my weaknesses?

The answers to these questions will lead you to some sort of game plan for the hole.

Let’s look at an example, using a fictitious player. Her name is Beatrice. She stands on the 18th tee at Cordova Bay. The hole measures 410 yards. She brings her 33 handicap with her. And her great fear of bunkers. Like most 33 handicaps, she never practises pitching. She can hit a pretty solid 7-wood, though. Very inconsistent with the driver. Let’s review the questions, and give Beatrice a bullet-proof game plan for No. 18.

How many shots? Four shots to reach the green, because even if she tags her best drive, she doesn’t have the firepower to negotiate the remaining 265 yards in only two more blows. Plus, as a 33 handicap, she’s not likely to hit three 'career' shots in succession.
Where to approach from? Bea’s favourite club is her 9-iron from 75 yards. She’d like to approach from the right side of the fairway in order to avoid a forced carry over water on her approach. Any closer to the green, and she risks having to hit a pitch shot.
How to play to strengths, and away from weaknesses? If we subtract 75 yards from 410, that means she has to negotiate 335 yards in her first three shots, an average of about 112 yards per shot. No problem. In fact, in acknowledgement of the fairway bunkers down the right, she’s going to aim down the left side off the tee. This will lengthen the hole by perhaps 10 yards. In adding 10 yards to the hole, her first three shots still need only average 115 yards per shot. Since her 7-wood goes in the neighbourhood of 125, she gets to give it a swat from the tee box. And then she gets to hit it again. With two decent shots, she needs only to advance the ball about 95 yards on her next one, a perfect 6-iron for her. And there her ball lies. Right where her intuition and experience told her she should be approaching from, 75 yards out, from the right side of the fairway, with her 9-iron in her hand. Green light for Bea.

Get yourself to the green light zone more often. Use these simple questions to lead you to a golf road map for each hole. Remember, there are many ways to get from A to B. Your challenge is to up your percentages by playing to your strengths.

Take a shot for a Lexus
at our Short Game Expo

Confirmed vendors for the Short Game Expo:

Anyone interested in wheeling to and fro in a 2006 Lexus IS250? If so, then make sure you're at The Ridge Course for the Cordova Bay Short Game Expo on Saturday, Aug. 26.

Short Game Expo goes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature clinics, advice from our teaching pros and club reps to let you try their latest equipment. To punctuate the day's activity, up to a dozen people will participate in a hole-in-one contest and, should someone plop their tee shot into the cup, they drive away in a Lexus IS250. If no one has an ace up his/her sleeve, the closest to the pin gets a Lexus GS 430 for a weekend, courtesy of Metro Lexus Toyota.

Short Game Expo includes:

* Golf club company reps on-site with product for you to sample. You'll be able to test drive just about any putter or wedge on the market. These, of course, are the clubs that count -- the scoring clubs.

* The Cordova Bay staff of PGA professionals will offer tips and conduct a series of 15-minute club-fitting clinics throughout the day. They'll answer your questions and help build the perfect set of clubs for you.

TWO-FOR-ONE SPECIAL: Available Aug. 1, our members can purchase two Short Game Expo admissions for the price of one -- $12. That includes a complimentary round at The Ridge for each person.

Admission for the public is $12 per person and also includes a complimentary round at The Ridge.

All those who purchase tickets, which will be available in the Cordova Bay pro shop and at The Ridge, will have their name entered in the draw to participate in the hole-in-one contest at the end of the day.

Say hello to Nicole

We would like to invite you to reacquaint yourselves with Bill Mattick’s Restaurant at Cordova Bay. For the past 15 years, chef Walter Gurtner and his crew have been developing a loyal following here.

However, in the last year or so, we have had some challenges with our growth, many of them service related. We have listened to the feedback we’ve received from many of you, and we are proud to announce that we have made some changes to fix the service issues. We have hired more staff and a new front end manager, Nicole Caldwell (pictured at left).

Nicole brings 11 years of service-related experience to her new position in Bill Mattick’s. Her restaurant experience started in 1995 at Hazelmere Golf and Country Club, located in the Lower Mainland, and fueled the fire for Nicole to pursue a career in the hospitality industry. Nicole completed a Hotel and Restaurant Management diploma program at Vancouver Community College in 1999, and went on to complete her Bachelors of Commerce at the University of Victoria. Nicole diversified her experience in the customer service field, working in hotels as a restaurant supervisor, a banquet manager and an assistant front office manager. After a short time as a spa manager, Nicole decided to return to her love of the food and beverage sector of the business, and a recent move back to Vancouver Island has landed her in her current position.

Nicole is looking forward to providing great leadership to a wonderful staff and helping to create a fantastic experience for golfers, and all other customers alike. The rest of us at Cordova Bay are looking forward to the improvements, and would like to see you soon!

American Robin
Turdus migratorious
Length 10 inches
Wing span 17 inches
Weight 2.7 ounces

(In conjunction with our Audubon Certification, we are pleased to share with you short feature each month on the numerous resident birds you will encounter when golfing here at CBGC. This month, we bring you the American robin.)

The American robin is such a common bird that many of us have them in our yard and take them for granted. Robins are not shy and they like to frequent the garden and lawn after a nice watering or rain shower. They may even choose to build a nest in your yard right before your eyes if you take the time to look. If you happen to find their nest, you can watch the progress of the babies. One day you may come home from work or golf and the nest will be empty and you will see the young robin in your garden waiting to be fed, making the most annoying chirping waiting for the mom or dad to return to feed. This is a great thing to see.

American robins are the largest of the thrushes. They are grey black above with brick red below with a black head and tail in males and dull grey tail in the females. They have white eye crescents, a yellow bill and a dull white occasionally streaked throat. Juveniles are dark on top with feathers on the back, upper wings and rump having streaks of white with blackish tips, giving them a speckled appearance. Their plumage is moulted sometime between August and October, depending on the time of year they were born. Robins have one of the most cheery voices of all birds. They are often the first bird to sing in the morning and will do so a bit throughout the day and also at dusk.

American robins are mostly seen forging for earthworms on lawns. There is a debate going on whether they see their food or hear it, and most people say they only see it. I myself don't know what to believe. However robins get their food, its a good way because they tend to get many worms from my lawn and my gardens. Robins also feed on a mixture of fruits, berries, grubs, caterpillars and grasshoppers. They can be found in many areas such as downtown, gardens, open woodlands, agricultural land and they love all the gassy areas of the golf course.

American robins prefer to nest in wooded areas, but they will also nest right next to your front door if provided some sheltered area. Some nests have even been been found on windowsills. The nest is a well-made cup of mud, reinforced with grass and twigs, lined with softer grasses built by the female, with the male helping to collect some of the material. Three to five blue-green eggs are laid and incubated by the female. Male and female both tend to the young once hatched. Two broods are usually laid in one season.

American robins are very social birds and will forage in groups when it is not mating season. They are also known to roost together for the night.

Please enjoy the beautiful song of these birds in the mornings, and take some time out of your busy day to watch them forage for food in your yard. Hopefully one day you will be lucky enough to have a nest nearby and you can enjoy their family as we did this year.

Happy birding.

(Nellie Harrington is pleased to bring you this month's feature flower/plant/tree that is located here at Cordova Bay with some tips and tricks on how to grow them.)

Common Name: Bear’s Breeches
Latin Name: Acanthus mollis
Zones: 4-24

Acanthus is considered a perennial and is native to southern Europe.

Acanthus is a fast-growing, spreading plant with shiny, dark green leaves. It will grow three to four feet tall and will spread to be quite wide. It can, however, be kept in check without too much effort.

Acanthus blooms in late spring or early summer.

The spikes are very upright and rigid. I do not know of any other plant that has the same flower spikes, so it makes it very easy to identify. The flower and spikes are white with purple and lilac colored petals. There is a sharp, green edge layered within the flowers.

It is not fussy about its growing conditions and will thrive in sun or light shade. It does like to be kept moist, but will still look great if it dries out between waterings. The leaves and flowers are good in floral arrangements.

Deer occasionally try to taste test this plant, but I think the flower spikes are too sharpt for their liking.

Insects don’t seem to bother this beautiful perennial. The honey bees squeeze in between the layered petals to collect their pollen.

Acanthus looks very tropical and lush beside a creek or pond. We have several Acanthus. They reside by No. 18 green and at Mattick’s Farm.

There's nothing like life on the Hill

Sayward Hill is one of Victoria’s premier condominium developments, featuring stunning panoramic views of Cordova Bay Golf Course, Haro Strait, the Gulf and San Juan Islands and Mount Baker. 738 Sayward Hill Terrace, the most recent addition to Sayward Hill, is now under construction with anticipated completion in March 2007. Typical units are 1,850 square feet, featuring quality concrete and steel construction and high-end finishing packages, including gourmet kitchens, stainless steel KitchenAid architect series appliances, granite and marble counter tops, spa-inspired baths, high-tech wiring, open floor plans, entertainment-sized decks and secure parking. The three penthouse units feature a Viking designer series appliance package, skylights, air conditioning, two parking stalls and many extras.

The amazing West Coast lifestyle, natural beauty and shear luxury of Sayward Hill make it an ideal location for a year-round, seasonal or vacation home. Sayward Hill is packed with lifestyle amenities and offers buyers a new outlook on life. Acting as a front yard for the development are two golf courses, Cordova Bay Golf Course, an 18-hole championship course named one of the “Five Great Golf Destinations” by Golf Canada Magazine, and the Ridge Course, a nine-hole par three, both open 365 days a year. Next door is Mattick’s Farm, featuring unique shops and many conveniences, including a market offering local and organic produce. Residents have numerous walking and biking trails to choose from and beach access is less than 1 km away. For the boating enthusiast, world-class marinas are just a short drive away. Sayward Hill is located 20 minutes from Victoria International Airport and 25 minutes from the ferry terminal.

Named the best city in the Americas twice since the year 2000, Victoria boasts the mildest climate in Canada and has well earned its reputation as the Garden City. The historical capital city features extraordinary cuisine, beautiful beaches, outdoor adventures, museums, galleries and a host of cultural experiences all set against the backdrop of the Pacific West Coast.

Pre-completion prices at Sayward Hill start at $800,000. For more information on Sayward Hill, please visit www.saywardhill.com or call the Sayward Hill Sales Office at (250) 658-4700 and prepare to change your outlook on life.

Your Comments: We want to hear your comments! Please send us, write us or, even better, e-mail us at info@cordovabaygolf.com

To: Jim Goddard and staff ...

I want to congratulate all those involved with the 15 year ceremony (July 7).
We were 'piped' to the first tee box in the morning. We had a great golf game with a fabulous meal including live music.
It showed that 'our' course is a 'class' course with 'class' people. (Of course we knew that.)
A GREAT BIG thank you Cordova Bay folks. Well done!
Ray Shergold

We absolutely had a blast (July 7). It really felt like a family party. Thanks to all the staff who made it so much fun for everyone. Great golf course, and great to feel a part of it. Here's to many more!
Best Regards,
Bob Wheaton

Re the article by Dylan G Dylan on Alan Swan ...

Thank you so much, that the Golf Course took the time to write about his achievements. This is the second time he has been in the newsletter, and as Alan's Mom I am very touched by your comments on Alan. Cordova Bay golf course is so important to Alan, its all he talks about every week, you have made him feel such a part of yourwhat a beautiful send off for Alan to Brandon to know team. I have no idea how to say THANKS but please know that his Mom and Dad are so grateful to you all for making Alan feel such a valued part of your team.
Regards
Beryl and Mal

Thanks for the fine article about Al, and the reiteration of what we like about this game in regard to what it brings out in us. The Special Olympics' motto similarily seems about 'trying in your best manner.' So thanks also to Jim for bringing Al Swan into the stream of life flowing through Cordova Bay.
Rayny Day

Adrian and I wanted to thank you for hosting such a 15th anniversary day for all the members/regulars. It was such a wonderful, sunny day. There is nowhere else we would rather have been. The course is in beautiful condition. Such a pleasure to play. The food was a special touch that was much appreciated and enjoyed. We are so happy and proud to have Cordova Bay as our home course. All of you, and your staff, make it a very special place to play golf and hang out. Please extend our thanks to all of them for always going that extra little bit. It's noticed and appreciated.
Shelley Eaves

I just wanted you to pass on my thanks for the great day on (July 7). It was so nice to see the appreciation to the staff and members. Hope you all had a good day as well. Good golfing and cheers to all.
Claudette Walker

Re Jim Goddard's article in the June newsletter ..

I am sure I am not the first to correct you on the spelling koi (not coy, as in demure). Further, they are not 'goldfish' -- they are inbred from carp.
My husband, who is a biologist and holds a PhD in fish physiology, has raised koi as a hobby since his retirement and is currently the president of the Victoria Kai Ichi Koi Club. Koi from Japan can reach tens of thousands of dollars per fish (not the ones we have) ... one even sold for $1 million.
They have shows just as North Americans might have dog shows. The Japanese sell mostly to wealthy Europeans.
It's interesting to note that in Japan koi are revered; in New Zealand they are considered 'garbage fish.'
Cheers, Gwen Langford

(Editor's Note: Jim doesn't want to seem koi (oops, coy), but he finds all this rather fishy. What we want to know is this: What can your PhD hubby tell us about the 155-pound Silver Top who flopped into the pond that night?