September 29, 2021
Commission Members in Attendance:
Brit Lawlor – Chairman
Ron Krawczyk – Deputy Chairman
Jeff Nagel – Membership & Marketing
Joe Dabrowski – Greens
Mike Mislin – Violations
Mike Cioffi – Men’s Locker Room/Food and Beverage
Tara Ford – Women’s Locker Room/Food and Beverage
Others in Attendance:
Jim Von Eschen – Director of Golf
John Mackie – Assistant Golf Professional
Chris Johnson – Superintendent
John Daley – Member
Lisa White – Member
Michael Dioguardo – Member
Michael Auerbach – Member
John Baldassarri – Member
Denny Brown – Member
John Robilotta – Member
Vic Cisario – Member
Mike Foster – Member
Motion to start meeting by Joe Dabrowski, Jeff Nagel 2nds it; accepted by Brit Lawlor. Meeting officially starts at 6:04PM.
Chairman’s Report, presented by Brit Lawlor
Brit mentions that he only has two pieces of correspondence. A member had recently had back surgery in the beginning of August. They are looking to take some portion of the dues from the 2021 season, and transfer them to the 2022 golf season. Brit states that this specific member last played in the beginning of August and believes that they should receive a 20% credit. The Golf Commission unanimously passes the 20% credit.
A BGC Member is having a foot procedure which will prohibit them from playing for the rest of the season. Since they played through the beginning of September and it is late in the season, Brit suggests a 10% credit in dues for the 2022 season. The Golf Commission unanimously passes the 10% credit.
Women’s Locker Room/Food and Beverage Report, presented by Tara Ford
Nothing to report; everybody seems happy and Tara says that she has had no complaints.
Membership Report, presented by Jeff Nagel
Jeff states that our waiting list is still well over 100 players. He also states that the golf course is in great shape with the greens rolling perfectly.
Deputy Chairman’s Report, presented by Ron Krawczyk
Ron reiterates Jeff’s statement on the golf course conditions. Ron says that in regards to the Flagpole Fund, the money is starting to come in with about $3500 already donated. As more money continues to come in, Ron says he will keep the Commission posted.
Men’s Locker Room/Food and Beverage Report, presented by Mike Cioffi
Mike has nothing to report on in regards to the Locker Room or Gus. He says that they Flagpole and lighting will be roughly just north of $20000. As Ron states, Mike says that they will reconvene as the money continues to come in.
In regards to the erosion project, Mike says that they are approved for the first phase of the project. Mike, Chris Johnson, Ray Fell and Jim Von Eschen will meet with the company to talk about what they can/can’t do to interrupt play on the golf course. Mike says that Phase 1 is roughly 3-6 months. Tara asks if the first phase is exploratory. Mike responds by saying yes, they are monitoring water levels, brackish water, storm surge, etc. Additionally, Mike says that Phase 1 will get to see where the ice is during the Winter months and see if the ice is actually getting under the land.
Brit thanks Mike Cioffi for all of his work that he has done on this project.
Violations Report, presented by Mike Mislin
Nothing to report.
Tournament Report, presented by Jim Von Eschen
Ryan Stanley could not attend the meeting, so Jim Von Eschen is presenting on his behalf. Jim states that over Labor Day Weekend, we held our annual Member/Member tournament. As a reminder, Jim states that each flight was made up of four, two-person teams who played 18 holes of match play, each day. The results for the event are as follows:
Nicklaus Flight
Winners – Bill Hope & Lee Stocker – 31.5 Points
Runner Ups – Mike Aronsen & Joe Dabrowski – 31 Points
Woods Flight
Winners – Tom Longo & Mike Mislin – 33.5 Points
Runner Ups – Anthony Pepitone & Jim Cottone – 30.5 Points
Trevino Flight
Winners – Deb Capozzi & Lee Redvanly – 35 Points
Runner Ups – Ryan Stanley & Joe Ferme – 30 Points
Watson Flight
Winners – Anthony Sorrentino & Wayne Atkins – 33.5 Points
Runner Ups – Tom Curley & Ken Steiger – 33 Points
Snead Flight
Winners – Arthur Abrahamsen & Wayne Black – 38.5 Points
Runner Ups – Ray Fell & Al Inserra – 30.5 Points
Hogan Flight
Winners – Vito Aniello & Mike Mucci – 30 Points
Runner Ups – Jim Comiskey & Joe Vitarelli – 29.5 Points
Additionally, in the month of September, we held the first weekend of our Club Championship. The weekend consisted of the Women’s A Flight and the Men’s B & C Flights. Over 36 holes of Stroke play, the Gross and Net results are as follows:
Women’s A Flight
Gross
1st Place – Tara Ford (194)
T2nd Place – Julie Callahan, Sue Magner (195)
Net
1st Place – Tara Ford (152)
T2nd Place – Pat Lavelle, Sue Magner (155)
Men’s B Flight
Gross
1st Place – Matt Miller* (168)
2nd Place – Roberto Carreras (168)
3rd Place – Patrick Napolitano (170)
Net
T1st Place – Matt Miller, John Baldassarri (144)
T3rd Place – Roberto Carreras, Neal Smith (146)
Men’s C Flight
Gross
1st Place – Ken O’Leary (177)
2nd Place – Jerry Andritz (188)
T3rd Place – Sung Jo Kim, Richard Feinsilver (189)
Net
1st Place – Ken O’Leary (147)
2nd Place – Sung Jo Kim (151)
3rd Place – Michael Mucci (154)
*Denotes won in a playoff
Jim continues by stating that our Women (Debbie Capozzi & Lee Redvanly) advanced in the MGA/MET Net Championship. The Ladies finished 4th in the Net Division and 2nd in the Gross Division. Our Men struggled. Once we know for sure where the Ladies are playing next, we will send our an email to the Club.
The upcoming events at the club consist of our 2nd weekend of the Club Championship; Jim states that this weekend will be the Men’s & Ladies Championship flights and the Men’s A Flight. Lastly, Jim says that our End of the Year Ryder Cup will be played on October 23rd.
Greens Report, presented by Joe Dabrowski
Joe says that at this time of the year, the crew is into their general maintenance. After finishing greens aeration, a little late due to some poor weather, Joe says that the greens are looking good. Some surrounds have been done already with the fairways scheduled to be completed in the middle of October. While talking with Chris Johnson, Joe states that they will be looking at adding some drainage in the back green/fringe. Additionally, Joe says that him and Chris have talked about deep tining the front approaches and sanding them to increase the playability. Chris Johnson says that it will be like how they have improved the greens conditions over the years.
While speaking on our Winter Project, Joe explains that the project is to remove the pond on 18, shift the 1st tee West of current spot and add bunkering on 18 to provoke a lay up shot into the area where the pond currently is. Joe continues, stating that this is in line with the Love/Kingston 5 year plan, which would create some room for a potential practice facility. Joe says that it will be an in-house project with Chris Johnson and Parkland heading the project.
Director of Golf Report, presented by Jim Von Eschen
Nothing to report. Jim states that things will start to really slow down after this week’s Skins Games and the Kris Kringle outing.
Superintendent Report, presented by Chris Johnson
Chris says that he and Joe talk pretty regularly so they are on the same page in regards to Joe’s comments. Chris says that getting more sand into the turf throughout the entire golf course would be ideal but he understands it is not in the budget. Chris claims that we have to get more sand into the approaches to help with drainage and firm them up for better playability. Chris believes that the deep tine that Joe talked about would be a great start. Brit asks Chris if it is a material issue or a man power issue, when talking about how come it could not get done. Chris states that it is a material issue; although sand gets ordered throughout the year, Chris says that it is a tough time of the year to order sand without any questions. Chris concludes that he believes this is what needs to be done for Bellport to make the next step as a club.
Mike Mislin asks if adding sand to the greens profile changes the topography of the green. Chris answers by saying it does not because they remove the organic matter. They are simply replacing it with sand. Chris says that one place where sand does build up is the front of the greens (known as “Collar Damns”). The Collar Damns can be removed but it is a time-consuming process; Chris states that it is definitely something he would like to look at going forward.
Brit Lawlor thanks Jimmy, John, Kyle and the rest of the Golf Staff as well as Chris, Steve and the maintenance staff for the work done throughout the season.
Mayors Report, presented by Ray Fell
Ray begins by stating that our current wait list consists of 173 people. He urges people to understand that not all 173 would still say “yes” given a phone call. Some may have joined another club, or reconsidered, etc. Nonetheless, Ray says that this is a very healthy list and it is due to the current course conditions and the atmosphere that we have created at BGC. In other news, Ray says that we are struggling with the geese. He mentions that they are smart and know that in the afternoon, when nobody is here, they can land without issue. Well, since Chris bought the Goosinator! Ray mentions that the geese retract as soon as they see it. Chris explains that the Goosinator is a remote controlled and can glide on the water and on the land during the Winter. Ray says that this should help going forward.
Ray continues to thank Jimmy, John, Kyle and Chris for the reputation that the course is starting to have. He extends the thank you to the recent Commission members for their help in the success of the golf course throughout recent years. Lastly, Ray thanks Mike Cioffi for his work on the current erosion project. Ray says that Phase 1 is roughly $38000 and with this information, they will be able to come up with a plan to fix the problem. Ray says that the experts believe that if nothing is done, that in 5-6 years we will lose parts of the 11th fairway or the 10th hole. The Village will see the report from Phase 1 and make a decision from there.
Comments from the Crowd
John Daley – Mr. Daley states that all of his guys are really happy with everything.
Michael Foster – Mr. Foster says that John Daley previously stated that he would like the berm behind the 18th hole. Mr. Foster says that the Bellport Village Program Fund (BVPF) would like to spend money to look at what is there and how it can be restored. Mr. Foster mentions that it was the BVPF who originally funded the plantings. Brit Lawlor says that he would accept that from the BVPF. Brit also states that the real issue here is that it is a maintenance issue; Chris does not have the man-power to upkeep the area as it should be. Mr. Daley questions when we would have an answer on this issue. Brit says to give BVPF some time and come the next meeting we will have an answer. Secondly, when referring to the Winter Project to be done, Mr. Foster questions if the money being used is the Capital Assessment (CA). Brit says that yes, the Winter Project consisting of removing the pond, moving the 1st tee West, adding a few cross bunkers, to keep strategy to the hole, will all come out of the CA. Brit reiterates that the Village will not be paying a dime for this project. Ray Fell also says that the members of the golf course will not be paying for the erosion project; Ray states that the Village will be taking that cost.
John Robilotta – Mr. Robilotta states that he loves the golf course but would like a better understanding of how the deep tine that Chris Johnson was talking about would help the golf course. Chris explains that they will lay a thick layer of sand down in the approaches and with a solid tine, they will go over the sand area. Chris explains that this process will make holes in the fairway similar to aeration, but it will not remove a core. Once the sand dries completely, they will push the sand into the open holes and get more sand into the profile of the grass. Chris states that more sand equates to better drainage, something that our golf course struggles with. If it works as Chris believes it will, this could be a process that gets added to our maintenance routine throughout the year (twice a year, similar to greens aeration). Mike Mislin compares it to the greens before Chris took over and where they are now. Jim Von Eschen states that they are always trying to get the thatch layer out of the turf. Playability becomes much better when the turf conditions cooperate.
Michael Auerbach – Mr. Auerbach states that the way that Chris and the Commission are approaching the golf course (linksy) is awesome. He states that he is getting compliments from people all over the MET area in regards to Bellport. Rave reviews from his peers, stating that the “firm and fast” conditioning of the golf course makes it fun, but challenging.
Jim Von Eschen would like to congratulate Mr. Auerbach for finishing the year as the #2 ranked player in the Long Island Amateur points list for the 2021 season. Jim says that he is making Bellport proud.
Ron Krawczyk makes a motion to end the meeting, Joe Dabrowski 2nd it. Meeting officially ends at 6:44PM.