Commission Members in Attendance:
Brit Lawlor – Chairman
Joe Dabrowski – Greens
Jeff Nagel – Membership/Course Assessment
Mike Mislin – Violations
Ryan Stanley – Tournaments
Tara Ford – Women’s Locker Room & Beverage
Mike Cioffi – Men’s Locker Room & Beverage/Special Projects
Others in Attendance:
Jimmy Von Eschen – Director of Golf
John Mackie – Assistant Golf Professional
Chris Johnson – Golf Course Superintendent
Ray Fell – Village Mayor/Member
Vic Cisario – Member
Mike Dioguardo – Member
Gabe Gallo – Member
Michelle Lemoal-Gray – Member
Pat Lavelle – Member
Arlene Trigg – Member
Michael Auerbach – Member
Pat Comiskey – Member
Bob Scalia – Member
Pat Dowd – Member
Ralph Gallo – Member
Motion to start meeting by Joe Dabrowski, Jeff Nagel 2nds it; accepted by Brit Lawlor. Meeting officially starts at 6:03PM.
Violations Report, presented by Mike Mislin
Nothing to report.
Men’s Locker Room & Beverage/Special Project Report, presented by Mike Cioffi
Mike begins by stating that there is not much going on in regards to Peter’s on the Green. In regards to the erosion project, he continues by stating that the project is 2 weeks away from final filing with the DEC. Mike then says that as far as the new Pro Shop and Locker Room building, that project is going to the Village Board next month for contract approval.
Women’s Locker Room & Beverage Report, presented by Tara Ford
Tara states that she really doesn’t have much. The ladies played in their first WMGA match of the season yesterday which resulted in a loss to Old Westbury. Tara also would like to thank those who made the new air conditioner in the Ladies Locker Room possible, as she noticed it was ready for install. Jim Von Eschen states that it should be getting installed shortly.
Tournaments Report, presented by Ryan Stanley
Mr. Stanley states that we are getting into our tournament schedule down at the club. Upcoming we have the Spring Ryder Cup which will be held on May 6th, President’s Cup on May 20th, Team 4 Ball Championship on May 27th with the Match Play tournament to be held throughout the Summer.
Greens/Course Assessment Report, presented by Joe Dabrowski
Joe begins by stating that Chris and the rest of his crew has been adding sand to bunkers this Spring, with a few more to go still. In regards to the WetJect process, Joe says that it went great and so far, has heard great feedback with how the greens have been rolling after the process. Being able to get a lot more sand into the profile of the greens is only going to be more beneficial for us in the future. Joe continues by saying that hopefully, this is a process that we can continue use in the future, with Chris Johnson’s approval.
Moving on to the project on holes 4 and 5, Joe states that Chris will be hydro seeding the back bunker (in addition to some other spots around the course) and asks that membership stays patient as these areas will be out of play. He continues, saying that sand is in the back bunker of 4 with the holes looking to open within a week; Joe makes it very clear that the opening of these holes will be weather dependent. Jim Von Eschen says that when we do decide to open the holes, an email and text will go out regarding how these new areas should be handled. Joe states that the darker grass (bent grass) will be considered green for the foreseeable future, so he asks the membership to not chip off of these areas once they open; members are more than welcome to putt from these areas or take a free drop (no closer to hole) if they wish to chip. To close, Joe says that we’ve had a very dry April, which obviously makes it tough to grow grass but he is optimistic that more rain is on the way.
Membership Report, presented by Jeff Nagel
Mr. Nagel welcomes everybody to the meeting and begins by saying that we had a few more residents join in recent weeks to put us at 399 members. Jeff mentions that there is still a couple hundred on the waiting list and we should be thrilled with how healthy the golf course is doing in regards to membership.
Few more joined to get to 399, couple hundred on the waiting list still. Golf course is healthy and doing well
Superintendents Report, presented by Chris Johnson
Chris starts by stating that him and Joe are in constant communication, so what he says is accurate in regards to what we’re trying to do. In regards to the WetJect, the regular Spring aerification is tough to get a lot of sand down into the profile – normally, if we can get it about 2 inches down, we’re happy. With this process, we’re able to get sand about 5 or 6 inches into the profile of the greens. The process was definitely a rocky start but Chris states that once they got going, it is something that we can definitely benefit from moving forward. Chris says that getting sand into the profile allows us to create the firmness and speed that we desire as well as creating a great drainage system for when we do get too much rain; overall it will help create better playability for the golfer. Mr. Lawlor asks Chris how much more sand we were able to get into the profile – Chris responds by saying we got a total of 50 tons into the profile with this process. Chris says that technology is always changing and getting sand into the profile is the best thing you can do for a course. Jimmy iterates that we will still have to pull a plug at some point in the year, which we will do during our Late Summer/Fall aeration.
Director of Golf Report, presented by Jim Von Eschen
Jim states that as Mr. Cioffi said, the grant for the erosion project is progressing and we are in the process of that. As far as the BGC tournament season, Jim states that we are just getting going. He continues to say that both the club tournaments and outside outings can be found on the bellportgolfclub.com website (under the “Events” tab), with our Women’s and Men’s Tournament Days beginning on May 16th and 17th, respectively. Jim continues saying that we have had great feedback in the performance of the greens since the WetJect took place. In regards to the new areas around holes 4 and 5, he states that you may chip off of the longer grass that is located in front of 5 and to the golfer’s right of 4; the bent sod will be treated as green and they can NOT be chipped off of. Jimmy finishes saying that the areas which were hydro-seeded will be played as ground under repair. Pat Comiskey asks Jim how big the front of hole 4 will be, to which Jimmy states that it will end up almost doubling in size.
Comments from the Crowd
Pat Comiskey – In regards to the 10th hole drop zone, Pat mentions that those who play the white, blue or black tees get a yardage advantage when playing from the drop zone while those who play from the red tees don’t see that much of an advantage. She is wondering what the chances are that the red tee drop zone can be placed on the other side of the water. Tara Ford states that because the hazard is the water, you must keep the water in front of you. Brit Lawlor brings up the old drop zone on the 11th hole in which the USGA advised the club to get rid of from a rules standpoint. Pat would also like to thank whoever put the sign up in the Ladies Locker Room regarding the shoe service.
Mike Dioguardo – Mr. Dioguardo would like to know when Chris will cut the greens again. Chris said that they cut them yesterday and since the grass is barely growing, we are still pulling up a lot of sand. Chris says that they are rolling the greens every day but will ramp up the cutting once the grass starts to grow a little bit.
Gabe Gallo – Mr. Gallo begins by asking for ball washers. Tara says that they will not be putting them out because of the smell. Brit also states that they are trying to get rid of them to clean up the look of the course but they are not out yet. Gabe then asks if the cart fee as gone up – Brit answers that they have. Jimmy says that they are up to $28.54 with the tax bringing it to $31.00. Jimmy states that Fairways Golf Carts told us that our carts should cost $32 and this was 3 years ago. Jimmy continues that we are not mandatory carts, especially on the weekend and if we were, we’d be able to bring that cost down, but again we are not. If we were to go mandatory, we would need more carts and storage to suffice but without the room, it is difficult. Jim states that the only private course that is cheaper than us is Hampton Hills. With cart plan options, you have the ability to pay less if you want to put the money up front. Bob Scalia asks if this season is the last with our carts, to which Jimmy says that we hope that we are going to get new carts soon, but only when Yamaha will produce them (Jimmy does not like the club cars).
Ralph Gallo – Ralph asks if the erosion project will affect holes being closed. Brit states that it shouldn’t as dredging the canal is the number one priority, with the plantings to follow after that.
Meeting ends at 6:27pm