Commission Members in Attendance:
Brit Lawlor – Chairman
Ron Krawczyk – Deputy Chairman
Joe Dabrowski – Greens/Capital Assessment
Kevin Lauretti – Handicap/Capital Assessment
Jeff Nagel – Membership/Capital Assessment
Mike Mislin – Violations
Ryan Stanley – Tournament
Members in Attendance:
Peter Craz, John Baldassarri, Frank Lavacca, John Gennusa, Vic Cisario, Vinny Bruno, John Tirelli, Tony Castellano, Larry Ferrara, Michael Auerbach, Bob Scalia, Dave McGrath Sr, Dave McGrath Jr, Gary Duff, Pat Comiskey, Anthony Pomilla, Larry Sparks
Others in Attendance:
Jim Von Eschen – Director of Golf Chris Johnson – Course Superintendent
John Mackie – Assistant Golf Pro Christine Novelli – Village Employee
Maureen Veitch – Village Mayor Nathan Rohrmeier – Village Trustee
Motion to accept the minuets by Ron Krawczyk, 2nd by Ryan Stanley. Brit welcomes everybody and the meeting officially starts at 6:04PM.
Brit begins the meeting by offering the floor to Mayor Maureen Veitch. Maureen states that since the Village has a new Mayor, all Commission members must be sworn in under the new regime. At this point, the commission members in attendance get sworn in with Christine Novelli as a notary witness.
Tournament Report, presented by Ryan Stanley
Ryan says hello to the crowd before getting into his report. Beginning his report, Ryan states that the Women’s Member/Guest tournament looked like it was a great day and everybody got in before the heavy rains came which was nice. The Net tournament was won by Bobbie Bauer, Rosie Terrible, Kathy Laguardia and Catherine Cervelli while the Gross tournament was won by Debbie Capozzi, Annette Broderick, Carrie Gangle and Christina Macina. Lastly, the Mixed Pinehurst was held on August 10th with Al Inserra and Wendy Foster shooting a net 65 to take the 2024 title.
Looking forward to the month of September, we have our Member/Member tournament this weekend (Ryan notes that it will be all 3 days of Labor Day Weekend) with the last 9 & Dine of the year scheduled for September 9th (still a few spots remaining). Finally, look for the Bishop Cup to be emailed out early September as that tournament will be held September 21st and 22nd (2-day event).
Violations Report, presented by Mike Mislin
Nothing to report.
Deputy Chairman Report, presented by Ron Krawczyk
Mr. Krawczyk states that he is happy that we got aeration over and done with in 3 days. He continues that although it is a necessary evil, we will be happy that it is done come the Fall when we are playing on great greens still.
Greens Report, presented by Joe Dabrowski
Joe states that with aeration over and completed, Chris and his crew can start looking towards the Fall and everything that comes with it. We will begin to seed around the edges of the greens once the new seeder comes in next week. As far as some Winter work, Joe says that the commission looks to extend the green giants behind the 5th tee to eliminate the drip line as well as create more air flow through that area. Additionally, they will look to clean up around the maintenance area, continue the bunker entrances repair (completed 11 holes last Winter, looking to finish this year), clean up/fix cart paths that need work and hopefully some selective tree removal (Norwegian Maples and other trees that had a rough season). Joe says that although they may not be able to get to everything from a budgetary standpoint, this is the work that they would like to see done.
Membership Report, presented by Jeff Nagel
Jeff says that it is great to see everybody. He continues, stating that the proposal for 2025 rates will be submitted to the Mayor and the Village Board this week.
Handicap Report, presented by Kevin Lauretti
Mr. Lauretti states that Joe has covered all capital assessment concerns and he has nothing additional to report at this time.
It is at this time that Brit Lawlor steps in and states that there has been a lot of confusion about the 2025 dues. Brit says that the Golf Commission’s responsibility is to make recommendations to the Village Board, with the Village Board making final say. Mr. Lawlor states that at no time has the Village told the Golf Commission that there will be an exorbitant rate increase. Brit says that the Golf Commission will make a proposal, the two sides will talk about the proposal and hopefully we will have something that works for both.
Superintendent Report, presented by Chris Johnson
Chris states that aeration went well as the crew had perfect weather for it. Chris continues, saying that aeration sucks to do but he can’t wait for the course to heal up – mother nature is now in charge. Chris says that he is excited for the seeder to come in as the collars and approaches will get more bent grass in there. Ultimately, Chris says that it is a versatile seeder that can get just about anywhere on the course. Should come in any day now and again, Chris is excited as he has heard a lot of good things about it.
Director of Golf Report, presented by Jim Von Eschen
Jimmy would like to thank Chris and his crew for all their hard work through aeration, as it is a necessary evil to have good turf conditions throughout the year. They were a year and a half late, but Jimmy says the we received new bunker machines (same ones we had, just new). And going forward, we will have an outside outing every Monday through October (besides Columbus Day). Jimmy states that currently, we are a little light for the September 9 & Dine as we are technically under the minimum at the moment. Lastly, Jimmy expects this weekend’s Member/Member tournament to be a great event.
Mayor’s Report, presented by Maureen Veitch
Maureen begins by stating that everybody knows about Purple Horse and the consulting work that they are doing down here at the golf course and the rest of the facility. She continues, 1 of the 2 people who have been doing the consulting work is a gentleman named Mike Cutler; he has been meeting with Chris Johnson, Jimmy Von Eschen as well as other Resident and Non-Resident golfers. Maureen says that if you have opinions, to voice them to Brit. She also states that the entire purpose of what the are doing is to improve the facilities, including the tennis facility. Mayor Veitch states that the Enterprise Fund is Bellport Golf Club as well as the catering facility (Bellport Country Club), while the General Fund is everything else in the Village (Tennis, Ferry, etc). In the past, Maureen says that there have been some transfers from the Enterprise into the General but the Village found that they are not allowed to do so. Going forward, Maureen says that the money will be there. Regarding the membership dues, Maureen says that if we have the amenities, we have members who are willing to pay more; ultimately, she says that we are trying to provide what is there.
Regarding the Enterprise Fund, Maureen thinks that tennis should be included in the Enterprise Fund. Nathan Rohrmeier states that including tennis in the Enterprise Fund would only benefit everybody who is in this room. Gary Duff asks for a timeline on the Purple Horse feedback; Maureen says December 1st – December 15th is when that is expected. Although they are in the very early stages in hearing what the Bellport Golf Club needs, she understands that the Pro Shop is in dire needs to be repaired.
Brit reminds those in attendance that this is not a Q & A period with the mayor. With that being said, Brit opens to floor to Vic Cisario.
Comments From the Crowd
Vic Cisario – As far as Purple Horse goes, Vic has no questions as this is the first he and many in this room are hearing about it. Vic would like to thank the Commission for their transparency throughout the years. Vic then states that he has too much time on his hands and loves financial documents. Looking through documents, Vic says that he has found the Enterprise Fund currently has a big surplus (Maureen states it is roughly $453,000) and based on estimations from the Treasurer that surplus should be around $762,000 through the end of the 2024. Vic’s question is that with the surplus between $450,000 and $750,000, is there a point where dues won’t go up and the surplus be used? Brit says that he can’t necessarily speak to that but would assume that the Enterprise Fund would be used for some cart paths, building repair and infrastructure. In reality, Brit says that the surplus we have accumulated is not a lot money.
Gary Duff – Mr. Duff asks about the possibility of an open forum with the consulting team from Purple Horse; Brit Lawlor says that he doesn’t believe that they will come out in front of an open forum but does reiterate that he has been and will continue to be in meetings/discussions with both the Village and Purple Horse. Maureen believes that they will have an open meeting with all Village Residents let alone the membership. Kevin Lauretti tries to clear up come confusion by stating that Purple Horse is just proposing a plan. Maureen says that yes, Purple Horse is just consulting and we will need another architect if we plan to move forward.
Bob Scalia – Bob Scalia asks Brit what the consulting is costing Bellport Golf Club; Brit says that we are paying $50,000, to which Mr. Scalia believes that is a lot of money for consulting. Brit states that everybody can see that the Pro Shop is falling down and that we have a catering facility that is currently, un-usable to membership. Nathan Rohrmeier states that the Village needs consulting because the Village board are not experts and they need an expert to tell them what they should be doing. Again, Nathan mentions that Tennis will be involved too and that they want an expert to give them a plan. Maureen says that Mike Cutler has been involved with 132 municipal golf courses and currently, our work is already underway as we have a signed contract with Purple Horse. Maureen reiterates that this is all about making it a better facility as the other plans that were getting done had a new building being built but they already have a building that isn’t being used. Lastly, Maureen touches on the erosion project. She states that GEI is working on permitting with DEC (not yet approved) as we already secured funding but waiting on the permits. Mr. Scalia asks Brit if the membership will see the dues proposal before being sent to the Village. Brit says no, just like in the past, the commission will not be sending that to the membership.
John Baldassarri – Mr. Baldassarri begins by stating that we know the golf course is generating a profit, but his question refers to tennis and if they are actually making a profit as he never sees anybody using the courts. Nathan Rohrmeier says that tennis does indeed make a profit. John says that after this meeting, he feels comfortable that the membership and Mayor are all on the same page moving forward. Mr. Baldassarri ends his statement thanking Jimmy, Chris and their staffs for all the work that they have done over the years to continually lift Bellport Golf Club, kudos to you guys.
Michael Auerbach – Mr. Auerbach would like to bring the conversation back to what we have here is a very cool and maybe a very historical golf course in a possible Seth Raynor design. Mike believes that the Mayor is doing that and additionally, believes all the work that we have done in house has only enhanced the course. Mike turns to Chris Johnson and asks him how it has been going. Chris says that once the seeder comes in, they will be seeding these new areas and those areas should improve. Mike wants the golf course to stay at the current level that it is. Maureen says that one main comment from Purple Horse was how good of a job Chris, Jimmy and their staffs are doing down at the course. She finishes by stating that they are not looking to disrupt the course and the areas that are currently working. Maureen stresses that it is all about the buildings.
Meeting officially concludes at 6:36PM