Commission Members in Attendance:
Brit Lawlor – Chairman
Ryan Stanley – Tournament / Membership Liaison
Jeff Nagel – Membership & Marketing
Joe Dabrowski – Greens
Others in Attendance:
Jim Von Eschen – Director of Golf
Chris Johnson – Superintendent
John Mackie – Assistant Golf Pro
Mike Mislin – Member
Mike Dioguardo – Member
Motion to start meeting by Jeff Nagel, Joe Dabrowski 2nds it; accepted by Brit Lawlor. Meeting officially starts at 6:08PM.
Membership & Marketing Report, presented by Jeff Nagel
We currently sit at 392 total members. Our “membership drive” generally starts in September but because of our greens being aerated (starting Sept. 3rd), and the course losing premium weekend tee times during the Fall due to daylight, Jeff suggests that we start this initiative in October. The Commission members in attendance agree with Jeff and will bring to Ray’s attention to see how he feels.
Talking about membership caps, Jeff believes that we are already at our cap. He states that this year, membership alone has brought in just shy of $1,400,000. In addition to the money that was brought in, he states that the rounds are up on the golf course which creates more wear and tear for Chris Johnson and his crew to have to deal with. Brit states that if the Commission and Mayor Fell were to choose 370 Members for the cap (as previously discussed), that with attrition we should have a round number come March 1, 2020. At that time, those who are not paid in full will be added to a waiting list. Brit would like it to be clear that at 370 total members, we will lose roughly $80,000 – $90,000; Jim Von Eschen states that the budget for the course was run based on having 370 members (roughly $1,300,000) for the 2019 season. Jim also would like the commission to know that this season, the register in the shop is up $25,000 through June 1st compared to last season at the same time. Brit states that he will make a suggestion t Mayor Fell that we cap membership at 375 total members for the 2020 golf season.
Greens Report, presented by Joe Dabrowski
After talking with Superintendent Chris Johnson, Joe states that Chris and his crew are strictly watering the greens by hand because of the recent weather. He continues by saying that this is a good thing since we are now the dictators of how much water will go onto the greens; too much water during this run of extreme heat and humidity is a cause for soft or diseased greens. Additionally, Joe states that we are topdressing the greens again, roughly once every ten days.
Moving into the Fall, aeration dates are set for right after Labor Day and the Member-Member Tournament. Greens Aeration will be September 3rd – 5th, with the golf course definitely being closed on the 3rd and 4th (the 5th is weather permitting). Continuing, Joe says that we have to start thinking about some Fall projects for around the course. Based on previous conversations, Joe suggests adding irrigation/fairway to the right-hand side of the 17th fairway, connecting the 13th and 16th fairways as well as adding a tee box on the 9th hole. Jim Von Eschen states that in regards to the 17th hole, the mounding has to be re-hydroseeded to a point where Chris is happy with the result. Brit says that the Commission will prioritize the Fall projects and go in front of the Village Board for approval.
Tournaments/Rules Report, presented by Ryan Stanley
This past month we had a few different tournaments, all that went very smooth thanks to Jimmy, John, Kyle and the rest of the golf staff. In the Governor’s Cup, the results were as follows:
Overall Winners
Men’s Division
1st Place: Steve Clements & Kevin Mos – 71 Points
Ladies Division
1st Place: Lee Redvanly & Bobbi Bauer – 76 Points
Flight Winners
Sorenstam Flight: Lee Redvanly & Bobbi Bauer – 76 Points
Zaharias Flight: Pat Comiskey & Anne Marie Strauss – 53 Points
Nicklaus Flight: Mike Rau & Pat Dowd – 66 Points
Palmer Flight: Ryan Stanley & Lou Stravinsky – 67 Points
Player Flight: Steve Clemente & Kevin Mos – 71 Points
Hogan Flight: Vito Aniello & Mike Mucci – 59 Points
Our British Open tournament was held in the month of July, with our winner being Dave McGrath Jr. In second place was Dave McGrath Sr, while third place was a tie between Jim Sutherland and Bob Scalia.
Lastly, the Men’s Member-Guest was held and was very well received throughout our membership; like last year, the event was sold out. Our flight winners were the following:
Arthur Abrahamsen and Mr. Casey
Jim Dowd and Mr. Katz
John Daley and Mr. Murray
Joe Dabrowski and Mr. Johnson
The shootout came down to a chip off between Joe Dabrowski and Arthur Abrahamsen with our Overall Champion being Joe Dabrowski and Chris Johnson.
Looking forward, we have the following events throughout the month of August:
– August 6th – Ladies Member-Guest
o Course will be closed until 3PM.
– August 10th – MGA/MetLife Net Qualifier
o Both Men and Women teams will compete to represent BGC in the next stage at The Vineyards.
– August 17th – Mixed Pinehurst
o Teams will consist of a Male and a Female, playing the Pinehurst format
– August 31st, September 1st & 2nd – Member/Member Tournament
o Arguably the most anticipated Tournament of the year with a lot of members. It is played throughout Labor Day Weekend.
Director of Golf Report, presented by Jim Von Eschen
Tara Ford had come to Jimmy recently in regards to the air conditioner in the Ladies Locker Room; she believes that it is just old and can’t handle it anymore. During the recent stretch of hot days, Jimmy said that he called Jason Crane to take a look at it. The conclusion that they came up with was that they simply need a new unit. Brit and the Commission state that this is something that is needed in the Locker Room; Brit will talk to Ray about it and figure out what is the best plan. Turning focus to the Men’s Locker Room, Jimmy states that the water machine wasn’t dispensing cold water last week, but Jason and his guys have since fixed the issue.
The last weekend in September is our Club Championship. Jimmy would like to give out the wooden flags that are featured in the Pro Shop to our Men’s and Women’s overall Club Champions. The Commission likes the idea but asks if we could engrave them and hang them in both locker rooms for the year. After the year, the winners would take them home. Additionally, Jimmy mentions that we need new plaques in the locker rooms to display our winners. Brit says that although they are expensive, it is our responsibility to purchase new plaques with assessment money.
Continuing, Jim mentions that there are no outings in the month of October. After talking to some of the members, Jim would like to throw out the possibility of holding a “Beefsteak” on a Monday. Since it is a Monday, any food would have to be done through the Catering Hall since Peter’s is closed. The idea would be to tee off at 12PM and then head upstairs to eat afterwards with cigars on the balcony. Jim mentions that obviously some logistics have to be figured out, but Greens Fees can’t be waived since it is not a Member/Guest but we will need the Commission to ask the Village for a reduced greens fee. Lastly, Ryan Stanley will talk to Robert about the pricing for the food portion of it.
Superintendent Report, presented by Chris Johnson
Chris mentions that Joe basically touched on everything that is going on with the golf course; “we’re in survival mode at this point in the year.” In the last few years, the back edge of the 4th green has struggled for various reasons (restricted airflow, sunlight, etc.). Chris would like to restructure the soil on that part of the green and change it to bent grass. The bent doesn’t struggle as much in the hot Summer months and would thrive in that micro-climate of the golf course.
Comments from the Crowd
Mike Dioguardo – I have been working with John Daley in regards to the bunkers at the golf course; we have been out inspecting the bunkers throughout the last few weeks and we will be presenting out findings with a power point at the meeting next month. With that being said, the golf course is in the best shape he’s ever seen it.
Brit concludes the meeting at 6:57PM.