July 27, 2022
Commission Members in Attendance:
Ron Krawczyk – Deputy Chairman
Ryan Stanley – Tournaments/Membership Liason
Joe Dabrowski – Greens
Kevin Lauretti -Handicap/Course Assessment
Jeff Nagel – Membership/Course Assessment
Mike Cioffi – Men’s Locker Room & Beverage/Special Projects
Tara Ford – Women’s Locker Room & Beverage
Others in Attendance:
Jimmy Von Eschen – Director of Golf
John Mackie – Assistant Golf Professional
Chris Johnson – Golf Course Superintendent
John Daley – Member
Motion to start meeting by Joe Dabrowski, Jeff Nagel 2nds it; accepted by Ron Krawczyk. Meeting officially starts at 6:01PM.
Tournament Report, presented by Ryan Stanley
Mr. Stanley begins by stating that the Bishop Cup was our first two day event of the season. Flights consisted of 6 teams with the winners being the following:
Women’s Flight: Angela Matus & Lee Redvanly
Men’s A Flight: Joe Ferme & Jim Sutherland
Men’s B Flight: Tom Dugan & Will Newham
Men’s C Flight: Bill Herrick & Dave McGrath Jr
Men’s D Flight: Tom Curley & Ken Steiger
Men’s E Flight: John Stravinsky & Lou Stravinsky
Continuing, Ryan states that last Friday, we held our Men’s Member/Guest tournament; congratulations to Tom O’Neill and Michael O’Neill on their victory. Ryan mentions the possibility of moving next years event to a weekday to free up some money. Mr. Stanley believes that the Bellport Country Club did a fantastic job from what he has heard. Mr. Krawczyk mentions that there were a couple of comments regarding the lackluster breakfast and lunch options. Ryan would like to clarify, that the light breakfast and lunch was done to keep the cost of the event down. Mr. Lauretti would also like to thank the caterers for adding High Noons and seltzers, throughout the day, for no additional cost. Ryan thanks Kevin Lauretti and Joe Dabrowski for fronting the down payment to the caterers.
Ryan states that the upcoming events are the Mixed Pinehurst on August 6th, followed by the Women’s Member/Guest event on August 9th (course will be closed until 3PM). The MGA Net Team Qualifier is to be held on August 13th and finally, the Member/Member tournament will be held on Saturday, Sunday and Monday of Labor Day weekend.
Men’s Locker Room & Beverage/Special Projects Report, presented by Mike Cioffi
In regards to the erosion project, Mr. Cioffi says that the preliminary plan is underway with a meeting with DEC coming up. In regards to the building work that Mike is helping the Village with, Johnson Controls are currently going through their bid process. Mr. Cioffi suggests using a different company for an architect, rather than using Johnson Controls for all. Mike finishes, stating that there are a couple different architects that are giving a bid as well.
Handicap/Course Assessment Report, presented by Kevin Lauretti
Nothing to report in regards to handicap. On the course assessment front, Mr. Lauretti says that they found different areas throughout the course by expanding some greens and refining the chipping areas. Kevin mentions that we will touch more on this toward the end of the season.
Greens/Course Assessment Report, presented by Joe Dabrowski
Mr. Dabrowski states that Chris and his crew are in daily maintenance mode; “cutting grass and trying to keep it alive.” Joe says that Chris and the crew need some rain to get us through the Summer. Joe would also like to say thank you to Chris and the staff for the Member/Guest; said the course played perfectly.
Membership Report, presented by Jeff Nagel
Mr. Nagel has nothing in regards to membership. He does mention that John Robilotta has asked him to bring up the white tee on the 7th hole, stating that Mr. Robilotta would like it rated from the forward tee box. Mr. Von Eschen explains that the white tee on the scorecard is the WMGA tee, stating that is the reason for being on the right side of the scorecard. Jimmy mentions that at the time the scorecard was created, there were little to no men playing the white tee.
While on the topic, Jimmy would like to see the golf course go to 3 sets of tees (Front, Middle, Back) with 5 teeing options, including the combo tees:
- Front
- Front-Middle
- Middle
- Middle-Back
- Back
Jimmy finishes stating that he would like to have all 5 of these options have the same handicapping, while being rated for both men and women; he believes it would help get rid of the “Red/Ladies Tee” stigma.
Superintendent’s Report, presented by Chris Johnson
Chris gets right to it, stating that it has been hot and we need some rain. Despite the lack of rain, Chris says that the course is in great shape and the crew is holding up even being down a worker. Chris finishes stating that Ben is getting ready to file permits for the erosion project, stating that holes 10 & 11 will be first, the 12th hole will be second with 13 being the last. Chris says that Ben will file a permit to raise the 13th fairway, if we need to in the future.
Director of Golf Report, presented by Jim Von Eschen
Looking into August, Jimmy states that aeration will be done August 23rd, 24th & 25th; he notes that the golf course will be closed on all three days. Jimmy mentions that the greens will be punched and cleaned on day 1, with the fairways being done by Maxwell Turf on day 2. Jimmy mentions that day 3 will be touching up greens and cleaning up the fairways.
In regards to the ice machine that is down on the 16th hole, Jimmy states that East Coast Refrigeration will be coming down tomorrow to look at it. He mentions that the last time the ice machine was down, it was out of commission for 3 weeks due to the inability to get parts, etc. Speaking about the Men’s Member/Guest, Mr. Von Eschen says that the Pro Shop heard that people enjoyed the food better when it was held at Peter’s on the Green, but the overall ambiance was nicer at the Bellport Country Club. Jimmy continues saying that it was nice to see everybody outside, underneath the awning. Kevin Lauretti suggests sending out a survey to those players who participate year in and year out.
Comments from the Crowd
John Daley – Mr. Daley would like to start by thanking Chris for keeping the golf course in one piece throughout the recent drought. Continuing, John mentions that it is his 10th consecutive July where he believes, that the air conditioning inside the grill room was broken. John notes that he would like it to be fixed properly, rather than placing a unit on the side of the wall. Ron Krawczyk says that he will have Mike Cioffi take a look at it with Gus and then he will have Mike recommend something to Ray Fell and the Village Board.
Meeting concludes at 6:29PM.