June 30, 2021
Commission Members in Attendance:
Brit Lawlor – Chairman
Ron Krawczyk – Deputy Chairman
Ryan Stanley – Tournament / Membership Liaison
Jeff Nagel – Membership & Marketing
Joe Dabrowski – Greens
Don Maxwell – Handicap
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
Lou Stravinsky – Member
John Daley – Member
Michael Auerbach – Member
Michael Foster – Member
John Robilotta – Member
Kevin Lauretti – Member
Motion to start meeting by Ryan Stanley, Jeff Nagel 2nds it; accepted by Brit Lawlor. Meeting officially starts at 6:03PM.
Men’s Locker Room/Food and Beverage Report, presented by Mike Cioffi
Nothing to report regarding Peter’s or the Men’s Locker Room. As far as the erosion investigation that Mike has headed, Mike states that he has met with 3 different staffs and all say that this will be a 4 phase “project”. Mike continues, saying that the first phase involves monitoring the water to determine how brackish the water is. Additionally, in this first phase, they will be monitoring the level of the water and how it changes with tides, storms, etc. The next phase would consist of getting permits through the DEC, followed by bid support; final construction costs would be the final phase.
All three engineers agree that the opening of the shoal will be the biggest task at hands for years to come. They estimate that it is filled with thousands of yards of dirt, effecting flow of water. Mike says that boulders and other plantings have been used at other courses with great success. He also reminds everybody that if the project could at all be done in house, it would eliminate having to deal with prevailing wage; this would keep costs very low compared to doing it out of house. Lastly, Mike says that all the engineers that he spoke with said that the end of the canal should be dredged yearly. Ray Fell says that he will take the necessary steps to make sure this project is done right. Ray also wants to remind everybody that this does not mean that the canal would all of a sudden be filled with boaters. Ending, the Mike Cioffi, along with the commission, agree that this is a process that has to get done, so that it can be presented to Ray and the rest of the Village Board.
Women’s Locker Room/Food and Beverage Report, presented by Tara Ford
Tara has received some questions from some members about the cleaning schedule for the outside bathrooms. Brit mentions that he will find out about the cleaning schedule and make sure that going forward it is regularly cleaned. Tara also mentions some of the debris (machinery, picnic table, etc) by the 16th tee box. Chris says that the metal debris by the 16th tee box was an old machine that was found in the woods; the crew has no use for it and believes it should be scrapped. Brit says that he will talk to Jason Crane and see if the highway department can come down to haul it away.
Handicap Report, presented by Don Maxwell
Nothing to report but heard that the Governor’s Cup went well.
Tournament Report, presented by Ryan Stanley
Ryan opens up with the Governor’s Cup results, which are as follows:
Overall Men’s Champion – George Wasielke & Tony Castellano*
Overall Ladies Champion – Sally Hayes & Sue Magner
A Flight – Vic Cisario & Frank Lavacca – 42 Points
B Flight – John Baldassarri & Mike Gentils – 45 Points
C Flight – George Wasielke & Tony Castellano – 45 Points
D Flight – Doug Keller & Frank Loiacono – 44 Points
E Flight – Steve Trigg & Tony Caggiano – 40 Points
Ladies A Flight – Sally Hayes & Sue Magner – 42 Points
Ladies B Flight – Anne Marie Strauss & Pat Comiskey – 38 Points
*Denotes won on a match of cards
The previous month also saw the US Open tournament, those results are as follows:
1st Place – Tony Caggiano – 274
2nd Place – Ivan Casanova – 277
3rd Place – George Wasielke – 279
4th Place – Wayne Atkins – 281
5th Place – Pat Dowd – 282
6th Place – Tom J Murray – 283
Ryan states that the Women’s Member/Guest is scheduled for Tuesday, July 20th and yes, there are still openings. He also states that the Men’s Member/Guest, scheduled for Friday, August 20th is currently sold out; there are names starting to form on a waiting list. The last tournament for the month is our Bishop Cup; the event will be held on July 24th & 25th. Teams of two will compete in formats consisting of both Alternate Shot and Scramble over the course of the two days. Ryan warns all members that on July 26th, the golf course will be closed due to an outing.
Deputy Chairman’s Report, presented by Ron Krawczyk
Nothing to report. Ron states that the golf course is in fantastic shape.
Greens Report, presented by Joe Dabrowski
The Summer heat is here. Joe says that Chris and his crew are cutting grass and syringing greens day in and day out right now. Joe unfortunately states that our fairway sprayer is currently down; it will be getting assessed and then fixed. Good news from Joe is that a lift is on the way to the maintenance shed; this will help us fix and maintain equipment in a timely manner.
Joe mentions that they have a meeting with Parkland in coming weeks to discuss our Winter projects. Getting a quote on some different projects will dictate what we can and cannot do right away. Looking at the Master Plan, Joe says that the commission still wants to move the 1st tee West, adding bunkers to 18 approach and filling in the pond and making that fairway. Joe makes it clear that the 1st tee being moved would have to be done first, mainly for safety reasons.
Membership Report, presented by Jeff Nagel
Looking at current membership, Jeff states that we have 2 new Senior Full Members and 1 Associate Full Member join since our last meeting. Jeff continues, saying that our waiting list is still healthy, sitting over 100. Jeff finishes by saying that people are still requesting membership information weekly, knowing that there if a substantial waiting list.
Superintendent’s Report, presented by Chris Johnson
Chris opens up by stating that Summer is here; it is hot, windy and dry. Chris says that Joe really covered everything but they’re just trying to keep everything alive. As we try to survive this heat wave, Chris warns the membership that they will be hand watering throughout the day when needed. Additionally, you may see the sprinklers on from time to time.
Director of Golf Report, presented by Jim Von Eschen
Nothing really to add; we did send a text out to remind everybody that Chris and Steve will be around to hand water the greens. Jimmy states that we had one group drive up to the green and tell Steve to stop while they are playing. Jimmy says that the crew is doing everything they can to keep the golf course alive, lets let them get done what they have to do. Lastly, Jimmy mentions that the Men’s Member/Guest tournament sold out in 4 days and the Women’s Member/Guest sign up is going along great.
Chairman’s Report, presented by Brit Lawlor
Brit says that we will have a better understanding of how much we will be able to do after our meeting with Parkland. Brit would like to thank Mike Foster for all of the work that he has done with the new plaques in the grill Room. Mike Foster states that there are a few typos and a couple logistics but once we get these straightened out, Jimmy and John will be in charge of them going forward. Jimmy states that once things start to settle down, we will send out an email so that current members can go through and add their name to the board.
Comments from the Crowd
John Daley – John states that each new member should have to watch a power point presentation on how/where to drive the golf cart, fix ball marks, fill divots, etc. The commission agrees that it is both old and new members that we still have these issues with. Brit mentions that we send out emails & texts with this information.
Mike Foster – Mike asks if there is anything that can be done to move forward towards a practice facility. In addition to the practice facility, Mike would also like to ask about bringing the buildings to the front burner. Brit mentions that we are moving there slowly. All the work that has been done the last few years, and the work that is planning to go on this Winter, is all done to move in the direction of a practice facility.
Lou Stravinsky – Lou mentions how busy South Country Road is especially at the entrance of the golf club. Lou suggests possibly putting in a yellow flashing light so that individuals slow down around the turn into the village. Ray Fell states that since it is a county road, it is out of the Village’s hands. Ray continues, stating that they would like drivers to slow down coming into the village, and they are working along side Suffolk County to find a way to make it possible.
John Robilotta – John would like to recommend that there is a Senior rate for Non-Resident members, much like there is for the Residents. Ray Fell says that this is something that is to be brought up in front of the Village Board but can assure that the board would deny the recommendation. In regards to the Blue/White Combo tee, John Robilotta would like the tee to be easier identified while on the golf course; John suggests painting those markers with 2 stripes (both a white and blue). Additionally, John would like to play to be able to play the Blue/White tees in all tournaments at the club, stating that the last flight should not be playing the Blue Tees as they did in the last event. Jimmy states that in handicapped events, we will do our best to have everybody play the tees that they normally play. Jim continues by stating that there are some formats that are not conducive to this (ie. Alt Shot, Scramble, etc). Jim says that the Match Play Tournament, Club Championship, Member/Member Tournament and Member/Guest Tournaments are non-negotiable. These events have to all be played from the same set of tees. Jimmy says that it is important to remember that handicap index is not calculated via age, but by ability. John Mackie states that the higher handicaps always believe that there is no way they can compete, regardless of what flight they are in. Moving from tees and tournaments, John Robilotta believes that it would be a crime if the 12th green is turned into a Biarritz; the entire commission agrees, states that this is something that will not happen. John R. continues, wanting a shoe cleaner after some of the longer walks from greens to tees (6 green to 7 tee, 12 green to 13 tee, etc). Brit says that they are trying to get rid of unnecessary items on the golf course, but they will look into it. John R also says that the left side of 6 (area that was cleared out) should be marked GUR. Joe says that it is something he will talk with Chris and Jimmy about to deem what it should be marked. Lastly, John mentions that making guest times in advance is difficult to do without multiple days in advance. Brit says that it is something that they are monitoring throughout the year.
Mike Auerbach – An update on a historical committee that Mike has taken upon himself. There is a Trent Jones Archive at Cornell that has a survey of the golf course from 1924. Mike says that we can write them on our letterhead and get sketches of them. Mike has suggested to get these sketches and put them up throughout the facilities (locker rooms, grill room, pro shop). Brit believes it would be awesome to get and show the golf course and how far it has come. Lastly, Mike mentions that in regards to all the possible changes, he believes that it should be done with the historical aspect intact.
Meeting concludes at 7:12PM.