Commission Members in Attendance:
Brit Lawlor – Chairman
Ron Krawczyk – Deputy Chairman
Jeff Nagel – Membership & Membership Assessment
Joe Dabrowski – Greens
Mike Mislin – Violations
Ryan Stanley – Tournaments/Membership Liason
Mike Cioffi – Men’s Locker Room/Food and Beverage
Tara Ford – Women’s Locker Room/Food and Beverage
Kevin Lauretti – Handicap/Membership Assessment
Others in Attendance:
Jim Von Eschen – Director of Golf John Mackie – Assistant Golf Professional
Chris Johnson – Superintendent Ray Fell – Member
Vic Cisario – Member Bill Niosi – Member
John Daley – Member John Robilotta – Member
Bill Herrick – Member Michael Dioguardo – Member
David Smith – Member
Motion to start meeting by Jeff Nagel, Joe Dabrowski 2nds it; accepted by Brit Lawlor. Meeting officially starts at 6:01PM.
Brit Lawlor begins the meeting by welcoming both Commission and Bellport Golf Club members to the 2022 season. Brit states that the course is opening Friday, April 1st with some warm weather to hopefully follow. Brit would also like to introduce our newest Commission member, Kevin Lauretti. Brit states that Kevin will take the Handicap Chairman role as Don Maxwell will be stepping down. Additionally, Brit states that both Kevin and Jeff Nagel will head the Member Assessment fund as well.
Membership Report, presented by Jeff Nagel
Jeff states that as a total, we have 416 members. Of that number, Jeff states that 402 are active golf members. The membership breakdown is as follows:
279 Full Members
44 Family Members
65 Weekday Members
6 Associate Members
10 Twilight Members
8 Junior Members
4 Corporate Members
Jeff states that with a waitlist around 200 people, we are still capped at 380 members. Jeff is quick to note that the reason we’re over that cap now, is due to Residents joining. Jim Von Eschen also mentions that of the 160 individuals that Christine Novelli (Membership) has called to ask if they wanted to stay on the waiting list, only 3 have asked to be taken off.
Tournament Report, presented by Ryan Stanley
Ryan states that the tournament schedule has been emailed out via the club and is also posted on the Bellport Golf Club website. Ryan states that the only events to be held in April are the Masters Tournament and the Ryder Cup which is to be held on April 30th. Ryan mentioned that the Men’s Member/Guest, which was missing from the schedule, has been set for July 22nd. He continues by saying that the last two years found this tournament in a different part of the schedule due to COVID, but it is back in July, where it belongs.
Handicap Chairman’s Report, presented by Kevin Lauretti
Nothing to report.
Violations Report, presented by Mike Mislin
Nothing to report.
Men’s Locker Room/Food and Beverage Report, presented by Mike Cioffi
Mike notes that the flagpole is up but we are still waiting for the lighting to be installed. Ray Fell says that hopefully it will be finished by the end of the week. Both Mike and Ray agree that they have been getting a lot of positive feedback about the flagpole. In regards to the erosion project, Mike states that there is a meeting next week with the Village to go over the report. Mike briefly states that there are three main areas that will be addressed as smaller projects in an overall main project. Mike finishes by saying once we hear the report, we will have more information.
Women’s Locker Room/Food and Beverage Report, presented by Tara Ford
Nothing to report.
Greens Report, presented by Joe Dabrowski
Joe says that Chris and his crew has been finishing his Winter cleanup the last few days as he gets the course ready for opening day. Joe states that the Winter project is a few days behind but there’s nothing to worry about as it is still too cold for grass to grow. Joe continues by mentioning that the lift that was purchased has finally come in. Joe reiterates that this lift will allow our mechanic to adjust mower blades in a safe and timely manner. Going back to the Winter project, he believes it came out great. Joe mentions that it took multiple drone shots, meetings and rough renderings to get it right.
Joe says that we are asking everybody to lay up to around 120 yards; this will keep balls out of the “pit” and allow the workers to finish what needs to be done. Joe continues, saying that for the time being, golf carts will exit the 18th green on the right-hand side, between the flagpole and the 9th tee box. Joe stresses that we do not want individuals walking down, into the pit to retrieve golf balls, especially once it is hydroseeded.
You will see the email tomorrow. Joe mentions that the back tee on the 1st hole will be used sparingly due to wind conditions and the size of the box. Jim Von Eschen also mentions that this will give the holes some shape, especially when Chris expands and adjusts the fairway mow lines on the 1st and 18th.
Chairman’s Report, presented by Brit Lawlor
Brit mentions that him and Jim Von Eschen have been talking throughout the off-season about the leave policy. Brit states that in recent years there have been some members who have taken leaves and conveniently, those are some of the same members who head to warmer climates in the Winter. Brit states the proposed leave policy:
- A leave of absence may be granted, prior to the start of the new golfing season (April 1st), by the Golf Commission for the following reasons:
- Medical, Business or Financial
- All members requesting a leave of absence before April 1st, must pay a $500 non-refundable deposit, which will be applied to the membership once you return. Once returning, your membership will be billed at a pro-rated rate. This leave is good for 1 year.
- Leaves after April 1st and before June 30th may be granted for members that have their dues paid in full. Leaves granted will receive 70% of paid membership to be held for the following season. If a member chooses to come back in the calendar year after the leave was granted, the leave pro-ration is nullified.
- All leave requests must have supported documentation
- Members who are granted a leave for calendar year understand that they have NO playing privileges at the golf course in any capacity. If member on leave decides to play the granted leave is nullified.
Brit mentions that they are going to have Tara Ford officially write something up prior to the policy going into place. Jeff Nagel suggests putting the new leave policy into play this season. Brit mentions that they will be better to hold off until next season as the bylaws are the bylaws for this year. Going forward, Brit says that this is something that will be voted on by the commission prior to going into the bylaws.
Superintendent Report, presented by Chris Johnson
Chris states that Joe Dabrowski covered most of it but overall, Chris is happy to be back for another season. Chris continues, because of the Winter project, he really hasn’t been able to see the rest of the golf course but he is thrilled with how it has handled the Winter weather. Chris says that he can’t wait until the 18th hole is finished and excited to show everybody the finished project. Finally Chris states that because of a few minor hiccups, there is a small delay as to when we will hydro seed but nothing to worry about.
Director of Golf Report, presented by Jim Von Eschen
Jim welcomes everybody back for another season. He starts by stating that our reservations system will work off of 5 days for member only tee times, and 3 days for any time that involves a guest. Jim says that rakes have been put back in the bunkers so please, rake the sand traps after use. Sadly, Jim says that when we open the golf course on Friday, we will not have any merchandise in the Pro Shop due to delays and backorders. On the same wavelength, he states that Titleist is not doing their normal “Buy 3, get 1 dozen free” deal that they have done in the past because they are expecting a ball shortage in the middle of the golf season.
As Ryan stated, Jim mentions the upcoming Master’s tournament as well as the Opening Ryder Cup (April 30th). Jim states that the Greens aeration is on the schedule for April 18th & 19th; during this time, the golf course and Pro Shop will be closed. The Ladies and Men’s Tournament days will begin on May 10th & 11th, weather permitting. Lastly, Jim mentions that on Mondays, the golf course will open for play at 10AM for maintenance; the tee sheet will coincide accordingly.
Comments from the Crowd
Ray Fell – Mr. Ray Fell states that the Village is planning for new buildings here at the golf course. Ray states that the Village brought in a company to evaluate the Pro Shop, Ladies Locker Room and the old Superintendent’s house. The report from their findings stated that neither of these buildings are beyond the point of repair and were not actually worth saving. Ray continues, saying that the buildings will come down during the Winter with some temporary structures being put in place for the Spring of next year. Mike Dioguardo suggests installing charging stations for electric cars as part of the new buildings.
Gabe Gallo – Mr. Gallo asks about the Men’s Tournament Days and whether or not it will return to a shotgun or stay as straight tee times. Jim Von Eschen states that we will go straight tee times strictly from the amount of play that we have had during these last two seasons. He continues by stating that we have seen our Men’s Tournament Day grow from roughly 65 players to consistently around 100 players. Jim continues by stating that because it has grown so big, Chris Johnson can’t cut the entire course prior to an 8am shotgun.
Jerry Flora – Mr. Flora brings up the erosion project and specifically asking which holes it involves. Mike Cioffi explains that the 3 different sub-projects are holes 10, 11 & 12 as one project, the pond next to the 13th fairway as another project and finally, opening the end of canal is the 3rd project. Mike continues by stating that our major erosion on 10, 11 & 12 is happening because the creek isn’t flushing out and the ice during the Winter.
Ralph Gallo – Mr. Gallo states that he would like to see BGC go towards a more user-friendly scorecard, perhaps consisting of maps of holes in addition to a bigger and more colorful card, as well as a more direct way to use the combo tees. Brit Lawlor states that the current card was debated on during the Commission meetings for about 2 years. He continues by stating that the board wanted a minimalistic card that fits in with the higher end clubs that we see ourselves apart of. Additionally, Brit states that as a Private Club, there is no need for a map or picture of the golf hole. As it pertains to the combo tee, Brit states that the corresponding tees can be found on the Starter’s Booth window as well as in the Pro Shop. Kevin Lauretti states that like the other high-end scorecards, the very simple and clean scorecard fits. Additionally, Kevin says that he will see what he can come up with for the combo set of tees and if it works, maybe it can be included in the next iteration of scorecards.
Tom Ford – Mr. Ford asks about rakes and ball washers on the course this year, specifically, if they will be out. Brit states that yes, rakes are out and in use for the year. On the other hand, he states that ball washers will not be out.
Lou Stravinsky – Mr. Stravinsky asks if we are considering taking the “Seth Raynor” name off of Bellport Golf Club due to the recent renovations. Joe states that all of the recent work done to the golf course was done following the Bill Love master plan. Joe continues by stating that Mr. Love was the same course architect that came out and did the renovations at the turn of the century. Brit states that because of this and the fact that all of our renovations were done with Mr. Raynor in mind, we will not be changing the course architect of Bellport Golf Club.
John Daley – Mr. Daley states that the flagpole looks great. Jim Von Eschen thanks Mike Cioffi and Ron Krawczyk for the positioning of the pole, as well as the overall aesthetic.
Brit Lawlor makes a motion to end the meeting, Joe Dabrowski 2nd it. Meeting officially ends at 6:35
PM.