Commission Members in Attendance:
Brit Lawlor – Chairman
Ron Krawczyk – Deputy Chairman
Jeff Nagel – Membership/Capital Assessment
Joe Dabrowski – Greens
Tara Ford – Women’s Locker Room & Beverage
Kevin Lauretti – Handicap/Capital Assessment
Mike Mislin – Violations
Ryan Stanley – Tournament
Members in Attendance:
Pat Comiskey, Will Newham, Bob Scalia, Michael White, Victor Cisario, Lee Redvanly, Mary-Lou Keating, Mary Butler-Person, Kathy Laguardia, John Gennusa, Bill Ayers, Ed Santalone, Dennis Maguire, Michael Dioguardo
Others in Attendance:
Jim Von Eschen – Director of Golf Chris Johnson – Course Superintendent
John Mackie – Assistant Golf Pro Maureen Veitch – Village Mayor
Motion to accept the minuets by Ron Krawczyk, 2nd by Joe Dabrowski. Brit welcomes everybody and the meeting officially starts at 6:04PM.
Violations Report, presented by Mike Mislin
Nothing violations to report. Mike suggests sending out something general regarding pace of play to the membership.
Women’s Locker Room & Beverage Report, presented by Tara Ford
Tara states that the WMGA team finished their season and despite some injuries, they will be playing in the same series next season. Tara says that she is looking forward to the Summer Match Play tournament.
Greens/Course Assessment Report, presented by Joe Dabrowski
Mr. Dabrowski says that the grass is finally growing due to the warmer nightly weather. Additionally, he says that Chris has been spraying the pre & post emergent for weeds. Joe mentions that the native areas are coming in successfully. Joe continues, saying that the club is in the process of purchasing a new over-seeder which will help with germination in the long game. Lastly, the club sent out an email regarding holes 4 & 5 and specifically, the new sod areas that were planted last season; they’re not where Chris wants them to be as far as maturity goes so, we’ll see these areas aerated throughout the course of the season.
Deputy Chairman Report, presented by Ron Krawczyk
Ron says that the golf course is great, especially with the weather turning for the better.
Membership Report, presented by Jeff Nagel
To begin, Jeff states that we are currently at 409 members with a couple residents joining from the last meeting. Currently, we have 27 Junior Members and 3 of them represented section xi at the NYS High School golf championship; we wish them all the luck up in Elmira. Lastly, Jeff says that the waiting at 326 people with roughly a 25% success rate this Winter. As we continue to go deeper down the list, that percentage should climb as more and more of the people on the current list, know about the initiation fee.
Report, presented by Kevin Lauretti
Nothing to report as far as handicap goes from Mr. Lauretti. Kevin does state that we have received some positive feedback in regards to how the new course handicaps are affecting matches. Kevin says that the new tee posts/signs are in and look great on the course; Kevin likes how they don’t stick out anymore when looking out on the course. Lastly, Kevin wanted to wish John Mackie good luck at Canoe Brook CC as he competes in US Open Sectionals; on behalf of the membership, Kevin congratulates John and wishes him good luck.
Mayor Report, presented by Maureen Veitch
Maureen says that she doesn’t have much but she does have an update in regards to the erosion project. She says that the work from GEI is moving quickly and the erosion problem will begin to figure it out in the next few months. She continues saying that there is an additional grant out for environmental review but that should take a while.
Superintendents Report, presented by Chris Johnson
Chris would like to expand on what Joe said; Chris continues, saying that we’re getting to the busiest time of the year with lots of spraying happening. Chris said that the 4th and 5th holes just didn’t love being cut at green height so, him and his crew will baby them throughout the season, with the goal of these areas improving by the end of the season. Brit asks if people can chip from these areas; Jimmy Von Eschen says no, these areas are still considered green and should be treated like so. Jimmy also says that rule 16.1d states that you may take relief from abnormal playing conditions (as such) but again, these areas are green. Brit reminds the crowd that relief is not the nicest place, but the nearest place.
Director of Golf Report, presented by Jim Von Eschen
Jimmy starts by telling the crowd about the rave reviews coming from both members, guests and other individuals throughout the industry. Continuing, Jimmy says that 2 weeks ago, the Women’s and Men’s Tournament Days have begun with those events running throughout the Summer and into the Fall. Touching on what Jeff has said about membership, Jimmy notifies the commission that we have taken in over $2 million in membership, a first for Bellport Golf Club and the Village. Jimmy says that the AC in the Men’s Locker Room is not working but Jason Crane has said that he will have a crew down ASAP to look at it and get the AC running again. Mr. Von Eschen states that the cart paths (specifically on 3, 4 and 6) need to be completely re-done but understands that job is a Fall/Winter job but just wants it on the record. Lastly, Jimmy says that the lightning detection system is currently down, as a wire was ripped from Chris’ building in a storm, but should be up and running sooner rather than later.
Moving onto tournaments, Jimmy reads Ryan Stanley’s report as Ryan is running late. On behalf of Ryan, Jimmy states that June 17th will be the first 9 & Dine, with Pat Comiskey taking the lead. Jimmy states that this is a fun event with no real winner and an email will be sent out on Friday. Continuing, we will be going through with the Red, White and Blue Scramble on July 6th; Jimmy says that we will try to do a shotgun but will have to talk with Chris about some logistics but this will be a fun event. Member/Guest season is coming up with the Men’s event being held on July 18th and the Women’s event on August 6th. Lastly, the Governor’s Cup is filling up and the Summer Match Play information is out and posted. Jimmy ends by announcing that Matt Kerins and Debbie Capozzi won the 2024 President’s Cup.
Comments from the Crowd
Pat Comiskey – Brit asks Pat if she has any comments on the upcoming 9 & Dine. She states that the caterers will be hosting us for dinner and it will be a buffet with many options. Pat says that the package is all inclusive besides the bar which will be a cash bar. Pat says that she is excited to see the turnout for the event. Moving on, Pat turns her focus on the trees between the 14th & 15th tee boxes; she would like them removed so that the members will stop peeing in this area. Pat and the other ladies reiterate that the smell is unwanted while driving up or standing on the tee box. Tara Ford states that those trees actually serve a purpose as there is a safety issue with the 14th tee as well as the 13th green from some of the back tees. Additionally, Pat asks for a sign on the 16th tee box that says to not pee in the bushes facing the house as the police could be called for indecent exposure. Brit says that they are in the process of removing extra signage from the course but hopes that people wouldn’t urinate while looking into somebody house/backyard. Brit says that individuals have health issues and sometimes have to go when they have to go. As far as bushes go, Brit says that they will not put a fence up instead of them as we just got finished taking all the fences down. Brit asks Chris Johnson for his opinion and Chris states that his chainsaw is sharp. Jimmy Von Eschen states that yes, they are up as a safety issue but from an aesthetics side, he believes they should be cut down. Brit tables the conversation for a later meeting. Pat mentions one more thing before moving on, she notes that the pace of play on the tournament cards have been a nice touch this year and has been a positive reaction. Jimmy reminds the membership that you should be at the 9th tee in 1 hour and 45 minutes. Ron Krawczyk says that the staff is doing a great job and saw John talking to a couple slow groups this weekend. Mr. Von Eschen says that out of 150 players on Saturday, there was only 1 group that went over the 4 hour mark.
Mary Butler-Person – Mary says that she hears people laughing at the emails and the text messages that get sent out about daily reminder (raking sand traps, replacing divots, fixing ball marks, playing in 4 hours or less). She continues, saying that the Marina had similar issues as it retains to daily things down there and Joe Gagliano wrote contracts and forced all slip owners to sign; this made them aware of the rules and the consequences regarding them. Mary then asks the men in the room to stop peeing in the bushes and asks the commission to penalize the individuals who are breaking the rules. Brit says that as far as raking sand traps, fixing ball marks/divots go, there is no way to identify who didn’t rake a sand trap, especially as you get late in the day, unless you see them directly. Kevin Lauretti says that this is basic golf etiquette and although it should get done, this is happening at all clubs. Kevin continues to say that if you are watching an individual not rake a trap, you are just as guilty; easier to self-police than have a “course cop” in a ranger. Jimmy reminds all in attendance that this is a golf issue and not a bellport issue. He continues by saying that doing the numbers that we are doing, we’re in a pretty good place as far as ball marks go and divots go. In regards to the contracts, Tara Ford says that there are Rules and Regulations posted on the website that you should be familiar with as a member of the club and those should be acting as the contract. Victor Cisario suggests that every new member is taken on the golf course and shown what is expected of them when it comes to taking care of the golf course. Kevin then says that we have resident play on a daily basis and although most members are aware, the residents are sometimes not aware.
Mary Lou Keating – Mary thanks the commission for making the Forward Tees blue and also asks where the rake should be left, inside or outside the bunker. Chris Johnson says that they should be left outside of the sand. She also suggests the club buy something for walkers to use for divot repair. Mike Mislin says that many members use the ones that are placed behind the 1st tee box and just put them in their bag. Jimmy Von Eschen says that they bought 30 of them with a strap years ago but they have disappeared over the years. Kevin says that companies like SunMountain and Clicgear sell ones that you can personally buy that will attach to your cart. Chris reminds everybody that replacing the divot is much better and preferred.
Dennis Maguire asks for a comment on the shotgun in today’s Men’s Tournament – Jimmy says that it went well but pace was slow as expected; he continues saying that crowding the golf course in one area will back it up.
Mike Mislin asks about driving through the fescue to get across 9 & 18, 5 & 6, etc. Jimmy says that he and Chris will be going out this week to cut drive through areas as well as walking paths. Jimmy says that we are speaking with different groups of walkers to see where we have to cut. He finishes, saying that we will be cutting the fescue back around the bunkers and in some thicker areas as the season continues but we have to see where we actually have it first.
Mike Dioguardo – Mike says that pace is definitely affected by the fescue. Brit reminds that you can only look for a ball for 3 minutes and suggest always hitting a provisional when it calls for it. Jimmy states that year after year, Spring – Fall, we have pace of play issues, with or without fescue. He then touches on a recent USGA report that states the number 1 cause for pace of play issues is green speeds.
Brit concludes the meeting at 6:50pm.