Commission Members in Attendance:
Brit Lawlor – Chairman
Ron Krawczyk – Deputy Chairman
Jeff Nagel – Membership & Marketing
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
Don Maxwell – Handicap
Others in Attendance:
Jim Von Eschen – Director of Golf
John Mackie – Assistant Golf Professional
Chris Johnson – Superintendent
John Daley – Member
Bob Scalia – Member
Lou Stravinsky – Member
Michael Dioguardo – Member
Michael Auerbach – Member
Kevin Lauretti – Member
David Smith – Member
Motion to start meeting by Jeff Nagel, Joe Dabrowski 2nds it; accepted by Brit Lawlor. Meeting officially starts at 6:02PM.
Violations Report, presented by Mike Mislin
Nothing to report.
Men’s Locker Room/Food and Beverage Report, presented by Mike Cioffi
Nothing to report on the Locker Room or Peter’s but I have received the gratuity card from Mr. Krawczyk. As far as the erosion project, the devices are in the canal to begin monitoring, which is good. Mike says that drone survey has been pushed back due to the weather we’ve been having. Lastly, on the erosion project, the ecological study will begin shortly; once that study begins, we will report further.
In regards to the flagpole project, Mr. Krawczyk has said that a member will donate their time to run the electric for the pole. Mike mentions that this will help tremendously with costs; currently we have $5500 collected with the flagpole itself costing roughly $9000. Mike says that he would love to try and commit for a Spring install; Mike says we will touch base on this during our next and final meeting.
Women’s Locker Room/Food and Beverage Report, presented by Tara Ford
Nothing to report. All is well.
Tournament Report, presented by Ryan Stanley
Ryan states that our second weekend of the Club Championship was held on October 2nd and 3rd. Michael Auerbach won the Men’s Championship Flight with a 36-hole score of 147 with Lee Redvanly taking the Women’s Club Championship, scoring 165 over the two days. The Men’s A Flight was won by Bill Durcan, scoring 153. Tim Mirocco (144), Lee Redvanly (143) and Bill Durcan (139) won the Net Divisions in the respective flights. Ryan says the Men’s and Women’s Tournament Days have concluded for the year, with a great turn out throughout the year.
Ryan states that last weekend, we finished our official Tournament Schedule for the year with the Ryder Cup. Kyle’s Team (Black Team) defeated John’s Team (Blue Team) by a score of 47.5 – 44.5. Ryan continues, it was a fabulous turn out and it was nice to have everybody in Peter’s afterwards. Ryan mentions that membership will see an email in the next week or so about the Thanksgiving Scramble; it’ll be a 13-hole event (weather permitting).
We will finalize the 2022 tournament schedule at the final meeting of the season, says Ryan. He says that the Men’s Member/Guest and the Spring Ryder Cup are the only event that is currently missing; we will add them to the schedule in the upcoming weeks. Ryan adds that you will be able to find the new tournament schedule on the BGC website at the start of the new year (January 1).
Deputy Chairman’s Report, presented by Ron Krawczyk
Ron states that so far, they have collected $5500 for the flagpole fund. He asks that everybody continues to talk about it with their friends so we can reach our $10000 goal. Additionally, Ron says that the gratuity money is beginning to come in; we have received roughly 1/3 of the estimated amount. Mr. Krawczyk says that this money will be paid out prior to the golf course closing for the season (December 12th).
Greens Report, presented by Joe Dabrowski
Joe states that Chris Johnson and his crew are still finishing up the aeration process; he should be finished soon. With that being said, Joe states that the grass is still growing so some daily maintenance is still being done. Joe says that leaf season is about to begin as well, where the crew will be blowing and picking up leaves throughout the day. Joe suggests that next year, we add an extra day during greens aeration, and do the fairways as well; Joe says that Jim Von Eschen will touch on this during his report.
Membership Report, presented by Jeff Nagel
Jeff states that Bellport Golf Club currently has 160 people on the waiting list. Jeff continues, saying that 2022 billing has already been sent out. Jeff reminds everybody to make sure you are paid in full by February 1st. This will ensure your spot for the 2022 golf season; otherwise, you will be placed on the waiting list.
Chairman’s Report, presented by Brit Lawlor
Brit mentions that he will be presenting our Course Assessment Winter Project to the Village Board on November 8th. He notes that it would be nice to have some support. Brit also mentions that it is a Village Board work session, where the public may not comment. The work session will begin at 7PM on the 8th of November.
Superintendent Report, presented by Chris Johnson
Chris states that it is getting toward the end of the golf season, and with that, he and his crew are cutting down the fescue areas and spraying them so that they are healthy going into the 2022 season. He notes that fairway aeration did not go as planned due to the equipment being sub-standard. Chris mentions that the fairway aerator was only on the course for 4 holes, before being taken off. Chris says that they will finish the aeration with the 1 walking aerator that they have in-house. The 5.5 inches of rain doesn’t help this process, but Chris says they will finish when they can.
Director of Golf Report, presented by Jim Von Eschen
Staying on the topic of fairway aeration, and going back to a previous point made by Mr. Dabrowski, Jimmy mentions that he was talking to Parkland about hiring a company to come in and aerate the fairways, during the green’s aeration days. Jimmy notes that Parkland would still be responsible for the fairway clean-up, but this process would allow us to get about 80% of the course aerated at once. After seeing a few different courses recently, Jimmy believes we have figured our the correct time of the year to aerate.
Moving on, Jimmy brings up the Women’s and Men’s Tournament Days; he mentioned that we saw an extra 20 players playing with the Men this year in addition to an uptick in play with the Women. Going into next year, Jimmy mentions that there are a few Female Residents who not only plan to join the club, but plan to play with the Women on Tuesdays, which is nice. Mr. Krawzcyk asks if the Men’s Tournament will be going back to a shotgun on Wednesdays. Jimmy states that there is numerous people who can’t play during the shotgun time. Going back to a shotgun start would hinder participation and slow play down (Jimmy says pace of play was faster with tee times). Jimmy does mention that they are thinking about going back to a shotgun start once a month; nothing is definite but this is a thought for the 2022 season. Jimmy would like to thank John Mackie, Kyle Gubbins and the rest of his staff for their work done throughout the year.
Comments from the Crowd
Bob Scalia – Mr. Scalia says he has mentioned it informally but would like to make an official proposal regarding the old Ice House that Ed Bishop brought out of the weeds. Mr. Scalia believes that it should be donated in his honor. The board unanimously agrees; Ron Krawczyk says that he will work on a plaque for the Ice House.
Michael Dioguardo – Mr. Dioguardo comes, asking about pre-COVID tee time reservations, specifically, will the club be going back to that policy anytime soon. Brit Lawlor says that this is something we are going to revisit in the Spring of next year. Jimmy Von Eschen says that the main issue with the reservation system, remains the fact that members abuse the system by blocking out times with “phony names”, only to add a guest later in time. Brit reassures Mr. Dioguardo that we will reassess the issue in the beginning of next season.
David Smith – Mr. Smith questions the decision to still have no rakes in the sand traps. Brit states that we are still really waiting for guidance from the New York State Golf Association. Jimmy Von Eschen states that recent studies have shown that only 50% of used sand traps get raked and only 25% get rake properly. He continues by stating that raking sand traps and fixing ball marks go hand in hand, those who are going to take care of the golf course, are going to take care of it.
Lou Stravinsky – Mr. Stravinsky mentions that the Club Championship went great. He states that it would be nice to go back and see how players did, hole by hole. Jimmy Von Eschen states that if we do live scoring for the event, each group would be responsible to do it, which can turn into a nightmare scenario. Ryan Stanley also mentions that results, although not hole by hole, are normally posted to Facebook.
John Daley – Mr. Daley believes that the geese have been abundant. Although the Goosinator has been purchased, Mr. Daley proposes a Volunteer schedule for the Goosinator. Brit Lawlor does not believe a volunteer system would work from a liability factor. Mr. Daley also brings up the conversation that was had with Mr. Foster, regarding the plantings behind the 18th green. Chris Johnson says that he met with the Bellport Village Program Fund and they will be taking care of the wall. Lastly, Mr. Daley presents the board with a picture of the “Scrub Pines” behind the 13th green; he still believes that they should be cut down.
Ron Krawczyk makes a motion to end the meeting, Joe Dabrowski 2nd it. Brit Lawlor reminds everybody that the next Commission Meeting will be moved back 1 week, due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. Meeting officially ends at 6:38PM.