H. SMITH RICHARDSON GOLF CLUB
NOVEMBER 2024 MONTHLY MINUTES

 

The board of Governors for the H. Smith Richardson Golf Club met on November 7, 2024. Brian Daly called
the meeting to order at approx. 7:04 P.M. A quorum was established.

 

OFFICERS PRESENT
Brian G. Daly_________________________ President
Mike Windels ________________________ Treasurer
Richard Battista_______________________ Secretary

 

ABSENT: Joe Everard (Vice President); Joe Wright (Past President)

 

BOARD OF GOVERNORS
PRESENT: C Flowers; Tim Dailey; R. Butera; C. Curley; D. DiMartino
ABSENT: M. Broderick

 

ALSO PRESENT Mike Herrington; John Brockett (by phone); Bill Zilliox

 

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The Board approved the Meeting Notes of the October 9, 2024 meeting.

 

TREASURERS REPORT (M. Windels)  Available Upon Request

 

MEMBERSHIP & HANDICAP COMMITTEE (B. Daly in M. Broderick absence)
o Mr. Daly reported that there has been no change in the membership numbers since the last meeting.
Through 11/7/24 there are a total of 446 members, 378 of which are renewals (including 4 Jr Member) and
68 new members (including 11 Jr Members).

 

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE (C. Curley)
o Mr. Curley reported that he will not be running for his expiring BOG seat and is resigning as Chair of the
Scholarship Committee at the end of this year. He has identified a possible replacement as Chair of the
Scholarship Committee but does not have a firm commitment yet from that individual. He also noted that he is
putting together a written “procedures book” detailing the Scholarship process undertaken by the Committee as
reference material for his replacement and will make himself available to transition his replacement.
o Mr. Daly thanked Mr. Curley for his years of service on both the Board and the Scholarship Committee.
o Mr. Zilliox suggested, to lighten the workload of the Chair of the Scholarship Committee who also Chairs the
Tee Signs Committee, consideration be given to separating the Chair of these two Committees.

 

TEE SIGNS COMMITTEE (C. Curley)
o Nothing new to report

 

TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE (John Brockett by phone)
o Mr. Brockett reported that Greg Mason has replaced Tom O’Donnell on the Committee. The Committee now
consists of himself, Craig Mason, and Nick Aquilino. Mr. Brockett continues to look for a 4 th individual to
join the Committee. For succession planning, he is also training other Committee members on Golf
Genius.
o Mr. Brockett provided an update on the winners of the Play of the Year and noted that the Committee is
currently planning the annual meeting awards.
o Mr. Brockett reported that the Districts are slated to be held at HSR in 2025. He will work with the Pro to
determine a date for the event in late September and the Committee will coordinate with Peter Grace
regarding course projects to avoid having ongoing projects, to the extent possible, that would impact the
course playability during the tournament.
o Mr. Brockett reported that in order to give the Member/Member more of a typical “event” feel, the
Committee is considering reducing the field of the Member/Member to 128 so that a shotgun start can be
held on Sunday. This will result in the field completing Sunday’s round at the same time and the food and
awards can be held immediately after the golf is completed. The Board was generally acceptable to a 128
field if that is what the Committee decides. Mr. Brockett indicated that the Committee recommends taking
the M/M field count to the Membership for a vote.

 

JR GOLF COMMITTEE (C. Flowers)
o Mr. Flowers reported that 60 players have registered for the #1 Tee Challenge, and he expects to raise $1,200
for Jr. Golf from the event. The Committee is working on a plan for how to spend the $1,200, which it will
present to the Board once completed.

 

RULES COMMITTEE (Craig Curley)
o Nothing new to report.

 

GOLF COMMISSION (D. Martino and B. Daly)
o A report was provided for the October 21, 2024 meeting. Minutes are available on the Town website. The
next Golf Committee Meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 18, 2024.
o Mr. Herrington reported on the process for the 10-year capital plan. He also reported that the town will be
adding a mechanic and additional crew member to the golf course maintenance staff. Carts and green fees are
expected to be increased slightly to provide the revenue to pay for this additional staffing.

 

CUPS AND PLAQUES (R. Butera)
o Mr. Butera reported that he is working on updating the Club Championship winners and President’s plaques,
as needed.

 

TECHNOLOGY/WEBSITE COMMITTEE (Joe Everard /Jeff O’Connell)
o Given both Mr. Everard and Mr. O’Connell’s absence, no report was provided. However, it was noted that
some Members have not been receiving emails. This will be investigated so it can be corrected. It was also
recommended that there be a joint meeting between the Technology Committee and the Tournament
Committee to coordinate efforts, as needed.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
o Mr. Daly reported that he and Mr. Battista held an “open office” on October 29, 2024 from 6 until 8 PM to
field any questions or comments from the Membership regarding the proposed changes to the Club’s
Constitution and Bylaws. No one attended with questions or comments. As such, the revised Constitution
and Bylaws will be presented to the Membership at the January, 2025 annual meeting for approval.
o Mr. Daly provided an update on Trefz vs. HSR Club lawsuit. He determined that the Club needs to file an
appearance in order to be dropped from the lawsuit. Fortunately, the attorney of the Town’s insurance
company filed the appearance on behalf of the Club. Mr. Daly had a conversation with this attorney who said
he will handle, free of charge, having the Club dropped from the lawsuit.

 

NEW BUSINESS
o Mr. Zilliox reported that the Nomination Committee has received applications from five (5) Members to run
for the three (3) to be open BOG seats. They are: John Brockett, Jeff O’Connell, Brian Zimmerli, Chris
Flowers, and Steve Taylor. Craig Curely and Tim Dailey whose term, along with Chris Flowers, is expiring
at the end of the year will not be running for re-election. He reported that no one applied to run for the, to be
vacant, VP position. With the support of the Committee, and after consultation with Mr. Daly and Mr.
Everard, Mr. Zilliox approached Mr. Battista to run for V.P. Mr. Battista agreed to run for the position.
Should Mr. Battista be voted in as V.P. at the annual meeting, the Secretary position will need to be filled.
Mr. Zilliox reported that he is reaching out to the 5 members who are running for BOG position to see if any
of them are interested in running for the Secretary position.
o Mr. Daly noted that at the December meeting the Board will need to select a candidate for Lou Pintek Sr.
Service Award. Board members should consider candidates to be discussed at the next meeting.
o Mr. Daly read a letter received from Mindy Powlishen, expressing how grateful her and her family are for the
Barry Powlishen Memorial event. Mr. Daly stated that he will make the letter available to the Membership.
o Mr. Daly noted that the Club would be making its annual donation to Family Services, as budgeted, of $350.

 

There being no further business to come before the board the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 P.M.