LIBERTY-- The Liberty based Sullivan County Golf & Country Club is still owned by certificate members and a board of governors but a new management team consisting of Liberty attorney Brian P. Rourke and former Cobblers Restaurant owner Michael Stoddard officially took over daily operations on February 1.
The new management agreement between Rourke & Stoddard and the unanimous approval of all certificate golf club members provides the new management team with a three-year agreement and an option to purchase the property.
Rourke in addition to having a law practice on Darbee Lane in Liberty and Monticello has been a Town/Village Justice since 2001, has been a certificate member at Sullivan County Golf & Country Club for 15 years and is a former Board of Governors' member.
Brian is also the owner of the Superclean Laundromat in Liberty, the Downtown Barn music venue in Liberty and other real estate interests throughout Liberty. He is committed to re-energizing the downtown Village of Liberty area, particularly Liberty's new "Darbee District."
Stoddard owned and was the manager and cook at Cobblers Restaurant on Liberty's North Main Street from 2001-2007, was the Pro Shop Manager at the Sullivan County Golf & Country Club in 2008, was the Food and Beverage Manager at the Tennanah Lake Golf & Tennis Club from 2009 to 2011, was a chef at the Center for Discovery from 2012-2013 and is the Territory Sales Manager for Maines Paper and Food from 2014 to the present time. .
Stoddard is assuming the duties of managing both the restaurant, the pro shop and and the upkeep and maintenance of the golf course. Tony Hirsch will retain the title of head greens-keeper.
Stoddard said that his goal for the upcoming season "is to let the general public know that Sullivan County Golf & Country Club welcomes all players from beginners to experienced players and that everyone can have fun here."
He pointed out that the course offers a beautiful view and is a challenging course with affordable green fees.
The Sullivan County Golf & Country Club will also become the home of a new restaurant which will specialize in American Cuisine with both a bar and lunch menu and evening meals. The new restaurant facility plans to open around April 1.
Rumors that the golf course owned $100,000 in back taxes was denied by Rourke who acknowledged that the new management team had just made a $55,000 payment for back-due taxes thus eliminating for the time being a foreclosure process by the County of Sullivan.
If the management team proceeds to purchase the golf course they would not at this time disclose any purchase price but figures circulating indicated a price range of around $650,000.
Golf Course Board of Governors' president Larry Eisenberg pointed our during this interview that "the certificate members still own this property and if sold each members would receive their share of the sale price." Eisenberg firmly stated that this new management agreement "received the overwhelming support of the majority of the club certificate membership."
Eisenberg would not disclose how many certificate members the golf club presently has but again figures circulating around the community say there are about 25 to 30 certificate members at this time.
The president of the Board of Governors' also disputed statements that the greens had deteriorated and golf course maintenance was under par. He pointed out that financial conditions dictated what could and what could not be done at the golf course.
If there is no sale of the golf course in the future the certificate members and the board of governors would again be responsible for taking over the management and daily operations.
Under this new management agreement there will be no future sales of certificate memberships but seasonal memberships, corporate memberships, and youth memberships will be available.
Rourke and Stoddard said increased efforts will be made for league and tournament participation. Eisenberg noted that the Liberty Central School golf team practices and has their matches at this club which provides free golf for team members.
Stronger efforts to market the course for company outings for employees as well as adding tournaments for fund raisers are also part of the plans for increasing activity at the golf course.
Clubs will be available for rent and the pro shop will not sell clothing or golf clubs but will be equipped with all the items needed for a round of golf.
The course plays host to four leagues, Monday Men's, Ladies league on Tuesday, Men's league on Wednesday and a Mixed league on Thursday. Golfers who would like to contact the Sullivan County Golf & Country Club by e-mail may do so at 845-292-9584.
Sullivan County Golf & Country Club will have available at least 25 carts for rental.
The new management team emphasized that their plans for the future of this golf facility is to turn the existing property into a "family entertainment center and in addition to golf they will being in activities like Drone racing and other events."
A name for the restaurant has yet to be selected but the entire facility will be refurbished and remodeled to provide a new atmosphere and a family entertainment center with live music and dancing and catering for all type of events.
A Sullivan County Golf & Country Club Champions board located in the cocktail lounge contains names of club champions from 1935 to 1988 with 13 club championships won by the late John "Jack" Coughlin, a true gentleman and outstanding golfer.
This nine hole golf course offers a whole set of different tees for holes 10-18 and plays to a total yardage of 3,006 yards for nine holes from the men's tees. Par is 36.for men and 39 for women.
There are no immediate plans to change the maintenance procedures or design of this 9-hole course which plays as follows:
Hole No. 1 is a 315-yard par 4. Straight down the middle over the directional flag will put your second shot into the green and the opportunity for a par. Don't hit it short on the second shot as a small stream runs in front of this green.
Hole No. 2 is a 295-yard par 4 and its uphill off the tee. Take your drive to the left center portion of the fairway and play to the upper half of the green on your second shot as the green slopes left to right.
Hole No. 3 is a 400-yard par 4 with the fairway sloping down hill right to left. Better to play right center for a good second shot to the green.
Hole No. 4 is a 152-yard par 3 with an elevated tee taking your tee shot down hill left to right. Club selection is key to a par on this hole.
Hole No. 5 is a 280-yard par 4 with water to the left. Take your drive right center for a good approach shot to the green which has bunkers left and right.
Hole No. 6 is a 275-yard par 4. Depending on where the tee box is you will have to play left or right of the tall tree at the start of the fairway. A small stream runs just below the start of the fairway. A good tee shot here can produce a birdie score.
Hole No. 7 is a 422-yard par 4 with an open fairway so let it all out on this tee. A good tee shot and second shot to the green also makes this a possible birdie score.
Hole No. 8 is a 545-yard par 5 making is the longest on on this course. Open fairway to the left and c enter and woods on the right. Tee shot should go center of the fairway and club selection is key on the second shot to the green or your approach shot.
Hole No. 9 is a 395-yard par 4 with Route 52 and trees on the right, a left center tee shot makes for a better approach shot to the green with traps on the right and rear section of the green.
Periscopes are installed on the 1st and 7th tees to give golfers a view further down the fairways and this avoids golfers hitting into each other.
Michael Stoddard, left, and Brian P. Rourke are the new management team with an option to buy the Liberty based Sullivan County Golf & Country Club.
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