The Flagstick
2024 Year in Review

Letter from the President

The 2024 season was a tremendous success at Cazenovia Golf Club. Our strong membership has allowed the club to remain financially sound. Under the direction of our new Superintendent, Brent Carroll, and his staff, our “beautiful & sporty” course was magnificent. Our dedicated and knowledgeable head golf professional, Dennis Colligan, along with his staff, aided in giving members a welcoming atmosphere and total golfing experience like no other private golf course. An improved dining and bar experience added to our enjoyment, and we thank chef Cory Estelle for his many talents in our kitchen. A special thanks is also extended to George Schaffner for his hard work behind the scenes handling our books and assisting with business operations, under the supervision of the club’s Executive Committee.

At the October 2024 meeting of the Board of Directors, we welcomed two new members to your Board, Doug Woolbert and Shane Franz. We thank the Nominating Committee for recommending both Doug and Shane to become new Directors, and we truly appreciate our general membership for attending in large numbers the closing dinner in September and voting. 

We must extend our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to exiting Board members, Eric Burrell and Pat Vogl for their many contributions to the Golf Club, each having served the board over their tenures in various leadership positions. In recent seasons Eric Burrell has served our club as House Committee Chair, Vice President, and Club President (2023, 2024), and Pat has served the Board as Club President (2021, 2022) and Treasurer. Eric and Pat leave big shoes to fill.

The Board of Directors for the 2025 season are:

  • Mike Byrnes, President (Executive Committee Chair)
  • Jim Gavitt, Vice President (Grounds Committee Chair, Executive Committee)
  • Pete Tynan, Secretary (Membership Chair)
  • Doug Woolbert, Treasurer (Finance Committee Chair, Executive Committee)
  • Susan Baldwin (Long Term Planning Chair, Pro/Tournament Committee Co-Chair)
  • Patrick Kelleher
  • John McDermott (Communications Committee Chair, Executive Committee)
  • Ryan Francey (House Committee Chair)
  • Shane Franz (Pro/Tournament Committee Co-Chair)

Please reach out to the board members listed above if you would like to join any of our committees. One of the main reasons that membership at our private club remains such an incredible value is due to the behind-the-scenes volunteerism conducted by our members. Joining a committee is a great way to contribute to our overall success and a way to gain experience if you ever aspire to become a board member.

The Board of Directors met in mid-December to review the 2025 budget and establish our plans for the 2025 dues. Chairs and Officers were busy at work predicting expenses and revenues and we have created a budget compliant with our bylaws. More information about the 2025 season will be shared in a future update included with the 2025 dues invoices. Invoices for 2025 season dues will be mailed in early January 2025.

Please enjoy reading the Flagstick Newsletter, which was organized by John McDermott with contributions from our Board. Please be sure to mark your calendar for our Winter Social that is planned for February 8, 2025, starting at 6 p.m. at the Caz SportsBowl. Thank you to senior member, Bryan Howles for spearheading and coordinating this fun tradition!

On behalf of the Board of Directors and our staff, we thank you for your membership and participation at Cazenovia Golf Club, Cazenovia’s “Old Course”. We would like to wish you and your families a safe and enjoyable holiday season and a happy new year!

Sincerely,

Mike Byrnes

President

Spotlight: Dennis Colligan, PGA Professional

Celebrating 25 years of PGA Membership and winning the 2024 Section Championship (click to expand)

“Dennis Colligan claimed his fourth career Central New York PGA Section Championship in decisive fashion on August 20th at Onondaga Golf & Country Club. The PGA of America Golf Professional from Cazenovia Golf Club fired rounds of 69 and 71 while playing in challenging weather conditions. Colligan finished at 2-under-par 140. He finished five strokes ahead of 2011 champion Mark Tucker (3-over 145) from Cazenovia Country Club.” – Excerpt from CNY PGA

For the second year in a row, Dennis won both the 2024 CNY PGA Player of the Year and Senior Player of the Year. He claimed the Section Championship for the 4th time in his career, won two events in total, and finished in the Top-5 in seven of twelve tournaments in 2024.

The Board of Directors would like to congratulate Dennis on another impressive year of competition and we thank him for being such a positive representative of our club and membership.

Finance Committee

Letter from Doug Woolbert, Treasurer (click to expand)

At the end of 2023, the Board communicated a commitment to improving the member experience.  With the 2024 season behind us, we can all say 2024 was a successful season based on the tremendous shape of the Course, continued service excellence in the Pro Shop, and the outstanding member experience in the kitchen and bar.  

The commitment to improving the member experience in 2024 impacted the Club’s financials.  As of 11/30/24, year-to-date results include $593.2K in income, $582.3K in expenses, and $10.9K in net income.  In comparison, year-to-date as of 11/30/23 was $605.1K in income, $484.7K in expenses, and $120.2K in net income.  In 2024, every area of the operation had increased expenses including significant one-time maintenance expenses such as painting and repairing the clubhouse and maintenance barn.

As of the time of this article, the 2025 budget is in the process of being finalized and includes $621K in income and $621K in expenses.  The goal of the budgeting process is to balance managing the finances of the Club responsibly with a commitment to continually improving the quality of service to our members, while also providing that service in the most cost-effective manner.  Throughout the year, the Board monitors the budget monthly with a focus on managing unanticipated trends and unforeseen expenses. 

We anticipate annual membership invoices being mailed by early January.  In addition, the Club is continuing its policy of Intermediate and Senior Memberships receiving six complimentary guest passes when invoices are paid in full by January 31st.

The Club continues to operate in a strong fiscal position due to strong membership and continued expense management.  Membership dues represent a significant portion of our total revenue, so please continue to bring in new members.

Thanks!

Membership Committee

Letter from Pete Tynan, Membership Chair (click to expand)

The Membership Committee consists of myself (the Chairperson) and two non-board members. Nick Marsella is returning for another year on the committee and we are in the process of recruiting an interested member to join us. Our membership is currently in a very healthy place, wrapping up the year with 249 members of the Club.

As a side note, the new warning bell on the ninth green is being repaired. I requested Superintendent Brent take down the bell so that I could take it for updating. Before I could pick it up, Brent and Josh had taken the initiative to make the necessary welds and repairs. The bell will be reinstalled in the spring once the course opens for the 2025 season. I’d like to thank them for their help as well as the membership for their patience with this issue.

House Committee

Letter from Ryan Francey, House Chair (click to expand)

Year-end finished well with cleaning and winterization.  Thank you to Doug Woolbert, Tom Cooney, and Bryan Howles for their assistance.  Special thanks to Cory Estelle and the rest of the Bar/Kitchen staff for a fantastic year at the club. 

Cory is operating a catering business this winter for lunches to all of the Cazenovia area.  If anyone is interested in his services he does a weekly menu. To learn more, he can be reached via email at Estellescny@gmail.com. 

All in all, it was a great year and we look forward to this spring.

Greens Committee

Letter from Jim Gavitt, Greens Chair (click to expand)

I would like to highlight what a fantastic job Brent Carroll and his team did to keep the course in perfect condition all year long. Tournaments, events, leagues, and general play are much better when we have such a beautiful venue. It has been said over and over “The course is in the best shape it has ever been”. Also, a special thank you is in order to Pete and Jim Tynan for replacing the flagpole and No. 18 bell. They turned out great! As a note, you may have noticed that there was no aeration done in the latter part of the season. This year, Brent decided to wait and do that, and much more maintenance, on the course after the club officially closed for the year.

Tournament Committee

2024 Tournament Winners (click to expand)
  • Men’s Club Champion – Mark Reznikov
  • Women’s Club Champion – Erin Howles
  • Senior Club Champion – Kevin Schaffner
  • Member/Member – Dick McLaughlin & Paul McLaughlin
  • Men’s Member/Guest – Mike Nichiporuk & Jakob Ellithorpe
  • Women’s Member/Guest – Suzanne Kusnierczyk & Kathy Kusnierczyk
  • Senior Men’s Member/Guest – Jeff Perrone & David Arthur
  • Pro Cup – John Hunter & Mike Fish
  • President’s Cup – Jac Sessler
  • Men’s Twilight League – Bryan Howles
  • Ladies Twilight League – Debbie McCullough & Katie Franz
  • Monday Night Men’s League – Bob Greiner & Brian Mullett

Congrats to all our winners!

Reminder: You’re invited to the Cazenovia Golf Club Mid-Winter Party!

When: 6:00 PM Saturday, February 8th
Where: Caz SportsBowl – 3 Carriage Ln, Cazenovia, NY 13035
Additional Details:

  • $10 per person – includes buffet dinner
  • Cash bar
  • Lanes will be reserved for those who wish to bowl
  • No RSVP necessary

If you would like to help with set up, please contact Bryan Howles at 315-243-9862.

Post Views: 0