The course that was initially designed for only 10,000 rounds a year has seen as many as 30,000 recently, prompting the need for greens work, walk-bridge repairs and the creation of a new practice green and tee area, among other projects. The $825,000 cost will be funded by a $2.5 million settlement received from a pesticide distributor after misapplications damaged the course’s greens in 2015.
Members Sue City Over Rye (N.Y.) GC Closure
In December 2015, the city received $2.5 million in a settlement with a fungicide manufacturer over tainted chemicals that destroyed portions of the club’s turf, causing all 18 greens to be closed for about three months. The city says it has a no-refund policy built into membership contracts, but a group of members is accusing the city of negligence and breach of contract.
City Settles Class-Action Lawsuit with Rye (N.Y.) GC Employees
The city will pay $1 million to settle a lawsuit that claims a group of club employees, mostly waiters and bartenders, were consistently denied their tips and overtime pay from 2007 to 2013. The employees originally sought around $4 million, and in a show of good will, the city council is planning a reception at the golf club for the employees.
New York Grapples with Pesticides
The Journal News investigated the sale, distribution and use of pesticides in the state following a scandal at the Rye (N.Y.) Golf Club, where a contaminated batch of pesticide killed grass, causing 18 greens to be closed for three months. The Belleayre Resort at Catskill Park in Highmount, N.Y., as proposed, will be the state’s first organically managed golf course.
Rye (N.Y.) GC to Receive $2.5M in Fungicide Damage Settlement
A fungicide manufactured by Tessenderlo Kerley Inc. caused turf damage that forced all 18 greens to be closed for three months over the summer. The city has earmarked $283,000 to make up for lost revenue and another $115,000 for remediation, with the rest of the money set aside for capital projects. The manufacturer has also agreed to set up a $60,000 escrow account to cover sodding costs in 2016, if needed.
Pennsylvania, New York Clubs Recover from Chemical Damage
Four years after herbicide damage killed nearly 500 trees, the golf course at Northampton Country Club in Easton, Pa., is alive and renovated, bolstered partly by the settlement the club negotiated with the herbicide’s manufacturer, DuPont. Rye (N.Y.) Golf Club is negotiating a payout from the manufacturer of a fungicide that killed turf and closed all 18 of its greens.
Former GM at Rye (N.Y.) GC Sentenced in Larceny Case
Scott Yandrasevich has been sentenced to a term of up to three years in prison in connection with the theft of more than $270,000 from the municipal golf course. Last year, Yandrasevich pleaded guilty to one count of grand larceny and two counts of falsifying business records.
Former GM at Rye (N.Y.) GC Pleads Guilty to Grand Larceny, Falsifying Records
Scott Yandrasevich, who worked for the city-owned property for 11 years, had been accused of stealing $342,120 from the club over 5 ½ years by collecting money through a shell business. He will likely be sentenced to one year in prison.
Rye (N.Y.) GC Seeks Restaurant Operator
The city of Rye is moving forward with plans to have an outside food and beverage company take over operations of the Whitby Castle restaurant at the club. Sealed proposals must be received no later than December 27, according to the request for proposals, and a mandatory open house tour will be held November 15.