Seeking Boots on the Ground: Marketing Campaign Under Way for The Griff

At the April Parks & Rec meeting, Joe Siciliano introduced Lou Berlingo and said he will serve as operations manager this season on a temporary basis at the The Griffith E Harris Golf Course, Greenwich’s Town-owned golf course, with the goal of getting “more boots on the ground.”

Mr. Siciliano said there will be some restructuring at the course. “We’re looking at our overhead — labor and such — and we’ll see how the season goes. The general user of the course will not be effected.”

Mr. Berlingo who has worked at the King Street the Griff for 20 years is coming up with a marketing plan for the course, which is vulnerable to swings in weather and fewer young people taking up the sport. “When the sun’s out they will come. When we get those overcast drizzly days, they don’t come,” Mr. Siciliano said last year when he delivered the golf report. “When there’s extreme heat, they don’t come.”

Mr. Massey and Mr. Berlingo have been working closely this past year in Dave D’Andrea’s absence. Mr. D’Andrea, the operations manager, was out for medical reasons for several months last year and is no longer employed at the course. Mr. Berlingo who otherwise serves as business office supervisor, is working with Rick Massey who was Mr. D’Andrea’s assistant. He too is assuming broadened responsibilities this season.

Last month the golf course opened with a holiday weekend greens fee special of $26.00 for residents and guests.

Also, this season, Mr. Berlinger instituted a “Twilight Rate,” which kicks in at 4:30pm. “People are calling and asking for the 4:30pm time,” he said. “It’s working.”

“And if you bring in a new member, you get a free round of golf,” Mr. Berlinger said.

Further on the theme of marketing the golf course, Mr. Berlinger said there are plans afoot to separate the golf course website from the town website and to include information on lessons, weather and tournaments.

Mr. Siciliano said some changes reflect the suggestions from the course’s “user group.” “There are no objections regarding fees or otherwise.”