OP Golf Members' Council Announces Annual Scholarships
(May 28, 2020) The Ocean Pines Golf Members’ Council recently awarded five scholarships totaling $6,000 to local high school seniors.
The scholarship committee of the Golf Members’ Council each year honors students who have exhibited an interest in the game of golf, and who demonstrated exemplary academic and extracurricular records.
Much of the money raised each year comes from the Ocean Pines/Taylor Bank Scramble. Since 2017, the Golf Members’ Council has awarded $22,000 in scholarships to local students.
Bob Long, scholarship committee chairman, said awards are given on behalf of Ocean Pines Golf Club members, who support the fund throughout the year.
“While the committee and the membership is saddened not to have the opportunity to present these scholarships in person this spring, it is hoped they will have the chance to meet these young people on the golf course in the not too distant future,” Long said.
The 2020 recipients of the Ocean Pines Golf Members’ Council Scholarships are:
The 2020 recipients of the Ocean Pines Golf Members’ Council Scholarships are:
Ocean Pines Golf Club Reopens for Business Following COVID Closure
(May 11, 2020) The Ocean Pines Golf Club welcomed back its first customers of the season on Saturday after Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan broadened the list of outdoor activities allowed under the state's stay-at-home order.Although construction on the new golf clubhouse and grounds maintenance continued during the closure, golfers had not been allowed to play since the order took effect on March 23.
"The governor's announcement meant we had to hustle to get the course ready for play, but after a couple of days of hard work we were able to meet the restrictions placed on golf courses and were happy to be open again," Ocean Pines PGA General Manager of Golf John Malinowski said.
Some of those restrictions include limiting golfers who don't reside in the same household to one person per cart, prepayment over the phone of greens and cart fees, and regular sanitization of carts and on-course restrooms.
Despite having to adapt to a new set of procedures, golfers were excited to be able to play the Robert Trent Jones, Sr.-designed course again.
Ocean Pines Golf member Don McMullen, who played in Saturday's first foursome with fellow members Paul Kelly and Frank Ruggiere, as well as with Frank's son Steven Ruggiere, said the experience of returning to his home course with the new safety measures in place was "comforting."
Ocean Pines Golf Club to Reopen May 9
On May 6, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced he would broaden the list of outdoor activities allowed under the state’s stay-at-home order. Ocean Pines Golf Club is happy to report that golf is one of the outdoor activities now permitted.The safety of our staff and patrons is our top priority, and we will fully comply with the governor's guidelines for the operation of golf courses in Maryland during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Keeping these guidelines in mind, Ocean Pines Golf Club has instituted the following procedures for play, effective Saturday, May 9:
Reservations
- Reservations for tee times will be taken beginning at noon on Friday, May 8. Tee times will be available daily from 8am-5pm starting Saturday, May 9.
- To make a tee time, call 410-641-6057 ext. 2. If the phone is not answered, please leave a message and your call will be returned as soon as possible.
- No online reservations are being taken at this time.
Golf Clubhouse Nearly Finished, According to OP GM
(May 4, 2020) Ocean Pines General Manager John Viola supplied construction and other project updates during his May 2 report to the Association Board.
Viola said the new Golf Clubhouse is “basically complete,” with issuance of a certificate of occupancy expected this week. The project, begun last fall, remains under budget.
“It’s looking pretty neat,” Viola said. “There’s a patio that’ll come from the Clubhouse Grille for the golfers … [and] there is another patio that will be used for the banquets and the community center.”
Viola said the multipurpose building would accommodate golfers, as well as banquets and community events, and the new Clubhouse Bar & Grille restaurant.
Meet the Team: John Malinowski
(April 14, 2020) On an average day at the Ocean Pines Golf Club, one would be just as likely to see John Malinowski with a shovel or a wrench in his hand as with a clipboard or a golf club.
Malinowski, the Association’s general manager of Golf, said his daily approach is to “do whatever needs to be done,” from fixing broken golf carts and replacing worn sod, to teaching the next generation of golfers how to play.
“I get there at 7 a.m. … and I leave at some point,” Malinowski said with a laugh. “I work six days a week and there’s just a lot going on, between working with marketing stuff with hotel packages and resort play, to holding lessons, summer camps and clinics, and even merchandise ordering. Each of those are full-time jobs at other places.
“I figure it’s all under ‘miscellaneous assigned duties’ –– unfortunately, I’m the one assigning them!” he added.
Malinowski was born in Philadelphia, but moved all over the country growing up. His father was “a career Marine.”
Also, golf wasn’t his first sport.
“I grew up playing baseball,” Malinowski said. “Baseball didn’t work out quite as I had hoped, so, once that career path ended, I got into golf and picked that up pretty quick and easy in college.”
Malinowski doubled majored in economics and political science, with a concentration in public administration, at Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, North Carolina. His PGA certifications include professional golf management, executive management, golf operations and golf instruction, and he has a rules certification through the United States Golf Association.