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.
Ocean Pines Golf Club Closed Temporarily
In order to comply with Maryland Governor Larry Hogan's order that all of the state's non-essential businesses close, Ocean Pines Golf Club has ceased operations effective at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2020.
We will continue to follow the governor's order and will reopen once the ban is lifted and we determine that the golf course environment is safe for our employees and guests.
We appreciate your past patronage and look forward to welcoming you to our Robert Trent Jones, Sr.-designed course again soon!
Sincerely,
John C. Malinowski III, PGA
General Manager, Ocean Pines Golf Club
John C. Malinowski III, PGA
General Manager, Ocean Pines Golf Club
Ocean Pines Golf Club to Remain Open
Update: In order to comply with Maryland Governor Larry Hogan's order that all of the state's non-essential businesses close, Ocean Pines Golf Club has ceased operations effective at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2020.
Ocean Pines Golf Club, like everyone else, has been carefully monitoring the current COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak and considering how best to keep our staff and guests safe, while meeting the needs - when possible - of the golfing public.
Given the outdoor nature of the golf business, Ocean Pines Golf Club plans, for the foreseeable future, to remain open during its regular hours of operation. We have, however, instituted some modifications to our normal procedures to protect the health of those who work at and visit the course. Those modifications include:
Given the outdoor nature of the golf business, Ocean Pines Golf Club plans, for the foreseeable future, to remain open during its regular hours of operation. We have, however, instituted some modifications to our normal procedures to protect the health of those who work at and visit the course. Those modifications include:
- Asking our guests to check in and/or pay one at a time to limit the number of people in the Golf Shop
- Regularly wiping down hard surfaces in the Golf Shop as well as hand railings and golf cart steering wheels
- Cleaning and sanitizing on-course bathrooms daily
- Removing the flagsticks from all greens
- Providing disposable gloves to our Golf Shop staff
- Reminding our guests to be mindful of social distancing when playing a round with others
Golf Scholarship Applications Now Online
The membership of the Ocean Pines Golf Club and the Ocean Pines Golf Members’ Council are looking to award several scholarships of $500-$2,000 each to current high school seniors in support of their college plans for 2020-2021.
Scholarship organizers encouraged students from the Ocean Pines area, including Berlin and Worcester County, to check with their college guidance counselor and submit an application. Consideration will also be given to students from outside the area with a local connection, including those who participated in local junior golf programs or played on a local team.
Bob Long, scholarship committee chairman of the Ocean Pines Golf Members' Council, said the organization awarded more than $5,000 to local students in 2018 and $7,000 this year.