Karen was asked to join the Friends of Montauk Downs Board in 2004 by
Kevin Smith and Richard Hausman. Karen brought her usual energy and keen
focus to the board and quickly became enthusiastic about the work that
could be done by FOMD. In 2005, Karen was named Chairperson. She has
brought a sense of purpose to FOMD and has done everything from
developing a database to managing member information to recruiting new
members. Most importantly, she and Kevin Smith from Tee to Green have
worked hard to increase fundraising initiatives with a regular schedule
of tournaments, successfully moving into its third year.
Being a part of FOMD is a family affair for Karen and her son Billy is an
active volunteer and participant in FOMD activities. Karen and Billy
often play golf and have a shared love of Montauk Downs.
Professionally, Karen is a managing partner at Gilder Gagnon Howe & Co.,
a New York investment management firm.
JOE BOLOMEY
Joe was born in Brooklyn and moved to
Centereach, NY in 1960. Golf has been in Joe’s blood since he was
a very young boy and most weekends were spent caddying at Harbor
Hills Country Club in Port Jefferson. Not only did Joe make a few
dollars caddying, working at Harbor Hills enabled him to play golf at
a private club. Joe went on to play golf on the Newfield High School
Varsity team where he captured his first Hole-in-One.
Joe was a member at St. Georges Golf
Club, Stony Brook, NY for many years before moving to East Hampton in
1986 where he currently resides with his wife Pat and seventeen year
old daughter Brianne.
Joe has worked in the building trade on
the eastern end of Long Island for over 25 years. Currently, Joe is
a foreman for a large construction company based in Westhampton Beach
with a primary focus on large custom built homes.
Joe is one of the original member of
the Friends of Montauk Downs and is totally committed to the
restoration and renovation of “The Downs”
DAVID BROWN
Dave grew up in Massapequa, NY. In
1965, his parents bought a home in Ditch Plains. Dave’s first job
was as a waiter at Gosman’s Dock. Presently, Dave and his
brothers, Larry and Tom, own and operate North Shore Neon, a
successful sign company on Long Island and in New York City.
Dave enjoys fishing and golfing with
his wife Maryann and their children Lawrence, Jill, and David. Their
summers are spent at their home in Montauk. David considers it a
privilege to play golf at Montauk Downs and he is ever committed to
the renovation and restoration of the course as evidenced by his
generous donation of new signs on the golf course.
DIANE FUDYMA
Diane became a member of the Friends of
Montauk Downs Board in 2005. Diane has played at Montauk Downs for a
number of years – she remembers the telescope on the tee box at
number 7 – and was eager to become a part of the rejuvenation of
Montauk Downs. She has a keen interest in making sure that the
course is accessible to golfers at every level and has made sure that
the course, which has always been friendly to women golfers,
maintains and expands on that reputation.
As with so many board members, FOMD is
a family affair for Diane and her partner Kathleen Carlin, also is
included in many of the FOMD activities.
Professionally, Diane is a Director at
Pfizer, Inc. She also maintains her license as a registered nurse.
GEORGE LARSEN
George, a dedicated employee of the
Long Island and Palisades State Park Commissions, recently retired
from state service. He began his career as Supervisor of the famed
Red Course at Bethpage, then became Manager of the Long Island
Parkway System, Superintendent of Lake Sebago and Bear Mountain in
the Palisades Region, and then served as Superintendent of the
Montauk State Parks from 1980 until his retirement sixteen years
later.
He was a member of the New York State
Parks Golf Committee and visited every state park facility and worked
to make them more golfer friendly. He also served as a member of a
group from both public and private courses that actively works to
implement the principles of integrated pest management and reduce
overall chemical usage on our golf courses. He was active in
improving the pace of play and improving maintenance at Montauk
Downs.
George was a Board Member on the
Montauk Lighthouse Committee, Chairman of the East Hampton Town
Nature Preservation Committee, past President and current Treasurer
for the Villas at Montauk Downs and is on the Board of Directors and
Secretary of the South Fork Natural History Society Executive Board.
JOHN PATRICK LYCKE
A third
generation Montauk local, John runs a family owned house watch
service and Buyers Brokerage Real Estate in Montauk. From the
beginning John worked with FOMD founders Kevin Smith and Richard
Hausman to restore the original Robert Trent Jones layout at Montauk
Downs, originally called the Montauk Golf and Racket Club.
John lives in Montauk with his wife
Elizabeth and their nine year old son Jack who is also an avid golfer
at Montauk Downs.
DIANE SHERIDAN
Diane is a graphic designer
specializing in package design as well as logos and corporate
identity. Her twenty years of experience include working
for regional as well as Fortune 500 companies such as
Pepsi, Jose Cuervo, Snapple, Haagen Dazs, and Fruit of
the Loom. We are fortunate to have Diane Sheridan’s expertise
at the Friends of Montauk Downs. Diane has designed our
brochures and all marketing materials. At the golf
course, Diane’s influence can be seen on our recently
installed signs and scorecards.
In addition to working at her
design studio in New York City, Diane is teaching a package design
course at her alma mater, Fashion Institute of Technology.
Diane and her husband Jim met
in Montauk twenty-five years ago and spend their time
between their homes in NYC and Montauk.
CLIFF SMITH / LORRAINE SMITH
Cliff joined the newly formed
Friends of Montauk Downs board in 2004 at the invitation of
Kevin Smith and Richard Hausman. His wife Lorraine joined the Board
in 2005.
Cliff has been playing golf for over
fifty years and has represented Montauk Down in both the 2005 and
2006 Met Net Championships. Both times Cliff made it to the finals,
finishing in the top five in 2005 and the top ten in 2006. Between
1978 and 2000 Cliff has gotten 3 hole-in-ones--and lives for
the day when he can sink one in at Montauk Downs!
Cliff and Lorraine are active
participants in all fund raisers and are especially instrumental
in raising additional revenue for FOMD tournaments with the many
foursomes that participate on their behalf. In 2001 Lorraine began
working at the pro shop at Montauk Downs during the summer--it is
another way that she enjoys the golfing community.
Cliff and Lorraine live in New York City and spend their weekends in Montauk.
GARY SYMANSKY
Gary earns a living, as a broker with
Smith Barney’s, Jericho NY office. Past careers include CPA/Auditor
with KPMG and corporate financial officer at Grumman. Gary is an
avid golfer and outdoor sports enthusiast. It’s Gary’s
enthusiasm the Friends of Montauk Downs value, as he seized the
opportunity to help Montauk Downs accomplish its renovation. Although
an early morning player, he often enjoys a twilight nine with his
beloved playing partner and wife Regina.
