LABAR GOLF - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Vice President
- Vice President of LGR
With more than twenty years of experience in golf course maintenance and construction, Chris joined LaBar Golf Renovations in March of 2015. Chris combines strong leadership and planning skills with attention to detail required by top golf clubs across the United States. Chris' broad knowledge of architectural course styles aids him in providing the best possible project results for clubs.
Chris was project manager for a major renovation at Sunningdale Country Club (Scarsdale, NY), and assistant project manager at Siwanoy Country Club (Bronxville, NY), and Burning Tree Country Club (Greenwich, CT) in 2015. Currently, Chris serves as assistant project manager for the south course renovation at the prestigious Los Angeles Country Club (Los Angeles, CA). Currently, Chris is overseeing work at Rolling Hills Country Club in Wilton, CT.
Chris graduated from the University of Dayton with a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration, and also holds a Bachelor's of Science in Agriculture from Ohio State University.
In his spare time, Chris is an avid golfer and diehard Cleveland Browns and OSU Buckeyes fan. He resides in Elizabeth, NJ with his wife Maria and daughter, Abby and son, CJ.
With more than twenty years of experience in equipment management, Clayton joined LaBar Golf in 2013 after previously working with Rich LaBar in various New York Metro area projects.
Prior to that, Clayton served 10 years as an equipment operator, mechanic, and job foreman for a local construction company. Clayton honed his skills early on when he served in the 82 nd Airborne and was a 62echo Combat Engineer, Heavy Equipment Operator, and Explosives Expert for 4 years.
Job Titles:
- Project Manager
- As Project Manager, Eric Joined LGR in 2021 and Is Currently Overseeing a Complete Renovation of the Cardinal at St. John 's Resort in Plymouth, Michigan
Prior to LGR, Eric spent 10 years as the new course superintendent at Trump National Bedminster. During his time there, Eric had oversight for the renovation work associated with the championship prep leading up to the 2022 PGA championship, as well as the 2017 U.S. Women's Open. Eric worked alongside the LGR team during two full bunker renovations at Trump National Bedminster (in 2015 and 2020). Eric had a short stint in Illinois In 2019, to serve as Superintendent at Panther Creek Country Club in Springfield, Illinois and hosted the 2019 Korn Ferry Tour Event.
Eric was raised in Illinois and graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He currently resides in Hackettstown, New Jersey with his wife Kimberly, and two children Hannah and Hayden.
Bringing over 20 years of multi-industry financial experience to LaBar Golf, Jason handles the day-to-day financial needs with impeccable attention-to-detail. Prior to contributing his talents to LaBar Golf, Jason served as a controller for a large elevator consulting company for over 15 years. He also worked 3 years in the construction management industry, where he handled all aspects of accounting and learned the ins-and-outs of construction management.
Kerri Ercole brings 15 years of invaluable experience to her role as the LaBar Golf Human Resources Manager. Thorough and informative, Kerri is the administrator of all benefit plans as well as the onboarding of employees, mobility needs, and payroll. Her impressive background includes working for Blackstone for 9 years in the Benefits and Expatriate/Mobility divisions, and 4 years in the Citigroup Alternative Investment division.
Mark joined LaBar Golf in 2012 after working with Rich LaBar on a variety of projects since the late-80s. He brings more than 40 years of experience in the golf course construction industry. Mark has handled project management for a variety of clients, such as Echo Lake Country Club, Rockaway River Country Club, Rumson Country Club, Burning Tree Country Club, Century Country Club, and Montammy Country Club.
Prior to 2012, Mark and Rich LaBar worked together at a regional golf course renovation company where Mark served as project manager at several of the top courses the New York metro area. During this period, Mark executed a 36-hole renovation project of the famed Upper and Lower courses at Baltusrol Golf Club (Springfield, NJ).
Earlier in his career, Mark worked alongside Rich LaBar on the construction of the Crystal Springs Golf Club in Hamburg, New Jersey. From there, Mark worked with Rich in many roles such as head shaper, construction supervisor & irrigation installation manager at Black Bear Golf Club, Ballyowen Golf Club and at Wild Turkey Golf Club - all in Northern New Jersey.
Mark started his career in 1980 working in Fort Myers, FL as maintenance and construction lead at Fiddlesticks Country Club and Vine's Country Club. He moved to New Jersey in 1989 and started his focus in golf course construction.
Mark resides in Andover, New Jersey with wife Cathy and daughter Sara.
Oscar Lazaro joined LaBar Golf in 2012 and currently serves as Project Manager. Early on, he was an integral part of the renovation team working at Winged Foot Golf Club in preparation for the 2020 U.S. Open. Oscar has also worked at Quaker Ridge Golf Club, Virginia Country Club, LA Country Club, Dallas National Golf Club, Shoal Creek Club, El Dorado Country Club, Brook Hollow Golf Club, Oakland Hills Golf Club, and Bloomfield Hills Golf Club. Oscar attended school in Paterson, NJ and currently resides in Lyndhurst, NJ.
Founder and CEO, Rich has had a passion for golf since his first golf swing at the age of 14. With more than 30 years of experience in golf course construction & renovations, Rich brings an unparalleled level of expertise and dedication to his clients' projects. LaBar Golf was started in June 2012, and through Rich's vision and leadership, the company has grown rapidly and is today ranked as a top U.S. golf renovation and restoration company.
Prior to 2012, Rich spent 8 years working to develop business and manage projects with a regional golf course renovation company. During this tenure highlighted by a 36-hole renovation of the world-famous Baltusrol Golf Club, Rich played a major role in more than 25 successful projects at some of the United States' most exclusive private golf courses. Rich began his career during college summers as part of the team responsible for building Crystal Springs Golf Course in Hamburg, New Jersey. Working as a crewmember, Rich honed his craft, absorbing the fundamentals of basic golf course construction, including drainage, irrigation, and grow-in.
In 1993, at the age of 24, Rich was named Assistant Superintendent at Bowling Green Golf Club in Oak Ridge, New Jersey. Within two years, he was named construction & grow in superintendent for Black Bear Golf Course in Franklin, New Jersey, making him one of the youngest managers in the business at that time. His rapid rise in the industry continued with the oversight, planning, development and construction of Ballyowen Golf Course and Wild Turkey Golf Course, both designed by Roger Rulewich. Rich graduated from Rutgers University in 1991 with a Bachelors of Science in Economics and Business. In 1993, he completed the Rutgers Turf Management Program. He lives in Harding Township, New Jersey with his wife Bridget, son Philip, daughter Anne, and two dogs Lily Belle and Finn.
Job Titles:
- Director of Operations
- Vice President
As Director of Operations, Todd supports the Owner and President all facets of the business, including interfacing with project managers and the company's vast labor force to help facilitate the success of construction projects across the country. Todd also oversees specific projects, such as the new Jack Nicklaus designed golf course in South Jersey, set to kick off in April 2022.
Todd joined LaBar Golf in 2012 after working with owner, Rich LaBar in the late-90's in the construction and maintenance of multiple golf courses at the Crystal Springs Golf Resort, where he served as an Assistant Superintendent at Wild Turkey Golf Club. He also worked as Assistant Superintendent at the Green Brook Country Club in North Caldwell NJ. During his time at LaBar Golf, Todd managed projects at many top clubs in the U.S.,including Pinehurst No.4, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, The Colleton River Club, Westchester Country Club, Fenway Golf Club, Quaker Ridge Golf Club, Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster NJ, Savannah Golf Club and Washington Golf & Country Club, and most recently a complete golf course renovation at Raleigh Country Club.