TOWN OF ULSTER, N.Y. — When Wiltwyck Golf Club hired Kyle Bell as the semiprivate golf course’s first director of Golf and Sports last November, club officials said they would embark on a search for a new head golf professional to replace former pro Trevor Alexander.
While the months-long search produced two qualified candidates, Wiltwyck was unable to come to terms with both men, and it decided to shift Bell into the role of head professional, according to Wiltwyck Golf Club General Manager Eric Atkins.
Atkins said the club received “numerous resumes” for the head professional vacancy and eventually narrowed it down to two candidates.
“I think we ran a great process,” Atkins said. “There was interest both locally and outside the area. We got close to a couple of really good applicants, and for whatever reason, we couldn’t close on either one of them.”
Atkins, Bell, and five managing members of Wiltwyck were involved in the selection process, according to Atkins.
“We’ll continue to seek applicants, and when we find the right person, we’ll hire the right person,” Atkins said. “But for now, we’re excited to have Kyle as the head pro, and he’s going to be tremendous.”
Ty Fazio, who has been an assistant pro at Wiltwyck since 2024, will return for a third season.
Richard Giordano, who served the last seven seasons as the head professional at the Town of Wallkill Golf Club in Middletown, has also been hired as an assistant pro.
When Bell’s hiring as director of golf and sports was announced on Nov. 11, club officials said part of his duties would include overseeing the club’s swimming pool, the tennis and pickleball courts, and the summer camp. Atkins said he and Bell would now share those duties.
Bell, who started at the Wiltwyck Golf Club on Dec. 1 and resides with his family in a Hillside Terrace residence that is one street over from the club’s par-4 fourth hole, said he is excited to take on the role as the head golf professional.
Bell came to Wiltwyck after serving as the head professional at the newly reopened Monster Golf Club at the Resorts World Catskills casino and hotel in Monticello. Before working at the Monster Golf Club, Bell was the head pro and general manager at Copake Country Club in Columbia County for five years.
“My strong suit is in the management side of things, but I worked for eight to 10 years as a head pro,” Bell said. “We felt it was in our best interests for membership and for the club after going through the process to shift and hire two highly skilled assistant golf professionals. They’ll both have different roles and responsibilities.”
Fazio’s role will include substantial responsibility for the execution of the club’s tournament and league schedule.
Giordano, who also spent nine years in various roles at the West Point Golf Course, will be the lead golf instructor.
“Rich has also run a highly successful junior program, so he’ll help there as well,” Bell said. “He’s been in the golf business for a long time, so we’re looking at getting him on board. It’ll be good to have Ty kind of kick in gear with the new responsibilities, and he knows the membership very well, which will be very valuable as well.”
Longtime area pro Jack Breno will also be retained on staff as a teaching pro.
Bell, a Rondout Valley High graduate who also attended John A. Coleman Catholic High School for three years, said he’s felt comfortable returning to the club where he played many of his high school golf matches and has many fond memories of a bustling golf operation at Wiltwyck.
“A lot of members have hopped in and introduced themselves, if they hadn’t met me already,” Bell said. “Having grown up in the area, I know a decent amount of the membership. It’s been really great seeing some new faces and hearing new ideas, and what members felt was great in the past and what can be improved upon.
“My one main focus when I came in was to work on the merchandising side of things here, getting all new accounts established and making sure we have offerings for everybody. And also setting up our golf leagues and tournament schedule with some new offerings, which I think will bring some excitement to the membership. Plus, rounding out the staff and getting ready to roll. I’m looking forward to the upcoming season.”