Meet the Team
LaBar Golf is a premier golf course construction and renovation company based in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Operating primarily in the Northeast, LaBar Golf also works on select projects across the United States. The company touts an expert management team with over 100 years combined experience and outstanding labor crews. With an exceptional track record for timeliness, thoroughness, and dedication, LaBar Golf brings an unparalleled level of excellence to every project.
Rich LaBar
Rich LaBar
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.
Todd Saganiec
Todd Saganiec
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.
Todd graduated in 1998 from the Rutgers Professional Golf Turf Management Program. He resides in Absecon, NJ with his wife Emily and 4 boys Ryan, Dylan, Deacon, and Owen. In his free time, Todd enjoys surfing, golfing, skiing, or traveling with his family.
Mark Smith
Mark Smith
Brian Chapin
Chris Walick
Bringing 20 years of golf industry experience, Brian serves as Vice President of LGR. In this role, Brian directly supports Owner, Rich LaBar, in a variety of facets of the company including involvement in complex bid development & project benchmark evaluation, providing support for company project management teams, as well as supplier and vendor relations and broad strategic planning. Prior to joining LGR in 2022, Brian was GM/COO at Rolling Green Golf Club, Springfield, PA where he was responsible for all Club operations and facilities. For several years prior to his role as GM/COO, Brian served as Golf Course Superintendent at Rolling Green Golf Club. In this position, Brian had direct supervision of the operating budget and golf course maintenance organization. He also worked closely with the PGA Tour to bring the Forme Tour (previously PGA TOUR Canada) to Rolling Green in 2021. Earlier in his career, Brian served for 9 years as Golf Course Superintendent at Paramount Country Club, New City, NY, and previously held positions at Dellwood Country Club, New City, NY, Arcola Country Club, Paramus, NJ and Ridgewood Country Club, Paramus, NJ. Brian maintains strong relationships across the golf industry, including membership in various trade associations including the Club Management Association of America (CMAA), the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), and the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association (MetGCSA) where he held various Board positions. Brian graduated from the Rutgers Professional Golf Turf Management Program in 2004. Brian currently lives in Ridgewood, NJ with his wife Zoya and their two girls, Nika and Mila. In his free time Brian loves to golf, ski, travel and spend time with his family.
Chris Walick
Chris Walick
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.
Peter Sensbach
Peter Sensbach
Pete joined LaBar Golf Renovations in 2012 with more than 16 years in the golf industry. He is a project manager and handled the renovation work at Siwanoy Country Club (Bronxville, NY), San Gabriel Country Club (San Gabriel, CA) and is currently managing the west course bunker renovation at Westchester Country Club (Rye, NY).
Prior to 2012, Pete worked with Rich LaBar on golf course renovation projects in the New York Metro area. Earlier in his career he assisted Rich LaBar in the construction of Wild Turkey Golf Course in Hamburg, NJ.
Pete resides in Vernon, New Jersey and has three children, Morgan, Connor and Collin.
Oscar Lazaro
Oscar Lazaro
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.
Eric Kelley
Eric Kelley
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.
Clayton Cupples
Clayton Cupples
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 82nd Airborne and was a 62echo Combat Engineer, Heavy Equipment Operator, and Explosives Expert for 4 years.
Jason Semaya
Jason Semaya
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
Kerri Ercole
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.