Lakeland, FL (July 16, 2026)—Great Rock Golf Club, located in Wading River, NY, celebrated its grand opening July 4th on schedule, thanks in part to the help of International Golf Maintenance (IGM), who is contracted to handle the club’s maintenance.

IGM was contracted to complete the grow-in on the front nine and oversee the construction and grow-in on the back nine. The company’s expertise was requested by the owners of Mill Pond LLC - Arthur Calace, Mark Calace and Tom Costello - after they researched IGM via the Internet.

“The grand opening went very, very well,” said Mark Calace. “We were very well received by our customers, and we’re very excited about the response thus far.”

Great Rock is one of three courses owned by Mill Pond LLC. IGM is currently contracted to oversee the maintenance operations all of the Mill Pond LLC properties. The other two courses are Mill Pond and The Ponds, both located in the Long Island area.

“We’ve been very happy with the grow-in process IGM has established for us at Great Rock,” said Mark Calace. “Our superintendent, Brett Richards, is terrific to work with. He is knowledgeable, polite and responsive to our needs.”
“IGM is helping to make this course one of the best on Long Island, said Superintendent Brett Richards. “This going to be a premier facility.” Richards joined the IGM staff as golf course superintendent in April 2001 after previously serving at Westchester Country Club. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts with an associate’s degree in turfgrass management in 1993 and a bachelor’s degree in urban forestry in 1995.

Carved out of woodlands with exceptional elevation changes and undulating fairways and greens, Great Rock is considered a non-traditional Long Island golf course. It was built atop a glacial deposit, which accounts for its unusual terrain. A massive rock settled behind the 10th green gives the course its name. The rock also serves as a home to various wildlife, including a family of foxes.

The semi-private course, which consists of 18 championship holes, was designed by William “Buddy” Johnson. Construction was started in July 1999 and completed in August 2000. The front nine was seeded the following fall.

“We’re thrilled to have assisted in Great Rock’s opening on schedule,” said Greg Hofstetter, vice president of operations for IGM. “We believe this will be one of the most exciting courses in the New York area.”

“We have developed a great relationship with the owners,” said Scott Zakany, CGCS, executive vice president of IGM. “We feel this relationship will help further the notoriety of both Great Rock and Mill Pond as two of New York’s ‘must play’ golf courses.” The signature hole of Great Rock is number 8, which features a large wall of boulders behind an elevated green. It is a par 4, 375-yard hole. The entire course is 6300 yards long.

IGM’s maintenance agreement with Great Rock is one of many by IGM, and is one of some 90 courses now being maintained by the company.

As the nation’s leading golf course maintenance company, IGM contracts with golf courses and country clubs to handle all aspects of turf and grounds maintenance. From personnel to equipment issues, IGM develops maintenance programs that incorporate all the resources necessary to meet the agronomic needs of the customers’ facilities—many times at a savings compared with historical spending.

For more information on IGM and the professional golf course services offered, please contact the IGM Business Development Office at 800-413-5500