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Meet the pair that keeps Island’s End running

JAY DEMPSEY PHOTO
Gene Doroski, left, and Oscar Laynez help keep Island

If you have been to Island’s End Golf and Country Club, then you have seen them. They are always on the move, smiling, working to make things run more smoothly at the Greenport golf course. Gene Doroski, the chief engineer at Island’s End, and his assistant, Oscar Laynez, are a most entertaining team to watch in action.

If you listen to their banter, you might assume they don’t get along. Adversaries, for sure. That assumption couldn’t be further from the truth. I spent some time recently with the Abbott and Costello of Island’s End and discovered a warm mutual respect between the two.

Gene Doroski was born and raised in Mattituck and considers his hometown the best place on earth to live. Growing up on a farm, he learned how to fix anything and everything. “I can fix almost anything if you give me enough time,” he said.

After a stint in the United States Merchant Marine and working a few years as a private boat captain in Florida, Doroski returned to Mattituck. He landed a job at Island’s End as a mechanic where he has been for the past 23 years.

“I’ve had more titles than raises since I’ve been at Island’s End, but I absolutely love what I do,” he said. “Every day is different. I never know what to expect.”

Doroski has put out many fires since he’s been on the job. As a matter of fact, a few weeks ago, as I was pulling into the Island’s End parking lot there was Gene, putting out a fire. One of the maintenance vehicles had caught alight and Gene was right in the heat of things, dousing the flames.

Oscar Laynez came to Island’s End 10 years ago and at first worked in the kitchen. After recognizing his strong work ethic and willingness to do whatever was asked of him, he was moved into the maintenance department where he began working with Doroski.

“I’ve learned a lot working with Gene and watching him, ” Laynez commented. Gene is very friendly and we understand each other.”

Doroski added: “Oscar has been excellent. He’ll do whatever I ask him to do.”

Laynez lives close to the course and works seven days a week, opening the clubhouse most days.

Doroski has been called in for emergencies on his day off more than a few times. “I’m really on call 24-7,” he said. “If something needs my attention, I come.”

Gene and Oscar handle most maintenance projects at the course, except the grass, which they leave in the capable hands of course superintendent Wayne Mazzaferro and his staff.

In addition to the huge job of cleaning and maintaining 78 golf carts, this able twosome makes sure the 56-year-old driving range tractor is always ready, willing and able. They handle landscaping around the buildings as well as plumbing, electric, painting, cleaning the rest rooms, ordering supplies, and building maintenance. On one occasion they even had to displace an angry raccoon that had taken up residence in the cart barn.

“We want to make sure everyone enjoys their experience at Island’s End,” Doroski said. “If something needs to be done, we see that it gets done. We all work well together here.”

TEE TIMES Cherry Creek Golf Links in Riverhead will hold golf camps this summer for boys and girls ages 8-16. Contact Vincent Scheraldi at (631) 369-6500, ext. 1 for details.

19TH HOLE “Golf gives you the chance to reinvent yourself one shot at a time.”

–Alan Shipnuck,

Sports Illustrated