DEERFIELD PRIVATE GOLF CLUB "BRIARWOOD" MEXICAN WORKER EXPOSES HARMFUL OSHA,EPA DOL VIOLATIONS

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 "MEXICAN WORKER FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST  DEERFIELD PRIVATE COUNTRY GOLF CLUB "BRIARWOOD" FOR YEARS OF  EXPOSING WORKERS and "CLUB MEMBERS" TO SERIOUS OSHA, EPA and DEPT of LABOR VIOLATIONS                

A Mexican immigrant worker originally from Moroleon, Guanajuato, Mr. Juan Zavala, has formally filed a complaint and publicly exposed years of exploitation of Mexican immigrant workers", and serious violations of both Federal/state Labor laws, OSHA, and EPA violations.

According to Zavala, not only have the workers been

exposed to dangerous chemicals for years but also Deerfield residents and the members of the private golf course Briarwood Country Club located at 355 Deerfield Rd  Deerfield, IL 60015 ( well known and whose members are primarily Jewish). Workers feared retaliation and losing their jobs. Agencies where the complaint has been filed include:
   U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Agency (EPA),   U.S.Department of Labor,   Federal and State  
   Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and  Illinois Department of Labor 
Some of the violations include:
* Failure to "post" and restrict  entry into pesticide-sprayed areas of golf course,  
  thereby exposing both workers, Deerfield residents and "club members' to harmful pesticide    
   chemicals (inhaled, in eyes, and enters body nervous system thru pores on skin).
* Failure to provide workers with required OSHA "Personal Protecitve Equip[ment" (PPE) when  
  applying pesticides on golf course(pesticides pose risks to humans and to the environment and 

   require employers to  provide workers with Chemical-resistance suit, gloves, mask etc. worn to
    minimize exposure )

* Deny workers use of bathrooms
* Expose workers to "lead" in designated worker eating area. Machines producing lead-flying
   particles and vapors are operated while workers are eating.
* Failure to provide "pesticide "applicator training to workers .
* Failure to post DOL current wage posters( out-dated)
* Failure to provide OSHA and DOL worker posters in English/Spansh
* Failure to pay Federal "holidays"
* Discriminate and pay Jewish workers only for extra designated holidays.
* Mexican workers are forced to "play golf " for Briarwood's annual  "MEXICAN OPEN"
   a public relations event in recognition of their Mexican workers. Workers who refused are forced
    to work.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 gives employees the right to file complaints about workplace safety and health hazards and refuse to work when faced with an imminent danger of death or serious injury 
Requirements for PPE are set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 29 CFR 1910.132 (General requirements); 29 CFR 1910.133 (Eye and face protection); 29 CFR 1910.135 (Head protection); 29 CFR 1910.136 (Foot protection); 29 CFR 1910. 137 (Electrical protective equipment); 29 CFR 1910.138 (Hand protection); and regulations that cover the construction industry, at 29 CFR 1926.95 (Criteria for personal protective equipment); 29 CFR 1926.96 (Occupational foot protection); 29 CFR 1926.100 (Head protection); 29 CFR 1926.101 (Hearing protection); and 29 CFR 1926.102 (Eye and face protection); and for the maritime industry at 29 CFR 1915.152 (General requirements); 29 CFR 1915.153 (Eye and face protection); 29 CFR 1915.155 (Head protection); 29 CFR 1915.156 (Foot protection); and 29 CFR 1915.157 (Hand and body protection); respiratory protection (29 CFR 1910.134)
Briarwood Country Club is an eighteen hole private golf course designed by H. S. Colt and C. H. Alison and built in 1921. The greens are bent grass and the fairways are bent grass. There are approximately 57 bunkers strategically placed around the course and water hazards are in play.

 

Briarwood Changes with the Times

Except for its principles of good golf and good friends

From Club in the Country to Country Club

By Howard Cain

March, 1983, marks the 25^th anniversary of Briarwood Country Club. Briarwood is located 28 miles north of Chicago, nestled in the quiet suburb of Deerfield, Illinois.By comparison to many of the old line country clubs in the area, 25 years is a relatively short span of time. However, Briarwood can trace its ancestral roots back to 1920 when “Briergate” Country Club, the forerunner of Briarwood was formed.And Briarwood can claim a very prestigious family tree. It is a first cousin to such renown U.S. and International Clubs as Augusta National, Cyprus Point, Pine Valley of New Jersey, Hirono Country Club, Osaka, Japan, Wentworth Country Club, London, England, Sea Island, Georgia, and its nearby cousin, Bob-O-Link Country Club of Highland Park, Illinois. All, including the then Briergate, were designed by the world famous English/Scottish golf architectural firm of Allison, cold and McKenzie.By 1924 the course was completed and hosted the Western Junior Championship – won by Eldridge Robinson of Chicago. Score unknown.Briergate, like many country clubs, fell on hard times during the 1930’s. As a result of its financial problems, it ceased to function as a private club and became a public fee course. It was acquired, at this juncture, by Robert Bruce Harris, a horticulturist and golf course architect. Mr. Harris continued to operate the Club as a public fee course, but made one dramatic change. He changed the spelling from “Briergate” to “Briargate.”The story of Briarwood and why it is unique really begins in 1957.A small group of dedicated golfers from Chicago and its northern suburbs had a dream. Simply stated, it was to form a country club that would differ drastically from the then existing clubs in the area. It would not be a country club in the classical sense, but rather a golf club in the country.Amenities would be kept to a minimum. The clubhouse would be purposefully small – to accommodate a limited and controlled membership. It was part of this dream that there be a binding friendship and camaraderie among all members. No plans for swimming pool, tennis courts or other “frivolous” diversions. The focus was to be golf.There were 37 men in the original planning group. Some belonged to other private clubs – others trod the public fee courses. But all shared the dream that was to be Briarwood.Spearheading this group were David Fisher, who became the founder President of Briarwood; and Leo Lederer.The original concept was to find some available land and build their dream course. Negotiations were started on attract of available land in nearby Bannockburn, Illinois, now the site of Trinity College.Irving Goldberg, a prominent Chicago lawyer and one of the “original 37,” learned through a business acquaintance that Briargate Country Club might be available. Negotiations were immediately started with Mr. Harris, and a lease was signed within 10 days.In March, 1958 the Club was chartered as an Illinois non-profit corporation; David Fisher was elected the first President and Briarwood was formed. The dream had come true.Joseph Zelazny was signed as head pro – a position he still holds today, making him the longest full-time Briarwood employee. According to Joe – or “Z”, as he is affectionately known – his original pro shop was the chicken coop near the farm house that served as the original clubhouse. Today, Joe “Z” presides over a modern pro shop with a sweeping view of the course and first tee.A club manager was hired and play began in the spring of 1958.True to its original purpose, focus was on the golf course. Reconstruction began under the guidance of Robert Bruce Harris plus additional counsel from Tommy Armour, the then world famous touring pro. Seventeen sand traps were relocated; tees and greens moved – all designed to add to the beauty and character of the course.The story of Briarwood could well end here…the dream of men who envisioned a special kind of golf club in the country had come to fruition. But time change – and to survive, so did Briarwood. As new and younger members joined, it was obvious to the Board of Directors that the Club must change to meet the life style needs of its growing and more youthful membership.In the early 1960’s the little white club house was demolished and a new club house erected. Two tennis courts were built, and several years later and additional two were added. A swimming pool, dressing rooms and snack bar were also constructed.Still Briarwood clung to the principles of its founders – a great golf course, a small (by comparison to other clubs) membership, and a friendship between members and staff that went far beyond any employer/employee relationship. Despite physical plant changes, the golf course itself would always reflect the look and feel of a “club in the country.”As much land as possible would remain in its natural state. Even today, 10 acres of the total 165 acres that make up the Briarwood course and grounds are left in their natural wild state. This natural look beautifully blends with superbly groomed greens and fairways to provide Briarwood members with scenic beauty distinct from other private clubs in the area.In 1961 Paul Voykin was hired as golf course superintendent and continues to serve in this position. Mr. Voykin is considered by his peers to be one of the finest – if not the premier superintendent in the Chicago area. Numerous clubs consult him and travel to Briarwood to marvel at his handiwork. Fred Kopf, Jr. was hired as Club Manager in 1962. He retired in the fall of 1982 and virtually the entire Club membership turned out to honor Fred at his farewell dinner. Fred epitomized the friendship and warmth that is Briarwood.Gerald V. Marlatt, a past president of CMAA and long-time club industry spokesman, is general manager of Briarwood C.C.In 1977, the land that is Briarwood was purchased from the estate of Robert Bruce Harris.In May, 1983, Briarwood will officially celebrate its 25^th anniversary. All original founders will be invited back for a gala weekend. There will be a special tournament for the founders and a black tie dinner dance for the total membership.Truly the dream of the original 37 founders has come true. From club in the country to Country Club – but without losing the spirit and the purpose of its founders. Briarwood has changed – but only as times dictate change. Change – not for the sake of change – but change with a purpose.Briarwood is a living testimonial to those who say that country clubs are a vestige of the past