So, I came back to them: What if I imported it for you and you taught me how to do it? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. LedgeRock Golf Club opened in 2006 on 212 acres of terrain marked by striking elevation changes and riven by half a dozen roaring brooks. The cost/benefit analysis I made back then is really the same analysis every superintendent must make today even 15 years later, with the development of so many additional technologies: fabric liners on their own, polymer-sprayed gravel, porous asphalt, concrete or Blinders flexible crumb-rubber/polymer mix. "When they saw it, their engineers panicked," FitzGerald said. That's an extreme case but you will need to do some sums to . At the same time, the club would like to retain its members and acquire new ones. How do I get it here? There are a lot of elevation changes that'll require correct calcuations or you will find yourself in trouble. Its perhaps no surprise that FitzGerald believes in the Blinder product; on some level, every entrepreneurial venture requires that belief. I have a soft spot for foreign guys who can stick it out. . Publicly campaigning to join the club, or even simply stating your interest, is considered uncouth among the green jacket community, as Bill Gates once found out though the billionaire was eventually admitted as a member. Not a boring course to play. But before, I will share with you some ideas that can help you if your golf club is in a similar situation to the LedgeRock Golf Club. <>
With meeting space indoors and a spacious patio outdoors that overlooks the range, its a popular member gathering spot. While that arrangement is unique, the fact that hes also gone into the venture 50-50 with LedgeRock Golf Club itself is even more unusual. What none of these clubs did was adjust proactively to what has become a new, broader, and still evolving market, one that includes more millennials, minorities and women. Page content. ", Copyright 1994-2022, Turnstile Publishing Company " FitzGerald said. "I spent the summer there, then went back to Penn State. They may play up to 20 rounds of golf per year and have access to all club facilities, including overnights at Kohl Lodge, the club's on-site guest cottage . Discover golf near you. We built an entire putting course at Mt. Ledgerock Golf Club Targets May Reopening For New Hole, Rees Jones Returning To Enhance Southeast Pennsylvania Course. Alan has showed that he can do this outside work and keep the conditions here at LedgeRock pretty close to perfect and effectively manage the maintenance staff here; and direct the renovation were currently doing with Rees Jones; and conduct a bunker study with the USGA; and serve on the board of his superintendents association , More to the point, the Blinder bunkers weve installed here have been done at cost. Graffis was one of the first people to think of golf as a business when he and his brother Joe founded Golfdom in 1927. ". LedgeRock Golf Club has been crafted from 210 acres of pristine land from a former nursery, farm and estate, featuring open fields, ponds, elevation changes and wooded areas. Weve had people switch clubs to take advantage of our junior golf program or join LedgeRock in addition to their original club, Miller mentioned. The latest news & stories from PGA Member Events. The PGA of America is made up of nearly 29,000 PGA Professionals who are ready to help you further your love for the game of golf. GOLF DIGEST MAY EARN A PORTION OF SALES FROM PRODUCTS THAT ARE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR SITE AS PART OF OUR AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH RETAILERS. Its a big investment no matter what product you choose, so its got to last. Our premier event of the year, The Rock Member Guest, was an absolute blast! Thats what the club gets out of it, and we see that as a pretty good deal., Most recently, Blinder outfitted all the bunkers at Skippack GC in Eastern Pennsylvania, but FitzGerald is clear-eyed about the challenges ahead. This is a very dramatic site topographically. Water flows right through that layer. But I got the assistant's job at Pine Valley, and that made me stay. Eventually, he would earn a two-year turfgrass science degree under the watchful eye of George Hamilton, Ph.D. and meet his Pocono-bred future wife, Jamie. Welcome to one of the most beautiful golf courses along the East Coast..tucked away as Mohnton's. LedgeRock Golf Club | Mohnton PA The course plays through wooded and open areas with streams and ponds coming into play on several holes. Its awful to see clubs closing. And here I am 25 years later.". The transition to life in the United States was difficult at first, mostly due to cultural differences between the U.S. and Ireland, where no one much cares how old you are when ordering a beer. I would also think about how could the club help their members grow not just on a social level, but on a financial and intellectual level. What you wont see on the primary scorecard is a nine-hole short course that measures 1,298 yards and has a scorecard of its own. Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists, Fantastic golf course. Im going through the U.S. citizenship process right now, FitzGerald says with a wry smile. I was going to my spiritual home," FitzGerald said. But costs could climb above $1000 per month when you add in various fees such as storage and golf cart fees. . He wanted to make it to the top and make himself better at the same time. With his foresight, Graffis helped advance the game in numerous ways, from founding the National Golf Foundation and the Club Managers Association of America to his work advocating on behalf of superintendents and elevating their profile. Then LedgeRock, a private Rees Jones signature design just breaking ground south of Reading, Pa., called. I will tell you right away, how the LedgeRock Golf Club has thrived by doubling down on golf itself. We have to do a lot more volume in order to make any real money. You could roll it up like a carpet if you had a big enough lift.. Where local private clubs fell away, LedgeRock embarked on a regional strategy that broadened its membership base. Ledgerock Golf Course - Mohnton, Pennsylvania, Birdsboro, PA
By 1996, he was off to Penn State. Individual Golf Membership Monthly Dues $195.00 This membership includes unlimited Golf and Club Amenities, listed on page 2, for the It also tends to build up the diverse, real-world experience that sets elite golf course superintendents apart. The LedgeRock Golf Club created two special types of membership: Be it standard, regional or national, membership in LedgeRock Golf Club is offered by invitation only and remains subject to Board of Managers approval. LedgeRock was designed by Rees Jones and captures the essence of a classic old style course with scenic beauty and original landscapes. I dont see a reason why other superintendents couldnt swing the same sort of arrangement, if the right opportunity comes up. FitzGerald arrived at LedgeRock during the tree-clearing process, and despite his in-house construction credentials, was not expecting to be involved in building LedgeRock. "Dad was always there. Membership is by invitation only. Golf Courses, Wernersville, PA
He finally considered greenkeeping as a career when at age 16 he got a job at Mount Juliet when his mother was named human resources manager there. Powered by Invision Community, Becoming a superintendent was always in the cards for LedgeRock's FitzGerald, Copyright 1994-2022, Turnstile Publishing Company. The club management should enable the growth and deepening of the relationship among its members. The secondary thing is, if the club said, No way, you have to be prepared for that and have a Plan B. 4 0 obj
The par-4 17th is slated for renovation next year. But as a regional club, its market actually extends well past Harrisburg, north of Reading, south to Lancaster and all the way into the western Main Line suburbs. Its not about thriving. WILLIAMSBURG, VA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Kingsmill Resort and 2 rounds of golf at Kingsmill Resort - Plantation & River Courses. All rights reserved. LedgeRock employs three PGA Professionals, including PGA Head Professional, Zach Halvonik and PGA Director of Instruction, Andy Miller, a 2020 GRAA Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional. People have forgotten how to talk to people! Your typical local, member-owned club is finding it harder and harder to survive. The Club welcomes outside vendors to assist with enhancing your special event. Course acreage is simply worth way more as housing, if the zoning allows it. "I'm supposed to say I met my wife at Penn State, and that's why I stayed in the States.
Member Login. But the benefits versus the costs didnt make it worthwhile, in my opinion, FitzGerald says. O'Hara, the superintendent at Mount Juliet Golf in Kilkenny, learned the Jack Nicklaus way of greenkeeping under Mike McBride at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin . He still asks Why? and as hes gotten older, he also asks Why not? And thats a great thing.. Its about engaging the young kids, often between 6 and 13 years of age, in a fun and supportive environment. 6 one day and asks me, Will you be able to mow that bank? The award includes a Golfdom cover story celebrating the honorees accomplishments, as well as expenses-paid trips to the Golfdom Summit and the Golf Industry Show. I wouldnt say Ive procrastinated on it, but I couldve done it sooner It was a handy excuse to get out of jury duty.. (Photo: Larry Lambrecht), I wasnt hired as any sort of construction superintendent. It was awkward the first few months, but then I settled in.". Hes personable, and a hard worker thats why he is where he is today. How will that work for you? We had that kind of relationship. Jones and his associates were in Mohnton all year revamping the par-3 10th. Play is limited to members at this private facility. Play golf at Ledge Rock Golf Club, located at 1 Greenbriar Dr Mohnton, PA 19540-9307. That's when I decided I wanted to do this as a career. "It isn't an easy process. The Great Recession hit the following autumn, and private clubs started dropping like flies all over Pennsylvania and across the nation. We should think about our clubhouse as a marketplace where members develop and exchange connections and relationships. Every hole looks different. Play private golf, access private courses, and book private Tee Times at Ledgerock Golf Club in Mohnton PA with Boxgroove Thats so important in todays world. The golf course at LedgeRock GC was designed by architect Rees Jones. Crossing paths with Bator changed the trajectory of his career. Aidan told me 'if you want to do this, you need to go to the States.' What does it cost to get a crew over here? As it happened, it wasnt cost prohibitive, and once I saw the product perform honestly, the flexibility of the liner struck me as genius I could see this was a real technological advance. For city denizens, there are options across the Hudson River in New Jersey . By looking at the course and speaking with its PGA Professionals, Im sure if they opened it up to more outings, groups would be knocking down their door. Mikls Breitner is a savvy, well-connected senior golf club marketing professional with extensive, All Rights Reserved By Golf Business Monitor Privacy Policy, Gauging the Impact of Private Club Trends. In the Philadelphia market, A-list clubs are doing just fine. WILLIAMSBURG, VA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Williamsburg Lodge, Autograph Collection and 2 rounds of golf at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club - Gold & Green Courses. Indeed, it is a hidden gem among the many fine courses in southeastern Pennsylvania. We do the normal stuff like PGA Jr. League and Drive, Chip and Putt. I think we had 23 inches of rain that first July. They stayed with it, so thats what we did as well.. Golf Courses, Sinking Spring, PA
We had a 100-year storm, then a 300-year storm (a) pattern that seemed to repeat all summer. LedgeRock Golf Club offers several categories of membership to fit your needs. Take a look at the scorecard and youll see five sets of tees that serve golfers of all skill levels. Designed by Rees Jones, ASGCA, the Ledgerock golf course opened in 2006. Further down the hill sits Kohl Lodge, where national and regional members can stay the night. For more information please contact Andrew Schoenblum, Membership and Communications Manager, at AndrewS@ledgerockgolf.com. John Reitman August 20, 2021, By All these closures have naturally widened the circle of what wed consider our market. A young club that opened in 2007, LedgeRock sports three holes of more than 600 yards and measures over 7,200 yards from the tips. Please know that it is the responsibility of the host to advise the vendor of our club policies. View Website EXPLORE THE COURSE MAP. Call (610) 777-9705 for more information. Bator remembered hearing about the tough transition in FitzGerald's early days at Penn State, and was impressed by his willingness to see it through to graduation. He is asking $550,000 for basic membership. Whats more, he didnt buy Blinder Bunker International. During the Great Recession, LedgeRock focused on a regional strategy to help broaden its membership base, though the course didnt stabilize until 2011. 1 track on the planet. National candidates for LedgeRock GC membership cannot live within 100 miles of the club. For more information please contact Andrew Schoenblum, Membership and Communications Manager, at AndrewS@ledgerockgolf.com. Golf Courses, Denver, PA
Monthly Fees. FitzGerald, a native of Castlecomer, a small town in the southeast of Ireland near Kilkenny, came to the U.S. in 1996 to attend Penn State. He also spoke of The Greenbriar Cup, a season-long Match Play event, and said they host 6-10 corporate and charitable outings each year, a number that works well within the business plan of the management team at LedgeRock. Just like RSMs 2017-2018 trends in private clubs study, Global Golf Advisors Gauging the Impact of Private Club Trends found that club dining operations represent the most popular member amenity. The approach is sound. And he remains philosophical about how this outside business project plays into his natural ability to multitask a trait most superintendents develop early in their careers. 2023 North Coast Media LLC, All Rights Reserved. Community building is about relationship building. LedgeRock is a Golf Club owned by its Members. The more rugged the property is, the more spectacular the possibilities for the final product. "Most superintendents, when they come here, ask 'how do you do that?' Its also hard to come by the aggregates you need in some cases.. As Jones explains, There are a lot of sites for elevated tees and greens, and that means the course will have spectacular visibility. Nothing FitzGerald learned at Penn State or Pine Valley could prepare him for some of the challenges he has faced for two decades as the construction and grow-in superintendent at LedgeRock. "Coming to New York City from Kilkenny was a culture shock," he said. But he sees it as eminently sensible, as well. If you dont, it would get real awkward, real fast., Your email address will not be published. 4.4 Course acreage is simply worth way more as housing if the zoning allows it. The young Irishman, newly married, would eventually spend six years at Pine Valley. After an internship at Loch Lomond in Scotland that first summer, the stars aligned, and he accepted an assistant-in-training position at Pine Valley Golf Club in Clementon, N.J., only the consensus No. TheGolfMembershipSpot directory includes thousands of golf & country clubs offering regional, national and corporate golf membership opportunities. The elevated tee and green locations offer long vistas of the surrounding countryside and enhance the playability of this outstanding venue. Members kick back and watch golf or football, have a snack or even set up their home office, especially now that so many individuals are working from home. For the Avid Golfer For the Traveling Golfer As it is, he says, Id say 97 percent of my day is still centered on LedgeRock and day-to-day maintenance operations and the renovation we have going here. The exacerbating factor is often club debt, much of it accrued prior to the 2008 recession. According to FitzGerald, in 10 years and more than 1,000 bunkers, there have been zero failures. "Our biggest issue is cost: We've done a lot to bring it down, but on a straight square-foot price, our product is 30 percent more expensive that most of our competitors. 2023 North Coast Media LLC, All Rights Reserved. Two years ago, he made his extended stay permanent when he became a U.S. citizen. It was a big moment," said FitzGerald. Your email address will not be published. A pair of golf experts are teaming up to lead one of Berks County, Pa.'s private golf clubs through its first major renovation, WFMZ 69 News out of Allentown/Reading, Pa. reported. Thats what I did with most of these companies selling the liner technologies, FitzGerald recalls. %PDF-1.5
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Gerry Heller, CCM manages the course as the General Manager. But golfers dont just stop playing because their club went public. LedgeRock captures the essence of a classic, old style course by maintaining the scenic beauty and elegant rustic nature of the original landscape. The PGA of America is one of the world's largest sports organizations, composed of PGA Professionals who work daily to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. That opened our eyes, said Heller, who arrived at LedgeRock in early 2018 from Philmont CC. It reimagines the traditional country club model. Here you can comfortably explore the many options available to golfers looking for a country club and golf course that fits their lifestyle, amenity needs and budget. If you want to hit all the clubs in your bag play here.". But B-list clubs like their member-owned, equity brethren across the nation are fighting to survive. But were getting there.. If we want to build a community in our private golf club and not just manage a private golf club then we have to help our members to build relationships with each other. LedgeRock Golf Club | 549 followers on LinkedIn. FitzGerald grew up in Castlecomer, in the southeast of Ireland. Miller says the building offers meeting rooms with technical and presentation systems and is Wi-Fi enabled for everyones convenience. 1 Greenbriar Dr , Mohnton , , 19540-9307. He was 20 years old when he arrived in State College, his first trip to the United States. They represent opportunity for LedgeRock, as well.. The success of the LedgeRock Golf Club is really interesting as they only offer: As we can see the LedgeRock Golf Club is not offering those services that are available at the leading private golf clubs (e.g. At the time, I was young, and I had no idea how huge it was. Great layout that is very challenging. Juliet was really one of the first two big resort developments in all of Ireland, FitzGerald says, noting that The K Club is the other. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. . LedgeRock GC opened for play in June 2007. 2020 was fraught with challenges, of course, but as has been the case with golf facilities across the country, LedgeRock added 95 new members to its ranks and still has room to grow. LedgeRock Golf Club offers 6 sets of tees, allowing golfers of all abilities to choose an experience designed for their level of expertise and desire for challenge.
His short game schools and womens practice club are very popular and he plans on implementing a create your own clinic program in 2021, allowing members to customize their own instruction. Thats due to the cost of the raw materials and that we install it. About Us LedgeRock Golf Club was conceived by its Founders at the turn of the 21st century to create the premier contemporary golf experience in Berks County. While Jones doesnt recall that exact moment from 15 years ago, he does remember how easy it was and still is to work with the Irishman. Required fields are marked *. But as a regional club, its market actually extends well past Harrisburg, north of Reading, south to Lancaster and all the way into the western Main Line suburbs. Juliet, 18 miniature USGA spec greens with gravity-powered water features! %
John Reitman The Founders recognized that the finest golfing venues available to local . LedgeRock Golf Club: Ledgerock. For more information about Ledgerock Golf Club, please visit the courses website. More surprising, perhaps, is his full-time employers belief in the venture. The unique LedgeRock Golf Club logo also helps sell merchandise, as the clubs members like to show it off while demonstrating pride in their club. Miller sends video recaps with color commentary to add to the kids (and their parents) experience. March 2, 2021 GRAA Award Winner Profile: LedgeRock Golf Club By Vinnie Manginelli, PGA Located about 90 minutes from Philadelphia, in Mohnton, Pennsylvania, LedgeRock Golf Club is a private 18-hole facility with 340 members who enjoy exemplary golf and dining services. Thats how I ended up at Penn State.. The tenacity of the founders was really amazing. Well see how this new market reacts.. Be it standard, regional or national, membership in LedgeRock Golf Club is offered by invitation only and remains subject to the board of managers approval. Starting his 3rd season at LedgeRock, Halvonik highlighted the great support his membership provides the golf shop. These are essential for both sides. tennis courts, swimming pools, spa & wellness services, fitness, etc.). It was great to be so involved.. Ohio. LEESBURG, VA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Lansdowne Resort and 2 rounds of golf at The Golf Club at Lansdowne - Greg Norman & Robert Trent Jones Jr. courses. Heller reports that several members, rendered clubless by the Harrisburg closings, have already joined LedgeRock. And quite honestly, there are a lot of folks out there whose clubs are housing developments today. Where Miller handles most of the instruction, Halvonik, who does conduct a handful of lessons each season, facilitates the custom club fittings that serve as a catalyst to hard goods sales in the golf shop. Blinders short answer was Yes. But leaving it there would gloss over and considerably shorten a pretty good, thoroughly trans-Atlantic story. I emailed (Blinder) out of the blue. It allows me to bring in fresh product throughout the year knowing that its going to sell, he said. Would that work?. LedgeRock is a Golf Club owned by its Members. With lodging here and our unique golf-only approach, weve recognized our niche and folks are eager to buy in., Your email address will not be published. With 60 men in their Wednesday league, and frequent Nine and Dines and Couple events, Halvonik is successfully promoting their Food & Beverage services as part of these special events. This is why I thought to bring a positive example of the LedgeRock Golf Club (in suburban Philadelphia: 15 minutes southwest of Reading). Wherever FitzGerald has found himself, hes shown a remarkable ability to find work (and high-caliber professional training) at the finest, most ambitious golf facilities around. Hes outside the box. endobj
1 Greenbriar Dr, Mohnton, PA 19540 Favorite
Over the last 15 years, Ive seriously looked into most every one of these products, FitzGerald continues. The course rating is 0.0 and it has a slope rating of 0 on Bent grass. This trend is not limited to the Hamptons. I was hired to be the golf course superintendent, to grow the course in, he said. All rights reserved. No local tournaments listed for this course. LedgeRock captures the essence of a classic, old style course by maintaining the scenic beauty and elegant rustic nature of the original landscape. Hybrid tees are also an option. Miller plans ahead and prepares a season-ending party with cakes and party products of the teams represented in the competition. Mt. 2 0 obj
The rubber is mixed with a polymer and hand-laid into place to ensure it closely follows the contours of the bunker. It is with all due respect that we present this award in Mr. Graffis honor. "They told me when they designed their machines they never would run on a hill like this. But after some 15 years of research, test bunkers and cost-benefit analyses, he believes hes found the best bunker liner system out there. In general, FitzGerald believes the bunker liner product universe can be broken into two broad categories: soft (fabric liners) and hard (aggregate liners). Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists. My standing joke has been, The members here have never played in brand-new bunkers.. Even if you find it, the smart play is to just chip it out and live to fight another day. FitzGerald, 45, was seemingly destined for life as a golf course superintendent. We havent made any real money on this venture yet. 3,732 were here. Alan Fitzgerald was really impressed with Blinders heavy, porous, seamless and flexible design. Gerry Heller, CCM manages the course as the General Manager. And we pretty much refuse to compromise on quality, which justifies the long-term investment prospect, in our view. "I had just returned from Ireland when I met him. With those seven years of relative chaos behind them, the superintendent knew it was time to address two issues of primary importance: the clubs perennially contaminated bunkers and his pending dual citizenship. Enjoy some of the best golf in Pennsylvania throughout the season with one of our great membership opportunities. In a matter of two to three years, it felt like wed built pretty much every feature of a golf course. That's due to the cost of the raw materials and that we install it. Smaller courses could be as little as $200 per month, while more prestigious clubs are much more. The home hole at the soon-to-be opened Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton, New York, is a natural beauty, a par 5 that dips, rolls and rises atop a cliff overlooking Peconic Bay.
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