And, its our strong feeling that national and regional memberships are part of the reason why. You could roll it up like a carpet if you had a big enough lift.. I was of age and able to enjoy college life more.". I dont see a reason why other superintendents couldnt swing the same sort of arrangement, if the right opportunity comes up. You'll discover it's more than just a golf lesson. Coming from a place like Pine Valley, theres an expectation and hes fulfilled those expectations, because LedgeRock is as good as Pine Valley. . . Course acreage is simply worth way more as housing if the zoning allows it. LedgeRock GC opened for play in June 2007. Further down the hill sits Kohl Lodge, where national and regional members can stay the night. LedgeRock Golf Club offers several categories of membership to fit your needs. LedgeRock General Manager Gerry Heller, a 25-year golf hospitality veteran, recognizes that the arrangement with FitzGerald and Blinder is unique. Amenities 5.0 100.0% Recommend this course 1 out of 1 reviews Read Reviews About Holes 18 Type Private Par 72 Length 7245 yards Slope 153 Rating 75.6 Satellite Layout Tees Track Rounds Scorecard Course Details Year Built 2006 Fairways Bent Grass Greens Bent Grass Architect Rees Jones (2006) Keith Evans (2006) Rentals/Services Carts Yes Clubs Yes WILLIAMSBURG, VA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Kingsmill Resort and 2 rounds of golf at Kingsmill Resort - Plantation & River Courses. Its seamless, and being rubber, its just more flexible than anything else. The par-4 17th is slated for renovation next year. For more information on LedgeRock Golf Club, log on to https://www.ledgerockgolf.com/. While private clubs regionally and nationally struggle, LedgeRock is reinvesting. With private club market in crisis, LedgeRock GC expands membership scope. Something O'Hara said stuck with FitzGerald, who got the assistant's job at Pine Valley in 1998 on the recommendation of Dick Bator, before graduating to LedgeRock in 2004. The exacerbating factor is often club debt, much of it accrued prior to 2008 recession. LedgeRock captures the essence of a classic, old style course by maintaining the scenic beauty and elegant rustic nature of the original landscape. Estimates for the cost of membership at Augusta National cover quite a range, with Golf.com estimating a club initiation . ATLANTIC CITY, NJ | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Seaview, A Dolce Hotel and 2 rounds of golf at Seaview Golf Club - Bay & Pines Courses. And here I am 25 years later.". With meeting space indoors and a spacious patio outdoors that overlooks the range, its a popular member gathering spot. Welcome to one of the most beautiful golf courses along the East Coast..tucked away as Mohnton's. LedgeRock Golf Club | Mohnton PA The LedgeRock Golf Club created two special types of membership: National candidates for LedgeRock Golf Club membership cannot live within 100 miles of the club. If the green fee at the course is, say, 75 - that would work out at 15,600 annually - It's likely the annual subs could be 10 times cheaper than that. The most outstanding feature at Ledgerock is the dramatic topography. x[moH N:MA$3 &`DYzv?}?lwvM}|s7H3|_}#YZDoL0YGQ7:-vVkEO`bNMJyW?e7\m{0Nl>c:K+4":8f&bR".@is&5iPmSo7>S"X[#36[RIzSN&K1*"pnU{ 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. There has to be something in it for them. The secondary thing is, if the club said, No way, you have to be prepared for that and have a Plan B. Its awful to see clubs closing. I was going to my spiritual home," FitzGerald said. They stayed with it, so thats what we did as well.. "Coming to New York City from Kilkenny was a culture shock," he said. "The first year there was miserable, but then it became fun. Our premier event of the year, The Rock Member Guest, was an absolute blast! The 18-hole Ledgerock course at the LedgeRock Golf Club facility in Mohnton, features 7,191 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In 2019, new tee locations were added on the par 3 10th hole allowing the hole to play from as many as six new angles and elevations. 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. Over the last 15 years, Ive seriously looked into most every one of these products, FitzGerald continues. Miller plans ahead and prepares a season-ending party with cakes and party products of the teams represented in the competition. This involvement often leads to kids joining his more golf-specific programs that drive membership as mentioned briefly already. Search for fun things to do in your area led by PGA Professionals. But B-list clubs like their member-owned, equity brethren across the nation are fighting like the dickens to survive. 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. This is why I thought to bring a positive example of the LedgeRock Golf Club (in suburban Philadelphia: 15 minutes southwest of Reading). 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. The bunkers here regularly washed from the time the sand went into them. Golf Courses, Reading, PA Heller reports that several members, rendered clubless by the Harrisburg closings, have already joined LedgeRock. 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. How will that work for you? We had that kind of relationship. Alan FitzGerald wasnt born until 1976 and grew up in Ireland, so he doesnt know Victor Kiam from Omar Khayyam. Its about engaging the young kids, often between 6 and 13 years of age, in a fun and supportive environment. 1 0 obj Thats so important in todays world. "My dad was always involved in Castlecomer Golf Club in Ireland," he said. At the time, I was young, and I had no idea how huge it was.". 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. Every hole looks different. Enjoy some of the best golf in Pennsylvania throughout the season with one of our great membership opportunities. Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists. Welcome to one of the most beautiful golf courses along the East Coasttucked away as. 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. days before the event. Thats what I did with most of these companies selling the liner technologies, FitzGerald recalls. 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. The challenge for LedgeRock is its location. TheGolfMembershipSpot directory includes thousands of golf & country clubs offering regional, national and corporate golf membership opportunities. For instance, kids will have to run forty yards, make a two-foot putt and run back. Jake Straub, who first met FitzGerald at Penn State the day he walked off the airplane from Ireland, says that the reason FitzGerald has been so successful is because he is always asking, Why?, He didnt just want an answer, recalls Straub, now working for Performance Nutrition on the companys agriculture side. Smaller courses could be as little as $200 per month, while more prestigious clubs are much more. I think we had 23 inches of rain that first July. During construction here at LedgeRock, fabric liners were the only things on the market, really. As you know, private golf clubs are closing, redeveloping and converting to public play in record numbers. I wouldnt say Ive procrastinated on it, but I couldve done it sooner It was a handy excuse to get out of jury duty.. "He had a lot of staying power," Bator said. 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. 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 is a virtual unknown in the greater Philly area, but is a course that's set up to challenge even the best of golfers. % Read the latest feature stories from the PGA of America to learn how the game is growing on and off the course. Discover golf near you. I will tell you right away, how the LedgeRock Golf Club has thrived by doubling down on golf itself. I recently spoke with Halvonik and Miller, and they were all too willing to share some stories from their club, as well as details of their golf shop, member events and Learning Center. Two years ago, he made his extended stay permanent when he became a U.S. citizen. Favorite According to FitzGerald, in 10 years and more than 1,000 bunkers, there have been zero failures. 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. A 2020 Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) Top 50 Private Facility, LedgeRock Golf Club has also been recognized as a Distinguished Club by BoardRoom Magazine for three consecutive years. So, I came back to them: What if I imported it for you and you taught me how to do it? The 18-hole "Ledgerock" course at the LedgeRock Golf Club facility in Mohnton, Pennsylvania features 7,191 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. It is with all due respect that we present this award in Mr. Graffis honor. I emailed (Blinder) out of the blue. Weve had people switch clubs to take advantage of our junior golf program or join LedgeRock in addition to their original club, Miller mentioned. 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 . ", Copyright 1994-2022, Turnstile Publishing Company 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. "Then coming to Penn State was a culture shock because I was 20, and I couldn't get into bars. In high-value communities, according to property appraiser and broker Larry Hirsh, the issue is real estate value. That debt burden is the reason so many clubs have, in last decade, sold out to corporate management companies. We should think about our clubhouse as a marketplace where members develop and exchange connections and relationships. This membership includes unlimited Golf and Club Amenities, listed on page 2, for the primary Member, spouse and any children under the age of 23 who are living at home or a full-time student. He described Fall Junior Team Golf as a combination of Drive, Chip and Putt and PGA Jr. League skills contests with a college football theme. Play is limited to members at this private facility. lzu. LedgeRock is a Golf Club owned by its Members. Powered by Invision Community, Becoming a superintendent was always in the cards for LedgeRock's FitzGerald, Copyright 1994-2022, Turnstile Publishing Company. 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. But he sees it as eminently sensible, as well. August 20, 2021. Not a boring course to play. LedgeRock Golf Club has updated its national and regional membership categories to complement its standard membership programs, in a move that reflects widespread disruption in private club markets not only in eastern Pennsylvania but nationally. Tee Times The approach is sound. 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. Blinder has been operating in Europe for a decade, where, unlike in North America, its one of the most recognizable names in bunker liners. endobj The Founders recognized that the finest golfing venues available to local . 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. Miller gets jerseys made up with the LedgeRock logo AND the logo of the college football program represented by each team. 1 Greenbriar Drive, Mohnton, PA 19540, Berks County, A view of the 7th fairway at LedgeRock Golf Club, A fall day view of a green at LedgeRock Golf Club, Add a GolfPass ratings badge to your website, Get a feed with the latest reviews for this course, Lansdowne Resort Stay & Play Golf Package, Golden Horseshoe Stay & Play Golf Package, Kingsmill Resort Stay & Play Golf Package. That debt burden is the reason so many clubs have, in the last decade, sold out to corporate management companies like ClubCorp (North Hills CC, Hartefeld National in Avondale) and Concert Golf Properties (White Manor in Malvern, Philmont in Huntingdon Valley). In 2005, when FitzGerald first pondered how to address the continuing washout issue, bunker-liner technology was still in its infancy. 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. 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. 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. He's been on one almost for as long as he can remember and pretty much grew up on the golf course named for his hometown. On the uphill, par 4 17th hole, the cross bunker was removed so the hole would be more playable for every caliber player and the landing area was significantly widened and regraded. Golf Courses, Sinking Spring, PA There, he encountered Aidan OHara, CGCS, who had learned his trade, in part, at Muirfield Village in the other Dublin (Ohio), and whom FitzGerald and others credit for first bringing U.S. agronomic standards to Ireland. Their dues and initiation fees are slightly higher full membership is more expensive still but regional member may play up to 50 rounds a year. 1 track on the planet. Its just an ideal piece of property for an old style course.. Welcome To Your Club Watch on Golf About Amenities Guest Information 2023 North Coast Media LLC, All Rights Reserved. Alan FitzGerald (Photo courtesy of Alan Fitzgerald). Member Login. Posted By 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. Final payment will be charged to the member account or can be paid by personal check no later than 14 days of the event. 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. The short course caters to juniors and beginners who want to take the skills they learn on the range out to the golf course. But I also do something called Fall Junior Team Golf, which Ive done presentations about during [Philadelphia PGA] Section meetings, Miller added. Their dues and initiation fees are slightly higher full membership is more expensive still but regional member may play up to 50 rounds a year. 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. It was Aidan O'Hara who convinced FitzGerald of the importance of learning the turf management trade at an American turf school. They may play up to 20 rounds of golf per year and have access to all club facilities, including overnights at Kohl Lodge, the clubs on-site guest cottage. Crossing paths with Bator changed the trajectory of his career. Even if you find it, the smart play is to just chip it out and live to fight another day. Required fields are marked *. Its FitzGeralds desire to keep LedgeRock looking pristine while also striving to make Blinder a success in the American market that has earned him the 2019 Herb Graffis Businessperson of the Year Award, awarded annually for eight years by Golfdom. Your email address will not be published. We havent made any real money on this venture yet. Ledgerock Golf Club Targets May Reopening For New Hole, Rees Jones Returning To Enhance Southeast Pennsylvania Course. Miller sends video recaps with color commentary to add to the kids (and their parents) experience. Because of his rough transition to life in the U.S. his first year in State College, FitzGerald said the late George Hamilton, Ph.D., then director of Penn State's two-year program, wanted him to intern over the summer for a PSU alumnus. "I just shake my head and say 'Don't ask. But the benefits versus the costs didnt make it worthwhile, in my opinion, FitzGerald says. Hes personable, and a hard worker thats why he is where he is today. LedgeRock is a Golf Club owned by its Members. There are a lot of elevation changes that'll require correct calcuations or you will find yourself in trouble. We built an entire putting course at Mt. The exacerbating factor is often club debt, much of it accrued prior to the 2008 recession. Add a tournament here. National candidates for LedgeRock GC membership cannot live within 100 miles of the club. Enjoy the great view of 16, 17, 18, and 1 as you sit on the patio enjoying a post round drink or meal. Sign in. 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. He was that guy.". %PDF-1.5 That's due to the cost of the raw materials and that we install it. 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. Designed by Rees Jones, ASGCA, the Ledgerock golf course opened in 2006. Seriously, what impressed me about him was his ability at a young age to think outside the box to get things accomplished. At first, I just wanted to get it done, but when I did it, it was very emotional. Designed by Rees Jones, ASGCA, the Ledgerock golf course opened in 2006. 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. Like a car dealer, Kiam starred in his own commercials. Please know that it is the responsibility of the host to advise the vendor of our club policies. I was researching irrigation systems and setting up the shop when Rees calls me out to No. Call (610) 777-9705 for more information. 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. ". All rights reserved. Please complete the following information below so that we can contact you regarding membership. We do the normal stuff like PGA Jr. League and Drive, Chip and Putt. If I were a private golf clubs manager in addition to investing in customer experience development, I would also try to create a sense of community. Slopes are so severe that one hillside is named in honor of the Toro mowers used to keep it clipped. For more information please contact Andrew Schoenblum, Membership and Communications Manager, at AndrewS@ledgerockgolf.com. 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. LedgeRock was designed by Rees Jones and captures the essence of a classic old style course with scenic beauty and original landscapes. Wed fix everything after a storm and everything would just wash out again, FitzGerald says with a shrug. Registered previously? The Herb Graffis Businessperson of the Year Award is named in honor of Golfdoms founder, World Golf Hall of Fame member Herb Graffis. Its not about thriving. Initiation Fees. For city denizens, there are options across the Hudson River in New Jersey . This trend is not limited to the Hamptons. Thats ultimately why he was drawn to the Blinder product, which, in his opinion, creates an all-new third category with its heavy, porous, seamless and flexible design. "I don't get excited much, but that was something that was very exciting." Where local private clubs fell away, LedgeRock embarked on a regional strategy that broadened its membership base. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . . I was hired to be the golf course superintendent, to grow the course in, he said. Back in the early 1980s, a fellow named Victor Kiam made himself famous by going on television to sell Remington electric shavers. 1 Greenbriar Dr. Mohnton, PA 19540-9307. He wanted to make it to the top and make himself better at the same time. Ohio. And quite honestly, there are a lot of folks out there whose clubs are housing developments today. The young Irishman, newly married, would eventually spend six years at Pine Valley. These are essential for both sides. 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. 4 0 obj The golf course at LedgeRock GC was designed by architect Rees Jones. What he did not know at the time was that what was supposed to be a two-year stop at Penn State would turn into something much more permanent. In fact, his signature pitch line made him a minor celebrity: I liked the shaver so much, I bought the company.. This is a very dramatic site topographically. "Seriously, what impressed me about him was his ability at a young age to think outside the box to get things accomplished.". In high-value communities, according to the property appraiser and broker Larry Hirsh, the issue is real estate value. He still asks Why? and as hes gotten older, he also asks Why not? And thats a great thing.. It was great to be so involved.. stream Get started on your journey with a PGA Coach who specializes in your experience and needs. "I'm supposed to say I met my wife at Penn State, and that's why I stayed in the States. Miller highlighted the special programs he offers, especially the junior golf opportunities. I had a much better year. Hybrid tees are also an option. Thats why so many clubs are closing or selling out to corporate ownership or going public.. Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists, Fantastic golf course. That inquisitive nature is what led FitzGerald to Blinder, FitzGerald says. TUNKHANNOCK, PA | Enjoy 3 nights' accommodations at Shadowbrook Resort and 2 rounds of golf at Shadowbrook Golf Course. If you want to hit all the clubs in your bag play here.". 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. It allows me to bring in fresh product throughout the year knowing that its going to sell, he said. It reimagines the traditional country club model. LedgeRock captures the essence of a classic, old style course by maintaining the scenic beauty and elegant rustic nature of the original landscape. Miller says the building offers meeting rooms with technical and presentation systems and is Wi-Fi enabled for everyones convenience. Mt. 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 big thing, obviously, is to be sure the club is on board. Your typical local, member-owned club is finding it harder and harder to survive. It is a hub of activity that includes private and group instruction, practice sessions and various social gatherings. "I spent the summer there, then went back to Penn State. In the Philadelphia market, A-list clubs are doing just fine. Copyright 2023 GolfPass. Hes outside the box. "Most superintendents, when they come here, ask 'how do you do that?' " FitzGerald said. It just gets done.' More. The course plays through wooded and open areas with streams and ponds coming into play on several holes. In this uncertain market (an average of 150 courses have closed each year since 2008, according to the National Golf Foundation), LedgeRock has thrived by doubling down on golf itself. Juliet, 18 miniature USGA spec greens with gravity-powered water features! 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. "I did my two years of basic greenkeeping at Mount Juliet, then I got into the two-year program at Penn State," said FitzGerald. LedgeRock Golf Club in Mohnton, Pennsylvania is flush with wide, sweeping views. Essentially, the base is compactable road stone, a solid, consistent surface that water runs along and does not penetrate, he says. Monthly Fees. And we pretty much refuse to compromise on quality, which justifies the long-term investment prospect, in our view. Ledgerock Golf Course - Mohnton, Pennsylvania, Birdsboro, PA Community building is about relationship building. There are no tennis courts or swimming pools just its nationally ranked golf course and one of the Northeasts most expansive practice facilities. Not far from Mohnton, Ledgerock Golf Club offers terrific views and challenging play for golfers at every skill level. WILLIAMSBURG, VA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Williamsburg Lodge, Autograph Collection and 2 rounds of golf at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club - Gold & Green Courses. But we havent lost any either. Play golf at Ledge Rock Golf Club, located at 1 Greenbriar Dr Mohnton, PA 19540-9307. John Reitman August 20, 2021, By Required fields are marked *. "I had just returned from Ireland when I met him. Regional, or nonresident members may not own or rent property within 35 miles of the club. Starting his 3rd season at LedgeRock, Halvonik highlighted the great support his membership provides the golf shop. He has received numerous accolades throughout his career.
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