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. 4 0 obj LedgeRock GC opened for play in June 2007. 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. I think the world of Alan, he did a wonderful job here, says longtime Pine Valley GC Superintendent Rick Christian. 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. 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. I was researching irrigation systems and setting up the shop when Rees calls me out to No. With brands like Peter Millar, Polo, Straight Down and Donald Ross, Halvonik ensures the highest quality in mens and womens apparel, and keeps the golf shop looking fresh and new by frequently updating displays and enhancing his visual merchandising efforts. Golf Courses, Sinking Spring, PA Its perhaps no surprise that FitzGerald believes in the Blinder product; on some level, every entrepreneurial venture requires that belief. Golf Courses, Denver, PA ", Copyright 1994-2022, Turnstile Publishing Company We priced them out and looked into it seriously. WILLIAMSBURG, VA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Kingsmill Resort and 2 rounds of golf at Kingsmill Resort - Plantation & River Courses. "I just shake my head and say 'Don't ask. 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. FitzGerald, 45, was seemingly destined for life as a golf course superintendent. 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. The challenge for LedgeRock is its location. % Every hole looks different. "He's from Ireland, so I felt sorry for him," Bator joked. National candidates for LedgeRock GC membership cannot live within 100 miles of the club. Sign in. Miller sends video recaps with color commentary to add to the kids (and their parents) experience. The Founders recognized that the finest golfing venues available to local . LedgeRock Golf Club in Cumru Township, Pa. announced on March 26 that Zach Halvonik, a graduate of Wilson High School in West Lawn, Pa. outside of Reading, has . LedgeRock General Manager Gerry Heller, a 25-year golf hospitality veteran, recognizes that the arrangement with FitzGerald and Blinder is unique. Golf Courses. I think having to continuously resell the same dining experience is a tough challenge. "I don't get excited much, but that was something that was very exciting." According to FitzGerald, in 10 years and more than 1,000 bunkers, there have been zero failures. It was Aidan O'Hara who convinced FitzGerald of the importance of learning the turf management trade at an American turf school. 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. He was 20 years old when he arrived in State College, his first trip to the United States. Please know that it is the responsibility of the host to advise the vendor of our club policies. 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. And quite honestly, there are a lot of folks out there whose clubs are housing developments today. Not far from Mohnton, Ledgerock Golf Club offers terrific views and challenging play for golfers at every skill level. "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. With the programs that Miller has in place and the high level of service and selection in Halvoniks golf shop, the stage is set for the growth experienced in 2020 to continue well into the future. "I had just returned from Ireland when I met him. The average individual club membership is $520 per month, according to a survey by Golf Digest. The Herb Graffis Businessperson of the Year Award is named in honor of Golfdoms founder, World Golf Hall of Fame member Herb Graffis. Gerry Heller, CCM manages the course as the General Manager. 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. 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. The bunkers at LedgeRock couldnt wait that long. "Inhindsight, meeting Dick Bator was huge for me. He called and told me I was hired," FitzGerald said. The golf shop is open year-round and between Halvonik and his PGA Assistant Professional, Bill Kindoll, someone is always on duty to help members with their retail needs, or in the winter, to make sure the indoor hitting bays, located in the clubs Learning Center, are stocked with balls for member practice. But he sees it as eminently sensible, as well. Well see how this new market reacts. Please complete the following information below so that we can contact you regarding membership. We have to do a lot more volume in order to make any real money. I dont see a reason why other superintendents couldnt swing the same sort of arrangement, if the right opportunity comes up. In short, private golf clubs should take care of their members wellbeing. Even though the greens were just aerated last week, they still rolled pretty true and were very receptive to approach shots. Required fields are marked *. And, its our strong feeling that national and regional memberships are part of the reason why. He was on committees, greens committees, whatever. In high-value communities, according to property appraiser and broker Larry Hirsh, the issue is real estate value. 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. 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. There has to be something in it for them. 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. tennis courts, swimming pools, spa & wellness services, fitness, etc.). 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. Graffis was one of the first people to think of golf as a business when he and his brother Joe founded Golfdom in 1927. 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. It was a magnificent place to work. Thats what I did with most of these companies selling the liner technologies, FitzGerald recalls. More surprising, perhaps, is his full-time employers belief in the venture. But after some 15 years of research, test bunkers and cost-benefit analyses, he believes hes found the best bunker liner system out there. He still asks Why? and as hes gotten older, he also asks Why not? And thats a great thing.. But I also do something called Fall Junior Team Golf, which Ive done presentations about during [Philadelphia PGA] Section meetings, Miller added. Photos by John Reitman As a kid in Ireland, Alan FitzGerald discovered more than 25 years ago that the best route to becoming a golf course superintendent would include going to the United States - at least for formal education. 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. We had a 100-year storm, then a 300-year storm (a) pattern that seemed to repeat all summer. <> Each one has their strong and weak points. In the Philadelphia market, A-list clubs are doing just fine. In 2005, when FitzGerald first pondered how to address the continuing washout issue, bunker-liner technology was still in its infancy. Juliet, 18 miniature USGA spec greens with gravity-powered water features! Golf Courses, Reading, PA LedgeRock Golf Club: Ledgerock. . Welcome to one of the most beautiful golf courses along the East Coasttucked away as. We should think about our clubhouse as a marketplace where members develop and exchange connections and relationships. These bunkers just do not fail, FitzGerald says. That's when I decided I wanted to do this as a career. View Website EXPLORE THE COURSE MAP. 2023 North Coast Media LLC, All Rights Reserved. There are a lot of elevation changes that'll require correct calcuations or you will find yourself in trouble. Designed by Rees Jones, ASGCA, the Ledgerock golf course opened in 2006. LedgeRock Golf Club | 549 followers on LinkedIn. FitzGerald grew up in Castlecomer, in the southeast of Ireland. Its just an ideal piece of property for an old style course.. Alan really knows how to relate to people, Jones says. WILLIAMSBURG, VA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Williamsburg Lodge, Autograph Collection and 2 rounds of golf at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club - Gold & Green Courses. Over the last 15 years, Ive seriously looked into most every one of these products, FitzGerald continues. Our fortunes are frankly going the other way, Heller said. 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. 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. Required fields are marked *. Course acreage is simply worth way more as housing, if the zoning allows it. All rights reserved. That's due to the cost of the raw materials and that we install it. It is a hub of activity that includes private and group instruction, practice sessions and various social gatherings. It was not a formal education, but it was extensive. Play golf at Ledge Rock Golf Club, located at 1 Greenbriar Dr Mohnton, PA 19540-9307. Would that work?. Alan was totally upfront with us about this, and we frankly viewed it as an opportunity for him as a valued employee and for us as a club, Heller says. Ledgerock Golf Course - Mohnton, Pennsylvania, Birdsboro, PA It allows me to bring in fresh product throughout the year knowing that its going to sell, he said. That is as important today as growing grass., Jones notes FitzGeralds pedigree, but adds that having Pine Valley on ones rsum doesnt do any good unless that superintendent can deliver. GOLF DIGEST MAY EARN A PORTION OF SALES FROM PRODUCTS THAT ARE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR SITE AS PART OF OUR AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH RETAILERS. The young Irishman, newly married, would eventually spend six years at Pine Valley. For city denizens, there are options across the Hudson River in New Jersey . Read the latest feature stories from the PGA of America to learn how the game is growing on and off the course. Initiation Fees. Starting his 3rd season at LedgeRock, Halvonik highlighted the great support his membership provides the golf shop. With private club market in crisis, LedgeRock GC expands membership scope. During construction here at LedgeRock, fabric liners were the only things on the market, really. 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 In general, FitzGerald believes the bunker liner product universe can be broken into two broad categories: soft (fabric liners) and hard (aggregate liners). Monthly Fees. 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. LedgeRock was designed by Rees Jones and captures the essence of a classic old style course with scenic beauty and original landscapes. LedgeRock captures the essence of a classic, old style course by maintaining the scenic beauty and elegant rustic nature of the original landscape. 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. Current member? During the Great Recession, LedgeRock focused on a regional strategy to help broaden its membership base, though the course didnt stabilize until 2011. The more rugged the property is, the more spectacular the possibilities for the final product. All rights reserved. For more information please contact Andrew Schoenblum, Membership and Communications Manager, at AndrewS@ledgerockgolf.com. I had a much better year. Golf Courses, Wernersville, PA If you're planning to play four times a week, 52 times a year, then golf club membership is almost certainly worth it. 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. If you want to hit all the clubs in your bag play here.". 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. 2023 North Coast Media LLC, All Rights Reserved. This involvement often leads to kids joining his more golf-specific programs that drive membership as mentioned briefly already. It was a big moment," said FitzGerald. Golf Range Association of America. <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Miller highlighted the special programs he offers, especially the junior golf opportunities. 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. 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. And here I am 25 years later.". 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. Request Membership Information Membership at LedgeRock Golf Club is by invitation only. Further down the hill sits Kohl Lodge, where national and regional members can stay the night. The golf course at LedgeRock GC was designed by architect Rees Jones. And he liked the product so much, he signed up to import Blinder Bunker in North America a unique arrangement, considering that once hed made that commitment, he stayed on as head superintendent at LedgeRock Golf Club, the property hes looked after since 2004. The elevated tee and green locations offer long vistas of the surrounding countryside and enhance the playability of this outstanding venue. How will that work for you? We had that kind of relationship. Designed by Rees Jones, ASGCA, the Ledgerock golf course opened in 2006. Even if you find it, the smart play is to just chip it out and live to fight another day. The Ledgerock Golf Club is a private 18 hole facility located near Reading, Pennsylvania. 4.4 But B-list clubs like their member-owned, equity brethren across the nation are fighting like the dickens to survive. 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. Copyright 2023 GolfPass. For more information please contact Andrew Schoenblum, Membership and Communications Manager, at AndrewS@ledgerockgolf.com. The course plays through wooded and open areas with streams and ponds coming into play on several holes. As you know, private golf clubs are closing, redeveloping and converting to public play in record numbers. Registered previously? "I'm supposed to say I met my wife at Penn State, and that's why I stayed in the States. Demographics and attitudes have changed. 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. Your data protection & privacy is important to me! Indeed, it is a hidden gem among the many fine courses in southeastern Pennsylvania. Enjoy some of the best golf in Pennsylvania throughout the season with one of our great membership opportunities. . 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. Wed fix everything after a storm and everything would just wash out again, FitzGerald says with a shrug. I emailed (Blinder) out of the blue. The Rees Jones design has top-to-bottom elevation changes of some 80 feet and severe slopes at every turn that make mowing a real-life adventure. 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. Your email address will not be published. The challenge for LedgeRock Golf Club is its location. USE OF AND/OR REGISTRATION ON ANY PORTION OF THIS SITE CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF OURVISITOR AGREEMENT(UPDATED 1/6/23),PRIVACY AND COOKIES NOTICE(UPDATED 1/4/23) ANDCALIFORNIA PRIVACY NOTICE. Where local private clubs fell away, LedgeRock embarked on a regional strategy that broadened its membership base. 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. (Photo: Larry Lambrecht), I wasnt hired as any sort of construction superintendent. 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. Gerry Heller, CCM manages the course as the General Manager. But B-list clubs like their member-owned, equity brethren across the nation are fighting to survive. Coming from a place like Pine Valley, theres an expectation and hes fulfilled those expectations, because LedgeRock is as good as Pine Valley. LedgeRock Golf Club offers several categories of membership to fit your needs. The tenacity of the founders was really amazing. Alan FitzGerald (Photo courtesy of Alan Fitzgerald). 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. Blinders short answer was Yes. But leaving it there would gloss over and considerably shorten a pretty good, thoroughly trans-Atlantic story. Thats due to the cost of the raw materials and that we install it. At the time, I was young, and I had no idea how huge it was.". He has received numerous accolades throughout his career. LedgeRock provides a sanctuary for golfers of all ages and . 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. The par-4 17th is slated for renovation next year. Hybrid tees are also an option. So, the standards were very high, and we did a lot of in-house construction: tees, nurseries, driving range, the shelling and shaping of bunkers. 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. Water flows right through that layer. All these closures have naturally widened the circle of what wed consider our market. Our premier event of the year, The Rock Member Guest, was an absolute blast! He was that guy.". Cost is a massive issue. 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. Welcome To Your Club Watch on Golf About Amenities Guest Information For instance, kids will have to run forty yards, make a two-foot putt and run back. lzu. Our biggest issue is cost: Weve 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. My standing joke has been, The members here have never played in brand-new bunkers.. Crossing paths with Bator changed the trajectory of his career. But we havent lost any either. 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. days before the event. You'll discover it's more than just a golf lesson. He's from Ireland, so I felt sorry for him. I have a soft spot for foreign guys who can stick it out. Even though it is within tolerance, they never thought they would be used to mow anything like this.". Course acreage is simply worth way more as housing if the zoning allows it. 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. I was going to my spiritual home," FitzGerald said.
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