In the Philadelphia market, A-list clubs are doing just fine. Seriously, what impressed me about him was his ability at a young age to think outside the box to get things accomplished. I dont see a reason why other superintendents couldnt swing the same sort of arrangement, if the right opportunity comes up. Juliet, 18 miniature USGA spec greens with gravity-powered water features! Posted By "He had a lot of staying power," Bator said. Whether you are interested in a premier golf experience, new friends, camaraderie, and an active social calendar of events, or simply an exceptional place to dine and entertain, we have the membership for you. According to some estimates, 50% of private golf club members eat at their club 1 out of 10 dining out experiences. 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. If you dont, it would get real awkward, real fast., Your email address will not be published. Getting members on the golf course helps boost participation in member events. Bator, a consultant and former superintendent at Pine Valley, had recently returned from Ireland when he met FitzGerald in 1998 and recommended him to Christian. "The first year there was miserable, but then it became fun. Golf Range Association of America. And we pretty much refuse to compromise on quality, which justifies the long-term investment prospect, in our view. 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. Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists, Fantastic golf course. With private club market in crisis, LedgeRock GC expands membership scope. 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. 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. 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. Thats so important in todays world. Please know that it is the responsibility of the host to advise the vendor of our club policies. They represent opportunity for LedgeRock, as well.. 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. "It isn't an easy process. In fact, his signature pitch line made him a minor celebrity: I liked the shaver so much, I bought the company.. 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. The Club welcomes outside vendors to assist with enhancing your special event. I think we had 23 inches of rain that first July. Its also hard to come by the aggregates you need in some cases.. For more information on LedgeRock Golf Club, log on to https://www.ledgerockgolf.com/. In 2020, he had 36 kids comprising four teams and competing in various skills competitions. LedgeRock GC opened for play in June 2007. He is asking $550,000 for basic membership. 1 Greenbriar Dr, Mohnton, PA 19540 Its awful to see clubs closing. Favorite Ledgerock Golf Club Targets May Reopening For New Hole, Rees Jones Returning To Enhance Southeast Pennsylvania Course. 6 one day and asks me, Will you be able to mow that bank? 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. 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. The short course caters to juniors and beginners who want to take the skills they learn on the range out to the golf course. August 20, 2021. 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. 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. 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. %PDF-1.5 Coming from a place like Pine Valley, theres an expectation and hes fulfilled those expectations, because LedgeRock is as good as Pine Valley. 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. Loch Lomond in Scotland where Penn State grad Ken Siems was superintendent, was deemed the perfect fit. Individual Golf Membership Monthly Dues $195.00 This membership includes unlimited Golf and Club Amenities, listed on page 2, for the 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 . 2 0 obj 1 Greenbriar Dr , Mohnton , , 19540-9307. "Inhindsight, meeting Dick Bator was huge for me. Membership is by invitation only. . Jones and his associates were in Mohnton all year revamping the par-3 10th. In a matter of two to three years, it felt like wed built pretty much every feature of a golf course. LedgeRock Golf Club offers several categories of membership to fit your needs. Golf Courses, Wernersville, PA After a stint as assistant working for Rick Christian at historic Pine Valley in New Jersey, FitzGerald has spent the past 18 years as superintendent at vista-rich LedgeRock Golf Club in Mohnton, Pennsylvania, a remote area near Reading. Member Login. Ledgerock Golf Club. It allows me to bring in fresh product throughout the year knowing that its going to sell, he said. Hybrid tees are also an option. 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. 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. But B-list clubs like their member-owned, equity brethren across the nation are fighting like the dickens to survive. 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. "They told me when they designed their machines they never would run on a hill like this. LedgeRock Golf Club opened in 2006 on 212 acres of terrain marked by striking elevation changes and riven by half a dozen roaring brooks. But costs could climb above $1000 per month when you add in various fees such as storage and golf cart fees. We have to do a lot more volume in order to make any real money. 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. 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). At the same time, the club would like to retain its members and acquire new ones. 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. 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. All rights reserved. Call (610) 777-9705 for more information. Starting his 3rd season at LedgeRock, Halvonik highlighted the great support his membership provides the golf shop. Current member? Would that work?. 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. 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. 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. He was that guy.". But we havent lost any either. Copyright 2023 GolfPass. Well see how this new market reacts. "Seriously, what impressed me about him was his ability at a young age to think outside the box to get things accomplished.". Golf Courses, Denver, PA 4 0 obj 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. Get started on your journey with a PGA Coach who specializes in your experience and needs. We had a 100-year storm, then a 300-year storm (a) pattern that seemed to repeat all summer. Course has a ton of character. Enjoy some of the best golf in Pennsylvania throughout the season with one of our great membership opportunities. 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. Its about engaging the young kids, often between 6 and 13 years of age, in a fun and supportive environment. Powered by Invision Community, Becoming a superintendent was always in the cards for LedgeRock's FitzGerald, Copyright 1994-2022, Turnstile Publishing Company. In that sense, the interaction was just the same: Can you send me a sample? Enjoy the great view of 16, 17, 18, and 1 as you sit on the patio enjoying a post round drink or meal. 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. Your email address will not be published. Input Score LedgeRock was designed by Rees Jones and captures the essence of a classic old style course with scenic beauty and original landscapes. The approach is sound. 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. Request Membership Information Membership at LedgeRock Golf Club is by invitation only. Indeed, things didnt stabilize for FitzGerald and LedgeRock until about 2011. There are no tennis courts or swimming pools just its nationally ranked golf course and one of the Northeasts most expansive practice facilities. "I had just returned from Ireland when I met him. It was great to be so involved.. Essentially, the base is compactable road stone, a solid, consistent surface that water runs along and does not penetrate, he says. Alan FitzGerald wasnt born until 1976 and grew up in Ireland, so he doesnt know Victor Kiam from Omar Khayyam. Water flows right through that layer. 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 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. 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. Categories of Membership, For the Avid Golfer, For the Traveling Golfer, Culinary . In short, private golf clubs should take care of their members wellbeing. TUNKHANNOCK, PA | Enjoy 3 nights' accommodations at Shadowbrook Resort and 2 rounds of golf at Shadowbrook Golf Course. The latest news & stories from PGA Member Events. And here I am 25 years later.". tennis courts, swimming pools, spa & wellness services, fitness, etc.). Book Tee Times He still asks Why? and as hes gotten older, he also asks Why not? And thats a great thing.. Search for fun things to do in your area led by PGA Professionals. 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. Community building is about relationship building. Thats how I ended up at Penn State.. 3 0 obj 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. The young Irishman, newly married, would eventually spend six years at Pine Valley. Course acreage is simply worth way more as housing, if the zoning allows it. Everything here is four-wheel drive.". Blinder has been operating in Europe for a decade, where, unlike in North America, its one of the most recognizable names in bunker liners. Required fields are marked *. He was 20 years old when he arrived in State College, his first trip to the United States. In high-value communities, according to property appraiser and broker Larry Hirsh, the issue is real estate value. 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. According to FitzGerald, in 10 years and more than 1,000 bunkers, there have been zero failures. I think having to continuously resell the same dining experience is a tough challenge. Indeed, it is a hidden gem among the many fine courses in southeastern Pennsylvania. In 2005, when FitzGerald first pondered how to address the continuing washout issue, bunker-liner technology was still in its infancy. 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. LedgeRock Golf Club in Mohnton, Pennsylvania is flush with wide, sweeping views. This trend is not limited to the Hamptons. "When they saw it, their engineers panicked," FitzGerald said. 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. More. "I did my two years of basic greenkeeping at Mount Juliet, then I got into the two-year program at Penn State," said FitzGerald. 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. 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. 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