I think having to continuously resell the same dining experience is a tough challenge. "My dad was always involved in Castlecomer Golf Club in Ireland," he said. It was awkward the first few months, but then I settled in.". "Then coming to Penn State was a culture shock because I was 20, and I couldn't get into bars. The bunkers at LedgeRock couldnt wait that long. 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. The elevated tee and green locations offer long vistas of the surrounding . John Reitman The golf course at LedgeRock GC was designed by architect Rees Jones. Page content. Juliet, 18 miniature USGA spec greens with gravity-powered water features! 1 0 obj But I also do something called Fall Junior Team Golf, which Ive done presentations about during [Philadelphia PGA] Section meetings, Miller added. Further down the hill sits Kohl Lodge, where national and regional members can stay the night. "I spent the summer there, then went back to Penn State. So, I came back to them: What if I imported it for you and you taught me how to do it? But after some 15 years of research, test bunkers and cost-benefit analyses, he believes hes found the best bunker liner system out there. Search for fun things to do in your area led by PGA Professionals. Our premier event of the year, The Rock Member Guest, was an absolute blast! Tee Times 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. Ledgerock Golf Club. 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. Crossing paths with Bator changed the trajectory of his career. Each one has their strong and weak points. You could roll it up like a carpet if you had a big enough lift.. When it comes to golf, members practice year-round on the indoor putting and chipping green. 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. We built an entire putting course at Mt. 2019 Herb Graffis Businessperson of the Year: Alan FitzGerald. 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. The average individual club membership is $520 per month, according to a survey by Golf Digest. 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. 1 Greenbriar Dr , Mohnton , , 19540-9307. The exacerbating factor is often club debt, much of it accrued prior to 2008 recession. endobj LedgeRock Golf Club | 549 followers on LinkedIn. FitzGerald grew up in Castlecomer, in the southeast of Ireland. 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. LedgeRock provides a sanctuary for golfers of all ages and . 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. He was around the game all his life but never considered a career in golf until he took a summer job at Mount Juliet, the Jack Nicklaus-designed resort a half-hour from his home. I think we had 23 inches of rain that first July. The tenacity of the founders was really amazing. It is with all due respect that we present this award in Mr. Graffis honor. Please know that it is the responsibility of the host to advise the vendor of our club policies. Miller says the building offers meeting rooms with technical and presentation systems and is Wi-Fi enabled for everyones convenience. 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. Even though the greens were just aerated last week, they still rolled pretty true and were very receptive to approach shots. Call (610) 777-9705 for more information. Getting members on the golf course helps boost participation in member events. It just gets done.' Well see how this new market reacts. It was a magnificent place to work. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He called and told me I was hired," FitzGerald said. %PDF-1.5 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 . But he sees it as eminently sensible, as well. I was of age and able to enjoy college life more.". 4 0 obj <>>> It was great to be so involved.. 3,732 were here. View Website EXPLORE THE COURSE MAP. 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. For the first few years, the maintenance staff did a great job removing the contaminants, but eventually it got to the point where the sand needed replacing, FitzGerald says. More. Blinder has been operating in Europe for a decade, where, unlike in North America, its one of the most recognizable names in bunker liners. "Seriously, what impressed me about him was his ability at a young age to think outside the box to get things accomplished.". <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> 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. If you dont, it would get real awkward, real fast., Your email address will not be published. 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. Miller highlighted the special programs he offers, especially the junior golf opportunities. "He had a lot of staying power," Bator said. The challenge for LedgeRock is its location. In that sense, the interaction was just the same: Can you send me a sample? Your email address will not be published. WILLIAMSBURG, VA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Kingsmill Resort and 2 rounds of golf at Kingsmill Resort - Plantation & River Courses. Membership is by invitation only. 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. "He was a Penn State grad, I had friends there and my dad's family was from around there. 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. Welcome To Your Club Watch on Golf About Amenities Guest Information GOLF DIGEST MAY EARN A PORTION OF SALES FROM PRODUCTS THAT ARE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR SITE AS PART OF OUR AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH RETAILERS. Enjoy some of the best golf in Pennsylvania throughout the season with one of our great membership opportunities. 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. This trend is not limited to the Hamptons. stream The most outstanding feature at Ledgerock is the dramatic topography. 1 Greenbriar Dr. Mohnton, PA 19540-9307. 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. . 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. Favorite 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. 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. 2 0 obj Hybrid tees are also an option. How do I get it here? 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. 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. 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. "Most superintendents, when they come here, ask 'how do you do that?' 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. Input Score 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. Its also hard to come by the aggregates you need in some cases.. 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. Inhindsight, meeting Dick Bator was huge for me. I was going to my spiritual home," FitzGerald said. It was a big moment," said FitzGerald. We do the normal stuff like PGA Jr. League and Drive, Chip and Putt. 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. Enjoy the great view of 16, 17, 18, and 1 as you sit on the patio enjoying a post round drink or meal. He still asks Why? and as hes gotten older, he also asks Why not? And thats a great thing.. Aidan told me 'if you want to do this, you need to go to the States.' The club member wants to thrive and grow and feel the value of his membership. The most outstanding feature at Ledgerock is the dramatic topography. Member Login. LedgeRock was designed by Rees Jones and captures the essence of a classic old style course with scenic beauty and original landscapes. "I had just returned from Ireland when I met him. Powered by Invision Community, Becoming a superintendent was always in the cards for LedgeRock's FitzGerald, Copyright 1994-2022, Turnstile Publishing Company. Miller utilizes some of the best teaching technology on the market in his lessons and player development programming so members can improve their skills year-round and practice throughout the cold Pennsylvania winter. Golf Courses, Denver, PA The Blinder business accounts for the other 3 percent, but because its all above board, fielding a Blinder call in the middle of the day is seamless and unremarkable, to be honest. But B-list clubs like their member-owned, equity brethren across the nation are fighting like the dickens to survive. Smaller courses could be as little as $200 per month, while more prestigious clubs are much more. 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. It also tends to build up the diverse, real-world experience that sets elite golf course superintendents apart. % The latest news & stories from PGA Amateur Programs. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Welcome To Your Club Watch on Golf About Amenities Guest Information As you know, private golf clubs are closing, redeveloping and converting to public play in record numbers. Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists. Monthly Fees. He is always willing to learn and is always doing his research.. The rubber is mixed with a polymer and hand-laid into place to ensure it closely follows the contours of the bunker. I wouldnt say Ive procrastinated on it, but I couldve done it sooner It was a handy excuse to get out of jury duty.. I think the world of Alan, he did a wonderful job here, says longtime Pine Valley GC Superintendent Rick Christian. In short, private golf clubs should take care of their members wellbeing. 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 are no tennis courts or swimming pools just its nationally ranked golf course and one of the Northeasts most expansive practice facilities. We havent made any real money on this venture yet. 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. 4.4 I have a soft spot for foreign guys who can stick it out. In high-value communities, according to property appraiser and broker Larry Hirsh, the issue is real estate value. Miller gets jerseys made up with the LedgeRock logo AND the logo of the college football program represented by each team. According to FitzGerald, in 10 years and more than 1,000 bunkers, there have been zero failures. Membership is by invitation only. 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. That debt burden is the reason so many clubs have, in last decade, sold out to corporate management companies. 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. But B-list clubs like their member-owned, equity brethren across the nation are fighting to survive. The approach is sound. You'll discover it's more than just a golf lesson. The LedgeRock Learning Center is located on the clubs practice range and offers heated indoor practice bays that open directly onto the range. Then LedgeRock, a private Rees Jones signature design just breaking ground south of Reading, Pa., called. Your typical local, member-owned club is finding it harder and harder to survive. LedgeRock captures the essence of a classic, old style course by maintaining the scenic beauty and elegant rustic nature of the original landscape. Gerry Heller, CCM manages the course as the General Manager. 6 one day and asks me, Will you be able to mow that bank? This involvement often leads to kids joining his more golf-specific programs that drive membership as mentioned briefly already. 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. 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. 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. It allows me to bring in fresh product throughout the year knowing that its going to sell, he said. 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