We do the normal stuff like PGA Jr. League and Drive, Chip and Putt. A private club located on 212-acres in scenic Berks County, the stunning Rees Jones course is a hidden gem yet easily accessible from Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Lancaster, and the surrounding areas. Tee Times 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. It is a hub of activity that includes private and group instruction, practice sessions and various social gatherings. The most outstanding feature at Ledgerock is the dramatic topography. 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. The Founders recognized that the finest golfing venues available to local . He is always willing to learn and is always doing his research.. Favorite 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. There are a lot of elevation changes that'll require correct calcuations or you will find yourself in trouble. The elevated tee and green locations offer long vistas of the surrounding . While private clubs regionally and nationally struggle, LedgeRock is reinvesting. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . 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. Registered previously? 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. The elevated tee and green locations offer long vistas of the surrounding countryside and enhance the playability of this outstanding venue. 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. At the time, I was young, and I had no idea how huge it was. That debt burden is the reason so many clubs have, in last decade, sold out to corporate management companies. It was a big moment," said FitzGerald. Their traditional country club cultures resisted these changes, said Hirsh, owner of Conshohocken, Pa.-based Golf Property Analysts. He is asking $550,000 for basic membership. I was hired to be the golf course superintendent, to grow the course in, he said. We have to do a lot more volume in order to make any real money. The approach is sound. % We had a 100-year storm, then a 300-year storm (a) pattern that seemed to repeat all summer. Well see how this new market reacts.. But B-list clubs like their member-owned, equity brethren across the nation are fighting to survive. 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. Larry Hirsh, the owner of Conshohocken, Pa.-based Golf Property Analysts says. 2 0 obj 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. 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. The private club market is certainly changing faster and more dynamically than any time during my 30 years in this business, said LedgeRock GC General Manager Gerry Heller. He says his biggest sellers are TaylorMade, Callaway and PING, all quality brands to go with the impressive roster of apparel lines he highlighted. LedgeRock GC opened for play in June 2007. 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. The events are fun for the kids because they are not highly-focused on golf skills. During the Great Recession, LedgeRock focused on a regional strategy to help broaden its membership base, though the course didnt stabilize until 2011. Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists. 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 . Where local private clubs fell away, LedgeRock embarked on a regional strategy that broadened its membership base. "He was a Penn State grad, I had friends there and my dad's family was from around there. Search for fun things to do in your area led by PGA Professionals. Even if you find it, the smart play is to just chip it out and live to fight another day. LedgeRock is a Golf Club owned by its Members. Golf Courses, Reading, PA 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. 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. 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. 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. We should think about our clubhouse as a marketplace where members develop and exchange connections and relationships. Alan FitzGerald (Photo courtesy of Alan Fitzgerald). Smaller courses could be as little as $200 per month, while more prestigious clubs are much more. 1 Greenbriar Dr, Mohnton, PA 19540 The challenge for LedgeRock is its location. 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 also hard to come by the aggregates you need in some cases.. Our fortunes are frankly going the other way, Heller said. Well see how this new market reacts. 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. 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. Current member? All the latest stories & news from the Major PGA Championships. Indeed, things didnt stabilize for FitzGerald and LedgeRock until about 2011. 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. 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. Its not about thriving. He has received numerous accolades throughout his career. 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. The exacerbating factor is often club debt, much of it accrued prior to the 2008 recession. "Dad was always there. We built an entire putting course at Mt. Book Tee Times And we pretty much refuse to compromise on quality, which justifies the long-term investment prospect, in our view. 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. It was awkward the first few months, but then I settled in.". Further down the hill sits Kohl Lodge, where national and regional members can stay the night. 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. 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. Jones and his associates were in Mohnton all year revamping the par-3 10th. stream There are no tennis courts or swimming pools just its nationally ranked golf course and one of the Northeasts most expansive practice facilities. 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. "I'm supposed to say I met my wife at Penn State, and that's why I stayed in the States. If you want to hit all the clubs in your bag play here.". People have forgotten how to talk to people! It was not a formal education, but it was extensive. LedgeRock was designed by Rees Jones and captures the essence of a classic old style course with scenic beauty and original landscapes. 1 track on the planet. For more information please contact Andrew Schoenblum, Membership and Communications Manager, at AndrewS@ledgerockgolf.com. The rubber is mixed with a polymer and hand-laid into place to ensure it closely follows the contours of the bunker. 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 captures the essence of a classic, old style course by maintaining the scenic beauty and elegant rustic nature of the original landscape. Golf Courses, Sinking Spring, PA The latest news & stories from PGA Member Events. "Then coming to Penn State was a culture shock because I was 20, and I couldn't get into bars. 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. 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. <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Ledgerock Golf Club. But he sees it as eminently sensible, as well. Enjoy the great view of 16, 17, 18, and 1 as you sit on the patio enjoying a post round drink or meal. Your email address will not be published. Get started on your journey with a PGA Coach who specializes in your experience and needs. Miller sends video recaps with color commentary to add to the kids (and their parents) experience. 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. Welcome To Your Club Watch on Golf About Amenities Guest Information Gerry Heller, CCM manages the course as the General Manager. 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. Golf Courses, Denver, PA John Reitman August 20, 2021, By I have a soft spot for foreign guys who can stick it out. Panelists. 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. 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. LedgeRock captures the essence of a classic, old style course by maintaining the scenic beauty and elegant rustic nature of the original landscape. 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. I emailed (Blinder) out of the blue. . 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. In 2005, when FitzGerald first pondered how to address the continuing washout issue, bunker-liner technology was still in its infancy. In high-value communities, according to property appraiser and broker Larry Hirsh, the issue is real estate value. 2019 Herb Graffis Businessperson of the Year: Alan FitzGerald. That opened our eyes, said Heller, who arrived at LedgeRock in early 2018 from Philmont CC. He was 20 years old when he arrived in State College, his first trip to the United States. The secondary thing is, if the club said, No way, you have to be prepared for that and have a Plan B. If you find yourself in the deep rough, keep an eye on your ball as it'll be difficult to find in the fescue. And here I am 25 years later.". "Coming to New York City from Kilkenny was a culture shock," he said. This naturally builds up the old rsum. All rights reserved. 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. "Inhindsight, meeting Dick Bator was huge for me. Each one has their strong and weak points. Water flows right through that layer. LedgeRock General Manager Gerry Heller, a 25-year golf hospitality veteran, recognizes that the arrangement with FitzGerald and Blinder is unique. How will that work for you? We had that kind of relationship. Enjoy some of the best golf in Pennsylvania throughout the season with one of our great membership opportunities. All rights reserved. Our premier event of the year, The Rock Member Guest, was an absolute blast! Play golf at Ledge Rock Golf Club, located at 1 Greenbriar Dr Mohnton, PA 19540-9307. But we havent lost any either. So, I came back to them: What if I imported it for you and you taught me how to do it? 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. 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. 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. How do I get it here? 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. Gerry Heller, CCM manages the course as the General Manager. LedgeRock provides a sanctuary for golfers of all ages and . With private club market in crisis, LedgeRock GC expands membership scope. 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. 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. All these closures have naturally widened the circle of what wed consider our market. 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. It allows me to bring in fresh product throughout the year knowing that its going to sell, he said. You could roll it up like a carpet if you had a big enough lift.. Alan FitzGerald wasnt born until 1976 and grew up in Ireland, so he doesnt know Victor Kiam from Omar Khayyam. But I got the assistant's job at Pine Valley, and that made me stay. Like a car dealer, Kiam starred in his own commercials. Blinders short answer was Yes. But leaving it there would gloss over and considerably shorten a pretty good, thoroughly trans-Atlantic story. Miller plans ahead and prepares a season-ending party with cakes and party products of the teams represented in the competition. 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. Regional, or nonresident members may not own or rent property within 35 miles of the club. 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. 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 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. That's due to the cost of the raw materials and that we install it. He was on committees, greens committees, whatever. endobj The short course caters to juniors and beginners who want to take the skills they learn on the range out to the golf course. I asked him where one gets an LSU Tiger-themed cake in rural Pennsylvania and he credited the internet and some thoughtful planning for making the party an annual success. Graffis was one of the first people to think of golf as a business when he and his brother Joe founded Golfdom in 1927. But I also do something called Fall Junior Team Golf, which Ive done presentations about during [Philadelphia PGA] Section meetings, Miller added. 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. The bunkers at LedgeRock couldnt wait that long. Its just an ideal piece of property for an old style course.. With meeting space indoors and a spacious patio outdoors that overlooks the range, its a popular member gathering spot. Everything here is four-wheel drive.". "When they saw it, their engineers panicked," FitzGerald said. I think we had 23 inches of rain that first July. Coming from a place like Pine Valley, theres an expectation and hes fulfilled those expectations, because LedgeRock is as good as Pine Valley. The Great Recession hit the following autumn, and private clubs started dropping like flies all over Pennsylvania and across the nation. 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. I was of age and able to enjoy college life more.". Discover golf near you. 1 0 obj tennis courts, swimming pools, spa & wellness services, fitness, etc.). The Herb Graffis Businessperson of the Year Award is named in honor of Golfdoms founder, World Golf Hall of Fame member Herb Graffis. "I just shake my head and say 'Don't ask. "It isn't an easy process. The approach is sound. I think the world of Alan, he did a wonderful job here, says longtime Pine Valley GC Superintendent Rick Christian.
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