Sign in. (Photo: Fernando Gaglianese). LedgeRock is a Golf Club owned by its Members. View Website EXPLORE THE COURSE MAP. This is why I thought to bring a positive example of the LedgeRock Golf Club (in suburban Philadelphia: 15 minutes southwest of Reading). 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. Ledge Rock Golf Club, Mohnton, PA About Andrew Andy Miller is the Director of Instruction at LedgeRock Golf Club in Mohnton, PA. (Photo: Larry Lambrecht), I wasnt hired as any sort of construction superintendent. 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. 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'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. Its just an ideal piece of property for an old style course.. Miller plans ahead and prepares a season-ending party with cakes and party products of the teams represented in the competition. "I just shake my head and say 'Don't ask. That's due to the cost of the raw materials and that we install it. 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. 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). 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. Demographics and attitudes have changed. 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. It was a big moment," said FitzGerald. Discover golf near you. 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. 1 Greenbriar Dr. Mohnton, PA 19540-9307. Miller gets jerseys made up with the LedgeRock logo AND the logo of the college football program represented by each team. Search for fun things to do in your area led by PGA Professionals. 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. The average individual club membership is $520 per month, according to a survey by Golf Digest. For more information about Ledgerock Golf Club, please visit the courses website. So, I came back to them: What if I imported it for you and you taught me how to do it? At first, I just wanted to get it done, but when I did it, it was very emotional. I dont see a reason why other superintendents couldnt swing the same sort of arrangement, if the right opportunity comes up. 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. 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. 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. Wed fix everything after a storm and everything would just wash out again, FitzGerald says with a shrug. Blinders short answer was Yes. But leaving it there would gloss over and considerably shorten a pretty good, thoroughly trans-Atlantic story. With private club market in crisis, LedgeRock GC expands membership scope. Our fortunes are frankly going the other way, Heller said. Initiation Fees. For city denizens, there are options across the Hudson River in New Jersey . Play is limited to members at this private facility. <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> How do I get it here? Golf Courses, Sinking Spring, 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. Cost is a massive issue. The rubber is mixed with a polymer and hand-laid into place to ensure it closely follows the contours of the bunker. Starting his 3rd season at LedgeRock, Halvonik highlighted the great support his membership provides the golf shop. Gerry Heller, CCM manages the course as the General Manager. That opened our eyes, said Heller, who arrived at LedgeRock in early 2018 from Philmont CC. While private clubs regionally and nationally struggle, LedgeRock is reinvesting. Its awful to see clubs closing. We havent made any real money on this venture yet. 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. Its seamless, and being rubber, its just more flexible than anything else. Aidan told me 'if you want to do this, you need to go to the States.' Even though it is within tolerance, they never thought they would be used to mow anything like this.". "When they saw it, their engineers panicked," FitzGerald said. 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. He was that guy.". LedgeRock captures the essence of a classic, old style course by maintaining the scenic beauty and elegant rustic nature of the original landscape. The Great Recession hit the following autumn, and private clubs started dropping like flies all over Pennsylvania and across the nation. (Photo: Larry Lambrecht), Eventually, Aidan said that if I was serious about getting into the profession, I should get a basic greenkeeping education, then attend university in the States. We do the normal stuff like PGA Jr. League and Drive, Chip and Putt. "Most superintendents, when they come here, ask 'how do you do that?' 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. " FitzGerald said. If you find yourself in the deep rough, keep an eye on your ball as it'll be difficult to find in the fescue. Not a boring course to play. "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. 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. It was awkward the first few months, but then I settled in.". Coming from a place like Pine Valley, theres an expectation and hes fulfilled those expectations, because LedgeRock is as good as Pine Valley. "Dad was always there. 1 Greenbriar Dr , Mohnton , , 19540-9307. It is a hub of activity that includes private and group instruction, practice sessions and various social gatherings. Get started on your journey with a PGA Coach who specializes in your experience and needs. 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. 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. endobj Like a car dealer, Kiam starred in his own commercials. 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 know those people as colleagues and neighbors. 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. For more information please contact Andrew Schoenblum, Membership and Communications Manager, at AndrewS@ledgerockgolf.com. Not far from Mohnton, Ledgerock Golf Club offers terrific views and challenging play for golfers at every skill level. "Seriously, what impressed me about him was his ability at a young age to think outside the box to get things accomplished.". Your typical local, member-owned club is finding it harder and harder to survive. Hes personable, and a hard worker thats why he is where he is today. . 4.4 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. He says his biggest sellers are TaylorMade, Callaway and PING, all quality brands to go with the impressive roster of apparel lines he highlighted. %PDF-1.5 This involvement often leads to kids joining his more golf-specific programs that drive membership as mentioned briefly already. 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 . But we havent lost any either. We have to do a lot more volume in order to make any real money. 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. Its perhaps no surprise that FitzGerald believes in the Blinder product; on some level, every entrepreneurial venture requires that belief. Categories of Membership, For the Avid Golfer, For the Traveling Golfer, Culinary . 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. If you want to hit all the clubs in your bag play here.". All the latest stories & news from the Major PGA Championships. 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. Mt. 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. 1 0 obj Whats more, he didnt buy Blinder Bunker International. It was great to be so involved.. Enjoy the great view of 16, 17, 18, and 1 as you sit on the patio enjoying a post round drink or meal. The latest news & stories from PGA Amateur Programs. 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. Everything here is four-wheel drive.". Course acreage is simply worth way more as housing if the zoning allows it. 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 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. Membership is by invitation only. tennis courts, swimming pools, spa & wellness services, fitness, etc.). Miller says the building offers meeting rooms with technical and presentation systems and is Wi-Fi enabled for everyones convenience. "I did my two years of basic greenkeeping at Mount Juliet, then I got into the two-year program at Penn State," said FitzGerald. 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. The Founders recognized that the finest golfing venues available to local . John Reitman "The first year there was miserable, but then it became fun. LedgeRock General Manager Gerry Heller, a 25-year golf hospitality veteran, recognizes that the arrangement with FitzGerald and Blinder is unique. LedgeRock GC opened for play in June 2007. FitzGerald calls the workload back in those early days completely nuts, as the project manager left for a different project, and the weather refused to cooperate. 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. Play private golf, access private courses, and book private Tee Times at Ledgerock Golf Club in Mohnton PA with Boxgroove You'll discover it's more than just a golf lesson. 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. . Favorite More surprising, perhaps, is his full-time employers belief in the venture. Two years ago, he made his extended stay permanent when he became a U.S. citizen. Book Tee Times He has received numerous accolades throughout his career. He still asks Why? and as hes gotten older, he also asks Why not? And thats a great thing.. "He's from Ireland, so I felt sorry for him," Bator joked. Golf Range Association of America. "I'm supposed to say I met my wife at Penn State, and that's why I stayed in the States. days before the event. Further down the hill sits Kohl Lodge, where national and regional members can stay the night. 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. The course plays through wooded and open areas with streams and ponds coming into play on several holes. This naturally builds up the old rsum. Panelists. Its a big investment no matter what product you choose, so its got to last. Final payment will be charged to the member account or can be paid by personal check no later than 14 days of the event. 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. The unique LedgeRock Golf Club logo also helps sell merchandise, as the clubs members like to show it off while demonstrating pride in their club. ". Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. All rights reserved. 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. He is always willing to learn and is always doing his research.. LedgeRock Golf Club in Mohnton, Pennsylvania is flush with wide, sweeping views. The club member wants to thrive and grow and feel the value of his membership. Add a tournament here. For the Avid Golfer For the Traveling Golfer You could roll it up like a carpet if you had a big enough lift.. My standing joke has been, The members here have never played in brand-new bunkers.. "It isn't an easy process. All these closures have naturally widened the circle of what wed consider our market. Page content. Smaller courses could be as little as $200 per month, while more prestigious clubs are much more. FitzGerald grew up in Castlecomer, in the southeast of Ireland. Inhindsight, meeting Dick Bator was huge for me. TheGolfMembershipSpot directory includes thousands of golf & country clubs offering regional, national and corporate golf membership opportunities. 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. Well-groomed fairways and greens keep Ledgerock Golf Club difficult yet friendly, and the staff can offer tips and tricks for playing your best round. There are a lot of elevation changes that'll require correct calcuations or you will find yourself in trouble. LedgeRock was designed by Rees Jones and captures the essence of a classic old style course with scenic beauty and original landscapes. But I also do something called Fall Junior Team Golf, which Ive done presentations about during [Philadelphia PGA] Section meetings, Miller added. And we pretty much refuse to compromise on quality, which justifies the long-term investment prospect, in our view. 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 . 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