You could roll it up like a carpet if you had a big enough lift.. FitzGerald, 45, was seemingly destined for life as a golf course superintendent. Their traditional country club cultures resisted these changes, said Hirsh, owner of Conshohocken, Pa.-based Golf Property Analysts. Miller highlighted the special programs he offers, especially the junior golf opportunities. For city denizens, there are options across the Hudson River in New Jersey . 6 one day and asks me, Will you be able to mow that bank? The approach is sound. Graffis was one of the first people to think of golf as a business when he and his brother Joe founded Golfdom in 1927. Even though it is within tolerance, they never thought they would be used to mow anything like this.". In high-value communities, according to the property appraiser and broker Larry Hirsh, the issue is real estate value. Enjoy the great view of 16, 17, 18, and 1 as you sit on the patio enjoying a post round drink or meal. 4 0 obj In general, FitzGerald believes the bunker liner product universe can be broken into two broad categories: soft (fabric liners) and hard (aggregate liners). Categories of Membership, For the Avid Golfer, For the Traveling Golfer, Culinary . 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. But I also do something called Fall Junior Team Golf, which Ive done presentations about during [Philadelphia PGA] Section meetings, Miller added. Miller says the building offers meeting rooms with technical and presentation systems and is Wi-Fi enabled for everyones convenience. Whats more, he didnt buy Blinder Bunker International. 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. ". Its perhaps no surprise that FitzGerald believes in the Blinder product; on some level, every entrepreneurial venture requires that belief. By 1996, he was off to Penn State. 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 from Ireland, so I felt sorry for him. THE MATERIAL ON THIS SITE MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED, DISTRIBUTED, TRANSMITTED, CACHED OR OTHERWISE USED, EXCEPT WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF DISCOVERY GOLF, INC. 2023 DISCOVERY GOLF, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Community building is about relationship building. Blinders short answer was Yes. But leaving it there would gloss over and considerably shorten a pretty good, thoroughly trans-Atlantic story. I have a soft spot for foreign guys who can stick it out. Juliet, 18 miniature USGA spec greens with gravity-powered water features! That opened our eyes, said Heller, who arrived at LedgeRock in early 2018 from Philmont CC. Seriously, what impressed me about him was his ability at a young age to think outside the box to get things accomplished. While private clubs regionally and nationally struggle, LedgeRock is reinvesting. John Reitman In 2020, he had 36 kids comprising four teams and competing in various skills competitions. I was going to my spiritual home," FitzGerald said. <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> 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. Current member? So, I came back to them: What if I imported it for you and you taught me how to do it? As you know, private golf clubs are closing, redeveloping and converting to public play in record numbers. 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. 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. Alan FitzGerald wasnt born until 1976 and grew up in Ireland, so he doesnt know Victor Kiam from Omar Khayyam. Mt. Golf Courses, Reading, PA 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. 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. 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. 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. "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. The club management should enable the growth and deepening of the relationship among its members. WILLIAMSBURG, VA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Kingsmill Resort and 2 rounds of golf at Kingsmill Resort - Plantation & River Courses. The secondary thing is, if the club said, No way, you have to be prepared for that and have a Plan B. 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. He has received numerous accolades throughout his career. Our fortunes are frankly going the other way, Heller said. Indeed, things didnt stabilize for FitzGerald and LedgeRock until about 2011. Search for fun things to do in your area led by PGA Professionals. He says his biggest sellers are TaylorMade, Callaway and PING, all quality brands to go with the impressive roster of apparel lines he highlighted. That's when I decided I wanted to do this as a career. I recently spoke with Halvonik and Miller, and they were all too willing to share some stories from their club, as well as details of their golf shop, member events and Learning Center. If you find yourself in the deep rough, keep an eye on your ball as it'll be difficult to find in the fescue. Golf Courses, Sinking Spring, PA Heller reports that several members, rendered clubless by the Harrisburg closings, have already joined LedgeRock. He wanted to make it to the top and make himself better at the same time. LedgeRock was designed by Rees Jones and captures the essence of a classic old style course with scenic beauty and original landscapes. In the Philadelphia market, A-list clubs are doing just fine. 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. The par-4 17th is slated for renovation next year. Its awful to see clubs closing. And we pretty much refuse to compromise on quality, which justifies the long-term investment prospect, in our view. John Reitman August 20, 2021, By And, its our strong feeling that national and regional memberships are part of the reason why. 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 . Your email address will not be published. The Ledgerock Golf Club is a private 18 hole facility located near Reading, Pennsylvania. Ledgerock Golf Course - Mohnton, Pennsylvania, Birdsboro, PA They may play up to 20 rounds of golf per year and have access to all club facilities, including overnights at Kohl Lodge, the clubs on-site guest cottage. Alan really knows how to relate to people, Jones says. 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. We priced them out and looked into it seriously. In fact, his signature pitch line made him a minor celebrity: I liked the shaver so much, I bought the company.. 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. It was awkward the first few months, but then I settled in.". These bunkers just do not fail, FitzGerald says. Well see how this new market reacts. Then LedgeRock, a private Rees Jones signature design just breaking ground south of Reading, Pa., called. 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. 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. 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. But after some 15 years of research, test bunkers and cost-benefit analyses, he believes hes found the best bunker liner system out there. Welcome to one of the most beautiful golf courses along the East Coast..tucked away as Mohnton's. LedgeRock Golf Club | Mohnton PA Powered by Invision Community, Becoming a superintendent was always in the cards for LedgeRock's FitzGerald, Copyright 1994-2022, Turnstile Publishing Company. He still asks Why? and as hes gotten older, he also asks Why not? And thats a great thing.. This naturally builds up the old rsum. "Inhindsight, meeting Dick Bator was huge for me. Registered previously? At first, I just wanted to get it done, but when I did it, it was very emotional. 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. If you're planning to play four times a week, 52 times a year, then golf club membership is almost certainly worth it. For more information please contact Andrew Schoenblum, Membership and Communications Manager, at AndrewS@ledgerockgolf.com. It was a magnificent place to work. 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. 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. That debt burden is the reason so many clubs have, in last decade, sold out to corporate management companies. LedgeRock is a Golf Club owned by its Members. Great layout that is very challenging. Getting members on the golf course helps boost participation in member events. He was on committees, greens committees, whatever. Panelists. With meeting space indoors and a spacious patio outdoors that overlooks the range, its a popular member gathering spot. In the Philadelphia market, A-list clubs are doing just fine. When it comes to golf, members practice year-round on the indoor putting and chipping green. LedgeRock Golf Club: Ledgerock. 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. All rights reserved. It was great to be so involved.. endobj They represent opportunity for LedgeRock, as well.. "He was a Penn State grad, I had friends there and my dad's family was from around there. Get started on your journey with a PGA Coach who specializes in your experience and needs. 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. 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. "They told me when they designed their machines they never would run on a hill like this. The average individual club membership is $520 per month, according to a survey by Golf Digest. Slopes are so severe that one hillside is named in honor of the Toro mowers used to keep it clipped. You'll discover it's more than just a golf lesson. 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. Essentially, the base is compactable road stone, a solid, consistent surface that water runs along and does not penetrate, he says. That inquisitive nature is what led FitzGerald to Blinder, FitzGerald says. 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. Thats so important in todays world. 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. The bunkers at LedgeRock couldnt wait that long. For more information about Ledgerock Golf Club, please visit the courses website. Golf Courses, Wernersville, PA The rubber is mixed with a polymer and hand-laid into place to ensure it closely follows the contours of the bunker. This involvement often leads to kids joining his more golf-specific programs that drive membership as mentioned briefly already. Please know that it is the responsibility of the host to advise the vendor of our club policies. 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