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. 6 one day and asks me, Will you be able to mow that bank? Indeed, it is a hidden gem among the many fine courses in southeastern Pennsylvania. Request Membership Information Membership at LedgeRock Golf Club is by invitation only. 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. But he sees it as eminently sensible, as well. The course rating is 0.0 and it has a slope rating of 0 on Bent grass. He finally considered greenkeeping as a career when at age 16 he got a job at Mount Juliet when his mother was named human resources manager there. 3,732 were here. Hes outside the box. "He had a lot of staying power," Bator said. Designed by Rees Jones, ASGCA, the Ledgerock golf course opened in 2006. 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. 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. He wanted to make it to the top and make himself better at the same time. 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. 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. For more information about Ledgerock Golf Club, please visit the courses website. "Coming to New York City from Kilkenny was a culture shock," he said. I have a soft spot for foreign guys who can stick it out. "I'm supposed to say I met my wife at Penn State, and that's why I stayed in the States. Your email address will not be published. x[moH N:MA$3 &`DYzv?}?lwvM}|s7H3|_}#YZDoL0YGQ7:-vVkEO`bNMJyW?e7\m{0Nl>c:K+4":8f&bR".@is&5iPmSo7>S"X[#36[RIzSN&K1*"pnU{ "Dad was always there. 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. Slopes are so severe that one hillside is named in honor of the Toro mowers used to keep it clipped. I had a much better year. Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists. The course plays through wooded and open areas with streams and ponds coming into play on several holes. All rights reserved. <> Even though the greens were just aerated last week, they still rolled pretty true and were very receptive to approach shots. They represent opportunity for LedgeRock, as well.. 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. 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. The Ledgerock Golf Club is a private 18 hole facility located near Reading, Pennsylvania. It was awkward the first few months, but then I settled in.". Powered by Invision Community, Becoming a superintendent was always in the cards for LedgeRock's FitzGerald, Copyright 1994-2022, Turnstile Publishing Company. During the Great Recession, LedgeRock focused on a regional strategy to help broaden its membership base, though the course didnt stabilize until 2011. Alan FitzGerald (Photo courtesy of Alan Fitzgerald). Enjoy the great view of 16, 17, 18, and 1 as you sit on the patio enjoying a post round drink or meal. For city denizens, there are options across the Hudson River in New Jersey . Required fields are marked *. Ledge Rock Golf Club, Mohnton, PA About Andrew Andy Miller is the Director of Instruction at LedgeRock Golf Club in Mohnton, PA. Each one has their strong and weak points. In the Philadelphia market, A-list clubs are doing just fine. I was going to my spiritual home," FitzGerald said. I think the world of Alan, he did a wonderful job here, says longtime Pine Valley GC Superintendent Rick Christian. endobj LedgeRock Golf Club opened in 2006 on 212 acres of terrain marked by striking elevation changes and riven by half a dozen roaring brooks. Miller sends video recaps with color commentary to add to the kids (and their parents) experience. People have forgotten how to talk to people! 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. 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 tenacity of the founders was really amazing. Play golf at Ledge Rock Golf Club, located at 1 Greenbriar Dr Mohnton, PA 19540-9307. Seriously, what impressed me about him was his ability at a young age to think outside the box to get things accomplished. Not a boring course to play. But golfers dont just stop playing because their club went public. Sign in. (Photo: Larry Lambrecht), I wasnt hired as any sort of construction superintendent. Categories of Membership, For the Avid Golfer, For the Traveling Golfer, Culinary . 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. Search for fun things to do in your area led by PGA Professionals. <>>> 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. 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. 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 elevated tee and green locations offer long vistas of the surrounding . "When they saw it, their engineers panicked," FitzGerald said. . 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. It was great to be so involved.. This trend is not limited to the Hamptons. 2 0 obj 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. 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. The most outstanding feature at Ledgerock is the dramatic topography. Required fields are marked *. 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. Smaller courses could be as little as $200 per month, while more prestigious clubs are much more. Its a big investment no matter what product you choose, so its got to last. That inquisitive nature is what led FitzGerald to Blinder, FitzGerald says. 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. 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. LedgeRock is a Golf Club owned by its Members. 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. Play private golf, access private courses, and book private Tee Times at Ledgerock Golf Club in Mohnton PA with Boxgroove We priced them out and looked into it seriously. LedgeRock captures the essence of a classic, old style course by maintaining the scenic beauty and elegant rustic nature of the original landscape. "My dad was always involved in Castlecomer Golf Club in Ireland," he said. LedgeRock was designed by Rees Jones and captures the essence of a classic old style course with scenic beauty and original landscapes. So, I came back to them: What if I imported it for you and you taught me how to do it? He was 20 years old when he arrived in State College, his first trip to the United States. 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. 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. With meeting space indoors and a spacious patio outdoors that overlooks the range, its a popular member gathering spot. 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 . I think having to continuously resell the same dining experience is a tough challenge. But B-list clubs like their member-owned, equity brethren across the nation are fighting to survive. This is why I thought to bring a positive example of the LedgeRock Golf Club (in suburban Philadelphia: 15 minutes southwest of Reading). Regional, or nonresident members may not own or rent property within 35 miles of the club. As you know, private golf clubs are closing, redeveloping and converting to public play in record numbers. The club member wants to thrive and grow and feel the value of his membership. 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. I wouldnt say Ive procrastinated on it, but I couldve done it sooner It was a handy excuse to get out of jury duty.. You could roll it up like a carpet if you had a big enough lift.. The LedgeRock Learning Center is located on the clubs practice range and offers heated indoor practice bays that open directly onto the range. Ledgerock Golf Club Targets May Reopening For New Hole, Rees Jones Returning To Enhance Southeast Pennsylvania Course. There has to be something in it for them. ". Alan really knows how to relate to people, Jones says. Welcome to one of the most beautiful golf courses along the East Coast..tucked away as Mohnton's. LedgeRock Golf Club | Mohnton PA But we havent lost any either. "I did my two years of basic greenkeeping at Mount Juliet, then I got into the two-year program at Penn State," said FitzGerald. If you want to hit all the clubs in your bag play here.". Our premier event of the year, The Rock Member Guest, was an absolute blast! Registered previously? Your data protection & privacy is important to me! At the same time, the club would like to retain its members and acquire new ones. We have to do a lot more volume in order to make any real money. 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. In 2005, when FitzGerald first pondered how to address the continuing washout issue, bunker-liner technology was still in its infancy. days before the event. Crossing paths with Bator changed the trajectory of his career. For more information please contact Andrew Schoenblum, Membership and Communications Manager, at AndrewS@ledgerockgolf.com. The Founders recognized that the finest golfing venues available to local . 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. Favorite Page content. My standing joke has been, The members here have never played in brand-new bunkers.. The elevated tee and green locations offer long vistas of the surrounding countryside and enhance the playability of this outstanding venue. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . We do the normal stuff like PGA Jr. League and Drive, Chip and Putt. "The first year there was miserable, but then it became fun. These are essential for both sides. Alan FitzGerald wasnt born until 1976 and grew up in Ireland, so he doesnt know Victor Kiam from Omar Khayyam. Inhindsight, meeting Dick Bator was huge for me. Golf Courses, Sinking Spring, PA 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. The challenge for LedgeRock is its location. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Golf Courses, Denver, PA Back in the early 1980s, a fellow named Victor Kiam made himself famous by going on television to sell Remington electric shavers. 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. Im going through the U.S. citizenship process right now, FitzGerald says with a wry smile. Blinders short answer was Yes. But leaving it there would gloss over and considerably shorten a pretty good, thoroughly trans-Atlantic story. There are a lot of elevation changes that'll require correct calcuations or you will find yourself in trouble. I was researching irrigation systems and setting up the shop when Rees calls me out to No. Thats why so many clubs are closing or selling out to corporate ownership or going public.. 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