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. Thats how I ended up at Penn State.. Hes personable, and a hard worker thats why he is where he is today. 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. For city denizens, there are options across the Hudson River in New Jersey . Jones and his associates were in Mohnton all year revamping the par-3 10th. Miller says the building offers meeting rooms with technical and presentation systems and is Wi-Fi enabled for everyones convenience. The club management should enable the growth and deepening of the relationship among its members. 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. At the time, I was young, and I had no idea how huge it was. It was awkward the first few months, but then I settled in.". Gerry Heller, CCM manages the course as the General Manager. Miller highlighted the special programs he offers, especially the junior golf opportunities. I had a much better year. It also tends to build up the diverse, real-world experience that sets elite golf course superintendents apart. 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. I think we had 23 inches of rain that first July. Your email address will not be published. Larry Hirsh, the owner of Conshohocken, Pa.-based Golf Property Analysts says. LedgeRock was designed by Rees Jones and captures the essence of a classic old style course with scenic beauty and original landscapes. Inhindsight, meeting Dick Bator was huge for me. 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. 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. We had a 100-year storm, then a 300-year storm (a) pattern that seemed to repeat all summer. For instance, kids will have to run forty yards, make a two-foot putt and run back. 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. Where local private clubs fell away, LedgeRock embarked on a regional strategy that broadened its membership base. Well see how this new market reacts. 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. WILLIAMSBURG, VA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Williamsburg Lodge, Autograph Collection and 2 rounds of golf at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club - Gold & Green Courses. Regional, or nonresident members may not own or rent property within 35 miles of the club. In that sense, the interaction was just the same: Can you send me a sample? Starting his 3rd season at LedgeRock, Halvonik highlighted the great support his membership provides the golf shop. 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. 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. Miller sends video recaps with color commentary to add to the kids (and their parents) experience. The most outstanding feature at Ledgerock is the dramatic topography. Our fortunes are frankly going the other way, Heller said. 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. "I spent the summer there, then went back to Penn State. Its seamless, and being rubber, its just more flexible than anything else. Graffis was one of the first people to think of golf as a business when he and his brother Joe founded Golfdom in 1927. Welcome to one of the most beautiful golf courses along the East Coast..tucked away as Mohnton's. LedgeRock Golf Club | Mohnton PA In short, private golf clubs should take care of their members wellbeing. LedgeRock GC opened for play in June 2007. They stayed with it, so thats what we did as well.. The challenge for LedgeRock Golf Club is its location. Juliet, 18 miniature USGA spec greens with gravity-powered water features! <> Designed by Rees Jones, ASGCA, the Ledgerock golf course opened in 2006. Course has a ton of character. That's an extreme case but you will need to do some sums to . 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. Back in the early 1980s, a fellow named Victor Kiam made himself famous by going on television to sell Remington electric shavers. FitzGerald grew up in Castlecomer, in the southeast of Ireland. Whats more, he didnt buy Blinder Bunker International. LedgeRock Golf Club: Ledgerock. 3 0 obj The approach is sound. Panelists. Two years ago, he made his extended stay permanent when he became a U.S. citizen. "They told me when they designed their machines they never would run on a hill like this. John Reitman But here again, LedgeRocks founders showed great tenacity. I think having to continuously resell the same dining experience is a tough challenge. Registered previously? Individual Golf Membership Monthly Dues $195.00 This membership includes unlimited Golf and Club Amenities, listed on page 2, for the I wouldnt say Ive procrastinated on it, but I couldve done it sooner It was a handy excuse to get out of jury duty.. Demographics and attitudes have changed. 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. In the Philadelphia market, A-list clubs are doing just fine. The average individual club membership is $520 per month, according to a survey by Golf Digest. "When they saw it, their engineers panicked," FitzGerald said. 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. 1 Greenbriar Dr, Mohnton, PA 19540 He also spoke of The Greenbriar Cup, a season-long Match Play event, and said they host 6-10 corporate and charitable outings each year, a number that works well within the business plan of the management team at LedgeRock. <> The most outstanding feature at Ledgerock is the dramatic topography. The Herb Graffis Businessperson of the Year Award is named in honor of Golfdoms founder, World Golf Hall of Fame member Herb Graffis. Then LedgeRock, a private Rees Jones signature design just breaking ground south of Reading, Pa., called. The young Irishman, newly married, would eventually spend six years at Pine Valley. 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. Alan has showed that he can do this outside work and keep the conditions here at LedgeRock pretty close to perfect and effectively manage the maintenance staff here; and direct the renovation were currently doing with Rees Jones; and conduct a bunker study with the USGA; and serve on the board of his superintendents association , More to the point, the Blinder bunkers weve installed here have been done at cost. Wed fix everything after a storm and everything would just wash out again, FitzGerald says with a shrug. The course rating is 0.0 and it has a slope rating of 0 on Bent grass. That is as important today as growing grass., Jones notes FitzGeralds pedigree, but adds that having Pine Valley on ones rsum doesnt do any good unless that superintendent can deliver. Would that work?. 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. 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. ", Copyright 1994-2022, Turnstile Publishing Company Its not about thriving. "I'm supposed to say I met my wife at Penn State, and that's why I stayed in the States. 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. 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. . Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists, Fantastic golf course. Ledgerock Golf Club. GOLF DIGEST MAY EARN A PORTION OF SALES FROM PRODUCTS THAT ARE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR SITE AS PART OF OUR AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH RETAILERS. endobj Each one has their strong and weak points. Not a boring course to play. Discover golf near you. 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. 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. We priced them out and looked into it seriously. 2019 Herb Graffis Businessperson of the Year: Alan FitzGerald. 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. Even if you find it, the smart play is to just chip it out and live to fight another day. 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. 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. Ohio. As you know, private golf clubs are closing, redeveloping and converting to public play in record numbers. 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. LedgeRock captures the essence of a classic, old style course by maintaining the scenic beauty and elegant rustic nature of the original landscape. 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. Hes been (at LedgeRock) since the beginning and theyre glad they hired him there.. For more information on LedgeRock Golf Club, log on to https://www.ledgerockgolf.com/. Miller offers a variety of adult programming for members of all skill levels as well, helping them play better golf and increasing the enjoyment they derive from the game. LedgeRock provides a sanctuary for golfers of all ages and . "I did my two years of basic greenkeeping at Mount Juliet, then I got into the two-year program at Penn State," said FitzGerald. For more information about Ledgerock Golf Club, please visit the courses website. 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 was going to my spiritual home," FitzGerald said. Required fields are marked *. 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. LedgeRock is a Golf Club owned by its Members. By looking at the course and speaking with its PGA Professionals, Im sure if they opened it up to more outings, groups would be knocking down their door. 2 0 obj This is why I thought to bring a positive example of the LedgeRock Golf Club (in suburban Philadelphia: 15 minutes southwest of Reading). 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. And, its our strong feeling that national and regional memberships are part of the reason why. The rubber is mixed with a polymer and hand-laid into place to ensure it closely follows the contours of the bunker. Member Login. "He was a Penn State grad, I had friends there and my dad's family was from around there. These are essential for both sides. Crossing paths with Bator changed the trajectory of his career. What none of these clubs did was adjust proactively to what has become a new, broader, and still evolving market, one that includes more millennials, minorities and women. They represent opportunity for LedgeRock, as well.. Ledge Rock Golf Club, Mohnton, PA About Andrew Andy Miller is the Director of Instruction at LedgeRock Golf Club in Mohnton, PA. We havent made any real money on this venture yet. 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. Slopes are so severe that one hillside is named in honor of the Toro mowers used to keep it clipped. 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 wanted to make it to the top and make himself better at the same time. That inquisitive nature is what led FitzGerald to Blinder, FitzGerald says. days before the event. By 1996, he was off to Penn State. 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 . FitzGerald, 45, was seemingly destined for life as a golf course superintendent. 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. We know those people as colleagues and neighbors. There has to be something in it for them. Request Membership Information Membership at LedgeRock Golf Club is by invitation only. "Most superintendents, when they come here, ask 'how do you do that?' He says his biggest sellers are TaylorMade, Callaway and PING, all quality brands to go with the impressive roster of apparel lines he highlighted. The par-4 17th is slated for renovation next year. But B-list clubs like their member-owned, equity brethren across the nation are fighting like the dickens to survive. It was Aidan O'Hara who convinced FitzGerald of the importance of learning the turf management trade at an American turf school. It was great to be so involved.. The Great Recession hit the following autumn, and private clubs started dropping like flies all over Pennsylvania and across the nation. Their traditional country club cultures resisted these changes, said Hirsh, owner of Conshohocken, Pa.-based Golf Property Analysts. 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. Alan FitzGerald (Photo courtesy of Alan Fitzgerald). 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. 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. My standing joke has been, The members here have never played in brand-new bunkers.. In 2005, when FitzGerald first pondered how to address the continuing washout issue, bunker-liner technology was still in its infancy. Juliet was really one of the first two big resort developments in all of Ireland, FitzGerald says, noting that The K Club is the other. August 20, 2021. It was not a formal education, but it was extensive. 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. If you dont, it would get real awkward, real fast., Your email address will not be published. " FitzGerald said. <>>> People have forgotten how to talk to people! Favorite Alan really knows how to relate to people, Jones says. % National candidates for LedgeRock GC membership cannot live within 100 miles of the club. The events are fun for the kids because they are not highly-focused on golf skills. Its just an ideal piece of property for an old style course.. Golf Range Association of America. 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. (Photo: Larry Lambrecht), I wasnt hired as any sort of construction superintendent. . Thats so important in todays world. Take a look at the scorecard and youll see five sets of tees that serve golfers of all skill levels. 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. But he sees it as eminently sensible, as well. 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. Current member? The challenge for LedgeRock is its location. Getting members on the golf course helps boost participation in member events. WILLIAMSBURG, VA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Kingsmill Resort and 2 rounds of golf at Kingsmill Resort - Plantation & River Courses. I will tell you right away, how the LedgeRock Golf Club has thrived by doubling down on golf itself. "Dad was always there. Thats why so many clubs are closing or selling out to corporate ownership or going public.. That opened our eyes, said Heller, who arrived at LedgeRock in early 2018 from Philmont CC. The course plays through wooded and open areas with streams and ponds coming into play on several holes. I was hired to be the golf course superintendent, to grow the course in, he said. Tee Times 1 track on the planet. 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 . 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. 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. 2023 North Coast Media LLC, All Rights Reserved. These bunkers just do not fail, FitzGerald says. For the Avid Golfer For the Traveling Golfer <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> While private clubs regionally and nationally struggle, LedgeRock is reinvesting. Its perhaps no surprise that FitzGerald believes in the Blinder product; on some level, every entrepreneurial venture requires that belief. I emailed (Blinder) out of the blue. Your email address will not be published. Loch Lomond in Scotland where Penn State grad Ken Siems was superintendent, was deemed the perfect fit. Jones and captures the essence of a classic old style course eventually spend six years at Pine Valley Hirsh! Denizens, there are options across the Hudson River in New Jersey offers, especially the golf!, how the LedgeRock golf club is by invitation only doubling down on golf itself and... These bunkers just do not fail, FitzGerald says Golfdom in 1927 a storm and would... With RETAILERS my dad 's family was from around there $ 520 per month, to... Rent Property within 35 miles of the Toro mowers used to keep it clipped wasnt hired as sort! Its seamless, and private clubs fell away, LedgeRock embarked on a regional strategy broadened. 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