Sign in. <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> 2019 Herb Graffis Businessperson of the Year: Alan FitzGerald. 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. If I were a private golf clubs manager in addition to investing in customer experience development, I would also try to create a sense of community. I think the world of Alan, he did a wonderful job here, says longtime Pine Valley GC Superintendent Rick Christian. Essentially, the base is compactable road stone, a solid, consistent surface that water runs along and does not penetrate, he says. It is a hub of activity that includes private and group instruction, practice sessions and various social gatherings. 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. Hybrid tees are also an option. Enjoy the great view of 16, 17, 18, and 1 as you sit on the patio enjoying a post round drink or meal. Membership is by invitation only. "My dad was always involved in Castlecomer Golf Club in Ireland," he said. 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. The bunkers at LedgeRock couldnt wait that long. Thats due to the cost of the raw materials and that we install it. Further down the hill sits Kohl Lodge, where national and regional members can stay the night. Indeed, it is a hidden gem among the many fine courses in southeastern Pennsylvania. Take a look at the scorecard and youll see five sets of tees that serve golfers of all skill levels. These bunkers just do not fail, FitzGerald says. . Thats what I did with most of these companies selling the liner technologies, FitzGerald recalls. He's from Ireland, so I felt sorry for him. Your typical local, member-owned club is finding it harder and harder to survive. 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. FitzGerald, a native of Castlecomer, a small town in the southeast of Ireland near Kilkenny, came to the U.S. in 1996 to attend Penn State. Whats more, he didnt buy Blinder Bunker International. "I did my two years of basic greenkeeping at Mount Juliet, then I got into the two-year program at Penn State," said FitzGerald. Membership is by invitation only. Not a boring course to play. FitzGerald, 45, was seemingly destined for life as a golf course superintendent. Copyright 2023 GolfPass. For more information about Ledgerock Golf Club, please visit the courses website. Smaller courses could be as little as $200 per month, while more prestigious clubs are much more. The tenacity of the founders was really amazing. For more information on LedgeRock Golf Club, log on to https://www.ledgerockgolf.com/. Loch Lomond in Scotland where Penn State grad Ken Siems was superintendent, was deemed the perfect fit. How do I get it here? Over the last 15 years, Ive seriously looked into most every one of these products, FitzGerald continues. Posted By WILLIAMSBURG, VA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Kingsmill Resort and 2 rounds of golf at Kingsmill Resort - Plantation & River Courses. Welcome To Your Club Watch on Golf About Amenities Guest Information Not far from Mohnton, Ledgerock Golf Club offers terrific views and challenging play for golfers at every skill level. In high-value communities, according to property appraiser and broker Larry Hirsh, the issue is real estate value. "When they saw it, their engineers panicked," FitzGerald said. 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. endobj 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. I was hired to be the golf course superintendent, to grow the course in, he said. 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. Alan FitzGerald (Photo courtesy of Alan Fitzgerald). ". But golfers dont just stop playing because their club went public. But he sees it as eminently sensible, as well. This naturally builds up the old rsum. Alan really knows how to relate to people, Jones says. Please know that it is the responsibility of the host to advise the vendor of our club policies. In the Philadelphia market, A-list clubs are doing just fine. During construction here at LedgeRock, fabric liners were the only things on the market, really. Our premier event of the year, The Rock Member Guest, was an absolute blast! "The first year there was miserable, but then it became fun. 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. Golf Range Association of America. Seriously, what impressed me about him was his ability at a young age to think outside the box to get things accomplished. 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. "I just shake my head and say 'Don't ask. Its a big investment no matter what product you choose, so its got to last. Im going through the U.S. citizenship process right now, FitzGerald says with a wry smile. Even though the greens were just aerated last week, they still rolled pretty true and were very receptive to approach shots. Miller highlighted the special programs he offers, especially the junior golf opportunities. "Inhindsight, meeting Dick Bator was huge for me. LedgeRock Golf Club in Mohnton, Pennsylvania is flush with wide, sweeping views. 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. Favorite They stayed with it, so thats what we did as well.. He says his biggest sellers are TaylorMade, Callaway and PING, all quality brands to go with the impressive roster of apparel lines he highlighted. 1 Greenbriar Dr, Mohnton, PA 19540 In general, FitzGerald believes the bunker liner product universe can be broken into two broad categories: soft (fabric liners) and hard (aggregate liners). It just gets done.' Its FitzGeralds desire to keep LedgeRock looking pristine while also striving to make Blinder a success in the American market that has earned him the 2019 Herb Graffis Businessperson of the Year Award, awarded annually for eight years by Golfdom. Welcome to one of the most beautiful golf courses along the East Coast..tucked away as Mohnton's. LedgeRock Golf Club | Mohnton PA The events are fun for the kids because they are not highly-focused on golf skills. 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 . He was 20 years old when he arrived in State College, his first trip to the United States. Page content. "Coming to New York City from Kilkenny was a culture shock," he said. Thats how I ended up at Penn State.. Heller reports that several members, rendered clubless by the Harrisburg closings, have already joined LedgeRock. That opened our eyes, said Heller, who arrived at LedgeRock in early 2018 from Philmont CC. John Reitman August 20, 2021, By And here I am 25 years later.". In fact, his signature pitch line made him a minor celebrity: I liked the shaver so much, I bought the company.. We priced them out and looked into it seriously. Read the latest feature stories from the PGA of America to learn how the game is growing on and off the course. Crossing paths with Bator changed the trajectory of his career. I think having to continuously resell the same dining experience is a tough challenge. Your email address will not be published. Golf Courses, Sinking Spring, PA We havent made any real money on this venture yet. 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. "He was a Penn State grad, I had friends there and my dad's family was from around there. With meeting space indoors and a spacious patio outdoors that overlooks the range, its a popular member gathering spot. Add a tournament here. 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. If you dont, it would get real awkward, real fast., Your email address will not be published. The elevated tee and green locations offer long vistas of the surrounding . Its perhaps no surprise that FitzGerald believes in the Blinder product; on some level, every entrepreneurial venture requires that belief. 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. Play private golf, access private courses, and book private Tee Times at Ledgerock Golf Club in Mohnton PA with Boxgroove I was going to my spiritual home," FitzGerald said. All rights reserved. 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. Final payment will be charged to the member account or can be paid by personal check no later than 14 days of the event. Its about engaging the young kids, often between 6 and 13 years of age, in a fun and supportive environment. 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. For more information please contact Andrew Schoenblum, Membership and Communications Manager, at AndrewS@ledgerockgolf.com. According to some estimates, 50% of private golf club members eat at their club 1 out of 10 dining out experiences. "He called me, and told me to expect a phone call from Rick. It allows me to bring in fresh product throughout the year knowing that its going to sell, he said. But I also do something called Fall Junior Team Golf, which Ive done presentations about during [Philadelphia PGA] Section meetings, Miller added. But here again, LedgeRocks founders showed great tenacity. We have to do a lot more volume in order to make any real money. "I had just returned from Ireland when I met him. In that sense, the interaction was just the same: Can you send me a sample? Their traditional country club cultures resisted these changes, said Hirsh, owner of Conshohocken, Pa.-based Golf Property Analysts. The Club welcomes outside vendors to assist with enhancing your special event. Enjoy some of the best golf in Pennsylvania throughout the season with one of our great membership opportunities. Tee Times I think we had 23 inches of rain that first July. We built an entire putting course at Mt. LedgeRock Golf Club | 549 followers on LinkedIn. TheGolfMembershipSpot directory includes thousands of golf & country clubs offering regional, national and corporate golf membership opportunities. Current member? I have a soft spot for foreign guys who can stick it out. The Ledgerock Golf Club is a private 18 hole facility located near Reading, Pennsylvania. "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. Miller sends video recaps with color commentary to add to the kids (and their parents) experience. The short course caters to juniors and beginners who want to take the skills they learn on the range out to the golf course. The young Irishman, newly married, would eventually spend six years at Pine Valley. They represent opportunity for LedgeRock, as well.. Registered previously? If you're planning to play four times a week, 52 times a year, then golf club membership is almost certainly worth it. 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. Call (610) 777-9705 for more information. This is why I thought to bring a positive example of the LedgeRock Golf Club (in suburban Philadelphia: 15 minutes southwest of Reading). Charged to the golf course superintendent, was seemingly destined for life as a golf course.. The Blinder product ; on some level, every entrepreneurial venture requires that belief the was... 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