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. Seriously, what impressed me about him was his ability at a young age to think outside the box to get things accomplished. He was 20 years old when he arrived in State College, his first trip to the United States. 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. All rights reserved. They represent opportunity for LedgeRock, as well.. "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. Golf Courses. If you find yourself in the deep rough, keep an eye on your ball as it'll be difficult to find in the fescue. FitzGerald, 45, was seemingly destined for life as a golf course superintendent. 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. I was of age and able to enjoy college life more.". It was Aidan O'Hara who convinced FitzGerald of the importance of learning the turf management trade at an American turf school. Even though it is within tolerance, they never thought they would be used to mow anything like this.". Call (610) 777-9705 for more information. Heller reports that several members, rendered clubless by the Harrisburg closings, have already joined LedgeRock. He is asking $550,000 for basic membership. Getting members on the golf course helps boost participation in member events. We should think about our clubhouse as a marketplace where members develop and exchange connections and relationships. With private club market in crisis, LedgeRock GC expands membership scope. Hes personable, and a hard worker thats why he is where he is today. Thats due to the cost of the raw materials and that we install it. 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. 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 not about thriving. Golf Courses, Sinking Spring, PA I was hired to be the golf course superintendent, to grow the course in, he said. Course has a ton of character. 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. We priced them out and looked into it seriously. The bunkers at LedgeRock couldnt wait that long. Then LedgeRock, a private Rees Jones signature design just breaking ground south of Reading, Pa., called. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. "I did my two years of basic greenkeeping at Mount Juliet, then I got into the two-year program at Penn State," said FitzGerald. During construction here at LedgeRock, fabric liners were the only things on the market, really. "Seriously, what impressed me about him was his ability at a young age to think outside the box to get things accomplished.". LedgeRock was designed by Rees Jones and captures the essence of a classic old style course with scenic beauty and original landscapes. LedgeRock captures the essence of a classic, old style course by maintaining the scenic beauty and elegant rustic nature of the original landscape. 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. lzu. 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. Well see how this new market reacts. Water flows right through that layer. The approach is sound. The Ledgerock Golf Club is a private 18 hole facility located near Reading, Pennsylvania. He wanted to make it to the top and make himself better at the same time. 3 0 obj Welcome to one of the most beautiful golf courses along the East Coast..tucked away as Mohnton's. LedgeRock Golf Club | Mohnton PA 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. "I just shake my head and say 'Don't ask. While private clubs regionally and nationally struggle, LedgeRock is reinvesting. There are no tennis courts or swimming pools just its nationally ranked golf course and one of the Northeasts most expansive practice facilities. 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. Over the last 15 years, Ive seriously looked into most every one of these products, FitzGerald continues. Search for fun things to do in your area led by PGA Professionals. LedgeRock provides a sanctuary for golfers of all ages and . But I got the assistant's job at Pine Valley, and that made me stay. Panelists. 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. If you want to hit all the clubs in your bag play here.". "I spent the summer there, then went back to Penn State. 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. Graffis was one of the first people to think of golf as a business when he and his brother Joe founded Golfdom in 1927. Play golf at Ledge Rock Golf Club, located at 1 Greenbriar Dr Mohnton, PA 19540-9307. But B-list clubs like their member-owned, equity brethren across the nation are fighting like the dickens to survive. Its seamless, and being rubber, its just more flexible than anything else. Photos by John Reitman 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. 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. The average individual club membership is $520 per month, according to a survey by Golf Digest. Designed by Rees Jones, ASGCA, the Ledgerock golf course opened in 2006. % Even if you find it, the smart play is to just chip it out and live to fight another day. 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. Get started on your journey with a PGA Coach who specializes in your experience and needs. Welcome To Your Club Watch on Golf About Amenities Guest Information 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. Required fields are marked *. 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. Enjoy some of the best golf in Pennsylvania throughout the season with one of our great membership opportunities. 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. With those seven years of relative chaos behind them, the superintendent knew it was time to address two issues of primary importance: the clubs perennially contaminated bunkers and his pending dual citizenship. The club management should enable the growth and deepening of the relationship among its members. <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> The approach is sound. Where local private clubs fell away, LedgeRock embarked on a regional strategy that broadened its membership base. How do I get it here? Larry Hirsh, the owner of Conshohocken, Pa.-based Golf Property Analysts says. 2023 North Coast Media LLC, All Rights Reserved. (Photo: Larry Lambrecht), I wasnt hired as any sort of construction superintendent. Member Login. 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. In high-value communities, according to the property appraiser and broker Larry Hirsh, the issue is real estate value. Our fortunes are frankly going the other way, Heller said. 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. The course plays through wooded and open areas with streams and ponds coming into play on several holes. I dont see a reason why other superintendents couldnt swing the same sort of arrangement, if the right opportunity comes up. Jones and his associates were in Mohnton all year revamping the par-3 10th. Golf Courses, Reading, PA Monthly Fees. We do the normal stuff like PGA Jr. League and Drive, Chip and Putt. Not far from Mohnton, Ledgerock Golf Club offers terrific views and challenging play for golfers at every skill level. He says his biggest sellers are TaylorMade, Callaway and PING, all quality brands to go with the impressive roster of apparel lines he highlighted. 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. Your data protection & privacy is important to me! 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. Ledgerock Golf Club. LedgeRock Golf Club has updated its national and regional membership categories to complement its standard membership programs, in a move that reflects widespread disruption in private club markets not only in eastern Pennsylvania but nationally. It allows me to bring in fresh product throughout the year knowing that its going to sell, he said. . At the same time, the club would like to retain its members and acquire new ones. WILLIAMSBURG, VA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Williamsburg Lodge, Autograph Collection and 2 rounds of golf at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club - Gold & Green Courses. How will that work for you? We had that kind of relationship. In short, private golf clubs should take care of their members wellbeing. 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. Would that work?. John Reitman In the Philadelphia market, A-list clubs are doing just fine. Ledge Rock Golf Club, Mohnton, PA About Andrew Andy Miller is the Director of Instruction at LedgeRock Golf Club in Mohnton, PA. If you dont, it would get real awkward, real fast., Your email address will not be published. Page content. Input Score In general, FitzGerald believes the bunker liner product universe can be broken into two broad categories: soft (fabric liners) and hard (aggregate liners). Essentially, the base is compactable road stone, a solid, consistent surface that water runs along and does not penetrate, he says. 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. 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. Not a boring course to play. No local tournaments listed for this course. Great layout that is very challenging. 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. For city denizens, there are options across the Hudson River in New Jersey . Add a tournament here. 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. Back in the early 1980s, a fellow named Victor Kiam made himself famous by going on television to sell Remington electric shavers. 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. 2019 Herb Graffis Businessperson of the Year: Alan FitzGerald. Required fields are marked *. In high-value communities, according to property appraiser and broker Larry Hirsh, the issue is real estate value. There are a lot of elevation changes that'll require correct calcuations or you will find yourself in trouble. Weve had people switch clubs to take advantage of our junior golf program or join LedgeRock in addition to their original club, Miller mentioned. It reimagines the traditional country club model. 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. "Most superintendents, when they come here, ask 'how do you do that?' With lodging here and our unique golf-only approach, weve recognized our niche and folks are eager to buy in., Your email address will not be published. He was that guy.". National candidates for LedgeRock GC membership cannot live within 100 miles of the club. For more information please contact Andrew Schoenblum, Membership and Communications Manager, at AndrewS@ledgerockgolf.com. 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. 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. 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{ Membership is by invitation only. 4.4 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. Enjoy the great view of 16, 17, 18, and 1 as you sit on the patio enjoying a post round drink or meal. 2 0 obj The young Irishman, newly married, would eventually spend six years at Pine Valley. In 2020, he had 36 kids comprising four teams and competing in various skills competitions. Two years ago, he made his extended stay permanent when he became a U.S. citizen. We havent made any real money on this venture yet. Whats more, he didnt buy Blinder Bunker International. As you know, private golf clubs are closing, redeveloping and converting to public play in record numbers. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Slopes are so severe that one hillside is named in honor of the Toro mowers used to keep it clipped. 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. . endobj Hes been (at LedgeRock) since the beginning and theyre glad they hired him there.. 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. Miller sends video recaps with color commentary to add to the kids (and their parents) experience. Book Tee Times Like a car dealer, Kiam starred in his own commercials. He was on committees, greens committees, whatever. Miller says the building offers meeting rooms with technical and presentation systems and is Wi-Fi enabled for everyones convenience. Its about engaging the young kids, often between 6 and 13 years of age, in a fun and supportive environment. The secondary thing is, if the club said, No way, you have to be prepared for that and have a Plan B. 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. I think we had 23 inches of rain that first July. "My dad was always involved in Castlecomer Golf Club in Ireland," he said. They stayed with it, so thats what we did as well.. Golf Range Association of America. "It isn't an easy process. 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 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. The par-4 17th is slated for renovation next year. LedgeRock General Manager Gerry Heller, a 25-year golf hospitality veteran, recognizes that the arrangement with FitzGerald and Blinder is unique. Thats so important in todays world. Just like RSMs 2017-2018 trends in private clubs study, Global Golf Advisors Gauging the Impact of Private Club Trends found that club dining operations represent the most popular member amenity. stream ". It was awkward the first few months, but then I settled in.". All these closures have naturally widened the circle of what wed consider our market. The tenacity of the founders was really amazing. Your email address will not be published. So, I came back to them: What if I imported it for you and you taught me how to do it? Mt. According to FitzGerald, in 10 years and more than 1,000 bunkers, there have been zero failures. Every hole looks different. I had a much better year. TheGolfMembershipSpot directory includes thousands of golf & country clubs offering regional, national and corporate golf membership opportunities. LedgeRock Golf Club | 549 followers on LinkedIn. If you're planning to play four times a week, 52 times a year, then golf club membership is almost certainly worth it. "Then coming to Penn State was a culture shock because I was 20, and I couldn't get into bars. LedgeRock captures the essence of a classic, old style course by maintaining the scenic beauty and elegant rustic nature of the original landscape. 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