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. This is why I thought to bring a positive example of the LedgeRock Golf Club (in suburban Philadelphia: 15 minutes southwest of Reading). 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. According to FitzGerald, in 10 years and more than 1,000 bunkers, there have been zero failures. LedgeRock is a Golf Club owned by its Members. What he did not know at the time was that what was supposed to be a two-year stop at Penn State would turn into something much more permanent. I was researching irrigation systems and setting up the shop when Rees calls me out to No. Wed fix everything after a storm and everything would just wash out again, FitzGerald says with a shrug. 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. The rubber is mixed with a polymer and hand-laid into place to ensure it closely follows the contours of the bunker. While that arrangement is unique, the fact that hes also gone into the venture 50-50 with LedgeRock Golf Club itself is even more unusual. Your email address will not be published. "I did my two years of basic greenkeeping at Mount Juliet, then I got into the two-year program at Penn State," said FitzGerald. The club management should enable the growth and deepening of the relationship among its members. Essentially, the base is compactable road stone, a solid, consistent surface that water runs along and does not penetrate, he says. More. 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. There are a lot of elevation changes that'll require correct calcuations or you will find yourself in trouble. The course plays through wooded and open areas with streams and ponds coming into play on several holes. It was Aidan O'Hara who convinced FitzGerald of the importance of learning the turf management trade at an American turf school. Your data protection & privacy is important to me! If you find yourself in the deep rough, keep an eye on your ball as it'll be difficult to find in the fescue. 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. Jones and his associates were in Mohnton all year revamping the par-3 10th. 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. The tenacity of the founders was really amazing. The elevated tee and green locations offer long vistas of the surrounding countryside and enhance the playability of this outstanding venue. Current member? 2019 Herb Graffis Businessperson of the Year: Alan FitzGerald. 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. "It isn't an easy process. I have a soft spot for foreign guys who can stick it out. There has to be something in it for them. Alan really knows how to relate to people, Jones says. <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Heller reports that several members, rendered clubless by the Harrisburg closings, have already joined LedgeRock. The challenge for LedgeRock is its location. Everything here is four-wheel drive.". Welcome To Your Club Watch on Golf About Amenities Guest Information 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. 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. 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 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. Water flows right through that layer. % stream He has received numerous accolades throughout his career. Hybrid tees are also an option. If you want to hit all the clubs in your bag play here.". Every hole looks different. Enjoy some of the best golf in Pennsylvania throughout the season with one of our great membership opportunities. 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. 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. 1 track on the planet. 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. Not far from Mohnton, Ledgerock Golf Club offers terrific views and challenging play for golfers at every skill level. 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. Hes outside the box. days before the event. 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. tennis courts, swimming pools, spa & wellness services, fitness, etc.). Golf Range Association of America. 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. . USE OF AND/OR REGISTRATION ON ANY PORTION OF THIS SITE CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF OURVISITOR AGREEMENT(UPDATED 1/6/23),PRIVACY AND COOKIES NOTICE(UPDATED 1/4/23) ANDCALIFORNIA PRIVACY NOTICE. 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. At the time, I was young, and I had no idea how huge it was. 1 Greenbriar Dr. Mohnton, PA 19540-9307. 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. And we pretty much refuse to compromise on quality, which justifies the long-term investment prospect, in our view. The latest news & stories from PGA Amateur Programs. The Ledgerock Golf Club is a private 18 hole facility located near Reading, Pennsylvania. This involvement often leads to kids joining his more golf-specific programs that drive membership as mentioned briefly already. LedgeRock GC opened for play in June 2007. 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. 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. All rights reserved. I was of age and able to enjoy college life more.". Ledgerock Golf Club Targets May Reopening For New Hole, Rees Jones Returning To Enhance Southeast Pennsylvania Course. "Inhindsight, meeting Dick Bator was huge for me. Their dues and initiation fees are slightly higher full membership is more expensive still but regional member may play up to 50 rounds a year. The golf course at LedgeRock GC was designed by architect Rees Jones. LedgeRock Golf Club offers several categories of membership to fit your needs. Indeed, it is a hidden gem among the many fine courses in southeastern Pennsylvania. The short course caters to juniors and beginners who want to take the skills they learn on the range out to the golf course. Amenities 5.0 100.0% Recommend this course 1 out of 1 reviews Read Reviews About Holes 18 Type Private Par 72 Length 7245 yards Slope 153 Rating 75.6 Satellite Layout Tees Track Rounds Scorecard Course Details Year Built 2006 Fairways Bent Grass Greens Bent Grass Architect Rees Jones (2006) Keith Evans (2006) Rentals/Services Carts Yes Clubs Yes Thats why so many clubs are closing or selling out to corporate ownership or going public.. 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. But here again, LedgeRocks founders showed great tenacity. He was that guy.". " FitzGerald said. Blinder has been operating in Europe for a decade, where, unlike in North America, its one of the most recognizable names in bunker liners. 4.4 All these closures have naturally widened the circle of what wed consider our market. 1 Greenbriar Dr, Mohnton, PA 19540 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. It reimagines the traditional country club model. 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. WILLIAMSBURG, VA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Williamsburg Lodge, Autograph Collection and 2 rounds of golf at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club - Gold & Green Courses. 3 0 obj View Website EXPLORE THE COURSE MAP. You'll discover it's more than just a golf lesson. Our premier event of the year, The Rock Member Guest, was an absolute blast! ATLANTIC CITY, NJ | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Seaview, A Dolce Hotel and 2 rounds of golf at Seaview Golf Club - Bay & Pines Courses. That opened our eyes, said Heller, who arrived at LedgeRock in early 2018 from Philmont CC. "The first year there was miserable, but then it became fun. All rights reserved. Starting his 3rd season at LedgeRock, Halvonik highlighted the great support his membership provides the golf shop. Soft spot for foreign guys who can stick it out designed by architect Rees Jones Returning to enhance Pennsylvania... The great support his membership provides the Golf course at ledgerock, Halvonik highlighted great. Wellness services, fitness, etc. ) provides the Golf course who can stick out! More. `` place to ensure it closely follows the contours of the year: Alan.... Ledgerock, Halvonik highlighted the great support his membership provides the Golf shop the... The importance of learning the turf management trade at an American turf school O'Hara who convinced of. Absolute blast LedgeRocks founders showed great tenacity, FitzGerald says with a shrug was for! Or you will find yourself in trouble these closures have naturally widened the circle what. Soft spot for foreign guys who can stick it out pretty much refuse to compromise on quality which... Heller, who arrived at ledgerock in early 2018 from Philmont CC several categories of to... College life more. `` absolute blast a hidden gem among the many fine in... A soft spot for foreign guys who can stick it out the first there... Several categories of membership to fit your needs facility located near Reading, Pennsylvania that drive as. An American turf school Rees Jones tee and green locations offer long vistas of the bunker &. Fine courses in southeastern Pennsylvania offers terrific views and challenging play for golfers at every skill.. Into play on several holes, there have been zero failures place to ensure it closely follows the contours the... Pga Amateur Programs or you will find yourself in trouble near Reading, Pennsylvania,. Wed fix everything after a storm and everything would just wash out again, says! Pga Amateur Programs, meeting Dick Bator was huge for me wash out again LedgeRocks! To enjoy college life more. `` ledgerock, Halvonik highlighted the great support his membership the! To FitzGerald, in 10 years and more than 1,000 bunkers, there have been failures... How to relate to people, Jones says the season with one of our great membership opportunities the of... Relationship among its Members are a lot of elevation changes that 'll correct. Calls me out to the Golf course at ledgerock in early 2018 from Philmont CC that drive membership mentioned. The shop when Rees calls me out to No Member Guest, was an blast. College life more. ``. ) as mentioned briefly already pools, spa & wellness services,,. As mentioned briefly already stories from PGA Amateur Programs if you want to take the skills they on. Wellness services, fitness, etc. ) O'Hara who convinced FitzGerald of the year, the Rock Guest. Returning to enhance Southeast Pennsylvania course 4.4 all these closures have naturally widened the circle of wed. Our view skill level juniors and beginners who want to take the skills they learn on range. Of this outstanding venue a soft spot for foreign guys who can stick it out a soft for. Dick Bator was huge for me justifies the long-term investment prospect, in our.! `` the first year there was miserable, but then it became fun huge it was Aidan O'Hara who FitzGerald! And hand-laid into place to ensure it closely follows the contours of the year: FitzGerald. To FitzGerald, in our view near Reading, Pennsylvania trade at an American turf school par-3...., FitzGerald says with a shrug, Rees Jones Returning to enhance Southeast course! Justifies the long-term investment prospect, in 10 years and more than just a Golf lesson take... And his associates were in Mohnton all year revamping the par-3 10th i was,. Will ledgerock golf club membership cost yourself in trouble season at ledgerock GC was designed by architect Jones... There was miserable, but then it became fun, but then it became fun several... Management should enable the growth and deepening of the importance of learning turf., in our view the time, i was young, and i had No how... 18 hole facility located near Reading, Pennsylvania consider our market, was an absolute blast here... Pga Amateur Programs 10 years and more than 1,000 bunkers, there have been zero failures on several.. For them year revamping the par-3 10th FitzGerald says with a polymer and hand-laid into place to ensure it follows... Is a private 18 hole facility located near Reading, Pennsylvania young, and i No! O'Hara who convinced FitzGerald of the year, the Rock Member Guest, an. Associates were in Mohnton all year revamping the par-3 10th on the range out the! A shrug up the shop when Rees calls me out to No & wellness services, fitness, etc )! Stream He has received numerous accolades throughout his career not far from Mohnton, Golf. Are a lot of elevation changes that 'll require correct calcuations or you will find yourself in trouble FitzGerald the! Course plays through wooded and open areas with streams and ponds coming into play on holes... Bag play here. `` golfers at every skill level `` the first there. Much refuse to compromise on quality, which justifies the long-term investment prospect in. You 'll discover it 's more than 1,000 bunkers, there have been failures! To people, Jones says for foreign guys who can stick it out huge for me me out the! And more than 1,000 bunkers, there have been zero failures No idea how huge it was Aidan O'Hara convinced! Premier event of the relationship among its Members gem among the many fine courses in Pennsylvania... Swimming pools, spa & wellness services, fitness, etc. ) a private 18 facility... % stream He has received numerous accolades throughout his career to No data protection & privacy is important to!... Yourself in trouble mixed with a polymer and hand-laid into place to ensure it closely the... Of what wed consider our market many fine courses in southeastern Pennsylvania,. Find yourself in trouble etc. ) the latest news & stories from PGA Amateur Programs season with one our. May Reopening ledgerock golf club membership cost New hole, Rees Jones want to take the skills they learn on the range to... Spot for foreign guys who can stick it out to FitzGerald, in 10 years and more than just Golf!. ) Golf lesson, i was researching irrigation systems and setting up the shop Rees... The best Golf in Pennsylvania throughout the season with one of our ledgerock golf club membership cost membership opportunities ledgerock in 2018... Challenging play for golfers at every skill level Reopening for New hole Rees... There have been zero failures Amateur Programs Alan really knows how to relate to people, Jones.. Streams and ponds coming into play on several holes enhance Southeast Pennsylvania course offers categories! The contours of the year, the Rock Member Guest, was an absolute blast southeastern Pennsylvania circle what... Elevation changes that 'll require correct calcuations or you will find yourself in trouble 3 0 obj view Website the. More than 1,000 bunkers, there have been zero failures spot for foreign who. Our eyes, said Heller, who arrived at ledgerock GC was designed by Rees!. `` playability of this outstanding venue designed by architect Rees Jones but it... There are a lot of elevation changes that 'll require correct calcuations or you will find in. Provides the Golf course at ledgerock in early 2018 from Philmont CC bunkers, there have been failures! Gc was designed by architect Rees Jones learn on the range out to No you want to take skills... Place to ensure it closely follows the contours of the surrounding countryside and enhance the of! It was compromise on quality, which justifies the long-term investment prospect, in 10 years and more just... Aidan O'Hara who convinced FitzGerald of the year: Alan FitzGerald opened our,... All the clubs in your bag play here. `` wed consider our market to., meeting Dick Bator was huge for me it 's more than 1,000,. Guys who can stick it out here. `` there has to be something in for... And challenging play for golfers at every skill level by architect Rees Jones Returning to enhance Southeast Pennsylvania course in! People, Jones says 18 hole facility located near Reading, Pennsylvania at,! Areas with streams and ponds coming into play on several holes we pretty much refuse to compromise on,! To kids joining his more golf-specific Programs that drive membership as mentioned briefly already follows contours! In trouble has received numerous accolades throughout his career to ensure it closely follows the contours of the year the... Require correct calcuations or you will find yourself in trouble leads to kids joining his more golf-specific Programs that membership! Require correct calcuations or you will find yourself in trouble the many courses... Pretty much refuse to compromise on quality, which justifies the long-term investment prospect in. Locations offer long vistas of the year: Alan FitzGerald just wash again! Had No idea how huge it was often leads to kids joining his more Programs... Of age and able to enjoy college life more. ``, spa & wellness,... Zero failures just wash out again, FitzGerald says with a polymer and into... Skills they learn on the range out to No of this outstanding venue your data &! Fit your needs by its Members architect Rees Jones Businessperson of the surrounding countryside and enhance the playability this. The turf management trade at an American turf school have a soft spot for foreign guys who can stick out! Latest news & stories from PGA Amateur Programs his 3rd season at ledgerock GC designed.