THE
CREEK APRIL 2021
STAFF DIRECTORY & CLUB HOURS Joel Inman General Manager/COO jinman@laurelcreek.org
Tuesday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - Sunset
Saturday & Sunday 8:30 a.m. - Sunset
Patty Fagan Director of Membership pfagan@laurelcreek.org
Pro Shop
Tuesday to Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
John Geller Clubhouse Manager jgeller@laurelcreek.org
Dining
Nevada Groulx Director of Communications ngroulx@laurelcreek.org
Saturday & Sunday
John Slade Director of Golf Course Operations jslade@laurelcreek.org Bob Hennefer, PGA Head Golf Professional bhennfer@laurelcreek.org Peter Rosenblatt Executive Chef prosenblatt@laurelcreek.org Carol MacLennan Director of Tennis cmaclennan@laurelcreek.org Mike Holak Pool Manager mholak@laurelcreek.org
TRUSTEES
Golf Course
Elisha Carson Controller ecarson@laurelcreek.org
Erin Schafer Director of Events eschafer@laurelcreek.org
BOARD OF
Tuesday thru Friday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Tennis
Courts are open for play
Pool
Daniel Bianco President Michael Hughey Vice President
Scott Duman Treasurer
Sean Fox Secretary
Erich Herkloz
Troy Hopper
Michael Kassak
Gene Martin
Mark Muir
Closed for the season
Tony Palmer
John Venne
Ken Zimmer
Joel Inman GE NE RAL M ANAG E R
D
id you know… On the first day of spring, a person at the North Pole would see the sun skimming across the horizon, beginning six months of uninterrupted daylight. A person at the South Pole would see the sun skimming across the horizon, signaling the start of six months of darkness. I guess we can all be thankful for something.
As we start to see a resurgence of our members utilizing the clubhouse and the golf course, I wanted to help start everyone off on the right foot. Shortly a letter will be sent from the Board of Trustees regarding enforcement of our club’s rules. The Board has tasked the team with making sure everyone can enjoy the club and one of the best ways to do this is to make sure everyone is following the rules of the club. If by chance you inadvertently run afoul of our rules, I ask that you listen and comply with the directions that the staff and management give you. Understand that they are only the conduit and are not here to be berated or belittled because you do not agree with what they are conveying. I promise you; they are not singling anyone out. We will be doing our best to enforce the rules equally and consistently, however it is incumbent upon you to make sure you are aware of the rules and to abide by them. The same holds true for your guests. It is your responsibility to educate them on what is and is not acceptable when coming to the club. I believe that if everyone gets on the same page regarding the club’s rules, we will all be able to enjoy our time here. A copy of the rules and regulations is available on our new app. Speaking of our new app, if you haven’t downloaded it yet please don’t wait. It’s the best way to maximize your access to the club and it’s amenities. Here are a few of the great new features: •
Compliments & Comments – if you want to give the team a pat on the back or alert us to an area of improvement
•
Staff Directory – If you need to get in touch with a team member
•
Notifications – if you missed the last notification on your phone, it’s stored here
•
Newsletter – here you will find the latest copy of our newsletter
•
To Go Ordering – if you are on the course this is where you can order food and drink to pick up on either the 6th, 9th or 13th hole
•
Request My Clubs – if you store your clubs here and need them
•
Book a Golf Lesson – pretty obvious what this is for…
•
Start Round – you can actually keep your golf score on the app and then post your score as well
These are just a few of the added features to our new app. Please make sure when you go to download the app you use “laurel creek” in the search box. It’ll have a white box with blue LC and creek running through it. It will also show the ninth hole as the first picture on the app. From there your username is your full member number…A028 for example and then your password is your last name. Once you register I encourage you to change your password through the “change password” tab under “Settings”. We are all looking forward to a fun and exciting 2021 and seeing each of you at the club!
MEMBERSHIP
Patty Fagan D I REC TOR OF M EM BERS H I P
M
y Facebook feed recently popped up a “memory” from March of 2020 of some photos I took of my family while vacationing in Orlando. We were at Universal Studios and there were people everywhere—dining in the restaurants, shopping for souvenirs, and not a mask in sight. We flew home on the day that the world shut down. Last year seems like a lifetime ago with all that we have been through. Fast forward to today, and things seem to be moving in the right direction. Dining is at 50% capacity, and with the nice weather we have experienced, the deck is seeing a lot of action. As more restrictions are lifted, we will start planning all the fantastic events that Laurel Creek is known for. Speaking of events, we have a wonderful comedy night planned on May 7th featuring Dan Corby. If you missed last years’ comedy nights, you won’t want to miss this one. Register on the app or call the club, and we’ll do it for you. Due to the limit of attendees, this is a member-only event. We hope to open future events to your guests, so thank you for your understanding. It has been wonderful to see so many of you enjoying the club. You are what makes Laurel Creek so unique. The friends you have brought to the club as your guests are now joining, and membership is booming. So much in fact that we are just a few golf memberships away from a wait list. That’s incredible! We have plenty of House memberships available, so if you have friends that are thinking of joining before the summer season, please let me know. Thank YOU for being the best members. You make this place awesome!
Welcome Dave & Grace Ermey
OUR NEW MEMBERS TO THE LCCC FAMILY
Kevin & Noreen Duffey
The Mantena Family
The Slotkin Family
The Dalal Family The Wheeler Family
Greg & Erica Mills
The Ray Family
Aroon Krishnan, Smita Aiyar & Family
The McVey Family
GOLF
Bob Hennefer H E AD GOL F PROF ESSI O N A L I am eager to meet you and learn more about your family as well as your golf game, so let me share a little bit about my family. I was born in Philadelphia and was raised and currently reside in Cherry Hill. I am a Bishop Eustace graduate and went to Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. I met my wife Diana in college and together we have three children, Chase (9), Lily (7) and Rory (4). Most nights we are chauffeurs for soccer, baseball or street hockey practice, and we all are avid Philly Sports fans, except Diana is a Steelers fan (we can let her have that one). I am also actively involved in the Philadelphia PGA and serve on the Board of Directors.
I
am very excited to join the family at Laurel Creek as your next Head Professional You have all made me feel so welcome in my first few weeks at the club and I am looking forward to meeting all of you in person! I am also thrilled to join your amazing and talented staff; together we will continuously work towards creating a premiere golf experience for you and your family.
Inclusion and growing the game is a passion of mine. My younger brother Brad has Down Syndrome and we have created so many lasting memories together on the golf course. From Special Olympics golf to a new annual tradition of three generations playing together on Father’s Day, these are the golfing moments I cherish. The game of golf is about creating memories that will last a lifetime, and that is my main goal for all of you at Laurel Creek. I hope to continue to enhance your enjoyment of the game and provide you with a premiere experience. We have a calendar full of exciting events planned and I look forward to a great 2021 golfing season!
LCWGA
A
s the warm weather approaches, we wanted to remind all the ladies with full golfing privileges to consider joining the Laurel Creek Women’s Golf Association that plays Wednesday mornings from April 14th through October 20th. We offer a 9-hole group for newer golfers and those golfers that prefer to play 9 rather than 18 holes. Additionally, we have an 18-hole group for women with a handicap of 40.4 and under. If you want to join, please pay your dues of $75 to Angela Rekant at agrekant@ yahoo.com. If you would like more information on membership please reach out to Lynne Demmerly, lynne.demmerly@gmail.com or Anita Albright at aalbright@comcast.net. If you want you to check us out before joining, please sign up for opening day on April 14th on the app or with pro-shop and/or attend our pre-season cocktail party on Tuesday April 13th.
Did You Know? Laurel Creek is known for its beautiful and challenging golf course, its excellent dining, and its lovely events. However, there are other activities happening at the club which may interest our ladies. On the fourth Tuesday of each month beginning at 11:00 am, a group of ladies meet for bridge and lunch. You must sign up to play in the monthly event and you can do this by contacting Mary Heselton at heselton2@verizon.net. It is an enjoyable afternoon of cards and dining. The cost is twenty dollars for lunch and beverages and two dollars for prize money. Even if your bridge is “rusty”, you should come out and give the group a try. There is also a very active Book Club at Laurel Creek. Meeting dates and times vary; but post-Covid, there may be a more regular schedule. The books and discussions are always interesting. To find out more about this activity, please contact Sue Studley at susan.c.studley@gmail.com. Not interested in either of these activites? This is your opportunity to let us know what type of activities you would like to see at the club. For instance, there could be a scrabble group, a couples’ bridge group, or simply a board game group. We are interested in hearing from you to let us know what you might like to see offered. If you have any suggestions, you can contact Mary Heselton at heselton2@verizon.net.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
John Geller C L U B HOU SE M ANAG E R AN INTERVIEW WITH
Jessica
Geller
What would you do if you could do anything you wanted? Travel around the world. Places I want to visit first are Italy, Paris, and Copenhagen. What is your favorite tv show? Currently, Supernatural, but my all-time favorite is Sex and the City. What sports did you play in High School? I ran track, my events were, 200m and High Jump. Where did you go to College? Stockton University. What’s the biggest lesson life has taught you? Everything happens for a reason. What period in history had the best fashion? 90s!!!! How long have you worked at Laurel Creek Country Club and what was your first job? 6 years, I started as a Cabana server. What is something you will regret in the future not starting now and something you already regret for not starting sooner? Saving my money. If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to play the lead role as you? Mila Kunis What book impacted you the most? Green Lights by Matthew McConaughey OR Supermarket by Logic.
Get on the App!
Search Laurel Creek” in the App Store or on Google Play. Download the app as seen in the photo below.
CHEF’S CORNER
Pete Rosenblatt EXECU T I VE CHEF SPRING PEA SOUP 1 lb frozen peas 2 Tbsp butter 1 shallot, sliced 1 small leek, washed and sliced 2 sprig tarragon 1 cup heavy cream 3 cups water Salt and white pepper Cook shallot and leeks in butter in a soup pot over medium heat until soft, about 5-7 minutes. Add water, tarragon and bring to a boil, simmer over low heat for 20 minutes Add peas and cream, season with salt and pepper. Bring back to a Simmer and cook for 5 more minutes Puree in a blender until smooth and adjust seasoning to taste. Enjoy!
Your user name is your member number, please include any zeros that are a part of your member number as seen on your billing statement. Your password is your last name (all lowercase). Having Trouble? Please email Nevada Groulx ngroulx@laurelcreek.org for assistance.
RACQUETS
Carol MacLennan DI RE C TOR OF TEN N I S NOT AN APRIL FOOLS JOKE! Tennis Facility will open on Monday, April 5th!
Y
ippee!! Spring is here!! The tennis courts have been reconditioned and we are currently watering and rolling to put them in tip-top shape before the courts officially open on April 5th. Please be sure the court is firm before entering to play. If you are leaving footprints and divots, the courts are not yet ready for the season. Wes, Bill and I are looking forward to another fun season of tennis drills. Drills are a great way to practice with a purpose, socialize with friends and get a good cardio workout. Please remember to register in advance on the new Laurel Creek app. For your Kids... A.S.K. After School Kids Tennis starts on Monday, May 3 and runs every Monday and Wednesday from 4 to 5:30 PM for six weeks.
Our exceptional Junior Summer Tennis Camp begins on June 14th and runs for 11 weeks this year. You can register for half day, full day or full week. Please register your kids in advance on the new Laurel Creek app. Have questions about junior tennis? Call Carol at 856-840-4029. Hey all you pickleball players! Starting Monday, April 19, join us for a fun and competitive evening of pickleball in the 2021 LCCC pickleball league. Matches will be played from 6 to 8 pm every Monday. No need to have a partner. This will be a round robin competition with rotating partners. Coming Soon: It’s true... LCCC is adding more pickleball courts. Please excuse the landscape around the tennis courts as construction is underway to add two more Pickleball courts and additional lights.
ON THE COURSE
John Slade D IR E C TO R OF G O L F C O UR S E O P ER A T I ONS
T
his summer will see the construction of a long-awaited amenity for the Club, a short game area. Thoughtfully designed by Andrew Green as part of the Club’s Master Plan, this will also include the shifting of #10 tees, and the field bunkering on the hole. As you can see in the photo below, the newest addition to the practice facility will contain two greens and two bunkers, allowing flexibility in practice.
In anticipation of this, we did a bit of pruning this past week, removing the small grove of “volunteer” trees between the practice tee and #10.
This small change really opens up the view when looking back from the far side of #10 fairway. Six months from now this view will, once again, be quite different. We will be continuing the tree work along the right side of #10 this week, where numerous storms have knocked down trees over the past several years. Regardless of doing Master Plan work or not, this area definitely needs a good cleaning.
Upcoming Events SUN
4
MON
TUES
APRIL
WED THURS
FRI
SAT
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2
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Live Music: Chris Stevens Band 6:00 pm
Live Music: Carl Filbert 6:00 pm
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Easter Brunch 10:00 am 2:00 pm
Live Music: Oliver Dagum 6:00 pm
Live Music: Jeff Selby Duo 6:00 pm
Club Closes at 4:00 pm
Jayson Pahlmeyer Wine Dinner 6:30 pm
Live Music: Class A Kings 6:00 pm
Live Music: JB Rocks 6:00 pm Quiz Night 6:30 p.m.
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26
27
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Live Music: Joe Parker 6:00 pm Quiz Night 6:30 pm
Live Music: Michaela McClain 6:00 pm
Live Music: Nick Horn 6:00 pm
MAY SUN
MON
TUES
WED THURS
FRI
SAT 1
Live Music: Carl Filbert 6:00 pm
2
3
4
5
Cinco De Mayo Dinner Specials
6
7
Live Music: Chris Stevens Band 6:00 pm
8
Live Music: Doug Jennings 6:00 pm
Comedy Night 5:30 pm
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Live Music: Oliver Dagum 6:00 pm
Live Music: Dennis Matthews 6:00 pm
Live Music: Nick Horn 6:00 pm Quiz Night 6:30 pm
Live Music: Class A Kings 6:00 pm
Live Music: Michaela McClain 6:00 pm
Live Music: Joe Parker 6:00 pm
701 Centerton Road - Mount Laurel, NJ - 08054 - www.laurelcreek.org