The Creek News April 2024

CREEK

STAFF DIRECTORY & CLUB HOURS

Joel Inman - General Manager/COO jinman@laurelcreek.org

Elisha Carson - Controller ecarson@laurelcreek.org

Patty Fagan - Director of Membership pfagan@laurelcreek.org

Erin Schafer - Director of Events eschafer@laurelcreek.org

Karen Wright - Clubhouse Manager kwright@laurelcreek.org

Ryan Reeves - Director of Food & Beverage rreeves@laurelcreek.org

John Geller - Service Director jgeller@laurelcreek.org

Nevada Groulx - Director of Communications ngroulx@laurelcreek.org

John Slade - Director of Golf Course Operations jslade@laurelcreek.org

Bob Hennefer, PGA - Director of Golf bhennefer@laurelcreek.org

Brett Fernandes, PGA - Head Golf Professional bfernandes@laurelcreek.org

Peter Rosenblatt - Executive Chef prosenblatt@laurelcreek.org

Carol MacLennan - Director of Tennis cmaclennan@laurelcreek.org

Mike Holak - Pool Manager mholak@laurelcreek.org

Golf Course

Tuesday to Thursday

8:30 a.m. - Sunset

Friday 8:30 a.m. - Sunset

Saturday & Sunday

8:30 a.m. - Sunset

Pro Shop

Tuesday to Friday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Dining

Pub & Bistro:

Tuesday thru Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Blu

Friday & Saturday evenings 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Tennis

Courts are open for play

Pool & Oasis

Closed for the Season

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Joel Inman GENERAL MANAGER

Daniel Bianco President

Michael Hughey Vice President

John Venne Treasurer

Dean Kramer Secretary Scott Duman

Sean Fox

Kiel Gilliland

Erich Herkloz

John Higgins

Greg Markus

Chris Noyes

Watch Joel’s April Newsletter via the link below:

https://vimeo.com/932465629

Reading a hard copy? Scan the QR code below:

Patty Fagan

DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP

Ihad the privilege of attending the Club Managers of America World Conference earlier this month with Joel and Ryan Reeves, our new Director of Food & Beverage. With nearly 4000 club professionals in attendance, the event in Las Vegas proved to be an illuminating and enriching experience.

The conference was a testament to the collective passion and dedication shared by Club Managers worldwide. It provided a platform for insightful discussions, engaging seminars, and invaluable networking opportunities. One of the most reassuring aspects was realizing that, despite the diversity of clubs represented, we all face similar challenges and triumphs in our pursuit of excellence.

Among the highlights of the conference was the opportunity to hear from esteemed speakers, including the renowned Will Guidara, author of the national bestseller, “Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect”. Guarderas profound insights into the transformative impact of exceptional service left a lasting impression on me and reaffirmed our commitment to exceeding our members expectations.

Attending the conference not only afforded me the chance to immerse myself in the latest industry trends but also provided a much-needed opportunity to reset and refocus. It’s invigorating to return with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement about the future of our club.

As we reflect on the knowledge gained and the connections forged at the conference, I am thrilled to share that it has inspired us to explore new ideas and initiatives to enhance your club experience. Your satisfaction and fulfillment remain at the forefront of our endeavors, and we are eager to embark on this journey of innovation together.

In closing, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your unwavering support and dedication to our club community. Your passion fuels our collective ambition, and together, we will continue to elevate the standard of excellence that defines us.

Looking forward to a great start to the spring season.

The Ghandi Family

Stella O’Toole Born 3-7-2024

Bob Hennefer

DIRECTOR OF GOLF

APRIL 1ST – HANDICAP POSTING SEASON BEGINS!

Beginning April 1st, you must post your score after every round. Maintaining a Handicap Index enables you a wide range of competitive golf opportunities. Whether it’s to verify your entry into a local, state, or national championship, a club member guest, Monday outings or used in casual matches with friends maintaining a handicap is crucial to being able to participate in competitive events. At Laurel Creek you must post your score on the day you play after every round. Need a handicap? See a member of our team to get you set up!

Some key changes for 2024 were announced. Please click HERE for a full update.

CHANGES TO TEE TIME RESERVATIONS

For all full golf membership categories, the Board of Directors approved an advanced booking window of 21 days up from 14 days. We hope this allows you to more easily reserve in advance your tee times. If you have any questions about this change, please email Bob Hennefer at bhennefer@ laurelcreek.org.

We NEED your help; take PRIDE in your country club

We have an incredible Grounds Department led by Superintendent John Slade who take immaculate care of this golf course for everyone to enjoy. We also have an incredible golf operations team that is here to make your experience more enjoyable each and every day. We strive to provide you with the best possible experience. We also have to enforce some very simple rules that will continue to help us deliver these exceptional conditions and service every day, BUT we need your help. We are asking you to take PRIDE in your country club:

Practice properly on the range. Divots in straight lines and replace shag tubes on short game area

Replace ALL Divots taken on the golf course, and if practicable use the seed bottles

Impress your fellow members and guests by playing a round of golf in under four hours

Divot repair tools; use them on the green! Fix at least two!

Erase all footprints in the bunkers by raking your sand trap after play

Bunkers 101

Ball Marks 101

Replacing Divots 101

Pace of Play – we hired a new ranger!

Happy Spring! Hope all of you women golfers were on the course during those beautiful, sunny days in March. Here is looking to blue skies and sunny days in April! The Board has been busy planning a great 2024 golf season so clean off your clubs, buy some new balls and get ready to play!

Need help with any information? Feel free to contact the Board with your questions/concerns:

• President: Susan Kaufman (shk0827@aol.com)

• Vice President: Rita Gordon (rfgordon46@gmail.com)

• Secretary: Lynne Sergi (lfsergi@comcast.net)

• Treasurer: Angela Rekant (agrekant@yahoo.com)

• Nine Hole Chair: Julie Knowles (rjknow@comcast.net)

Interested in learning more about what red stakes mean as well as other rules of golf? Plan on attending the Rules Seminar at the club on Tuesday April 9th from 3-5 pm (contact Brett in the pro shop to register). The Seminar is right before the cocktail party.

Love meeting other lady golfers while enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres? Attend the LCWGA Cocktail party on Tuesday April 9th from 6-8:30 pm. Register on the LC App under events.

Eager to begin the golf season at Laurel Creek? Play in Ladies Opening Day Scramble on Wednesday April 10th @ 9:30 am shotgun. Lunch and a general meeting to follow play. Register on the LC App under Ladies Golf Events. V3

Want an evening of social golf then dinner after while watching a beautiful sunset? Join Twilight Golf with your spouse/significant other. Mark your calendars for June 11, July 9, August 20, September 10. This is a club event. Details to follow.

Have a favorite golf partner? Grab her and mark your calendar for a fun Member-Member Tournament on Wednesday June 5th and continued on Wednesday June 12th. Need a partner? Not to worry! Contact Brett in the pro shop and he will find you one. Details to follow.

Looking for an exciting golf season? Join the LCWGA (email Angela Rekant; agrekant@yahoo.com). Currently, there are 43 members. Why not become the 44th? Thanks to all who have already joined and paid her dues.

Did you know? There is a penalty for having more than 14 clubs in your golf bag. So, count your clubs.

And finally, a shout out to new members Janie Spitznagel and Caitlin Stone! WELCOME!

See you on the golf course!

In golf, as in life, it is the follow through that makes a difference.

Ryan Reeves

DIRECTOR OF FOOD & BEVERAGE

Iam delighted to say that I have had a very warm welcome in the last couple of weeks at the club. From members to our incredible staff, I have felt nothing but kind regards. With my transition to a club atmosphere, I have realized that this is more of a community of kindred spirits than a club, and I look forward to elevating the dining experience at LCCC.

We have recently brought on James Crescenzo as our club Restaurant Manager. James comes from a club background as well as hospitality experience in the casino sector. James has fine wine credentials and will be acting as our in-house sommelier. He is a wealth of knowledge from new world to old world wines. Please give him a warm welcome and we look forward to his contribution to our service and beverage program.

Spring Food Beverage Trends

With the weather getting warmer and the flowers and greens starting to take shape, we look forward to interesting and fresh new beverages to start our season off.

Zero proof cocktails are having their moment once again with the few of us who are looking for that sophisticated beverage to pair with our meal without the alcohol content. Whether we have errands to run or are newly expecting parents like my family, sometimes we don’t always have the opportunity to indulge in an alcoholic beverage. These are something we are very excited to implement into our cocktail program throughout our outlets and restaurants in the near future.

For those of us you are looking for a little more kick in our beverages, elevated cocktails are leading the dining experience. Ready to drink cocktails such as canned mixers and seltzers are having a strong resurgence as well. I know can seltzers are a fan favorite throughout our members, and we are looking at more interesting options and flavors to keep things exciting. Being able to open a beverage that’s not a beer on the course and it tastes like there was thought and intention put into the flavors is a refreshing feeling.

There are some fascinating Latin American flavors that are coming into the cocktail scene with interesting tastes that might be a fresh new option for our members. Flavors like tepache, mezcal, and falernum are prevalent on most of the popular metropolitan restaurant menus. Tea based cocktails with flavor of hibiscus and maccha with a lift of caffeine and flavorful earthy notes are prevalent as well.

Beverages with a fizz like spritzers have never left relevance as spirits with a subtle hint of carbonation that have always been satisfying in the warmer months.

We all know white wines are the fan favorite during these months and Sauvignon Blanc is stealing the show. The balanced, food friendly white wine with a lighter body has enough complexity for wine lovers while also appealing to the palate of a younger wine drinker. Sparkling Rose is also on the stage for an elevated bubbles to pair to compliment celebratory events. A sparkling Rosy in your hand for Mother Daughter tea or jamming through the Eras at Swift night. Some also expect skin contact white wines that give a subtle hint of orange to also heat up in 2024. I know an orange wine is not a traditional option, but trust me when I say that you will see this popularity in the next few months with the prevalence on store shelves.

I would love to hear from our members what you would like to see in our beverage offerings in the new year. All feedback will be received sincere regards.

Erin Schafer

DIRECTOR OF EVENTS

Spring is here, and with it comes a season of important celebrations!

Whether you’re planning a communion, graduation, summer birthday, or pool party, Laurel Creek is here to help. We have everything you need to host a successful event, and we’re happy to offer you suggestions and recommendations.

We’ve recently updated our Banquet Booklet with seasonal menu options and have several rooms available, including our beautifully renovated space, BLU & BLU Lounge.

Don’t wait until the last minute to book your event - our Catering Office is here to help, and you can reach us at (856) 291-9707.

Oh and don’t forget - members always receive 10% off when booking a private event.

BUSSER

MARTA DELIA BARRERA MONTOYA

Carol MacLennan

DIRECTOR OF TENNIS

The courts are getting a facelift!!

The Tennis Courts are scheduled for a huge make-over. Not only will they get their yearly Spring reconditioning treatment but Courts 1 and 2 are getting a major face lift! Look for better drainage and an improved playing sur-face. Weather permitting, all tennis and pickleball clinics will begin the week of April 22nd.

Ladies Tennis

Once again, Laurel Creek will field 3 teams in the Women’s Philadelphia Interclub League. Matches begin on Monday, April 22nd and Wednesday, April 24th. Thank you to our dedicated captains Marianne Sims-Kellogg (Monday - Cup 6), Sharon Baer (Wednesday - Cup C) and Deepa Barot (Wednesday - Cup G). Good Luck Ladies!!! We are always looking for new players. Interested in joining a team? Email Carol at cmaclen-nan@laurelcreek.org. Not sure if you are match ready? Come out to the Tuesday and Thursday ladies’ clinics. 9:30 to 11 is for intermediate/advanced players and 11 to 12:30 is for beginners and better than beginners.

Junior Tennis at Laurel Creek

Did you ASK about ASK??? ASK is our After School Kids’ Tennis program for kids 8 and up. Clinics begin on Tues-day, May 7th and run every Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 5:30 pm. Red Ball Tennis classes for ages 5 thru 7 will be held every Wednesday from 4:30 to 5:30 starting May 8th. Register for these clinics

Registration is also open for Junior Summer Tennis Camp at Laurel Creek. Your kids will learn tennis in a fun, yet challenging and instructional environment. Full day tennis camp includes lunch and swim breaks. Want more information? Email Carol for the 2024 Junior Tennis Camp Brochure. cmaclennan@laurelcreek.org

Men’s and Mixed Tennis

It’s BAAACCKK! The Men’s Advanced Doubles Round Robin begins on Tuesday, April 23rd from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. This competitive doubles match play is for players 4.0 and above. The Pickleball show up and play round robin is back on Tuesdays from 6 to 8 pm. Please register in the app for these events.

Let’s get ready to ROCK and ROLL! Wednesday night is tennis clinic night at Laurel Creek. 5 to 6:30 is the begin-ner clinic with Bill and is specially designed for newcomers and players who need a refresher. 6:30 to 8 pm is for all experienced players.

The Saturday morning clinic from 8:30 to 10 am is for advanced players and features fast moving drills for players 3.5 and above. The 10 to 11:30 clinic is for all intermediate players. Registration in advance is mandatory as these clinics fill up quickly.

Tennis…The sport of a lifetime! It’s a great way to develop a healthy lifestyle by maintaining fitness, strength and agility and it’s FUN!! See you on the courts soon.

John Slade

DIRECTOR OF GOLF COURSE OPERATIONS

Just a few weeks ago, we discussed the installation of Traqmatz in some high traffic areas of the golf course. Included in this was the walk-up to #12 tee. As you can see below, at the time of installation, the aesthetics weren’t ideal.

However, despite the wacky March weather we’ve experienced since then, the turf is doing its thing, growing through the mats. Traditionally we would try to avoid any traffic on newly installed sod, but this area has already handled several hundred pairs of feet walking on it.

Obviously we’re not dealing with hot weather yet, but the initial results are definitely promising!

Upcoming Events APRIL

SUNMONTUES

WEDTHURSFRISAT

www.laurelcreek.org