THE
CREEK AUGUST 2021
STAFF DIRECTORY & CLUB HOURS Joel Inman General Manager/COO jinman@laurelcreek.org Elisha Carson Controller ecarson@laurelcreek.org
Golf Course
Tuesday to Thursday 8:00 a.m. - Sunset Friday 7:30 a.m. - Sunset
Patty Fagan Director of Membership pfagan@laurelcreek.org
Saturday & Sunday 7:30 a.m. - Sunset
Erin Schafer Director of Events eschafer@laurelcreek.org
Pro Shop
Tuesday to Friday 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
John Geller Clubhouse Manager jgeller@laurelcreek.org
Saturday & Sunday 6:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Nevada Groulx Director of Communications ngroulx@laurelcreek.org
Dining
Tuesday thru Friday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
John Slade Director of Golf Course Operations jslade@laurelcreek.org
Saturday & Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Bob Hennefer, PGA Head Golf Professional bhennfer@laurelcreek.org
Tennis
Peter Rosenblatt Executive Chef prosenblatt@laurelcreek.org
Pool
Courts are open for play
Open 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Carol MacLennan Director of Tennis cmaclennan@laurelcreek.org Mike Holak Pool Manager mholak@laurelcreek.org
ON THE COVER: Jack Forstein celebrates his first Hole in One on #10.
BOARD OF
TRUSTEES Daniel Bianco President
Sean Fox Vice President
Scott Duman Treasurer
Troy Hopper Secretary
Erich Herkloz
John Higgins
Michael Hughey
Gene Martin
Mark Muir
Tony Palmer
John Venne
Ken Zimmer
Joel Inman GE NE RAL M ANA G E R “Sharpen the Saw” for anyone who is aware of Stephen Covey and his remarkable book: ”The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” you would be familiar with the 7th and final habit. It is about enhancing four of our greatest assets…physical, social, mental and emotional well being. It’s about making sure to take time for yourself and unplugging from the daily work load. In case you weren’t aware, I am currently “Sharpening the Saw” and taking some time away from work with my family in Aruba. While I wish I can say that since we woke up on Sunday and loaded the plane, it’s been smooth sailing. Unfortunately that hasn’t been the case. Through a slew of issues, plane delayed on the runway, room not ready for us when promised, to having to wait in line 3 different times because the key cards wouldn’t work, it’s been a bit of a challenge. It’s times like this that I like to remind my kids that sometimes things just don’t go your way. You have to roll with the punches and make the best of the situation. I mean how bad can it be spending the time in the happiest place in the world? Sunny…90 degrees, sand and of course a few libations. It could be much worse. How many families in the world would do anything to trade places with us and be able to eat like kings, spend all day, every day with those you love and watch the most beautiful sunsets. Ever since the pandemic came down on us like a ton of bricks, life has been challenging. Now that we are hopefully on the tail end of it and starting to return to normal, I keep reminding myself that we are the lucky ones. Yes sometimes things don’t go the way you want…sometimes things take a little longer than expected… sometimes things aren’t perfect. But we are here, and able to roll with the punches that are coming our way. I’m sure others would give anything to be where we are, have their loved ones around them, spending time with them and enjoying life. It’s about perspective and from my perspective we’re all doing all right. I look forward to getting back to the club, driven to improve all we do with the fire and passion that has been restored from “Sharpening the Saw”.
MEMBERSHIP
Patty Fagan D I REC TOR OF M EM BERS H I P
I
s it really August?? The club remains busy and It’s wonderful to see so many of you enjoying all the activities offered at Laurel Creek. As the end of summer approaches, applications for membership tend to slow down. This allows me to assist the Laurel Creek Team with new events for you to enjoy for the remainder of the year. I am so excited for Laurel Palooza, our August 12th concert on the driving range. We have 400 registered for this event. That’s amazing! Bounce houses, face painters and balloon artists will keep your kids entertained so you can enjoy your favorite hits from the 80’s by the Virginia based band, The Reflex. Be sure to bring beach chairs or blankets to this outdoor summer concert festival. The Annual Labor Day BBQ & Carnival will be held both Sunday and Monday so we can accommodate more families to this well attended event. Both days are sold out but plans change and cancellations occur so please add your name to the wait list if you’d like to attend. Remember that we have Kids Club on Wednesday nights. Drop off the kids and enjoy a date night with your spouse. Space is limited and reservations can be made on the mobile app by clicking Kids Club under Stay Connected.
There are plenty of days left at the pool so take a break from the heat and enjoy a cool dip. Don’t forget that Wednesday is Raft Night with a DJ from 5 to 9 PM. Pool is open daily from 10 am to 9 PM and guests are welcome any time. If you think the summer is busy at Laurel Creek, wait until you see what we have in store for you this fall and winter. For those of you who like to plan ahead, our Holiday Guide will come out next month with all the events from October thru January. For now, please save the date of November 12th for our muchanticipated Fall Gala. I can’t share all the details, but you will not want to miss this. Guests are welcome and reservation can be made on the Laurel Creek app. I know it can be frustrating to sign up for an event only to find that it’s sold out. Please add your name to the wait list. We have had many sold-out events where everyone on the wait list was added and the only way we know you want to attend is by seeing your name on that list. If you’ve registered for an event and your plans have changed, please be mindful and cancel your reservation so those on the wait list can be added. Have a great August and I look forward to seeing your smiling faces at the club.
Welcome The Ali-Riaz Family
OUR NEW MEMBERS TO THE LCCC FAMILY
Mike Fiorani & Nichole Freeburn
It’s a y!
Vasu Palli & Jessica McPoland
It’s a Girl!
The Devine Family
Congratulations to Jacob and Holly Ballarotto as they welcomed Benjamin, their first child on June 28th.
Congratulations to Pedro and Amber Gomes who welcomed their second child, Zoe on May 21st, 2021. Big Brother, Pierson has been a wonderful helper to mommy and wants to hold his baby sister all the time.
GOLF
Bob Hennefer H E AD GOL F PROF ESSI O N A L MONTH OF CHAMPIONS! What an exciting few weeks of Championship golf! Congratulations to our Champions, Akhil Giri and Erin Lo on successfully defending their titles. Akhil Giri defeated Tyler Smith in the Men’s Championship Finals and Erin Lo defeated Eileen Ramasamy and Christine Blessing through 36 holes over the weekend. Also claiming Men’s titles are Michael Katz in the Palmer Flight, Scott Duman in the Palmer/Medal Flight, and Frank Demmerly in the Medal Flight. Terri Corbo won the Women’s Mickey Wright Flight! Congratulations to all of our Champions and competitors! We also had three hole in ones in the month of July! Congratulations to Mark Walker, Craig Rohner and Jack Forstein! Jack actually made a hole in one on our new Par 3 10th Hole, the first one! SPECIAL NOTE: If you’ve been out on the course recently, you’ve noticed that construction has begun on the short game area. While #10 will be playing a par 3 for the remainder of the year, our handicap system, GHIN, scorecards, slope/rating, and hole allocations have been updated.
LCWGA Hard to believe we are half-way through the season, but that means there is still a lot of golf ahead of us!! Our annual member-member was held the end of June. A new team was crowned for the 18 holers. Congratulations to 2021 M/M Champs team Eileen, Burke and Ramasamy!! Now they have the privilege of running the 2022 event. The defending champs Lynne Demmerly and Chrissy Duman were the runner ups. Congrats to Lynne Sergi and Kelly Redcay on winning the 9 hole overall M/M event!! Anita Albright, Teri Barlow, Donna Collabella, Jacquie Ebert, Rita Gordon, Joanne Seltzer, Lynne Sergi, and MaryAnn Stack participated in the 9 hole invitational at Moorestown Field Club on 7/15. Congrats ladies for representing Laurel Creek and to MaryAnn Stack for being on the team that came in second place. The Women’s Club Championship was held on 7/17 and 7/18. Congratulations to Erin Lo for winning her 5th straight club championship and her 6th overall!! She is saving the club money by not having to change the parking sign. Congrats to Terri Corbo on winning the Mickey Wright flight and to Eileen Ramasamy who was the LCWGA club champion! The President’s cup and Secretary’s cup matches are into the semi-final rounds. Stay tuned for the future results. Still competing in the President’s cup are Eileen Burke, Grace Chung, Eileen Ramasamy and Linda Toogood. Still competing in the Secretary’s cup are Lynne Demmerly/Susan Kaufman, Eileen Burke/Angela Rekant, Christine Blessing/Eileen Ramasamy and Gina Kassak/Linda Toogood. The following women have represented Jersey Girls in the first 3 of 5 matches this season: Anita Albright, Christine Blessing, Eileen Burke, Terri Corbo, Ineke Daniels, Lynne Demmerly, Chrissy Duman, Julie Rohmer-Graziul, Eileen Ramasamy, Kelly Redcay and Linda Toogood. We are currently in first place by 7 points for the season long competition. The final matches will be played at Tavistock on Tuesday 8/3 and Medford Village on September 14. Please contact Christine Blessing at blessinggolfs@gmail. com if you are interested in playing. It is a stableford event and you do not need to be a member of the LCWGA.
Meet The Gilliland Family KIEL, SHARON, GARRETT, AND LACEY
K
iel and Sharon Gilliland have been members of Laurel Creek for nearly eight years. At that time their son, Garrett was still in diapers and Sharon was pregnant with their daughter, Lacey . A die-hard Seahawks and Mariners fan, Kiel was born and raised in Olympia, Washington. After graduating from the University of Washington, Kiel left for flight school in Texas as a 2nd Lieutenant from the Air Force ROTC program.
Sharon, a Bucks County native, attended Purdue University and graduated from their prestigious flight program. She was hired by a regional airline and received her commission as a 2nd Lieutenant with the NJ Air National Guard. Just like a scene from the movie Top Gun, Kiel met Sharon in the bar of the Officer’s Club on Laughlin Air Force Base while both were attending pilot training. They moved in together 40 hours later. Kiel went on to explain, “you know when you’ve found the one and I knew that one was Sharon.” They spent the next four years on opposite coasts and finally married in 2007 after Kiel returned from a deployment in the Middle East. Two years later they bought a home in Mount Laurel where they have resided for the past 12 years. Today Sharon is a Captain with Spirit Airlines and a Lieutenant Colonel in the New Jersey Air National Guard while Kiel is a First Officer with Delta Airlines and Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserves.
After joining LCCC as golfing members, Kiel quickly realized that golf was not an option with two kids in diapers, so they moved to Social membership and for the next 6 years watched the club evolve into the amazing place it is today. Now that the kids are older, they have decided to move back to being full golf members. Sharon and Kiel serve on the Member Experience Committee (MEC) and the Membership Committee where they play an active role with planning social events and the applicant interviews. “It is truly humbling to be asked to represent LCCC while meeting with potential candidates that will positively affect our culture and family at Laurel Creek” said Kiel. You will see the Gilliland’s at almost every adult or family event and the staff looks forward to seeing them all dressed in costume at our annual Halloween party. “LCCC is a huge part of our life and our family. It is the place we go to sit down for a family dinner and just enjoy the staff, family atmosphere and each other” explained Sharon, “We genuinely consider the staff some of our closest friends and enjoy seeing all the familiar faces and families each week.” Kiel then added, “If only we could talk John Geller out of being a Cowboys fan!”
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Tina Paul
W
A SSISTANT C L U BHOU SE M ANA G E R
hat a great 9 months it has been here at Laurel Creek. I am thrilled to be sharing my first news article with you. When I am not on the floor talking with our wonderful members, I get to talk to our fantastic vendors on what I can bring in for the club. The latest exclusive item I was able to acquire is Cakebread Rosé. Cakebread is one of our most popular selling wines here at the club. During the summer month our number one selling varietal is Rosé. So, you may be thinking, what could be so exclusive about a Rosé from Cakebread? Cakebread only releases their Rosé for purchase either directly at the vineyard or for purchase online. One of the great things that came out of this pandemic is that nobody was traveling to California to do wine tasting. What that means for us is that Cakebread had Rosé to spare! Cakebread had allotted 60 cases of their Rosé to New Jersey. While meeting with the Cakebread representative, they offered us 30 cases. I asked if we could please have all 60. Yes, that is right, Laurel Creek is the only place in New Jersey where you can enjoy Cakebread Rosé. This Rosé is a porch drinking Rosé that is made with 100% Pinot Noir grapes. It is a dry Rosé with hints of strawberries and acidity. This Rosé is available in our clubhouse by the glass or bottle and even available to take home to enjoy with family and friends! While dining at the club, Cakebread Rosé pairs perfectly with our peach Panzanella salad or our Salmon. I am most excited for our upcoming Cakebread dinner in September. We do have some spots left so please sign up and enjoy a 5-course meal with Cakebread wines, and who knows maybe even a bonus dish with our Rosé!
SOLD OUT
CHEF’S CORNER
Pete Rosenblatt EXECU T I VE CHEF JERSEY CORN AND BLACK BEAN SALAD 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained 1-1/2 cups sweet corn, fresh (about 3 ears) 1 pint grape tomatoes, cut in half or quarters ½ cup red bell pepper, chopped ¼ cup red onion, chopped 1 handful of cilantro, chopped ¼ cup lime juice 2 Tbsp. olive oil 2 tsp. sugar ½ tsp. salt ¼ tsp. cumin 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper 1 clove garlic, crushed
1. Combine the black beans, corn, tomatoes, red bell pepper, red onion, and cilantro (If you don’t like cilantro, you can substitute flat parsley) in a bowl.
KELLI MIZIA SERVER
Thank you Kelli, For all that you do!
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients to make the dressing. 3. Pour over the black bean mixture and toss gently. 4. Refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to blend.
RACQUETS
Carol MacLennan DI RE C TOR OF TE N N I S
P
ickleball is considered the fastest growing sport in the US. It’s a game that’s been around for many years, but has really become popular over the last 10 years. In 2018, we installed one pickleball court at Laurel Creek. Here we are, three years later with two new courts and we can use more! Pickleball originated in the 1960’s. **Below is an excerpt from the Onixpickleball website which details how Pickleball started:
**Pickleball was born in 1965. After playing golf during the summer, Joel Pritchard, a congressman from Washington, and Bill Bell, a successful businessman, returned to Pritchard’s home on Bainbridge Island, not far from Seattle, Washington. With bored children at home, they sought to play badminton on an old badminton court but couldn’t find the proper equipment. They improvised and played with table tennis paddles and a perforated plastic ball. They began with the net at badminton net height (60 inches high) and volleyed the ball back and forth over the net. Eventually as play progressed during the weekend, they found the ball bounced well on the asphalt surface and they would eventually lower the net to 36 inches high. The following weekend, Barney McCallum joined and began playing and the three men created the rules for pickleball. The men remembered the original purpose of creating the game was for a game the whole family could play when they were bored. So why is it called Pickleball? Rumor has it that the game was named after the Pritchard’s dog, Pickles, who was known to steal the ball and run off with it while the game was in progress. Here are some of the many reasons Pickleball has become so popular: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8)
It’s appropriate for players of all ages and skill levels It’s a great game for the whole family The rules are simple (although the scoring can be a bit daunting at first!) It’s a great social sport It’s a fun way to exercise Games are completed quickly It’s easy to rotate players in and out of games It can be played at all levels from beginner to elite
Want to learn Pickleball? Join us Tuesday nights for the Beginner Pickleball Clinic. Already mastered the game? Come play in the Tuesday night Laurel Creek Pickleball League. Register in advance for either of these Pickleball events on the Laurel Creek app. JUNIOR TENNIS Junior Summer Tennis Camp is in full swing. Kids can play half day or full day til the end of August. Registration is easy on the app. For info on Junior Tennis Camp, look at the Tennis Camp Brochure on the LCCC app. Junior Club Championships will be held on Monday, August 30th. Registration is available on the app. Go to Racquets and scroll down to Junior Club Championships. Kids can play in up to two events.
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 With July being the hottest month of the year, it is always a busy time on the golf course. In order to add to the excitement, work on the short game area started this past week. If you haven’t been to #10 lately, you may not recognize it now.
Upcoming Events SUN
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TUES
AUGUST
WED THURS
FRI
SAT
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DJ Music at the Pool
DJ Music at the Pool
Club & Course Closed
Golf Course Aeration
Golf Course Aeration
DJ Music at the Pool
DJ Music at the Pool
Club & Course Closed
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DJ Music at the Pool
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Golf Course Aeration
Golf Course Aeration
Club & Course Closed
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DJ Music at the Pool
Club & Course Closed
Club & Course Closed
Laurelpalooza Live Music: Oliver Dagum 6:00 pm 6:00 pm (SOLD OUT)
Live Music: Class A Kings 6:00 pm
DJ Music at the Pool
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DJ Music at the Pool
Golf Course Aeriation
Live Music: Chris Stevens Band 6:00 pm
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DJ Music at the Pool
Live Music: TBA 6:00 pm
Live Music: Joe Parker 6:00 pm
Live Music: Doug Jennings 6:00 pm
Live Music: Doug Jennings 6:00 pm
Live Music: TBA 6:00 pm
SEPTEMBER SUN
MON
TUES
WED THURS
FRI
SAT
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4
DJ Music at the Pool
Live Music: Chris Stevens Band 6:00 pm
Live Music: Carl Filbert 6:00 pm
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Cakebread Dinner 6:30 pm
Cakebread Dinner 6:30 pm
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Labor Day Pool Party 10:00 am (SOLD OUT)
Labor Day Pool Party 10:00 am (SOLD OUT)
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Inside the Ropes 6:00 pm
Live Music: Oliver Dagum 6:00 pm
Live Music: Class A Kings 6:00 pm
Live Music: Joe Parker 6:00 pm
Live Music: Jeff Selby Duo 6:00 pm
Live Music: Doug Jennings 6:00 pm
Live Music: TBA 6:00 pm
701 Centerton Road - Mount Laurel, NJ - 08054 - www.laurelcreek.org