THE
CREEK FEBRUARY 2022
STAFF DIRECTORY & CLUB HOURS Joel Inman General Manager/COO jinman@laurelcreek.org Elisha Carson Controller ecarson@laurelcreek.org
Golf Course
Tuesday to Thursday 9:00 a.m. - Sunset Friday 9:00 a.m. - Sunset
Patty Fagan Director of Membership pfagan@laurelcreek.org
Saturday & Sunday 9:00 a.m. - Sunset
Erin Schafer Director of Events eschafer@laurelcreek.org
Pro Shop
Tuesday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Karen Wright Clubhouse Manager kwright@laurelcreek.org
Saturday & Sunday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
John Geller Service Director jgeller@laurelcreek.org
Dining
Nevada Groulx Director of Communications ngroulx@laurelcreek.org
Saturday & Sunday
John Slade Director of Golf Course Operations jslade@laurelcreek.org
Tuesday thru Friday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Tennis
Bob Hennefer, PGA Head Golf Professional bhennfer@laurelcreek.org
Courts are open for play
Peter Rosenblatt Executive Chef prosenblatt@laurelcreek.org
Closed for the Season
Pool
Carol MacLennan Director of Tennis cmaclennan@laurelcreek.org
ON THE COVER:
William Vanderveer and his daughters, Madeline and Evangeline.
BOARD OF
TRUSTEES Daniel Bianco President
Sean Fox Vice President
Scott Duman Treasurer
Joel Inman
GENERAL MANAGER
Everything old is new again! A song written by Peter Allen with whimsical lyrics like: “Don’t throw the past away You might need it some rainy day Dreams can come true again When everything old is new again” Well, I can tell you that we are throwing away the past (well at least some of it) and making the old new again. We took a look at the recent survey and saw that most members felt the pool needed to be brought into the 21st Century…so we listened.
Troy Hopper Secretary
Erich Herkloz
John Higgins
Michael Hughey
Gene Martin
Mark Muir
Tony Palmer
John Venne
As you can see in the photos, we are embarking on upgrading our current pool. It will not only get a facelift of new plaster, tile, and coping, it will also get a brand-new filtration system to help keep the pool in the best possible condition. The improvements don’t stop there. The new Cabana restaurant “Oasis” will be fully functional this coming pool season and to round out your experience at the pool, we are also installing 14 new Cabanas and getting all new sling back chaise lounge chairs for your lounging pleasure. You can spend as much time at the pool as you like but remember you can’t spend the night! Not only are we improving the pool area, but we are also in the process of installing a solar panel array over the lower employee parking lot. This switch to a more sustainable, green energy product will help the club with the ever-increasing costs of electricity as well as provide those members who have electric vehicles with a charging station. We anticipate this system to be functional sometime in the 2nd half of 2022, providing us with a great renewable energy supply for the next 20+ years!
Ken Zimmer
Even though it’s the club’s “slow” season, know that we are always doing all that we can to make the old, new again.
MEMBERSHIP
Patty Fagan D I REC TOR OF M EM BERS H I P
A
s we begin a fresh new year, I would like to thank the entire membership for their support and dedication for our successful 2021 season. It’s apparent that the Club became even more important to you through the pandemic and the support you’ve shown the staff has been remarkable. Most would think we slow down this time of year but not Laurel Creek Country Club! It’s crazy how busy we are in the winter months. Whether it’s a wine dinner, children’s events, or live music every Friday and Saturday night, there’s always something going on at the club. Speaking of events, our recent Father & Daughter dance was spectacular. We had so much fun planning this event themed “An Evening in Wonderland.” The girls and their dads were dressed to the nines, danced all night and the memories made that evening will no doubt be everlasting. I’m thrilled to announce that Kids Club has resumed on Wednesday nights and back by popular demand is our Drag Queen Designer Bag Bingo scheduled for February 16th. There are only a few seats available for this event so please register on the mobile app to secure your spot. This event will be held in the ballroom and due to its limited seating, we’ve had to make this a member only event. If there are openings one week prior, we’d be delighted to welcome your guests. If you missed our amazing Fall Gala last November, make sure to Save-the Date for our big spring event, “Havana Nights” on Friday, May 13th. We’ve got an exciting night planned for you so you won’t want to miss this.
We include these events and other notifications in our Tuesday weekly emails as well as our social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram. Please reach out to me if you’re not receiving our emails so I can add you to the list. There’s so much going on at the club that I don’t want you to miss out on any of the fun. You may have recently noticed some new faces sitting next to you in the Pub or Bistro. With our pause in membership back in August, it was wonderful to welcome 30 new families who joined in January. Check out the new member photos on the pages to follow and make sure to give them a warm welcome when you see them at the club. We are still at a Wait List for full golf memberships and only accepting applications for House and Social. If you have friends who are considering membership, please let them know that the application process can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days. It’s hard to believe but summer will be here before you know it. Families looking to join by Memorial Day should really start the process sooner than later. Cheers to all of you for a fantastic year and I look forward to seeing your smiling faces soon.
GOLF
Bob Hennefer
O
H E AD GOL F PROF ESSI O N A L
n behalf of the entire Professional Staff, we hope everyone had a great holiday season and a Happy New Year! Spring is just around the corner and we can’t wait to see you out golfing again soon. With the winter temperatures setting in, we are appreciative of those playing whom are using the mats during your round. This is giving the course a much needed break, and playability will be great come Spring! All golfers will be provided with a 12 x 18 turf mat for use while golfing. Using the mats now, will only help in providing a better playing surface for the Spring and Summer of 2022. These mats will be on the golf carts, or if you elect to walk, we will have them available with a handle to put on your golf bag. The mats are to be used anytime your ball comes to rest in the fairway.
We also encourage you to use our indoor simulator to keep your game sharp or to socialize and have a relaxing time. Simulator Access: All members with full golfing privileges have access to the simulator free of charge. Social members may access the Simulator for $30 per hour. Junior members may book the Simulator 48 hours in advance. House members are ineligible to book the Simulator unless they are taking a lesson. Members may only book the simulator 1 time per day, and 4 times per two-week period, unless they are taking a lesson. If you are booking for multiple people, please enter their names as well. Reservations: Similar to booking a tee time, you must reserve the Simulator via the Laurel Creek app under Tee Times -> Golf Simulator. Tee times are available from 9:00am to 9:00pm, Tuesday through Saturday and Sunday until 6pm. All reservations are for 1 hour and begin on the hour.
LCWGA
Charles & Trisha Trivinia
Mira Irons
Jeff & Marie Newby
The Dano Family
The Selverian Family
Matt & Nicole Toto
Kathi Smith
Paul Reed
Kelly Drury & Matthew Kantor
The Halfpenny Family
The Anand Family
PJ & Barbara McHenry
Shaun & Laura Bodrog
The Ammon Family
The Tumolo Family
The Baals Family
The Ciongoli Family
The Tsao Family
The Gazzola Family
Tucker & Nicole Michels
Brian & Carole Selfridge
The Leney Family
The Simmons Family
The Worton Family
Timothy & Marivic Finley
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Karen Wright CLUBHOUSE MANAGER
I
am extremely thrilled about my new role as Clubhouse Manager and wanted to take this opportunity to share with the membership a little bit about myself. I grew up in Moorestown along with my five sisters and am incredibly grateful that we are best friends and still live within minutes of each other today. Shortly after graduating college, I married my husband, Bud, who is also from Moorestown. Bud and I live in Cinnaminson with our youngest of four children, Gabriella. My three older children, Eric, Ashley and Nicole are all starting their own families. Bud and I are blessed to have three grandchildren, Austin, Zoey and Vienna with a fourth on the way, so excited!
Before joining the Laurel Creek family, I was the Manager of Sandy Run Country Club located in Oreland, Pennsylvania for the past five years and was responsible for the entire operation. Prior to that role, I was the General Manager of Merchantville Country Club located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey for seven years and before transitioning to the private club industry, I was the Director of Human Resources for a wholesale distributor for over 15 years. I am honored to have been given the opportunity to serve the Laurel Creek membership and am looking forward to a very successful 2022 golf season. I can’t wait to meet everyone so the next time you are at the club, please be sure to say hello.
CHEF’S CORNER
Pete Rosenblatt EXECU T I VE CHEF BEEF BOURGUIGNON 8 servings 3 pounds beef chuck, cut into 2in cubes 8oz slab bacon, diced 1 pound fresh pearl onions 1 pound cremini mushrooms, quartered 2 carrots, cut into large pieces 2 celery ribs, cut into large pieces 2 clove garlic, thin sliced 4 sprigs thyme 1 sprig rosemary 2 bay leaf 2 Tbsp. tomato paste ½ cup cognac or brandy 2 cups beef stock 1 bottle burgundy or any dry red wine 3 Tbsp. olive oil 2 Tbsp. soft butter 2 Tbsp. flour Salt and pepper
Vaughn Heller Food Runner
Thank You, Vaughn! For all that you do!
Method: Preheat oven to 325. Heat a large Dutch oven or sauce pot over medium high heat, season the meat well with salt and pepper. Working in batches, sear the meat in olive oil until browned on all sides, and remove from the pot. Reduce heat to medium low, add the bacon and cook for 5-7 minutes until crispy. Add the onion, celery, carrots, mushrooms and garlic, sauté until soft about 7-10 minutes. Add tomato paste, bay leaf and herbs and cook for 2 more minutes. Stand back and carefully add the cognac igniting it to burn off the alcohol. Add the beef stock and wine to the pot. Add the seared meat back to the pot and bring to a gentile simmer. Cover the pot and braise in a 325 degree oven for about 2 hours or until fork tender. Remove from the oven and skim any fat from the surface, place back on the stove over low heat. In a small bowl combine the soft butter and flour with a fork, stir the butter flour mixture into the stew and gently simmer for 10 more minutes.
RACQUETS
Carol MacLennan DI REC TOR OF TE N N I S
W
inter is here and I’m sorry to report that our hartru tennis courts are unplayable due to the cold weather. However, the pickleball courts will remain open throughout the winter. Reminder… The code for the pickleball shed is shown in the app under Racquets/Court conditions and codes. Who do you think will win the 2022 Australian Open? Could this be the year for Rafael Nadal? Rafa, who grew up training and playing on red clay, won the Australian Open only one time back in 2009. Here we are, 13 years later asking if it’s his time again. With Djokovic no longer the number one seed (he only missed two shots and he’s out, the door is open for Rafa. If he wins this year, he will become the third player in the open era to win the Australian Open after turning 35, a feat only accomplished by Roger Federer and Ken Rosewall. A win at the 2022 AO will also put Rafa at the head of the class of men’s singles players with the most grand slam titles. Rafa would take the top spot with 21 wins, ahead of Federer and Djokovic who both have 20 grand slam titles. I don’t know about you but I’m cheering for Rafa!
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 This past week’s inclement weather provided a great opportunity to do some crew training. For much of the year round staff, this is something of a refresher course on how to properly complete various tasks. However, these guys will all be helping to train and guide our part time employees this upcoming season, so it’s important that they are well-versed in this material.
Additionally, as our most experienced frontline workers, these team members are empowered to help in the creation and updating of our policies and procedures by providing valuable feedback, which we can use to improve the department’s operations.
Upcoming Events SUN
MON
TUES 1 $22 Tuesday Wine Specials
FEBRUARY
WED THURS 2 Kid’s Club
3
FRI
SAT
4 5 Women’s Live Music: Workout Class Oliver Dagum Live Music: Chris Stevens Band
6
7
8 $22 Tuesday Wine Specials
9 Kid’s Club
10
12 11 Live Music: Live Music: Oliver Dagum Joe Parker Valentine’s Dinner Specials
Galentine’s Brunch & Bubbly Valentine’s Dinner Specials
13 Superbowl Specials
14
15 $22 Tuesday Wine Specials
16 Kid’s Club
17
18 Live Music: Class A Kings
19 Live Music: Chris Stevens
20
21
22 $22 Tuesday Wine Specials
23 Kid’s Club
24
25 Quiz Night
26 Live Music: Brat
27
28
Live Music: Doug Jennings
MARCH SUN
MON
TUES 1 $22 Tuesday Wine Specials
WED THURS 2 Kid’s Club
3
FRI 4 Live Music: Chris Stevens Band
SAT 5 Character Breakfast Live Music: Mike Margarite
12 11 Live Music: Live Music: Oliver Dagum Class A Kings
6 Character Breakfast
7
8 $22 Tuesday Wine Specials
9 Kid’s Club
10
13 Leprechaun Breakfast
14
15 $22 Tuesday Wine Specials
16 Kid’s Club
17 18 St. Patty’s Day Live Music: Dinner Ann Michal Specials
19 Live Music: Chris Stevens Band
20
21
22 $22 Tuesday Wine Specials
23 Kid’s Club
24
26 Mother & Daughter Tea
27
28
25 Quiz Night Live Music: Kelli Glover
Live Music: Brat
701 Centerton Road - Mount Laurel, NJ - 08054 - www.laurelcreek.org