THE
CREEK FEBRUARY 2024
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 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 9:00 a.m. - Sunset Friday 9:00 a.m. - Sunset Saturday & Sunday 9:00 a.m. - Sunset
Pro Shop
Tuesday to Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 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
Thomas Jefferson wrote: Daniel Bianco President
“I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.”
Michael Hughey Vice President
While I love this quote and love to dream about what’s in store for 2024, I also believe that it’s important to know where you came from and where you currently are.
John Venne Treasurer
So, for this month’s article I wanted to provide you all with some random information regarding where the club is today, and some interesting facts about the club in 2023. Please tap or click the link below to watch the video.
Dean Kramer Secretary
Scott Duman
Sean Fox
Kiel Gilliland
Erich Herkloz
John Higgins
Greg Markus
Chris Noyes
https://vimeo.com/910087921 If reading a hard copy, scan the QR Code below to watch Joel’s video
Patty Fagan DI RE C TOR OF M E M B E R S H I P
T
he pace hasn’t slowed down a bit here at LCCC as we dive into the new year. We started off 2023 with a delightful event, the Father and Daughter dance, featuring a vibrant Barbie theme that was a hit with all attendees. Watching dads and daughters twirl and laugh together made for a memorable evening. Even with February being the briefest month, our calendar is brimming with exciting activities. We’re gearing up for the annual Drag Queen Designer Bag Bingo on February 7, followed by our third annual Galentine’s Brunch and Bubbly on February 10. There are still seats available for both, so rally your girlfriends and reserve your spots via our mobile app.
Our commitment at Laurel Creek Country Club remains focused on delivering enjoyable and engaging experiences for our members. Stay in the loop by keeping an eye on our weekly emails, perusing our newsletter, and connecting with us on Facebook and Instagram. On the membership front, we’re delighted to extend a warm welcome to the new families who joined us in December and January. Additionally, in January, 23 waitlist members advanced to full golf membership, leaving just six more to wait until 2025. If you know someone eager to join our community before summer kicks in, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
NEW MEMBERS
Jerlyn Phan & Robert Machado
Jon & Alicia Delgado
Talia Bouzakis & Jack Parkinson
The Megargel Family
The Stone Family
Sarah Hassine born on 12-2-2023
The McGuire Family
The Stockton Family
Bob Hennefer DI RE C TOR OF G O L F Brett Fernandes named Head Professional Bob Hennefer named Director of Golf
D
uring the past golf season, Brett Fernandes was able to earn his PGA Membership, and we are excited to announce that he will now take on the role of Head Professional. Additionally, Bob Hennefer will be promoted to the position of Director of Golf. With two PGA Members holding these leadership positions, we are confident that your experience here at the club will be greatly enhanced. Brett will be actively involved in the daily administration of the golf operation and will work closely with our team to ensure that you and your family create lasting memories. His primary focus will be on the day-to-day operation to ensure that your experience is the best it can be, including being highly involved in administering our tournament program. Bob has full confidence in his team, and this change will allow us to maintain and exceed our high standards and total member satisfaction. We are looking forward to a great golf season, and please join us in congratulating Brett on his new role as our Head Professional!
NEW GOLF CARTS! MORE INFO COMING SOON!
Karen Wright CLUBHOUSE MANAGER
L
aurel Creek has your week covered in the Restaurant! Every Tuesday is $10 Burgers and $5 Premium Drafts, $3 LC Lagers, Wednesday is Kid’s Club a perfect date night, Thursdays is $20 Pasta Entrees and $5 House Wines, Saturday is Prime Rib Night and Sunday’s “Kids Eat Free” with the purchase of an Adult Entrée. If you have not had an opportunity to try our new menu items, be sure to stop in. My personal recommendation is the crab and artichoke dip appetizer.
So much is happening at the Club! VALENTINE’S DAY Don’t Forget to Make Your Reservation Special Valentine’s Day Menu in the Pub & Bistro (Reserve on the App) Chef’s Tasting Menu in Blu (Contact John Geller for Reservations)
NEXT BRUNCH IN BLU Sunday, February 18th 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Please contact John Geller or Karen Wright for reservations
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
2023
Erin Schafer DI RECT OR OF EV EN TS
A
re you on the lookout for a venue to celebrate your next special occasion? We’ve got you covered at Laurel Creek! Spring is just around the corner and we’re excited to help you plan for all your upcoming events such as communions, graduations, birthdays, proms, and more. We’ve recently updated our 2024 Banquet Event Menus, including seasonal entrées, as well as new Vegetarian options to satisfy all your cravings. And if you have any specific requests, we would be more than happy to create a customized menu just for you. We take pride in delivering top-notch service & our friendly staff will ensure your event runs seamlessly, while you enjoy the beauty and elegance of our club with your loved ones.
If you have any questions or would like to book an event, please don’t hesitate to contact our Banquet Office anytime. We’re always here to help you plan your next ‘everlasting memory’. And, remember, there’s always a reason to celebrate!
JENNIFER SPARKS HUMAN RESOURCES
Thank you, Jen for all that you do!
Carol MacLennan DI REC TOR OF TE N N I S
E
xciting news! We had an extensive survey of the tennis courts prepared by a specialist at Har Tru. Thanks to his expertise, we have figured out some issues with the courts and the drainage. We are planning to have these addressed in early Spring. CALLING ALL NEW MEMBERS WHO PLAY TENNIS AND/OR PICKLEBALL! If you are a tennis or pickleball player, let’s connect. We are always looking for ladies to play on our Philadelphia Spring League travel teams. Reach out to Carol if you are interested in playing on a team. Matches begin the week of April 22nd. Please email me at cmaclennan@laurelcreek.org. SUMMER JUNIOR TENNIS CAMP Registration is now open for the 2024 Summer Sports Academy. This is a 6 week program that combines a half day of golf and a half day of tennis instruction. The academy runs from June 24th to August 9th. Please note that there are 10 weeks of Junior Tennis camp. Registration for Junior Tennis Camp can be found in the app under Tennis/Junior Events. Tennis camp begins the week of June 17th and runs every week for 10 weeks. We offer full day and half-day sessions, as well as Red Ball for ages 4 thru 7. Please reach out if you would like a copy of the 2024 Tennis Camp brochure.
What the heck is a ‘half-volley’? A half volley is when you hit the ball immediately after it bounces, usually at or around the service line. Here are some tips to make yours better: Get low and stay low through the hit • Keep your racquet out in front • Eliminate the backswing • Guide the ball over the net using a nice, long follow through S11
John Slade J
D IR E CTO R O F G O L F C O UR S E O P ER ATI ONS
ust a couple of months ago, we were noting how dry it was. In fact, during the entire month of October, we received less than one inch of rain. Fast forward to December, and it was an entirely different story, as multiple storms led to a whopping 8.40” of rain for the month. This is more than twice the “normal” total of 3.70”
Just as 2023 ended, 2024 is also starting out in unusual fashion. With only a couple of days left in January, the precipitation total stands at a hefty 7.30”. Combined with December, you’re looking at well over 400,000 gallons of water falling on every acre during the past two months.
As is often the case, when we closed the books on 2023, the precipitation total for the year was close to average--actually within 10% of the historical number. However, the peaks and valleys (all or nothing) rain events do appear to be occurring increasingly often. What do these weather extremes mean from a both a turf management and golf playability perspective? If this trend continues, facilities may very well need to invest in both state of the art irrigation systems to precisely add needed water, as well as expansive drainage systems to remove excess water.
Upcoming Events SUN
MON
TUES
FEBRUARY
WED THURS 1 Murder Mystery Dinner
FRI
2 Live Music: Chris Stevens
Pasta & Wine
4
5
6 Burgers & Brews
7 Designer Bag Bingo
8 Pasta & Wine
SAT
3 Live Music: Doug Jennings Prime Rib Night
9 Live Music: BRAT
10 Live Music: Carl Filbert Galentines Brunch Prime Rib Night
11 Super Bowl Specials
12
13 Burgers & Brews
14
15 Pasta & Wine
16 Live Music: Chris Stevens
17 Live Music: Sophie Coran Prime Rib Night
18 Brunch in Blu
19
20 Burgers & Brews
21
22 Pasta & Wine
23 Live Music: Class A Kings
24 Live Music: Michaela McClain Prime Rib Night
25
26
27 Burgers & Brews
28
29 Stags Leap Wine Dinner Pasta & Wine
MARCH SUN
MON
TUES
WED THURS
FRI
SAT
1 2 Live Music: Live Music: Oliver Dagum Doug Jennings Prime Rib Night
3
4
5 Burgers & Brews
6
7 Pasta & Wine
8 Live Music: Chris Stevens
9 Live Music: Kelli Glover
Movie Night Prime Rib on The Range Night
10
11
12 Burgers & Brews
13
14 Pasta & Wine
15 Live Music: BRAT
16 Live Music: Sophie Coran Prime Rib Night
17 St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Specials
18
19 Burgers & Brews
20
21 Pasta & Wine
22 Live Music: Chris Stevens
23 Live Music: Michaela McClain Prime Rib Night
24
25
26 Burgers & Brews
27
28 Pasta & Wine
29 Live Music: Class A Kings
30 Live Music: Matt Flynn
www.laurelcreek.org