LCCC Newsletter July 2021 by laurelcreekcc

THE

CREEK JULY 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

Carol MacLennan Director of Tennis cmaclennan@laurelcreek.org Mike Holak Pool Manager mholak@laurelcreek.org

Courts are open for play

Open 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

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 ‘Signs’ is a song originally performed by The Five Man Electrical Band back in 1971. I’m sure there are some of you that remember the song. It describes different signs that people see and the impact it has on their daily lives. We have signs posted here at the club…anything from “Shirts must remain tucked in”, to signs regarding where to drive the golf carts and signs on the proper way to hit balls and take divots on the range. We use them help direct or keep everyone aware of the rules of the club. I can remember back in 2007/2008 there were an unprecedented number of signs…mostly for sale signs due to businesses failing due to the Great Recession. Currently in this environment there are a new batch of signs. As I was driving into work, I couldn’t help but notice the signs looking for help. Every single business I passed had a “Help Wanted” sign posted. Everyone is struggling looking for workers and it doesn’t look like it’s going to end anytime soon. My family ordered pizza the other night and when I went to pick it up they also had a sign…”Please be courteous to our help…they are the only ones willing to work”. Even though we don’t have a “Help Wanted” sign posted at the front of the club’s entrance, that doesn’t mean this national staffing shortage isn’t impacting us. We are all happy Covid is starting to get under control and things are returning to normal. Membership is

at an all time high, and thankfully everyone is utilizing the club for their enjoyment. However, when you cross that with a labor shortage it can make for some trying times. Every year we have new faces working at the club, learning our ways, and learning the best ways to make your time here enjoyable. This year is no exception. The main difference between this year and other years is the age of the workers willing to work. As you have all seen lately our new faces are much younger than in years past. These great team members are starting their careers with us and trying really hard to make a positive impact on your experiences. They are full of energy and honestly, we are very lucky they are willing to work when others are not. While the tenured staff is doing all they can to get everyone up to speed on our standards and expectations, I know there will be some glitches. I would ask that you help us, help you by doing the simple things we ask…please make a reservation, please follow our dress code and most of all please be patient…I can promise you that we are doing everything we can to minimize this and correct things when we don’t get them exactly right. While I know there are no excuses and we have an obligation to meet your, and our, expectations…I would like to leave you with one last sign: “Please be patient. Please be kind”

MEMBERSHIP

Patty Fagan D I REC TOR OF M EM BERS H I P

ime flies when you’re having fun! This saying could not be truer as this month marks my 5-year anniversary as Membership Director at Laurel Creek. So much has changed since I joined the LC Team. The Pub and Bistro did not exist; the Wine Room was a library; the restaurant kitchen was the Ladies Locker room; and you had to walk thru the tiny fitness center (now Golf Simulator) to get to accounting. I still remember my first day at the club and how excited I was to be here. I’ll never forget the first member who introduced himself to me as I stood at the pool, trying to take in my new surroundings. He asked if I were the new Membership Director that he had read about in an email that Joel had sent to the members. He then introduced me to his wife and a few other families sitting nearby and I remember how welcoming he and the other members made me feel that day. That feeling continues today as I have gotten to know so many of you over the years. What a joy it is to share the celebration of birthdays, graduations, anniversaries and other cherished milestones with you and your families at the club. Seeing those memories being made is one of the many highlights of my job. Beginning this month, I’ll be introducing you to one of our families in a Member Profile on this page. I hope you enjoy learning about some of the wonderful people who make up our Laurel Creek family

THE COVENTO FAMILY Ron Convento met his future wife, Brooke while attending Bloomsburg University. Ron, originally from Lansdowne, Pennsylvania and Brooke, from Fleetwood, Pennsylvania were both nursing students and conveniently lived next door to one another. After 7 years of dating, the two certified nurse anesthetists were married and this October will mark their 16th wedding anniversary. Ron and Brooke joined Laurel Creek in September of 2020 with their two children, Nyah (age 7) and Cameron (age 4) under the Fall Trial Program. As Voorhees residents, Ron wasn’t sure if the distance would be an issue so having three months to “test” the commute was extremely helpful. They chose to stay and know that they made the right decision. “We chose Laurel Creek to be with our friends that joined before us, and I love this course,” said Ron. “We really liked that Laurel Creek is as much a social club as it is a golf club” added Brooke. Ron is an avid golfer and has enjoyed all the tournaments while Brooke is just learning to play under the Ladies 30 & 3 program. The Convento family will be spending many days this summer at the pool so make sure to say “hello” when you see them!

Welcome

OUR NEW MEMBERS TO THE LCCC FAMILY

Michael & Amanda Shevlino

The Duva Family

Amy Kearney & Chaiya Laoteppitaks

David & Erin Gramlich

The Patel Family

Terri & Martin Higgins

The McKiernan Family

The Tomasco Family

The Ankrom Family

The Prieto Family The Ackerman Family

GOLF

Bob Hennefer

H E AD GOL F PROF ESSI O N A L

ongratulations to Joe Caruso and Curt Allen on winning the 2021 Men’s Member Guest! We started out with 16 teams in the shootout and played #1 to eliminate to the low 6 teams and ties. We then moved to #9 where we eliminated all but 5 teams! Off to #18 for Sudden Death and after the first playing of the hole, we went back to the tee where Team Canataro, Team Billow. And Team Caruso faced off. Joe Caruso chipped on to the back left pin on #18 from long and left, and Curt Allen drained an 8 foot putt for the win! Congratulations to our Ladies MemberMember Week One winners: Eileen Burke and Eileen Ramasamy Susan Kaufman and Stephanie Moccia Kelly Redcay and Lynne Sergi

Laurel Creek Country Club’s Matthew Normand, the lefty, gets it done!! Normand defeated Spring Mill Country Club’s Corey Haydu in 20 holes to secure the First Flight title of the GAP Junior Boys’ First Championship on Wednesday at Overbrook Golf Club (par 70, 6,523 yards). Normand’s clutch 20-foot birdie putt on No. 19 (No. 1, par 4, 382 yards) saved the match before taking the next hole and the victory.

LCWGA

his year we are 9 weeks into our ladies golf season and last year at this time we were just getting started!

Linda Angstreich, Teri Balrow, Rita Gordon, Lillian Maja, Kelly Redcay, Joanne Seltzer, MaryAnn Stack and Sue Studley participated in their first 9 hole invitational of the season at Ramblewood on 6/8. Teri Barlow was a member of the team that placed first and Sue Studley was on the team that placed third. The first 3 teams tied and the winner was determined by a match of cards! Congrats ladies for representing Laurel Creek well! The first round of President’s cup has been completed and if you are still involved, remember the second round needs to be played by Sunday July 18th. The first round of the Secretary’s cup event should be done and the second round needs to be played by Sunday August 8th. I am not sure what the bigger challenge is, playing the match or scheduling it! The ladies club championship will be held Saturday and Sunday 7/17 and 7/18. The proshop is hoping to have flighted events and the flights will be determined on who signs up. So please register for this event!!! The more people that sign up the more flights we can have and we can hopefully change the traditional format of the event. The flights will not be labeled A, B, C D, but will probably be Lopez, Thompson, Park etc. The following women have represented Jersey Girls in the first 2 matches this season: Anita Albright, Christine Blessing, Eileen Burke, Ineke Daniels, Lynne Demmerly, Chrissy Duman, Julie Rohmer-Graziul, Eileen Ramasamy and Kelly Redcay. We are currently in first place by 16 points for the season long 5 match competition. The next match will be played at Little Mill on Wednesday 7/18. 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.

2021 MEN’S MEMBER-GUEST

FOOD & BEVERAGE

John Geller

C L U B HOU SE M ANAG E R

ummer is finally here, and we are in full swing at the club! It’s great to see all the kids out of school and enrolled in many of the camps offered at LCCC.

I am excited to introduce you to Karl Bratty and Annette Rossetti, the two newest Food & Beverage Operations Managers. Annette is a graduate of Rowan University. Annette was in charge of overseeing the full operation of PJ Whelihan’s restaurant, she also played a key role in staff development, training and cultivating relationships with the clientele. Annette was recognized by upper management for her trustworthiness and customer service talents. Karly Bratty is a graduate from Fairfield University. Karl was a team lead at Topgolf where he utilized his strong leadership skills and experience to ensure all guests had an outstanding time. Karl comes with an eye for detail, organizational strengths, and the focus to deliver quality and efficient service to the members. Please say ‘Hi’ to Annette and Karl when you see them at the club.

Annette Rossetti

The pool is now open seven days a week from 10 AM to 9 PM daily. Remember that we have a DJ Wednesday night from 6 PM to 9 PM as well as Sunday from noon to 4 PM. Please remember to make reservations for dinner on the mobile app, especially Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. These are the busiest nights of the week so making a reservation a few days prior will be helpful in getting the time you prefer. I’m looking forward to a very successful summer and hoping to see your family often at the club! Karl Bratty

The Laurel Creek App is where it’’s all at!

CHEF’S CORNER

Pete Rosenblatt EXECU T I VE CHEF TOMATOES WITH FIG AND PROSCIUTTO ¼ cup sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar 1Tbsp. honey 1Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling 16 figs, torn 1 lb. small or medium heirloom tomatoes, halved crosswise or sliced into ¼”–½”-thick rounds ½ cup mint leaves, torn if large Kosher salt 2 oz. thinly sliced prosciutto PREPARATION Step 1 Whisk vinegar, honey, and 1 Tbsp. oil in a large bowl to combine. Add figs, tomatoes, and mint, season with salt, and toss gently to combine. Step 2 Transfer salad to a platter and spoon any excess dressing in bowl over. Tuck prosciutto around; drizzle with more oil.

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). Spouses: Simply add an “A” after your member number. Your password is the same as noted above.

RACQUETS

Carol MacLennan DI RE C TOR OF TEN N I S

elcome to our “new and improved“ Racquets facility! It’s exciting to see so much activity on our tennis and pickleball courts. Here are a few reminders:

LIGHTS A great improvement at our facility this year is the addition of lights on all four tennis courts as well as the pickle ball courts. The lights are split into two zones, depending on the court you are using. Courts 1 and 2 and the pickle ball courts are accessed using the timer on the outside of court 1. Simply push the button one time only and you will have four hours of continuous lighting. When you hear three beeps, that means time is up and the lights will be going off. If you are leaving and the lights are still on, please hit the button again to turn them off. To turn the lights on tennis courts 3 and 4, there is a switch at the bottom of the light post by pickle ball court 2. These are LED lights, easy on/easy off and must be turned off before leaving. GUESTS Guests are permitted to join you for tennis or pickle ball. However, just like the pool or golf course, you are responsible for a guest fee every time you bring someone. The adult guest fee is $8 and the junior guest fee is $5. As a club member, you are required to register your guests before playing. This is easily done on the Laurel Creek app. Click on the Bring a Guest feature and fill out the submission form. All guest fees are billed to your member account at Laurel Creek. RESERVATIONS Court reservations are easily accessed on the Laurel Creek app. Click on Book a Court and follow the prompts. You must reserve in advance to guarantee your court. You also reserve the ball machine using this feature on the app. DRILLS, CLINICS & TENNIS CAMP All reservations for adult clinics and junior tennis camp are available on the app. Adult clinics are limited to six players per court and you must be registered in advance. We highly recommend going on the waitlist if a clinic is full in case of cancellations. NEW THIS YEAR! We now have a third court for the Wednesday night Mixed drill. We also added a daytime Ladies Intermediate Clinic on Wednesdays at 9 AM and an extra Beginner clinic on Thursdays at 10:30.

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 There is often confusion as to when a divot should be replaced, and when the sand mix should be used. In an effort to clear things up, let’s keep it simple: If your divot doesn’t explode, and has some bit of soil with it, please replace it. There are many variables that come into play in determining if the divot will live or not. This obviously includes the weather, and the location (slope vs swale). However, even in the summer, there’s a decent chance that a replaced divot will survive. Below you can see the divot on the right was replaced and has already knitted back in nicely. In contrast, the divot on the left is, to be kind, a real head-scratcher.

So save that sand mix for the times when your divot can’t be replaced. And please don’t get too fancy--we’ve seen well intentioned players make a sandwich with a sprinkle of divot mix, the divot itself, and a bit more mix on top for good measure. Remember, more isn’t always better.

Upcoming Events SUN

MON

TUES

JULY

WED THURS 1

FRI 2

Live Music: Chris Stevens Band 6:00 pm

SAT 3

Live Music: Doug Jennings 6:00 pm 4th of July Pool Party & BBQ (SOLD OUT)

4th of July Pool Party & BBQ (SOLD OUT)

DJ Music at the Pool

Club & Course Closed

DJ Music at the Pool

Live Music: Oliver Dagum 6:00 pm

Live Music: Class A Kings 6:00 pm

Live Music: Dennis Matthews 6:00 pm

Live Music: TBA 6:00 pm

Live Music: Mike Margarite 6:00 pm

Live Music: TBA 6:00 pm

Twilight Golf 5:30 pm

DJ Music at the Pool

Club & Course Closed

DJ Music at the Pool Wine Walk 6:00 pm

Live Music: Joe Parker 6:00 pm

Live Music: Doug Jennings 6:00 pm

AUGUST SUN

MON

TUES

WED THURS

FRI

SAT

DJ Music at the Pool

Club & Course Closed

Golf Course Aeriation

DJ Music at the Pool

Live Music: Chris Stevens Band 6:00 pm

Live Music: Oliver Dagum 6:00 pm

Club & Course Closed

DJ Music at the Pool

Golf Course Aeriation

Club & Course Closed

DJ Music at the Pool

Club & Course Closed

Live Music: Class A Kings 6:00 pm

DJ Music at the Pool

Golf Course Aeriation

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: Michaela McClain 6:00 pm

701 Centerton Road - Mount Laurel, NJ - 08054 - www.laurelcreek.org