The Creek News June 2023

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

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 - Head Golf Professional bhennefer@laurelcreek.org

Peter Rosenblatt - Executive Chef prosenblatt@laurelcreek.org

Carol MacLennan - Director of Tennis cmaclennan@laurelcreek.org

Mike Holak - Pool Manager mholak@laurelcreek.org

FRONT DESK | (856) 291-9701

PRO SHOP | (856) 291-9718

Golf Course

Tuesday to Thursday 8:00 a.m. - Sunset

Friday 8:00 a.m. - Sunset

Saturday & Sunday

8:00 a.m. - Sunset

Pro Shop

Tuesday to Friday

7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday

7:30 a.m. - 5:30 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 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Tennis Courts are open for play

Pool & Oasis

Pool is open 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Oasis is open from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Joel Inman

GENERAL MANAGER

One of the greatest things about the midpoint of the year is the 4th of July. A time to spend with our families at a BBQ, at the beach or poolside celebrating our Independence day.

A little bit of obscure information…The day the Continental Congress actually approved the resolution of independence was July 2nd…not July 4th. July 4th is important because that was the day that the declaration of independence, a statement that explained their decision for the resolution of independence, was adopted. I took a group of 5 people, 17 days to write it, even though Thomas Jefferson wrote most of it.

Even though not a grand as our Independence, we’ve got a lot to celebrate here at Laurel Creek. Our pool season is in full swing with the Cabana serving amazing food and drink specials daily. Everything from Sunday Funday with Bingo to Dog Days of Summer on Tuesdays, there’s always a reason to swing by the pool. And let’s not forget about the Creek Creamery! Anyone for ice cream!?

Erich Herkloz

Blu has now officially opened with a lot of rave reviews. For those that haven’t heard, Blu is our newest dining option for those looking for a more upscale dining experience. With a menu that will change regularly, it’s the spot for those “foodies” to really sit and enjoy the amazing talents of our culinary team. Now that Blu is open, we will be turning our attention to the Pub and Bistro. Initially you’ll notice a new uniform for the staff and within the next 2 weeks we will be revamping the menu. This change will allow us to provide a more casual dining experience with a menu that supports that kind of experience. More casual fare, with local seasonal ingredients will be offered on the menu that will also change every 6 weeks or so. We hope that these changes will continue to provide you with the dining options you are looking for.

Dean Kramer

It’s also mid-season for tennis and pickleball with the Club Championship on the horizon. Make sure to test your skills against the club’s best and sign up today. If stiff competition isn’t your thing, then maybe sign up for one of the many clinics we offer, or a private lesson to help you improve.

John Higgins

Greg Markus

No matter what you’re looking to do, we’ve got you covered! Make sure you take the time to enjoy all that Laurel Creek has to offer.

I hope to see you at the club!

Daniel Bianco President

Scott Duman Vice President

John Venne Treasurer

Michael Hughey Secretary

Sean Fox

Kiel Gilliland

Chris Noyes

Patty Fagan

DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP

Schools Out For Summer! Although this song from Alice Cooper came out in 1972, it’s still today an anthem celebrating the end of the school year and the beginning of summer vacation for kids.

Our summer camps started on June 26th and it was great to see all the kids getting dropped off by their parents at KE Camp and our Golf & Tennis Academy. There were a few tears from some first timers at Ke Camp but the sadness quickly disappeared once mom and dad drove away. The older kids, walking over the bridge with their golf bags slung over their shoulders looked like they were PGA professionals. It was a lovely sight to see.

Children who grow up as a members of Laurel Creek have such a unique experience which provides opportunities that can shape their character and teach them valuable life lessons. I’ve always been impressed how well behaved our kids are at LCCC. I know that you’ve set this foundation at home but there’s also a certain level of decorum and social etiquette which children absorb through regular exposure to club events and formal dining experiences. By growing up within this refined atmosphere, children develop the skills necessary to navigate formal occasions with confidence and grace, setting them apart in social settings throughout their lives. Laurel Creek also fosters a tight knit community atmosphere, where children have a sense of belonging and camaraderie that is created to help develop social skills, teamwork and the ability to build long lasting relationships. This can prove invaluable as they navigate through different stages of life.

The activities that we offer and the access to our top-notch golf course and tennis facilities allows children to engage in healthy physical activities while developing a lifelong love for these sports. A common theme I hear from young adults who join our club is that they regret not playing golf when they were younger since this is a sport that they will play long into their years. I know it can be a challenge to convince your children to play golf or tennis (speaking from experience) but don’t miss out on all the amazing golf and tennis programs we offer for our juniors.

Thanks to all of you for trusting us with your children attending all the camps at the club this summer. I hope that one day when your kids are adults, that they thank you for giving them this wonderful privilege of growing up at LCCC, a blessing beyond compare.

NEW MEMBERS

KIMBERLY & ALAN SHELL

THE D’INTINO FAMILY

MELINDA & CHARLES COOKE

THE HEISLER FAMILYTHE MATALUCCI FAMILY

Bob Hennefer

HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL

With some of Golf’s Majors behind us, the US Open, PGA Championship, Women’s KPMG Championship, there was some terrific golf on display! July is no different here at Laurel Creek with our upcoming Club Championships.

Men’s Club Championship Qualifying is July 8th and Match Play starts on the 9th and then continues the following weekend July 15th and 16th. We have four different flights based on your handicap to compete

Women’s Club Championship is July 15th and 16th and is a 36 hole stroke play competition with flights based on handicap.

The “Ken Zimmer Junior Club Championship” will take place July 22nd and 23rd. This year we will have different divisions by age and both male and female competitions similar to the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour.

Sign ups for all of these events are in Golf Genius on the App and are open to any full golfing member including eligible Junior Golfers. We encourage all interested members to participate in these fun yet competitive events.

June was filled with many exciting tournaments for our lady golfers. Our Member-Member was held over two Wednesdays and ended with an awards luncheon. Thank you to Eileen Burke and Eileen Ramasamy for doing a wonderful job chairing this event. The lunches were fantastic, and the champagne toast on the course was a nice surprise! Congratulations to the following winners:

18 HOLERS

Overall winners: 1st place Stephanie Mocchia/Susan Kaufman.

2nd place Christine Blessing/Kelly Redcay.

Week 1 overall winners: 1st place Stephanie Mocchia/Susan Kaufman.

2nd place Eileen Burke/Eileen Ramasamy

Week 2 overall winners: 1st Chrissy Duman/Lynne Demmerly.

2nd place Stephanie Moccia/Susan Kaufman.

Closest to the pin: Donna McHugh. Longest drive-Christine Blessing.

9 HOLERS:

Overall winners: 1st place Sue Studley/Mary Heselton - 2nd place Rita Gordon/Joanne Seltzer.

Week 1 winners: Lillian Van Koughnett/Noelle Noyes. Closest to the pin-Heidi Bourke.

Longest drive-Jacquie Ebert.

Week 2 winners: Jacquie Ebert/Donna Colabella. Closest to the pin-Rita Gordon.

Longest drive-Noelle Noyes.

The Ramblewood 9 Hole Invitational was this month, and we are proud to announce that Dana Phipps was on the 1st place team and Joanne Seltzer helped her team place 2nd. Nice work ladies!

On June 16th The Laurel Legends completed their last match play event against the seasoned Medford Lakes Country Club team. Our incomparable Julie Knowles won her match against her opponent and our fearless leader Sue Studley tied hers with the rest of the team sustaining fair and enjoyable losses. Thank you Sue for taking the lead in getting our 9 Holers back into the Match Play League. Congratulations on a successful first year!

Please be on the lookout this month for an invitation to the 2023 Ladies’ Member-Guest which will be held on Wednesday September 27th. This event is open to all ladies with full golfing privileges. You may sign up via the LC app.

It’s not too late to join the LCWGA this season. If interested, please email Kelly Redcay at kellyanneredcay@ hotmail.com

RULES TIP OF THE MONTH

Q-Can you remove a red penalty area stake or a white out of bounds stake if it interferes with your swing?

A-Boundary objects, such as a white stake defining out of bounds are not obstructions and cannot be moved. Free relief is not allowed. This is under Rule 8.1 and a breach of penalty is 2 strokes. If you remove an out of bounds stake and then make a stroke, you’ll get the general penalty of two strokes. If you however realize your mistake before you make a stroke and put the stake back, there is no penalty. Red stakes are allowed to be moved if they interfere and free relief is allowed

FOOD

Karen Wright

CLUBHOUSE MANAGER

The summer has officially arrived and though we got off to a slow start weather-wise, it looks like temperatures are finally beginning to rise. The Pool & Oasis are the places to be to beat the heat throughout the season! Check out our daily Oasis specials below.

SUNDAY FUNDAY

DJ Music 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Bingo 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Bingo cards are $5 each

Every Tuesday

$1.00 Hot Dogs

$2.00 Bud Light Cans 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

THIRSTY THURSDAY 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

$5.00 Sangrias

$6.00 Tito’s

FLATBREAD & WINE

Every Saturday

$1 Off Flatbreads

$6 Select Wines

MEXICALI MONDAY

$10 Fish Tacos

$5 Mojitos 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

RAFT

Every Wednesday

Grab your raft and dive in!

6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

FROZEN DRINK FRIDAY 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

$1 off all frozen drinks

NIGHT

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

JOSHUA CONKLIN SERVER

Pete Rosenblatt

EXECUTIVE CHEF

NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN SANDWICH

Makes 4 servings

4 ea 6oz boneless skinless chicken breast, butterfl ied

1 cup buttermilk

2 cups fl our

½ cup vegetable oil

SPICE MIX

1 cup brown sugar

¼ cup cayenne

¼ cup paprika

2 Tbsp garlic powder

2 Tbsp onion powder

2 tsp. salt

COMEBACK SAUCE

¼ cup mayo

1 Tbsp ketchup

1 tsp spicy mustard

½ tsp lemon juice

Dash Worcestershire sauce

To Serve

8 thick slices white bread

Sliced pickles

METHOD

Marinate chicken in buttermilk for 2 hours. Combine spices in a small bowl and mix well. In another bowl combine ½ cup of the spice mix with the fl our. Add oil to a large, deep frying pan and bring up to medium heat. Dredge the chicken one piece at a time into the seasoned flour until well coated. Add the chicken to the pan and cook over low to medium heat for 3-4 minutes on each side until fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the pan and turn off the heat. Add the spice mix to the remaining oil in the pan and mix well. S057 Add chicken back to the pan and coat evenly. Assemble the sandwich on white bread with pickles and comeback sauce. Enjoy!

Thank you, Josh for all that you do!

RACQUETS

Carol MacLennan

DIRECTOR OF TENNIS

TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS REGISTRATION EXTENDED TO JULY 7TH

JUNIOR TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE ALSO NOW OPEN FOR REGISTRATION!

John Slade

DIRECTOR OF GOLF COURSE OPERATIONS

Changes which occur over several years are often difficult for us to notice. Such was the case with the phragmites taking over the pond on #3, where suddenly it seemed the view from the tee was quite obstructed--and nobody enjoys a blind par 3.

While the Grounds Department has some pretty neat tools to clear brush, there are limits to what we can get to. Without any frozen ice to work from in the the past few years, accessing much of the phragmites was not something we could handle. The solution was to bring in a contractor and their amphibious machine.

With a cutting bar attachment on the front, tracks and pontoons, this just looks like it would be a blast to operate. As you can see above, the operator is tackling a 20’ wide wall of vegetation around the entire perimeter of the pond

While some debris remains, the view has improved, particularly from the left tee on the hole Just like bamboo, phragmites is very difficult to eliminate, and a single cutting will definitely not get the job done. The plan is to treat the phrag with a herbicide as it starts to regrow later this summer.

SUNMONTUES