THE
CREEK JUNE 2022
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 7:00 a.m. - Sunset
Erin Schafer Director of Events eschafer@laurelcreek.org
Pro Shop
Tuesday to Friday 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Karen Wright Clubhouse Manager kwright@laurelcreek.org
Saturday & Sunday 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
John Geller Service Director jgeller@laurelcreek.org
Dining
Nevada Groulx Director of Communications ngroulx@laurelcreek.org John Slade Director of Golf Course Operations jslade@laurelcreek.org
Tuesday thru Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday 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
Open on Weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. After Father’s Day pool will be open 7 days a week.
Pool
Carol MacLennan Director of Tennis cmaclennan@laurelcreek.org Mike Holak Pool Manager mholak@laurelcreek.org
On the Cover: Pickleball Season is in full swing at LCCC!
BOARD OF
TRUSTEES Daniel Bianco President
Troy Hopper Vice President
John Venne Treasurer
Michael Hughey Secretary
Scott Duman
Sean Fox
Erich Herkloz
Troy Hopper
Dean Kramer
John Higgins
Greg Markus
Gene Martin
Ken Zimmer
Joel Inman
GENERAL MANAGER
And it begins again… Sometimes it’s so hard to grasp just how fast time flies. It seems like yesterday when we were wrapping up 2021 and planning for 2022. Getting in the holiday spirit and enjoying some down time, spending the time off with the family. Then BANG! It’s Memorial Day weekend and just like that everything is 100% again. Hiring and training staff, new menus, special events, golfing again. One special area is now open and what an effort it has been getting it ready. The Spring has had it’s shares of ups and downs, but the real reason we were able to get the pool ready for Memorial Day is the team that made it happen. Mike Holak took on the Herculean task of getting everything ready…from the 200 brand new chaise lounge chairs, to getting the umbrellas in place to checking on the pool daily while the workers put in the new filter line, poured the concrete, and
plastered the pool. Not to mention coordinating getting 10, 6000 gallon trucks here to fill the pool so it would be ready in time. The Maintenance crew who put together the new Cabanas, cleaned the entire pool area several times and helped get all of the kitchen equipment in place and running. Patty who spent countless hours beautifying the pool area with new planters and plants. Our outstanding Food and Beverage team of Pete, Dave, Kacey, Karen, John, Tina, Karl and Dona who cleaned, built menus, trained staff and organized the new ‘Oasis’ so that it would be ready to go. A big piece of what’s so special for me here at Laurel Creek are the incredible people that I have around me. Without them all the things that happen here would not happen. A round of applause for these incredible people who do all they can to make sure you have an incredible time here at the club… I’m truly blessed.
MEMBERSHIP
Patty Fagan D I REC TOR OF M EM BERS H I P
W
hat an awesome opening at the pool this Memorial Day weekend. The weather could not have been better to kick off the summer season. We were thrilled to hear the wonderful comments from members as they walked into the pool complex seeing all the changes that were made since last year. The pool looked amazing and the new furniture, cabanas and Oasis bar with its open kitchen and pizza oven truly made you feel like you were at a resort. This year, Memorial Day was extra special for me as my oldest son, Mason turned 17. We had a wonderful birthday celebration and the following morning before school, his dad took him to take his driver’s test. I was thrilled when I got the call that he passed the test and minutes later, he pulled into the driveway to pick up his backpack before heading to school. Somehow, I was not prepared for this moment. I knew it would happen one day but not this soon. He kissed me on the cheek on his way out the door and I stood at the doorway holding back tears as he drove off for the first time. I’ll miss our time together in the car, the conversations, and that time alone when it was just me and Mason. For those of you who are constantly running from one sport to another with your kids and feel like a chauffeur most days, I promise it will end one day soon. And take it from me, you will miss it.
POOL NEWS INTRODUCING SHAWN FITZPATRICK
Hi everyone! My name is Shawn Fitzpatrick. I am a certified lifeguard and have been giving swim lessons for 15+ years. I grew up in Delran and swam competitively for club teams, Tenby Chase Swim Club, and the high school. I continued competitive swimming in college and afterwards began coaching. I currently coach for Princeton High School and Tenby Chase Swim Club. Throughout all these years of swimming and coaching, I have given swim lessons to many ages and levels. I’m a special education teacher in Bordentown and love dedicating my summers to swimming! I look forward to helping your child! Interested in Swim Lessons for your child? Reach out to Shawn at sfitzpatrick@laurelcreek.org or mholak@laurelcreek.org
GOLF
Bob Hennefer H E AD GOL F PROF ESSI O N A L Featured Hole of the Month - #12 Hawk’s Hollow Through a gap in the trees, the tee shot on this par 4 must carry wetlands to reach the rolling fairway guarded by sprawling bunkers on the left. With the prevailing wind in your face, you’ll probably need a long iron or fairway wood to reach the two-tiered green. Play to the right off the tee, and try to stay on the same tier on the putting green to avoid high numbers on this difficult par 4 Rules Tip of the Month The PGA Championship saw many different rulings, but let’s focus on this one featuring Will Zalatoris. Zalatoris was tied for the lead and hit a 7 iron over the green, through the cart path and into some bushes. The ball was in bounds, so he chose to take a one shot penalty and an unplayable lie. Under Rule 19.2c, he accepted the penalty stroke and took two club lengths no nearer the hole. This put his ball on the cart path. Now to take relief from the cart path, he would have to go back into the bushes, so he elected to play from the cart path and made an incredible bogey!
Instruction Tip of the Month Going Back to the PGA Championship, let’s talk about the Champion Justin Thomas! What a performance he made on Sunday to get into the playoff and then win it! Would you believe the picture below was from his final round? He shanked one on a par 3 and still went on to claim the victory. No matter what shots you hit on the golf course, the most important shot, is the next shot!
Tennis and Pickleball bags for sale in the Pro Shop! Check out these custom bags with our club logo that can fit valuables, rackets, water bottles and more!
LCWGA
Why Golf!? A
s the excitement of Opening Day fades, we find ourselves staring into the void of the seventeenth hole ravine asking ourselves what unfortunate circumstance brought us to the infuriating, perplexing, mind-bending game of golf to begin with. •
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Maybe it’s the fleeting opportunity to enjoy the elements of nature that are often overlooked in the bustle of day-to-day life – the turtles slipping silently in the water; the bright red wings of the blackbird; the cacophony of bird song; the deer peeking shily from the woods. Maybe, as one of our fabulous pros explained, it’s the chance to achieve perfection while accepting you never will, knowing that the game will continue to evolve you as a person and as a player as you continue to golf. For me, it is the opportunity for redemption – hitting that magnificent fairway shot after a pathetic dribbling drive and moving on to the next hole with a fresh hope that you will play well (or at least competently). Finally, and most critically, it’s the women who play with us, who encourage us, who make us laugh, who share our triumphs and frustrations. The cherries on our golfing sundaes!
So, stop staring at that ravine and start taking advantage of all of the opportunities to play that the LCWGA is offering this season: •
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Come to our Wednesday games. You are good enough (and frankly nobody cares how you play). You will have fun and make some friends along the way. There is also a new 9-hole golf league on Tuesday nights. The only way to get better is to play and play and play. For more info, talk to Susan Studley or Linda Angstreich. • Sign up for 9-hole invitationals – the opportunity to play on different golf courses with little pressure and lots of friendly interaction with players from other clubs. For more info, talk to Lynne Sergi. • Full equity golfers can join the Jersey Girls league that gives higher handicap women the opportunity to get involved in friendly competitions at other clubs. For more info talk to Christine Blessing. If you are a member of the LCWGA, grab a partner and sign up for the Member-Member challenges on June 22, 2022.
Come play with us! We’d love to see you!
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Karen Wright CLUBHOUSE MANAGER
H
ow are we able to offer the service that members and their guests have become accustomed to; the answer is “Reservations”. By requiring reservations, it assists us with the tools needed to offer our membership a wonderful dining experience and the ability to staff accordingly. Yet most nights more than half of our members dining with us are walk-ins. So, if you are going to be dining at the club, please remember to make a reservation.
SO MUCH IS HAPPENING AT THE CLUB! BRUNCH Every Saturday and Sunday in the Pub and Bistro available from 9:30 A.M. TO 2:30 P.M.
JULY 4TH AT THE POOL 11:00 – 4:00 P.M. BBQ Buffet, DJ & Games for the Kids
OUTDOOR WINE SHOW 150+ Wines to Sample, Light Bites Members Only Event Wednesday, June 8th 5:00 p.m.
AN EVENING WITH ERIC DITTELMAN “THE MIND READER” Saturday, July 30 Dinner & Show
Laurel Creek Country Club members, their families, and guests are expected to wear appropriate and tasteful attire in the Clubhouse and on the Club grounds. This is both a courtesy and a requirement. Any member or guest not properly attired will receive a verbal warning up until July 1st. Our most common dress code infractions are: • • • •
Hats worn in the dining rooms Hooded sweatshirts being worn on the main floor T-shirts Shirts that are untucked
Throughout June, if you receive a dress code card while at the club, there has been a dress code infraction by either you or your guest(s). Beginning on Friday, July 1st, 2022, management will be authorized by The Board of Trustees to refuse service to those not adhering to the dress code.
CHEF’S CORNER
Pete Rosenblatt EXECU T I VE CHEF SWEET CORN SOUP Vegetarian, Serves 10 10 ears of fresh corn 1 small white onion, thinly sliced 2 sprigs of fresh tarragon 1 cup heavy cream 3 Tbsp. butter ½ gallon water Salt and pepper to taste
Haleigh Angelone LINE COOK
Thank you, Haleigh for all that you do!
Peel the corn and cut the kernels from the cob, reserve the cobs. In a stock pot cover the reserved corn cobs with ½ gallon of water, bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain the corn stock and reserve. In a large pot, sauté the onions in butter until soft, about 10 minutes. Add the corn kernels, corn stock, tarragon, salt and pepper. Simmer on for 20 minutes on low heat, add the cream and simmer for 10 more minutes. Working in batches puree the soup in a blender until smooth. Serve hot and enjoy!
RACQUETS
Carol MacLennan DI REC TOR OF TE N N I S OLD PICKLEBALL PLAYERS NEVER DIE…THEY JUST DINK AROUND THE KITCHEN! We kicked off the Pickleball season with a Pickleball Pyramid Tournament. Congratulations to Martin Dau and Vick Bobadilla who defeated David Katz and Michael Bove in the finals. Upcoming Pickleball events include the Tuesday night Mixed Up League. This league is limited to the first 12 players to sign up each week. Interested in learning how to play Pickleball? Come to the beginner clinic every Wednesday night at 5 pm. Space is limited to the first 6 players to register. If you know the basics but want to improve, join the intermediate Pickleball clinic on Wednesday from 6 to 7 pm. Or if you have 4 players interested in learning how to play, set up a private Pickleball lesson by contacting Carol. CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS It’s time to sign up for Tennis and Pickleball Club Championships! Registration is now open in the app. Click on Racquets/Club Championship Entry Form. Registration closes June 30, 2022. NEW TO THE CLUB? TRY OUT OUR HAR-TRU COURTS It’s always nice to see new faces at the tennis courts. Recently, new members Rob and Heather Barg were so anxious to try out the har-tru courts they played through a brief rain shower. Neither Rain nor Snow…etc! JUNIORS We’d love to see your kids at After School Tennis every Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 5:30 pm. We also have Red Ball Tennis for ages 5 and 6. Registration is open for Junior Summer Tennis Camp at LCCC. We offer a variety of options from mini morning sessions to full day/full week sessions. Choose what works for you! REMINDERS Thank you for sweeping the courts when you are done playing. This courtesy allows the next group of players to start their match promptly. We love when you bring guests to the club but please remember to register your guests using the “Bring a Guest” feature on the app. This applies to anyone you’ve invited for tennis or pickleball. If you are the last member leaving the tennis facility at night, please be sure the lights are off and the entry gate is locked. The code for all tennis gates is listed in the app.
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 The long-anticipated short game area opened this past week, and it wasn’t much of a surprise to see Dr. Mark Walker being the first to come out and give it a try.
This latest amenity to the course came to fruition through the efforts of many. However, we are particularly grateful for the planning, leadership, and execution of Mottin Golf’s Project Manager, Chris Chizauskie, who was instrumental in bringing Andrew Green’s design for this space to reality. By combining his education as a Civil Engineer, along with his love for the game of golf, Chris was able to connect both art and science during the construction process. The finished product is something Chris would be proud of.
Upcoming Events SUN
MON
TUES
WED THURS 1
2
JUNE FRI 3 Live Music: Chris Stevens Band
SAT 4 Live Music: Carl Filbert
5
6
7
8 9 Outdoor Wine Show
10 11 Live Music: Live Music: Oliver Dagum Dennis Matthews
12
13
14
15
16
17 Live Music: Class A Kings
18 Live Music: Chris Stevens Band
19 Father’s Day Pig Roast
20 Club & Course Open
21 22 Club & Course Closed
23 Thirsty Thursday at The Oasis with Kenny Curcio
24 Live Music: Michaela McClain
25 Live Music: Doug Jennings
26
27
28
29
30 Thirsty Thursday at The Oasis with Jeff Selby
Twilight Golf
JULY SUN
MON
TUES
WED THURS
FRI
SAT
1 Live Music: Chris Stevens Band
2 Live Music: Kelly LaVigna
3 4th of July Pool Party & BBQ
4 4th of July Pool Party & BBQ
6 5 Club & Course Closed
7 Thirsty Thursday at The Oasis with Modern Mojo
8 9 Live Music: Live Music: Oliver Dagum Dennis Matthews
10
11
12
13
14 Thirsty Thursday at The Oasis with TBA
15 Live Music: Class A Kings
16 Live Music: Chris Stevens Band
17
18
19
20
21 Thirsty Thursday at The Oasis with Jeff Selby Duo
22 Live Music: Michaela McClain
23 Live Music: Doug Jennings
24
25
26
27
28 Thirsty Thursday at The Oasis with Kelly Curcio
29 Live Music: Joe Parker
30 Live Music: Brat
31
701 Centerton Road - Mount Laurel, NJ - 08054 - www.laurelcreek.org