LCCC Newsletter March 2022

THE

CREEK MARCH 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

Carol MacLennan Director of Tennis cmaclennan@laurelcreek.org

Pool

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

GENERAL MANAGER

Usually during this time of year all of the staff tries to take time to recharge and refresh.

I’m no different. I enjoy this season mainly because of the Country Club Trade shows that go on. The PGA Show is typically one of the best to attend as it provides the team and I access to all of the new things available to our golfing members. This year the show was somewhat of a disappointment mainly due to the lack of participation from the major vendors of the golf industry, but we still managed to get inspired. The other trip I typically take is to the CMAA World Conference. This conference is always a home run for me. It focuses on self-improvement, staff improvement and club improvement. There is also a component of vendors that address the needs of clubs…software, cooking, furniture, fixture and equipment vendors show their latest and greatest. Going to this conference is how I recharge and get excited about this coming year. I always come back with new ideas and this year was no exception. My staff always tells me when I get back that I’ve got a little more pep in my step. Not sure that’s a compliment.

With all of the new things happening here this year…pool upgrades, Solar panel array and the reconstitution of our Strategic Committee, I see us setting off in a direction that will continue to set us apart from everyone else. Combine that with the best possible staff…dedicated, driven and doubled down on enhancing your member experience.

We are all looking forward to being the best we can be, improving each and every day, and making you all proud to be a member at such an incredible club.

MEMBERSHIP

Patty Fagan D I REC TOR OF M EM BERS H I P It’s almost time to swap out those hat and mittens for shorts and tees. Time flies when you’re having fun and this winter certainly flew by quickly because of all our great events.

Speaking of events, have you noticed that there seems to be something new going on at the club almost every night? It’s obvious that the club is your number one destination, and your LC team continues to create new and exciting events to keep you and your family engaged. Refer to the Food & Beverage page for an update on upcoming events.

It’s also no secret that Laurel Creek Country Club is the place to join.

Even with our golf wait list, we’ve had an exceptional year in membership.

Many of the new members who have recently joined have been referred by you, and that’s a true testament to the value that the club represents in your lives. If you have a friend interested in membership, send them my way. We’re still accepting applications for House and Social.

See you soon at the Club!

Welcome Lauren & Chris Crosby

OUR NEW MEMBERS TO THE LCCC FAMILY

The Longo family

The Warrington Family

The Windstein Family

The Baraldi Family Jeffrey & Suzanne Debs

Vivek & Gaithri Ramanathan

GOLF

Bob Hennefer

W

H E AD GOL F PROF ESSI O N A L

inter greetings! While we are all bundled up and sitting by the fire to keep warm, or in warmer southern states, greener grass and warmer weather is around the corner at Laurel Creek! We are excited to kick off the season shortly and wanted to provide you with a few updates: Men’s, Ladies, and Mixed Golf Calendars: Last year was a fantastic season full of fun and competitive events and the 2022 calendar promises more excitement. I’m pleased to release a preview of our golfing calendar for 2022 that can be found in the Tuesday eNews Blasts. We have added a few new events to the calendar, and we’re hopeful we have an event for everyone.

Registration links, along with Junior events and clinics, as well as men’s and women’s clinic schedules, our Golf Handbook and the LCWGA Handbook will be released next month.

Unlimited Cart Program: The Unlimited Cart Program allows you to prepay for all your cart rounds for the 2022 season. Registration for the Unlimited Cart Program must take place before March 31st, 2022. This can be paid as one lump sum, or we can split the payment amongst three months. Please email me directly at bhennefer@laurelcreek.org if you would like to sign up for this offer.

Unlimited Carts Single: Unlimited Carts Family:

$1,625 $2,150

Guest Pass Booklet: The Guest Pass Booklet is available to purchase all season long and provides a discount on each guest you bring to the club. This can be especially helpful if you are bringing multiple clients out to the club throughout the year. This year the booklet costs $700 for a series of 10 guest passes, totaling a discount of $15 per guest (weekdays) and $25 per guest (weekends). For your reference, guest greens fees will be $85 Tuesday through Thursday, and $95 Friday through Sunday. Cart fees are not included at any time. All guest passes are non-transferable and may only be used by the member who purchases them. Please note that all unused guest passes expire on December 31st, 2022. These can be purchased at the golf shop.

LCWGA

I

t seems impossible, looking at the scattered patches of snow and listening to the howl of the winter wind in the trees, that Opening Day of our 2022 Golf Season is only 44 days away! That’s 44 days to work those arm weights, watch those golf instruction videos and order new golf outfits! And for those of you who have not as yet joined our LCWGA, 44 days to make up your mind to come play with us!

(For all of you reluctant golfers, please see excuse chart below.)

Opening Day, scheduled on April 13, is a 9 hole scramble followed by lunch and it is the perfect introduction to the LCWGA. The cocktail party on the eve of Opening Day is always a lovely event and potential members are welcome.

Any woman with full golfing privileges can join the LCWGA. If you are interested in joining or have any questions regarding our organization, please email Kelly Redcay at kellyanneredcay@hotmail.com .

Registration forms are also available in the ladies’ locker room. The LCWGA has group play for both 18 or 9 holers on Wednesday mornings, providing a great way to meet our women golfers and get familiar with our beautiful golf course. The 9 holers also sponsor and participate in invitationals that give our players the opportunity to play at other clubs and meet more golf enthusiasts.

The Spring Series Clinics kick off on March 31 at 10:00 -11:30 am with a clinic on golf rules and etiquette.

There will be eight clinics every Thursday through April 28. The cost is $40 per lesson or $150 for the entire series. Information on the full schedule of clinics is available in the pro shop. Clinics are an excellent way to dip your toe in the water and get to know some of our friendly and enthusiastic players. (On a personal note, having started as a “newbie” last season, the lessons were a fabulous way to meet women golfers who have since become good friends. The pro’s suggestions for my drive also changed my life.)

LCWGA members can also consider joining the Women’s Golf Association of Philadelphia (WGAP), reputed to be the oldest women’s golf association in the country. WGAP will give you the opportunity to play golf on other courses and meet women golfers in the Philadelphia area. For additional information on the WGAP, contact Christine Blessing at blessinggolfs@gmail.com or go to www.wgapgolf.org.

And now, a short response to some of the most popular excuses for not joining the LCWGA:

1 2 3

EXCUSE: I’m not good enough to play.

RESPONSE: You should see some of us. Believe me, you are good enough.

EXCUSE: I don’t have the time to play.

RESPONSE: Put down Wordle, stop watching morning news and join us on Wednesday mornings for fresh air and sunshine. You can play as few or as many Wednesdays as you like.

EXCUSE: I will hold everyone up.

RESPONSE: Pick up your ball. We all do. Nobody cares.

Join us on Opening Day, at the Spring Clinics, or at our Wednesday morning games and become part of our LCWGA golfing sisterhood.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Karen Wright CLUBHOUSE MANAGER

W

e have already gotten a taste of Spring with a few days reaching the mid to high 60’s reminding us that golf season is fast approaching. The food and beverage team are excited and looking forward to April 1st. We have spent the last few months preparing for the season; hiring and training staff and planning a variety of events for the membership to enjoy.

WINTER MENU REFRESH ITEMS FLATBREAD Alsatian Sausage, Cipollini, Fresh Mozzarella, Balsamic 14

LAMB STEAK Potato Leek Gratin, Swiss Chard, Lamb Reduction 36

BEET SALAD Winter Citrus, Fennel, Pistachio Robiola Cheese 14

STICKY THAI SHORT RIBS Jasmine Rice, Snap PeaPeanut 30

DUROK PORK CHOP Gigante Beans, Pepperonata, Broccoli Rabe, Sharp Provolone 28

CRISPY SKIN RED SNAPPER Quinoa, Papaya Salad Red Chili 34

The Terrace Bar will be open from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. on March 11th, 18th, and 25th!

SO MUCH IS HAPPENING AT THE CLUB! KID’S CLUB Every Wednesday while Parent’s Dine 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. *Must have a Dinner Reservation to use this service

HAPPY HOUR Every Tuesday – Friday 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Discounted Drinks & Appetizer Specials

KATHERINE HALL WINE DINNER 03.23.22 Dine with the GM of Katherine Hall

POP UP WINE SALE March 4th to the 10th Discounted Prices on Flowers, Nickel & Nickel, Austin Hope & Others

CHEF’S CORNER

Pete Rosenblatt EXECU T I VE CHEF CITRUS GRILLED SHRIMP WITH QUINOA SALAD 4 servings Quinoa Salad 2 cups cooked Quinoa ½ cup diced cucumber ½ cup diced tomato 2 tbsp. diced red onion 2 tbsp. chopped parsley 1 tbsp. chopped mint 2 tbsp. lemon juice ¼ cup olive oil Salt & pepper to taste Combine all ingredients in a bowl, season and mix well. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

Ricardo Munoz Hernandez GROUNDSMAN

Thank you, Ricardo for all that you do!

Shrimp 1 lb. size 16/20 shrimp, peeled and deveined 2 tbsp. orange Juice 1 tbsp. lemon juice 2 tbsp. olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced salt & pepper to taste Combine all ingredients in a medium size bowl and mix well, allow to marinate for 20 minutes. Grill over medium high heat for 1½ to 2 minutes per side.

Serve the warm shrimp over the quinoa salad.

RACQUETS

Carol MacLennan DI REC TOR OF TE N N I S

I

n case you missed it, Rafa did it! He was down 2 sets to love and fought back triple break point against Daniil Medvedev in the third set to eventually capture the Australian Open title 2-6, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5. This gives Nadal a record 21 Grand Slam titles, leaving Federer and Djokovic holding 20. Felicidades Rafa! Can’t wait to see what happens at the French.

We are anxiously awaiting Spring, sunshine, blue skies and warmer weather. Weather permitting, the courts will be reconditioned in mid-April.

Junior Tennis registration will be available in the app starting March 1st. After School tennis begins on Tuesday, May 10th and runs every Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 5:30 for six weeks. Registration will also open for Junior Summer Tennis camp which starts the week of June 20th. Check out the Tennis Camp brochure in the app under Racquets for more information.

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

W

e understand and can relate to the desire to get out on the golf course during some warm(ish) winter days. However, while it may seem somewhat counterintuitive, there is actually greater risk of causing turf damage now than during periods of extremely cold weather when the soil profile is completely frozen throughout.

In the same way that soil freezes from the top down, so too does it thaw out from the top down.

When this occurs, the moisture on the surface can’t infiltrate the frozen soil below, resulting in a mushy top layer, and ice beneath it. As the pliable surface layer shifts under foot (or cart tire) it can shear away the roots from the solid frozen layer. From a golfer’s perspective, you typically won’t see the damage from root shear when it occurs.

This freezing/thawing cycle can also make evaluating course conditions tricky. With temperatures dropping below freezing at night, that upper layer often develops a new crust. The result is that each morning, it may feel as if the course is firm. But once it warms up during the day, and the surface layer thaws, the afternoon conditions will feel extremely soft again.

Again, we know everyone’s itching to get out on the course when there’s a beautiful winter day, but it is still February, and we’re playing the long game--we want the course in good shape when Opening Day, 2022 arrives!

Upcoming Events SUN

MON

TUES 1 $22 Tuesday Wine Specials

WED THURS 2 Kid’s Club

3

MARCH 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

APRIL SUN

MON

TUES

WED THURS

FRI 1 Live Music: Chris Stevens Band

SAT 2 Live Music: Carl Filbert

3

4

5 $22 Tuesday Wine Specials

6 Kid’s Club

7

8 9 Live Music: Live Music: Oliver Dagum Dennis Matthews

10 Bunny Brunch

11

12 $22 Tuesday Wine Specials

13 Kid’s Club

14

15 Live Music: Class A KIngs

16 Live Music: Kelly LaVigna

17 Easter Brunch

18

19 $22 Tuesday Wine Specials

20 Kid’s Club

21

22 Live Music: Michaela McClain

23 Live Music: Chris Stevens Band

24

25

26 $22 Tuesday Wine Specials

27 Kid’s Club

28

29 Live Music: Joe Parker

30 Live Music: Brat

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