The Creek News November/December 2023

THE

CREEK NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023

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 8:30 a.m. - Sunset Friday 8:30 a.m. - Sunset Saturday & Sunday 8:00 a.m. - Sunset

Pro Shop

Tuesday to Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

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

Tennis

Courts are open for play

Pool & Oasis

Closed for the Season

BOARD OF

TRUSTEES

Joel Inman

GENERAL MANAGER

Americans will consume 46 million turkeys on Thanksgiving day…

Daniel Bianco President

Michael Hughey Vice President

A typical person will consume between 2,500 and 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving.

Americans consume 80 million pounds of cranberries including 5,000,000 gallons of jellied cranberry on Thanksgiving.

214 million pounds of potatoes 19 million ready-made pies.

John Venne Treasurer

And with all that, most Americans only gain 1/8th of a pound on Thanksgiving; mind blowing!

Now for some closer-to-home facts:

Dean Kramer Secretary

Scott Duman

Sean Fox

Kiel Gilliland

Laurel Creek offers a more laid back restaurant focusing on more casual fare in the Pub and Bistro.

Happy? Of course you will be with our daily happy hours that run Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. and 9 to 10 p.m., as well as during all NFL games!

We recently opened Blu, our take on an upscale dining experience - an entirely different menu and higher touch service. Don’t make plans for afterward; this is the event!

The lounge in Blu is open on Fridays and Saturdays to anyone with or without a reservation; come on down!

Erich Herkloz

Inside Blu, we have a Chef’s table that offers a Chef’s tasting menu if you’re feeling adventurous!

John Higgins

We also offer our Wine Room for a more intimate dining experience where you can order from the menu or have our talented chefs create a custom menu just for you. Think personal chef!

Greg Markus

If something is not on the menu, that’s ok. If we have the ingredients, we will be more than happy to make you your favorite dish. Better than Burger King’s slogan ”Have it your way”!

Chris Noyes

Remember, we have you covered whether you want to take it easy or are looking to impress.

Just make sure to make a reservation.

MEMBERSHIP

Patty Fagan

T

DI RE C TOR OF M E M B E R S H I P

he past few months have been nothing short of extraordinary! We launched into fall with a spectacular Halloween bash, breaking records with an attendance of over 900.

Witnessing the creativity in both kids and parents, adorned in fantastic costumes, made the night truly unforgettable.

Following this, our fall gala was a breathtaking affair. Chef Peter surpassed expectations, leaving our members raving about the delectable cuisine throughout the night. The ballroom and pub underwent a magical transformation, complemented by an incredible band that set the perfect tone for the evening. A heartfelt thank you to all the members who graced us with their presence at these exceptional events. Your participation added to the magic and we look forward to creating more memorable moments together over the holiday season.

As we approach the end of another remarkable year at LCCC, I would like to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to all the new families who have chosen to become part of our closeknit community this year. Your presence and enthusiasm have already added new dimensions into the fabric of experiences that make our club special. We are thrilled to have you here and look forward to getting to know you better as we share countless moments of leisure and camaraderie.

In closing, I’m grateful to every one of our members for your unwavering support and enthusiasm. As we reflect on the year’s achievements, challenges and countless cherished memories, I am filled with appreciation for the vibrant tapestry of experiences we’ve woven together. Thank you for being the driving force behind our club’s success.

Here’s to another year of camaraderie, growth, and shared joy. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

NEW MEMBERS

The Hultquist family

GOLF

Bob Hennefer H EAD GOL F PROF E SSI O N A L

Thank you for an outstanding 2023 season!

The experiences we create for you throughout the year cannot happen without our amazing team.

I would like to thank our entire team starting with our PGA Professionals and Associates. We hope you found an event, lesson, or clinic this year that interested you, or if it was simply coming to the club and using the range or playing a casual round of golf, we hope we served you well and you enjoyed your time! Best wishes for Happy Holidays and Happy New Year and congrats to all of our Champions this year!

Mike Kassak Greg Markus Steve Kavney Steve DiPascale John Callahan Gene Martin John Callahan Gene Martin Matt Toto

2023 WGAP Team Winners of Cup 14 Christine Blessing, Eileen Burke, Ineke Daniels, Lynne Demmerly, Chrissy Duman, Nikki Katona,

Jamison & Jamison Licausi Jr. Michael & Nate Bove Gene and Gene Martin Jr. Scott and Christine Blessing Susan and Andy Kaufman Savannah Laverty Chloe Donohue Brady Crow Kunal Khandar Aiden Devine Lauren Patullo Stephanie Moccia & Susan Kaufman Susan Studley & Mary Heselton Chrissy Duman & Stephanie Moccia David Katz & Tom Bernetich Hayden Greer & Stevie Eigenrauch Matt Flannery & Gene Martin Mark Muir, Greg Haskins, David Spencer Rick Hughes & Gene Martin Matt Flannery and Sean Fox Erin Lo Susan Schaming - Odegard Eileen Ramasamy Linda Toogood Julie Knowles Kyu Chung

Rita Gordon, Gina Kassak, Susan Kaufman, Eileen Kennedy, Donna McHugh, Stephanie Moccia, Susan Odegard, Eileen Ramasamy, Kelly Redcay, Joanne Seltzer, Marybeth Taras, Linda Toogood

LCWGA

I

t’s hard to believe that the 2023 LCWGA season has officially come to an end. Our traditional closing day scramble was played under sunny skies on an unusually warm October day and followed by our end of year lunch meeting. At the meeting we said good-bye to our outgoing board members and approved the nominations for the 2024 season. Congratulations to the following new board members: President-Susan Kaufman, Vice President-Rita Gordon, Secretary-Lynne Sergi, Treasurer-Angela Rekant, 9 Hole Chair-Julie Knowles, Handicap ChairEileen Ramasamy, Rules Chair-Joanne Seltzer, and Tournament Chair-Chrissy Duman.

One of the most exciting things about Closing Day is finding out the overall winners for the season. Congratulations to our 2023 winners: 18 holers: Laurel Cup-Chrissy Duman, Most birdies-Eileen Ramasamy, Participation-Chrissy Duman, Ringer Board Gross-Eileen Ramasamy, Ringer Board Net-Lynne Demmerly, Chip insChristine Blessing, Lynne Demmerly and Chrissy Duman, Most improvement of handicap-Donna McHugh 9 holers: Laurel Cup-Julie Knowles, Participation-Linda Angstreich, Ringer Board gross-Heidi Bourke (front 9, back 9, and overall), Ringer Board front 9 net-Susan Studley, Ringer Board back 9 net and overall net-Linda Angstreich, Chip ins-Rita Gordon, Most improvement of handicapHeidi Bourke.

2023 was filled with many exciting golf events and matches. This month our final event of the season was held at our course where the LC team of Christine Blessing, Eileen Ramasamy, Eileen Burke, Chrissy Duman, Ineke Daniels, Susan Odegard, Heidi Bourke, Gina Kassak, Susan Kaufman, Marybeth Taras, Lisa Caruso, Rita Gordon, Kelly Redcay, and Lynne Demmerly defeated the ladies from the Moorestown Field Club to claim the Moorestown Cup. Also this month, we also saw the twosome of Chrissy Duman and Stephanie Moccia battle it out with Donna McHugh and Susan Odegard in the Championship Round of our Secretary’s Cup. Congratulations to Team Duman/Moccia for defeating two very talented golfers. Also, in a hard-fought match, Linda Toogood defeated Christine Blessing to win the 2023 President’s Cup. Great playing ladies, congratulations to all our winners!

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Karen Wright CLUBHOUSE MANAGER If you haven’t decided on your Thanksgiving plans, we have a wonderful buffet for your family’s enjoyment with seating’s at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. still available. Do you want to get a head start on your holiday shopping? Why not attend the Wine Show or the Ladies Sip & Shop on Thursday, November 16.

Reservations for all our events can be found on the App. Remember when booking your reservation, please select the child’s age from the drop-down menu located in the first column labeled “Headcount”.

If you have any questions or need assistance with making a reservation, please contact the F&B team.

So much is happening at the Club!

Complimentary Wine Tasting Blu Lounge December 7th 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Every Sunday Kids Eat Free!

5:00 – 8:00 p.m. with the purchase of an Adult Entree

CHEF’S CORNER

Pete Rosenblatt EXECU T I VE CHEF SAVORY SAUSAGE & APPLE STUFFING 8-10 servings 1lb cubed day-old crusty bread or packaged bread cubes 1lb ground pork or turkey sausage 8oz unsalted butter, plus 4oz 2 tbsp vegetable oil 2 granny smith apples, peeled and diced 1 medium yellow onion, diced 3 ribs celery, diced 3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped 2 tbsp fresh sage, chopped 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped 3 cups turkey or chicken broth Salt and pepper

JOAN KLINGER PRO SHOP

Thank you, Joan for all that you do!

Preheat oven to 350. In a large deep skillet sauté sausage in 2 tbsp vegetable oil over medium heat.

Using the back of a spoon, break the meat into small pieces until cooked through. Remove sausage from the pan and reduce to low heat. Add 8oz of butter, onions, celery, apples, and herbs. Season with salt and pepper and sauté for 7-10 minutes until soft.

Add the broth to the pan and bring just to a simmer.

In a large bowl combine the bread, sausage and broth mixture and season to taste. Butter a baking dish with 2 oz butter, transfer the stuffi ng into the dish and top evenly with 2 oz cubed butter. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour until the top is golden and crispy. *the uncooked stuffi ng can be made a day ahead and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before baking.

RACQUETS

Carol MacLennan DI REC TOR OF TE N N I S CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE LAUREL CREEK TENNIS CLUB CHAMPIONS!!

The 2023 Men’s Singles title was captured by new club champion Marcelo Bartholo in a 3-set battle against lefty Brian Kares. The final score was 6-3, 5-7, 7-6.

UP AND DOWN THE RIVER PARENT CHILD DOUBLES Congratulations to Nicholas and Marcelo Bartholo winners of the Parent Child Doubles Tournament

Lots of fun, great tennis, delicious lunch and lots of laughs of the End of the Season Ladies Day.

Sonia Bodiwala earned the title of Ladies Singles Club Champion by defeating another lefty, Richelle Rabenou.

Men’s Doubles – Joe Hanuscin & Brian Kares Women’s Doubles – Sonia Bodiwala & Reetika Joshi Mixed Doubles – TBD Men’s Pickleball Doubles – Vick Bobadilla & Aaron Moultrop Mixed Pickleball Doubles – Patty Genevro & Vick Bobadilla

What the heck is a “half-volley”? A half volley is when you hit the ball immediately after it bounces.

Here are some tips to make yours better: Get low and stay low through the hit • Keep your racquet out in front • Eliminate a backswing L14 • Guide the ball over the net using a nice, long follow through

ON THE COURSE

John Slade D IR E CTO R O F G O L F C O UR S E O P ER ATI ONS The bunker work in the golf course Master Plan led to a reduction in bunker area of almost 50%. In situations like this, one of the challenges we face is that any area which used to be a bunker consists of very sandy soil.

Growing grass on the beach is less than ideal, so in order to address this, we are going back through the areas where work took place over the past few years and adding compost to the soil. The material is first applied using one of our topdressers. After this it is aerified, then dragged in.

Additionally, the construction process may also leave an area heavily compacted. Examples of this are on #6 and 15 where the fairways were expanded. Again, aerifying will help to alleviate this issue.

As with many things on the course, this is not a one and done practice. The long term goal is to create a growing medium which is less compacted, and has a greater nutrient holding capacity.

Upcoming Events SUN

5 NFL Happy Hour Specials

MON

6

TUES

7

1

NOVEMBER

WED THURS

8 Inside The Ropes

FRI

SAT

2 NFL Happy Hour Specials

3 Live Music: Chris Stevens

4 Fall Gala

9 NFL Happy Hour Specials

11 10 Live Music: Live Music: Oliver Dagum Rich Cassenti

Holiday Wine Show

Movie Night on The Range

(Club Closes at 3 p.m.)

12 NFL Happy Hour Specials

13

14

15

16 Ladies’ Night Out

17 Live Music: Chris Stevens

18 Live Music: Michaela McClain

19 NFL Happy Hour Specials

20

21

22

23 Thanksgiving Buffet & Thanksgiving To Go

24 Live Music: Class A Kings

25 Live Music: Carl Filbert

Club Closes at 3:00 p.m.

26 NFL Happy Hour Specials

27

28

29 Holiday Tablescaping Workshop

30 NFL Happy Hour Specials Member Appreciation/ Tree Trimming

DECEMBER SUN

3 Santa Brunch

MON

4

Club Closes at 3:00 p.m.

10 Santa Brunch

TUES

5 6 Parent & Child Cookie Bake

7 NFL Happy Hour Specials

FRI

1 Live Music: Chris Stevens Band

SAT

2 Live Music: Doug Jennings

8 9 Live Music: Live Music: Oliver Dagum Mike Margarite Parent & Child Cookie Bake

11

12

Club Closes at 3:00 p.m.

17 NFL Happy Hour Specials

WED THURS

18

13 Parent & Child Cookie Bake

19 20 Parent & Child Cookie Bake

14 NFL Happy Hour Specials

15 Live Music: Chris Stevens Ugly Sweater Party in The Pub & Bistro

21 NFL Happy Hour Specials

16 Live Music: Michaela McClain Parent & Child Cookie Bake

22 Live Music: Class A Kings

23 Live Music: Joe Parker

29 Live Music: Scott Testerman

30 Live Music: Carl Filbert

Italian Dinner in Blu

24 Club Closes at 3:00 p.m.

25 Club & Course Closed

31 Family NYE Party

Club & Course Closed on January 1st

26

27

28 NFL Happy Hour Specials

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