THE CREEK
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Hours of Operation
Golf Course
Michael Hughey President
Dean Kramer Vice President
John Venne Treasurer
Erich Herkloz Secretary
Scott Duman
Sean Fox
Kiel Gilliland
John Higgins
Thomas Koerner
Greg Markus
Chris Noyes
Tyler Prime
March 11th to March 31st
Tuesday to Thursday 8:00 a.m. to Sunset
Friday 7:30 to Sunset
Saturday & Sunday
7:00 a.m. to Sunset
Pro Shop
Tuesday to Friday
7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday
6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tennis
Courts are open for play
Dining
Pub & Bistro:
Tuesday thru Friday 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Pool & Oasis
Open 7 Days a Week 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Bob Hennefer
INTERIM GENERAL MANAGER
Summer is in full swing at Laurel Creek!
We hope you’re enjoying the sunshine, long days, and all the joys that summer brings. Whether you’re relaxing poolside, taking part in our golf or tennis academies, or simply enjoying time with family and friends, there’s no better place to spend your summer than here at Laurel Creek.
Family Fun All Summer Long
Our pool and splash pad are bustling with energy, and we’re thrilled to see so many families enjoying everything the club has to offer!
Check your email and App and Mark Your Calendars for These Great July Events:
• Deadly Details: A Dinner with a True Crime Guru – A night of mystery, storytelling, and suspense!
• 4th of July Pool Party – Celebrate Independence Day with poolside fun, great food, and patriotic spirit.
• Seafood Boil at the Pool – A summer tradition packed with delicious flavor and casual fun.
• A night in New Orleans – A summer dinner evening in Blu
• Club Championships – Test your competitive edge in our Men’s, Ladies’, and Junior Club Championships.
Friendly Reminders for a Great Club Experience:
To ensure everyone enjoys their time at Laurel Creek, please keep the following guidelines in mind:
• Dress Code: Proper golf attire is required on the course and proper dress is required in the clubhouse as well.
• Pool Attire: Please keep swimsuits, cover-ups, and pool wear at the pool area. Pool attire is not permitted in the Clubhouse.
• Pool Safety: Children must be fully pottytrained to swim in the main pool. Swim diapers are only permitted in the baby pool.
• Golf Cart Policy: All golf cart drivers must have a valid driver’s license – no exceptions.
Stay Cool & Hydrated
With the summer heat upon us, please remember to drink plenty of water, take breaks, and use sunscreen. Whether you’re teeing off, relaxing at the pool, or enjoying dinner on the patio, your health and safety are a top priority.
We’re Here for You
As always, our dedicated department heads and team members are here to ensure every visit is seamless, enjoyable, and memorable. Whether you frequent the club daily or stopping in between summer getaways, we look forward to making your time at Laurel Creek truly special. Wishing you a safe, sunny, and spectacular July!
Patty Fagan
DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP
July has arrived, and Laurel Creek is in full summer mode. From sunny afternoons at the pool to packed tee sheets and lively evenings on the tennis courts, it’s a joy to see the club buzzing with life.
Last month, we hosted our first annual Prospective Member Cup, and despite it being one of the hottest days of the season, it was a huge success. We had 18 enthusiastic players tee it up, although six guests had to cancel due to the extreme heat. Still, the day was filled with great golf, laughter, and plenty of smiles. Following the outing, spouses joined us for a cocktail reception, and it was wonderful to see everyone mingling and making new connections. A special thanks to Chef Peter for the delicious and beautifully presented spread he prepared for our members and their guests. Most exciting of all, the event resulted in three new membership applications, which made all the planning and perspiration completely worth it.
Our KE Camp is also officially underway, and it’s been heartwarming to see the kids soaking up the summer fun. Whether they’re splashing in the pool, trying their hand at golf or tennis, or simply enjoying crafts and games with friends, their energy brings such a special vibrancy to the club.
As we move deeper into the season, there’s so much more to look forward to; more events, more sunshine, and more chances to connect with friends new and old. Whether you’re on the course, courts, or poolside, I hope to see you enjoying everything Laurel Creek has to offer this July.
Stay cool out there and don’t forget your sunscreen.
New Members
April Novak & Amine Bencheikh
Monica Gupta & Samir Panvelker
WEDNESDAY,JULY30|6PM TH
We’rebringingtheboldflavorsandvibrant soundsofNewOrleansrighttoyourtableat thisone-night-onlyPop-UpDinnerinBlu.
Experienceaneveninginspiredbythesoulof theCrescentCity,featuring:
AmenuofNewOrleansclassicsandcreative twists
Alivejazzbandperformingthroughoutthe night
Dishesthatcapturethespice,soul,and southerncharmofLouisiana
Brett Fernandes
HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL
As everyone can tell by stepping outside, summer is in full swing. With that, the need for hydration on the golf course is amplified. New this season, we have updated refreshment stations around the clubhouse and golf course to serve our daily players better. You will now find a water station outside of the golf shop as well as the Palmer House, in addition to our water stations between holes 2/12, 8/15, and behind 9s green. The club will also provide iced towels for players at the coolers on holes 2 and 12 and as well as 8 and 15.
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON
With the heat of summer comes the Club Championship season. Before our August Newsletter, we will have identified our 2025 Men’s Club Champion. Greg Markus defends his 2024 title against a stacked group of players, all of whom will begin the qualifying process in the middle of this month. As a friendly reminder, even if you do not want to test your skills from the Championship tees, we hope you will sign up and attempt to qualify for one of the flights in the event. Handicap indexes 2.9 and lower are eligible for the Championship Flight, 3-7.9 for the Palmer Flight, 8-11.9 for the Palmer/ Medal (Arnie) flight, and 12-20.0 for the Medal Flight. Sign-ups will run until July 10 and can be found in the app. We hope to see as many players as possible starting the qualification process on July 12!
STAFF NEWS
Every month, the department heads nominate and vote on the Employee of the Month. This month, I nominated one of our Teaching Professionals, John Appleget, who won the award. Affectionately known by most of the staff and many of the members as Apple, John is an integral part of what we do as a staff. He leads our junior golf programs and serves as a valuable resource for all members. While he teaches players of all ages, his work with our juniors is what most people will notice. He has spearheaded the golf side of our junior camps, which began last week and helped to keep juniors playing outside of golf season with PGA Jr. League. John has created a mentorship program where juniors who have graduated from or outgrown our camps come back to help on camp days. Their knowledge and ability to relate to our young golfers are invaluable, and they embody the family dynamic we have at Laurel Creek Country Club. If you are looking to enroll your child in one of our summer programs, please visit the app under “Junior Clinics” and register accordingly. There are limited spots available throughout the rest of the summer.
LCWGA
Neither rain nor hot weather kept the Laurel Creek Ladies from golfing in the month of June but the Member-Member Event took center stage over a period of two weeks with the Emoji theme on full display. Competition was fun and friendly and victory was achieved by the following ladies: for the Eighteen Holers week one closest to the pin went to Eileen Burke, week two went to Lynne Demmerly, week one longest drive was won by Stephanie Moccia and Eileen Ramasamy had the longest drive for week two. For the Eighteen Holers overall first place was won by Grace Chung and Donna McHugh and second place was won by Susan Kaufman and Stephanie Moccia. For the Nine Holers week one closest to the pin was won by Jennifer Halfpenny and Noelle Noyes took closest to the pin in week two. Week one longest drive went to Heidi Bourke that she repeated in week two as well! Overall winners for the Nine Holers were Heidi Bourke and Jennifer Halfpenny with Julie Knowles and Linda Angstreich taking second place. Congratulations to all winners and a big shout out to all participants for joining in.
The Nine Holers Match Play League played its last match at Ramblewood this month. While it was not a winning season for matches (6 wins, 2 ties, 17 losses)
Susan Studley, a fearless captain, had this to say: “What I enjoy the most about this league is the sense of camaraderie among all of the ladies. We get to meet wonderful people, share laughs and play other courses.” Could not agree with Sue more and we thank her for her excellent leadership!
Still lots of golf left to play this summer so don’t hesitate to sign up for Wednesday Tournament play, Trenton District, Nine and Dines, Solheim Cup and of course Member-Guest on September 24th. The summer always goes so quickly.
See you on the course!
Ryan Reeves
DIRECTOR OF FOOD & BEVERAGE
We’re diving back into a very important and ongoing topic: making reservations at Laurel Creek Country Club. We love that Laurel Creek dining is your go-to spot for a spontaneous meal close to home, enjoyed with friends and family. We enjoy seeing everyone on busy nights. Your energy truly makes our club come alive!
As everyone knows, we highly encourage members to make reservations in the Pub & Bistro. When you do not have a reservation, we cannot guarantee you will be seated upon your arrival. Parties without reservations may be placed on a waitlist of up to 30 minutes.
Making a reservation ensures that we know you’re coming, understand your preferences, and can seat you in your desired area and table. Our goal is to provide members with the best possible service, and having a reservation is the first step toward that.
Preparing for large, unexpected crowds, say 100 people arriving during dinner when we were expecting just 50, is extremely challenging for our team. We staff accordingly based on expected volume, which also influences how much food we prep to ensure you receive the freshest products. When attending club events, we strongly encourage you to make a reservation beforehand or afterwards to ensure we have space for your party. If you have trouble booking a reservation through the app, please call the club. Our receptionists and managers can assist in providing available dining options and times.
Please note that Blu no longer offers fine dining service on weekends. Instead, we host themed pop-up dinners such as Italian Night, Night in Paris, Farm to Table, and future themes. These dinners fill up quickly, so we recommend booking your reservation as soon as possible. We are excited for our newest pop-up on July 30th “A Night in New Orleans,” an immersive dinner celebrating the vibrant soul of Louisiana with exquisite Cajun cuisine, soulful jazz melodies, and the lively spirit of NOLA’s unique culture. This will be an unforgettable evening of flavor, music, and Southern charm.
Lastly, Chef Pete has a fun summer special coming up at the pool on Saturday, July 19th. It’s a traditional Maryland style seafood boil with plenty of Old Bay seasoning. Reservations are now open for your boil bucket, each serving one person or a bucket for two. Be sure to reserve a bucket for each attendee at your party.
JOHN APPLEGET TEACHING PROFESSIONAL
Thank you, John for all that you do!
Pete Rosenblatt
EXECUTIVE CHEF
Korean BBQ Chicken Wings Wings: yields 6-8 portions
4 pounds fresh chicken wings, separated at the joint
2 tbs minced ginger
1 tbs minced garlic
¼ cup soy sauce
3 tbs vegetable oil
¼ cup sliced scallion
1 tbs sesame seeds
Glaze:
2 tbs minced ginger
2 tbs minced garlic
2 tbs gochujang chili sauce
½ cup soy sauce
½ cup honey
3 tbs brown sugar
2 tbs white vinegar
1 ½ tbs sesame oil
Method:
1. Wings: In a large bowl combine the wings with 2 tbs ginger, 2 tbs garlic, ¼ cup soy sauce, and 3 tbs vegetable oil, toss evenly and marinate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
2. Glaze: In a small pot over medium heat, sweat ginger and garlic in sesame oil for 30 seconds, add remaining ingredients, reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Reserve
3. Grill wings over medium heat for approximately 5 to 7 minutes per side or until lightly charred and cooked through. In a large bowl combine cooked wings with the glaze, ¼ cup scallion and 1 tbs black sesame seeds. Toss the wings evenly to coat and serve.
Daniel Batchelor
DIRECTOR OF TENNIS
Summer is in full swing, and the courts have been buzzing with activity, competition, and community. July brings more exciting events and opportunities to play, learn, and enjoy the game. Here’s what’s happening this month in our racquets world:
TENNIS UPDATE
Thank You to Our Ladies Member-Guest Participants!
A huge thank you to everyone who participated in our Ladies Member-Guest event in June. It was a wonderful day of tennis, laughter, and camaraderie we loved seeing so many friendly faces and competitive matches!
Tennis
Start
Camp is Off to a Fantastic
Our Summer Tennis Camp is in full swing, and the courts are filled with energy and enthusiasm. The kids are having a blast while building skills, making friends, and staying active all summer long.
July
4th Red vs Blue Live Ball Clinic
Start your Independence Day with a bang join us for a special July 4th Live Ball Clinic! Fast-paced, high-energy fun to kick off the holiday in style. Make sure to wear Red or Blue!
July 24th – The “Divorce Open” Mixed Doubles Night
One of the most entertaining events of the summer! The “Divorce Open” returns Wednesday, July 24—grab your better half (or rent one for the evening) and prepare for an evening of laughter and light-hearted competition.
Weekly Leagues & Clinics
Men’s League continues Tuesday nights with great match play and strong competition.
Ladies “Drill & Play” League runs Thursday evenings—an hour of skill-building followed by organized doubles.
As always, our full schedule of clinics for all levels is available throughout the week. Come out and keep your game sharp!
PICKLEBALL UPDATE
Congrats to Our Interclub Team! A big shoutout to our Pickleball Interclub Team for a strong and spirited season! The level of play and sportsmanship was great to see. We’ll be back in action this fall with even more fire.
Summer In-House Round Robin Coming Soon
While interclub takes a break, we’re planning a new in-house round robin for all levels this summer. It’s a great way to stay active, meet other players, and enjoy casual competition in a friendly setting.
New to Pickleball? Come Try It!
If you’ve never played, there’s no better time to start. Our Beginner Clinics are designed to get you on the court quickly—and trust us, you’ll be hooked after your first session!
Here’s to another great month on the courts. Whether you’re training hard, playing for fun, or just enjoying the community, there’s a place for you here.
See you out there!
John Slade
DIRECTOR OF GOLF COURSE OPERATIONS
In the past, golf courses were portrayed as having a negative impact on the environment. Fortunately, a good deal of time, effort, and scientific research have been spent to debunk this myth. Given the abundance of flora and fauna, it certainly would be challenging for anyone who frequented Laurel Creek to believe this fallacy.
Following a recent site visit by an Audubon International staff member, we received our recertification as an Audubon International Certified Cooperative Sanctuary. Laurel Creek has maintained this status since 2002--additional evidence that golf and environmental stewardship can coexist.
In contrast to what we see today, prior to the construction of the golf course, much of the property was being mined for clay and gravel, and had a post-apocalyptic appearance:
Upcoming Events JULY
