LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Members,

As we wrap up the winter season, there are plenty of things to look forward to at Congressional this Spring. The start of the New Year has been busy at the Club. Dining, Club events, and all sports facilities have been extremely active. The racquet sports are having a great start this year due in part to the NEW pickleball courts, which have proven to be an excellent addition to the Club.

Club events are in high demand as we see registrations fill quickly. The Club’s goal is to accommodate as many Members as possible, so as we move forward, please use the Club’s website to sign up for events as soon as they are available to secure your spots.

The Club’s committees have been formed and their respective Chairs have been named. Our Members’ interest in joining committees further shows how strong our Club is. I want to thank all Members who applied for committee positions this year. Unfortunately, we cannot honor all requests, but if you wish to be a part of a committee next year, please reach out to the respective committee Chair.

The Admissions Committee has been working hard to evaluate all new Membership candidates. The process includes calling references, social media background checks, and asking current Members to weigh in on prospective Members. With the significant interest in membership at Congressional, the process is taking longer than in the past. We strive to accept the best new membership candidates that uphold the integrity of the Club and make Congressional a better place.

On the team front, Margarita Gilo has been selected as the new Assistant General Manager. Margarita will be joining the Congressional family in April. She brings over twenty years of experience in the hospitality industry, including 15+ years in platinumlevel clubs. Please introduce yourself to Margarita and welcome her to Congressional when you see her.

John Scott Ratan received the PGA Professional Development Award for the Middle Atlantic Section. This is a well-deserved honor for John Scott. Golf Digest has also selected Blake Thomas as one of the Top 40 under 40, Best Young Teachers in America. We are fortunate to have such great talent as John Scott and Blake—well done!

The Golf Shop was awarded the Association of Golf Merchandisers’ 10 Best in the World at the PGA Show in Orlando this past January, for the sixth consecutive year! Congratulations to Jason, Tracey, Lillie, and the entire golf team for their continued success.

Pete Wendt and his team are working hard to maintain and beautify the Club’s grounds, and we thank them for their tremendous efforts in upholding Congressional’s extraordinary appearance. Work is underway on the Blue and Gold courses, with tree trimming, drainage, and sod work as the primary focus. (One of the greatest transformations in our Club’s history has paid off, and I’m thrilled to say that our famed Blue Course has been renamed The Best Course in Maryland!) Additional beautification has been completed around the Tennis Facility and other parts of the Club. As we get closer to April and May, you will see more exterior work on the Club’s grounds as we prepare for Summer. Thank you again to Pete and his team for all their hard work!

The Board is working on the LongRange Plan (LRP). With a 100-yearold building and the contents within it. We must continue to focus on the capital improvements of the Club. Over the past twenty years, the Club’s net physical assets have more than tripled in value from $21 million to $72 million. Despite the increase, our capital sourcing plan has not changed. Looking at the ten years ahead, the current capital plan will only fund the maintenance of our existing physical facilities, leaving little left for future improvements. We are looking at several projects that we would like to complete over the next few years. Our primary focus is on the Grounds Maintenance facility. The Board is preparing all the necessary information and plans to be presented to the Membership. Stay tuned—we are planning several Town Hall meetings, along with a membership meeting and vote to follow.

As a reminder, Congressional will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year! A Centennial committee is being formed and will be chaired by Past President, Mark Giarraputo. As we prepare for this momentous event, please share any information to help us celebrate—photos, Club memorabilia, stories, etc. A 100th anniversary book is also in the process of being written. If you would like to provide stories and/or photos, please contact Maxine Harvey—your help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you all for your continued support. I look forward to seeing you and your families at the Club.