The Springfield Story, April 2023

Springfield Golf & Country Club the SPRINGFIELD STORY

2023 Board of Directors

David DeLorenzo President david.delorenzo@gmail.com

703.887.0505

John Astorino Vice President

john.astorino@longandfoster.com

703.898.5148

Caitlin Clark Secretary sheaclark@comcast.net

703.967.8997

Bob Sampson Treasurer bsampson71@gmail.com

703.362.0027

Mike Cozad mcozad@advairac.com

703.926.6758

Tom Davis tdavis@gandrellc.com 703.772.5015

Joe English jenglish@bsbllc.com 571.214.4673

John Palladino jape199@aol.com 703.901.0744

Charles Rolen rolencw@gmail.com 703.862.9370

2023 Committees

Audit

Joe English jenglish@bsbllc.com 571.214.4673

Communications

Katie Kissal katiekissal@gmail.com 703.244.4583

Finance

Bob Sampson bsampson71@gmail.com

703.362.0027

Fitness

Gayle Burgoyne gayleburgoyne@aol.com

703.455.3985

Food & Beverage

Brandon Streicher brandon.streicher@gmail.com

414.628.2362

Golf

David Kelly davidnkelly@verizon.net

703.786.0980

Green

Dan Derisio dderisio@yahoo.com 703.618.1720

House

Julie Graham juliegraham10@me.com 703.650.8788

Membership

Jon Danforth danforth.jon@gmail.com 703.409.7383

Personnel

John Astorino john.astorino@longandfoster.com 703.898.5148

Rules

Lynn Blasch cl.blasch@verizon.net 703.451.1448

Social Jen Palladino jennix4@aol.com 703.303.8779

Natalee Olah olahnatalee@gmail.com

Strategic Planning

Joe English jenglish@bsbllc.com 571.214.4673

Swim/Pool

Mike Goede goedes@me.com 703.927.0941

Tennis Campbell Palmer campbell.palmer@gmail.com 703.258.2255

Board Report

BY DAVID DELORENZO | BOARD PRESIDENT

Happy Spring! On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to extend a warm welcome to our new members who got to celebrate their first opening day of the golf season.

Each year, the President says it’s going to be an exciting one at SGCC, and this year is no different as spring is truly a season for change. First, we will be welcoming Steve Lawson as our new General Manager/Chief Operating Officer in early May. Steve brings a wealth of experience and talent and is excited to meet the membership. Please be sure to give him a big Springfield welcome when he gets here. He is currently at Washington Golf and Country Club and is very familiar with SGCC.

I want to thank our Search Committee, led by Vice President John “Astro” Astorino, for their hard work and commitment. I believe our process was well planned and executed. With our search firm screening candidates from twenty different states and only bringing forward the best, the entire team is confident that we found exactly what we were looking for in Steve.

As you know, April kicks off the beginning of our fiscal year. The Finance Committee, staff, and the Board have been hard at work planning and developing our budget. I want to dispel some notions that with the clubhouse loan payments ending we are “flush with cash.” While we are in a stronger financial position than we have been in a while, this has not been without hard work and commitment.

Over the last four years, the Board has pushed to develop an operational reserve, along with our capital reserve. This means that much of our cash is allocated to current projects, capital maintenance, and maintaining Board-set reserve levels. The ability to repair our spillway is attributed to the fact that we have set these reserves aside for such contingencies.

It is also no secret that inflation is hitting us hard, and costs are up across the board from labor, to food, to supplies. In order to maintain our levels of service and manage our cash flow, we will be enacting a 5% dues increase this year effective May 1, 2023. The CIF contributions will not change. Additionally, we will be increasing out service fee from 18% to 20%. As you know, the service fee contributes to the overall wages of our service staff and will allow us to attract and retain a strong team.

We continue to see interest in membership and remain on a small waiting list for our Social membership. Our Active memberships are healthy, but we have room for some new members so please refer a friend and help our community grow.

Our sense of community is very important to SGCC, and it is important to always be mindful of other members. While we all enjoy a good time, it should never be at the expense of others’ enjoyment of the Club. The Board will be pushing new management to more strictly enforce rules around our code of conduct, dress code, and general decorum while on property, especially inside the Clubhouse.

Our course renovations continue under new Superintendent Shawn Gill. We had a wonderful celebration in early March to recognize the retirement of Lentz Wheeler. Lentz took our course from good to great during his tenure and now Shawn will continue the excellent work. There was extensive tree and turf work done over the winter and I think everyone is excited, and maybe a little scared, to tee it up from the new tee boxes on #3. This will be one of the most beautiful holes in all of Northern Virginia as it grows in. Shawn is also leading the spillway repairs that will afford us the time to get a permanent plan in place.

Continued on page 4

I am happy to announce that our new fleet of golf carts should be arriving in mid-May and will provide all of the modern amenities that a premier club should have. The carts will include GPS screens that will not only give course information, but can also track pace of play (a major initiative this year) a well as sync with Golf Genius for tracking tournament scoring. There are a lot of other great features that you’ll be able to check out when the carts arrive. The cart fees will increase by $2 for 18 holes this year.

Our tennis facility renovations are putting on some finishing touches for Phase 1 and the place looks fantastic. Our outdoor courts and the pool are also getting ready for their face lifts. I have seen so much great activity around tennis, pickleball, and junior programming over the winter months. I would like to say the long cold winter is over and it is time for some golf, but this has been a very golf-friendly winter and I have never seen the course in such great shape this time of year. Regardless, I am ready for the 2023 golf season and all that it will bring. Don’t miss the chance to sign up for our new premiere golf event the Member-Member tournament, as well as all our events. See you around the Club! 

SGCC: Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary

BY EMILY KAUFFMAN DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION

In honor of Earth Month, let’s take a deeper dive into the environmental stewardship practiced at our Club.

You’ve no doubt enjoyed the beautiful blooms around the property, but it’s not all tulips and daffodils. While those flowers add a gorgeous aesthetic to our home-away-from-home, many of the plants cultivated by our Grounds Crew serve a larger ecological purpose. Springfield Golf & Country Club achieved certification as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in 2018, but what does that mean?

Audubon International is the current iteration of what began in the early 1900s as part of President Theodore Roosevelt’s conservation efforts. The guiding mission of Audubon International is to create environmentally sustainable environments where people live, work, and play—including golf courses.

The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf helps courses enhance their valuable natural spaces and wildlife habitats while improving efficiency, minimizing the harmful side effects of golf course management—such as chemical runoff— and preserving the natural heritage of the game. When a golf course begins its journey toward certification, they receive a Site Assessment and Environmental Planning guide that helps

establish baselines such as the number of bird and mammal species, vegetation, region-specific issues, and water quality that help determine areas for improvement.

If you read the career retrospective on former Golf Course Superintendent Lentz Wheeler in the March issue of “The Springfield Story,” then you know achieving certification was an extremely time-consuming process, but also the most rewarding accomplishment of Lentz’s extensive career. The push for certification saw an increase in natural land protected from disturbance, a reduction of managed turf-grass areas (meaning it was converted into a natural habitat), and a 25% increase in naturalized shorelines along our ponds and creeks.

Let’s Pollinate!

When the SGCC Crew began working toward certification in 2010, the Club had twenty-five “aesthetic” gardens and a small vegetable/herb garden near the kitchen. To fulfill the Environmental Case Study requirement, the Grounds Crew began work on a wildlife pollinator garden with the goal of attracting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, all of which are vital pollinators. Pollinators are crucial for our ecosystem; they facilitate the reproduction of 90% of the world’s flowering plants, and are essential for food systems, habitats, and other natural resources.

Since 2010, the Club has added three pollinating gardens: 15 tee, 15/16 green, and 3 tee. We also maintain several beehives on the course which increase the efficacy of these gardens while also providing signature SGCC honey that our culinary team uses in dinner, dessert, and drink specials for the membership. If you’ve been a member for a while, then you know we also expanded the original herb garden from a few beds growing basil and mint to a garden full of a wide variety of vegetables from squash to tomatoes to peppers that now covers most of the hill next to the kitchen.

What About the Water?

Water from our course feeds into Accotink Creek then Accotink Bay, Gunston Cove, the Potomac River, and the Chesapeake Bay before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. While certain protections were already in place due to the 1993 Fairfax County Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance, minimizing chemical runoff by creating more effective buffer areas and implementing Integrated Pest Management programs that

reduce the need for spraying and fertilizing were top priorities during our certification process. Water testing now shows that water is actually cleaner as it leaves our property than when it enters! Further, we’ve never experienced algae bloom in any of the bodies of water on our course which indicates excellent nutrient management. Plant material in our waterways mitigates nitrates and the pond acts as a sort of phosphorous sink, capturing some of the phosphorous load from the streams that feed it and making it readily available for plant uptake.

You probably noticed the large piles of organic material drying on the course this winter. When we dredge the lake to remove sediment and other natural build up, we let it dry then use this rich organic material to fertilize other areas of the course— recycling at its finest!

Birders Paradise

Part of the Audubon Certification is education and outreach. To that end, we’ve established nature trails with bluebird, owl, and bat houses that our campers enjoy exploring in the summer months. We also host “Early Birdie” golf course tours in the spring where members take a guided trip around the course to try and spot the many bird species that make their home on our golf course. If you’ve never taken part in one of these tours, make sure to reserve a spot for our next set of tours coming up on April 22 and 23.

Where Do We Go from Here?

Audubon Certification is not a one-and-done; we were recertified in 2021 and will seek recertification again soon. Our efforts to enhance the natural wonder of our course are ongoing, as are our efforts to effectively manage chemical application. Members can help by paying attention to signage around the course and following local rules in place to protect wildlife gardens. Other seemingly small efforts like properly fixing ball marks, throwing away trash, and obeying cart rules also go a long way toward our overall environmental goals. If you’re looking for more ways to help, consider picking up a reusable SGCC water bottle in the Pro Shop and filling it at a water fountain instead of using a disposable, plastic water bottle next time you hit the golf course. 

Oh, Honey, Honey...

BY LINDSAY WEBB | PASTRY CHEF

How to Substitute Honey for Sugar in Baking

Honey can be a healthier substitute for processed white sugar. All honey isn’t created equal, some being two-to-three times sweeter than granulated sugar. When swapping honey for traditional sugar, a good rule of thumb is to substitute ½ - ⅔ cups of honey for every 1 cup of sugar called for in the recipe. Don’t forget to reduce the liquid in the recipe by ¼ cup for every 1 cup of honey being used. Honey is roughly 20% water and will have an impact on the liquid content. Additionally, honey is acidic, so if the recipe doesn’t call for baking soda, a little will need to be added to help tame the acidity. Lowering the oven temperature is a key factor as well because honey has a higher sugar content than granulated sugar and will caramelize more quickly. Try reducing your oven temperature by 25˚ Fahrenheit for optimal results.

The following recipe doesn’t require any substitutions...just follow along and get ready to enjoy some delicious springflavored dessert!

HONEY VANILLA POTS DE CRÈME

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup (175 ml) heavy cream

• ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk

• ¼ cup (90g) mild-flavored honey

• pinch fine sea salt

• 3 large egg yolks

• ½ vanilla bean, seeds scraped (substitute ½ teaspoon vanilla paste or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a wet paper towel or cloth flat in the bottom of a baking dish (this will prevent the ramekins from sliding). Arrange oven-safe ramekins on top, leaving an inch of space between each one. In a saucepan or spouted kettle, bring about 3 cups of water to a simmer. You will need this later for the water bath.

2. Combine cream, milk, honey, and salt in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat until honey is dissolved and mixture starts to steam.

3. In a bowl, vigorously whisk egg yolks for 30 seconds until lightened. Slowly ladle warm cream mixture, about 1/4 cup at a time, into egg yolks, whisking constantly, until about half of the cream has been incorporated and mixture is warm to the touch. Whisk in remaining cream and vanilla.

4. Divide custard among prepared ramekins. Carefully pour hot water into pan around ramekins until the water comes about half-way up the sides. Very carefully place baking pan in oven, taking care not to splash water into the custards (or yourself, it’s very hot!) You may find it easier to place the baking pan on an extended oven rack first, then pour the water into the pan and slide it back into the oven.

5. Bake for about 40 to 50 minutes (more or less depending on the size/depth of your ramekins) or until edges are firm and centers are still slightly jiggly. Carefully remove pan from oven. Let cool completely to room temperature, then remove ramekins from baking pan. Lightly cover with plastic wrap and chill until firm, about 2 to 3 hours. Serve chilled or at room temperature. 

Practice Makes Progress!

Congratulations to all our High School Team players who made their teams this year! They’re been training hard during our High School Team Clinics as well as during private lessons, and we’re so happy that their dedication has paid off. We’re proud of you!

Avril and Aubin Barcheck, Grace Stricherz, Eleanor Heinbaugh, Ella Russell, and Julia Welsh all made the West Springfield Girls tennis team.

Rhys Compton and Omid Yarian made the Lake Braddock Boys team. 

What Is Proper Pace of Play?

BY DAVID KELLY | CHAIR, GOLF COMMITTEE

Did you know there is a new pace of play policy in effect this season at SGCC?

The Golf Committee examined tens of thousands of data points to determine how long it actually takes players to play each hole and recommended an 18 hole pace of 4:15 (2:05 for the front, 2:10 for the back).

There are many causes of slow play: the individual golfer, course setup, weather, and tee time policies are just some of the variables that contribute to slow play. The Golf Committee considered these factors in developing a multi-faceted solution and policy.

While some members enjoy a leisurely 5+ hour round of golf, for many playing a round that lasts over 4 hours is too long. Given the volume of play we have seen since the pandemic, establishing a consistent pace of play policy that functions with a full tee sheet is an important component to providing an enjoyable experience at Springfield Golf & Country Club.

What does proper pace of play look like?

The answer has very different meanings for many of us and directly affects individual enjoyment levels. Most players think you need to keep up with the group in front of you. However, the expectation that a player is standing at their ball ready to hit as soon as the group in front is out of range or walking off the green directly contributes to increased waiting times on the course. Ideally, a player should be able to walk up and play with no wait. Generally speaking, keeping pace means staying within 8 minutes (3/4 of a hole) of the group ahead of you. Obviously, there are conditions in a round that dictate differences (looking for lost balls, rules issues, etc.).

Pace of Play is Everyone’s Job

Maintaining the proper pace of play is everyone’s responsibility. Players, professional staff, superintendent, and club policies all share ownership in developing a sound policy. There is not a single solution.

What can players do to improve pace of play?

• Choose the correct set of tees based on playing ability; make sure you play from tees that allow you to reach all holes in regulation.

• Play ready golf and hit when it’s your turn; take multiple clubs around the greens or when away from your cart.

• Read your putt prior to your turn; do not wait to finish tap-ins.

• Plan your shot before you get to your ball.

• Keep your pre-shot routine short. Try to take no more than one or two practice swings, then set up to the ball and play your shot. Start moving toward your next shot promptly.

• Hit first, then search. Play your shot before going over to help your playing partner.

• Be helpful to others in your group.

• Follow the flight of all tee shots, not just your own. Once in the fairway, help others look for their ball if you already know the location of yours.

• The handicap system allows for a maximum score. If you reach it, pick up, regroup, and try again the next hole. The max score is a net double bogey for any player.

• When on the putting green, leave your extra clubs between the hole and your cart or bag if walking.

• If walking, position your bag in a fashion that leads you in a straight line to the next tee.

• Park golf carts on the path that would allow players a quicker route to the next tee.

• After your group holes out, move directly to the next

tee. Wait to replace clubs in your bags, and write down your scores, on the next tee.

• When riding a cart with a partner, drop one player off at their ball and then drive to the other player’s golf ball.

• If carts are restricted to the path, drop the player further away and then drive equidistant to your ball. The player dropped off first can then walk diagonally to the cart.

• Players should arrive to the first tee no later than 5 minutes prior to their tee time.

• Use local rules for Lost Ball and Stroke and Distance if a provisional ball was not played.

• Search time for golf balls is 3 minutes from the time the player is in the vicinity of where the ball is thought to be.

What will the professional staff/management do to improve pace of play?

• Provide proper tee time intervals to prevent overcrowding

• Routinely have someone start groups on 1st hole

• Not allow groups who miss tee times to be squeezed in

• Communicate with players the proper expectations for play or of progress during the round

• Ride the course to advise groups of their pace of play if there is an issue

• If necessary, forecaddie for groups that are out of position

Please know that if a staff member approaches your group about being out of position, it is not a personal attack against you. They are just trying to provide an enjoyable experience for everyone on the course that day, and we all know pace of play is a big part of the daily experience.

Official Policy

If a group gets out of position, they should be able to get back in position in the next two holes. If that group does not regain position, they can expect a visit from the professional staff asking them to regain their position. Should the problem

continue after a reasonable amount of time, the professional staff will once again reinforce the need to close the gap. At this point, it may be necessary to re-position your group back behind the group in front by skipping a hole. A final reminder may provide an option to skip any open holes and reposition the group back in place or discontinue play.

An offense of the Pace of Play Policy is defined as:

1. Having professional staff give an on-course warning more than twice for 9 holes or three times for 18 holes

2. Finishing 9 holes more than 25 minutes behind pace or 18 holes 45 minutes behind pace.

3. Being asked to pick up and move ahead a hole in order to restore position with the group in front of you.

How will offenses be handled?

• 1st Offense Warning from Director of Golf with some videos and/or helpful hints to review

• 2nd Offense (within 12 months) Notice from Director of Golf Will serve as the first “official” notice

• 3rd Offense (within 12 months of 1st offense) Notice from General Manager The notice from the General Manager will come as a final warning and will let the member know the process of what happens if another offense occurs.

• 4th Offense (within 12 months of first offense) Notice from the Golf Committee about pending hearing. Player will continue to have reservation privileges until the Golf Committee has made a decision based off factual data.

After the hearing has concluded, the Golf Committee can impose any reduction/suspension of privileges. The Golf Committee will then notify the member of any alteration to their booking privileges and how long the alterations are in effect.

In addition, the professional staff will have flexibility before sending notices. Things that may be considered include, but are not limited to, cart path only restrictions, stroke play tournaments, playing behind a slow group, etc. 

Swim with the Sea Lions this Summer!

Join us on Tuesday, April 11 from 6:00-8:00 PM in the Clubhouse to learn about SGCC’s junior swim team and swim lesson offerings. We’ll have vendors on site for suit fittings and so you can pick up gear like goggles, swim caps, etc. for your swimmer.

Our swim team is part of the Dominion Country Club League, and is open to member dependents ages 4-18 who are able to swim the length of the pool safely and consistently. No experience is necessary! We’re happy to teach your child the

strokes. Please note, swimmers cannot participate in another league.

New to SGCC? Swim team is the best way for kids and parents alike to meet fellow members and make friends. We have all levels of swimmers from record-holders to those just there for the friendship and awesome dance parties.

Can’t make it on April 11? Email sgccsealions@gmail.com for more information. 

Coach’s Corner

BY BRANDEN BEETS, USPTA, USTA HIGH PERFORMANCE COACH, USPTR, PPR DIRECTOR OF RACQUET SPORTS

What we say isn’t always what they hear…

Throughout my journey as a coach those words have had a strong impact on my development. Andre Agassi said, “Tennis coaching isn’t about what you know, it’s about what they learn.” I completely agree. Each individual learns differently. Some players need to hear it, others see it, read it, or do it! Our team uses dry erase boards, video analysis, on-court demonstrations, and verbalization to connect with players. The sooner you

figure out how your student learns, the easier it is to relay your message!

Personally, I learn best by reading and then doing. As the game has evolved, the study of analytics and game theory has really taken off. I LOVE it. I’m trying to get better as a coach every day and knowing which strategies matter most in winning matches is critical as the team season quickly approaches.

What is the #1 win predictor of a singles or doubles match on

hard court? Think about it! When I ask players this question the responses are all over the place. Fewer unforced errors? Higher first serve percentage? Higher return of serve percentage? Deuce points won? Break points converted? Higher winning percentage of rallies lasting between 0-4 shots? 5-8 shots? 9+ shots? Faster first serve?

Researcher Craig O’Shannessy, who has worked with numerous players including Novak Djokovic and Matteo Berrettini, sought to answer this very question. He dissected the last five years of data of every match played at the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open. Every possible metric was calculated. The resounding answer is…. rallies lasting between 0-4 shots (and it wasn’t even close). This goes for men’s AND women’s tennis! This metric is also the highest win predictor for clay court matches.

So, how are we going to use this information to make the practice court more efficient heading into Interclub season? We will be working on the serve, return of serve, serve +1, and the return +1 patterns. The first four shots of a rally!

You’ve heard your coaches say the serve and return of serve are the most important shots in the game of tennis. Now you’ve read it too. Do yourself a favor…book a court and practice some serves! Grab a friend and purposefully hit serves and returns. The season is a few weeks away, so don’t try and make any major changes that will affect your confidence. Do focus on placement, rhythm, and the timing of your serve. Don’t forget to go outdoors and face the adversity of the sun/wind. And don’t roll your eyes at me when in your group lesson we take some time to work on serve and return 

This month marks my One Year Anniversary of joining the team at Springfield Golf & Country Club. Wow, has time flown. I greatly appreciate the support and kindness shown throughout our time together. Thank you for the opportunity. 

Spring Fitness Open House

Please join us at the Fitness Center on Saturday, April 22 from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM for our Spring Open House. This is the perfect opportunity to get to know some of our Fitness Instructors and familiarize yourselves with the classes we offer. This will also give you the chance to have a look at our newly renovated Fitness Center and new cardio equipment!

Our sales rep, Todd Morris, will be here to answer any questions about the new equipment. Strength equipment demos will be provided throughout the day by our Fitness Director, Reggie Edwards, and by one of our personal trainers, Dana Gramling. We will also have 5-minute chair massages with our Massage Therapists, Teisha Rollerson and Angelica Imaca. Drinks and snacks will be provided. We look forward to seeing you.

SCHEDULE:

• 11:00 – 11:15 AM, ZUMBA w/ Grace Jean

• 11:30 – 11:45 AM, YOGA w/ Molly Field

• 12:00 – 12:15 PM, SPIN w/ Tricia Howerton

• 12:30 – 12:45 PM, BOOTCAMP w/ Marci Whiteside

• 1:00 – 1:15 PM, PILATES w/ Sabrina McGrath

One of our personal trainers, Dana Gramling, will also be running demos on the cable machine throughout the day that will help you enhance your speed, balance, accuracy, and agility. 

Tennis Teams at SGCC: Teamwork is Dreamwork Building Bonds for a Lifetime

BY KATIE KISSAL | CHAIR, COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE

Members of the SGCC community are no strangers to sports. From golf to swimming, pickleball, and tennis, athletic activity at the Club is abundant. Within each of these sports, you can find teams of all ages working hard on their craft together.

The tennis program at SGCC is a prime example of a wideranging athletic community. Tennis is one of the few games that can be considered a “lifetime” sport. It is easily played by people of all ages and levels. Luckily, our Racquets Department

is designed with this in mind and provides opportunities for everyone to enjoy the rewarding experience of belonging to a team.

Teamwork is Dreamwork

The value of team sports for children is widely acknowledged. In addition to the benefits of staying active, being part of a team can help develop motivation, commitment, and confidence. It’s no different for adults. Belonging to a team enhances and expands one’s regular social interactions.

When Jackie Kushman and her family joined in May 2022, she had never played tennis. A lifelong athlete, Jackie played softball and basketball growing up and was a Division 1 volleyball player in college. She was a little nervous about playing tennis, but threw herself into the Club’s programs.

Today, almost a year later, she plays on SGCC’s Interclub C team. “Being active has been my way of life and being on a team (again) brings me happiness, makes me feel young, and reminds me of how it felt growing up on sports teams,” says Jackie. “Tennis is 100% the reason I am at the Club as much as possible.”

Courtships

At SGCC, joining a tennis team is a great way to create new friendships. Team sports are invaluable in creating strong bonds and relationships, and the tennis court can be a great matchmaker for friendships.

Shared experiences of strategizing, communicating, and the ebb and flow of wins and losses, can accelerate teammates and partners getting to know each other. Experiencing your best moments as well as your most vulnerable moments levels the playing field and promotes the creation of life-long bonds.

“Being on a team is a great experience, creating deep bonds with your fellow members and learning about yourself through competition,” according to Branden Beets, Director of Racquet Sports. “You’ll challenge yourself mentally and physically through match play and meet new friends along the way.”

No one knows that better than Kim Sabo and Staci Goede. Their fun can be seen and heard wherever they play tennis together. Their infectious banter is well-known and spreads smiles across courts.

The duo met at a Cardio Tennis class in the winter of 2010, soon after they both joined. “We chatted in class and agreed to meet at the next one. That was the start of our friendship both on and off the court,” said Kim.

Staci elaborates, “We would play tennis and then eat dinner at the Clubhouse afterwards for years. Covid and career adjustments changed our traditional Thursday evening time, but now we play several times a week and usually hang out afterwards.”

Both Staci and Kim attribute their time off the court to a deepened friendship and trust on the court. “Staci and I have different playing styles on the court—she’s a little more competitive and I’m a little more casual and much louder! Together we always have fun,” laughs Kim. Staci agrees, “Win or lose, we love to play together.”

O Captain! My Captain!

Teamwork does not just happen on the courts; it also happens due to the devotion of volunteer members who serve as captains. Captains are not just the camaraderie cheerleaders of their teams, they are also organizing calendars, pairing lineups, and managing countless lines of communication to make it all happen with what seems like ease, but is really a lot of hard work. They create the teams we know and love.

Two examples are an SGCC love story. Husband and wife Luis and Brooke Diaz both serve as captains for several SGCC teams and are well-known regulars at the tennis center.

Brooke captains the Women’s Interclub B team, while Luis captains the Men’s Interclub team as well as one of the Club’s Men’s NVTL teams. Luis’ tennis CV is impressive; he’s been to several USTA regionals and sectionals events, as well as national championships. He plays in a government league against other international organizations.

Brooke is known for her support and sweet demeanor and feels the love from her team as well. “The cooperation, positive attitudes, and love I feel from my gals makes every season my favorite season!” she said. Luis enjoys the experience as well: Brooke & Luis Diaz

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.”

— MICHAEL JORDAN

“It’s a privilege to meet and get to know virtually every single player that comes through the Club from all levels. I also love having the opportunity to socialize outside the court with other players and their families.”

SGCC Strategies for Success

Behind the proverbial curtain of all the fun and hard work is a specific vision and strategy of Branden Beets. “Our goal is to have an SGCC ‘system’ for the teams,” he explains.

The system involves getting everyone on the same page. “The goal of team tennis is to have fun and be as competitive as possible to win. In the competitive environment, it’s best to understand formations and patterns of play as a team. This way when they face adversity in a match, our players can constructively strategize together,” says Branden.

Branden works to make this system a reality by heavily involving the SGCC Racquets Staff in the various teams: “We provide year-round practices, player recruitment, match observation, team camps, lineup input, and post-match feedback.”

His strategies for SGCC teams are not just about technique, but also mindfulness. Branden says, “Mindset and mental toughness is constantly developing. We mentor our players on being resilient. Understanding that you will face adversity every time you step on the practice court or match court is huge. Expect it, realize it’s normal—everyone makes mistakes— and trust the process. We practice adversity responses and situational awareness training on a weekly basis in our group lessons, tactical doubles classes, and team practices.”

The work is paying off. Branden has observed significant positive growth within the teams since taking over the Racquets program in April 2022: “Players are experiencing growth in their game and improved self-belief. Our problem-solving skills have developed, and players have more weapons at their disposal. Outcome results will come with time as our members become more comfortable in the SGCC system.”

Several Ways to Serve It Up

In addition to the robust tennis programming (clinics, events, round robins, etc.), there are numerous opportunities for

players of all levels to participate in competitive team match play, including Interclub (women, men, and junior) and through the Northern Virginia Tennis League (NVTL).

Interclub

Interclub tennis consists of competitive team matches against other private clubs in the area. SGCC participates in the Interclub League of Northern Virginia.

Depending on the number of tennis players and their playing levels, clubs can field a variety of teams and they are categorized in alpha order according to their level of play. Currently, SGCC has Women’s A, B, and C teams (weekly daytime matches in the spring and fall seasons). For those whose schedules do

not allow for daytime matches, there are Men’s and Women’s Evening Interclub teams.

Women’s A, B, and C teams participate in weekly team practices with SGCC’s professional staff. Team cohesiveness and strategy are further developed at pre-season camps. The two-day intensive programs are developed, organized, and led by team captains and the SGCC tennis pros.

Kids can get in on the interclub match play as well. SGCC has Interclub Junior teams for 10 to 12-year-olds as well as a team for older teens. They currently compete in the summer. Practice in the off-season takes the form of the Academy-level junior tennis programs.

Northern Virginia Tennis League (NVTL)

SGCC has three teams that compete in NVTL: two men’s teams and a mixed doubles team. NVTL is composed of teams from local tennis and/or country clubs. Matches are played in the evening and/or weekends in the spring.

Become a Team Player

If you are interested in team tennis at SGCC, reach out directly to Branden Beets at branden@sgccva.org. He will help connect you with the right volunteer captain, find players of a similar level, and answer any questions about team play. The Racquets staff and captains also hold player interest meetings at the Racquets and Fitness facility in the spring.

SGCC Tennis Team Captains

INTERCLUB CAPTAINS

• Women’s A Team - Linda Whitestone

• Women’s B Team - Brooke Diaz

• Women’s C Team - Amy Waller

• Evening Women’s Team - Page Coleman

• Evening Men’s Team - Luis Diaz

NVTL CAPTAINS:

• Men’s - Luis Diaz

• Men’s - Darren Banh

• Mixed - Greg Street

JUNIOR INTERCLUB

• 10s & 12s Boys/Girls - Jennifer Beets

• 16s Boys/Girls - TBD

The spring tennis team season begins in mid-April. Don’t miss out reach out to the our Racquets Professionals for help joining a team today. 

Food & Beverage Updates

BY BRANDON STREICHER | FOOD & BEVERAGE COMMITTEE

The Food and Beverage Committee has been busy the past couple months and we are excited to share a few updates.

We welcomed a new Director of Food & Beverage in March. Jen Keeler joined us after working several years with Great American Restaurants and has already begun to drive impact. Please say hi and introduce yourself next time you are at the Club.

The new April menu is getting ready to launch. Chef Travis Simmons continues to impress the membership with diverse weekly specials and putting his personal touch on long-time Springfield favorites.

We are appreciative of the members who completed post-dining surveys over the past three months. We received over 500 responses which enabled us to develop a baseline understanding of our performance and gain insights on where we can improve. As always, we’d like to hear from you you can reach us at FandB@sgccva.org.

Jen Keeler was born in Washington D.C. and grew up in a Marine Corps family—“Semper Fi”—moving every one to three years. Her great grandfather, Frank William Crilley, won the Medal of Honor and Navy Cross for display of extraordinary heroism in his profession going above and beyond the call of duty during a dive operation. She is the eldest of five siblings, and some of her most memorable childhood experiences occurred while living in Hawaii where she learned the Japanese language, hiked to waterfalls, went to the many beaches on weekends, took up water rescue, and made leis from the plumeria trees in front of her home. Jen has a passion for reading, writing, and public speaking. She moved near the Quantico Marine Base in 1983 and later attended St. Mary’s Academy in Alexandria and then NOVA and George Mason University.

Jen began her career with Great American Restaurants in 1994 at the Carlyle Grand. She worked to develop and train systems and standards and was a part of the opening teams of Best Buns Bakery, Sweetwater Tavern Merrifield and Centreville, and Silverado. She has a passion for excellence and worked her way up in the company to become a Managing Partner responsible for overseeing all the day-to-day operations within the restaurant.

Jen was an avid runner and competed in local races. She is most proud of her accomplishment battling and winning breast cancer and then going on to run the MCM Marathon with two of her siblings and running the RAGNAR 200-mile relay race from Maryland to D.C.

Jen loves to host parties at home and is known for her themed murder mystery events. She is a part of a parent “wining and hiking” group who love to hike and then finish the day celebrating at one of the many wonderful wineries we have here in Virginia.

Jen has three boys. Jake (20) and Andrew (18) both attend Virginia Tech University. Her youngest, Matthew, is a junior at St. John Paul the Great in Dumfries. All three boys were successful runners, and Andrew’s Cross Country high school team won VISA State his senior year. Jen is actively involved with their sports and you can always find her cheering them on.

Jen is very excited and proud to be a part of the team here at Springfield Golf and Country Club. She looks to provide an experience for the members where they can continue to call this their home away from home and create great memories that last a lifetime. 

Did You Know?

All candidates for membership are posted on the Club website on the “Governance” page for seven days as part of the application process.

If you have information that a particular candidate would endanger the good order, welfare, or character of SGCC, please reach out to Membership Chair Jon Danforth at danforth.jon@gmail.com and CC Assistant General Manager Jordan Willis (jordan@ sgccva.org) within seven days of the posting date.

Member Spotlight: John Newton

CONGRATULATIONS

ON THE PUBLICATION OF YOUR BOOK, AN AMERICAN IN REVOLUTIONARY IRAN !

Long-time Club member John Newton is a published author. His book, An American in Revolutionary Iran, is now available on Amazon.

Married to an Iranian woman and fluent in Persian, Newton, a former Peace Corps/Iran volunteer and staff member in the 1960s, moved back to Iran in 1975 to work for an Iranian publishing company. There he saw the revolution unfold in the chaotic streets of Tehran, mingling with chanting demonstrators, witnessing the blood of dead martyrs, confronting teenagers armed with automatic weapons, and translating for Time Magazine reporters. In a series of vignettes, Newton describes his life in Iran both before the collapse of the

shah and after Khomeini’s triumphant return.

Back the States in April 1979, Newton joined Time-Life Books in Alexandria, working as a writer/editor on such bestselling series as World War ll, The Civil War, The Third Reich, American Indians, and Planet Earth. He joined Springfield Golf & Country Club in 1984. 

Do you have a personal accomplishment you’d like to share with your fellow members? Reach out to Emily Kauffman at emily@ sgccva.org to be featured in upcoming issues of “The Springfield Story.”

Couples Golf News

BY SUSAN & DAVID WELLS | CO-CHAIRS

The first Couples Golf outing will be held on Friday, April 14. This is earlier than previously reported. We also have Sunday, April 23 and Friday, April 28 on the schedule. We will be using a point system again this season to keep track of the top couples to participate in the Shoot Out at the end of the season. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at suswel@ aol.com and/or davidwells892@yahoo.com. 

Bridge Banter

BY DON FREDERICK

Don’t let April showers keep you from enjoying our Club. Do you play bridge? If yes, come join the SGCC Friday Evening Bridge Group at one of our upcoming events.

We play relaxed, party bridge on the first and third Friday evenings of each month. Many of us gather for dinner first. If you’d like to join us, call Don Frederick at 703.425.9722. Our next scheduled evenings are April 7 and April 21.

Here are the results of recent sessions:

MARCH 3

First: Robin Alapas & Elaine Voss

Second: Mary & Bob Harter

Third: Cindy & Don Frederick

MARCH 17

First: Robin Alapas & Elaine Voss

Second: Ellen & Charles Rolen

Third: Ed & Mary Kringer 

Fitness & Wellness: Caring for Your Body’s Largest Organ

BY MOLLY FIELD | COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE

Borrowing from the saying about weather in the Washington, D.C., area, “if you don’t like it, just give it an hour,” springtime in Northern Virginia vacillates between a morning in November or a sultry July afternoon. Wherever you are, when the temperatures rise, shorter sleeves, shorter hemlines, and longer days are on the come up. How you care for your skin, your body’s largest organ, will show up on other parts of you.

Do you hydrate? Sure, you drink your water throughout the day, but do you hydrate properly? Do you have enough electrolytes in your water? Do you consume caffeinated beverages or alcohol? Alcohol and caffeine are diuretics, which means they deplete water and require extra work from your body (elevated body temperature, increased breath and heart rate, and increased or reactive digestion) to metabolize them. So, when it comes to staying hydrated, these types of beverages automatically negate your efforts. There’s a simple fix: balance your consumption of these drinks with water on a 1:1 ratio. This approach will help flush consumed or environmental toxins from your system more effectively.

What’s discussed less is how those types of drinks also deplete essential nutrients, including salt, magnesium, and potassium which stabilize your blood pressure and help keep headaches and muscle aches at bay. Most headaches and muscle cramps occur from low electrolytes because the number-two element we lose when we perspire is sodium in all its forms. The first and most abundantly lost element in the body due to perspiration is, hold on to your seat, calcium. Staying properly hydrated will absolutely show up in a radiant and clear complexion, more pleasant demeanor, clearer thinking, and more body comfort.

While off-the-shelf sports drinks are convenient and abundant, they aren’t necessary for the average human, and are definitely not necessary for children. They contain entirely too much sugar, food dyes, preservatives, and other unpronounceable ingredients. The worst of all is sugar which can cause muscle cramps, headaches, and poor digestion.

Treat yourself to a homemade electrolyte replenisher: take a room temperature glass of water and add a splash of lemon

or cranberry juice (which is good for your liver, kidneys, and urethra) for flavor. For the most recovery, add a little bit of sea salt or Himalayan salt to that juice-enhanced water. Stir, and there you have it! You can add salt to mint and cucumber water or do the same with herbal teas or low-caffeine black or green teas which are better for you than a store-bought “replenisher.”

The more obvious aspect of skin care is the use of emollients and sunscreen. Our skin is our number-one barrier against disease. If you have very dry skin, cracks from severe dryness can be a portal to illness and infections. When you find a lotion that you like, keep using it! If you’re still on the lookout for one, use what you have. While the sun is not a villain that’s out to get us, we must protect our skin against it. According to the National Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 9,500 incidences of skin cancer cases are diagnosed each day and although melanoma treatment has greatly improved outcomes of patients, even in metastatic cases, rates are on the rise.

So, the obvious question: do you wear sunscreen? Of course! But just like the hydration question, are you wearing it properly? Do you reapply it after a few hours? When you sweat or swim or take off your hat (which you are definitely wearing to protect your eyes and ears, neck and facial skin, right?) or wipe your skin, you risk rubbing off your sunscreen, so just reapply. Carry a little tube or bottle in your gear bag.

We also have various sunscreens around the Club in the restrooms and locker rooms just in case you’re running short. Once the pool opens, you can swing by the pool house for another bit if needed.

A fabulous and often overlooked element of skin care is massage which, along with feeling great, is an effective method to flush toxins from the body. Angelica Imaca, SGCC’s personal trainer and massage therapist, and Teisha Rollerson, SGCC’s massage therapist and esthetician, are on site, availability permitting, to help you achieve the best care for your skin.

“A massage is not a luxury; it’s an important element of wholebody care,” says Teisha. “People from all walks of life are in need of the relaxation and care massage provides. Massage is not just for elite athletes. Mothers, fathers, caregivers, weekend warriors, semi-pro athletes, and everyday regular people like you and me need true hands-on work to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and be better equipped to manage life’s surprises. Even what we consider to be good news is stressful to the body, which often shows up on our faces first.” Teisha offers body scrubs to rejuvenate and maintain skin vibrancy; waxing to eliminate unwanted or troublesome hair growth and to exfoliate the skin; and facials which can aid in cell turnover, brightening the skin and reducing the signs of aging.

“Massage isn’t just about the body,” says Angelica. “It relaxes your entire central nervous system so your body can operate optimally. When you think about a massage, consider the entire context: you’re in a quiet space, the lighting is subdued, the table is warmed, and you are covered. You disrobe to your comfort level. The work a massage therapist performs is important; our training of anatomy, physiology, and expertise in various modalities can help inform your release of deep tension. Sometimes people can’t believe they’ve been away from the noise, brightness, and intensity of the world off the table for just an hour. Massage therapy is like an oasis in the desert.”

Do your skin (and yourself!) a favor and add regular massage to your skincare regime. To book an appointment and learn more about our excellent personal care professionals, call the SGCC Fitness Desk at 703.451.1485. 

“A massage is not a luxury it’s an important element of whole-body care.”

— TEISHA ROLLERSON, MASSAGE THERAPIST & ESTHETICIAN

• April 2023 is the last month “The Springfield Story” will be mailed

• Digital copies will still be sent via email and are available on the Club website & app

• A limited number of hard copies will be available in the Clubhouse and at the Racquets & Fitness Facility

WGA-18 News You Can Use

BY KATHLEEN TINDAL | CHAIR

The WGA-18 had a successful opening meeting. Thank you to all that attended. We discussed several topics and have a fun season in store. Here are a few of our major tournaments for the year that you should pay attention to:

• Chairman’s Cup

• Ladies Member Guest

• WGA-18 Championship

• Closing Scramble with the WGA-9.

While these are only a few of our exciting events, there is much more in store. Please visit the SGCC website for a complete listing our events and full details.

If you would like to become a member of our group, please contact our Membership Chair, Amy Liberty at amy.liberty@ verizon.net. 

THROWBACK! 2022 WGA-18 “Margaritaville” Opening Scramble with Lynn Gilbertson, Peggy Cifrino, & Kathy Soules

Photo Op!

Nothing but smiles at the annual Bunny Brunch on April 2, 2023

Turf Talk

BY SHAWN GILL GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT

The signs of spring are all around us now. Trees are flowering, tulips have bloomed, birds are staking out their nesting boxes, and the turf is turning back to green. The renewal of life that comes this time every year is wonderful to experience. Even Jack looks forward to the spring! His daily chasing of geese looking for a place to lay their eggs gives him the exercise he needs and satisfies the herding instincts that are ingrained in him. Most of all, the early signs of spring mean that a new golf season is upon us. I am just as excited to see you all enjoying this weather as you are to be out in it.

We had some of the best winter weather I can remember for preparing healthy turf for what I’m sure will be a very busy golf season. The course is strong and this will help us get through the bouts of extreme summer weather that will follow. I’m sure many of you have had the opportunity to “enjoy” the pungent aroma of compost spread over the fairways. I assure you that the smell will dissipate quickly, but the lasting positive effects will not. This material will not just provide a slow feed to the grass roots, but also create a sort of cushion for the turf that resists wear and compaction along with adding drought resistance.

As you come back out to play after your winter hiatus, you will

undoubtedly notice some changes to the course. Tree removal continued on the Back 9, creating conditions that will help us develop thick, healthy rough and good hitting angles into the greens. We also cleared brush and small trees to the right of the creek on Hole #5. Now you will be able to see the stream as you prepare to tee off and play a little right to left shot if you like. I think the biggest difference you’ll notice, however, will be the new tee complex on Hole #3. It has truly become the “signature hole” with the changes that have been made. The positive feedback has been tremendous and it was fun to watch the “A Team” players hit the official inaugural shots from the back tee down near the lake. The first tee shot clipped a branch and fell into the water (fortunately it was a player from the opposing team!)

Spring is the busiest time of year for the Greens Crew. Right about the time we have to start mowing on a regular basis and make sure everything is set to go for golfers first thing in the morning, we also have to complete all of our early season aerations. It can be quite a disturbance to play and we appreciate your patience. You deserve to have great playing surfaces throughout the year, and this helps us give that to you.

I have heard one complaint about course conditions over the last several weeks: “The greens are too fast!” All I can say about that is, be careful what you wish for because you just might get it!

Have a great spring golf season everyone! 