The Springfield Story, January/February 2023

Springfield Golf & Country Club the SPRINGFIELD STORY

January/February 2023

Inaugural Issue

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 703.409.7388

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

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season with family and friends. At SGCC we were able to host many festive events as well as reflect on and be thankful for everything the Club accomplished in 2022. Although we are in the short, colder days of winter, Mother Nature has snuck in some mild days allowing many of you to keep your golf game sharp. If the weather is still too chilly for you, our golf simulator, which is temporarily housed in the Board Room, is available for practice, golf lessons, and social gatherings. The Pro Shop will be sponsoring some events in the coming months, but you can get out and create your own as well. This is the perfect time to brush up on your golf skills—the days are starting to get a longer and the golf season is right around the corner.

The Board and Management aim to provide the best possible experience for the membership, and many activities are moving forward as we head into the new year. January saw our largest ever pickleball tournament with 60 players competing and at least as many if not more spectators watching from the observation deck. As a new pickleballer myself, I can definitely see the attraction this rapidly growing sport has for members of all ages. If you have not tried it yet, get out there! The Racquets Department offers introductory pickleball clinics that will have you playing in no time.

We have a lot going on in the realm of facility improvements. Phase II of the golf course renovation has enhanced a couple of our signature holes with a new set of tee boxes on Number 3 and a new forward tee box on Number 15. Additionally, tree work has begun, and we will be removing and pruning many trees on the course as our focus on turf management, tree management, and course playability continues.

Renovations are nearly complete at the Tennis & Fitness Center, including a new floor and cardio equipment in the gym area. The fresh new look is modern and inviting, and I wish to thank Julie Graham of the House Committee for coordinating with Racquets, Fitness, Management, and the Board for the vision. Every time I’ve set foot in the building this winter, it has been packed with activity—from tennis to pickleball to the many youth programs the Racquets team is managing. It almost makes the cold winter days bearable to have such a fantastic facility available.

With thoughts of spring and the change of seasons in our sights, I would be remiss if I did not mention the changes at our Club regarding some long-term staff. First, after 36 years, Club Controller Martha Larimore will be leaving and moving on to another country club. The Board wishes to thank Martha for her years of service and wish her luck at her new location. Additionally, General Manager Bassam Medawar is leaving after 20 years at SGCC. The Board is in the midst of a national search with GSI Executive Search to find our next General Manager/Chief Operating Officer. Michael Hatch, of Acumen Golf, will be stepping in as our interim GM while we undergo our search. We are immensely thankful to Bassam for his many years of service to the Club. He was a good partner to the Board on many projects and we wish him great success in the future. While what seems like major change can be unsettling and adjusting to the “new” is never easy, the charge of the Board is to always look to the future of our Club, our facilities, our membership, and our assets. I assure you that we will be diligent and transparent in our efforts to infuse new leadership into our Club.

I am excited to work with you, our members, in the coming year. Our volunteers have did a tremendous job throughout 2022, adding many great new events and ideas into our already packed calendar. I would like to sincerely thank all the outgoing Committee members and Chairs for their hard work. For the first time ever, we recognized Volunteer Leadership: Linda Whitestone of the Tennis Committee was named our Volunteer of the Year with Peter Vogt and Katie Kissal also receiving awards. We could not do anything without our members getting involved, and I am pleased that we have such an inspired and active community here at SGCC. If you are new to the Club, I strongly encourage you to get involved. While I know some of you are going to find it difficult to deal with the aforementioned staffing changes, I am confident that 2023 presents us with an abundance of opportunity to evolve and grow as a club, continue to diversify our membership, improve and beautify our golf course, and engage as the best country club community in Northern Virginia.

Thank you again, and I wish you a healthy and happy 2023! 

A Springfield Story

BY JOH NNY GARSTKA CO MMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

My parents joined the Club back in 2003, and my siblings and I grew up spending time together at SGCC. I recall days at the pool in the summer, enjoying half-price burgers on the patio, cutting my teeth at tennis in the old tennis bubble, and taking lessons on the driving range from a number of the golf pros.

The time I spent at SGCC increased when I was 16 and caught the golf bug. I recall leaving West Springfield High School at the end of the school day and heading straight to the driving range and short game practice area to get some reps in until dark. I also competed on the WSHS golf team my junior and senior years. Thinking back, I would say that the period from fall 2008 through summer 2010 is when I really fell in love with the game and it changed my life forever.

My mom, Diane Nixon Garstka, is a current SGCC member and played college golf on the West Coast. She has won multiple Club Championships at SGCC, and I will forever be in debt to her for introducing me to the game of golf.

One of the biggest reasons I fell in love with the game is that my mom never pushed me too hard to start playing. She introduced it to me and my siblings a few times, and eventually it stuck for me and my brother, Andrew. I played a number of other sports growing up, and when I was burned out from soccer in high school, I really leaned into golf and the rest is history.

As I started spending more time at the Club, I began to make friends with a handful of people. Alexandra Austin, Brandon Luxenburg, Tres Currie, and I all grew up at SGCC and played a good amount of golf together during high school and college when we were back home on breaks.

We are all now Legacy members at SGCC and still call each other friends. We are also all members of the Bobby Bowers Memorial Junior Golf Tournament Board. We grew up playing in the event and have now come full circle to help run the tournament on an annual basis.

Continued on page 6

Johnny Garstka (left) joined SGCC as a Legacy member in 2018; his mother, Diane Nixon Garstka (middle), joined SGCC in 2003; & his brother, Andrew Garstka (right), joined as a Legacy member in 2022.

I am extremely grateful for the legacy membership program at SGCC in that it has allowed me and my peers to continue to enjoy the Club and build on the roots that we put down during our grade school years. Additionally, I feel fortunate that my brother Andrew and I get the chance to tee it up together on a regular basis since he joined SGCC as a Legacy member last year.

When I left for college, I really wanted to keep the ball rolling and build on my momentum from my high school days at SGCC. I joined the club golf team at Clemson University and competed for several years. As time went on, I stepped into a number of leadership roles for

the team. We built the club out, enjoyed a good run of success in Southeast Regional play, and eventually advanced to Nationals on a number of occasions. The culmination of all of this work and one of the biggest highlights from my time at Clemson was winning the fall 2014 Club Golf National Championship at Dancing Rabbit Golf Club in Philadelphia, MS. In the classroom at Clemson, I majored in finance, and minored in accounting and management information systems.

My undergraduate studies and experiences with the club golf

Continued on page 8

“SGCC was a second home when I was a kid, & now my kids will get the chance to grow up here as well.”

— TRES CURRIE, LEGACY MEMBER

“Growing up playing golf at SGCC has not only allowed me to learn great life skills, but has built friendships that will last a long time. Springfield will always be considered my second home & a second family to me.”

— ALEXANDRA AUSTIN, LEGACY MEMBER

Tres Currie helps his children off the golf cart after a fun day on the course before heading to the Club’s annual Memorial Day Picnic

“For as long as I can remember, golf has been a part of the Luxenburg family. From the Bobby Bowers to playing golf on Mother’s Day, Springfield has served as a special backdrop to share these memories with my parents.”

— BRANDON

LUXENBURG, LEGACY MEMBER

Alexandra Austin takes a swing

Steve Harvey & Johnny Garstka hit the course

Mark Luxenburg, Brandon Luxenburg, and Patti Luxenburg gather for a round of golf

A young Brandon Luxenburg takes a golf cart ride with his mother, Patti Luxenburg, during the annual Bobby Bower’s Tournament

team eventually led to two internships with the American Junior Golf Association and a full-time job as a tournament director. From there, I returned to Clemson University to work on my MBA while I served as a graduate assistant for the men’s and women’s varsity golf teams. This was an incredible experience across the board, and I am extremely grateful for my time with the varsity programs.

Eventually, I made my way back to Northern Virginia. Steve Harvey, a long time SGCC member and former head of the Membership Committee, recruited me to join his independent

financial planning and wealth management firm. Given my educational background and prior work experience in sales and operations at several organizations, this was a natural landing spot for me. I feel extremely fortunate to be a part of our firm and I cannot thank Steve enough for the opportunity. I feel more confident in the direction of my career today than I ever have before.

Today, I am a member of both the Communications and Membership Committees at SGCC and I help run the Bobby Bowers on an annual basis. I play as much golf as my schedule

“As I started spending more time at the Club, I began to make friends...We are all now Legacy members at SGCC & still call each other friends.”

— JOHNNY GARSTKA, LEGACY MEMBER

SGCC Young Professional Members Scott Wood & Steven Slocum join SGCC Legacy Members Johnny Garstka, Brandon Luxenburg, & Steven Siveroni for a round of golf at Kiawah

allows at SGCC and around the state of Virginia with my brother, mom, and friends throughout the golf season. I also enjoy spending time in the bar and on the patio with the many incredible friends I have made here over the years.

SGCC has played a huge role in my life for over twenty years. I fell in love with the game of golf at SGCC and this drove many of the decisions I have made since my early days at the Club. Without SGCC and the game of golf, I am not sure what my life would look like.

SGCC and golf in general have helped forge me into the man that I am today. I will forever be in debt to our Club and the many members who have made a positive impact on my life. As time goes on, I look forward to continuing to serve the SGCC membership and give back however I can. Thank you SGCC, my life would not be the same without you! 

Congratulations to SGCC’s own Alexandra Austin on being named the 2022 VSGA Women’s Golfer of the Year. Alex won her second VSGA Women’s Stroke Play title in 2022 and earned her second Women’s Golfer of the Year distinction, the first coming in 2016 when she also won the Women’s Stroke Play. She teamed with Lauren Greenlief for a runner-up finish at the VSGA Women’s Four-Ball Championship. Those two also reached the round of 32 at the U.S. Women’s Amateur FourBall Championship. Alex reached the round of 32 at the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, where she lost to eventual champion Krissy Carman. She finished the year atop the VSGA Women’s Player Rankings. Alex received her trophy at the VSGA Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at Salisbury Country Club. 

“My favorite memory at SGCC comes from 2022. I really enjoyed competing in the Fall Member-Guest & getting the chance to play golf with so many other members throughout a really fun weekend.”

— ANDREW GARSTKA, LEGACY MEMBER

New Year, New Opportunity:

Reggie Edwards & Molly Field Weigh In on New Year’s Resolutions

BY EMILY KAUFFMAN

COMMUNICATION

New Year’s Resolutions…we’re all familiar with them, just like we’re all familiar with the way that initial burst of motivation tapers off come February. Did you know 91% of people who set New Year’s Resolutions don’t stick with them? Rather than getting discouraged, try approaching the New Year with a different mindset—one designed to help you accomplish your health and fitness goals.

With over twenty years of experience as a personal trainer, Director of Fitness Reggie Edwards is no stranger to New Year’s Resolutions. The biggest problem, in his experience, is that people set themselves up for failure by either having unrealistic goals or by having too many goals. “People have more success when they set individual goals—that helps you focus on that goal to meet it,” he says. “You should set an ultimate goal, then break it down into increments.”

What does that look like? Let’s say your ultimate goal is to lose twenty-five pounds. Divide that goal into milestones: your first milestone could be losing ten pounds. You also need a plan. Say you decide you’ll reach your goal by working out three times a week and eating healthier; that’s great, but you need to get specific! “I love Do Si Dos,” Reggie laughs, “I know if I want to lose weight, I’m going to have to put the cookies away or maybe give up sweets altogether or drinking for the month of January to get to those first ten pounds.”

And when you reach that first milestone? Celebrate! Rewarding yourself is an important part of staying motivated. When asked what else helps with motivation, Reggie says to keep your goal at the forefront of your mind. “It helps to talk about it. It also helps if you have somebody doing it with you—friends, family, a partner. Tracking your progress will help you stick to it because there’s nothing more motivating than seeing progress.”

DIRECTOR OF

“All movement is forward. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like that, but it’s just at a slower pace. It’s always progress.”

— MOLLY FIELD, SGCC MEMBER & YOGA INSTRUCTOR

Progress can be easy to see in the early weeks, but what about when you hit the dreaded plateau? “During plateaus, look at what you’re doing,” Reggie advises. “Maybe you need a change to your workout. If you’ve been doing a routine for six or eight weeks, we adapt to what we do, so your body is going to respond to a new activity. Try a new form of exercise or challenge yourself with your current routine—more reps, more weight—to help you break through.” The Fitness Center offers a varied class schedule with everything from yoga to boot camp, so there is plenty to choose from if you’re looking to switch up your routine.

One pitfall to avoid is equating eating healthier with eating less: “If you’re trying to lose weight, you need to eat more frequently, like five times a day,” Reggie says. “A lot of the time, people aren’t eating enough to reach their weight loss goals.” He recommends coming up with an eating plan as well as an exercise plan. “Try making a time schedule and stick to it. Eat your healthy snack at 3:00 p.m. even if you aren’t hungry because it’ll keep you from being really hungry later on and it will keep your metabolism going throughout the day.” The other critical element for reaching your weight loss goals— staying hydrated! “We want cozy drinks in the cold weather— hot cocoa, coffee—but you’ve got to make sure you’re drinking enough water.”

It’s important to be honest with yourself. When it comes to goal setting, Reggie emphasizes that reasonable means realistic, so if you’re new to working out, try walking. “If you walk three to five times a week for twenty or thirty minutes, you’re getting a lot of benefits for your heart and body. Just be active. Start with walking then add in some bodyweight exercises: stepping up onto a step, squats, lunges, push ups. These things are very beneficial and for somebody who doesn’t work out, they’re going to be sore and see the difference from incorporating something like that into their lifestyle.”

What About a More Holistic Approach?

There’s more to fitness than working out and eating well. “I reject the idea of a ‘resolution’ because it implies that there’s a problem to be fixed. I like to think of it as an intention,” says SGCC yoga instructor Molly Field. “What’s your intention for today? A whole year—365 days—that’s a big chunk, and you eat an elephant one bite at a time, as they say. Everyone makes a big deal out of New Year’s but treat it like any other day in terms of wanting the best for yourself.”

“We live in a world of abundance. Everything we need is right there but sometimes we forget, and we feel disconnected. To me, it is that intention to be present in the abundance that we experience on a daily basis, for example, the bright sun on your face for just two minutes.” What happens when you get out of bed as soon as you feel awake and get natural light on your

face? The light signals your pineal gland to shut off melatonin production. Sunlight on your face will automatically shift your body into knowing it’s daytime and suffuse you with energy.

Then what? “Well, if you feel something really good, breathe in!” Molly encourages. “Pull it into your lungs, feel that breath, then let it out. That’s the mood.”

“All movement is forward,” Molly says. “Sometimes it doesn’t feel like that, but it’s just at a slower pace. It’s always progress, it just feels a little jammed up sometimes. And when we breathe into the jammed-up-ness, just like in yoga, the oxygen is going to go into your blood and that blood is going to go where it needs to go. It’s that abundance again. We have all the hormones and everything we need in our bodies; it is just a mind shift.”

For Molly, intentionally seeking a balanced state is key. When your intention is balance, then you’ll be better equipped to navigate life’s ups and downs: “You know there is going to be a positive and a negative, and you’ll be able to find yourself in the middle, that sweet spot, the fulcrum—that’s where the love is.”

Starting the New Year in Balance

On Sunday, January 8, Molly led SGCC’s first Sound Bath. Molly regularly leads sound baths at other locations and received requests from members to host one at the Club. The sound bath is an opportunity to sit in quiet with other people who also have an intention of balance. When you’re in a space with other people, like the sound bath or a yoga practice, you feed off each other’s energy. The benefits are amplified and especially enriching if your intention is to have a good experience.

“Good” doesn’t always mean without discomfort. Some people cry. Pain is a manifestation of a mental, spiritual, emotional, or physical block. Similar to breathing into your pain during a yoga practice, the sonic experience lets you examine your discomfort and approach it, and the block causing it, with intention, allowing you to move forward.

SGCC’s first sound bath was a sold out event. We look forward to offering future sound baths to our members in the months to come.

Skin & Beauty Special

During the months of January and February, members can enjoy a 45-minute Express Facial with a 15-minute Hand Treatment, Foot Massage, OR Scalp Massage, plus a complimentary gift all for $75. Contact the Fitness Desk at fitness@sgccva.org or 703.451.1485 to schedule. 

Bridge Banter

BY DON FREDERICK | SGCC MEMBER

As we welcome in the new year, how about a resolution to get more value from your club membership in 2023? Are you open to trying a new way to benefit from the Club? Do you play bridge? If you answered “yes” to both questions, come join the SGCC 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 February 3, February 17, and March 3.

Here are the results of recent sessions:

DECEMBER 2

First: Cindy & Don Frederick

Second: Letty & Ken Silverberg

Third: Ellen & Charles Rolen

DECEMBER 16

First (Tie): Ellen & Charles Rolen

First (Tie): Lydia Peck & John Korfanta

Third: Letty & Ken Silverberg

JANUARY 6

First: Vivian Pritchard & Elaine Voss

Second: Lydia Peck & John Korfanta

Third: Jane & Gerry Gawalt

JANUARY 21

What’s the Deal with Pickleball— And How Can One Start Playing?

BY KATIE KISSAL | CHAIR, COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

If you are not already playing it, you have definitely heard of pickleball. And if you play a racquet sport, you have definitely heard pickleball

The popping sound of the perforated ball and the thwacking of the paddles are resoundingly being heard around the country. The “fastest growing sport” has grown exponentially, attracting 4.8 million more players nationwide (40% increase since 2020).

The Basics

Pickleball can be described as a combination of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Played indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court with a modified tennis net, it can be a singles or doubles game. As for equipment, players use a paddle and a plastic ball with holes.

Players of all ages and skill levels can enjoy pickleball, and it is often enjoyed as a family activity, as well as competitively

The Court

The same size as a doubles badminton court, a pickleball court measures 20×44 feet. Both singles and doubles play use the same size court. The net height is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle. The court is striped similar to a tennis court with right and left service courts and a 7-foot non-volley zone in front of the net (referred to as the “kitchen”).

Courts can be constructed specifically for pickleball or they can be converted using existing tennis or badminton courts.

Continued on page 16

image courtesy of USAPickleball.org

The History of Pickleball

Pickleball was created in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, outside of Seattle, Washington. To solve the boredom of their kids, two fathers made use of an old badminton court, ping pong paddles, and perforated plastic balls. Over the following weekends, adjustments were made to the net height, and rules were created to keep family fun in mind. The game was named after a family dog, Pickles, who kept running off with the ball.

The game has grown and evolved, but its roots remain the same. At its heart, pickleball is a game designed to be enjoyed in a variety of settings and by a wide range of ages.

Pickleball at SGCC

The pickleball phenomenon arrived at SGCC as far back as 2016. While not a formal program, its presence demonstrated a growing member interest and resulted in introductory sessions and social events built around learning the basics of the game.

When Branden Beets arrived in April 2022 and took on the mantle of Director of Racquet Sports, he immediately began creating and enhancing many new racquet programs, including pickleball. By September, Head Pickleball & Tennis Professional Alex Torok was brought on board to manage and create SGCC’s pickleball program. One of the goals was to cultivate a program that matched the membership’s growing skill and interest in the sport. While we still have a lot of beginners, many at SGCC have been playing pickleball for years and were looking for more tactical instruction to improve their match play performance.

We recently took some time with Alex to pick(le) his brain about the sport and what SGCC members can look forward to and expect out of the Club’s program...

Pickleball has exploded on the scene recently, but it has been around since the mid 1960s. Why do you think it’s gained such popularity in recent years?

As the tennis population has aged from the boom in the 90s, and the demand option to play outside and on a court that required less coverage, pickleball began to fill that void. The fast-paced and social nature of the game attracted both racquets enthusiasts and newcomers alike. The pandemic accelerated the already impressive growth due to the social distance and outdoor play component. Plus, the game is simply a ton of fun and can be learned rather quickly. Quick thinking and strategy are more important than athletic ability, and that lends itself to a wide audience.

Tennis has USTA ratings. Does pickleball have the same? Can you help someone figure out their rating?

Here at SGCC, we have adopted the DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) system. This system takes an approach that applies a scale rating from 2.0-8.0 regardless of location, gender, and age. Implementing an objective, resultsbased scoring system allows for more contested matches while giving the Club the ability to host more social and tournament play. In short, it takes the guesswork out of your rating level!

You’re both a tennis and pickleball professional. Assuming you started with tennis, when did you add pickleball to your professional profile?

Pickleball has been on my radar for many years. Just like many in the racquets industry, I was a naysayer, but the first time I played, I was hooked! I became quickly engulfed in the game and wanting to help others find and enjoy the game.

What is your vision for the SGCC pickleball program? Will there be interclub competition? What about a junior’s program?

Our vision is for every player looking to enjoy the game of pickleball to have an avenue to do that, whether it be clinics, lessons, open play, tournaments here and in the area, or social play. Interclub is the goal for the Club and discussions with directors of area clubs have been ongoing. Junior pickleball has a large potential upside and as the junior tennis program continues to grow and have a strong following, pickleball will be an additional avenue to get more kids on the court.

Do you now prefer pickleball over tennis?

That’s like asking a parent which of their children they love more! The two sports have gotten an adversarial reputation, but for us at SGCC, they are complementary to one another. They allow the Club to offer further options for members to enjoy the facilities and get out for exercise throughout the year.

What are you most excited about for the pickleball program at SGCC?

We are most excited about continuing to grow a balanced racquets program at SGCC. We have grown to three drop-in play days, multiple weekly instructional classes, three certified professionals on staff, establishing a club-wide rating system, Vulcan partnership, and plenty of social events. Our team is committed to being a premier pickleball club.

Who and why should someone consider trying pickleball? Do they need a baseline of tennis skills? How should someone start? Is there a beginner course?

Everyone! Pickleball is a ton of fun and allows for social and competitive players to enjoy a new way to get out. There is no need to have a tennis background, while the skills can transfer, they are not necessary, as the motor patterns associated with pickleball are different from tennis in many ways. If someone is interested in trying pickleball, we offer open play days for those who can score and have some experience, as well as lessons for those interested in private instruction. A good option to start with is to come try our Beginner Pickleball class, Saturdays from 2:00-3:00 p.m. and you will understand the craze!

January 2023 Pickleball Championship

On Friday, January 13, the SGCC Racquets Department hosted a Pickleball Championship with 60 participants registered for play in Women’s and Men’s Doubles divisions and over 100 spectators gathered to cheer on their fellow members. The participants played a whooping 53 matches!

Thanks to everyone who came out and made this a wonderful event. Congratulations to our winners:

MEN’S DIVISION —Lee Morgan & Chad Morgan

DIVISION —Stacy Usher & Katie Frawley

WOMEN’S

Golf Pro’s Pointers

BY ROBERT SIMPSON, PGA | DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTION

Putting in the work during the off-season is critical to becoming the best golfer you can be. We’ve had tremendous success this year running lessons using the golf simulator. In addition to providing an instructional space when the weather is less than ideal, the simulator also gives our members the opportunity to practice on their own in a controlled environment and get immediate feedback on what they may be working on at any given time. I know I have most enjoyed being able to conduct our club fittings in the simulator where members can try everything we have and see whether it’s a great fit and worth the move to new equipment.

Whether you’ve been practicing your game or taking it easy over the winter, the start of the golf season can be a mixed

bag. The most important thing you can do when you get back on the course is temper expectations. Get used to reading the greens again, making good course management decisions, and re-learning your yardages with your clubs. Don’t get caught up in score—there is plenty of time to get your handicap down. The golf season isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon, and starting fast and losing steam is not a good strategy.

If you’re approaching the season with specific goals in mind, make sure you have reasonable expectations and a reasonable timeline. If your goal is to break 80, build a road map to get there with micro goals. It might look something like this: In order to break 80, you need to improve your putts per round to fewer than 32 or hit 8-12 greens per round. Micro goals make

the work you need to put in more tangible and as you achieve your micro goals, your main goal becomes more of a reality.

Junior golf is a great asset and one of the most important aspects of what we do as golf professionals. Without junior golfers the game doesn’t grow. SGCC’s junior golf program begins at age three and has a place for every junior based on where they are in their golf journey. PGA Junior League teaches team mentality in a largely individual sport and boosts juniors’ self-confidence and respect for the game as well as for their competitors. The path to becoming a competitive player teaches important life

skills that they will transfer as children grow into adulthood.

If your child hopes to go to pursue collegiate athletics, it is important to understand what being a dedicated student athlete means. A dedicated student athlete understands that their studies come first. College coaches notice if a student athlete has an impressive work ethic in the classroom; dedication in schoolwork determines an athlete’s sport and life success. Developing a good work ethic starts young, and SGCC’s youth sports programs are the perfect place to cultivate these critical skills. 

“Without junior golfers the game doesn’t grow.”

— ROBERT SIMPSON, PGA, DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTION

Get in the Summer Spirit

BY EMILY KAUFFMAN YOUTH ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR

It might feel a little early to start planning for summer camp, but our lives are hectic and the days fly by fast—you’ll thank yourself when June rolls around and you’ve already enrolled your children in SGCC’s stellar summer programs. Camps begin the week of June 19, 2023.

Each year, we announce our line-up of spring and summer programming in late January/early February so member families have ample time to plan their summer fun. Make plans to join us at Bounce House Day on Saturday, February 4 from 3:306:30 p.m. Kids will have a blast bouncing through the inflatables set up on the indoors courts, and we’ll have information and registration forms available for our 2023 Summer Camps. Additionally, representatives from some of our youth sports programs will be there to answer your questions about junior tennis and junior golf.

We are pleased to announce that we will be bringing back Half Day Art Camp for children ages 4-6 in partnership with local art studio KidCreate. This half day camp runs from 12:00-3:00 p.m., and will be offered in two one-week sessions: Monday, June 19 - Friday, June 23 and Monday, June 26 - Friday, June 30. Half Day Art Camp costs $300; a sibling discount is available. Children will experiment with a variety of materials and make two creations each day. A small snack is included in the registration fee.

Art Camp for the older kids (ages 6-12) is returning as well. This camp is full-day from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and includes lunch and snack. Children will work with a variety of materials and learn different art techniques as they work on various projects throughout the week. We will be offering one week of Art Camp Monday, June 19 - Friday, June 23, and one week of a combo Art & Movement Camp Monday, July 10 - Friday, July 14. Art Camp costs $345; a sibling discount is available.

Movement Camp has been extremely popular since we

introduced it a few years ago. Children work on strength, balance, and bodily awareness as they engage in a variety of kinetic activities including dance and yoga. Like Art Camp, Movement Camp is a full-day camp for children 6-12 years old. It meets Monday, June 26 - Friday, June 30 from 9:00 a.m.3:00 p.m. and includes lunch and snack. We will also be offering one week of a combo Art & Movement Camp Monday, July 10 - Friday, July 14. Movement Camp costs $345; a sibling discount is available.

Our classic summer camp, Camp SGCC, is by far the most popular camp offering. It includes golf, tennis, fitness, and swim, as well as crafts, games, and enrichment from outside vendors and special visitors. Like our other camps, it runs from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and is for children ages 6-12; lunch and snack are included. We will offer two one-week sessions of Camp SGCC: Monday, July 17 - Friday, July 21 and Monday, July 24 - Friday, July 28. Camp SGCC costs $415; a sibling discount is available.

All of our camps make accommodations for campers who are members of our junior swim team. Simply let us know that your child swims with the Sea Lions, and we will pick them up from practice and bring them to camp.

Junior Tennis Camp is also returning with options for OneHour Camp and Full-Day Camp. The one-hour option meets from 10:00-11:00 a.m., and is perfect for juniors new to tennis who are looking to ease into the sport; it’s also a great option for younger juniors who may be too tired after swim practice to commit to a whole day’s worth of activities. Our full-day camp runs from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., includes lunch, and will dive deeper into game play and stroke production. Junior Tennis Camp is for children ages 6-12 and is offered in one-week sessions. The first session will be Monday, June 19 - Friday, June 23. The final session will be Monday, August 7 - Friday, August 11. Junior Tennis Camp does meet the week of July 3, but there is no camp on Tuesday, July 4. Please note, the onehour camp option is only available the first four weeks of camp; the last two weeks of camp are full-day only.

Our Golf Professional Staff will be running three sessions of our junior golf Operation 36 Summer Camp. These are threeday, half-day camps for children ages 7-15 that meet from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday:

Session I: Tuesday, June 20 - Thursday, June 22

Session II: Tuesday, July 4 - Thursday, July 6

Session III: Tuesday, August 1 - Thursday, August 3

Camp registration opens to member dependents beginning February 4 and to grandchildren, nieces, and nephews beginning May 1. Grandchildren, nieces, and nephews can be added to a waitlist beginning February 4 and will be added to camp rosters as space allows beginning May 1. 

Coach’s Corner

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

fingerprints do not fade

When my wife was pregnant with our first child and no longer able to be an active tennis coach, she needed my help covering classes at her club for a few months. At the time, I was teaching a full-time schedule six days a week at my own club, we had just moved, it was getting cold outside, and, to top it off, I would have to miss Virginia Tech football! As one can imagine, I was thrilled to cover her lessons!

The last lesson of the day is always the toughest—as your workday is almost over—but this one was exceptionally challenging. It was two beginners: a mother and her high school daughter. They were always late. The daughter never made eye contact and seemed uninterested in being there, despite my best efforts to engage her. She never smiled and I found it difficult to connect with her. But I never gave up … I tried different approaches each week, made jokes, softened the mood, asked her about school, what she liked to do, what music she was into, etc. It was a difficult lesson and secretly I hoped they would cancel so I could go home. Until one day…

After six weeks of pushing through this lesson, the mother pulled me aside. She proceeded to tell me about the dark times her daughter was experiencing both at school and socially. Then she said something that would change me as a coach forever. She said, “Our weekly lesson with you is the only thing my daughter looks forward to in life right now; it is the highlight of her entire week. Even as a beginner, she now wants to try out for the high school tennis team in two months. I’m so thankful that we found this.”

The mother proceeded to thank me over and over again and as the tears welled in my eyes, I was in disbelief. I would never have guessed that our weekly lessons were having THAT type of impact. From my perspective her daughter didn’t even want to be on the court! This will forever be one of the most rewarding moments of my career.

As you approach the ups and downs of the new year, remember that fingerprints do not fade. You may never know the impact you’re making on another person just by being in their presence, by not giving up on them, by offering a kind word, or by encouraging them, or maybe by doing nothing in particular at all. The effect you have on others is bigger than you think. Somewhere, someone is smiling thinking about that funny thing you said on the court, the invite you extended to them to join a lesson, the grace you gave them when they were late to contract time, or how much you inspire and motivate them by how your game has changed.

As we head into 2023, the SGCC Racquets Department wishes you and your family the best in the year ahead. We thank you for your continued support and always remember … Our fingerprints do not fade from the lives we touch. 

VALENTINE'S WINE DINNER

Friday, February 10, 2023 at 6:30 PM Jackets & Reservations Required, $120++

Passed Hors d’Oeuvres

Dona Paula, Rosé

Chilled Lobster & Hearts of Palm Timbale with avocado, baby mixed greens, & champagne tarragon vinaigrette

Dona Paula, Los Cardos, Sauvignon Blanc

Smoked Torchon of Foie Gras with golden apple pearls, figs, brie, & sea salt crouton

Dona Paula, Smoked, Red Blend

Cast Iron Seared Wagyu Eye Round over house made cracked black pepper fettuccine, red wine demi glace, & red pepper coulis

Dona Paula, 1350, Red Blend

Herb Broiled Lamb Chops

over sundried tomato whipped cauliflower & zucchini pearls, finished with shallot mint infused demi glace

Dona Paula, Alluvia Parcel, Malbec

followed by Martinis, Dessert, & Dancing

Reserve Your Table Online

VALENTINE’S DINNER SPECIALS in

the Dining Room

Available 5:00-9:00 PM

Friday, February 10 through Tuesday, February 14*

*not available Monday, February 13 (Clubhouse Closed)

APPETIZERS

Shrimp Cocktail

Ahi Tuna Tartare

Beef Carpaccio

ENTRÉES

All Entrée Options served with Choice of Smoked Gouda Red Pepper Bisque or Iceberg Wedge Salad

Filet Mignon with Butter Poached Lobster Tail

Char Grilled Veal Chop

Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass

Wild Mushroom Risotto

DESSERT

You Make My Heart Melt

chocolate dipped strawberry cheesecake parfait

Love You to the Moon & Back

fudge center chocolate mousse, espresso cake, & raspberry macaron

♥ BOOK YOUR TABLE ONLINE OR ON THE APP ♥

CHEF LINDSAY’S VALENTINE’S DESSERTS

C HOCOLATE-DIPPED STRAWBERRIES & TRUFFLES OR DERS BY THE DOZEN :

1 DOZEN STRAWBERRIES

1 DOZEN TRUFFLES

6 STRAWBERRIES & 6 TRUFFLES

Calendar of Events

New Year, New Rules

BY LYNN BLASCH | CHAIR, RULES COMMITTEE

The Rules of Golf underwent a change on January 1, 2023. We highlighted five major changes in the December newsletter, which you can find on the Club’s website. This month, we’re highlighting eleven principal changes as emphasized by the USGA. We are a progressive Rules group, so you will note that many of the outlined “changes” have already been adopted here in our Local Rules Sheet.

Rule 1.3c(4): Applying Penalties to Multiple Breaches of the Rules

This change will apply here and elsewhere. Rules officials will have to gather the facts and determine what penalties apply.

Rule 3.3b(4): Player Not Responsible for Showing Correct Handicap on Scorecard or Adding Up Scores

No real change at SGCC. Our Pro Shop already prints our appropriate handicap on our printed scorecards.

Rule 4.1a(2): Allows Use, Repair, or Replacement of Club Damaged During Round, Except for Abuse

No change at SGCC. Three years ago, we adopted Local Rule G-9 which allows the same procedures.

Rule 6.3b(3): Inappropriate Substitution of Another Ball while Playing a Hole

This change will apply here and elsewhere. The change reduces the penalty from the General Penalty to one stroke.

Rule 9.3: Ball Moved by Natural Forces

This change will apply here and elsewhere. The Rule states that a ball must be replaced if it moves to another area of the course after being dropped, placed, or replaced.

Rule 10.2b: Other Help, by Caddies or Partners

This change will apply here and elsewhere. Rule 10 describes where a player may stand during the stroke by someone else, and prohibits placing anything on the ground to help any player with a stroke. For example, you cannot lay a towel on the ground to help a player see the correct line on a blind spot.

Rule 11.1b: Ball in Motion Accidentally Hits Person or Outside Influence; Place Where Ball Must Be Played From

This change applies here and elsewhere. If a ball played from the putting green hits an insect, the player, or the club used to make the stroke, the ball is played as it lies—the stroke is not replayed.

Rule 21.1c: Penalties in Stableford

This change will apply here and elsewhere. The Rule now provides that penalties in relation to clubs, time of starting, and unreasonable delay are applied to the hole in the same way as regular stroke play. The same change is made to Rule 21.3c (Penalties in Par/Bogey).

Rule 25: Modifications for Players with Disabilities

This change will apply here and elsewhere. The introduction of Rule 25 means that the modifications provided in the Rule apply to all competitions, including all form of play.

General Change: Back-on-the-Line Relief Procedure

This change will apply here and elsewhere. The back-on-theline procedure is amended to provide that the player is required to drop on the line. The spot on the line where the ball first touches the ground when dropped creates a relief area that is one club-length in any direction from that point, even closer to the hole.

General Change: How to Proceed When Stroke Must Be Replayed

This change will apply here and elsewhere. Several Rules that used the phrase “stroke does not count” (such as Rule 11.1b) have been amended so that failure to replay a stroke when required to do so, while still a breach of the relevant Rule, no longer carries the potential for disqualification. 

Turf Talk

BY LENTZ WHEELER | GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT

Phase II of the Golf Course Master Plan has come to a close and contract work is over for the winter. We have experienced more rain this fall and winter than in previous years which led us to the decision to postpone the tee renovation at sixteen. This area is very cold and wet, and construction requires firm and dry conditions. Rather than beginning the golf season with a closed tee, the project is now slated for Fall 2023.

All of the other work went well. The third tee has undergone a dramatic change and promises to be everything we expected and more. The new cart path routing and soil movement has created a fresh look. The elevation changes from the different teeing areas as well as the dramatic carry over the lake make for a new signature hole. Congratulations!

Our crew is concentrating on creek and pond bank clearing. Extensive work has been done on the fifth hole. The drainage work that was completed last year improved the turf in this difficult growing environment. Expect continued improvements as the new grass matures and the growing environment gets better with more sun and better air circulation.

Our crew also added new sod to holes two, nine, eleven, and the practice area this fall. Did you know that fall/early winter is the best time to install sod? Roots continue to push down even though top growth has stopped. Once the ground freezes that stops, but it picks up when the ground thaws. The best part is that irrigation is rarely required! If you want a great yard, you should follow this example and sod in the fall. You should never

New Forward Tee on

sod in the spring unless absolutely necessary. New sod doesn’t have time to establish deep roots and will usually require an abundance of water to keep it alive, and even then it still might die.

We had a tree pruning contractor on site for a week in late January. They had two experienced climbers and one man on the ground. Our crew chipped branches with the chipper provided by the contractor. Trees pruned were on holes three, five, eight, ten through fifteen, and seventeen. We will move on to tree removals once the course is firm enough to handle heavy equipment. This will be similar in scope to the work performed last winter. The course needs to have a hard freeze or be very dry for this to be successful. 

Paving Entrance to Lower Blue/Gold Tee

Cutting Back Growth on Creek Banks

Notes from the Cutting Board

BY TRAVIS SIMMONS | EXECUTIVE CHEF

Happy New Year! I’m sure you are just as excited as those of us in the Food & Beverage Department to kick off the 2023 season. To keep things fresh and interesting, we rework our menus every few months. To that end, we put out a new menu in late January, and while it’s not a complete overhaul, there are some new

and interesting items including a Cuban Sandwich with our house citrus-roasted pork loin, Fattoush Salad with Lebanese marinated chicken, and Braised Short Rib Pizza.

The Cuban Sandwich is my personal favorite because I love this sandwich. I order it often when I’m out to eat with friends, and too many times I find the sandwich falls short on flavor. So, I set out on a recipe scavenger hunt and began searching recipes and techniques from celebrity chefs and grandmothers alike. What sets our Cuban apart from most is the marinade for the pork. This is a mint-infused, spiced rum and citrus marinade that is packed with flavor. The culinary team and I enjoyed developing this recipe and we hope you enjoy it as well.

Another exciting new change is the addition of a gluten-free cauliflower crust which members with gluten sensitivities can substitute with any of our Par 3 Pizzas. A gluten-free pizza crust has been a long time coming, but a tasty, gluten-free crust is a bit of a unicorn. Over the past 4-5 years we in the industry have been in search of a quality recipe or product. We have worked with a couple different methods that just wouldn’t scale up for large batches. I asked a couple of pizza shops what they are doing for gluten-free items, and we are trying to parallel that procedure. After trying a few different recipes, I hope we have found The One. I am happy that gluten-free Par 3 pizza is now a reality for our members!

When coming up with concepts for new menu items, I always

look at a few things: What items are not selling and need to be updated? What seasonal foods are available? Is there a concept or technique the culinary team and I would like to present to the membership?

When the calendar turns over to a new year, we all seem to clean up our diets. With the cold weather season upon us we find slow-roasted stews, whipped potatoes, pastas, and bread on the menu. I’m an advocate for all that cuisine but understand everything in moderation. I would say don’t avoid or replace altogether, rather enjoy but be mindful. Now with that said, a couple of items you can add to your weekly shopping lists are oranges, spinach, fresh seafood, and mushrooms. All these items should be readily available now and offer a wide variety of health benefits and flavors. 

A Message from Your Food & Beverage Committee:

We recently put out experience cards so members can provide timely feedback on their meal and service at SGCC. The short survey is anonymous. Remember, while this feedback is valuable for helping us identify strengths and areas in need of improvement, if something is incorrect with your meal please let a manager know right away so they can ensure your dining experience gets back on track immediately. 

Handicap Notes

BY JORDAN WEINSTEIN CHAIR, HANDICAP SUBCOMMITTEE

As we all brave winter and look forward to spring, please remember that there are certain scores we should still be posting right now:

Warmer-Climate Rounds:

When you play away in Florida, Arizona, and other warm-weather states (including the DMV!), what happens there does not just stay there! You should post the rounds you play there as long as:

• The course you are playing has a valid course and slope rating (either the course name shows up on the GHIN app or the slope and course rating are printed on the course’s scorecard);

• You played at least 14 holes for an 18-hole round, or 7 holes for a 9-hole round, that didn’t have temporary greens; and

• You play the round according to the Rules of Golf. For example, you played with at least one other person, always played your own ball, and were not accompanied by a coach.

Winter Rounds at Springfield:

• As of this writing, a score cannot be posted for play on holes 1-9 as three of these holes have temporary greens. However, a 9-hole score can be posted for holes 10-18.

• Currently, an 18-hole score cannot be posted at Springfield because more than four holes have temporary greens and/or tee boxes.

• Because hole 15’s tee box is under construction, players should enter a score of net par for this hole (par of 5, plus your handicap strokes for hole 15), regardless of the actual score you made on the hole.

For those of you who are just picking up the game and are interested in establishing a handicap, welcome! You need only to talk to the Golf Pro Shop to have a Golf Handicap and Information Network (GHIN) number set up for you, and then play three 18-hole rounds (or six 9-hole rounds), post your scores or have the Pro Shop post them for you, and you will have a handicap! For more detailed information, please see the Handicap Committee articles in the February and March 2021 issues of Club Life, archived on the Club’s website. 

Membership Corner

BY SHELLY GOOREVICH | DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP

Please join me in welcoming two new member families to the SGCC community:

Brent D. Collier is the Senior Vice President and Head of Investment Sales for The Velocity Companies/Republic Real Estate Group. He is also co-founder and partner of Four One Capital Partners—a private equity firm that invests in performing and non-performing mortgage notes. Brent is married to Nicole C. Collier. Nicole is the Vice President of U.S. Federal Government Relations and Head Lobbyist for Procter & Gamble. Brent and Nicole have three children: Davis, Ellis, and Audra, and live in Alexandria, VA where Brent serves as the HOA president for their neighborhood. Brent and Nicole both love to travel and are self-described “foodies.”

Jerrod and Sara Dobkin met as freshmen at Bowdoin College in Maine and got married last year in Vail, Colorado. They recently moved into their new home in Alexandria, Virginia. Sara works as a healthcare consultant at Huron Consulting Group and Jerrod works in advertising. Sara is originally from Massachusetts and Jerrod grew up in Connecticut. Both Sara and Jerrod enjoy playing tennis and golf and are excited to meet new people at SGCC.

Do you know someone who would make a wonderful addition to our SGCC family? Reach out to Membership Director Shelly Goorevich at shelly@sgccva.org to learn about out current membership availability and member referral promotions. 

Brent and Nicole Collier with their children Davis, Ellis, and Audra. Jerrod and Sara Dobkin.

WGA-9 News

BY MARCIA BISENIUS, VICE CHAIR, WGA-9

If you’d like to join the WGA-9 in 2023, we’d love to have you! We play Wednesday mornings during the golf season, and we also have “9, Whine, & Dine” play on Thursday afternoons where we can drink and eat after 9 holes. All levels of golfers are welcome!

For information on how to join, contact our Membership Chairs, Miki Guilmain (mikiguilmain@gmail.com) and Nickie Johnson (nvjohnson3@gmail.com). They will be sending out an email with specific information regarding registration and payment soon.

As we get ready for the new season, our Social Director, Terri Crook, is planning a Winter Get Together. Details will be forthcoming. 

Retirees News

BY RUSTY ROESCH

This year, Springfield will be playing twenty matches in the Northern Virginia Retired Men’s League, including two matches each against each club in our Division. Some clubs are reporting changing demographics that make it difficult to field 24 players, let alone 28, so the number of matches has been reduced. Fortunately, the League Schedulers have found a way to ensure each club plays all the other clubs in their division.

Our Division will include Army Navy Fairfax, Country Club of Fairfax, and Mount Vernon. As in the past, the four division winners will go to the playoffs; however, a proposal to add quarter finals will be considered early this year.

To prepare for upcoming season, everyone is encouraged to get with their PGA Professional and fine tune their skills over the winter. Interested in joining the Retirees? Contact Bruce Nordstrom at bnorthstream@yahoo.com or 202.494.6558 for information. 

Alison Webber, Claire Giambastiani, & Jessica Bradley on the last day of the WGA-9 2022 Season

Retirees President Bruce Nordstrom and Co-Captain Bruce Sheaffer double check scores prior to celebrating a team win

Springfield St ory

BY KATIE KISSAL | CHAIR, COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

Along with the Communications Committee and Communications Staff, I am excited to present the inaugural issue of The Springfield Story. This refreshed and updated version of the beloved “Club Life” newsletter has been designed to complement SGCC’s rich past and foreshadow our exciting future.

The Communications Committee has been hard at work over the past year. We recognize the need for change and evolution while honoring our past. We began the year with an audit and assessment of existing communications, and then developed a new “best practices” process.

We launched a newly designed website in September 2022 and our new publication follows suit. Our intent is to showcase and highlight the lifestyle our community enjoys and cultivates. We want to rely on the storytelling and photos that showcase what makes SGCC special.

We hope you enjoyed this inaugural issue and look forward to all that is to come. We welcome and encourage ideas and help to develop stories. Please reach out to us if you would like to participate. We also encourage you to submit high-resolution images of you, your family, and friends enjoying life at SGCC. These pictures should be emailed at full size to emily@sgccva. org with a brief description of who is in the picture and what is going on/when the picture was taken. Pictures may be used on social media, on the website, in the newsletter, and in other marketing materials.

Thank you for your support over the past year as we worked to elevate our aesthetic and visual storytellings. We hope “The Springfield Story” becomes something you look forward to every month as your reflect on your experiences here at SGCC. 