In This Issue
Message from the GM, 2
Letter from the Board
President, 3
Clubs & Groups, 4
Croquet, 5
Foundation News, 6-7
Golf, 8
Clubhouse Corner, 9-11
Tennis & Pickleball, 12-13
Harbour/Yacht Club, 14-15
Security, 16
Member Photo Gallery, 17
Calendar, 18-20
Wexford Briefly
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers:
President: Stephen Carter
Vice President: Gary Crandall
Treasurer: Keith Poisson
Secretary: Lynn Looby
Directors:
Bob Cherichella
Michael Fajgenbaum
Paul McEvoy
Michael McKelvey
Harry Mellon
Welcome
New Traditions
Wexford Owners,
As we approach the end of the year and take a moment to reflect on our successes and challenges, I believe it is the perfect time to introduce a new tradition: a Past Presidents Dinner at Wexford. This occasion represents a significant opportunity for us to honor the legacy of our former leaders and acknowledge their invaluable contributions to our organization.
Hosting a Past Presidents Dinner is not just about celebrating past achievements; it also serves to strengthen the bonds between current leadership and those who have shaped our organization’s history. By gathering together, we can share stories, insights, and lessons learned, creating a rich tapestry of experiences that can guide us as we move forward. This event allows us to recognize the hard work and dedication of our past presidents, who have laid the foundation for the successes we enjoy today.
I am excited to share that we have ten individuals including myself who plan to attend this inaugural event. Their presence will not only enrich our discussions but also provide an opportunity for current leaders to connect with those who have previously held the mantle of leadership. As we celebrate their
McGuire General Manager
contributions, we will also engage in meaningful conversations about the direction of our community and how we can continue to build on the achievements of those who came before us.
This dinner promises to be a memorable evening filled with camaraderie, reflection, and inspiration. I encourage everyone to join us in making this new tradition a cherished part of our calendar, one that honors our past while paving the way for our future. Together, we can ensure that the legacy of our past presidents remains a guiding force as we strive for excellence in everything we do
Patrick
ABOUT THE COVER
ADMINISTRATION OFFICE:
Monday – Friday
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
843-686-6950
The arrival of winter brings with it the warmth of the Christmas spirit at the Wexford Clubhouse. As we step into the new year, let us cherish the beauty and joy that this season offers.
Patrick
Hello Neighbors,
Letter from the Board President
Stephen Carter President
I wrote in the late summer edition that by now we would know how the Presidential Elections turned out, that the Football season would be well underway and that Halloween would be a distant memory. As I sit here a week before Thanksgiving, I would say that the turkey has been eaten, Christmas and the Holidays upon us and I will be but a footnote in the past Presidents’ section of our website. We have our Annual meeting coming up on the December 6th, a new Board will have been chosen, hopefully a budget passed, and I will be looking forward to attending Board Meetings in the future as an inquisitive owner.
As of now though, we have the annual budget and board election ballot in play, and the Wexford Foundation has just held a very successful and enjoyable annual Gala. Importantly, it appears with increasing certainty that we will be closing out the year in great financial shape, with operating results looking solid and our NPOIF revenue set to exceed budget by almost a half million dollars. Our reserves and the prospect for their future have never been stronger. Another extremely important milestone is that we have signed a Firm Fixed Price Design/Build construction contract with Nix Construction Company, Inc., to perform the construction of the new Wexford Harbour Center and the renovation of the Clubhouse. The even better news is that the project is on schedule, on budget and that we are all set to see work starting in the first week of December. So at this time with a little under three weeks of my tenure on the board to go, it is difficult not to be a little reflective of the last three years. Clearly, the one thing that stands out is the Amenity Project. The interactive neighborhood work that was done by our now Vice President, Gary Crandall, the management team of Patrick McGuire and Dan Ogden along with all of the support from Finance and others, laid the groundwork for a very successful project presentation which our owners passed last fall. A Construction Task Force was promptly formed with Harry Mellon as Chair, and he and his team have done an amazing job of getting us to this point. I thank him and his team for that effort and I am eagerly anticipating the completion in the Spring of 2026. While that is clearly our most prominent initiative during my tenure on the board, we should not forget all the work that went into successfully changing our covenants to allow us to review our NPOIF on an annual basis, thus enabling us react to market conditions and respond in real time on the annual ballot. As I mentioned earlier, we will be adding almost $1.5M to our reserves through these fees, in this year alone.
There was also the acquisition of Pier 8 after some decades of it being owned by a third party with no certainty for its future. I must thank Gary Crandall again for his liaison work on that initiative, prior to his membership on the board.
Michael Fajgenbaum worked extremely hard to spearhead an initiative to redefine the Strategic Vision and Mission for Wexford, and our Greens and Grounds Committee lead by Paul McEvoy has done excellent work to create a Golf master plan that will serve as a roadmap for some years to come.
I also cannot pass up the opportunity to comment that our Governance and Administration has gone through an overhaul in the last three years and I would be negligent not to thank Michele Scott and our Secretary Lynn Looby for all the work they have accomplished not only in the public eye, but also behind the scenes. In the area of “Best Practices”, the board of 2022 instigated the annual owner and staff surveys, something that we are committed to continuing.
There have also been disappointments along the way. Although there was a majority of votes in favor of the covenant proposal to allow us to investigate having a dog park, and then more recently, despite a clear majority of owners in favor of changing our ability to treat Egregious Behavior, both initiatives failed the very high hurdle (2/3rd of all eligible voters) necessary to allow a covenant change.
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention our GM Patrick McGuire and the positive influence he has had on Wexford. Those of you that know me quite well are aware that I meet with Patrick on a weekly basis. Initially we focused on his onboarding, along with the current challenges of the week, and I tried to support him in the execution of the annual plan. He and I have laughed at my habit of jotting notes in a little black notebook. He thinks it is to chase him up, whereas in practice, it is more about my memory. Regardless, as I look back at those notes over the last two years, it is astonishing how many initiatives have been raised, investigated, pursued, executed or discarded.
So I hope when all is added up, you would agree that Wexford at the end of 2024 is a much calmer and more stable place than it was in 2022, with a bright future and certainly higher home values. I have been incredibly lucky to serve with some wonderful colleagues over three years, and while we have certainly had some spirited discussions, we have always tried, and mostly succeeded, in working through them constructively. Beyond the fantastic new amenity project in progress, there is plenty of opportunity for future enhancements left for our new and future boards to explore in due course. For my part I will look forward to enjoying them as and when they are developed. Thank you for allowing me to serve, it has been a privilege
Sincerely,
Wexford Clubs & Groups
Book Club
JANUARY
The Vanishing Half by Brit
Bennett
Yoga
FEBRUARY
Unfinished
Love Story by
Doris Goodwin
Wexford Wellness
Thursdays at 10:00am in the Waterford Room – Rebecca Cygan is a Yoga Teacher (with over 15 years of experience) who specializes in helping men and women thrive... even if their bodies are challenging them right now. She believes in a non-competitive, inspiring, personalized approach to yoga — so everybody wins! Bring your own yoga may and a bottle of water, Flow Yoga is perfect for everyone wanting a personalized deep stretch (or to offset a hard-core workout). You’ll increase flexibility, enhance balance, reduce pain, and build strength! Even improve your golf, tennis, or pickleball game with preventing injuries.
Sewing and Quilting Club
Are you a Wexford member who enjoys sewing or quilting? What about machine applique, embroidery, or monogramming? We’re gathering together members who already enjoy these hobbies or want to learn more about what’s involved. We hope to offer monthly meetings, speakers, classes, and even local “field trips.” If you would like to be involved, please reach out to teresakellyhhi@gmail.com or mm.gammarino@gmail.com to find out more.
MARCH
The Nature of Fragile Things by
Susan Meissner
Fit Fusion
Tuesdays at 10:00am on the Clubhouse Lawn — Get your heart pumping with Fit Fusion! This low-impact workout will help you gain mobility, strength, and endurance. Suitable for all fitness levels with modifications and progressions. You will need a yoga mat, towel, and water.
Pilates
Tuesdays at 3:30pm in the Waterford Room — Back beginning January 7! — Join Lexi Hartman, a Certified Group Fitness Instructor and Lifestyle & Nutrition Coach, for a 45-minute low-impact and highenergy Pilates class perfect for all ages and fitness levels. This fullbody focused, muscle-strengthening workout is designed to increase mobility and stabilize the core while also supporting the mind-body connection. Please bring a mat and a bottle of water.
Wexford Clubs & Groups — Croquet
We did it again!
Your Wexford Croquet Team, led by Brian Nelson and Hall-of-Famer Harvey Geiger, competed in the 3nd annual Wexford-Spring Island Croquet Challenge Tournament at the Wexford Croquet Lawn on Saturday, November 16th, 2024. This tournament is a Coastal Croquet Club (CCC) Member Sponsored Event.
In another stunning upset, Wexford Croquet defeated powerhouse rival Spring Island Croquet on our home lawn by a net score of 15-10! The Wexford Croquet Team was made up of: Capt. Harvey Geiger, Co-Capt. Brian Nelson, Pam Geiger, Ed & Dawn Jaworski, MaryMargaret Verdon, Mary Faas and Tim Sudol.
The Wexford Croquet Team would like to thank Wexford employees Patrick McGuire, Michael Johnson and Billy Dearing for hosting a wonderful event at our beautiful facility. Several Spring Island players commented that ours was the best croquet lawn they had ever played on. We look forward to returning to Spring Island in 2025 to defend this coveted title. Thanks to all who came out to support the Team!
Wicked Wickets
Our croquet enthusiasts embraced the spirit of the season with Wicked Wickets in enchanting costumes!
Wexford Foundation Gala
The Wexford Foundation hosted its annual Gala “A Phantom Affair” on November 16th with 125 Wexford members in attendance. This signature black-tie affair celebrated the community support that has enabled the Foundation to maintain its mission since 2012. “This special event recognizes the compassion of our community and the individuals who have given their time and financial support to ensure that people with needs in our local community are helped,” said Jim Hicks, Foundation Chair.
The excitement began the minute guests pulled up to the valet parking as they were greeted by a special Phantom host. The glamorous evening continued to unfold as neighbors enjoying cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres in the fully decorated lobby as beautiful Phantom of the Opera music was played by pianist Joe Zychowicz. A special theatrical performance was provided by Roger Moss as he sung the famous “Music of the Night” as the reception transitioned to a sit-down dinner where guests were treated to a spectacular meal. During dinner, Chair Jim Hicks remarked on the gracious support from the community and
recognized the long-term leadership of the Foundation. He then gave real life examples of the impact the Foundation was making for people in our local community. The memorable night included a live auction with hosts Brian Marlowe and Sonny Huntley leading the bidding and raffle drawing for 2 fabulous prizes. The soiree concluded with guests dancing to musical entertainment by the Lavon Stevens Quartet, a local favorite. This was truly a night of celebration!
The Foundation appreciates the time and talents of everyone that made this magical evening possible. We offer a very special recognition to our Events Committee, chaired by Sandy Berthelsen, for preparing and delivering a fantastic celebration. A grateful acknowledgement goes to the generous donors of the raffle and auction items, and to our gala sponsor Steve Timperman.
Fundraising Efforts for 2025
The Wexford Foundation has been graciously supported by our community since our founding in 2012. We are currently evaluating grant requests from our charity partners that will be presented at our Awards Luncheon on February 11, 2025. Our ability to meet their needs is, of course, determined by the generosity of our supporters in Wexford. Your 30 Wexford neighbors that volunteer to help the Foundation will assure that your donations are only awarded to deserving causes and meaningful programs. Please provide a donation to the Foundation. 100% of your donation will be provided to local charities. Your consideration is very much appreciated. Ways to give include your Wexford Member Account, Personal Check, Credit Card, Donor Advised Fund Account, Stocks, RMD from an IRA, and Estate Planning. All contributions will receive a tax letter recognizing your donation to our 501(c)(3) Foundation.
Jim Hicks, Chairman and Founder
843-415-5730 | Chair@wexfordfoundation.com
A Phantom Affair Celebration
Scott Hunter
Director of Golf
(843) 686-8812, ext. 141 shunter@wexfordhiltonhead.com
As we finish the season and look forward to 2025, now is a great time to reflect on another busy year in golf. By the end of the year, we are projected to finish with over 22,000 for the 2nd year in a row. It’s great to see so many members playing golf on a routine basis. The Men’s Member Guest with 116 entrants completed in late September with 72 members and their guests teeing off with hopes of glory. In the end, it was the team of Tim Swarts and his son Brandon, who won with an impressive “sandy” on the 9th hole and were crowned the champions. The Ladies Invitational was played in the middle of October, with 80 ladies enjoying golf, camaraderie, and lots of Glamping. The Seale team won
Golf
2024 Recap
the Overall Gross, while the Boorom / Etheridge foursome won the Overall Net.
Individually we have had some great accomplishments throughout the year. Sue MacCormack and Zach Ruhlin successfully defended their titles and won the Club Championship. Les Jones was the superstar to begin the year with victories in the 1983 Match Play and a team victory in the Men’s Member / Member along with Bob Cherichella. Not to be outdone, Tim Swarts had finished off the year by winning the beforementioned Men’s Member Guest. Some of Wexford’s most improved golfers this year (with a month still to go) are Al Boyle, Paul Klasing, Marty Hahn, Bobbie Arlotta and Liz Faas.
Bobby Blanken
1st Asst. Golf Professional (843) 686-8812, ext. 142 bblanken@wexfordhiltonhead.com
There were a number of Hole-inOnes in 2024. They were by Michael Fajgenbaum, Keith Madison, Tiger Buford, John Cunningham, and Jaime Seale.
Staff Recap
Congrats to Scott Hunter for his 7th place finish in Oregon in the Senior Professional Championship that qualifies for the Senior PGA in 2025. Now onto to Congressional Country Club to compete against Ernie Els, Steve Stricker and Bernhard Langer. He also finished T-2nd in the Section Championship in Wilmington, NC and will compete once again at Nationals in hopes of qualifying for the PGA Championship.
Congrats to Sue MacCormack for winning the season-long skins shootout. She outlasted 11 other players to win the cash payout. The last hole pitted Sue vs. Tiger Buford where she took home the big payout.
We had an incredible 92 golfers at our Halloween Nine & Dine event! Congratulations to the winners — Front Nine: Tied for 1st Joe & Bev Kyle / Bob & Sue Casagrand and Mark & Tracey Lunenburg /Andrew Lunenburg & Laura Levine — Back Nine: Steve & Cyndi Duvall /Andy & Whitney Wilson
December 13th: Holiday Nine & Dine February 7th: Valentine’s Nine & Dine
February 16th-18th: Intercollegiate Golf Tournament
Robert Wysong
Executive Chef (843) 715-0915 rwysong@wexfordhiltonhead.com
Clubhouse Corner
Michael Johnson
Clubhouse Manager (843) 715-0913
mjohnson@wexfordhiltonhead.com
Robert Mosco
Food & Beverage Mgr. (843) 715-0914 rmosco@wexfordhiltonhead.com
Car Show
Sunday Funday at the Wexford Car Show! Wexford neighbors showcased their unique rides and had a blast mingling with fellow car enthusiasts. We also had a successful premiere of our new food truck! Scan the QR code to see a video of the event.
Tuesday, December 24th
The Clubhouse will close after regular lunch service at 2:30pm Waves will be closed
Vivienne Smith Asst. Food & Bev. Mgr. (843) 686-8810
vsmith@wexfordhiltonhead.com
Hours of Operation
CLUBHOUSE DINING
Monday — Closed
Tuesday & Wednesday 11:30am – 2:30pm Lunch Only (*Bar service until 5pm)
Thursday-Sunday 11:30am – 2:30pm Lunch; 5:00pm – 8:30pm Dinner
CLUBHOUSE BAR
Monday — Closed
Tuesday & Wednesday - 11:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday-Sunday — 11:00am - Close
WAVES
Monday-Thursday — Closed Friday-Sunday — 11:00am - 5:00pm
Hours are subject to change based on the weather. Check the member website for the most up to date hours of operation.
TO GO HOURS
To find out the Daily Specials or to place To Go orders, call 843-715-0912 during the listed Clubhouse hours.
EVENT REQUESTS
Contact Michael Johnson at mjohnson@wexfordhiltonhead.com with any requests for events.
CLUBHOUSE CLOSURES
Wednesday, December 25th
The Clubhouse will be closed Waves will be closed
Wednesday, January 1st
The Clubhouse will be closed Waves will be closed
Patrick Mason Director of Tennis
(843) 686-8816, ext. 150 pmason@wexfordhiltonhead.com
TENNIS TIP
Tennis & Pickleball
Add some new shots to elevate your game
Grow your game by adding NEW shots! Because everyone is playing a lot of USTA matches this time of year it is easy to fall into a routine of using the same shots all the time. Add another dimension to your game by adding shots such as slice dropshots, spin serves, and mid-court vollies. See Patrick or Mike to take your game to the next level.
TENNIS TRIVIA
Q: What is the longest rally in history?
A: Guiness Book of records has the longest tennis rally in history listed as 51,283 shots and took place between Simone Frediani and Daniele Pecci on June 11, 2017 in Grosseto, Italy. The rally lasted from 6:23 AM to 7 PM!
Guest Tennis & Pickleball Pro
Wexford’s own Patrick Mason was recently invited to the Couples Resort in Negril, Jamaica, to be a guest tennis & pickleball pro. Thank you for spreading the Wexford brand and spirit all the way to the Caribbean!
Mike Pollard
Head Tennis Professional (843) 686-8816, ext. 152 mpollard@wexfordhiltonhead.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
December 12 at 2:00pm — Wexford/ Long Cove Challenge: Join us for the 25th Annual Wexford/Long Cove Challenge! This competitive and social event is open to Women and Men of ALL levels. This year’s after party will be hosted at Long Cove.
January 24 — Trivia Night: Join us for a fun, social tennis & pickleball round robin followed by musical trivia! Drinks and Appetizers will be served.
February 14, 10:00am-12:00pm — Valentine’s Day Round Robin: Join us for a fun, social MIXED doubles round robin. Drinks and appetizers will be served.
February 22 — 80+ Round Robin: Wexford hosts the 80+ round robin.
Fireball Open
Wexford pulled out a win at this year’s Fireball Open! The final score was 55-33.
25th Annual Pro-Am
Twelve of the island’s best tennis & pickleball pros visited for a tennis & pickleball round robin with Wexford members. A big thank you to the pros and members who continue to foster a vibrant tennis & pickleball community!
Work Off the Turkey
Round Robin
Thank you to all who came out to our annual post-Thanksgiving round robin event!
Advice for Intermediate Players
Tip #1 Go Deep
Your serve and return of serve must and should always be deep. With a deep shot, you are providing time for you and your teammate to reach the net. Conversely, the deep shot prevents your opponent from getting to the net for as long as possible. As a server, pushing the return team back as deep as possible is a crucial strategy.
Tip #2 Be Active
An advanced player should never look stationary or inert in one or two positions while playing. Make sure your body is relaxed and ready to adjust to any situation especially sudden changes in ball trajectory.
Tip #3 Ball Tracking
Being in the ready position means having your paddle up and in front of you.
Additionally, once you have your paddle up, players should be tracking the movement of the ball with your paddle.
Tip #4 Go for the legs.
Hit at your opponent’s feet. Makes for a difficult return shot. Easy right? No. Think about how often you have seen shots be hit accurately when the opponent is imbalance and generating power while backwards. This is a very low percentage shot. Odds are if you hit at the opponent’s feet, it is not being returned!
Tip #5 When you go for the legs, also go for the backhand
Again, the idea here is to make your opponent hit a difficult shot. Any backhand shot, even for an intermediate player, is a more difficult shot. The more difficult the shot, the more difficult it is to win. If your opponents are having to hit difficult backhands and you’re hitting forehands, you’re going to win more points. PICKLEBALL
Mark Dryden
Harbour Master
(843) 686-8813
mdryden@wexfordhiltonhead.com
Harbour/ Yacht Club
Boat Commissioning
Thank you to all who joined us for a beautiful evening at our 13th Annual Boat Commissioning last weekend. Nautical tradition was on display as we welcomed seven new boats to the harbour. Pirate Mark Dryden presented each new boat owner with a shot of rum, half to be poured into the Harbour as an offering to Poseidon.
In addition to the commissioning, a new Yacht Club Commodore and Vice Commodore were announced. Commodore Steve Duvall presented Rick Anderson with his new Commodore badge and announced Scott Behm as Vice Commodore.
Congratulations to the new boat owners and the new Yacht Club Commodore and Vice Commodore!
wmarshall@wexfordhiltonhead.com
Steve Duvall (Past Commodore), Scott Behm (New Vice Commodore), Mark Dryden (Harbourmaster), Rick Anderson (New Commodore)
David & Leslie Brinkman - Less Ten
Scott & Shannon Behm The Shrimp Boat
Michael & Kathleen Lang Catalina Rose
Lee & Joy Sporn - Joy RideAgain
John Lawless -Always Fishing
Karen Vasquez - Moon Reach
Steve & Marilyn Gammarino Marsh Mellow
Lock Cleaning scheduled for Dec. 10-12
Some of you may have noticed that the lock is beginning to show signs of marine growth. To keep this under control, we will clean the lock walls from December 10th - 12th. To keep the project on schedule, we ask that you
please limit your lock usage while the divers are working each day.
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated so we can perform this important piece of maintenance.
Inshore Fishing Tournament Results
Congratulations to Captain Gary Fisher for landing a 41-inch Bull Redfish and winning the Wexford fall fishing tournament!
We had five boats participate in the tournament over the weekend. The weather was beautiful and conditions were perfect to catch a prized Bull Redfish this past weekend while they came to our shores to spawn this fall.
Congratulations to Kellen Tokarski for landing his first-ever Bull Redfish and coming in second place with a 39-incher.
Marvin Morrison Chief of Security (843) 686-8817 mmorrison@wexfordhiltonhead.com
Steven Williams
Security
Captain
(843) 686-8817
swilliams@wexfordhiltonhead.com
Keep yourself safe during the holiday season
The holiday season is usually filled with lots of activities in the upcoming weeks. Please be mindful of the No Parking restriction on the streets — which we can assist with, should you have an event at your house, so please reach out to us during your planning.
As vehicle break-ins continue in the surrounding areas of Hilton Head Island, just remember there are those who would do their shopping from your vehicle. Remember, while out shopping, do not leave packages visible in your vehicle. Place them in the trunk or keep them with you until you are ready to return home.
While decorating your homes this year, please ensure the outside lighting is not embedded on dry straw/grass. Never connect multiple extension cords together; instead use a single cord that is long enough to reach the outlet without stretching, but not so long that it can get easily
tangled. While using a ladder to put up lights, have a second person to help by keeping a steady hand on the ladder while you are on it. You should set timers to turn the lights on and off during evening hours or try a remote device that allows you to flick the switch using your tablet or smartphone, always turn off holiday lights when you leave the house unattended or when going to bed.
Throughout this holiday season, please take those commonsense approaches to help protect yourself and to safely enjoy the holiday season. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact security.
Happy Holidays, Chief Morrison
Member Photo Gallery
POCKETS FULL OF SUNSHINE
In November, Pockets Full of Sunshine hosted a charity Pickleball event at Wexford, which allowed them to take 85 adults with disabilities to a Savannah Ghost Pirates Game in February!
WEXFORD VETERANS HONORED
On November 9th, Wexford’s own WWII veterans, Briggs Jones and Eric Krieger, were honored at the OPFOB Gala at the Westin. They were escorted by limousine from their flag-decorated homes with a full-blown police motorcade to the venue, where they were recognized for their extraordinary service. We are so fortunate to have them in our community!
DECEMBER 2024
JANUARY
Golf Croquet 9am