The Birnam Buzz - March 2025 by birnamwood

BIRNAM BUZZ

DEAR MEMBERS OF BIRNAM WOOD

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Richard De Schutter, President

January saw a milestone event for the Club with approval of the $15 million Capital Project that includes a complete kitchen renovation, additional parking and a major golf course restoration. This approval immediately followed the passage of a special assessment by homeowners as a major component of the overall financing plan. It is gratifying to note that homeowners supported this measure by a near four to one vote count showing a strong willingness to invest in Birnam’s future standing as a premier club. Non homeowners are not subject to this assessment.

Work will begin shortly with the placement of trailers outside the veranda setting up the temporary kitchen. It will certainly be a different look for the roughly 6-months of construction, but the facilities are designed to provide near full food service for all dining venues during the disruption. Jordan Sweeney, General Manager, will tape an upcoming video with further information and I encourage all members to view it. It should be available in the first week of March via a special mailing to all members or on the club app.

Kitchen construction will commence in April with an October completion date. The golf course restoration will begin March 2026 with a 12-month completion target and some portion of the course open for play 8 months of the 12.

On another matter, I was sorry to have missed the employee/ member golf outing sitting out with a bad cold that I would not have wished on my fellow golfers. This is one of my favorite events of the year as it provides members with a chance to thank and socialize with our wonderful associates who do such a great job of service for the members.

We are very fortunate at Birnam to have such a terrific team in place. But simply saying thanks for a job well done need not wait for a special occasion. The next time you take notice of good service or follow through on a special request…please say so. I know the staff really appreciates it.

See you at the club.

FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER

Jordan Sweeney, CCM, CSW General Manager and Chief Operating Officer

Exciting Changes Ahead: A New Era for Our Club’s Kitchen

Spring is ushering in a transformative chapter at Birnam Wood Golf Club, and we couldn’t be more excited to share the details. The Board has officially approved the next phase of the project, which includes the restoration of our golf course (beginning in March 2026), additional parking, and a complete renovation of our kitchen. The kitchen renovation is a long-overdue upgrade that will elevate our dining operations for years to come. This article will focus on the kitchen renovation, as it’s happening first and will have the most immediate impact on our daily operations.

With this renovation, we will completely gut the existing kitchen down to the studs and rebuild it with efficiency, safety, and innovation in mind. Currently, the kitchen faces multiple safety hazards due to a lack of proper walkways and limited prep space. The redesign will ensure that our culinary team has the tools and space they need to continue delivering the exceptional dining experiences our members expect and deserve. Additionally, our new kitchen will feature two full cooking lines, allowing us to execute multiple services at once. No longer will we need to plate large events in the library—our new layout will streamline operations and improve service efficiency.

Keeping You Well-Fed During Construction

To ensure a seamless dining experience while renovations are underway, we will be bringing in five specialized kitchen trailers to keep our culinary operations running smoothly:

• Hot Food Trailer – Dedicated to preparing warm entrées and grilled specialties.

• Cold Prep Trailer – Handling salads, sandwiches, and chilled dishes.

• Dishwashing Trailer – Keeping everything clean and organized.

• Two Storage Trailers – Maintaining proper inventory, refrigeration and freezer storage, and ingredient flow.

Key

Dates & What to Expect

Week of April 7, 2025 – Delivery of the portable kitchen trailers.

April 7 - April 27, 2025 – Setup phase: installing equipment, transferring product, training staff, and ensuring everything is fully operational.

April 28, 2025 – The portable kitchen officially goes live! While menus will be slightly streamlined, our goal is to continue offering a full, high-quality dining experience in both the 19th Hole and The Packing House. The Packing House will remain the most elegant dining spot in town, and our team is committed to maintaining the excellence you expect.

Chef Abdu, Eric, Louie, and the entire culinary team have been working tirelessly to ensure a smooth transition, and we appreciate your patience and support during this exciting time.

Thank you for your support and I’ll see you around the Club!

Jordan Sweeney General Manager/ COO

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF SECURITY

Nicole Landon

Security project update:

• All existing cameras and servers have been replaced.

• The license plate readers will be online the week of 2/24.

• The cabling and poles are up on East Valley between the Gate and Sheffield

-These will be online by 2/26.

-All the exterior cameras will alert to the gate if a human is detected.

-Simultaneously a light will come on and either a pre-recorded message or the Gate Guard

can key a mic and talk to the individual.

-If tampered with (line is cut or spray painted etc.) an alert will also be sent.

• The next batch to be brought online will be from the corner of East Valley and Sheffield, down Sheffield to the back gate.

Walking Safety:

• Please walk on the side of the road vs the middle

• Always walk against traffic

• At night wear reflective or light-colored clothing

• At no time are dogs allowed on the golf course

Reminders:

• Birnam Wood Speed Limit is 25 mph.

• Please bring trash cans in before sundown on the day of service.

• Let Security know when you are away.

• Leave exterior lights on at night.

• Set alarms and make sure the cameras are working.

• Close windows and doors after dark and when away.

• Put timers on interior lights.

• Stop mail and paper if you are gone for an extended period.

• In the event of an emergency call 911 FIRST, then the gate.

MEMBERSHIP

Welcome New Members – February 2025

Jennifer

Kelly (Niall)

Resident

Nick Weber, Robin Fell, Ricardo Calderon

Jennifer was raised on L.A. and attended the University of Arizona followed by graduate school at Loyola Marymount. Niall graduated from UCSB and the Santa Clara Business School. Jennifer spent many years as a primary grade teacher, volunteer and aide. Niall was the key principle at Cool-Pak. Jennifer and Niall have two sons and are both involved in local organizations. Jennifer is actively involved in the Garden Club of SB and the Little Town Club and previously served on the board of Casa Del Herrero. They enjoy traveling with family and friends and spending time at Birnam Wood with Jennifer’s parents, long time members Nick and Patty Weber. They look forward to participating in Birnam’s activities.

Elliott and Judith Bouillion

Non-Resident

Ellin Todd, Chris Giblin, Ryan Malmsten

Elliot earned a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Lafayette. He worked for Landmark Graphics for 12 years as Vice President and General Manager. He has worked as a private equity investor and, most recently was the founder and Vice Chairman of Resource Environmental Solutions (RES) where he worked for 13 years as President and CEO. RES helped pioneer the emerging environmental mitigation industry and in 2022 he was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2022, Central South. Judy worked for Sakowitz and later Landmark Graphics Corp. In 1993 they welcomed triplet boys, and she became a full-time mother. They enjoy traveling, golf, pickleball, and are looking forward to learning Croquet. They live primarily in Boulder, Colorado and will spend more time in Santa Barbara once they sell their Houston home.

Mark and Jill Dewey

Social

Robert Siegel, Chris Teasley, Ginny Maloco

Mark received his BA from William and Mary and his MBA from the University of Virginia. Jill received her BS from DePaul University. Mark and Jill live half the year in Montecito and half the year in Austin, TX. They moved to Austin from Montecito in 2005 for professional reasons but kept their Montecito ties and own a condo in Bonnymede. Their kids are now in college. Mark sold his digital media company and retired and now serves on the Bonnymede HOA board of directors. They enjoy dining socializing and sunsets and are very excited to join Birnam Wood.

John (Jack) Lorentson

Jr. Golf

Evan Pratt, Dave Grotenhuis, Gayle Beebe

Jack graduated from Westmont college with a BS in Economics. He works in private aviation and is currently enrolled in a theology program at Westmont college. He is involved in his local church and loves playing golf and tennis. He is excited to be an active part of the golf club!

Jordan Otterbein

Social

Hank Hurst, Alex Bianchi, Billy Grokenberger

Jordan is the proud father of four daughters and three grandchildren. He is the managing partner of River Jetty Restaurant Group based in Newport Beach. The group owns 5 restaurants and are actively working on two more concepts in West Hollywood and Laguna Beach. He spent 20 years in the marketing business which led him to the hospitality business. He fell in love with hospitality and has been in the restaurant business for over 20 years. He also enjoys golf, tennis and pickleball and is looking forward to joining the Club!

Candidates for Membership

The following new candidates for membership will be considered at the next meeting of the Membership Committee:

Dr. Ronald Moy (Lisa)

Non-Resident

David Watson (Lorell)

Non-Resident

John Perry (Joy)

Social

Priscilla Turner (Timothy)

Non-Resident

Facial Plastic/Dermatology

Wilshire CC, Beverly Hills Tennis Club

Co-Founder Direct Retail Partners

Dallas CC, Northwood Club

Vice President, Riot Games

Montecito Club

Banking

Chatham Hills Golf Club

Mr. Morris Muscatel

Ms. Devra Lieb

Mr. Kirk Davis

Mr. Bill Cawley

Mr. Sam Wolcott

Mr. Dennis Sanan

Ms. Betty Urban

Mrs. Monica Epstein

For the best interest of the Club, information regarding any candidate, whether favorable or unfavorable, is earnestly requested. Communications concerning any applicant may be made personally or by a signed writing to the Membership Committee. All communications will be held in strict confidence.

Please submit comments by Friday, March 14, 2025 .

Membership Committee:

Kelly Vandever, Chair

Jen Abed

Marta Babson

Darryl Becker

Bryan Brand

Rob Crane

Monica Epstein

Trey Evans

Chris Gregoire

David Grotenhuis

Vicki Hazard

Ryan Malmsten

Austin Muller

Matt Porter

Emily Roos

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF CLUBHOUSE OPERATIONS

Luis Flores

We are starting off March with our Mardi Gras 3-Course Dinner followed quickly by our St. Patrick’s Day dinner. These themed dinners are a great way to celebrate, and we currently have space available for both events. As always, you can reserve your spot by signing up on the Club’s app or by calling the front desk.

Mother’s Day Brunch, on May 11th, is our next Signature Club Event. Reservations open on March 11th at 9:00am for this always popular brunch. We encourage you to make your reservations on the Club’s App. If you have trouble using the App, please let me know and we will be happy to assist you!

I want to also highlight a couple of social events that are taking place this month.

On March 11th from 1:00 – 3:00pm we are offering “Mahjong Drop-In.” This is a great way to learn and improve your Mahjong game. You can make your reservation by calling the front desk.

Also, on March 15th from 5:30 – 8:30pm, we are hosting Saturday Night Live in the Packing House. SNL offers live music in the Packing House along with fun activities in the library for your children (ages 5-10). The kids will enjoy a movie night and dinner while you enjoy your date night in the Packing House. Make your reservation by calling the front desk or sign up on the App.

Thank you for your continued support of the Club.

POP UP BAR

in us on the first Friday of the onth for a TGIF event!

30PM TO 7:00PM

is is an informal Wine Tasting where we l offer different wine varietals and a licious charcuterie board for you to enjoy.

ere is no cost to this event and no servations required. Hope to see you there!

March 2025

April 2025

GOLF NEWS

Michael Goodcase, Director of Golf

It was a delight to get the couple of storms in February. The golf course absorbed the rain with no problem. The conditions are even better now with the assist from Mother Nature.

Men’s Team Play wraps up their season on Saturday, February 22nd, at Montecito Club. Unfortunately, the season ends without a play off berth. Thank you to team Captain, Chris Gregoire for all the work he put in to motivate the groups and organize practice, line-ups and the F&B. After losing our first home match versus Saticoy, the team bounced back with home wins against North Ranch and Montecito Club.

The BWWGA 2025 most improved players: January - Terri Bennett

Speaking of team play, our Ladies’ Team begins their quest to make the playoffs in February. Their first match is away versus Porter Valley on February 25th. Their first home match will take place on March 20. They have been preparing for their season for the last couple of months. They are hopeful for a very successful season. Thank you to team captains, Esther McKinley and Diane Wootton for leading our team.

As spring approaches, the golf calendar will pick up. The women will play their Spring Swing on Tuesday, March 18th. April will host the first major for both the men and the women. The Ladies’ RTJ Challenge (Member-Member) will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 15th and 16th. The Men’s McLean Member-Member will take place on Friday and Saturday, April 25th and 26th. Now is the time to pair up with that special Birnam Wood golf buddy. Sign-ups on the App will open soon.

KEEP YOUR LEAD ARM CONNECTED TO YOUR BODY FOR BETTER BALL STRIKING.

Scott Maier, PGA Certified Teaching Professional

A common flaw seen in amateur golfers is when the player’s lead arm disconnects from their upper body during the early follow through. The lead elbow breaks down or bends, which also leads to a breakdown or bending of the lead wrist. The result is thin, heavy, and offcenter hits. Even if the player strikes the ball with the middle of the clubface there is limited compression due to the added loft from the lead wrist breaking down.

Keeping you left arm connected is not to say that you must keep your left arm perfectly straight, although a player will benefit from having a straighter left arm. Jordan Spieth is well known for having a bent left arm though impact. But notice that he maintains the connection between his left arm and his body past impact.

Also know that as the swing approaches the finish position the lead arm will disconnect from the upper body. The lead arm does not maintain connection throughout the entire swing.

A drill for maintaining lead arm connection is to make half swings with a glove, or towel underneath your lead arm pit. It may feel awkward at first, so start by making half swings with a sand wedge or pitching wedge and no golf ball. The goal is to keep the glove or towel from falling to the ground when you swing. As you become more comfortable with this and you can swing without dropping the object, make half swings hitting balls off a tee. I recommend half swing only, so you develop a solid feel for how your lead arm works through impact and early follow through.

Use this drill to warm up and practice. As you become proficient at keeping your lead arm connected to your body, your ball striking will improve.

Call the golf shop today to schedule a lesson so we can help you keep your left arm connected to your body.

TUESDAY, APRIL 15TH

S P R I N G S W I N G

8:00 AM - Range Opens & Continental Breakfast 9:00 AM - Shotgun Format: Scramble Lunch & Prizes to follow play $

48-Hour Cancellation policy in

Co-Chairs: Diane Lundberg & Barbara Biehl

MEN’S & WOMEN’S DIVISIONS

FRIDAY, MARCH 28

1 : 0 0 P M

$40 CASH BUY-IN PER PLAYER

Foursome- Individual, Gross, and Net Skins.

Reception after golf with complimentary hors d’oeuvres.

Make your own foursome or sign up as a single. All Rounds are strictly enforced to cross the finish line in four hours.

FROM TEE TO GREEN

Brian O’Laughlin Director of Agronomy

These are exciting times around the club!

February finally delivered some much-needed rain, and it was very well received. We accumulated 6.5 inches in the first two weeks of the month, and the course has made great use of that fresh rainfall. Combined with some welltimed fertilizer and wetting agent applications, I don’t think I’ve seen the course in better shape during my time here.

And this is just the beginning! The rough will continue to establish itself throughout the spring, and I’m still hopeful for another one or two good rain events. Fingers crossed— we’ll take all we can get.

The Bermuda grass is finally waking up! We’ve increased our mowing schedule to twice per week. There are still some thin and bare areas, most of which are protected by wooden stakes. Please avoid these spots as they recover. These issues are primarily due to excessive shade—some areas around the property don’t see the sun for three months, and the Bermuda grass fades to almost nothing. The beginning of the 3rd fairway is a good example. We can help these areas recover through selective tree pruning and, in some cases, removal. Bermuda is a resilient turfgrass, but taking away its sunlight is one of the quickest ways to kill it. Fortunately, now that the sun is getting higher in the sky and soil temperatures are rising, we should see recovery in most of these spots. The worst areas may require some sod work.

Also, this month you’ll see an interesting technique taking place. After seeding our rough with ryegrass, we’ve developed very distinct cut lines between the fairways and rough. Many of our bunker edges are meant to be maintained at fairway height, but to do this successfully,

we need to hit the reset button. We’ll be aggressively scalping down the fairway cuts that are meant to surround the bunkers. Good examples of this can be seen on holes 6 and 7. It may look visually drastic at first, but rest assured, it’s intentional and will recover within a couple of weeks at the proper fairway height.

Lastly, a celebration is in order! The golf course project has passed — along with the kitchen and parking lot projects. My team is working tirelessly to initiate a successful restoration. We have the right people in place to deliver excellent results. This project will raise our ceiling of excellence, and with proper grow-in and care, Birnam Wood will transform into a top-tier facility. I look forward to providing the conditions I’ve always felt Birnam, and its members deserve.

As always, please remember to fill in your divots and fix your ball marks. See you out on the course!

CREATE A TENNIS AND/OR PICKLEBALL CAMP WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY WITH OUR HEAD RACQUETS PROFESSIONAL, JEFF VILLANO. CHOOSE THE DAYS, TIMES, AND IF YOU WANT LUNCH

FROM THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Scott Burton

Greetings from Athletics!

There is always something to look forward to here at Birnam Wood. If you want an amazing dining experience, a world class wine program or opportunities meet others through sport, there is always something happening at the club.

If you’re looking for a way to stay active without feeling like you’re actually exercising, pickleball, bocce ball, and croquet have got you covered! Pickleball is like the love child of tennis and ping pong, offering a fast-paced yet low-impact workout that keeps your heart pumping and reflexes sharp—without leaving you gasping for air. Bocce ball, on the other hand, is all about precision and patience, giving you the satisfaction of landing the perfect roll while secretly improving your balance and coordination. Keep your eyes open for our famous Bocce Summer League! It will be here before you know it.

Then there’s croquet, the ultimate game of strategy and finesse, where you can channel your inner aristocrat while sneaking in a surprisingly good workout for your core and legs as you stroll the lawn, plotting your next move. Our Croquet & Rose’ season has begun, and we’ll be hosting this event monthly throughout the summer season.

But the real magic of these games is that they bring our wonderful members together like nothing else. Pickleball courts are basically social hubs where friendly rivalries and laughter go hand in hand, and even if you’re not the next champion, you’ll leave with new friends. Bocce ball turns into a battleground of fun, encouraging teamwork, friendly banter,

and the occasional victory dance. And croquet? It’s the perfect excuse to gather friends, sip a cold drink, and engage in some lighthearted (or intensely strategic) competition. Whether you’re smashing a pickleball, rolling a bocce ball, or whacking a croquet ball through a hoop, Birnam Wood athletics offer plenty of laughs, and a fantastic way to stay active without breaking a sweat—unless you’re really into it!

NEWS FROM JEFF

One division was left to play in the Pickleball Club Championships. On Saturday, January 25th the Men’s Advanced group battled it out. Eight men played a game with each partner and when the scores were tallied, Ryan Siemens edged out Kelly Vandever by ONE point to be crowned the Club Champion. Brent Peus was not too far behind and finished third. Congratulations, Ryan! The next pickleball event will be the Member/Guest Tournament on March 15th & 16th so find your

Unfortunately, our Valentine’s Mixed Doubles Round Robin did not take place. I think the much-needed rain and Holiday weekend got in the way. So, the next tennis event on the calendar is the Member/Guest on April 12th & 13th.

The BNP Paribas Open is coming to Indian Wells, CA, March 2nd –16th. This is the closest the top professional tennis players in the world will get to Santa Barbara. I highly recommend taking a trip to Tennis Paradise to see these incredible athletes. You can go early and see the

Ryan Siemens – Club Champion. Men’s Advanced Group.

qualifying rounds, go to the middle weekend and see the most action, or go later when the best players are left in the tournament. For more information or to buy tickets, check out https://bnpparibasopen.com.

SUMMER JUNIOR GOLF & TENNIS CAMP

Have your children and their friends participate in Biram Wood’s fun Golf & Tennis Camp. Three weeks will be offered this summer. You can participate in Golf/Tennis, Golf only or Tennis only options. The camp runs Monday – Thursday 11:00AM-1:00PM (golf), 1:00PM1:30PM (lunch), 1:30PM-3:30PM (tennis). Please contact the Golf or Tennis Shop to sign up.

Session 1: June 16th-19th

Session 2: July 14th-17th

Session 3: August 4th-7th

Another option I’m going to offer this Summer is a “CREATE A CAMP”. Create your own Tennis, Pickleball, or combo camp. Choose the days and times that work best for you and your friends. Please contact me for more details. I look forward to working with your children and their friends over the Summer.

COURT RESURFACING

I’m excited to announce Hard courts 5 and 6 are scheduled be resurfaced March 24th – March 31st. The courts will be CLOSED for the whole week. Please plan your schedule accordingly. Please book the Clay courts or talk to the Tennis Shop about playing tennis on the Pickleball courts.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Pickleball Member/Guest Tournament (Men’s & Women’s Divisions)

Saturday and Sunday, March 15th & 16th

Intermediate Division (2.5-3.4), Saturday 1:00PM – 4:00PM

Advanced Division (3.5+), Sunday 10:00AM – 1:00PM

The first 8 teams in each division will be guaranteed a spot.

Tennis Member/Guest Tournament (Men’s & Women’s Divisions)

Saturday and Sunday, April 12th & 13th

Intermediate Division (2.5-3.4), Saturday 1:00PM – 4:00PM

Advanced Division (3.5+), Sunday 10:00AM – 1:00PM

The first 8 teams in each division will be guaranteed a spot.

Cinco de Mayo, Dinks & Drinks

Saturday, May 3rd, 1:00PM to 4:00PM

Tennis

Clinics are filling up fast. Remember to sign up on the App.

Tuesday Afternoon Clay Court Clinic, 2:30PM – 4:00PM

Wednesday Morning Women’s C Team Clinic, 9:30AM – 11:00AM

Friday Morning Clay Court Clinic, 9:00AM – 10:30AM

Saturday Morning Live Ball Clinics at 9:00AM and 10:00AM (Do one or both hours)

Pickleball

There has been a lot of activity on the pickleball courts. Join us for one of these clinics/events.

Monday Advanced Clinic, 3.5+, 9:00AM – 10:30AM

Monday Int/Adv Clinic, 3.0-3.4, 2:00PM – 3:30PM

Tuesday Beg/Int Clinic, 2.0-3.0, 9:00AM – 10:30AM

Wednesday Open Play – All Levels, 1:00PM – 3:00PM

Wednesday Live Ball Clinic, 3:00PM – 4:00PM

Saturday Live Ball Clinic, 11:00AM – 12:00PM

Saturday Open Play - All Levels, 1:00PM – 3:00PM

The Tennis and Pickleball machines can be rented out at $15/hr. This is a great way to improve your game. Please contact the tennis shop for more information.

Private Lessons

Please contact Jeff or Scott to set up private or private group lessons. See you on the courts.

Jeff Villano, Head Racquets Professional

Remember… “You might not be able to outthink, out market or outspend your competition, but you can outwork them!” The great Lou Holtz.

That’s the news from Athletics for now. Hope to see you out enjoying all that Birnam has to offer.

FITNESS NEWS

Joy DuMay, Fitness Director

Fun Facts about Fat Ok maybe not “fun”, but fat is not all bad!

1. The average person has about 30 billion fat cells, give or take a few billion. Their main function is storing excess calories in the form of fatty acids—a lifesaving mechanism that evolved to prevent starvation when food is scarce.

2. Fat is not just passive tissue. As an endocrine organ, it secretes two of the major hormones: leptin, which controls appetite, and adiponectin, which is connected to blood sugar levels.

3. Fat cells are like super-durable balloons. When you have a surplus of calories, these cells expand in number and size, filling up with a large droplet of triglyceride (fat). When you have a deficit of calories (on a diet), these cells shrink, but don’t go away. Adipose cells can live in humans up to ten years. This is partially why it’s so difficult to avoid yo-yo dieting.

4. We have two different kinds of fat. White adipose tissue is our main storehouse of energy that keeps humans from starving and our bodies from shutting down. Adults also have small amounts (about 2 ounces) of brown fat, a type of fat that burns energy rather than storing it.

5. Location matters. All fat is not created equal. Subcutaneous fat, the kind that sits directly under our skin, is not necessarily harmful to our health. Visceral fat, on the other hand, which is stored in the abdominal cavity and wraps around our organs, is linked to metabolic disease. As people become more obese in the midsection, their fat cells enlarge, leaking toxic fatty acids into the portal vein, which causes fat accumulation in the liver and muscles. If too much fat builds up in the liver, people can also develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Excess belly fat also creates inflammation that can increase susceptibility to certain cancers.

6. Fat fuels our brain during sleep. When we sleep, our body turns to adipose tissue for energy to maintain brain and all other organ functioning. While it’s a small amount of energy compared to the quantity needed during the day when we’re active, having this backup energy storage is a matter of life and death.

7. Genes and childhood weight gain affect the number of fat cells you have. People with the same genes (i.e., twins) are up to three times as likely to have the same amount of weight gain as nonrelated people. The other key determinant is how much weight you gained when you were a child. Fat cells grow in number in our earlier years. In adulthood, the pace slows down; our fat cells shrink when we lose weight or expand when we put on weight, but the actual number probably doesn’t change as much as it did when we were younger.

The Five Keys to Fat Loss

This part is simple, and hard.

To be successful at weight loss, you must be consistent and committed. Plan your diet and exercise ahead of time. Challenge yourself to a program with an end-date like a family wedding, your birthday, or a planned vacation. Once you’ve set your mind to take charge of your health, you will succeed!

1) What you eat: Choose a plant-based diet with low fat protein. Eliminate white foods (pasta, rice, bread) and sugar (no baked goodies sorry). Limit alcohol (sorry again).

2) How much you eat: If you want to lose fat, you need to eat fewer calories than you normally take in. Eat smaller meals. Leave the dinner table hungry. No late-night snacking.

3) Cardio Interval Training: Best advice here? Work out as hard as you can for as long as you can. Steady state cardio is healthy for heart and lung function, but for torching fat you need to do

some 60 to 90 second challenging intervals during two or three workouts each week – either by speeding up, adding resistance, or going uphill.

4) Strength Training: Muscle is metabolically active, meaning that it helps you burn calories even at rest. A two to three-day-aweek, total-body workout on machines, free weights, body weight or bands can give you the bump you need to succeed.

5) Sleep: Research has shown that good quality, deep sleep is important for brain health and metabolic activity. Good “sleep hygiene” like no screen time or alcohol before bed, a cool and quiet room, and a regular schedule will help you feel refreshed and ready to make good choices each day.

F L O W

Come join your fellow members in our beautiful, clean, and private Fitness Studio. We look forward to moving and energizing with you!

Contact Joy DuMay for details at jdumay@bwgc net Space is limited in the Studio, so those with reservations will have priority for admission to class. There is a 24-hour cancellation policy in effect.

MON 9:45 AM: Strength and Grace with Marianna Sarkisova 11:00 AM: Gentle Flow Yoga with Lily Rozhko

TUES 9:30 AM: Balance and Stability with Sally Saenger 11:00 AM: Cardio Dance & Sculpt with Joy DuMay

WED 11:00 AM: Iyengar Yoga with Vanessa Bacher

THUR 9:45 AM: Strength and Grace with Marianna Sarkisova 11:00 AM: Gentle Flow Yoga with Lily Rozhko

FRI 9:30 AM: Tai Chi with Chris Wiedmann

Class Cancellations:

Iyengar Yoga - March 5th

Strength & Grace - March 3rd, 6th, 10th & 13th

Balance & Stability - March 25th

Strength & Grace Class with Marianna

Monday and Thursday at 9:45 am

Join Marianna’s class, designed for women, where Barre, Pilates, and Strength Training come together. This workout enhances balance and strength, helping you sculpt and tone your body

All fitness levels are welcome /class $30

Balance & Stability

With

Sally Saenger

Tuesdays at 9:30am.

Balance is a skill that needs to be practiced as we age.

In this class, you'll be presented with simple and safe ways to increase strength and improve balance and mobility. This fun class will increase your confidence in performing activities of daily living.

$30

CLUB BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President Richard De Schutter

Secretary Wade Nichols

Treasurer Bob Kidder

Director Rachael Douglas

Director Linda Gluck

Director Patricia Griffin

Director Billy Grokenberger

Director Vicki Hazard

Director Steve Jones

Director Howard Rochestie

Director Chris Teasley

Director Kelly Vandever

Director Charles Wilson

HOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President Wade Nichols

Treasurer Richard De Schutter

Secretary Vicki Hazard

Director Patricia Griffin

Director Meg Pearson

Director Sharol Siemens

Director Chris Teasley

Director Charles Wilson

Director Linda Wood

CLUB COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Athletic Wade Nichols

Compensation & HR Robert Nourse

Construction

Oversight Steve Jones

Cottage Sharol Siemens

Finance Bob Kidder

401k Tim Armour

Golf Billy Grokenberger

Green Andrew Powell

House Rachael Douglas

Membership Kelly Vandever

HOA COMMITTEE CHAIRS

A&L Chris Teasley

Homeowners Fred Lukas

Security Dave Grotenhuis

The next regular meeting of The Board of Directors will be held on FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2025 AT 9 AM.

BIRNAM WOOD GOLF CLUB

2031 Packing House Road

Santa Barbara, CA 93108

CLUBHOUSE DRESS CODE - Country club casual dress is acceptable during the day in all areas of the clubhouse. For gentlemen this includes slacks or Bermuda shorts, collared shirts tucked in at the waist with a belt, or appropriate golf and tennis attire and for ladies this includes dresses, nice pants, skirts, and similar attire. In the evening, a country club casual dining option is available in The Packing House, the 19th Hole Bar and on the Veranda. The Club may request event-specific appropriate attire (black tie, blue jean pants permitted, etc.) for certain functions. Members hosting or sponsoring private events are responsible for communicating the Club dress code to those attending such events.

CANCELLATION POLICY - Reservations for private parties and Club sponsored events will be charged to the Member’s account unless notice of cancellation is received at the office at least 48 hours in advance. Reservations for Major Club sponsored special events will be charged to the Member’s account unless notice of cancellation is received at the office at least one week in advance. Should a cancellation be made after these times, a charge of one half of the price of the event will be made. Should no cancellation be made, the full price will be charged.

CELL PHONES AND BUSINESS PARAPHERNALIA - The use of cellular phones and other electronic and wireless devices for the purpose of conducting audible conversations is strictly prohibited on the Club premises (including the Clubhouse and the Terrace areas of the Clubhouse, tennis courts, croquet courts, driving range, and golf course), except inside parked vehicles and the locker rooms and except for medical emergencies.

FOR YOUR PROTECTION - Audio and video recording is taking place at Birnam Wood.

STAFF ROSTER

Jordan Sweeney, General Manager

Luis Flores, Director of Clubhouse Operations

Kristy Evans, Director of Membership & Communication

Michael Goodcase, Director of Golf

Brian O’Laughlin, Director of Agronomy

Scott Burton, Athletic Director

Jeff Villano, Head Racquets Professional

Nicole Landon, Director of Security

Michael Alvarado, Deputy Director of Security

Michael Weems, CFO

Claudia Raiti, Controller

Debbie Daggett, Director of Human Resources

Eric Salazar, Director of Food & Beverage

Abdu Romero, Executive Chef

Tiffany Grummer, Director of Private Events

Israel Ruiz, Facilities Director

Joy DuMay, Fitness Director

Cathy Kendrick, Lead Front Desk Attendant