August Newsletter 2024 by Indian Creek Yacht & Country Club

SSmoke ignals

SOCIAL

AUGUST 1 TRIVIA NIGHT

AUGUST 2 FIRST FRIDAY Featuring CameronAshton

AUGUST 14 MAH JONGG

AUGUST 15 ROSE & BUBBLES WINE EVENT

AUGUST 20 BUNCO

AUGUST 24 COMEDY NIGHT

GOLF

AUGUST 2

MEN’S INTERCLUB HOME VS GOLDEN EAGLE

AUGUST 8 9-HOLE WGA SUMMER SCRAMBLE & SOCIAL

AUGUST 17 & 18

MEN’S & WOMEN’S CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

AUGUST 20 18-HOLE WGA SUMMER SCRAMBLE

AUGUST 25 JOHNSON-LOVING SCHOLARSHIP SCRAMBLE

RACQUET

AUG 3 & 4 Spec Tennis & Pickleball Tournament

AUGUST 9-11 Red Cross Fundraising Tournament

YACHT

AUGUST 9 River Rat Cruise

AUGUST 18 Ice Cream Social at the Home of the Kramers

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Message

ICYCC Financial Sustainability

BY BARBARA FENTRESS

This article is the first piece to bring into the spotlight the current financial status of our Club and make sure every member is aware of where we stand and how the Board wants us to move into the next 5-10 years to be financially sound AND address the many capital requirements that all Clubs face.

There is often a misconception that not-for-profit entities ‘try to breakeven.’ That notion leads to unsustainable enterprises.Not-for-profit is a tax status, not a way to run a company. Club shareholders should mandate long-term financial planning which will ensure the viability of the Club they bought into for far into the future.

The years 2020-2023 were very good for ICYCC. Membership grew, initiation fees filled the capital account, and interest rates were low.The Board invested in a number of large capital projects and the Capital Asset Planning Study to address the replacement of current assets. As we come out of those years we need to carefully plan for debt repayment and capital expenditures.

The Board is studying a plan and considering recommendations for long-term sustainable practices. The Club knows it will need to re-structure the current debt as low interest loans hit and interest rates reset. We also know that there are Club assets that need attention. A sub-committee of members from Finance and Planning Committees are working diligently to balance the needs and wants of today’s members with the financial strength of our Club into the future. Both of these items are in support of Goals identified in the Strategic Plan.

Pictures tell a thousand words – look at the photos from the pool on the next page, as well as, the USGA study of our bunkers (Click Here). Enjoy the history of the pool and bath house in the story included in this SmokeSignals. Also included is a snapshot of the Club’s current financial position so that all members have the data to consider.

The plan for the next few months is to: provide the membership with as much information as we can to represent all issues under consideration, hold a member meeting to present that information in a live format, survey the membership to get as much input and guidance as possible

I invite you to gather as much information as we can provide and get involved in the upcoming dialogue.Every voice is important.

ItisnotasurprisethatPatrickis employeeofthemonth.Patrick hasbeenwithIndianCreekfor manyyearsandisalwaysgoing aboveandbeyondinevery aspect.

Heisanamazingchefanda pleasuretobearoundwhen workinginthekitchen.Helovesto telljokesandkeepsthekitchenin greatspirits.

PatrickWalker

ReplacingourAgingPool

ByMikePetty,PlanningChair

In 2018, the Architectural Master Plan Working Group (AMPWG) included the replacement of our swimming pool as one of their six amenity project recommendations. In 2022, the Board decided to begin work on replacing our pool in its current location behind the Club house. The Board hired a Civil Engineer and Design Architect to develop the preliminary engineering plans and design for this project We’ve been told by the experts an inground pool has a useful life of between 20-30 years depending on maintenance and usage. Our Pool Champions team within the Planning Committee decided to do some digging to see if they could document when our current pool was constructed and if there were any major upgrades to the structure over the years. The following is a chronology of what they discovered:

In 1957, our members purchased the house, pool and nine-hole golf course for $30,000 The current bathhouse was constructed in 1981 at a cost of $22,000. In 1987, the pool was renovated at a cost of $80,000. We were unable to find any documentation as the scope of this renovation. In 1999, the shade structure at the south end of the pool was constructed for $25,500 We do know over the years there was some periodic maintenance and minor facelifting performed on the pool, but nothing of any major significance.

Those members who use our pool know about the conditions of the deck, coping and tile around the pool and the men’s and women’s changing areas. However, I suspect our current users and the rest of our membership have not seen the current condition of the equipment in the mechanical room

A picture is worth a thousand words: Mechanical Room

success. Capital income is primarily from initiation fees and monthly Capital Dues. Capital income and investment is the Club’s financial driver. Sustained capital investment consistently grows the Club’s net worth over time and is essential to long-term success, avoiding both stagnation and decline.

The Club made significant capital investments in recent years to enhance the Member experience. Among these investments are the new expanded putting green, the Willow Oaks Terrace, expansion and upgrades at the Marina, renovations to the dining areas, a new irrigation well, renovation of the men’s restroom and locker room, several new golf maintenance equipment items, HVAC replacement in the Clubhouse, and replacement of the Pavilion. As the Club made these notable investments, it also invested over $1 million in everything from kitchen equipment, computer upgrades, and a backhoe, to new lighting in the racquet center, a shade at the Marina, and an ice and water station at the Pro Shop – plus multiple other items

While most of these recent investments were made with cash, the Club also incurred long-term debt with a current balance of $1,644,178. This debt consists of $397,107 for the Willow Oaks Terrace, $598,116 for the 1955, Creekside, Blue Heron, and Veranda renovations, $128,251 for the Marina, and $520,706 for the HVAC replacement in the Clubhouse. These loans are at favorable interest rates, but the loans for the Terrace, Dining Rooms, and Marina are adjustable and will increase to market rates over the next 12 months. Maturity dates range from 2032 to 2041.

The Club currently has a little over $1 million available for capital investments, but much more than that in wants and needs. The demand for funds includes a new pool complex, bunker and irrigation updates on the golf course, racquet improvements, plus existing capital assets that require replacement or rehabilitation. The monthly Capital Dues are currently consumed by payments on the existing loans and annual operational capital needs. Any excess (typically small) is added to the Capital Account

As a reminder, the Club’s financial statements are available to all Club members on the website.

Aug 1 Thursday at ICYCC Doors open at 5:30pm Game to Follow $28

per person / max table of 8 people Includes Dinner! A buffet dinner will be served during the break. Register Using The Club Calendar

Rose& Bubbles

TASTING WITH STATIONS

STATION

ONE

AUGUST 15

5:30PM

Raw Bar (Local Oysters & Clams), Peyrassol, La Croix de Rose (France)

Toradito (Peruvian Raw Fish Dish Cut Like Sashimi in a Spicy Sauce), Alta Vista, Brut Rose (Argentina)

STATION TWO

Smoked Beef Brisket with House Bacon BBQ Sauce & Smoke Rubbed Roasted

Sweet Potatoes, Domaine Chandon, Brut (USA)

STATION THREE

Gluten-Free Shrimp Scampi Pizza Slices

Melon Wrapped with Prosciutto

Assorted Cured Italian Meats, Cheeses & Condiments with Herb Focaccia

Crostini, Nino Franco Prosecco (Italy)

STATION FOUR

Tarte Tatin, Cote Mas Cremant Limoux Brut (France)

Mississippi Mud Pie, Domaine Chandon, Brut (USA)

Blood Orange Panna Cotta, Nino Franco Prosecco (Italy)

$55 WINE CLUB MEMBERS

$65 ALL OTHERS

GENERAL REGISTRATION OPENS 8/1, WINE CLUB PRE-REGISTRATION GOINGO NOW

ICE CREAM ICE CREAM

SOCIAL SOCIAL

August 18

Aperennialfavorite,joinIndianCreekYachtClubmembersandfriends foranafternoonofdeliciousicecreamanddaiquiris!Scoopaconeor createyourownsundaewithchocolateorbutterscotchtoppings, bananas,sprinkles,cherries,whippedcreamandnuts!

Forlibations,savoraKramerConcoctionDaiquiri,availablewithor withouttherum.Icecoldwaterwillalsobeinacooler.

Allclubmembersarewelcome–nolimittothenumberofattendees. Don’tmissthisveryspecialeventhostedononeofNNK’sspectacular properties.YouarewelcometoarrivebyboatanddinghyinatHenry’s Creek,orcomebycar–thereisplentyofavailableparking.

ComedyNight

FeaturingStand-upCoachTomHoladay

August 24th

Doors & Bar Open at 6:00pm

Dinner at 6:30pm

Showtime 8:00pm

PRE-SHOW BUFFET

Thai Vegetable Spring Rolls & Filipino Spring Rolls (Lumpia)

Salad Bar – Mixed Greens with Romaine, Cucumbers, Heirloom

Cherry Tomato Halves, Red Onion, Mandarin Oranges, Dried

Cherries, Chow Mein Noodles, Sliced Toasted Almonds, Blood

Orange Vinaigrette, Cucumber-Wasabi Dressing & Sesame-Ginger Vinaigrette

Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi with Mild Red Curry Sauce

Honey-Pecan Crusted Chicken Breasts with Ginger-Orange Cream

Pineapple-Coconut Rice

Sesame Green Beans

Onion Naan Bread & Sweet Corn Muffins

Assorted Desserts on Each Table During The Show!

COMMODORE’S CORNER

ByRandyGraham,Commodore

Musings From Onancock

As I write this Commodore’s Corner, we have just returned from ICYC’s 2024 Cruise East to Onancock. As I have expressed before, one of our goals in this year ’ s Yacht Club Calendar of Events was to engage more of our roughly 270 members in our on-the-water events We had hoped that doing a shorter, closer-to-home cruise would do just that, and the Onancock cruise exceeded this Commodore’s expectations in that regard We had small boat cruisers who crossed the bay on their boats and stayed at one of the several B&B options in town We had land cruisers do the same. And some of our larger boat cruisers were more comfortable inviting guests aboard their boats because of the shorter duration of the cruise. Unfortunately, co-cruise captains Sharon Rowe and Larry Christy were unable to make the cruise because of a combination of boat and illness issues, but thankfully their co-captains, Past Commodore Tony Ennis and his capable first mate Julie, put together a great itinerary of events for our time together in this lovely Eastern Shore town

Another shout out is due to our Yacht Club Facebook team. Lou Frank, Alan Pitts, Bob Wayland, and a host of others have been instrumental in getting our Yacht Club Facebook page up and running this year, and it has been wonderful to see it filling up with great photos & text that allow folks who couldn’t make the cruise to feel a part of the group. The posts from the Onancock cruise really captured the event well, and also showed that we have some exceptional photographers, although I sometimes wonder who the old gray-haired man is that the captions refer to as Commodore

I would like to commend Fleet Captain Steve Young, who returned from Onancock to face the task of managing a Progressive Dinner cruise in the face of a troubling weather forecast. He made some difficult, but correct, calls in moving the event to the clubhouse. The rainfall I drove through to get to the clubhouse was as bad as anything I have experienced in my time on the Northern Neck, and an outdoor event, even under a tent, would have been a disaster. So thank you, Steve, for your excellent leadership and judgement

GOLF NEWS

By Andrew Geesey, PGA Professional

Hello all! It is important as we are the middle of “busy” season to remember that it important to keep everyone safe on-course and to help us keep the experience consistent to all golfers. When on course or on the driving range, it is important to yell “fore” when your ball is going towards others on adjacent holes. It is also very important that fivesomes are only permitted with prior permission from the Pro Shop.

Another important event in this coming month is ICYCC will be getting re-rated by the VSGA/USGA. We will be sharing the findings with the members, as well as, the plan to make modifications to slope and course ratings.

Tip of the Month:

Should you be using a line on a golf ball?

Many players struggle with aim and starting the ball online when on the course. Most players do not realize that 2 degrees offline will result in a missed putt. To start the ball on line we need to first look at aiming the putter. Using a line can improve aim for some players.

If you use a line on the ball, the line should be aiming where you want the putt to start. If this is not correct, then using a line could be less beneficial to you. When setting up a line, make sure you stand behind the ball and place the ball from this angle.

Standing in the address position or not from this angle as shown in the picture, makes this less accurate when aiming.

Crushing Cancer Scramble Winners

AUGUST 2

Please note that it may take time for you to perfect this and it is important to not delay play. It is important that once you get over the ball you aim your putter to the ball and go. This can free up players in some cases.

AUGUST 8

AUGUST 17 & 18

AUGUST 20

WGA 9-HOLE

SUMMER Social AUGUST 8

4PM

WGA 9-HOLE SCRAMBLE

(9 HOLES FROM THE FAMILY TEES)

5-7PM

SOCIAL WITH COCKTAILS & LIGHT HORS D’OEUVRES

(WGA MEMBER PLUS SPOUSE/INVITED GUEST)

EVEN IF YOU AREN’T GOLFING, WE HOPE YOU’LL JOIN US FOR THE SOCIAL!

$22 PP

iAnyparent-childcombination(Yes, 1tmustbeyourfamily!)withatleast ICYCCmemberper2-person aDivisionswillbeformedbasedon geofplayers LCaptain’sChoice, 9owGrossandLowNetWinners -HoleEvent(F

Turf Talk

ByPeteStephens,CGCS

After six weeks of no measurable rain and high heat and humidity, we finally get some rain! Of course, no ordinary rain - we received 3.3 inches of rain with the high temperatures and high humidity. Needless to say, the sodium and bicarbonate build-up in the greens from the irrigation water were flushed, as were all of the nutrients and plant protectants we sprayed the week before This opened the door for pythium disease to sneak in and weaken the root systems, similar to wet shoes shriveling your feet after an extended period of time While this creates less than desirable playing conditions on some of our greens, the greens are healing and will recover over time with cooler temperatures. All greens have been treated again to combat and prevent issues.

The Course andGrounds team has been busy out on the course and right in the fenceyard of the maintenance facility. The staff just about completed the greenside bunker on #10 and it is turning out great. We are awaiting the sod as I write this article and we will then add the sand and open it back up for play! We will move to the right greenside bunker on #14 for our next bunker trial. This will go much faster the last bunker now that we know what we are working with and the process that works best for us

Inside the maintenance facility yard, we are installing the planned water recycling system and washpad, which will both reduce water usage and runoff. Two cargo containers were delivered to replace a well-used chemical storage shed, which lived its useful and was in need of replacement. These containers will be used to store both chemicals in a temperature controlled environment, as well as, the sprayers and application equipment.

The USGA report is here and we are sharing it both here (click the link to view) as well as the Course conditions page of the club’s website.

Have a Great August and we will see you all out on the course!

Warmest Regards,

Pete Stephens, CGCS

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR PLAYERS OF THE FIRST ANNUAL YOUTH TENNIS TOURNAMENT!

FRONT ROW IS RUNNER UPS

AUBREY LANIGAN 14 RUNNER UP, CHARLIE SPENCER 12 RUNNER UP, ELLIOT LINDSEY 10 RUNNER UP

BACK ROW CHAMPIONS

ELLIOT LANIGAN 10 AND UNDER CHAMPION, VICTORIA NOEL 14 AND UNDER CHAMPION, ELIANA DUGAN 12 AND UNDER CHAMPION

COACH GEORGE CHRISTOFORATOS

CAMP HELPER AND COURT MONITOR JACK MCCALISTER

ICYCCPickleballand SpecTennisTournament

GuessWho’sBack!

The ICYCC Stingrays were back in the Mid Peninsula Swim League for the first time s The roster was made up of 21 swimmers, 1 children or grandchildren and 5 sponsore The Stingrays swam against the Middlese Deltaville Sharks, Rappahannock River Rat Point Dolphins. The team competed and w races in which they entered.

It was great to see each swimmer improve throughout the seasonwhether he or she shaved a second or two off their event time, improved their entries to cut through the water at the start or building up the endurance to swim all the way to the touch!

On behalf of the Coaches, we are grateful to see the swimmers put forth their best effort and many thanks again the parents and volunteers for the various roles you played in the execution of the meets and season!

The Stingrays will be back in 2025 and we welcome all back as well as want to see our roster grow!!!