March 2023 Newsletter

A SPRING

IN OUR STEP

A FULL SEASON LIES AHEAD

BY BRIAN DARLAK, CCM

Iamanxiouslyawaitingthewarmer daysthatcomewithSpring,towatch thegrassturngreen,leavesfillout thetreesandflowersblossom!This rebirthofnaturecoincideswiththe Club’sFiscalNewYear.Asyouare readingthiseditionofSmoke Signals,theBoardofDirectorswillbe reviewingtheproposedoperating andcapitalbudgetsforthenext fiscalyear,whichbeginsonApril1st Withthat,Iwanttotakethis opportunitytogiveanoverviewof theClub’sbudgetingandoperating models IndianCreekliterallyhastwo checkbooks-oneusedforoperating revenuesandexpensesandasecond usedforcapitalincomeand expenses

Theoperatingcheckbookiswhere theday-to-dayrevenuesand expensesaredepositedand withdrawn.Alldues,food&beverage sales,guestfees,etc,areexamplesof thewhattheclubconsiders revenues,whicharedepositedinto thischeckbook.Expenses,suchas payroll,utilities,insurance,minor repairs,etc.,arepaidfromthissame checkbook Thegoaloftheoperating budgetinournot-for-profitclubisto generatesufficientrevenuetocover operatingcostsorprovidean operatingsurplusthatcanthenbe reinvestedintheClub

Initiationfeesandcapitalduesare theprimaryrevenuestreamsthe Clubreliesontomakedepositsinto

thecapitalcheckbook.Those revenuesoffsetcapitalexpenditures; acapitalexpenditureisanyitemor projectthathasausefullifeofover oneyearandcostsmorethan $2,000.Whethertheexpenseis $7,000six-burnercommercial cooktopwithanoven,anautomated tennisballmachinefor$8,000,a severalhundred-thousand-dollar facilityrenovation,orreplacementof amajorinfrastructuresystemsuch ascartpaths;thoseexpensesare paidfromthecapitalcheckbook.

Thebudgetrequiressignificant decisions,whicharenottaken lightly.TheBoardutilizesafull monthbetweentheFebruaryand Marchmeetingstodoanin-depth reviewoftheproposedbudget beforeofficiallyvotingtoadoptit. Eachyearthenewlyestablished duesandfeesareannouncedwith theAprilbillingstatements,posted onthewebsite(under“MyClub”) andavailableintheClubOffice

Lastly,IwillmentiontheBlueHeron Society,whichwillbedetailedina futureSmokeSignalsarticle,which isavehicleestablishedbytheClub wherememberscancontributea minimumof$500towardthe fundingofcapital-eitherasa generalcontributionordesignated foraspecificprojectorpurchase. Moretocomeonhowyoucanjoin theFlock!

Christopher started with us as a dishwasher right before the holiday season and has been such a great asset to the team He is willing to jump in and help wherever needed and whenever asked. He works hard and keeps a smile on at all times.

Christopher was born in a town called Mountain View in Kingston, Jamaica. He is the second oldest of 10 kids. When he is not at work, he enjoys reading, spending time with family and working on his clothing line which he hopes to launch in the near

Employee of the Month

Christopher Palmer

HAPPY

Commodore's Corner

What a wonderful start to the year. Thanks to Wally Dawson, Bob Young, Steve Bowen, Dan Hoyt and Steve Bedford for a terrific series of educational seminars. We learned who has the right-of-way while on the water (Wally), why weather forms and how to understand it (Bob), what apps are best to track the weather (Dan), how to make a long cruise, especially a mile-by-mile down the ICW (Steve Bedford) and all ably supported by Steve Bowen. While the Yacht Club hosts a variety of activities on the water (and some on land), we also greatly value our role in helping every member understand the safest and best ways to traverse our waterways. These educational programs help us all to be safer and happier on the water and I encourage you all to take advantage of the upcoming programs regarding safe boating, outboard engine maintenance and close-quarter boat handling.

We’re also excited about this season’s fun programs. The annual sock burning begins the fun on March 17th with the Spring Fling following on April 29th and many more wonderful plans for the summer. The best part of being a member of the Yacht Club is enjoying the friendship and fellowship of fellow members. Come join us and enjoy the fun.

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 11 - Educational Seminar: Outboard Engine Maintenance

March 17 - Sock Burning

April 13 - Visit to Smith Point Rescue

April 22- Maritime Road Rally

Check your email for Cruise North plans!

M A R C H 7 T H

BUR GER

$5 OFF BOTTLE OF WINE OF YOUR CHOICE

BUILD-YOUR-BURGER STARTING AT $10 OR

ENJOY A SPECIALTY BURGERS FOR ONLY $12

MARCH9

THURSDAY 5:30 P.M. WITH A BREAK FOR DINNER

YOU CAN BUILD A TEAM OR BE PLACED ON A TEAM WITH OTHERS - BUT THE RULE IS NO CELL PHONES AT THE TABLE!

LIMIT OF 8 PEOPLE PER TEAM

Sicilian Wine Night

THURSDAY, MARCH 16TH AT 5:30 P.M.

ALL COURSES PERFECTLY PAIRED & PRESENTED

BY SOMMELIER AMY BRITT

ARANCINI DI RISO

Traditional Sicilian deep fried rice balls filled with a sweet Italian sausage ragu

CARA CARA AND BLOOD-ORANGE SALAD

Mixed greens tossed with cara cara, blood oranges, crumbled ricotta salata, and extra-virgin olive oil

Intermezzo: Sicilian Blood Orange Gelato

SICILIAN CHICKEN

Seared lemon chicken airline breast topped with a Raisin-Tomato sauce served over a bed of cous cous and a side of Siciliano greens

BRANDIED CHERRY CASSATA

A Sicilian cake filled with layered mixtures of ricotta, candied fruit and liqueur

at to s many of the same faces in the F & B department as we did going into this same season last year. Some of the crew has now been here for multiple seasons! We have Dana, our Banquet Manager, who is excitedly planning for all of the fun events we have planned over the next year. Josh, our Interim Chef who's working extra hard to ensure the dining room menus contain seasonal, fresh items. Patrick, an ICYCC staple, who is consistently coming up with unique and delicious items for each banquet and special event. Our line cooks are gearing up for the busier time, as the majority of them remember how busy it got last year as the weather gets warmer. Many of our servers, food runners and banquet staff have now been here consistently and are learning your names - an initiative we will be focusing more on this year.

We look forward to seeing each of you soon and welcoming you with a smile and a familiar face as you dine or perhaps just grab a cocktail with us!

Sarah Sutton

Food & Beverage Director

We celebrate your birthday each year! The club will treat you to an entree up to $25 in value during the month of your birthday. Just let your server know or leave us a hint in the comment section of your reservation.

If you leave additional gratuity on your restaurant check it goes directly to that particular server. This is very appreciated and goes a long way toward the tenure mentioned in the previous article.

The website houses several important documents. March is a great time of year for us all to do a "refresher" of things going on around the club, as well as, review some of the rules and bylaws that keep the club an enjoyable place to work and play. If you are an avid user of the mobile app, please still visit the website every now and then to see some more "housekeeping" type of items that may "bog down" your mobile experience, but are available in full at icycc.com - just log in using your web browser on your tablet or desktop.

&LoriOgden

WeemsRoad,Weems,VA22576

712368/wjodgen23@gmailcom/lori0517@gmailcom

ors:David&RamonaDarden,Steve&MarthaMattheisen, araMait

JoeandLorigrewupintheWashington,DCareawhereLori atedwithaneducationdegreefromFrostburgUniversityin landandJoewithabiologydegreefromJMU Wemetin amsburg,VAwherewestarteddatingover10yearsagoandwe edin2018attheWilliamsburgInnonDecember21.

ave4adultchildrenbetweenus. MarleyOgden,32,livesinVienna, aandisateacherandpost-gradstudent ChrisSchlumpf,32,ismarried vesinAustin,TXwhereheisanon-boardingmanagerforamarketing any. NatalieOgden,30,livesinSeattlewheresheisachef.QuinnOgden, sidesinRichmond,VAandworksasasoftwareengineerandisengaged marriedinMay

Webothjustrecentlyretired Loriworkedasanaccountmanagerin businesssalesforAT&Tforover30yearsandJoewasamedical researchscientistforSanofifor34years. Joeservesasanexecutive boardmemberoftheVirginiaDiabetesCouncilandawasavolunteer parkrangeratYorkRiverStateParkbeforemovingtoWeems.

WehavebothwantedtoretireontheNorthernNeckandfinallyfound ourdreamhomeinWeems Joegrewupboatingandfishingtheareaas achildandLorihasbeenvisitingheresincewemet.Bothofusenjoy boating,hiking,gardening,workingoutatBodyFitGymand entertaining LorienjoysplayingBunco,andisinterestedinjoiningthe wineclubandlearninghowtoplaygolf.Joealsowantstoplaymore golf,andisinterestedinplayingracquetsportsagain. Welookforward tomeetingnewfriendsandbecomingactivemembersoftheICYCC

Robert&RachelKittrell,IV 2944CorbinHallDrive,Waterview,VA23180 919.812.4852/robergk4th@gmail.com/rachelrhurley@gmail.com

Sponsors:Trent&KateKerns,Mal&AnnaRansone,Chris&Katie Parker

Robert,agraduateofClemsonUniversity,isamarinesystemstechnician withcustomyachtservicesinIrvington. Rachel,sisterofnewmember SarahGraceRansone,isanattorneyandrealestatemanagerforH&H Properties,LLC,whereisanownerandVicePresident Sheisa graduateofVirginiaTech(classof2014)andCampbellUniversitySchool ofLaw.

WelcomeBack! DudleyandPeggyPatteson

TURF TALK

BY PETE STEPHENS, CGCS

It is that time of year again when preventative turf maintenance is an integral part of successful golf course management The golf course will be closed March 20th and 21st for aerification and topdressing of all greens.

Many Golfers view aerification as an inconvenience, as it closes the course and that takes the greens out of play for a couple of days, pulling cores from the greens and leaving holes that can affect putting for many days before healing. But, I assure you it is important to understand how important aerification is to produce healthy resilient turf. This process is a short-term disruption with long-term benefits for the course When you see a green that has been aerified, you will know that the club cares about keeping the turf healthy and playable Aerification achieves three important objectives

·It fractures and relieves soil compaction

·It provides a method to improve the soil mixture for the turf roots to grow and find available nutrients

It reduces and prevents the accumulation of excess thatch

Like so many things, the quality of a good putting green is more than skin deep. In fact, the condition of a green has a lot to do with what goes on below the surface. For grass to grow at 1/8-inchor less, it must have deep, healthy roots Good roots demand oxygen In good soil, they get oxygen from tiny pockets of air trapped between soil and sand particles

The traffic from golfers’ feet (as well as mowing equipment and even rain) tends to compact the soil in the putting green. When soil becomes compacted, the air pockets on which the roots depend and the roots are essentially suffocating Without oxygen, the grass plants become weak and will eventually wither and die

With aerification, there is improved air space in the soil, promoting deeper rooting and resurgence of root growth, thus helping the grass plants stay healthy The spaces are then filled with sand “topdressing” which helps the soil retain air space and makes it easier for roots to grow

ICYCC has greens of different ages- the older greens are constructed of soils with significant amounts of silt, clay and fine organic particles that are prone to compa Filling aerification holes with sand improves drainage and resists compaction. The introduction of sand to a green ’ s top layer can over time, which postpone expensiv rebuilding or renovation of greens

Finally, as turf grows every season it produces a thatch layer (an accumulation of d stems, leaves and roots) at the surface. As oxygen and water are introduced into th the thatch decomposes it becomes organic matter. A little organic matter makes fo healthy and resilient green, but too much invites diseases and insects Topdressing sand can help to prevent thatch buildup, and aerification is one of the best ways to an existing layer and prevent an excess of thatch from becoming established

ICYCC has a few types of aerifying machines with different attachments to address problems in the various stages of life of the turf So, the next time you ’ re frustrate the aerifiers are brought on the course, remember that a little preventative mainte produces the best turf over the long haul. We thank you very much for your patien work diligently to continually improve the playing conditions on the course

GolfNews

By Ed Carlisle, Jr

Spring is just around the corner, and that means it's time to dust off those clubs and start thinking about the upcoming golf season! We have exciting events and opportunities planned for the month of March, so be sure to read on to find out what's in store.We're delighted to welcome new members to the club this month. If you see them on the course, be sure to say hello and make them feel welcome.

Driving Range Golf Balls

Driving Range members and guests are NOT allowed to store driving range balls in any way or use driving range balls for personal on the golf course. Driving range balls must be used on the driving range or practice greens only no exceptions.

Tournament/Clinic Schedule

As we begin 2023, please keep an eye on the club calendar for upcoming golf tournament/golf clinic dates and signups!

Golf Instruction

By Ed Carlisle, Jr

Improving your golf game requires a combination of practice, proper technique, and physical fitness. Here are some tips to help you increase your golf game speed:

1.Strengthen your body: Golf requires a lot of physical exertion, especially in your arms, legs, and core. Strengthening these muscles can help you generate more power in your swing and increase your clubhead speed. Exercises such as walking, squats, and lunges, can help build lower body strength, while push ups and pull-ups can build upper body strength.

2.Practice your swing: Consistent practice is essential to improving your golf game. Spend time on the driving range and practice your swing, focusing on your mechanics and swing speed You can also use training aids such as swing trainers, and speed sticks to help improve your swing speed.

3.Improve your flexibility: Good flexibility can help you generate more power in your swing Consider incorporating stretching and yoga into your fitness routine to increase your flexibility.

4 Focus on proper technique: Proper technique is essential for improving your golf game speed. Work with a golf instructor to refine your swing and ensure you're using proper technique. This can help you generate more power without sacrificing accuracy.

Weekly Schedule Racquet News

by George Christoforatos, USPTA, PTR

In recent months we have seen the Spec Tennis numbers grow here at Indian Creek Yacht and Country Club. So much so, that we just ordered new Spec Tennis Paddles from Nate Gross the innovator of Spec Tennis. Nate has seen considerable growth in a short time in this wonderful sport. Why? Because its fun, easy to play and it’s a racquet sport that players are staying injury free for the part.

My recent visit to the (PPR – Professional Pickleball Registry and PTR – Professional Tennis Registry) symposium at Hilton Head, Pickleball and Tennis are still growing fast, there is no doubt about that Spec Tennis offers a chance to compete, playing a reduced down tennis match on a smaller court with a paddle and orange dot ball – a lesser compressed ball. So, the game is similar to tennis with paddles and a slower ball that has a bounce.

Spec Tennis vs Pickleball – With Spec Tennis, the ball bounces higher and your playing more like tennis, but playing shorter set with minimal restrictions (See the rules for Spec Tennis). You play more underhanded compared to traditional tennis. Pickleball is played with a whiffle ball and paddles and the movements are very quick in a reduced down area with a lower stance. Given this, pickleball is fun but warming up is key. Spend at least 30 minutes warming up before playing, to avoid injuries.

Spec Tennis is played on Wednesday and Friday each week from 12:30 to 2pm Or, you can organize your own group and reserve a court and play. Demo paddles are available if you'd like to give it a try!

Intro to Pickleball (Beginner)

Thursdays & Saturdays from 12-1:00 p.m.

Teaching the basic strokes/fundamentals and how to keep score and play actual matches for fun!

Stretch/Fitness Class

Mondays & Wednesdays 2:00-3:30 p.m.

Cardio Tennis

Mondays, Tuesday & Thursdays at 8:00 a m

Monday Evenings @ 5 p m

Drills & Drinks

Wednesdays from 4:30-6:00 p.m.

Spec Tennis Open Play & Clinics

Wednesdays & Fridays From 12:30-2:00 p.m. Clinic available on Fridays from 12:30-2 p.m.

Youth Clinics

High-Performance Training -

Tuesdays and Thursdays 4-6 p.m.

Saturdays: 10 & Under - 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Middle/High School 3:00-4:30 p.m.

Ladies' Round Robin Play

Monday 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Friday 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Men's 4.0 and up Round Robin Play

Saturdays - 11:30 am to 1pm

Pickleball Play (Open Play)

Tuesdays& Thursdays 2-4 p.m.

Fridays & Sundays - 4-6 p.m.

FREE PICKLEBALL FOR ALL EVERY SECOND FRIDAY!

Simply sign up on the club calendar online or using the mobile the app

Care for the Courts: As you use the courts or lobby, please be courteous and leave the facilities as you found them for the next member. Please return balls to carts, dispose of any trash and put any towels or toiletries in the appropriate baskets. Thank you!

Board of Directors Contact Us

Administrative Staff

BRIAN DARLAK, CCM GENERAL MANAGER

BRIAN CLARKE

DEBBIE GILLISPIE

KEN KOPOCIS

BARBARA MAIT

BARBARA MAYNARD

MIKE PETTY

KATHY RHODES

RICK SAUNDERS

STEVE SMITHGALL

BOB WAYLAND

GIL ZIMMERMAN

VIEW FULL CONTACT INFO

HOURS OF OPERATION

GOLF COURSE: 9-5 P.M.

CURBSIDE CARRYOUT

TUESDAY-SUNDAY 11:00-8:00 P.M.

SKIPJACK & WILLOW OAKS

TERRACE

TUESDAY-SUNDAY 11:30- 9:00 P.M.

LAST RESERVATION 8:30 P.M.

1955

THURSDAY-SATURDAY

4:30 P.M.- 9:00 P.M.

LAST RESERVATION 8:30 P.M.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

NOTE - SEE "THIS WEEK AT THE CREEK" FOR ANY UPDATES TO PUBLISHED HOURS

CLUB WEBSITE: ICYCC COM

CLUB PHONE: 804 435 1340

TENNIS CENTER: 804.435.2713

GOLF SHOP: 804.435.3130

804.435.1340 EXT 107

BDARLAK@ICYCC.COM

MEGAN STEPHENS MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR

804.435.1340 EXT 104 MEGAN@ICYCC.COM

JENNIFER MASON EVENT COORDINATOR 804.435.1340 EXT 115 JMASON@ICYCC.COM

Food & Beverage Staff

SARAH SUTTON FOOD & BEVERAGE DIRECTOR

804.435.1340 EXT 109 SSUTTON@ICYCC.COM

CHEF JOSH KILLIAN 804.435.1340 EXT 110 CHEF@ICYCC.COM

WINDLEY "LEY" GAULDING BUSINESS MANAGER 804 435 1340 EXT 105

WGAULDING@ICYCC COM

WENDY OTTERSTEDT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 804 435 1340 EXT 106

WOTTERSTEDT@ICYCC COM

DANA RIFFLE BANQUET MANAGER

804.435.1340 EXT 110 DRIFFLE@ICYCC.COM

Golf Staff Racquet Staff

ED CARLISLE, PGA MASTER PROFESSIONAL 804 435 1340 EXT 101 ECARLISLE@ICYCC COM

PETER STEPHENS, CGCS GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT 804 435 2470 (O) 804 436 4059 (C) PSTEPHENS@ICYCC COM

GEORGE CHRISTOFORATOS, USPTA, PTR RACQUET SPORTS DIRECTOR 804.435.1340 EXT 102 TENNIS@ICYCC.COM

BARBARA FENTRESS, CLUB PRESIDENT