July 2021 Newsletter

July 2021 Celebrating freedom and ENJOYING THE GREAT LIFE our brave soldiers have fought for!

SMOKE SIGNALS

President's Message By Al Ross

You may have noticed too that the cost of everything else is going up steeply from the chemicals for the pool and golf course, and especially many food items. The cost of some of the more popular entrees has gone up so rapidly that the F&B staff has had to discontinue them for the time being, but there are some excellent new seasonal additions that you will enjoy.

If you walk down Main Street in Kilmarnock you’ll see a “Help Wanted” sign in just about every storefront.

We are no different at the Club, and have had a really difficult time staffing both Food & Beverage and Grounds Maintenance with both seasonal and Finally, as summer is upon us, many of us will be permanent employees this year. bringing guests to the club. In order to be respectful The Board has authorized the General Manager to to our fellow members, we need to make sure that offer several different financial incentives to new our guests are aware of the dress code in the hires, such as signing bonuses and increased hourly clubhouse and on the golf course. All club rules and rates. The issue with increasing the hourly rates as an policies are on the club website (icycc.com) and I incentive is that if we hire someone on at a higher encourage everyone to review them periodically rate than our current loyal staff, in fairness we have to since the Board tries to keep any restrictive policies raise everyone’s rate as well. Add to that the state will up-to-date and as light-handed as possible. For mandate an increase in the minimum wage at the end clarity, the clubhouse dress code is quoted below: of the year. All this means that the cost to the club of DRESS CODE: Members and guests should dress attracting and retaining staff is going up rapidly. appropriately for the venue and the event they are In a small gesture, the Board is in the process of attending. Certain activities and locations may have increasing the automatic gratuity added to Food & a more specific dress code. Gentlemen are Beverage sales from the present 18% to 20%, which requested to remove their hats upon entering the represents the floor for tipping in the US according to Clubhouse.

USA Today, Trip Advisor and many other sources. Of course, everyone is encouraged to write in an extra Dining Rooms (Blue Heron, Creekside and 1955): gratuity amount when treated to exceptional service. Members and guests shall dress neatly and in good I have had a number of members tell me that the taste, with consideration for their fellow Members. current F&B staff is the most service-oriented and Gentlemen are encouraged to wear sport coats. A accommodating since they have joined Indian Creek. coat and tie must be worn by gentlemen over the Please feel free to show your appreciation in the way age of 14 when indicated on the Club calendar. that helps recruit and retain the high quality staff we Skipjack: Casual attire is allowed. Casual attire does all enjoy. As a data point, the last time the gratuity not include cut-offs, tank tops, gym clothes, running rate was increased was 2003. shorts or swimwear. Members and guests may wear It would be one thing if it was simple economics and golf or racquet attire. that by raising our employees’ salaries we could Willow Oak Terrace: Casual attire is allowed. Casual outbid everyone else in the area. Apparently it’s not attire does not include cut-offs, tank tops, gym that simple, and that one of the results of the clothes or running shorts. Members and guests may pandemic is that people are just not interested in wear golf or racquet attire, and may come from the reentering the previous service and hospitality pool in swimming attire with a shirt or other cover-up. industry business model. The Governor has lifted the capacity restrictions that affect the club, but we have We have had a great response to all the events since decided to retain the Covid-level dining capacity in the partial lifting of Covid restrictions this spring, and the 1955 and Skipjack because, no matter how great now the full return to normal operations. This tells me they are, we just don’t have the staff to service that our members are more than ready to get out additional capacity at the level of quality that our and enjoy all the Club has to offer. Whether you play member-owners deserve. As a result, you need to golf, racquet sports, enjoy bringing your boat to the make reservations as soon as you can, realizing that marina or just enjoy dining with friends in the we are not yet back to full capacity. clubhouse, stay safe and be thankful that we are apparently at the end of this pandemic experience.

Board In Action

By Al Ross I want to inform you of a modest change we are making that will help us both attract potential employees as well as retain the excellent staff we have.

Effective July 1st, the service charge that is added to all Food & Beverage items in accordance with Club policy will be raised from 18% to 20%. This is the first increase in the service charge in over 18 years.

The effect of this change on our member-owners is minimal, and will increase the cost of a $50 dinner by $1. However, it will increase the take-home pay of our staff and is recognition that is long overdue.

Any events already under contract will be grandfathered at the 18% rate, but the new rate will be applied to all charges going forward.

As always, you will still have the opportunity to recognize excellent service by adding additional gratuity amounts when signing your charge slip. For your information, 85% of the computed service charge goes to the primary server, with 15% distributed between bartenders, bussers, etc. 100% of any additional gratuity goes to the primary server alone.

We have started to offer a referral fee for new-hire employees, $100 for the new hire and $100 for the referring employee in order to be competitive with the other Kilmarnock establishments attempting to staff up post-Covid. We will make that same offer to our member-owners. If you know of someone who would make a good Indian Creek team member and they are successfully hired, you will receive a $100 credit to your monthly bill after they have successfully completed 30 days.

Thank you for supporting our hard-working and service-focused staff.

Hours: 11:00-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday

Food Service is available during posted pool hours.

Ordering is easy!

1) Order food using the mobile app and select your delivery location as the pool when checking out.

2) Place your order with the waitstaff as they make their rounds at the pool.

Ants Don't March Alone

By Megan Stephens Here is what I learned from that popular children’s song which we all know too well – ants have an army and they do not march alone, and neither do we! Much like ant colonies, it takes reinforcements to ‘carry on’ and keep our club growing and that’s what we are here to do. We are expanding our club colony and it is because of our members who are out marching in full force.

THANK YOU! Whether you consider yourself a worker bee or an ant (I happen to choose the insect without a stinger), you are doing great work and are leaving your trail for others to follow you home to ICYCC.

Nan Velo Sean Hackney & Marnie Harte David & Mary Frances Hughes Susan Fox Adam & Gretchen Roy Michael & Susan Owens Welcome Back to Betty Faye Lewis!

!rehtegoT sihT oD naC eW

SREBMEM WEN 06 FO LAOG

Why I am proud to be a part of the troops? Just this month I have been a witness to almost 90 members who have reached If you would like to reach out to any out to others and told them how the Club can make their lives better, better yet – how the PEOPLE in the club can make their of our newest members, please visit the online member directory for lives better. I have toured potential members around the club contact information. and had countless members stop and share how great their experience has been (without prompting by me, I might add). I have watched golf groups, boating groups, racquet groups and gaming groups celebrate time-honored club traditions put in 60 place by those that came before them, honoring them in the most rewarding way, by continuing programs built by their time and dedication to the Club. Our ICYCC army has and continues to build upon and celebrated our community. How could I not be proud!

29 When you joined, you because a part of our troops – help us leave a trail for others and continue to share your club.

Gaming & Reservation Policy Update We are excited to have so many members back ready to enjoy the Club. To provide the best experience possible, reservations will be required fo Club Mah Jongg and Club Bunco play days. Please reserve your table using the online club calendar or click the calendar option in the mobile app.

Club Mah Jongg will take place on the second Wednesday of each month at 10:00 a.m.

Your reservation will include both your game table, lunch buffet and beverage station at a cost of $12 per person.

Bunco will continue on its set date of the third Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m.

Reserve using the calendar and dinner orders will be offered from a limited menu upon arrival for those staying to dine afterwards.

Thank you for helping follow the above steps to allow gaming to continue and the experience to meet the standards everyone expects when using the club.

Getting Together with Friends to Game Outside of "Club" Days?

If you are part of a casual group desiring to game in the clubhouse and dine in the Skipjack, you will need to make reservations in the Skipjack ahead of arrival to ensure you have a table for lunch. Please note in the comments that you are also playing bridge or mah jongg and we will try and locate a place for you to play.

Commodore's Corner

by Bob Wayland, Commodore The hoped for “Fun in ’21!” has begun!

Early June was very busy with the Flag Raising and Blessing of the Fleet, Shakedown Cruise, and arrival of visiting boats. The Gilligan’s Island Shakedown probably set a participation record with 92 people enjoying some or all of the activities, great food, costume, and game contests. The hoped for “Fun in ’21!” has begun!

Our own Bob Young had his Sailing Club of the Chesapeake here for a 50 person Commodore’s Dinner, and 14 boats from that group. The Brotherhood of the Coast was here the same week with16 boats and 40+ participants in their pirate-themed dinner. Hosting visiting clubs is great for the Club due to the revenue they bring to Indian Creek and the favorable word of mouth they share with others about us. Members of both the recent visiting groups went out of their way to complement the food they were served and the friendliness of the Club’s staff and members! Thanks to John Upshur and those who helped him “wrangle” the visitors into their slips and safety-check their electrical systems.

June also marked the launch of our first adult sailing classes. Eight students are learning about sailing and enjoying three classroom sessions and six on the water experiences. Special thanks to the Dean of the school, Dan Hoyt, and instructors Jeff Heller and Jeff Hunt. Club members Joy and Stuart Kramer donated the use of their cat boat, Two Olives, for the school and a Catalina 22 was loaned to us by Dennis Duff.

Thank you Stuart, Joy and Dennis!

As this is being written, we are eagerly anticipating the Summer Soiree, on June 26, with a menu of fresh local and seasonal fare plus dancing to the Roadducks.

July will see the launch of the Outer Banks Cruise and the Progressive Dinner. There are a few spots left for the Outer banks cruise - click here to learn more and sign up. For the Progressive Dinner, we will hold a lottery July 10 among all who register to determine participation and the waiting list.

Have a safe and happy summer and I look forward to seeing you on the water or at one of our great shoreside events!

Flag Raising & Blessing of the Fleet (Rain Plan)

The "Millionaires" Kathy Davidson, Ann Bedford, Susan Harris, Julie Ennis and Carolyn Graham

The "Mary Anne's" Paulette Smithgall, Jean Light, Barbara Maynard and Ellen Clarke

The "Professors" Steve Young, Brian Clarke and Allan Pitts

Fun in '21 Continues

Please Mind Your Wake Safe and Considerate Boating on Indian Creek Recently, we asked Northumberland County to support a proposed No Wake Zone for a 1/4 mile stretch of Indian Creek west of our marina. The proposal was prompted by a desire to assure the safety of participants in our junior sailing program and concerns and complaints by slip holders and visitors about the rocking that speeding boats cause in our marina. The resulting wave action also contributes to shoreline erosion.

Virginia and Maritime law makes boaters responsible for damages or injury caused by their wakes.

A number of neighbors and some Club members objected to the proposed No Wake Zone. They felt the Club had not reached out to hear the views of members on the proposal, that the No Wake Zone would diminish their enjoyment of water sports, and that other measures should be tried before taking a regulatory approach. Some suggested we investigate the feasibility of a wave attenuation structure between the marina and the Creek, which we have explored. Due to the presence of protected oyster grounds to the West of the marina it is very unlikely that an effective wave attenuation structure is a possibility. After meeting with about 20 concerned members, we agreed to try an educational and awareness approach. We will provide information for use on Facebook Pages, web sites, newsletters and signs to urge users of Indian Creek to be good neighbors and thoughtful about how they use their boats. The Club has withdrawn its application for the No Wake Zone in hopes that appealing for boaters to be careful and considerate when they are boating on Indian Creek will improve the situation.

More Memories

Turf Talk

by Pete Stephens, CGCS It's time to give thanks. This month, I would like to share Alvin Smith, Ben Antonio, Donovan Gregory, a heartfelt thank you to both the golf maintenance Assistant Supt. Joel Hudnall, David Hudson, Richard Dull, Glenn Dameron and Jerry Gregor crew and club membership for bearing with us as we remain at less-than-ideal staffing levels. While this is not by choice and we will welcome the return of interested applicants, our commitment remains to provide the best conditions possible. The team works hard, cares about the course and your enjoyment of it and I am proud to lead such a dedicated team.

This is the time of year where course care becomes even more important. Please repair your divots and ball marks. At this point, all rakes have been returned to the bunkers. Please rake them as you exit and return your rake to the bunker with the handle sticking out for the next player. If you wanted to take it a step further, the handle "should" be parallel to the flight of the ball, but returning the rake to the bunker is good course care - no matter where it ends up.

If you want to learn more about why you should repair divots and ball marks and the correct ways to do so - stop by the shop (the green fenced area along Bluff Point Road), flag me down on the course or visit the helpful links below, provided by the USGA.

HELPFUL LINKS

Why Repair Divots?

Why Repair Ball Marks?

Bunker Care

GARDEN BUZZ

By Beth Kendrick Summer is here! Gardens are showing off their blossoms and the bright butterflies they are attracting. You might notice some zebra swallowtail have been flitting around holes 12, 18 and the Racquet Center. I was puzzled when I first saw them because they require pawpaw shrubs for their young and I hadn’t seen any on the property. During the butterfly count last month, the mystery was solved. Ellen Edmonds has large pawpaw bushes in her gardens. If you would like to attract these beauties, plant pawpaw. They have interesting flowers and edible fruit.

Also, I would like to thank all those on the Garden Crew for all your help maintaining the plantings this spring. It really makes ICYCC look so lovely and inviting to have all these cheerful flowers blooming. It couldn’t be done without you. If you are having any problems with your area or need more help, please let me know.

Enjoy all the flowers and veggies, if you have a garden. It is the season of abundance.

Golf

by Mike Mayer, PGA Mixed Scramble Results Thirty-two players enjoyed a beautiful day of golf and dinner at Indian Creek Yacht & Country Club playing in a mixed scramble. The winning team with a six under par score of 66 was (pictured from left to right): Karen Zimmerman, Rick Saunders, Ellie Davis and Chris Kopocis. Finishing in second place with a score of 67 was the team of Ed Roccella, Beth Kendrick Lynn Georgiadis and Ray Maynard.

The third-place team Ted Kattmann, Kathy Davidson, Kylie Bransford and Harriett Baggett also carded a 67, but lost in a playoff.

7/3

Flag Tournament

7/9

Ford’s Colony Home

9:00

7/12

Ford’s Colony Away

9:00

7/12-13 Fairway Aerification 7/18

Fighting Cancer

7/24-25 Men’s Stroke Play

Tee Times

Course Closed 1:30 Tee Times

7/30

Jr/Sr Pairing Party

5:00

7/31

Men’s Junior/Senior

9:00

Fairway Aerification Reminder The Golf Maintenance staff reminds players that the course will be closed on July 12th and 13th for its annual aerification of all tees and fairways.

Shakedown Cruise Golf Tournament The Indian Creek Yacht Club held a nine-hole golf tournament on June 5 using the front nine of the golf course. The winning team at one under par 35 was (pictured from left to right): Paulette Smithgall, Brian Clarke and Bill Pate. The second-place team ,also at 35 but losing the playoff, was: Bob Gillispie, Harlen Seymour, George Fentress and Mary Anne Shurtz.

Summer is the best time for aerification of bermudagrass, as this is the time the plant is growing rapidly and is strong enough to recover quickly.

Main Reasons for Aerification Relief of Soil Compaction - allowing air and water to get to the root of the plant. Roots become stronger, longer and the leafblade becomes greener.

Prevention of Disease - by allowing air movement, you are also allowing better water access, helping prevent disease and drought issues.

Thank you for your patience as we help the turf be healthy and beautiful.

Men’s Member Member

One of the other major men’s tournaments is actually early this year, so please save the date of August 13-15 to play in the Mebn's Member Member. You may want to line up your partner now before someone else does.

Employee of the Month: Nathan Spiers

Yamatrack Mobile App An added benefit of our new Yamaha cart lease is a GPS hole by hole map of our golf course that provides you with the distance to the front, middle and back of every green from your location on the course. This is a free ap in the ap store. Download it on your phone and take advantage of this great technology.

Men's Member-Guest Coming Soon!

TThe July edition of Smoke Signals usually is filled with recaps of all of the great action from the Men’s Member Guest. Obviously, that hasn’t yet happened, and you will have to wait until September 29-October 2 for our postponed event.

We will have entry forms for the Member Guest available in the Pro Shop on July 1. Pictured below are our 2019 reigning champions, Mat Ficklin and Ross Sumner

Nathan has been working in the golf operation for the last four summers.

Nathan is always in a good mood with a nice smile. He anticipates what needs to be done before being asked. He is very deserving of this honor.

“The formula for success is simple: practice and concentration, then more practice and more concentration.”

— Babe Didrikson Zaharias

RACQUET NEWS

by George Christoforatos

What a Year!

The recent visit by the Sanchez's siblings was a huge hit and it would not have been possible without our sponsors. So many great drills, tips, tricks and laughs were had over the course of the weekend and we look forward to a time we can do something like this again in the future. If you want to get all of the details, visit icycc.com's blog As you will notice below, we are starting a new pickleball league for both A and B level players. It's a great time to remind players of safety while playing the sport.

For a comprehensive article on this topic, click here Please take note of several events coming, we are going to remain as busy in the summer as we have been throughout the winter. There are opportunities for beginner play all the way through high level, advanced skills.

If you have never played a racquet sport before, please stop by and see what the sports are all about. It's never to late to pick up one of these great games.

Sunday Tournament Level Pickleball Drills and Play – 3 pm to 4 pm · Open Pickleball play - 4 pm to 6 pm · Monday Ladies' Round Robin – 9 am to 12 pm Spec Tennis Clinic – 1 pm to 2 pm Open Pickleball Play – 2 pm to 4 pm Tuesday Cardio Tennis – 8 am to 9 am Doubles Strategy and Play: 2 pm to 3:30 pm Wednesday Pickleball Clinic – 1 pm to 2 pm Open Pickleball play – 2 pm to 3 pm Drills and Drinks – 4 pm to 5:30 pm Thursday Cardio Tennis – 8am to 9am Friday Ladies' Round Robin – 9 am to 12 pm Open Pickleball play – 2 pm to 4 pm Men's 4.0 and up Round Robin Doubles - 5 pm Saturday Women’s, Men’s & Mixed Doubles for 4.0 and up – 10:30 am to 12:30 pm Intro to Pickleball – 1 pm to 2 pm

Contact Us

Board of Directors AL ROSS, CLUB PRESIDENT

Administrative

Food & Beverage

BRIAN CLARKE

BRIAN DARLAK, CCM

CURT DEGRAW

BARBARA FENTRESS

GENERAL MANAGER

FOOD & BEVERAGE

804.435.1340 EXT 107

DIRECTOR

BDARLAK@ICYCC.COM

804.435.1340 EXT 109

DEBBIE GILLISPIE

CDEGRAW@ICYCC.COM

MERRILL GRASSO DAN HOYT KEN KOPOCIS BARBARA MAIT MIKE PETTY KATHY RHODES AL ROSS RICK SAUNDERS GIL ZIMMERMAN

MEGAN STEPHENS

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR

SHAWN VALDRIGHI

804.435.1340 EXT 104

DINING ROOM MANAGER

MEGAN@ICYCC.COM

804.435.1340 EXT 110 SVALDRIGHI@ICYCC.COM

THERESA DEGRAW

ACCOUNTING & SPECIAL EVENTS 804.435.1340 EXT 106 TDEGRAW@ICYCC.COM WINDLEY "LEY" GAULDING

BUSINESS MANAGER 804.435.1340 EXT 105 WGAULDING@ICYCC.COM

HOURS OF OPERATION

Golf

GOLF COURSE: 8-6 P.M.

MIKE MAYER, PGA

GUARDED POOL HOURS: TUESDAY-SUNDAY 11:00-5:00 P.M.

HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT ROB PITTMAN, PGA 804.435.2470 (O)

CURBSIDE CARRYOUT TUESDAY-SUNDAY 11:00-6:00 P.M. SKIPJACK & WILLOW OAKS TERRACE TUESDAY-SUNDAY 11:30- 7:00 P.M. 1955 THURSDAY-SATURDAY 4:30 P.M.- 7:00 P.M. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

CLUB WEBSITE: ICYCC.COM CLUB PHONE: 804.435.1340 TENNIS CENTER: 804.435.2713 GOLF SHOP: 804.435.3130

BRENDA MAYER, PGA

PETER STEPHENS, CGCS

804.436.4059 (C)

PRO SHOP: 804.435.1340 EXT 101 GOLFSHOP@ICYCC.COM

Racquet GEORGE CHRISTOFORATOS, USPTA, PTR

RACQUET SPORTS DIRECTOR 804.435.1340 EXT 102 TENNIS@ICYCC.COM