November 2021 Newsletter

Smoke Signals NOVEMBER2021

Celebrating A Season of Thanksgiving and Togetherness ICYCC.COM

President's Message

By Al Ross Our annual shareholders’ meeting will take place on November 16th this year in the Racquet facility. We are going to do the important required club administrative and legal business, but we are also going to take the opportunity to discuss some important financial issues. This discussion will be the background for some critical decisions we will need to make regarding the future of the club, so I hope you will plan to attend, either in person or electronically. The better informed you are, the better our decision-making process will be.

It is certainly no secret that we are living through a difficult time in our national and personal lives. We were not prepared for the pandemic when it came so quickly in March of 2020. We were not prepared as a nation nor were we prepared as individuals to face the uncertainty of a disease that might be so mild as to be unnoticeable, or might be severe enough to kill you within a week.

The combination of a deadly disease and large scale changes to the rules of the road have left many people anxious, confused and resentful, especially if they believe the restrictions that have been placed on daily activity weren’t necessary in the first place.

It hasn’t helped either that just when things seemed to be headed back to normal that we have been confronted with shortages of all kinds.It’s clear that the shortage of willing qualified employees is a national problem, not just a local one.It’s also clear the lack of people willing to work has affected the entire supply system and resulted in shortages throughout and prolonged delivery times. So instead of being able to resume our pre-Covid normal lives, we are confronted with a new set of frustrating challenges, with Covid still lurking in the background.

In addition to the empty shelves and long delivery times, not surprisingly, price inflation is occurring across the entire spectrum of things we need to live. We have also experienced these things at the club, just as you have at home, and virtually everything we need to make the club run has gone up in price, from food to fertilizer. In some cases we are paying 20% more than a year ago for the same items, and you will have noticed that we have had to temporarily discontinue some menu items on account of the cost. This is the time of year when we start the process of developing the capital and operating budgets for the club fiscal year which starts in April. We will unfortunately have to make adjustments to dues and fees to account for the new reality, which should come as a surprise to anyone.

All this sounds like a real downer, but it has made me stop and think how fortunate we are that we have the club as our safe harbor. Safe both in terms of Covid exposure, but also a safe place to decompress and enjoy friends. Safe from road rage, air rage and the general rudeness that seems to be a new normal.

We have had several large events in the last weeks, culminating with over 220 members at Mike Mayer’s “surprise party” this past week. Everyone was mingling and enjoying the food and drink in an atmosphere of good humor and friendship that I don’t think you could find anywhere else on the Northern Neck.

That evening, and every other evening has been made possible by the loyal and hard-working staff we are privileged to have. The core wait staff and kitchen crew have carried us through the last year, not at the level we would have liked but at the best level we have been able to provide.

Our amazing staff doesn’t just exist in the clubhouse but in the maintenance of the golf course and grounds as well. We just enjoyed the Member-Guest tournament for the first time in two years, and the comments regarding the condition and playability of the course were universally high praise.

From our General Manager, Brian, to everyone’s go-to person, Megan, our Chef, Gabe, our Superintendent, Pete, our former and new Head Golf Professionals, Mike and Ed, and our Racquet Sports Professional, George, and Accountant, Ley, the senior management staff has gone above and beyond to ensure that the member-experience has been the best it could possibly be.

I think the one thing we can say for certain is that life will continue to be full of surprises, some will be good and some will be temporary setbacks.

We will continue to play the hand we have been dealt as skillfully as we can, and continue to make the club the place where life-long friendships begin. We are truly fortunate to be member-owners during this time.

R E G I S T E R

F O R

T H E

A N N U A L

M E E T I N G

November 16 @ 5:00 p.m.

G O V E R N A N C E

V I E W

U P D A T E :

P R O P O S E D

B Y L A W

U P D A T E S

as e l P

e join us fo r

Thanksgiving D I N N E R THURSDAY

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NOVEMBER

11:30-2:00 p.m.

Traditional Feast Featuring Oven Roasted Turkey, Baked Ham and All of Your Favorite Sides, Salads and Desserts $34 per person, plus tax and gratuity

Reservations Required, 48-Hour Cancellation Policy Applies

Fall

FROLIC

MEMORIES OF ANOTHER GREAT EVENT

The More You Do, The More You Know

By Megan Stephens You've made the decision to join, what now? Now it's time to get involved! I say this regardless of when you made the decision to join - whether it was last month or last decade, it's never too late to get involved.

Each month the various committees meet and I remain amazed at the number of hours our volunteers spend putting together programming that will engage and enhance your enjoyment of the club. After all, everyone joined to get the enjoyment of the club in some way, shape, or form.

Dialing in even further, I look at the individuals in the various committees and I can't help but notice that the more active members are the ones that look at the Club in a "one club" mindset. They don't consider themselves golfers, boaters, tennis players or social members - they consider themselves club members. Often we take for granted that there is not one entity of the club that can exist without another and we all have equal access to making the most of each of our entities - be it used by ourselves or our families when they come to visit.

Roger & Tonya Flynn William & Eleanor Brown Jay & Ferran Faulconer Guy & Kathy Hudson

Welcome Back!

Anne Cotter Brian & Susan Congrove

If you would like to reach out to any of our newest members, please visit the online member directory for contact information.

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!rehtegoT sihT oD naC eW

We have a great club with an active calendar - the more you do, the more you know!

Ryan Faulkner & Leisa Gerber

2202 HCRAM YB SREBMEM WEN 06 FO LAOG

So how do you know about these various ways to engage? In addition to stopping by to see me to learn more, I encourage you to attend as many events as possible, reach out to a department head to learn about their area, stop, call or email a committee chair or members, peruse the website, download the mobile app, read your emails, reach out to your club sponsor, like one of our social media pages --- take the initiative to maximize your enjoyment of the club and I promise you, you will not be disappointed.

There are occasions I hear that someone did not know an event was happening and my goal is to find a way to get you involved if you haven't done so already.

John & Karen Carmack

IN U S

JO

FALL

E N I W G N I T S A T & SALE

18 NOV

5:30 p.m.

REGISTER ONLINE OR IN THE APP STARTING NOVEMBER 1

STOP IN AND STOCK UP FOR FAMILY & FRIENDS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON ICYCC.COM

$15 WINE CLUB / $20 ALL OTHERS

Click to View Full Report

TURF TALK

BY PETE STEPHENS, CGCS

Thank You!

FINAL TOUCHES ON #16 The golf course crew shown here with Joel Hudnall leading the pack, are installing the new low maintenance and low growing plants in the beds left of the cart path on the #16 tee. These are the final touches for the sixteenth tee project, which turned out great and we wanted to again share our appreciation to everyone who helped make this project possible. Thank you!

STORM CLEANUP Pictured here is David Hudson on storm clean up duty after a 15—20 minute windstorm blew through the course and spread tree litter covering greens, tees, and fairways.

The staff did an excellent job getting the course prepared for golf the next morning.

...More From The On The Course This past growing season we were able to make improvements to the weak and thin bermudagrass areas on the green surrounds using new nutrient management and cultural practices. This winter we will review these methods and continue this effort where needed.

We had to adjust the greens cultural practices mid-season and use 0.25” Ninja Tines and topdressing in three applications in September to remove and dilute a layer of organic matter.

The objective is to reduce the organic matter (dead and decaying plant material) build-up that has accumulated over the last two seasons. This layer creates a host of problems for the playability of the greens to include disease, the holding of excessive moisture, and producing a soft putting surface, which in turn makes for slow inconsistent putting surfaces and increases ball marks. Ballmarks, when repaired incorrectly or not repaired at all, affect the quality of the putting surface, which influences pin locations, as it becomes more and more difficult to find high-quality areas without turf blemishes to place the cups.

Just a few reminders - the greens aerification is scheduled for November 1 and 2. The course will be closed those days. Also, the irrigation system and pump house will be winterized the second week of November, including the tennis irrigation.

As always, the ICYCC staff wants to thank you for the opportunity to continually strive for the best playing and aesthetic conditions possible for ICYCC. We look forward to seeing you all on the course and around the club facilities. Have a Great November and Happy Thanksgiving!

Employee of the Month (August Recap) Joel Hudnall, Assistant Superintendent: Joel joined the ICYCC team in February 2019. We were fortunate to have Joel on the grounds crew while he was completing his turf internship. After graduating from Virginia Tech, Joel came back to Kilmarnock and owned and operated a lawn and landscape business for five years before deciding to pursue a career in golf course management.

Joel's family has been a part of the ICYCC family since the 70’s, which explains why his favorite things about Indian Creek is the family atmosphere.

He loves coming to work early in the morning, being outdoors and finds peace on the golf course - both by maintaining the course and playing.

By Mike Mayer PGA Professional

Golf News May We Present Your 2021 Champions!

Men's Club Champion The Men’s Club Championship returned to a match play format. Bob Gillispie successfully defended his title as the Men’s Club Champion in a 36-hole match from the blue tees against finalist Jim Purcell. Bob has now won this event five of the last six years and is also our current Super Senior Champion.

WGA 18-Hole Champion The 2021 WGA Club Champion is Kay Stout who fired a two-day total of 163 on consecutive Tuesdays. Kay and Susan Fox tied after 36 holes and had a sudden death playoff playing the 9th hole. After both ladies tied with par 5’s they played it again. This time Kay rolled in a 25-foot birdie putt to win the championship.

WGA 9-Hole Champion

Congratulations go out to Paulette Smithgall, pictured on the far right, who led from wire to wire to capture the 2021 Indian Creek 9-Holers Club Championship. Maggie Gilman, pictured on the left finished in second place.

VIEW FULL LEADERBOARD

Employee of the Month

Logan Peterson, Cart Attendent

Logan is easily recognizable by the wild shirts and colorful personality.

He is very outgoing, easy to engage in conversation and a self-starting hard worker. He is very mechanically inclined and can repair anything.

He is the number one golfer on the Rappahannock High School team where he is in his senior year.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20 @ 10:00 A.M.

BUTTERBALL BETTERBALL

OPEN TO MEN AND WOMEN GOLFERS Bring in non-perishable food items or make a cash donation to the White Stone Food Bank and receive a mulligan.

Register on the online calendar or in the mobile app WWW.ICYCC.COM

2021 Indian Creek Yacht & Country Club Men’s Member Guest Golf Tournament Member Guest Golf Tournament played September 30 Member Guest

The Men’s through October 2 featuring six nine-hole rounds with various stroke play stableford formats. Fifty-five two-man teams competed in seven flights. Flight winners played in a sudden death playoff on the fourth hole to determine the overall champions. Golfers were treated to great course conditions, excellent meals, perfect weather, and wonderful competition. A good time was had by all.

Overall Tournament Champions: from left to right – Hunter Edwards and Bruce Edwards won the championship playoff with a birdie on the first alternate shot sudden death playoff hole. Hunter’s tee shot set up a 20’ birdie putt that Bruce that rolled right into the center of the cup. Flight winners are listed below.

Flight 1 Winners with 140 Points: Bob and Kevin Gillispie Flight 1 Runners up with 135 Points: Mat Ficklin and Ross Sumner Flight 2 Winners with 138 Points: Rick Saunders and David Moxon Flight 2 Runners up with 135 Points: Logan Nonnemacker and Robert Crowther Flight 3 Winners with 125 Points: Joe Duggan and Bill Corcoran Flight 3 Runners up with 124 Points: Ted and Matthew Kattmann Flight 4 Winners with 126 Points: Steve Edmonds and Mac Janney Flight 4 Runners up with 123 Points: John Unangst and James Blitch Flight 5 Winners with 139 Points: Richard Anderson and Brad Gregg Flight 5 Runners up with 134 Points: Nelson Horsley and Richard Pittman Flight 6 Winners with 143 Points: David Dew and Derek Sparks Flight 6 runners up with 125 Points: Jeff Hunt and Mitch Holmes Flight 7 Winners with 135 Points: Cola Atkinson and Steve Rue Flight 7 Runners up with 128 Points: Ken Owens and Phil Roper Players enjoying the Skills Challenge World Putting Championship. The most skilled putters were Steve Richardson and Bill Martin who teamed up for a four under round.

Memories

Thank You I want to thank the membership for fourteen fantastic years here at Indian Creek. My not so surprising surprise send-off party was surprising in its scale and generosity. You are truly a remarkable group of Members who made coming to work every day something that I looked forward to. My goal was to exceed your expectations and make you feel welcome at your club, and you reciprocated. My family and I are forever grateful.

Sincerely, Mike

One Last Tip & Odds and Ends Pro’s Corner: Practice Mat Only Reminder During the winter months the warm season turf goes dormant and does not grow until warm temperatures return in May, therefore all of the divots that are taken will remain until the middle of May. Please fill your divots on the course with the sand provided on the carts and please, please, please use only the synthetic turf when practicing on the range.

New Hours: November – March - Monday 11:00-5:00; Tue-Sunday 9:00-5:00 Even though the organized events are wrapping up, we are still open for daily play every day except Christmas.

Reminder: that all credit books must be used prior to the end of the year

WELCOME Ed!

Ed Carlisle, Jr, PGA Master Professional is our new Head Golf Professional. Ed comes to us from Old Toccoa Farm Club in Blue Ridge, Georgia, where he was the Head Golf Professional and Club Manager. He was previously PGA Director of Golf at The Ranch Country Club in Westminster, Colorado. He is from Snellville, Georgia and worked as an Assistant Professional at Peachtree Golf Club in Atlanta and Athens Country Club in Athens, Georgia. He was fortunate to be trained by Dick Murphy and Ed Hoard, both were recognized as National PGA Professionals of the Year.

Ed also holds the PGA Certified Professional status in General Management and Executive Management, Golf Operations, Player Development, and Teaching and Coaching. Ed is also involved in the PGA Master Professional mentoring program and enjoys mentoring fellow professionals hoping to achieve Master Professional status.

Ed is excited about meeting the members and developing new friendships.

Ed and his wife Alison (from Rochester, New York) have 4 girls – Parker, Lily, Michael, and Maggie (ages 19, 17, 13, and 10).

Let's give him a warm ICYCC welcome!

Racquet News

by George Christoforatos As we get deeper into the fall season, it's the perfect time to play one of our racquet sports in our state-of-the-art indoor facility. If you are new to the Club, please set a time to meet with me individually and we can talk about how to use the racquet center and also your goals for your game -- your goal might be to start playing for the first time and I can help with that as well.

We have three great tournament events on the horizon. Tournament play does not need to be intimidating - it is friendly competition, great exercise and most importantly a great way to meet other members who enjoy the same sport as you.

Register for any of these tournaments using the online club calendar or mobile app.

As a reminder - if you use the indoor courts, please check in on the kiosk in the lobby. This will allow us to accurate record how active our racquet center is here at ICYCC.

BEAUTY BERRY Native, many colors, lovely berries that persist all winter. Great fall color.

GARDEN

BUZZ

By Beth Kendrick All these lovely plants will add much to your garden. Plus they feed migrating birds, insects and small mammals all winter.

This is the time to plant them as you can see what color you are buying. You won’t be sorry.

ENJOY.

WINTERBERRY HOLLY. Native. Yellow, red, or orange berries that stay on all winter. Just one problem. You need one male (aren’t they always the problem?) for every seven female shrubs to get berries. Lovely fall color.

ASTERS. Natives that come in many sizes and colors. Sometimes the only thing still blooming when winter strikes.

Contact Us

Board of Directors AL ROSS, CLUB PRESIDENT BRIAN CLARKE BARBARA FENTRESS DEBBIE GILLISPIE DAN HOYT KEN KOPOCIS BARBARA MAIT MIKE PETTY KATHY RHODES AL ROSS RICK SAUNDERS

Administrative

Food & Beverage

BRIAN DARLAK, CCM

GENERAL MANAGER 804.435.1340 EXT 107 BDARLAK@ICYCC.COM MEGAN STEPHENS

LYNN LINES DINING ROOM MANAGER 804.435.1340 EXT 110 LLINES@ICYCC.COM

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR 804.435.1340 EXT 104 MEGAN@ICYCC.COM

KIM SAMMONS BANQUET & EVENT PLANNER WINDLEY "LEY" GAULDING 804.435.1340 EXT 110 KSAMMONS@ICYCC.COM BUSINESS MANAGER 804.435.1340 EXT 105 WGAULDING@ICYCC.COM

GIL ZIMMERMAN

Golf HOURS OF OPERATION

ED CARLISLE, PGA

PETER STEPHENS, CGCS

MASTER PROFESSIONAL

GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT 804.435.2470 (O) 804.436.4059 (C)

ROB PITTMAN, PGA

GOLF COURSE: 9-5 P.M. 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 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

BRENDA MAYER, PGA

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