The Springfield Story, January/February 2024

Springfield Golf & Country Club

the

SPRINGFIELD STORY

January / February 2024

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

BEAT BACK THE WINTER BLUES

COMMUNITY CONGRATULATIONS

WHY DO YOU PLAY PICKLEBALL?

2024 Board of Directors

2024 Committees

David DeLorenzo President david.delorenzo@gmail.com 703.887.0505 John Astorino Vice President john.astorino@longandfoster.com 703.898.5148 Caitlin Clark Secretary sheaclark@comcast.net 703.967.8997

Audit Joe English jenglish@bsbllc.com 571.214.4673

Membership Jon Danforth danforth.jon@gmail.com 703.409.7383

Communications Katie Kissal katiekissal@gmail.com 703.244.4583

Personnel John Astorino john.astorino@longandfoster.com 703.898.5148

Finance Bob Sampson bsampson71@gmail.com 703.362.0027

Racquets Staci Goede staci.goede@gmail.com

Fitness Gayle Burgoyne gayleburgoyne@aol.com 703.455.3985

Bob Sampson Treasurer bsampson71@gmail.com 703.362.0027

Food & Beverage John Palladino jape199@aol.com 703.901.0744

Mike Cozad mcozad@advairac.com 703.926.6758

Golf David Kelly davidnkelly@verizon.net 703.786.0980

Tom Davis tdavis@gandrellc.com 703.772.5015 Joe English jenglish@bsbllc.com 571.214.4673

Green Dan Derisio dderisio@yahoo.com 703.618.1720

Dan McCarthy danm5691@gmail.com 703.999.9329

House Julie Graham juliegraham10@me.com 703.650.8788

Charles Rolen rolencw@gmail.com 703.862.9370

Club Connections

Rules Bruce Nordstrom bnorthstream@yahoo.com 202.494.6558 Social Natalee Siveroni olahnatalee@gmail.com Marie Denslow a93aggie@gmail.com Strategic Planning Joe English jenglish@bsbllc.com 571.214.4673 Swim/Pool Mike Goede goedes@me.com 703.927.0941

Find Us On sgcc_springfieldcountryclub

Main Office

| 703.451.8600

Fitness Desk

| 703.451.1485

Accounting

| 703.451.8602

Pool Office

| 703.866.0045

Golf Pro Shop

| 703.451.8338

Golf Course Superintendent | 703.451.6619

Tennis Pro Shop | 703.451.8988

Garrett Engeset gengeset@gmail.com

sgcc_racquets sgccvagolfshop sgcc_weddings

www.sgccva.org

Board Report

BY DAVID DELORENZO | BOARD PRESIDENT

With the holiday season behind us and winter in full bloom (finally saw some snow!), we start another trip around the sun. Like many of us do in our personal lives, the Board of Directors starts the year with a set of goals to guide us.

These goals are somewhat broad and aimed at establishing or continuing to build upon the recent growth of the Club, but they always circle back to the question that drives us: how can we make the Club better?

Serving on the Board is an interesting task. Each term is only three years long and while many of us serve multiple, consecutive terms, there is always the potential for a shift of focus, especially during the turnover at the beginning of the year when some members leave the Board and new volunteers begin their service. Even if there isn’t a major change to our goals, the start of the year is always a good time to remind ourselves what we are aiming toward.

2024 Board of Directors Goals •

Strategic Planning—Develop and initiate both shortrange and long-range strategic plans for the Club for facility and recreational upgrades and improvements that include rationale, timing, funding, and desired outcomes for each project.

•

Financial Management—Prioritize the financial health of the Club to include continuous review and oversight of budget, management of the long-term debt, management of operational cash flow, and capital reserve investment planning.

•

Promote the Value of Membership—Build and retain an engaged, diverse member community by ensuring that our model provides the opportunities, programs, and services that serve the needs of the

overall membership.

•

Organizational Operations & Performance— Ensure that the Club is equipped with skilled professionals, necessary technology, policies, and useful and pertinent performance metrics to offer a high level of satisfaction to the membership, and to fully support the successful accomplishment of the Board’s goals.

In addition to the above, we are also looking into ways to improve communication with the membership to shed more light on Board and Management decisions, and to make information more readily accessible. Remember, Board meeting minutes and Committee reports can be found on the “Governance” page of the website. Other projects for the coming months include the establishment of succession planning to enable more seamless transitions of governance as well as an examination of the Club’s Green Book.

As we start this new calendar year, our fiscal year is winding down and we are hard at work on the budget. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to complete our Member Satisfaction Survey in December. We had a tremendous response that allows us to gauge overall sentiment and determine the areas in need of the most improvement as well as areas of success that we can continue to bolster.

Many of the survey comments reflected requests for improvement in known problem areas such as the driving range, pace of play, and food consistency, which we have been working to address for some time. We appreciate the feedback and will continue to prioritize improvements in these areas.

The areas that were ranked with the greatest need for improvement have been identified as the golf practice

January/February 2024 | 3

facilities, accessibility to tee times and court reservations, and a greater representation of our community’s demographics when it comes to pro shop merchandise and sports-related social events.

the survey results and to address questions and areas of concern. I encourage you to save the date and make plans to join the Board and Management for an evening of mediated conversation.

There were also some requests for increased communications surrounding significant Board and Management decisions. We do realize there has been a lot of change over the last couple of years, and we apologize for not meeting your expectations regarding communication and transparency. As mentioned, we will continue to work to improve our communication efforts in the future.

There is always room for improvement, and our goal is to be the best Club we can be. The results of the survey are an important gauge of the membership’s priorities and will be taken into consideration as we move forward with budgeting and our long-term strategic plans. Thank you for sharing your insights.

The survey also shows that the majority of the membership is pleased with our Department Directors’ enthusiasm, energy, and skill. We are a community, and the Management Staff is thrilled that the membership recognizes their efforts to be open-minded, personable, and creative when it comes to program planning and fostering a welcoming environment.

We will be holding a panel discussion on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 7:00 PM to provide more detail and color around

I am excited to be serving as President for one final year and equally excited to work with you, our members, in the coming year. As always, our volunteers did a tremendous job throughout 2023 with many achievements and new creative and fun events. I would like to thank each and every volunteer that served on a committee during the last year and welcome those that will be serving this year, pushing SGCC forward in our evolution as a top club in Northern Virginia.

Thank you again, and I wish you a healthy and happy 2024! 

Understanding Changes to the World Handicap System

BY JORDAN WEINSTEIN | HANDICAP COMMITTEE

As many of you are aware, changes to the World Handicap System (WHS) took effect on January 16, 2024. The key changes are: •

Inclusion of short courses in the Course Rating System. Prior to 2024, to be eligible for a Course Rating and Slope Rating, a course must have measured at least 3,000 yards for 18 holes and 1,500 yards for 9 holes. With the recent changes to the WHS, the minimum lengths have been reduced to 1,500 yards for 18 holes and 750 yards for 9 holes. This change allows scores made at shorter length courses to be acceptable for handicap purposes and permits golfers to determine a Course Handicap when playing rounds at those facilities.

•

Improved guidance to handicap committees.

Handicap committees have the job of ensuring each member’s Handicap Index truly represents their potential. This means ensuring scores are posted in a timely manner for all handicap-eligible rounds played as well as looking at a player’s performance in competition and non-competition rounds. The WHS has rolled out improved guidance and tools to allow handicap committees to do their job more easily and in a more uniform manner. This committee certainly welcomes those inputs.

•

Use of expected score for holes not played. There are changes to the way 9 holes are treated and in how we post when 10-17 holes are played. First, we will no longer be combining 9-hole scores. Instead, when a player posts a 9-hole score, the WHS will automatically calculate an 18-hole score differential for the round based on the player’s 9-hole score differential and an expected score differential based on their current Handicap Index. This will allow a 9-hole score to be considered in the player’s Handicap Index calculation the next day. Players will no longer need to wait for a

second 9-hole round before their score will count, and the new method will provide a better representation of how a player would be expected to perform over 18 holes since there will be less volatility. Of note, you must play all 9 holes to post whereas before the minimum number of holes was 7 for a 9-hole score. If 10-17 holes are played, the same method will be used to calculate an 18-hole score differential. A score differential will be calculated for the actual holes played and an expected score differential will be added to it to produce an 18-hole differential. This means we will no longer be discarding scores when fewer than 14 holes are played. When playing 10-17 holes, it will be a requirement that golfers post their scores holeby-hole. In the new treatment of 9-hole scores and 10-17 holes scores, we are using an expected score to produce an 18-hole score differential. An expected score for a player is not course-specific and is not reliant upon the course’s stroke index allocation.

Instead, it is a value assigned based on the player’s Handicap Index and a course of standard difficulty.

Meaning, all golfers with a Handicap Index of 10.2 would receive the same expected score differential for an equal number of unplayed holes whether they are in Virginia or in California. In GHIN you will see your score for the holes played, the number of holes you played, and the hole differential. For example, if you play 12 holes in 52 strokes you will see 52(12) and the 18-hole score differential used to update your handicap index.

When they rolled out WHS they knew they were not done and would continue to try to find ways to improve it so the system applies more fairly to all golfers. If you have questions, please see anyone on the Handicap Committee or come to one of the overview sessions we are planning to provide as we get into the 2024 golf season. 

January/February 2024 | 5

Image Courtesy of the VSGA / vsga.org

Melanie Walker: VSGA Women’s Golfer of the Year

BY EMILY KAUFFMAN | DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION

A hearty congratulations to SGCC’s own Melanie Walker who was named the 2023 VSGA Women’s Golfer of the Year. The honor comes as the cap on a wonderful year of accomplishments for the twenty-year-old. In 2023, Melanie was the VSGA Women’s Four-Ball Champion, partnered with her sister, Raquel Walker; she was runner-up in the VSGA Women’s Amateur; placed third in the Donna Andrews Invitational; earned the distinction of becoming the first University of Missouri golfer of any gender to be named SEC Golfer of the Week; claimed the Number 1 spot in the VSGA Women’s Player Rankings; qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur; competed in the Inaugural Women’s Open of Virginia; and was a Quarterfinalist in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball, partnered with Sydney Hackett. Melanie also helped her collegiate team, the Tigers, finish sixth at The Southern where she individually placed in the Top 5 with a score of 75-74-73.

lost in extra holes to the eventual champion. In 2021 she was named USA TODAY’s National Girls Golf High School Player of the Year, won the AJGA Stan Utley and Mid-America Youth Golf Foundation Junior Championship, was medalist at her qualifier for the 2022 U.S. Women’s Four-Ball, and qualified for the U.S. Junior Girls’ Championship. She was the Girls 1418 Division Champion in the 2022 Bobby Bowers Memorial Junior Golf Tournament and won the 2022 AJGA Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Melanie began making a name for herself at SGCC shortly after her family joined in mid-2016 when she was just twelve years old. She earned the distinction of Most Improved Junior Girls Player in 2017, 2018, and 2019; was the Junior Club Champion in the 18-Hole Girls Division in 2017, 2018, and 2019; and was the Women’s Club Champion in 2018. 

Melanie is a sophomore at the University of Missouri and began making her impact there as a freshman, posting the third best rookie score in the school’s history with a 74.54 stroke average.

She’s only gotten better in the 2023-2024 season boasting a 72.00 stroke average [to date] and having led the team in scoring in three of four fall events.

Melanie began making a name for herself as a teenager. Just prior to starting her freshman year at Robinson Secondary School, Melanie won the VSGA Junior Golf Circuit Championship in August of 2018. She has an impressive history at the Virginia High School League Girls’ Golf Championships where 64 of the best junior players from across the state gather to compete: Melanie was T8 in the 2018-2019 VHSL Girls’ Open, T3 in the 2019-2020, 1st in the 2020-2021, and T10 in 2021-2022.

In 2019, Melanie competed in the Virginia Women’s Amateur where she advanced to the Semifinals and was T3 at the U.S. Kids World Teen Championship. She also advanced to the Semifinals of the VSGA Women’s Amateur in 2020 where she

Image Courtesy of Instagram / @vsga1904

January/February 2024 | 7

The Power of Positive Thinking & Daily Movement: How to Beat Back the Winter Blues

BY MOLLY FIELD | COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

Winter officially began on December 21 at 10:27 PM on what’s known as the Winter Solstice. The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day of the year or the least amount of daylight in a 24hour period. It is considered a time of reflection, transition, and rest. From here on out, the days will get progressively longer with more and more daylight hours until we reach the Summer Solstice in June. By about two minutes per day, we are exposed to more sunlight by virtue of the angle between the Earth and the sun.

Part of beating back the winter blues is taking a realistic and compassionate view of life and remembering that everything is temporary—especially a good or bad mood! If you’re feeling low, turn up the music. Scientifically, it’s hard to stay grumpy if you’re listening to your favorite music. In fact, it’s almost impossible because the brain gets a boost of dopamine and it will automatically start your body moving in time with the rhythm and before you know it, you might be biting your lower lip and grooving.

While those two minutes a day of more light are welcome, they don’t necessarily translate into higher activity levels and warmer weather during this time of year. In fact, most of our wintry weather doesn’t show up until mid-January (as we’ve seen this year) and lasts through February, hence the term “midwinter” and the phrase “winter blues” or “winter doldrums.”

The busyness of the holidays is behind us, and we are confronted with the quiet in their wake.

What’s going on in the brain when we hear music is actually amazing: it’s called Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) which is “fancy” for improved brain, memory, central nervous system, and stress resilience functioning.

According to the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, listening to music “provides a total brain workout. It can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory.” Music helps us become more spatially aware and while the scientists are still trying to figure out all the details, we all know that listening to Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give it Up” or Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” or even a little Gershwin, say his most commercially recognizable, “American in Paris,” can conjure lofty visions or a robust shift in mood. Of course, music enhances our spatial awareness: we need room to dance! We move furniture out of the way or do a little hip bump because we simply can’t help it. The brain is actually making those things happen all by itself. It’s moving in time with the music. If it’s

We know the winter blues are coming, so the best bet is to schedule for them.

The weather is cold, biting, sometimes snowy and wet. Maybe we feel a little wet and cold, too. Because of this, it’s important to take care of yourself and make sure that you’re eating whole foods, gathering with friends, keeping your brain sharp and active with a book or puzzles, and getting enough daily exercise to fight off a cold and keep your blood circulating so you can fight viruses, regenerate cells, and gear up for the warmer weather to come.

8 | January/February 2024

not the hip, then it’s going to be a finger tap, or a wrist twist, or a head bob. Try to resist.

Along with playing your favorite music at a volume the neighbors might notice (invite them over!), exposing your face (definitely the eyes) to some natural sunlight first thing in the morning and taking in a few breaths of that chilly, dry air will help get your mood lifted. If it’s cold, we can’t help but move a little, be it stomping our feet, shaking off the chill, or rubbing our hands together. This is the body’s way of saying, “Okay, I see you. I’m registering what’s going on… let’s get ready… grab a hat and your coat!” Just one to five minutes of unfiltered early daylight on your skin (as long as the temperature is safe for exposed skin) will activate the naturally occurring vitamin D3 in your body (you can also take a D3 supplement, but check with your healthcare provider first), which is clinically proven to help fight depression. The “winter blues” isn’t just some random concept: it’s a real thing. It’s actual depression due to light deprivation and exposure to sunlight can help keep it at bay.

Another aspect to keep in mind when doing what you can to stay active, healthy, and optimistic might perhaps sound counterintuitive: be real. Be real with yourself and with others when expressing how you are feeling physically and emotionally. We humans are deeply social creatures. Mirroring and maintaining connections to friends, family, neighbors, and healthcare providers are necessary in order for us to feel kinship. If you’re having a hard time, a heavy day, or feeling lonely, let people know. Conversely, if you have a person in your life who is trusting you with their heart and expressing their challenges, be kind and listen. Do not feel as though you have to solve the problem or act in response; act only if you are asked to perform. Often, what people need is just someone to listen or empathize with them; solving someone else’s problem can be disempowering to those in need. Offer to help, not take over.

Then do the hardest thing to do: wait and listen. After what’s called “the magical seven-second pause,” ask how to help.

Offer your time: to go for a walk, share a moment with a cup of tea, watch a movie together, or schedule a video call. In his gorgeous, illustrated book about resilience and friendship The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse, Charlie Mackesy wrote, “Asking for help isn’t giving up, it’s refusing to give up.”

That going for a walk idea, by the way, is actually an excellent one. Walking outdoors exposes us to natural light, fresh air, sights we won’t see from indoors, and scents and sounds of the world around you. Internally, it increases circulation, enhances cardiovascular wellness, increases strength and balance, and improves vision, hearing, and focus. You need to pay attention when you’re outside! The natural cadence of your stride between your arms and legs can whittle your waistline too as the pelvis gently twists with each step. If you can’t get outdoors for one reason or another, let the internet help. During our time apart, especially during the COVID lockdowns, my extended family and I played real-time virtual party games via a website, www.jackbox.tv, and the experiences were hilarious. If people don’t want to play in a game, they can vote for the answers they like the most. You can assign an alias for yourself so people don’t know who is who.

Above all, take it easy on yourself and make your expectations of yourself and others realistic. Everyone is going through something all the time and sometimes we don’t talk about it because we don’t want to seem needy, weak, or burdensome.

The reality is we all need connection and feeling burdensome is a trick of the ego to keep us from wholeness. Sharing and seeing what’s going on builds community and it helps others see you and you see others as a vivid, complex, full, threedimensional human being. The word for that full awareness of the circumstances of other(s) in our lives is “sonder.”

Sometimes we all need some sonder. 

The best way to help is to listen and avoid what’s known as “toxic positivity” which is a defense mechanism we all possess. Toxic positivity is a response like, “Wow, that sounds like a heavy load you’re carrying! You’re doing great! As my grandma always said, ‘This too shall pass!’” Guess what, maybe it won’t pass.

Maybe your grandma was wrong. ‘This too shall pass’ is another way of saying, “Too bad, so sad! Byeeeee!” and dismissing what’s going on with the other person. Instead, try some empathy: the act of feeling what the other person is feeling and while not knowing exactly what to do about it, you engage and dive in for a moment by responding, “Wow, it sounds like you’re carrying a lot. I appreciate the strength it took to share that. I know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed and out of sorts.”

January/February 2024 | 9

Coach’s Corner: Why Do I Like to Play Pickleball?

BY BRANDEN BEETS | DIRECTOR OF RACQUET SPORTS

10 | January/February 2024

It’s getting colder by the day, and this is one of our busiest times of the year at the SGCC Racquets Facility. We recently introduced a new pickleball program for 2024 called Supervised Pickleball Matchplay under the guidance of our Head Racquets Professional, Kristine Kraujina. At the first meeting there was an odd number of players, so I got to step in and play. It was a great experience! I’m nearly eight months post Achilles surgery and I’m not able to sprint or explode yet, but I’m quite mobile, nonetheless. After a few games Coach Kristine brought everyone in and asked the question, “Why do we play pickleball?”

Since I haven’t been able to play the game for the past eight months, I was able to quickly identify my favorite aspects of the sport. I really enjoy the quick decision-making skills necessary to succeed. Drive or drop? Attack down the line or middle?

Defend high with a lob or low? Take the middle ball or leave it for my partner? These are just some of the situations I found myself in during every point. I love how strategic the game is and how points can change from slow-paced to high-speed in a split second! Teams can go on serving runs and momentum can shift quickly.

Pickleball challenges your hand-eye coordination. If your paddle is not up and your eyes aren’t focused on your opponent contacting the ball, you will always be a step late. Adjusting my eyes to pay closer attention immediately improved my reflexes and allowed me to stay calmer because I could see the ball coming sooner. The combination of hand-eye coordination and quick decision making makes pickleball such a fun test for me.

By working on those skills, I truly believe that my tennis reflex volleys were better the following day. Pickleball and tennis skill sets are similar in many ways, and they benefit performance in several other sports.

Finally, I enjoyed the exercise I got from playing pickleball.

I admit, my physical fitness level is not ideal. The next day I could feel it in my quadriceps and lower back the most. I don’t think my form was always perfect, but I like the feeling of using muscles I don’t regularly use. Also, the class had me sweating.

I wasn’t sprinting but making lots of quick movements in various directions had an impact on my fitness. In pickleball, there is very little downtime between points, so you are constantly playing. Once everyone got warmed up, our points were getting longer and longer. More cardio, more decision making, more hand-eye development, more FUN. Since I’m now able to move more on the court, my fitness will quickly catch back up to pre-injury levels.

So, you’ve now heard my reasons for playing pickleball, what are yours? What’s unique is that everyone has a different response to this question. Pickleball checks lots of boxes for players of all ages and backgrounds. I encourage you to come visit us at

the Racquets Center. Join an open play, bring your family and friends, or come meet other members to have fun. And if you sign up for the Supervised Matchplay on Thursday afternoons, please take it easy on me. 

Accounting

Department Updates Congratulations to Kelly Kiem on her promotion to Controller. Kelly has been a dedicated, passionate member of the Springfield community for the past 34 years. While serving in the Payroll and Accounts Receivable position since 1995, Kelly has been a shining and unwavering example of professionalism, commitment, leadership, and grace. Springfield has been an integral part of her life for both her and her family as all three of her children have worked at the Club over the years.

“I feel like I’ve grown up at the Club, being here since I was 18,” Kelly says. “It feels like family, and I am excited to learn and take on this new challenge.”

Kelly finds joy in interacting with members and fellow colleagues and hearing their stories. We are incredibly grateful for her and her time, efforts, and sacrifice to SGCC. Please join us in congratulating Kelly and showing her your gratitude when you see her around the Club.

In addition to Kelly’s promotion, Melissa Harkins has taken on the responsibilities of Payroll and Accounts Receivable for the Club. Melissa started at SGCC in 2021 and is transitioning from Banquet Manager after completing her master’s in business administration from Old Dominion University this past October. Please reach out to her with any questions regarding member accounts or bill payments. 

Membership Corner

BY SHELLY GOOREVICH | MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR

Happy New Year! I hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday season. As you’re working on your “new year, new me” goals, consider how you could get more out of your membership here at SGCC. The Club has scheduled initiation fee increases across all membership categories starting on April 1, 2024. If you have been considering upgrading from Social to Active membership, now is the perfect time to make the switch.

Our current Active membership initiation is $36,000. As of April 1, 2024, the initiation will increase to $40,000.

Further increases are scheduled for the years to come: on April 1, 2025, it will be $45,000, and on April 1, 2026, it will be $50,000. Remember, when you upgrade from Social to Active membership, you pay the difference between your

12 | January/February 2024

Social initiation fee and the current Active initiation fee.

If you have friends, family, neighbors, or coworkers who would be a great addition to our SGCC Family, please encourage them to reach out to us before the Active, Senior, Young Professional, and Social scheduled initiation increases. Please reach out to me at shelly@sgccva.org for additional information.

Please join me in extending a warm welcome to some of our newest member families…

Nick Andersen is the Chief Operating Officer for Invictus International Consulting and concurrently serves as a Nonresident Senior Fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative and as an Independent Director

for several nonprofit organizations. He served previously as Acting Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) at the U.S. Department of Energy, has served in the White House, within the Administration of Governor Phil Scott, and as a senior intelligence official. Carmen Andersen is an educator serving the Fairfax County area for more than a decade. She is a National Board-Certified Teacher currently serving as a Systems of Support Advisor for the largest middle school in the state of Virginia. When she’s not teaching, Carmen enjoys reading and baking. Mary-Grace is the golfer of the family and a proud freshman member of South County High School’s Golf Team. She aspires to pursue a career in bioengineering and enjoys spending time with her friends and family.

Nick, Carmen, & Mary-Grace Anderson

January/February 2024 | 13

Amanda and James Etro are Springfield locals, high school sweethearts, and have followed each other from Washington Irving MS, West Springfield HS, and West Virginia University to Anchorage, AK, and back home to Springfield. They’ve been married for 12 years and have two beautiful children, Evaleigh (6) and Tommy (3), and two adorable dogs, Harley and Lilly. A few years back, they were fortunate enough to purchase Amanda’s childhood home from her father (right next door to fellow members Nickie and Jay Johnson and Patti and Mike Sipple) and now have the privilege of raising their two children in the WSHS pyramid and finally as members of SGCC. Amanda is a Realtor and co-owner of The McDonald Etro Group with fellow member, Kathleen McDonald. She is actively involved in her community playing BUNCO with ladies of her neighborhood, sits on the preschool board at their local church, is a soon-tobe Troop Leader for Girl Scouts, a member of the PTA, and is very excited to get involved in activities at the Club. James is a Veteran of the United States Army, now working for Amazon Web Services (AWS) as a Security Assurance Manager. He wants to get into pickleball, play the occasional round of golf, and enjoys all things landscaping, woodworking, and gardening.

The Etros are happy to be here and look forward to meeting you!

Scott and Allison Hetzel, along with their three children, CJ, Will, and Julia Grace, have been residents of Springfield, VA since 2017. Before that, they travelled around the world, living in Georgia, California, Japan, and Germany. Scott will retire from the Army in 2024 and pursue civilian life as a government contractor. Allison is the Vice President of the National Curriculum and Training Institute based in Phoenix, AZ. Scott is originally from Florida and Allison is a proud Texan!

CJ is a freshman at West Springfield, Will is in 7th grade at Irving Middle, and Julia Grace is a 5th grader at Orange Hunt Elementary.

Amanda, James, Evaleigh, & Tommy Etro

Scott, Allison, CJ, Will, & Julia Grace Hetzel

Alexia Lulushi and her nine-year-old daughter Leah live in Springfield. Leah attends Westminster School in Annandale.

Alexia was inspired to pursue a career in Physical Therapy, and her daughter hopes to one day become an Orthopedic Surgeon. They enjoy activities at Burke Community Church, being outdoors, playing golf and tennis, and swimming. They are friends with several SGCC members and are excited to be part of the Springfield Family!

Brian and Rebecca Myers moved to Springfield with their daughter, Eleanor, in 2021. As a family, they enjoy a good sports outing, live music, and a sundowner on the beach. Brian is a Director in Willis Towers Watson’s Executive Compensation practice and leads the Governance Advisory Team in North America. Brian specializes in proxy/CD&A disclosure and proxy

14 | January/February 2024

Alexia & Leah Lulushi

Congratulations, Brian Maloney!

Brian, Rebecca, & Eleanor Myers

Chester, Katherine, & Henry Yavari

advisory firm policies; and has been an executive compensation contributor to The Wall Street Journal and Harvard’s Law School Forum on Corporate Governance. Rebecca is a Project Manager with the Department of the Navy. She is a member of Women in Defense, has been active in volunteerism, and served as a civic representative to Arlington County’s Neighborhood Conservation Advisory Committee Chester and Katherine Yavari both grew up in Northern Virginia. They now live in West Springfield with their son, Henry, and dog, Ham. Chester is a Business Development Manager at Nuvei. You may recognize their last name as they have siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, and sisters- and brothersin-law who are current SGCC members. Chester, Katherine, and Henry look forward to building new friendships and creating memories here at SGCC. 

Congratulations to former SGCC General Manager Brian Maloney on being elected as the Virginia State Golf Association’s 40th President. Brian is a longtime, active member of the VSGA. Last year, he served as the Chair for the Competitions Committee and the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame Committee, as well as Vice Chair for the Executive Committee, the Strategic Vision/Planning Committee, the Men’s and Women’s Subcommittees, and the President’s Advisory Council. 

January/February 2024 | 15

Warm Up with a Cup of HoCho

BY EMILY KAUFFMAN | DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION

We scoured the internet for the best hot chocolate recipes to keep you warm and toasty during the blustery winter months. We won’t judge if you reach for the packets of Swiss Miss, but the following recipes are tasty twists on the classic cold weather beverage. Give them a try and add a little fun and decadence to a chilly evening. Each recipe makes four servings.

UNICORN HOT CHOCOLATE from Erica Walker at Favorite Family Recipes

Ingredients •

1 cup white chocolate chips (recommend Ghiradelli)

•

2 cups half and half

•

2 cups milk

•

1 tsp vanilla extract

•

pink food coloring

•

whipped cream

•

sprinkles

•

marshmallows

Directions 1.

Place white chocolate chips, half and half, milk, and vanilla in a medium-size saucepan.

2.

Heat over medium heat, whisking continuously until hot. Be careful not to let it boil.

3.

Whisk in food coloring until your desired color is reached.

4. Pour into individual mugs then top with whipped cream, sprinkles, and marshmallows.

16 | January/February 2024

THICK TAHINI HOT CHOCOLATE

RASPBERRY HOT CHOCOLATE

from Sarah at Broma Bakery

from Christina Lane at Dessert for Two

Ingredients

Ingredients

•

1 ½ cups whole milk

•

2 cups frozen raspberries

•

½ cup tahini

•

4 cups milk

•

2-3 TBSP honey, to taste

•

1 cup white chocolate chips

•

½ tsp vanilla extract

•

1 tsp vanilla extract

•

½ tsp espresso powder

•

Pinch of salt

•

1/8 tsp cinnamon

•

1/8 tsp salt

1.

Add raspberries to blender and set aside.

•

8 oz bittersweet chocolate, roughly chopped

2.

•

whipped cream

Heat the milk in a small saucepan until just bubbling around the edges. Remove from heat and add the white chocolate chips.

•

sesame seeds

3.

Let sit for 5 minutes then whisk together. If the chocolate is not fully melted, heat for another minute.

Directions

Directions 1.

In a small saucepan over low heat, whisk together the milk, tahini, honey, vanilla extract, espresso powder, cinnamon, and salt. Heat until the milk is just shy of scalding, then remove from heat and add chopped chocolate.

4. Add the hot milk and chocolate mixture, vanilla, and salt to the blender with the raspberries and blend until smooth.

5.

Serve in individual mugs.

2. Allow to sit for 5 minutes before whisking together.

The chocolate should be fully melted; if it isn’t, place back on heat for 1 minute.

3. Pour into individual mugs.

Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of sesame seeds!

January/February 2024 | 17

SPICY RED WINE HOT CHOCOLATE from Jessica Randhawa at The Forked Spoon

SPIKED BUTTERSCOTCH HOT CHOCOLATE from Kristin King at Dizzy, Busy, & Hungry

Ingredients

Ingredients

•

2 cups milk

•

2 cups milk

•

½ cup dark chocolate chunks

•

2 cups half and half

•

1 tsp cayenne pepper

•

4 TBSP cocoa

•

½ tsp cinnamon

•

3 TBSP sugar

•

¾ cup good red wine (choose what you like to drink: merlot, zinfandel, and syrah are all good choices)

•

1/8 tsp salt

•

marshmallows

•

3 TBSP coffee liqueur

•

whipped cream

•

3 TBSP butterscotch schnapps

•

chocolate shavings

•

whipped cream

•

marshmallows

•

butterscotch syrup

Directions 1.

In a medium-size saucepan over medium heat, add milk and dark chocolate chunks. Whisk continuously until chocolate is completely melted and incorporated into the milk.

2.

Whisk in cayenne pepper and cinnamon.

3.

Pour in the red wine and heat until everything is hot. Don’t heat for too long or you will cook out the alcohol.

Directions

4. Pour into individual mugs and garnish with desired toppings.

Image Courtesy of downshiftology.com

1.

In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, half and half, cocoa, sugar, and salt. Heat over medium heat until steaming hot.

2.

Remove from heat, stir in the coffee liqueur and butterscotch schnapps.

3.

Pour into individual mugs. Top with whipped cream, marshmallows, and a drizzle of butterscotch syrup. 

Image Courtesy of tasteofhome.com

Calendar of Events Header FEBRUARY - MARCH 2024

AUTHOR | TITLE CLUBHOUSE CLOSED MONDAY | HALF PRICE BURGERS WEDNESDAY

| HAPPY HOUR THURSDAY 5:30-7:30 PM

FRIDAY BUFFET 5:00-9:00 PM

|

| BREAKFAST SAT & SUN 8:00-10:00 AM

FEBRUARY 2024

MARCH 2024

3

BOUNCE HOUSE DAY 3:30 - 6:30 PM

9

FAMILY FOAM BALL 5:00 - 7:00 PM

9

VALENTINE’S WINE DINNER & DANCING 6:30 PM

13

GOLF SEASON OPENING NIGHT 10:00 - 3:00 pm

11

SUPER BOWL SPECIALS 4:00 PM

15

ST. PATRICK’S DAY BUFFET & LIVE MUSIC 5:00 PM

14

VALENTINE’S BISTRO NIGHT 5:00 - 9:00 PM

17

LEPRECHAUN CHARITY FUN RUN 7:30 AM

17

KEGS & EGGS BREAKFAST (ALL AGES) 8:00 AM

19

PANEL DISCUSSION 7:00 PM

30

BUNNY BREAKFAST & EGG HUNT 10:00 AM

31

EASTER BRUNCH Seating at 11, 12, 1, & 2

16

COMEDY NIGHT 8:30 PM

16

KIDS NIGHT OUT 7:30 - 10:30 PM

SUNDAY BRUNCH 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

January/February 2024 | 19

Best Practices: Pace of Play

BY ROGER WELCH, PGA | HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL

Playing at a better pace is not about hurrying up or rushing around the course. It is simply about being more efficient with your valuable time, as well as everyone else’s. Adopting this mindset—and not being afraid to share it with your fellow players—will ultimately add enjoyment to your golf experience.

Here are some recognized tips for improving pace of play: START SMART. Confirm your tee time in advance and make it a point to arrive at the tee early with your golf equipment in order, ready to play. Remember essentials like extra balls, tees, gloves, and appropriate clothing for the day’s weather. “Tee It Forward” unless you are consistently able to reach greens in regulation from the back tees. In other words, play from a set of tees that is comfortable for you—one where you are more likely to hit lofted irons into greens instead of hybrids or fairway woods.

It is acceptable for players in the same group to play from different tees (the USGA Handicap System provides a formula for adjusting handicaps from different tees).

20 | January/February 2024

TRY ALTERNATE FORMS OF PLAY TO SPEED UP YOUR ROUND. Match Play, Stableford, Best-Ball, and other formats are easy and fun alternatives to individual stroke play because not every player has to hole out on every hole. There are multiple resources online and in print to learn about the many different golf formats. Try one out!

MINIMIZE YOUR TIME ON THE TEE. On the tee, it is usually acceptable for players to “hit when ready.” You can also save time by playing a provisional ball (Rule 27-2) if you think your original ball might be lost or out of bounds.

PLAN YOUR SHOT BEFORE YOU GET TO YOUR BALL. Once you are off the tee, think ahead. Determine your yardage and make your club selection before it is your turn to play. You

can often do this while others are playing without disruption. If you take your glove off between shots, have it back on before it is your turn to play. Even a small step like this saves time.

KEEP YOUR PRE-SHOT ROUTINE SHORT. Pick your line of play once and trust yourself. Try to take no more than one practice swing, then set up to the ball and play your shot. Most importantly, be ready to hit when it is your turn. Be efficient after your shot, too, and start moving toward your next shot promptly.

AIM TO PLAY IN 20 SECONDS. From club selection to pre-shot routine to execution, strive to hit your shot in 20 seconds when it is your turn to play. This helps keep players moving at a brisk pace.

DEVELOP AN EYE FOR DISTANCE. You don’t have to step off yardage for every shot. If you need to determine precise distance, try to find a yardage marker before you reach your ball, then step off the yardage on the way to your ball. Alternatively, consider investing in an electronic range finder or global positioning system for golf and use it when permitted by Local Rules. If others you are playing with are not familiar with the course, the Rules permit players to exchange yardage information without penalty.

WHEN SHARING A CART, USE A BUDDY SYSTEM. Don’t wait in the cart while your cartmate hits and then drive to your ball. Get out and walk to your ball with a few clubs. Be ready to play when it is your turn and then let your cartmate pick you up or drive to your ball after you drop off your cartmate and then pick them up after you hit.

BE HELPFUL TO OTHERS IN YOUR GROUP. Follow the flight of all tee shots, not just your own. Once in the fairway, help others look for their ball if you already know the location of yours. Volunteer to fill in a divot or rake a bunker for another player if needed. Be ready to attend the flagstick for others.

BE EFFICIENT ON THE PUTTING GREEN. Mark your ball and lift and clean it when you arrive at the putting green so you will be ready to replace it when it is your turn to play. You can usually line up your putt while others are putting without disturbing them. Leave your clubs on the side of the putting green closest to the tee and leave promptly after holing out. Wait until the next tee to record your score.

REMEMBER, PICKING UP YOUR BALL IS PERMITTED

BY THE USGA HANDICAP SYSTEM. If not in an individual stroke play competition, it is generally okay to pick up your ball and move on to the next hole if you are “out” of a hole and want to maintain pace of play. This applies to match play and many forms of stroke play, including Stableford and Best-Ball play.

DON’T HAVE TIME? PLAY NINE! You won’t always have time in your schedule for an 18-hole round, but you can still enjoy the game by playing nine. It’s fully compatible with both the Rules of Golf and the USGA Handicap System. And when it comes to golf, nine is better than none. 

January/February 2024 | 21

Turf Talk

BY SHAWN GILL GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT

22 | January/February 2024

I was praying for rain throughout most of 2023 and now I’m wishing the great spigot in the sky could be shut off. We were about six inches of precipitation short of average going into December, but that is a distant memory. We seem to have fallen into a pattern of storms that dump one-to-two inches of rain on a weekly basis. To be honest, this is a good thing from an agronomic standpoint at this time of the year. It allows all of our soils to be recharged with proper moisture levels and pulls oxygen into the ground as the water percolates. The excess water expands as it freezes during cold snaps and creates fractures in the soil that create greater porosity and relieve compaction. But enough of the technical talk, winter is the time for us to make improvements and prepare your course for the next golf season.

Unfortunately, due to the spillway saga, large projects aimed at making a better golf course have been temporarily put on hold. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of things for us accomplish during the “off season” that will create better conditions for you in 2024. Every year starts out the same. It seems like we have an infinite amount of time to do a laundry list of projects, and, before you know it, we are reprioritizing to make sure we finish all of the crucial work before the next season begins.

Much of the necessary tree removal work was accomplished over the last two winters, so this year we are only removing trees that have died or were in severe decline last season so that all safety hazards are eliminated. We are doing most of this work in-house, and, in case you haven’t noticed, we have

a large pile of split firewood available for the taking along the right side of the driving range path. The guys have also been busy clearing hillsides along the ponds and streams. A couple of new bench areas on holes #6 and #15 have been created with nice timber walls surrounding them. They will be finished off with sod blended into the surrounding turf when spring begins to arrive. Some of the other projects we have on the schedule are: new steps to the upper tees on hole #15, renovation of the fairway bunker on hole #8 and the right greenside bunker on hole #6, installation of a “bistro” patio in the landscape bed above the vegetable garden, and drainage at the parking lot steps in the hopes to rid ourselves of the ice skating rink that forms there every winter.

We have been (and will continue as weather allows) spreading compost throughout the course, with the exception of greens and tees, in order to improve the soil structure, chemistry, and biology so that we can continue to create better turf conditions.

Applying it at this time of the year gives the compost time to work down into the turf canopy and upper root zone before we bring out the mowers in the spring. The other benefit is that you don’t have to put up with the pungent aroma while enjoying your spring golf.

We are always trying to find new and innovative ways to keep conditions prime and also make them better. While we cannot “solve” the bermudagrass issue in our fairways, we can do things to keep it at bay and measure the success of the trials by doing side-by-side comparisons. This will provide us with the opportunity to discover which methods are working the best

January/February 2024 | 23

and which are not time or money well spent. One technique we will be testing this year is “hurting” the bermudagrass and heavily seeding into it. We will then take observations throughout 2024 and determine how well this worked. We will aerate multiple times and spread a mixture of compost/ sand/bentgrass seed on a portion of #16 fairway that is heavily infested with common bermudagrass. We will leave a similarly infested area immediately adjoining, untouched. The theory is that by exposing the bermudagrass roots to cold winter air, the plants will be severely stunted and take much longer to start growing in the spring/summer. This will give a chance for the bentgrass to germinate and establish before it has competition from the bermudagrass. While this will not eradicate the bermudagrass, the hope is to keep the population in a minority and provide the best and most consistent conditions. I am very excited to see what the results will be! After all, I am a “Turf Geek.” I have a few other smaller scale “tests” that I will be monitoring this year and I’ll be sure to fill you in and provide results as they get going.

No Greens Department article would be complete without celebrating my staff. It has been a real treat to watch them take on the responsibility of planning out their tasks and project the supplies that will be required. I have set the expectation of what the results must be and then allowed them to figure out the most efficient way to achieve those results. They are taking real ownership of what they do and the pride is coming through! 

Congratulations, Robert!

Congratulations to Director of Instruction Robert Simpson, PGA on being named one of GRAA’s Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professionals for the second year in a row.

Robert’s commitment to his students is unwavering, and he is always working to develop programming that meets the needs of golfers of all ages and skill levels. We are extremely proud of Robert and his accomplishments, and love having him as part of our SGCC community. 

24 | January/February 2024

Tips for Better Bridge Golf in 2024 Banter

BY ROGER WELCH, PGA HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL

BY DON FREDERICK

FIND A COACH HERE AT SGCC Being a member of SGCC has its perks, you know! We have multiple PGA Professionals on site that are ready to develop your personal road map to golf success. We also highly recommend getting fitted for clubs.

Looking to find “some love” at our Club this Valentine’s season?

Do you play bridge? If you answered “yes” to both questions, come join the SGCC Friday Evening Bridge Group at one of our upcoming sessions.

PRACTICE WITH A PLAN Just hitting golf balls is good but it isn’t the most effective way to get better. Have a plan in place that allows you to track your progress and get more out of your practice sessions.

BE WILLING TO PUT IN THE WORK A growth mindset doesn’t mean that things will always come easy. You still have to put in the hard work if you want to see results.

BE PATIENT Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither are successful golfers. It takes time to reach your goals, so be patient and don’t give up.

CELEBRATE PROGRESS It’s important to celebrate your progress, no matter how small it may be. This will help you stay motivated and focused on your goals. 

Here are the results of our sessions before the holiday break and since the beginning of the new year: NOVEMBER 3 First: Lydia Peck and John Korfonta Second: Cindy and Don Frederick Third: Vivian Pritchard and Elaine Voss NOVEMBER 17 First: Mary and Ed Kringer Second: Letty and Ken Silverberg Third: Cindy and Don Frederick DECEMBER 15 First: Mary and Ed Kringer Second: Lydia Peck and John Korfonta Third: Cindy and Don Frederick JANUARY 5 First: Robin Alapas and Kit Weyers Second: Jane and Gerry Gawalt Third: Mary and Ed Kringer We play relaxed, party bridge on the first and third Friday evenings of each month. Many of us gather for dinner first. If you’d like to join us, call Don Frederick at 703.425.9722. Our next scheduled evenings are February 16 and March 1. 

January/February 2024 | 25

Retirees Recap

BY RUSTY ROESCH Springfield’s Retirees have not slowed down during the winter.

Multiple groups are out on the course each week sharpening their skills in preparation for the upcoming golf season. Our team’s 2024 competitive season kicks off on March 14 with the annual Registration Meeting in the Ballroom. Two weeks later, on March 28, our Opening Bash will pit the Red Team (led by Captain Don Bisenius and Co-Captain Bruce Sheaffer) against the Blue Team (led by Captain Walter Burkhardt and CoCaptain Brad Westermann). This highly anticipated event is a great opportunity to warm up prior to our opening match. This year we will face Mount Vernon Country Club at their course

26 | January/February 2024

on April 4, followed a week later by our first competitive match of the season played on our home course on April 11.

As a reminder, it’s never too late to join the Retirees (just be 50+ and contemplating retirement). Our Retiree Team needs new players every year to support highly competitive matches both home and away. For more information on joining, please contact Bruce Nordstrom at bnorthstream@yahoo.com or call 202.494.6558. Please also plan on attending the Registration and Organizational meeting at the Club on March 14. 

Notes from the Cutting Board

BY TRAVIS SIMMONS | EXECUTIVE CHEF Imagine this: It’s a cool 30 degrees outside with a fresh blanket of snow as far as the eye can see. You hear the sound of neighbors shoveling their driveways and a rather intense neighborhood snowball fight off in the distance. Once the day’s work and play are done, you and your family want something warm and comforting as you relax by the fire. I recommend a chili-loaded baked potato. This is a great winter ensemble; you can walk away from the stove while it cooks and it really is a winter weather treat.

Let’s talk spuds. Foil or no foil? Well, it depends on what kind of potato you’re looking for. No foil allows the skin of the potato to get crispy. Foil wrapping has an overall steaming effect on the potato which gives a softer skin. I personally do not foil wrap my potatoes. Instead, a quick wash, dry, oil salt pepper. I like to season the potatoes with sea salt and let them sit at room temperature for a bit. This allows the salt to draw some of the moisture out of the potato. I find this makes for a slightly fluffy potato. After 20 minutes or so, place your potatoes in a 375 – 4000F preheated oven. Let them bake for about an hour, but check them around the 45-minute mark.

Now onto the important part, toppings. The Top 4 Must Have Toppings are: butter, sour cream, shredded cheese, and scallions. Bacon is a close fifth, but bacon makes everything better right? These toppings would be considered the classics in my book. There are so many options to work with when elevating a side item to the center of the plate. You can really load up on the proteins or the vegetables, it just depends on what you like. As for some of my favorites, try pulled pork BBQ, smoked brisket, chili, Mediterranean grilled vegetables with whipped feta cheese, and, lastly, loaded pizza baked potatoes. Honestly, you’re only limited by your imagination when it comes to toppings, so have fun with it.

Here is a tried-and-true chili recipe so you can make yourself a hearty, warming chili-loaded baked potato during the cold, wet days ahead...

Chef Travis’ Chili Ingredients •

1 lb ground beef

•

1 onion, chopped

•

2 (15 ounce) cans of drained crushed tomatoes

•

1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans

•

1 chopped green bell pepper

•

1 ½ cups water

•

1 pinch chili powder

•

1 pinch garlic powder

•

1 pinch of cumin

•

2 tablespoons tomato paste

•

salt and pepper to taste

•

splash of oil to sauté beef

Directions 1.

Place ground beef, onions, and green pepper in a large saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir until meat is browned and vegetables are tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and discard oil.

2.

Add crushed tomatoes and stir.

3.

Place over medium heat and add kidney beans, tomato paste, and water.

4. Season with chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and let simmer for an hour. 

January/February 2024 | 27

MOST IMPROVED, MEN

MOST IMPROVED, WGA 18

MOST IMPROVED, WGA 9

JERROD DOBKIN 22.7 TO 13.3

DONNA FLOOD 48.5 TO 39

TRISH DUONG 52 TO 41.6

MOST IMPROVED, RETIREES

MOST IMPROVED, JUNIOR BOYS

MOST IMPROVED, JUNIOR GIRLS

BRAD WESTERMANN 10.8 TO 8.4

JUSTIN HAN 18.5 TO 10.7

RAQUEL WALKER +1.9 TO +2.1

MOST ROUNDS PLAYED, MEN

MOST ROUNDS PLAYED, WOMEN

golfer highlight s

DARREN BANH, 209

ERIN JONES, 147 January/February 2024 | 29

MOST IMPROVED WOMEN’S EVENING

MOST IMPROVED MEN’S B TEAM

MOST IMPROVED MEN’S C TEAM

GARRETT ENGESET

KATIE KISSAL

GARRY WATKINS

MATT HOULAHAN

MOST IMPROVED WOMEN’S A TEAM

MOST IMPROVED WOMEN’S B TEAM

MOST IMPROVED WOMEN’S C TEAM

MOST IMPROVED JUNIOR GIRLS

CAITLIN CLARK

DEBBIE HECK

PRUDENCE BROOKS

ELEANOR HEINBAUGH

MOST IMPROVED JUNIOR BOYS

MOST IMPROVED MEN’S PICKLEBALL

MOST IMPROVED WOMEN’S PICKLEBALL

ANDREW CLEMANS

JERROD DOBKIN

SARA DOBKIN

MOST TENNIS COURT RESERVATIONS

RACQUETS EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

AMY WALLER

SLADE DUMAS

30 | January/February 2024

racquets highlights

MOST IMPROVED MEN’S EVENING