The Springfield Story, March 2024

2024 Board of Directors

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

Bob Sampson Treasurer bsampson71@gmail.com 703.362.0027

Mike Cozad mcozad@advairac.com 703.926.6758

Tom Davis tdavis@gandrellc.com 703.772.5015

Joe English jenglish@bsbllc.com 571.214.4673

Dan McCarthy danm5691@gmail.com 703.999.9329

Charles Rolen rolencw@gmail.com 703.862.9370

2024 Committees

Audit

Joe English jenglish@bsbllc.com 571.214.4673

Communications

Katie Kissal katiekissal@gmail.com 703.244.4583

Finance

Bob Sampson bsampson71@gmail.com 703.362.0027

Fitness

Gayle Burgoyne gayleburgoyne@aol.com 703.455.3985

Food & Beverage

John Palladino jape199@aol.com 703.901.0744

Golf

David Kelly davidnkelly@verizon.net 703.786.0980

Green

Dan Derisio dderisio@yahoo.com 703.618.1720

House

Julie Graham juliegraham10@me.com 703.650.8788

Membership

Jon Danforth danforth.jon@gmail.com 703.409.7383

Personnel

John Astorino john.astorino@longandfoster.com 703.898.5148

Racquets

Staci Goede staci.goede@gmail.com

Garrett Engeset gengeset@gmail.com

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

General Manager’s Message

BY STEVE LAWSON, CCM | GENERAL MANAGER & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Spring is almost upon us! I am glad the days are getting longer, the sun is setting later, and that winter will soon be behind us. As we look forward to a new season and a new fiscal year, there is a lot going on here at Springfield to get excited about.

Looking ahead, it is hard not to feel the energy blossoming in every department at the Club. The Racquets Department is hosting a new Family Foam Ball Social, Food and Beverage is featuring a Wine Tasting Class as well as a St. Patrick’s Day Brunch, and Fitness is having a Leprechaun Fun Run in support of a local charity. Golf clinics are picking back up, Golf Season Opening Night is right around the corner, and Opening Breakfast will be here before we know it. We are also excited to offer our first Spring Break Golf and Tennis Camp. Additionally, I am looking forward to welcoming our

new Director of Golf Alessandra Maurtua, PGA in a few short weeks as well as hosting the upcoming Panel Discussion on March 19 to discuss the future of Springfield and answer any questions.

I want to thank the staff for all their hard work during this time. Our management team and department heads are working tirelessly to prepare for the upcoming events and lead our teams to success. It wouldn’t be possible without the collective work they do to make your experience special and memorable.

I am ready for the buzz to return to the Club and am eager to see you and your family being active in the fun, energetic environment we know as SGCC. 

Board Report

BY DAVID DELORENZO | BOARD PRESIDENT

Wonderful things are happening here at Springfield and there is palpable momentum and energy around the Club. The Club is bustling with new and elevated events, increased clinics and instructional offerings across our departments, and upgraded amenities such as our simulator space. We have successfully completed capital improvements to our Racquets Program including outdoor court resurfacing, permanent pickleball lines, and new windscreens. Club communication has greatly improved with weekly scheduled emails and clear, intentional, and transparent correspondence. The staff is working on defining and driving Club culture by answering the question “Who Are We?” While that only scratches the surface and there is always work to be done, it is important to acknowledge and celebrate our accomplishments.

Speaking of staff, I want to congratulate them on their ongoing growth and success. The department heads are leading their teams in fantastic ways, challenging them to achieve excellence in all they do. Staff members, both new and tenured, are coming together to make our time here memorable, and their dedication, effort, and passion shine forth in their service. Your kindness and thoughtfulness in support of our staff was evident in your great generosity in giving to the Employee Holiday Fund. Over $65,000 was raised, and your gift was greatly appreciated by the staff. Thank you for your contributions.

After 14 years at Springfield, Josh Tremblay, PGA was offered and accepted the position of Director of Golf at Lehigh Country Club in Allentown, PA. I am grateful to Josh for his service and commitment to the Springfield community and wish him nothing but the best in his new chapter.

After a thorough search process, I am excited that Alessandra Maurtua, PGA will be our next Director of Golf. Ale comes to Springfield from Belle Haven Country Club where she served as Head Golf Professional. She is a Class A Member of the PGA of America certified in Golf Operations and specialized in Executive Management. She has a service-oriented mindset, a positive attitude, and is passionate about mentoring others. I am looking forward to having her join the team later this month. I also want to thank the Search Committee for their time, assistance, and professionalism during this process as it would not have been possible without their efforts.

Resource Environmental Solutions (RES) has completed

repairs to the temporary spillway to mitigate erosion in the center channel. They will have to do some additional work to gain approval based on their initial inundation analysis. The permitting process will begin once the state’s dam safety division has approved the designation of the dam based on potential hazard to life and property. This process will take several months at which point a timeline for final construction will be developed that has the least impact on Member experience.

I sincerely appreciate your time in not only completing the Member Satisfaction Survey, but sharing thoughtful and detailed feedback. Your responses are invaluable and have provided us with clarity and key insights into your experience. We are using both the quantitative and qualitative data gathered to guide our decision making moving forward. Please join us on Tuesday, March 19 for our panel discussion where the Board and I look forward to reviewing the research insights and having a conversation with you about the direction of our Club.

Fiscal Year 2025 will commence on April 1. The Board, Finance Committee, and Strategic Planning Committee have been working hard to develop the Operating Budget as well as the Strategic Capital Plan for FY2025. I’d like to thank these individuals for their work and help in managing Springfield’s $22M operation as it is no small task.

Over the past few months, they have been drafting and studying current revenue and cost trends to assist in the anticipated operating costs for this year’s budget. Please be aware of changes to this year’s dues and capital improvement fees. The Capital Plan includes items such as the spillway repair, fairway drainage improvements, seal coating and striping the parking lot, and upgrades to indoor tennis court lighting, all of which will enhance the Member experience.

I would like to extend my gratitude to our various committees. Thank you for volunteering your time and expertise to enrich the culture and experience at Springfield. Our Club cannot function without each of us investing in our community and it is the collective work of all to make this place what it is.

Special things are happening here at Springfield. I am optimistic about what the future holds for the Club and am looking forward to spring and the golf season. See you around the Club! 

*This is not a complete list of fees; only fees which have increased are included. Not all fees are mandatory.

Coach’s Corner: I Get To

BY BRANDEN BEETS | DIRECTOR OF RACQUET SPORTS

One day, I was flipping through the television channels and landed on an episode of Family Feud. Steve Harvey caught my attention as he was engaging with the audience. He said, “What if you could change the way you wake up in the morning? Stop saying I gotta go to work…. I gotta go work out… I gotta go meet with these people. What if you change one word in that sentence and everything in your life changes? When you say ‘I gotta’ you take all of your opportunities and blessings, and you wrap them up in stress. But you can take all the stress out of it if you say, ‘I get to’ instead.”

This mindset has been invaluable to me as I’ve recovered from Achilles surgery over the past year. I GET to wake up in the morning. I GET to go to work. Showering, getting dressed, driving, walking, teaching, managing, being able to get from the Racquets building to the Clubhouse with ease? I’ll take it! I GET to see my friends. I GET to interact with great, interesting people every day. I GET to feel the sunshine on my face. I GET to learn how to exercise properly and take care of my body. These are all blessings disguised as everyday life tasks depending on your perspective.

Today, I get to share my knowledge and experience with overheads in our women’s tennis team practices and group lessons. I get to demonstrate the four different types of overheads and show what footwork and movement patterns are used to create forehand overheads instead of backhands. I get to advise our players on what signals they should look for from their opponent’s posture and racquet position when deciding to close the net or not. Most importantly, though, I get to see the eureka moments when our players process properly AND execute. I get to share in their successes. I get to smile with them and say it’s okay when they miss. I get to see them improve their game! Will you be one of the players I get to see making strides in your game on the court this month? 

Join a Racquets Team

Interested in joining a tennis or pickleball team? Take a look at the teams we’ll be fielding in the coming season. If you’re not sure which team would be the best fit, our Pro Staff can help you! Some of our teams don’t have designated practice times. We recommend Live Ball, Crack of Dawn, and Night Owls as opportunities to work on hitting and gameplay. Additionally, Head Racquets Professional Kristine Kraujina can help put you in touch with members of similar playing ability to practice with outside of clinics and matches.

MEN’S TENNIS

NVTL Men’s B Team

• Captain: Luis Diaz

• Practice: Tuesday Evening Men’s Tactical Doubles, 7:00-8:30 PM

• Matches: Saturday Mornings

Interclub Men’s Team (3.0-4.5 rated)

• Captain: Luis Diaz

• Practice: Tuesday Evening Men’s Tactical Doubles, 7:00-8:30 PM

• Matches: Thursday Evenings

WOMEN’S TENNIS

Interclub Women’s A Team

• Captain: Tracy McCarthy

• Practice: Monday Mornings, 8:30-10:00 AM

• Matches: Wednesday Mornings, 9:30 AM

Interclub Women’s B Team

• Captains: Brooke Diaz & Amy Rosenberger

• Practice: Tuesday Mornings, 8:30-10:00 AM

• Matches: Friday Mornings, 9:30 AM

NVTL Women’s B Team

• Captain: Christie Palmer

• Matches: Tuesday Evenings, 6:30 PM

Interclub Women’s C Team

• Captain: Amy Waller

• Practice: Thursday Mornings, 10:00-11:30 AM

• Matches: Friday Mornings, 9:30 AM

Interclub Women’s Team (3.0-4.5 rated)

• Captain: Page Coleman

• Matches: Thursday Evenings, 7:00 PM

MIXED TENNIS

NVTL Mixed Team

• Captain: Luis Diaz

• Matches: Sunday Afternoons, 3:00 PM

JUNIOR TENNIS

Interclub 10U Orange Ball

• Coach: Kristine Kraujina

• Practices: Monday Academy, 5:00-6:30 PM; Wednesday Academy, 5:00-6:30 PM; Thursday Academy, 6:30-8:00 PM

• Matches: Wednesdays, 1:00 PM (once school is out)

Interclub 12U Green Ball

• Coach: Kristine Kraujina

• Practices: Monday Academy, 5:00-6:30 PM; Wednesday Academy, 5:00-6:30 PM

• Matches: Wednesdays, 1:00 PM (once school is out)

Interclub 16U Yellow Ball

• Coach: Kristine Kraujina

• Practices: Thursday High School Team, 4:00-5:30 PM; Saturday High School Team 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

• Matches: Wednesdays, 1:00 PM (once school is out)

PICKLEBALL

Unfortunately, the Spring Pickleball League is not happening this season. We will be doing Home and Home matches with other country clubs and as well as other competitive opportunities. Our three Weekly Open Play Pickleball programs are a great way to meet other members and find a competitive game. Open Play meets on Mondays 1:00–2:30 PM, Fridays 5:00-6:30 PM, and Saturdays 3:00-4:30 PM. Please check out our website and the Racquet Sports Calendar for other programs that fit your personal goals! 

Join a Golf League

WGA-9

The Women’s Nine-Hole Golf Association is open to female golfers aged 18 and older with golf privileges at SGCC; all skill levels are welcome. The WGA-9 networks, works to improve their golf game, learns and practices the rules and etiquette of golf, participates in friendly competition, and emphasizes having lots of fun! The WGA-9 has regular tee times on Wednesday mornings for friendly stroke play competition. Low net games and special games are offered throughout the season, and Golfer of the Week and Golfer of the Month titles are awarded accordingly. The WGA-9 also has casual group play on Thursday afternoons followed by socializing on the Patio (Nine, Whine, & Dine). In addition to regular weekly play, the WGA-9 participates in outings, invitationals, and tournaments, and fields teams for MVTMA matches.

If you are new or returning to golf, please note that we don’t teach the mechanics of the golf swing. We encourage you to take lessons from a Golf Professional and enroll in an Operation 36 Program. In addition, our Golf Pros may offer clinics tailored for us, covering such topics as bunker shots, short game, putting, and full swing.

We encourage you to learn the Rules of Golf. You can review them online on the USGA website, usga.org, and attend our annual rules clinic. While you are in the beginning stages of learning the game, you are welcome to join us as a member of the WGA-9. We have a very popular, optional Big Sister Program that matches our more experienced golfers with members who are new to golf or just returning to the game. Your Big Sister will work with you to improve your knowledge about golf like etiquette, pace-of-play, and the basic rules of the game in a fun, supportive, social, and noncompetitive environment. In order to “compete” in the Wednesday Play Day games and other competitions, you will need to establish your handicap by completing 54 holes or six nine-hole rounds. In the interim, you can play the game and enjoy the camaraderie of our group.

Want to learn more about the WGA-9? Our Opening Meeting is scheduled for 6:00 PM on Tuesday, March 5 in the Ballroom. You can also contact Chairman Alison Webber at ali.webber24@gmail.com, Vice Chairman Marcia Bisenius at mbisen@aol.com, and/or Membership Chair Jessica Bradley at jessicareedbradley@yahoo.com. If you’re ready to join, registration is open on Golf Genius.

WGA-18

Membership in the Women’s Eighteen-Hole Golf Association is open to women aged 18 and older with golf privileges at SGCC. The purpose of the WGA-18 shall be to plan competitive golf events in the spirit of friendship, sportsmanship, and fair play, and to promote friendly social contracts and interest in golf among the women golfers of Springfield Golf and Country Club. The WGA-18 has regular tee times on Tuesday mornings and Saturdays after the lottery. Members also have the option to participate in a 9-hole outing on Wednesday late afternoons in the season-long “Nine & Dine.” Players compete in twolady teams arranged each week by the Golf Pro Shop.

A maximum USGA index of 40.4 (42 strokes from Green Tees; 47 strokes from Red Tees) will be used for WGA-18 Regular and Major Tournament play. WGA-18 special tournaments may use a lower maximum USGA index. For tournaments played on a Tuesday, the player’s index from the prior Sunday will be used to determine the handicap. For tournaments played on a Saturday or Sunday, the player’s index from the prior Thursday will be used.

For regular weekday and weekend play, members have the option of playing from Red or Green tees. Handicaps will be applied based on the player’s index and the tee selected. Please mark the tee used on your scorecard. For all Major Tournaments and Nine & Dine the Green tees will be used, with the exception of the Championship Flight in the WGA-18 Championship which will be played from the Red tees.

The WGA-18 also fields teams for Interclub Matches (ARFAX, WDCGA, and Career Women) as well as participating in Home-to-Home play against other area clubs.

Want to learn more about the WGA-18? Our Opening Meeting is scheduled for 6:00 PM on Wednesday, March 6 in the Ballroom. You can also contact Chairman Kathleen Tindal at kathleentindal@gmail.com and/or Membership Chair Amy Liberty at amy.liberty@verizon.net. If you’re ready to join, registration is open on Golf Genius.

RETIREES

The Springfield Retirees play in the Northern Virginia Retired Men’s Golf Association. To join, you must be a man aged 50 or older with golf privileges at SGCC; contrary to our name, you DO NOT need to be retired to join the Retirees. Our matches are generally played on Thursday mornings.

Springfield is one of sixteen member clubs of the NVRMGA and belongs to the League’s Central Division. We play twentyfour regular season matches, twelve home and twelve away. The Springfield Retirees have two teams, Red and Blue, to maximize playing opportunities for members. Players are assigned to the Red or Blue team in a way that yields balanced handicaps between the two. Each team has priority to play in twelve of the twenty-four matches, six home and six away.

The NVRMGA season culminates with the Semifinal and Final matches to determine the League Champion from amongst the four Divisions. Seeding for the Semifinals is determined by League-wide winning percentages. The Semifinals and Finals are played as a split squad with half playing at home and half away.

In addition to the official League matches, the Retirees also kick off each season with their “Opening Bash” which pits the Red Team against the Blue, play a “friendly” match against Washington Golf and Country Club which is an A-B-C-D format against the field, and join the WGA-18 to play an annual “Guys and Gals” tournament.

Want to learn more about the Retirees? Our Opening Meeting is scheduled for 9:00 AM on Thursday, March 14 in the Ballroom. You can also contact Retirees President Bruce Nordstrom at bnorthstream@yahoo.com for more information.

COUPLES

Couples Golf is a great opportunity to spend quality time with your partner and your friends on the golf course. The Couples Season includes a mix of 9-hole and 18-hole events in a variety of fun formats. Play is on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays, depending on the week. Fun traditions include the Couples Cup, a friendly, season-long point race, and the annual Couples Golf Trip in September.

If you played in a Couples Golf event last year, you will automatically be added to this year’s distribution list and will receive information each week about the format and sign-up times for each event. If you did not play in an event last year but would like to participate this year, please contact the Golf Shop and you will be added to the distribution list to receive emails.

For more information about SGCC’s recreational Couples league, contact Co-Chairs Susan and David Wells at suswel@ aol.com. 

Don’t Sleep on Summer Camp

BY EMILY KAUFFMAN | DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION

GOLF & TENNIS CAMP

You asked for a spring break camp, we listened. We’re happy to announce that the Golf and Racquets Departments have teamed up to provide a five-day camp for juniors ages 6 to 15 to get their game on! Campers will spend the first half of the day in golf instruction, break for lunch, and then spend the last half of the day on the courts. This camp is open to all experience levels, runs from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM, and costs $500 per camper.

We’re bringing this camp back during the last two weeks of June as well, so if you have a junior looking for a dedicated sports camp look no further! Registration is open for all three weeks on the calendar. Simply toggle to the month (March for spring break, June for summer) to sign up. Please note that the Golf/ Tennis camp scheduled for the week of June 17 is four days only, Monday-Thursday, due to the Member/Guest tournament and has an adjusted price. Lunch is included.

ART & MOVEMENT CAMP

A few years ago we introduced Movement Camp following our campers’ enthusiasm for the dance and tumbling portions of Camp SGCC. A couple years after that we introduced Art Camp for our campers with a penchant for clay, paint, and other artistic endeavors. We noticed that many children signed up for both camps, so last year we tested out a combination Art & Movement Camp with great success.

In this camp, children will have the opportunity to learn routines in dance and tumbling, create a variety of art projects using different media, hit the pool, and more! Each year is a little different as our camp counselors (most of whom are previous campers themselves) bring their unique talents to the table to help design the curriculum for the kids. You can be sure that your child’s creativity will be put to work as they explore a variety of opportunities to exercise their bodies and their imaginations.

We are offering three sessions of Art & Movement Camp this summer. It is for children ages 6 to 12, runs from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM Monday through Friday, and costs $350 per week. Please note that we offer a sibling discount for this camp and that there is an adjusted price for the week of July 1 as camp will not meet on the fourth. Registration is open on the Club Calendar click over to July and look for the registration portal on the Monday of each week. This camp has an additional registration form that must be completed prior to the start of camp. Lunch and snack are included.

HALF DAY ART CAMP

This one is for the little guys. Our Half Day Art Camp is for children ages 4 to 5. They will get to flex their creative skills and explore a variety of media tied to different themes while working to create masterpieces they will be proud to show off. Campers will meet in the Child Minding Room at the Racquets & Fitness Facility from 12:00-3:00 PM Monday through Friday.

We will be offering three sessions of Half Day Art Camp this summer. It is $155 per week; there is a sibling discount available and the price of camp is adjusted for the week of July 1 as camp will not meet on the fourth. Snack is included.

CAMP SGCC

Camp SGCC is our classic summer sports sampler camp. Children will experience a wide range of activities from fitness, tennis, golf, and swim to art projects, dance routines, games, and more. We also bring in a variety of special visitors each week. In years past, campers have been visited by a mad scientist, a reptile expert, a professional dog trainer (and her talented pups), and a bubble magician. We do our best to bring in different vendors for each week so that campers who come to both weeks continue to have a fulfilling experience.

Please note that this is our largest camp and children do not experience all sports every day. Rather, they are broken into small groups by age and rotate through stations. Most days end at the pool, so don’t forget to bring a towel!

We are offering two sessions of Camp SGCC this summer. It is for children ages 6 to 12, runs from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM Monday through Friday, and costs $420 per week. Please note that we offer a sibling discount for this camp. Registration is open on the Club Calendar click over to July and look for the registration portal on the Monday of each week. Unlike in years past, Camp SGCC will not run in consecutive weeks so please pay close attention to the calendar. This camp has an additional registration form that must be completed prior to the start of camp. Lunch and snack are included.

TENNIS CAMP

Our Junior Tennis Summer Camp is for juniors ages 5-12. We offer two camp options, a one-hour camp and a full-day camp, to better meet your family’s unique schedule and needs.

Our one-hour camp is great for juniors new to tennis who are looking to ease into the sport or for younger juniors who may

be too tired after swim team to commit to a whole day’s worth of activities. The one-hour camp meets Monday-Friday 10:00 — 11:00 AM.

Our full-day camp includes lunch and will dive deeper into game play and stroke production. This is a great option for juniors who are excited about the sport and can’t wait to spend all day on the courts! The full-day camp meets Monday-Friday 10:00 AM—3:00 PM and includes lunch.

Registration for each camp is for the full week. The one-hour camp costs $75 per week and the full-day camp costs $350 per week. Please note, there is an adjusted price for the week of July 1 as camp will not meet on the fourth.

OPERATION 36 GOLF CAMP

Give your children a summer camp experience they won’t forget! We’re excited to announce that we will be offering a full day golf camp this summer for juniors ages 6-15. We leverage the Operation 36 platform in our summer camps because we believe in its approach and want to provide consistency for our juniors as they develop their skills through different camps and clinics here at SGCC.

We want each of our golfers to fall in love with the game and see improvement on the course. Each day of camp is packed with fun activities that make becoming a better golfer an enjoyable experience. Students will work on skill development in the morning and have the chance to play the course in the afternoon.

We are offering two sessions of Operation 36 Golf Camp this summer. Camp runs from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM Monday through Friday, and costs $500 per week. Lunch is included. 

Stroke Index Allocation

BY JORDAN WEINSTEIN | HANDICAP COMMITTEE

As we gear up for a new golf season, let’s look at how changes to the golf course may affect matches you play against other golfers as well as calculation of your maximum hole score (net double bogey).

The Rules of Handicapping (Appendix G, Section a) require that our Authorized (Regional) Association, the VSGA, reevaluate every course in its jurisdiction at least every ten years to determine whether changes in the course merit changes in its difficulty ratings, namely, the Course Rating and Slope Rating. The Association may also recommend changes in the Stroke Index Allocation, which determines the order of holes at which handicap strokes are to be given or received. Holes with the lowest Stroke Index number have a handicap stroke applied to them first. For example, if two players (here, A and B) are playing a handicapped match in which full handicaps are used, and player A has a Course Handicap of 20 while player B has a Course Handicap of 10, player A will receive ten handicap strokes, one handicap stroke to be applied on each of the lowest ten stroke index holes. The strokes are applied on Stroke Index Holes 1 through 10. No handicap strokes are given on Stroke Index holes 11 through 18.

As for maximum hole score, let us say that my Course Handicap is 21, and I am making a mess of Hole 10. How many strokes should I suffer through before I reach my maximum hole score of Net Double Bogey and should pick up (assuming I’m playing a casual round)? With my Course Handicap of 21, I am allotted one handicap stroke on each hole (which makes 18) plus one more on each of the three lowest Stroke Index holes (for a total of 21). Based on our 2023 scorecard, the three lowest Stroke Index holes are Hole 15 (Stroke Index 1), Hole 7 (Stroke Index 2), and Hole 10 (Stroke Index 3). Therefore, once I’ve taken eight strokes (four for par, plus two for double bogey, plus two more for my “net” handicap strokes) on Hole 10, it’s time for me to pick up and move on.

But what if I’ve made a mess of Hole 12 (Stroke Index 11) instead? My Net Double Bogey score would only be seven (four for par, plus two for bogey, plus one more for my “net” handicap stroke). Stroke Index makes a difference here.

How are Stroke Index Allocations determined? The VSGA walks the course and determines the relative difficulty of each hole, based on each hole’s effective playing length, and adjusted for ten obstacle factors such as rough, bunkers, and trees (more

detail can be found in the Rules of Handicapping Appendix E). The holes are then ranked by relative difficulty, with the hole rated most difficult becoming the lowest Stroke Index, and on down the line. To spread handicap strokes evenly throughout the round, odd stroke index numbers are allocated to the front nine holes, and even stroke index numbers are allocated to the back nine holes. However, if the back nine is significantly more difficult than the front nine, as determined by the Course Rating (which is the case here at Springfield), the even stroke index numbers can be allocated to the front nine and the odd stroke index numbers allocated to the back nine. There is a further process to ensure that handicap holes are distributed evenly across each nine holes (known as “triads”). Once all of these processes are completed, the VSGA sends the Club the results of its evaluation so the Club can make a final determination. For example, we would not make one of our par three holes the lowest stroke index hole on the course even if VSGA recommended that we do so.

Our Golf Committee appointed an ad-hoc subcommittee to review the VSGA’s recommendations. Many different types of golfers were invited to join the ad hoc committee: WGA-9 and -18 golfers, Retirees, A and B team golfers, and two of our Golf Professionals. The result of these deliberations, which achieved complete consensus, can be found on the following page.

The USGA recommends that every course have one stroke index allocation for men and one for women, no matter which set of tees are played. For 2024, the number one handicap hole for men will change from Hole 15 to Hole 10, and Hole 15 drops four places, from Stroke Index 1 down to Stroke Index 9. A similar change was made for women: Hole 10 moves up two places (from Stroke Index 9 to Stroke Index 5), and Hole 15 moves back three places (from Stroke Index 5 to Stroke Index 11); Hole 16 moves up two places, from Stroke Index 11 to Stroke Index 7. Hole 12 remains the number-one Stroke Index hole for women. The chart on the following page highlights any hole whose Stroke Index Allocation changed more than two spots (yellow for men, green for women); as you can see, there aren’t that many significant changes.

New scorecards are being printed for the 2024 season to reflect these updated Stroke Index Allocations. If your competitive play in 2024 will include match play, Stableford play, or other hole-by-hole competitions, you will want to review the new scorecard and its Stroke Index Allocations carefully. For any

questions about the process, the results, or what stroke index allocation means, please do not hesitate to contact the Golf Pro Shop or any of us on your Handicap Committee. 

March 2024

Learn More About Our March Events...

5 WGA-9 OPENING MEETING 6:00 PM

Please Join Us in the Ballroom to Learn More About the Coming Season

6 WGA-18 OPENING MEETING 6:00 PM

Please Join Us in the Ballroom to Learn More About the Coming Season

FAMILY FOAM BALL SOCIAL 5:00 - 7:00 PM

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For Ages 4-104 | All Levels Welcome | Fun & Friendly

Tennis Competition for the Whole Family | Includes Pizza & Cake | Sign Up on the Racquets Calendar | $20

WINE TASTING CLASS 6:00 - 7:00 PM

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“Bordeaux - A Tale of Two Banks” Learn About & Taste 3 Different Wines from the Bordeaux Region. Led by IMPERO Wine Rep Alex Kazak. Includes Cheese, Crackers, Chocolate, & Tasting Glasses of . Registration Required | Members Only Space is Limited | $30

GOLF SEASON OPENING NIGHT 6:00 PM

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15

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Please Join Us in the Ballroom to Learn More About the Coming Season

ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION 5:00 PM

A Festive Themed Buffet will be Available 5:00-9:00 PM

Live Music by Anthony Michael 6:00-9:00 PM

Dinner Reservations Highly Encouraged

NEXT ROUND TRADE IN EVENT

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Trade In Your Unwanted Golf Clubs for Credit Book Book an Appointment on the Golf Calendar

17 LEPRECHAUN CHARITY FUN RUN + KEGS & EGGS BREAKFAST 7:30 AM

Fun Run on the Golf Course with Different Distances

All Ages “Kegs & Eggs” Breakfast with Activities at 8:00 AM

Fun Run Participation Not Required to Attend Breakfast

Registration Required | $25++ | Sign Up Online

Proceeds Donated to Girls on the Run of NOVA

19 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PANEL DISCUSSION 7:00 PM

Please Join Us in the Ballroom for a Moderated Conversation to Discuss Important Topics Including: Board Goals, the Member Satisfaction Survey, Committee Roles, Future Planning, & the Creation of the FY2025 Operating Budget & Capital Strategic Plan

25-29 GOLF & TENNIS SPRING BREAK CAMP

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Juniors Ages 6-15 will have the Chance to Perfect Their Swing on the Green & Dominate the Court. Whether Your Child is a Seasoned Player or Just Starting Out, Our Experienced Instructors will Guide Them Through Fun Drills, Games, & Friendly Competitions. Camp Schedule: 10:00 AM12:00 PM Golf, 12:00-12:45 Lunch, 1:00-3:00 PM Tennis. Registration is Required & for the Full Week. $500 Includes Lunch.

30 EGG HUNT BRUNCH 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

We’ve Made a Few Changes to this Fun Annual Event! Food Will Be Available the Entire Time. Face Painting & the Petting Zoo Will Open By the Pool at 10:30 AM. The Egg Hunt Will Begin at 11:30 AM. $28 Inclusive, 4 & Under Complimentary. Registration is Required.

31 EASTER BRUNCH

11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM

Our Annual Easter Brunch in the Ballroom. Jackets & Registration are Required. $48++ Adults, $20++ Kids Age 5-11, 4 & Under Complimentary. Please Note, the Clubhouse Closes at 5:00 PM.

April 2024

Learn More About Our April Events...

5 TITLEIST FITTING DAY 1:00 - 6:00 PM

12 CALLAWAY DEMO DAY 2:00 - 6:00 PM

5 WORLD TEAM TENNIS 6:00 - 9:00 PM

More Information Coming Soon

6 OPENING BREAKFAST

10:00 AM Shotgun | Modified 2 Net Balls of 4 A & B Players Play Blue Tees | C & D Players Play White Tees (Females or 65+ Participants Move Up One Tee)

80% of Course Handicap | Open to Active, Corporate Active, Legacy, Young Professional, Senior, Silver, & Dependents 21+ $85 Includes Breakfast, Cart, Tee Gift, & Prizes Registration Closes March 30 at 5:00 PM

7 TAYLORMADE FITTING DAY 2:00 - 6:00 PM

16 GOLF COURSE CLOSED Spring Fairway Aerification

19 PINTS, PATTIES, & PICKLEBALL 6:00 - 9:00 PM

More Information Coming Soon

26 PING FITTING DAY 1:00 - 5:00 PM

19 MUSIC ON THE PATIO 6:00 - 10:00 PM

Featuring Crossfire | Dinner Reservations Highly Encouraged

10 MASTER PAR 3

More Information Coming Soon

Turf Talk

BY SHAWN GILL GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT

What a difference a few days make! February can feel like the dead of winter or the start of spring. Myself, I prefer the start of spring look. As we wrapped up the month, it was great to see the crew out mowing and rolling greens only a few days after a heavy frost caused a delay in opening until 11:00 AM. With all of the greens and tees being put back into play after their winter slumber, it’s really beginning to get that golf season feel around here again. I’ve even seen bluebirds out fighting for the right to occupy one of the houses we have installed!

It will be nice to see you all enjoying the beautiful course that is Springfield as the weather continues to warm up and green becomes the dominant color of the landscape once again. My thoughts also drift to the many questions and comments I’ve gotten throughout my career regarding exactly why and how to best keep all parts of the golf course in pristine condition. What is the proper way to fix a ball mark? The rough is too long. Why do we fill divots sometimes and replace them other times?

Golf courses are truly unique in the world of sports in that the playing field is different from one venue to the next and from day to day on the same course. I guess you could argue that baseball fields are different since the outfield fences are not the same distance from home plate, but I think we can all agree that golf courses contain more variability, by far, than any other sport. Think about the varied conditions you might encounter (depending on your level of play and ability to hit the ball straight). We’ve got tees, fairways, multiple levels of rough, sand, water, woods, and greens, just to name the basics. Imagine what goes into maintaining all of these surfaces in order to create a beautiful course that is a fun, challenging, and

exciting experience every time you come out to play.

I don’t think I am alone in wanting to have a clean course with few signs and other apparatus disturbing my view down the well-defined features of the hole I am playing. So many times we Superintendents believe that we have to provide constant reminders of where you should and should not go on your course. Someday, I would love to see Springfield devoid of all signs (maybe a pipe dream), and you can help with that by driving and pulling carts away from the heavily trafficked areas. One thing I am always trying to instill in our maintenance workers is to “take the road less traveled.” Always go where the turf looks the healthiest and not where you can see others are regularly driving. And, strangely enough, I would rather you keep your carts in the fairways rather than the rough. I could put you to sleep with the agronomics and physics of this, but suffice to say that the fairways receive a much higher level of attention than the rough, so they are better able withstand the traffic.

Speaking of fairways, I consider them to be the most important surface other than greens. If you are playing by the rules of golf, you must play the ball “as it lies.” Since you are playing the ball directly off of the grass and the fairway is where you are supposed to hit it, then it would seem that you should have a good lie when you keep the ball in the fairway. While we do everything we can to maintain healthy, dense turf, we do not have control over golfers taking divots out of the ground. In order to leave that area in condition that gives later players the best opportunity to also encounter a good lie, you must either replace or fill (or a combination of both) the disturbed area. It

is typically best to replace the divot during the times of the year when it receives adequate, natural moisture to allow the piece of grass to survive. During the warmer, drier months, it is best to fill the divot with sand and pack it down with your foot so that the sand is firm and neither mounded above the surface of the surrounding grass nor forming a trough where the ball settles down into it. It doesn’t take long to properly perform the repair that will help everybody have the best chance of at least ending up with a “fair” lie in what can be a very unfair game.

Another area where the lie can easily be the difference between making par versus bogey (or much worse) is in bunkers. The dreaded fried egg lie has been the bane of many a golfer and can ruin a hole or even an entire round. During the golf season, the Maintenance team rakes bunkers prior to the start of play, seven days a week. This is, by far, the most time spent taking are of any “hazard” on the course. We attempt to keep the slopes in the bunkers smooth and firm so that a ball landing in those spots will roll down to a more level area, providing a

February 27, 2024: Spring-like weather allows the Grounds Crew to mow & roll greens during morning prep work

reasonable chance to make a good shot. The red foxes that live on the course and in surrounding neighborhoods seem to love playing in the bunkers and digging holes on the slopes. We diligently fill those holes and try to pack the sand as best we can, but invariably, these spots are somewhat soft and can result in a ball plugging. We try to deter the foxes by putting ground cayenne pepper where they dig most often (you’ll notice the orange stained sand), with mixed results. For your part, please enter and exit the bunkers from the flattest area you can and avoid stepping on slopes.

If you are lucky, or good enough to avoid all of the bunkers and hit only fairways and greens throughout your round, then you haven’t had the honor of hitting out of the rough from time to time. But for most of us, this is a regular part of every round. I, and Lentz before me, have made it a priority to provide quality rough that is both fair and somewhat penal. After all, the definition of rough in golf is “an area on a golf course covered with tall grass that makes it difficult to hit the ball.”

This year we will be concentrating on weed control and “thickening up” areas of relatively thin or unhealthy rough. Even with good irrigation coverage, the grass is under a very high level of stress during the summer months. Consider that the types of turf we are maintaining grow best when nighttime temps are in the 50s and daytime highs are in the 70s. In order to prevent loss of turf during extreme heat and humidity, we typically raise the cutting height a bit in July and keep it there until things cool off in September. Occasionally, this may make it difficult to locate balls hit in the rough, but, in the end, it results in higher quality, more consistent conditions.

It is much more difficult to plant and grow new grass than it is to maintain the grass you have. Just think of areas on the course that have been sodded over the last several years. It can take a few years for this grass to completely acclimate to its new environment. In the meantime, it tends to be thinner than other rough areas and more prone to the effects of compaction. It is never our intention to make the game overly difficult (trust me, I know just how hard golf is without any help from the Greens department). Our goal is always to provide the best conditions possible for the enjoyment of the game by players of all levels.

“WOW, great shot!” You just hit the ball crisply from 230 yards away on Hole #2 and your ball bounces up onto the green. You’re a 20-foot-putt away from your first eagle. It’s read perfectly and tracking straight for the back of the hole when, “AHHH,” it hops up in the air and veers off course. The number one cause of balls being knocked off target on greens is unfixed and improperly repaired ball marks. There are many

Fox-ravaged bunker ready to be raked & packed

techniques for repairing ball marks and I am more than willing to hold clinics or meet with you one-on-one to show what I think works best. The most important thing is to make the surface flat and firm without tearing apart the roots of the grass or doing the dreaded “pop up” fix where the soil in the center of the ball mark is lifted up, creating a dirt spot level with the grass. We spend a tremendous amount of money and time making Springfield’s greens some of the absolute best in the area and a great source of pride for the members and Greens staff. With your help, they can be even better!

While it may seem that I am always zipping around the golf course in a hurry to get somewhere, I want you all to know that I’ve always got time to stop and talk about whatever is on your mind. This is actually one of my favorite parts of the job. I’ve got to warn you though, I am incredibly passionate about what I do and I’m kind of a grass nerd so once you’ve wound me up, it’s hard to get me to stop talking about what it takes to keep SGCC the pride of every member. 

SGCC Welcomes Kristine Kraujina, USPTA Elite, USPTR, PPR

BY KATIE KISSAL | COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE CHAIR

Joining SGCC in early December, Kristine Kraujina rounds out the Racquets team as Head Racquets Professional. An accomplished professional, she carries a number of certifications including Pickleball, USPTA Elite, International Coaching Institute L1 and L2, PTR Performance, PTR 10 & Under and 11-17, and USTA Science. In addition to her racquet credentials, Kristine is an accomplished player. Most recently, she was ranked #1 Women’s 35’s USTA National Singles and #3 Women’s 40’s USTA National Singles in Tennis.

Born and raised in Latvia, Kristine grew up playing basketball and tennis. Due to ankle injuries, she ultimately focused on tennis. “Twenty years ago, tennis was not a popular sport in Latvia,” Kristine said. “A lot has since changed… we currently have five players within the Top 500 WTA players, including Jelena Ostapenko, who is the #10 ranked singles player in the world right now.” When asked if she cheers for her fellow countrywoman, Kristine diplomatically responds, “I root only for a good quality match where two players show their best game and sportsmanship no matter the country they come from. I love the game itself.”

Kristine moved to the States in 2004 to pursue an education and a career. She attended Baruch College in New York City and played on the tennis team as a way to get first access to sign up for the courses she preferred. Kristine comes to SGCC via coaching in Miami. While she misses the heat, SGCC’s newest professional grew up with seasons and is looking forward to the spring and checking out the variety of outdoor activities in the area.

When asked about her favorite part of coaching, Kristine said, “I enjoy seeing how players move from point A to point B regardless of the distance between the points. This job is a constant challenge to decode each personality and pick the best tools to improve their game.”

Director of Racquet Sports Branden Beets is excited about Kristine joining the team: “Kristine hit the ground running and has brought a wealth of knowledge and fresh ideas to our team.

She is responsible for masterminding our social media account, leading events, and touching all aspects of our instructional programs. She’s curious about asking why we do things the way we do, and motivated to help us improve in all ways. As she gets to know the membership better and better, the sky is the limit for what she can do to improve the value of a membership at SGCC.”

As far as sharing any philosophies about coaching tennis, Kristine doesn’t hesitate to share, “A good coach can change a game, but a great coach can change a life.”

To work with Coach Kristine, contact her at kristine@sgccva. org. 

Membership Corner

BY SHELLY GOOREVICH MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR

According to Punxsutawney Phil, spring will be early this year, so 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 Social initiation fee and the current Active initiation fee.

For additional information or assistance, please contact me at shelly@sgccva.org or 703.712.8505.

Please join in me in welcoming some of our newest member families…

Sommer and Amir Mostafavi both grew up in Northern Virginia, Amir in McLean and Sommer in Woodbridge. The couple met while attending Virginia Tech and will celebrate their twentieth wedding anniversary this June. Amir and Sommer and their two daughters, Layla (17) and Maddy (13), have lived in Annandale for the last seven years. Layla and Maddy attend Woodson High School and First Middle School, respectively. Sommer is a part-time elementary school counselor and Amir is the founder and CEO of a delicious local smoothie chain called South Block. South Block has 15 area locations and continues to grow! The Mostafavis love the community and are excited to get to know even more people here at SGCC.

The More McArdles, the Merrier! Please meet SGCC’s newest McArdle Family addition: Mark, along with wife Sue and their two boys, Thomas and JD, have lived in Springfield since 1989. Sue and Mark have had the rare opportunity of working together for the past 34 years. Their eldest son, Thomas, is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and works at Cannon Design as a Mechanical Engineer. Their younger son, JD, is currently a senior at Virginia Tech, majoring in Civil Engineering, and hopes to come home and work in Northern Virginia after graduation and play a lot of golf. Their family

Mark, Sue, Thomas, & JD McArdle

Sommer, Amir, Layla, & Maddy Mostafavi

Junaid, Adele, Nadia, & Nyla Rahman

enjoys going to Ocean City, MD for long weekends, and has a dog named Hunter who is ten and loves to chase foxes that live in the neighborhood. The McArdles are looking forward to joining the Club for all the amenities and lots of golf, golf, and more golf.

After a 27-year career in the Air Force, the Rahman family has moved back to their home in Springfield as Junaid transitions his professional career into the defense industry. His wife, Adele, has been a small business owner since 2011, and Junaid

and Adele will be celebrating their twentieth anniversary this year! Their eldest daughter, Nadia (19), recently started college at Cornell studying Statistics and following her dad’s footsteps in the Air Force ROTC. Their youngest daughter, Nyla (14), is an 8th grader at Irving Middle School and enjoys rock climbing, golf, pickleball, and coding. The Rahman Family is looking forward to settling down in the area for a long time to come. They enjoy achieving fitness through tennis, pickleball, and working out in the gym as well as socializing with neighbors and friends. 

Bridge Banter

BY DON FREDERICK

Do you feel the luck of the Irish shining on you this year? Do you play bridge? If yes, come join the SGCC Friday Evening Bridge Group at one of our upcoming events.

Here are the results of our recent sessions:

FEBRUARY 2

First: Karen and Bob McNamara

Second:

Third: Mary and Bob Harter

FEBRUARY 16

First: Robin Alapas and Kit Weyers

Second:

Third: Lydia Peck and John Korfonta

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 March 1, March 15, April 5, and April 19. 

The More You Know: How to Register for an Event at SGCC

Our committees and staff work hard to plan a variety of fun events for you here at SGCC. We know you’re ready to get involved and enjoy all the opportunities the Club has to offer. Almost all of our events require advanced registration (there are a few notable exceptions, please refer to event flyers), so here are some helpful tips to make sure you aren’t missing out:

Q: HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT EVENTS?

A: There are lots of ways! Events can be found on the Club

calendar with links to register. They are also advertised in the weekly emails, on the digital display boards in the Clubhouse and Racquets facility, and in the monthly Springfield Story. Featured social events can be found on the private homepage of the website, and word of mouth is another way news about events spreads.

Q: I HEARD ABOUT IT, NOW HOW DO I SIGN UP?

A: You’ll want to go directly to the event page on the Club website.

You can get there through links embedded in the weekly emails, through the private homepage, or by clicking “Club Calendar” underneath the Club Life drop-down menu. Once you’re on the event page, you’ll see a “Click Here to Register” button which will open a new window.

Q: WHO DO I INCLUDE IN MY RESERVATION?

A: The first thing you’ll want to do when registering for an event is select your party size. This is a drop-down box in the upper left corner of the window that opens from the registration page. Your headcount should include the people you are paying for, NOT who you want to sit with. Even if you’re planning to sit with another couple at an event, if you aren’t planning to treat them to the event, do not include them in your headcount.

When it comes to children, a good rule of thumb is that if they take up a chair (or highchair), you want to include them in your headcount! A lot of people are unsure if they should include babies and toddlers in the party size, and the answer is YES. Family events will have price options and you can select the correct one for your baby so that we know they are coming, but you won’t be charged. This helps us better plan for food, activities, gifts, etc.

Q: DO I HAVE TO LIST EVERYONE’S NAME IN MY RESERVATION?

A: Not usually. There are a few events where everyone’s name is required, but most events just need the party size and whether or not the person attending is an adult or child. One exception is summer camp it is helpful for our records to have each child’s name listed in the registration.

A quick way to find your family members is to click the “My Family” option on the right-side of the screen underneath the Search bar. This will pull up the people on your account only. We recently added grandchildren, so if your juvenile grandchild has been registered with the front office, their name should appear in this section as well.

Q: CAN I REGISTER FOR SOMEONE ELSE?

A: In most cases, yes, you can register for another person in your family. This commonly happens when one spouse remembers their login and the other doesn’t, or when a parent is registering a child for a clinic.

To register as someone else in your family, you’ll want to click “proxy” in the far right corner of the “Name” section of the registration window. Your name will be grayed out and a section for selecting the attendee will appear. This will ensure you receive updates about the event, but the person who is actually

attending will show up on the roster.

Q: I WANT TO SIT WITH FRIENDS, HOW DO I LET YOU KNOW?

A: Please let us know who you would like to with in the “Comments” section of the registration window. We assign tables using these requests, otherwise you will be seated with other members as space allows.

Q: HOW DOES BILLING WORK?

A: Most events are billed directly through the website using the information you put in during registration. This means that if you listed another member couple on your reservation, you will be charged for them. The best way to avoid that is by only including the people you are paying for in your reservation. However, if you are incorrectly charged, let us know and we will take care of it for you!

Some events have different price points for adults and children. If there are multiple prices, you will need to select the correct option from the drop-down menu below each person’s name. In general, children four-years-old and younger are complimentary, so make sure you select that option during sign-up to avoid being charged. 

Retirees’ Corner

BY RUSTY ROESCH

The Springfield Retirees will kick off the 2024 competitive season with a Registration Meeting on Thursday, March 14 at 9:00 AM in Ballroom A. There is a common misconception that you must be retired to join our group that’s not true! To be a member of the Retirees, you just need to be man aged 50 or older. We’ll have more information about joining at the Registration Meeting, but you can also reach out to Retirees President Bruce Nordstrom any time at bnorthstream@ yahoo.com or 202.494.6558.

Our annual competition doesn’t begin until the first week of April, but we didn’t slow down during the winter months. Many team members are out on the course each week sharpening their skills in preparation for the upcoming golf season. Our Opening Bash, an annual tradition that pits the Red Team against the Blue Team, is scheduled for Thursday, March 28. This highly anticipated event is always a great opportunity to warm up prior to our first competitive match and gain bragging rights for the coming season. It will be followed closely by our first league match of the 2024 season at Mount Vernon Country Club on Thursday, April 4. Registration will open on March 21. Other April matches include a match against Fort Belvoir and a friendly match against Washington Golf at home along with a trip to Chantilly National Golf and Country Club.

Go ahead and save the date for one of the highlights of the season, a friendly match at Washington Golf and Country Club on Wednesday, August 28. The match is open to all team members and this year’s selection will be done by lottery with priority given to those who ended up on the wait list last year. If you were on the wait list last year and want to play at Washington Golf this year, you must sign up again, so put it on your calendar to register for the match between August 7 and August 15.

To support our competitive matches both home and away, our Retiree Team always needs new players. We look forward to you joining us! 

Women & Fitness: A Conversation with Angelica Imaca

BY MOLLY FIELD | COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE

If we haven’t met, my name is Molly Field, and I am an SGCC member and yoga instructor. I recently sat down with Angelica Imaca, a Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Personal Trainer at the Club, to discuss women’s fitness and the complex relationship many women have with health, “gymtimidation,” and fitness centers. Some of the relationships are generational while others stem from a lack of confidence or familiarity.

Gyms can be scary places for women. Luckily for you, Angelica and I get it and we are here to help. While Lily Tomlin may have been right about birth and death being solo endeavors, women can definitely lean on one another to maintain and improve their fitness and overall health. We don’t want to knock the guys, there is certainly a strong support system to be found in the men of the SGCC community, but women often feel more comfortable with other women when it comes to gaining their footing in the gym.

MOLLY: What’s the best part of a fitness buddy?

ANGELICA: Their honesty and their enthusiasm. They will keep you going to the gym when you’re together or at the very minimum getting in your steps when you’re apart. The first gym buddy you should have, though, is someone who can show you all the machines and how they work that’s me, or Dana Gramling or Reggie Edwards so you can use them safely and efficiently. For many people who mean to improve their health, having one of us as your first gym buddy can set you up for success. It’s literally our job to set you up to achieve your goals. The most important ingredients for success are being realistic about your goals, using proper form, and starting easy

DO NOT go for the gold for at least two months. Go for your gold.

MOLLY: What’s an obstacle to long-term fitness?

ANGELICA: For most, it’s overdoing it in the beginning. For many women, especially those who have school-aged children or younger, it’s finding the time. Often, the motivation is there for this cohort because these women know they need their energy, their strength, and mental sharpness to raise a family. What happens as we become mothers is that we often become “other” focused; we need to remember to include ourselves in our lives and that can mean taking 90 minutes (from door to door) out of our day to take care of ourselves. That “put on your own oxygen mask first” adage applies to everything. In order to raise healthy children, we have to provide for ourselves first.

For other cohorts, it could be finding time during the workweek. To that, I offer the same thing: the oxygen mask. Everyone has a limit of energy and concentration. Come to the gym and take care of yourself first.

Another obstacle, at least here at SGCC, could be lack of awareness. Member benefits at SGCC are amazing. We have women’s and men’s saunas, steam rooms, childcare, showers, locker rooms, and we offer massage and esthetic services, personal training, and fitness classes for everyone and it seems that people don’t know their dues are already paying for many of these amenities. Use the Club! Make the most of your membership! Remember, saunas and steam rooms are contraindicated for certain health conditions so please check with your doctor before using them.

If childcare is not an issue for you, then consider your use of your time. Are you making the most of it? Remember why you’re at the gym: to finish a workout. We all want to catch up with friends and have a social experience, but the best way

to achieve goals is to put on the blinders and stay focused. For some of us, this might seem like a change in our personality, because it is, but only for 90 minutes each time. You’re taking care of yourself! It can inspire others.

MOLLY: What’s the best way to begin?

ANGELICA: Walking and swinging your arms. Getting out in the sunshine and fresh air. That’s totally inexpensive and the payback is so priceless. A ten-minute walk clears the head, aids in digestion, opens up creativity, gets your heart pumping, and challenges the muscles and stabilizers. Add a little variety by doing some twists every few minutes.

MOLLY: What’s the typical way people begin?

ANGELICA: Cardio, like walking. Lots of people check out the fitness facility by using the cardio equipment like a treadmill or exercise bike. That’s great, but we are human and we like variety. People get bored of those machines and sometimes they quit entirely before moving on to another machine or asking about a routine.

MOLLY: Yes, cardio can get boring. What’s a simple cardio routine?

ANGELICA: Warm up for three to five minutes at a challenging pace that is manageable, then increase the incline one step every minute for ten minutes. Bring it down for the last ten minutes, then cool down for another five minutes. Do that and 30 minutes will fly by. There are many ways to make cardio more engaging. Remember to stretch!

MOLLY: Yes! Stretching is so important! As a yoga instructor, it’s not just about the mental and energetic benefits of yoga, but, frankly, the physical. Stretching is SO important especially as we age.

ANGELICA: Yes, totally important. Stretching is probably the most overlooked facet of physical health and it can help prevent exercise-related injuries, improve circulation, improve sleep, increase joint range of motion, aid in reducing blood pressure, balance the central nervous system… those are just the first off the top of my head. Any in-person classes are a great way to build community and we offer stretch in all of them. If you want to achieve deep stretches and breathing, yoga is where to get it.

MOLLY: Confession I love cardio and I have a mental block against weight training. I know I can’t “bulk up” as that’s not a thing for women. What’s your advice for someone like me who feels like if I don’t sweat and I can’t breathe then I’m wasting my time?

ANGELICA: Do your cardio! But maybe try this: less. Do your warm up and then try a strength training weight machine. Then go back to cardio for a spell then come back to a weight machine. This is known as circuit training and will keep your heart rate up. Also, as we age, doing tons of cardio becomes less important than weight training because of our structural needs: bone density and lean body mass. A well-rounded program should take you no more than 45 minutes.

MOLLY: Okay. I’ll try it. I promise. How to stay on track?

ANGELICA: Keep a log, ask for help, and be proud of yourself! Many of us see the scale and we think we’re beholden to some magical algorithm to achieve our goals. Those goals will come in time with persistence. Be honest with yourself as well as patient. If we have let our health go, that didn’t happen overnight, so we must be aware that a change requires an equal appreciation for results.

So maybe toss the bathroom scale for about the first six weeks for a variety of reasons, the first of which is that you might see the numbers go up because our muscles require more water to help them heal. Numbers are just indicators. BMI is not something I like to even consider, in fact it’s no longer a relied upon metric. If you’ve been going to the gym regularly and are increasing your workout loads as your capabilities have increased, the best indicators are likely intangible: how you feel, how your sleep has improved, or your state of mind. Are you less stressed? Less reactive? Do you notice you can unload the groceries with less strain? Those things matter more than what shows up on a scale. What about how your clothes fit?

Above all, if you are a social person or your self-discipline isn’t as strong as it used to be, get a buddy and compare notes to keep each other going, especially in the beginning! If you’re more of an introvert, then work with one of SGCC’s personal trainers and we will set up your log and you can keep yourself accountable by checking in with us every so often. Remember, we are here for you!

MOLLY: Do you have a favorite machine to recommend?

ANGELICA: The one you use, that’s the best machine. If

you’re short on equipment, then just use yourself: push ups, planks, squats, lunges, wall sits. Everyone has a floor, a body, and a wall hanging around. In the meantime, wait for the return of our super successful “Women on Weights” program from last year. We are going to bring it back and want to increase its frequency, but we need bodies to do that so join us!

Angelica and I hope you feel inspired and more confident about starting your fitness journey. To quote Fraulein Maria, “to start at the very beginning, a very good place to start…” The SGCC Fitness Center has a bunch of ways to help introduce you to our trainers, learn the equipment, and try new workouts. All members are eligible for a complimentary fitness assessment that includes getting base readings like resting and target heart rates, learning how to use the equipment, and establishing personalized goals. Even if you’ve had one, since the gym was remodeled last year and new machines were installed (some of these machines are SO nice), we are all entitled to a walk-through on the new equipment. The fitness staff is typically available during the day, but you can also make an appointment with a trainer that suits your schedule. “Our whole reason for being there is to help you stay healthy and fit,” says Angelica. “We are thrilled to meet you and show you around.”

We also have numerous fitness classes, both in-person and hybrid, ranging from yoga and Pilates to spin and core conditioning. Not only are most of the classes included in your membership, but our community is supportive so classes that may seem a little intimidating, like Zumba, are actually a great time even for the uncoordinated (raises hand). The key is to be able to laugh at yourself and understand that everyone in the room was a beginner at one point.

If you’re not sure where to start with the fitness classes, try joining one of our contests. The March Madness contest encourages you to try different ‘categories’ of classes and if you attend the minimum number of classes (ten) during March, you will be entered to win a free personal training or massage session. This is a great way to motivate yourself to try out a class you haven’t taken before; who knows, maybe you’ll discover your new favorite class this month! 

Meet Angelica

Angelica Imaca is a Licensed Massage Therapist and personal trainer. She comes from a clinical background, working closely with providers such as chiropractors, physical therapists, and trainers. She is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a BS in Health, Physical, & Exercise Science and a concentration in Community Health Education. Angelica is certified and specializes in Myofascial Release Therapy, trigger point, orthopedic/medical therapeutic massage, aromatherapy, and prenatal/postpartum massage.

Angelica also holds a certification in Personal Training from American Muscle & Fitness. She works closely with clients to help them obtain their health and fitness goals through the development of a workout routine that best suits their individual needs. Angelica is passionate about her work and enjoys teaching others about wellness and fitness.

You can schedule an appointment with Angelica by emailing aimacalmt@gmail.com.

Golf Pro’s Pointers

BY ROGER WELCH, PGA | HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL

The golf season is fast approaching! The Professional Staff and Maintenance team have been working hard behind the scenes to get ready for the 2024 season. As many of you may know, we continue to see high volumes on the course, and we want to give you some best practice tips on course care and proper golf etiquette.

Taking care of our biggest asset, the golf course, should be a top priority for all members. Taking the time to do the right thing will benefit all members and maintain all the hard work

Shawn and his team put in on a daily basis. Keep reading for a refresher on some best practices to help you protect your course.

PULL CARTS

All pull carts should stay a minimum of 30 yards from the green and never go between the green and greenside bunkers. It is also important to leave your pull cart in an area that directs you to the next tee after completing a hole.

DIVOTS

If you’re filling divots in the fairway, when in doubt use sand. If the divot is full and can be completely replaced, please do so! During drier conditions, sand is always encouraged as the root strength has been compromised.

BALL MARKS

Don’t want to see brown spots on the greens anymore? These unsightly spots are usually caused by ball marks left unrepaired or repaired incorrectly.

To properly repair a ball mark, push the repair tool in the green on the high side of the mark and push back to the center. Repeat this process on all four sides and smooth out by tapping down with your putter. Never lift the divot tool up as it tears the roots and eventually the grass will die out. If you’re a visual learner, the USGA has a wonderful video on their YouTube channel titled “Fore the Golfer: How to Repair Ball Marks” that will walk you through the proper process.

CART RULES

We can’t talk about course care without discussing cart rules. Every day, the staff will let you know about cart rules; the information can be found on the Course Conditions tab on the SGCC app and the Member Homepage of the website as well. One common mistake is traveling in highly trafficked areas due to convenience. You might have noticed that we no longer have green posts to return carts back to the path. Often this would lead to worn out spots up close to greens leaving those tough, tight lies that are a fear of most golfers. To prevent this from happening, take the high road and travel through areas that are green and lush. The turf is healthy in these areas and can withstand the weight from the golf cart. We also encourage you to return to the cart path as soon as possible when playing a given hole.

Hopefully you found this information useful, as it is very important to take pride in your golf course. Let us all be a part of maintaining our already beautiful golf course. If you or any of your family members have any questions about the above topics, please contact a member of the Professional Staff or Shawn Gill. We will gladly give you demonstrations or further explanation to enhance your care of the course.

Happy Golfing! 