The Springfield Story, November 2023

Springfield Golf & Country Club

the

SPRINGFIELD STORY

November 2023

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

BOARD REPORT

PERFECT PIE CRUST

DESTINATION GOLF

2023 Board of Directors

2023 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 Bob Sampson Treasurer bsampson71@gmail.com 703.362.0027 Mike Cozad mcozad@advairac.com 703.926.6758

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

Rules Bruce Nordstrom bnorthstream@yahoo.com 202.494.6558

Fitness Gayle Burgoyne gayleburgoyne@aol.com 703.455.3985

Social Jen Palladino jennix4@aol.com 703.303.8779

Food & Beverage Brandon Streicher brandon.streicher@gmail.com 414.628.2362

Natalee Siveroni olahnatalee@gmail.com

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

John Palladino jape199@aol.com 703.901.0744

House Julie Graham juliegraham10@me.com 703.650.8788

Charles Rolen rolencw@gmail.com 703.862.9370

Club Connections

Swim/Pool Mike Goede goedes@me.com 703.927.0941 Tennis Campbell Palmer campbell.palmer@gmail.com 703.258.2255

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

Strategic Planning Joe English jenglish@bsbllc.com 571.214.4673

sgcc_racquets sgccvagolfshop sgcc_weddings

www.sgccva.org

Board Report

BY DAVID DELORENZO | BOARD PRESIDENT

I want to start by thanking everyone who ran for the Board of Directors—volunteering to serve the membership is a testament of how much the Club means to you.

Congratulations to John Astorino, Dan McCarthy, and Bob Sampson on their election. I would also like to thank all our current Board members and Committee Chairs for their time, effort, and dedication over the past year.

November and December are busy months at SGCC full of celebration and memory-making moments. I hope you and your family have a happy and healthy holiday season. I look forward to seeing you at the Club over the coming weeks.

Make sure to save the date and join us at annual Holiday Open House celebration on Sunday, December 3 which is the Club’s way of thanking you for being part of our community.

With the holiday season approaching, the Board of Directors

would like to take this opportunity to ask for your participation in SGCC’s Annual Employee Holiday Fund. You will see a contribution of $85 on your statement. We ask that you help us continue this worthwhile program by accepting the Holiday Fund charge shown on your statement or by identifying a larger amount. Springfield Golf & Country Club can only provide the membership with excellent service and programming through the cooperation and commitment of our staff. The Holiday Fund is a means of saying “thank you” to those who work behind the scenes and those who serve you personally each day to enhance your member experience. All contributions are disbursed in the fairest possible manner and take into account each employee’s average hours and years of service. The Director of Golf, Director of Racquet Sports, Golf Course Superintendent, and General Manager do not participate in this program. If you do not wish to participate, please deduct the $85 from your bill and notify Kelly Kiem at kelly@sgccva.org. 

November 2023 | 3

Notes from the Cutting Board

BY TRAVIS SIMMONS | EXECUTIVE CHEF

As Anthony Bourdain once said, “Thanksgiving is not the time for innovation; give the people what they want and make sure it’s consistent with what they remember.”

together. Some of my most memorable Thanksgivings revolved around char broiled steaks or prime rib. I might be biased, but after cooking and tasting turkey all day, a change of pace is nice.

It’s the last part of the quote that really resonates with me.

Thanksgiving is about memories and tradition. Some may always go out to dine and some may host family and friends.

Either way, you build lasting memories.

Whatever your stance on turkey and how you think it should be prepared, there’s no arguing that the Thanksgiving menu really starts to shine around the sides no matter what the center of the plate may be.

Sometimes those memories shift and change as the years go by. I used to attend large family gatherings, but now I go out to dine with my immediate family. Traditions also extend to the foods we eat at family celebrations. My grandmother was one of thirteen and the cook of the family. I attribute the start of my culinary career to her as she was the first person to put me to work in the kitchen. One Thanksgiving when I was a kid, my grandmother was grinding away in the kitchen as family began to arrive with their covered dishes and contributions to the feast. One of my great aunts walked into the kitchen with canned cranberry sauce. The kitchen, and possibly the whole house, went quiet. I perked up from my seat to get a better view, being aware something was about to unfold. My grandmother politely but gruffly turned and said, “You may put that in the car. I have the cranberry relish covered.” As a child, I had never seen anything like that. There was a line drawn in the sand at my great aunt’s expense. It made a lasting impression on me, and, in that moment, I developed a better appreciation for homemade cranberry relish. With that said, you can probably guess that when it comes to the great debate of canned versus homemade, I’m in the homemade cranberry sauce camp.

Consider a slightly crunchy shaved Brussels sprout salad to start followed by a parade of side dish Greatest Hits. Be careful though because the sides can get out of hand pretty quickly.

Seven side dishes and a basket of assorted breads will provide enough variety for you and your guests. There is one exception to this rule: you may add an additional side, but only if it’s oyster pie. Oyster pie is my all-time favorite and something my family and I look forward to at each year’s Thanksgiving feast. Be on the lookout for this item as we roll out November Features. On that note, I think seafood should take a larger role at the table. Let’s be honest, at Plymouth Rock the main course was probably seafood of some kind.

Now, let’s talk turkey and the embellishments. Inject, brine, fry, roast, smoke…I’ve tried all the ways you can prepare a turkey, and my recommendation is slow roast your whole turkey with enough butter to make Paula Deen blush and finish if off with fresh-chopped herbs. It’s a tried-and-true method.

Frying turkeys comes in a close second for me, but it’s definitely not the healthiest. To be honest, I could skip the turkey all

4 | November 2023

Let’s turn our attention to dessert. “Do you even like pumpkin pie?” is a question I’ve been asked many times over the years.

Pumpkin pie is fine and it has its time and place, but let’s ask ourselves if we enjoy pumpkin pie because it’s consistent with our memories or because we like the Cool Whip and crust?

Perhaps this could be a lighthearted debate for you and your family this holiday. I prefer a freshly made pumpkin roll over pumpkin pie; it’s got the same flavors but with the added bonus of sweetened cream cheese. Gets me every time! My ultimate go-to, though, is pecan pie. I grew up with a pecan tree in the yard, so we had pecans all the time.

Whichever sweet treat you prefer, I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving and stay safe. If you’re not planning on dining at the Club, remember to thaw your turkey early and watch those fryer temperatures! 

November 2023 | 5

Winter Golf Destinations JOSH TREMBLAY, PGA: DESTINATION, CALIFORNIA If you’re looking for a warmer place to play this winter, I suggest traveling to the San Diego area. Torrey Pines is the marquee destination and boasts two courses: the South Course hosts the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open in late January. The views and the hang gliders add to the experience, and it is worth the trip. Pace of play can be a bit of an issue, but I would still recommend it as a bucket list course.

I have never played the North Course, but Phil Mickelson and his brother did a re-design on it and it’s just as challenging.

Additionally, Coronado Golf Course is an under-the-radar gem on Coronado Island just across from downtown San Diego.

If you take a short drive up the highway to Carlsbad, CA you’ll find some more great golf courses as well as the headquarters for several major manufacturers, including

Torrey Pines Golf Course, San Diego, California 6 | November 2023

Callaway Golf. Through my connections as a Callaway Master Staff Professional, I am able to reserve club fittings for SGCC members at the Ely Callaway Performance Center (ECPC).

The ECPC is a world-renowned fitting experience and hosts PGA and LPGA Stars such as Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, and Rose Zhang as well as celebrities like Steph Curry and Justin Timberlake.

There is no shortage of golf courses around Carlsbad and the two that I have played and would recommend to anyone are Aviara Golf Club and The Club at La Costa. Currently, La Costa is undergoing construction in preparation for hosting the Division I Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships from 2024-2026. The Crossings at Carlsbad is reportedly another great option close to Callaway HQ if you need another option aside from Aviara. While in the area, the Pier and Boardwalk in Oceanside, CA is a great place to spend part of your day and dine with some fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean.

The SGCC Golf Season is officially over and while the Mid-Atlantic is certainly golfer-friendly during the colder months, your Pro Staff would like to offer some suggestions for destination golf this winter...

ROBERT SIMPSON, PGA: DESTINATION, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC The winter season has me dreaming of white sand and warm, crystalclear water perfect for scuba diving… and don’t forget a cold drink! The Dominican Republic is the perfect winter getaway with world-class golf courses all around the island and white-sand beaches rated among the finest in the world.

Dominican Republic (DR) golf has exploded in recent years.

The island is now the best golf vacation destination in the Caribbean with value golf vacation packages at world-class resorts. Caribbean weather, top designers, and beautiful coastlines contribute to an abundance of scenic and challenging courses.

The best golf courses in the Dominican Republic are Teeth of the Dog and Dye Fore at Casa de Campo Resort, Punta Espada at Cap Cana, and Corales at the Punta Cana Resort & Club.

The Punta Cana golf region on the east coast is a golf mecca featuring numerous golf resorts from top designers.

I will report back with first-hand experience of the DR as eight of our members will be traveling down there this month for the Golf Range Association of America Pro-Am at Casa De Campo. We will be playing the Teeth of the Dog Course as well as the Dye Fore Course which is sure to be a staple on the calendar for many years to come!

Casa de Campo Golf Course, La Romana, Dominican Republic November 2023 | 7

ROGER WELCH, PGA: DESTINATION, LOS CABOS In 1992 Jack Nicklaus built his first golf course, Palmilla, a 27-hole facility, in the southernmost part of the Baja Peninsula. Nicklaus is still king in the area when it comes to golf course architecture, but there are a myriad of other designers that have put their touch on Cabo golf, including Tiger Woods with the opening of Diamante in 2014.

Los Cabos is now the mecca of Mexican golf with scenic views, ideal weather conditions, and luxury accommodations. Each

Quivira Golf Club, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Quivira Golf Club, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

8 | November 2023

year in January, my wife, Amanda, and I travel to some beach getaway and incorporate golf along with water sports and beach dwelling. This year, we are visiting Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos, an allinclusive resort and adding golf into the mix.

Quivira Golf Club is a short drive from the resort and is known for some of the most spectacular views that can be found on a golf course. There are a lot of good resorts and golf courses in the area. Some resorts have golf on property and can be built into your stay. I will report back about Hyatt Ziva and Quivira Golf Club. I hope whatever your travel plans are this offseason, you and your family travel safely and remain healthy.

Diamante, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Palmilla Golf Club, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico

LARKIN GROSS, PGA: DESTINATION, FLORIDA If you’re looking for a beautiful place to travel during the winter, then you shouldn’t look any further than Streamsong Resort in Bowling Green, Florida.

Streamsong is a beautiful resort in the middle of nowhere, about two hours southwest of Orlando. The resort is secluded and best described as a “golf-first resort,” unlike a lot of the other resort options available in Florida. There are four golf courses on the property: The Blue, The Black, The Red, and The Chain, which means four fantastic opportunities to have a great golf experience.

The Blue and The Red courses were built conjunctively by

Tom Doak and the firm of Coore & Crenshaw. Both architects worked closely to form a 36-hole routing that flows well and matched the image of the resort. The Black was built after the original two designs by Gil Hanse, well-known for his restoration of Winged Foot for their most recent U.S. Open, and his other work at big name clubs like Aronimink, Trump Miami, and Castle Stuart. The final course, The Chain, opens in January 2024 and is a short course designed by Coore & Crenshaw. The resort also boasts two large practice facilities and an 18-hole putting course.

Streamsong has beautiful room accommodations and offers some other activities such as shooting, fishing, and spa services.

However, the resort is a golf haven, and I would recommend it for serious golfers mostly as there is little to do for non-golfers other than the aforementioned activities.

Streamsong Blue Course, Bowling Green, Florida

Streamsong Red Course, Bowling Green, Florida

Streamsong Blue Course, Bowling Green, Florida

November 2023 | 9

CAMERON SCHWARTZ: DESTINATION, SOUTH CAROLINA Aiken, South Carolina is a remote location just outside of Augusta, Georgia with a population of only 38,000 people. It is quiet yearround, making it a perfect place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Aiken has two of the Top 10 golf courses in the state: Sage Valley Golf Club and Palmetto Golf Club. It also has one of the most exclusive courses in the country, Tree Farm, which is a brandnew destination paradise. I found this club last year after I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work merchandising at the Masters.

Constructed in 2022, Tree Farm was designed by PGA Pro Zac Blair with a few main design thoughts in mind: “The desire to build a golf course that was first and foremost fun, but also, a full-on experience. A place where golfers can get on site, play, stay, eat, drink, and repeat...[We’re] turning people into golf degenerates. We’re trying to create a place where people can just wake up and play golf all day. It’s about the experience, all of it kind of tied into just having people have fun for as long as they can while they’re out here. An adult playground and almost an escape from the real world to just go enjoy golf.”

This motto was apparent to me when I got a tour of the golf course and facility last April from PGA Professional Drew King,

The Tree Farm Golf Course, Aiken, South Carolina

10 | November 2023

fellow graduate of Methodist University. The idea was so new at the time, my fellow Methodist friends and I toured the golf course in an ATV because they had no carts, no cart paths, and no buildings on site besides their “golf shop” which consisted of a little hut surrounded by chairs and a bonfire. The vision of the “Tree Farm Experience” was evident with the course just starting to become playable at the time. Holes were starting to form, and the course consisted of beautiful, lush fairways and rolling sandy hills. Throughout the year, I have been able to see the progress and idea come to life. Now, Tree Farm has officially opened to its membership and is arguably one of the most beautiful pieces of land in the country. The team at Tree Farm is in the process of building cabins so all of their guests can spend the night, wake up early, and enjoy the scenic views of nature in its finest, purest form.

In my mind, there is nothing more stunning than to watch a land that only consisted of sandy hills and a whole lot of trees turn into a mythical paradise where golf and fun are the focus.

I know I will be down there this April when I go back to work in the Merchandise department at Augusta, and my first stop along the way will be to play, and, more importantly, experience, the brand-new Tree Farm, which is not only a golf course, but an experience that will change your life and outlook on golf for the better. 

Cameron Schwartz & fellow Methodist alum visit Tree Farm

Coach’s Corner

BY BRANDEN BEETS | DIRECTOR OF RACQUET SPORTS

At the pinnacle of his career, someone asked Michael Jordan what made him the greatest basketball player of all time. Was it his talent, skill, dedication, or his upbringing? He responded, “I demand more from myself every single day than anyone else can possibly expect from me. I don’t compete with other people; I compete with what I’m capable of.”

The further you go in athletics, the smaller and smaller the skill gap becomes and the harder you need to work to improve.

How else will you know what YOU are truly capable of?

The Interclub competitive match season has ended, and we are realistic enough to know that we are not going to be turning pro as tennis or pickleball players. We won’t be paying our bills and supporting our families from tournament winnings, but what are we truly capable of achieving in our sport? Maybe it’s time to work towards discovering that answer!

We had 37 male and female members participate in our 8-week tennis team practice package. I’m really proud of each of you!

We are continuing to create a fun, energetic, and accepting practice environment. It can be so rewarding when things start to “click” in the program, and I’m here to tell you that you are capable of more than you know.

Maybe you aren’t getting faster or stronger, but you can absolutely get smarter (Fitness Director Reggie Edwards and his team want to talk to you about this, too ). You can change your ways on the tennis court! Will it be easy to change years and years of habits? Of course not. But you are capable if you are willing to change your mindset. The hardest part is getting started, so grab a friend for support and accountability along the way. Honestly, why not try a different approach? You don’t know what you don’t know.

We have until April to develop your skill sets and become more tactically efficient. Interested in learning more about our practice options and playing on an SGCC team? We are so excited to talk to you about all we have to offer.

The spring season of Interclub matches will be here before we know it, so let’s start the process today. Commit to another session of team practices and don’t give up!

Set up a group lesson with one of our phenomenal professionals.

Let’s make this indoor season the time that you separate yourself from other players and discover your true capabilities.

Please let us know how we can help you reach your own personal goals, and we will see you on the practice courts! 

November 2023 | 11

The Banh/Duong Family & Nguyen/Tran Family Enjoy the Photo Station at the 2022 Members Holiday Open House

Membership Corner

BY SHELLY GOOREVICH | MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR Springfield Golf & Country Club is steeped in tradition with celebrations throughout the year. One of our highly anticipated social events is the annual Members Holiday Open House.

As we celebrate the end of 2023 and look forward to a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2024, we use this event as a way to say thank you to our wonderful members for another successful year at SGCC. After all, there is no us without you.

12 | November 2023

The annual Members Holiday Open House is a magical evening of delicious food, delightful beverages, festive music, and enchanting decorations. Please join us on Sunday, December 3 from 5:30-8:30 PM for a wonderful time as you catch up with old friends, enjoy time with your family, and meet our newest Club members.

Please note, this event is for member families only, and we kindly

ask that you do not bring any guests. Jackets are required, but reservations are not. We look forward to seeing you there!

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

Roger Nicholas and Andrea Tasi-Nicholas have lived in Fairfax Station since 1999. Both originally hail from Maryland: Roger from Hagerstown, Andrea from Annapolis. They received their undergraduate degrees from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and although they spent four years of college on the same tiny campus, they never actually met until their ten-year alumni reunion!

Roger received his MBA at Mount St. Mary’s University, and Andrea earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Roger has been in the national security business as a contractor for decades, and in his current role as Executive Vice President and CFO for Strategic Analysis, Inc. for twelve years. Andrea’s career as a veterinarian has focused exclusively on feline medicine. She is the owner of Just Cats, Naturally, a house call practice for cats which emphasizes holistic healthcare.

Roger Nicholas & Andrea Tasi-Nicholas

Roger and Andrea enjoy boating on the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay and have a weekend home on the Northern Neck of Virginia. Their two lovely cats, Polly and Lilly, travel to the Northern Neck with them, but prefer dry land to boating.

Andrew Hwang and Emily Willems both grew up in Maryland (near DC) and graduated from the University of Maryland.

Andrew is a huge golf fan and has been encouraging Emily’s golf game while she is an avid tennis player looking to perfect her skills on the court. When not watching the Commanders and Wizards games, Andrew enjoys playing soccer and basketball in local intramural leagues. The couple also enjoy trips out west to ski and traveling to new countries seeking adventure. Currently, they are living in Arlington and have a home in Kingstowne.

Andrew and Emily are looking forward to being a part of the SGCC Family and meeting new friends here at the Club. 

Andrew Hwang & Emily Willems

November 2023 | 13

Turf Talk

BY SHAWN GILL | GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT

As I sit down to write, it is hard to believe that the golf season is coming to an end. Members are out on the course playing in the “Closing Breakfast” tournament and it’s 83 degrees!

Except for the leaves starting to fall in droves, it still looks and feels like the middle of September. However, winter is surely on the way and there is much to do before the course freezes up, not the least of which is getting the tulip bulbs planted so we can have a nice show next spring!

Shortly, we’ll be removing all the annual flowers and getting our power drills out to make holes for the tulip bulbs. It is important to get the bulbs in the ground at the right time. We want soil temperatures to be cool, but not freezing, so the tulips can set healthy roots that will help provide vibrant blooms in the spring.

Generally speaking, bulbs should not be planted until after nighttime temperatures are staying below 50 degrees.

Many people look at the bulbs and try to determine which direction to put them in the ground. Not to worry, the bulbs are pretty smart, and they know which way to send their roots and which way to send their shoots, so just throw them in a hole approximately six inches deep, replace the soil, and cover with a couple inches of mulch. If the soil is dry, give them a good watering and a lighter follow up watering or two if there is no rain for a while. They’ve already got all the fertilizer they need inside, so now you can just wait for the beautiful colors that they’ll produce next spring.

Our other big fall activity is, as you all know, leaf clean-up.

This is probably the single most frustrating task we have to do out here. Imagine you have just spent the last thirty minutes blowing a long line of leaves across the green and out into the rough so they can be mulched or picked up, and BAM! The wind gusts in the opposite direction it’s been blowing all morning as you helplessly watch the leaves tumble back past you, covering

14 | November 2023

the green again. This happens often and our great Greens staff must just get back to it and repeat the whole process. This seems to go on infinitely as the different species of trees we have drop their leaves over a long period of time. So next time you are rummaging around in the leaves looking for your ball and cursing, remember that we are working tirelessly to clean up the course and make it playable for you.

The nice thing about this time of year is that we don’t have to worry about turf dying. The stress level is definitely five or ten notches lower than in July, but that doesn’t mean it is time to just sit back and relax. We’ve always got projects that have been put off during the “busy season” to add variety to our workload. Over the next month or two you’ll see some small but significant changes on the course. We will be adding “cobblestone” buffers next to the cart paths where we have tight corners so that the unsightly mud along those edges will be eliminated. We will also be installing some additional bentgrass near the chipping green so you can practice your lob shot over the bunker from a tight lie. We will also be creating a bentgrass runoff at the back left of the second green, so you better be careful next season when you “go for that green in two.”

Looking ahead, the cold of winter is not far off. Enjoy the nice weather that usually stays with us through November and the great playing conditions that come along with it! I hope to see you all out there. 

Calendar of Events NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023 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

|

NOV 2023

DEC 2023

Holiday Hours

WHISKEY & WEDGES MEN’S GOLF CLINIC 5:00 - 6:30 PM

1

3

DUELING PIANOS 8:30 PM

3

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE 5:30 - 8:30 PM

4

WOMEN, WINE, & WEDGES 3:00 - 5:00 PM

10

BRUNCH WITH SANTA 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

3

8

SHAWN’S @$$BACKWARD GOLF TOURNEY

19

ORDER DEADLINE THANKSGIVING TO GO

23

TURKEY TROT 7:30 AM

23

24

26

THANKSGIVING DINNER IN THE GRILL 12:00 - 3:00 PM

RUN YOUR TURKEY OFF LIVE BALL 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

GINGERBREAD HOUSE DECORATING PARTY 2:00 - 4:00 PM

SUNDAY BRUNCH 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

WINE, CHOCOLATE, & CHEESE PARTY 6:00 - 9:00 PM

15

UGLY SWEATER TENNIS SOCIAL 6:00 - 9:00 PM

31

NEW YEAR’S EVE EARLY DINNER 4:00 - 7:00 PM

31

NYE FAMILY PARTY 6:00 - 9:00 PM

31

ROCKIN’ NYE PARTY 9:00 PM - 1:00 AM

DANCE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23

Clubhouse Closes at 4:00 PM No Regular Dining Service Carts in by 3:00 PM Racquets & Fitness, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3

Regular Dining Service Ends at 3:00 PM Clubhouse Closed 4:00-5:30 PM Holiday Open House, 5:30-8:30 PM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24 Entire Club Closes at 3:00 PM Carts in by 2:00 PM

MONDAY, DECEMBER 25 Entire Club Closed

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26

Clubhouse Closed Racquets & Fitness, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31

Racquets & Fitness, 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM Regular Dining Service Ends at 4:00 PM

MONDAY, JANUARY 1

Clubhouse Closed Racquets & Fitness, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Winter Training Tips

BY REGGIE EDWARDS | DIRECTOR OF FITNESS

Personally, I have always liked using the winter to focus on strength gains. I usually do more Olympic lifts like dead lights, barbell squats, and barbell overhead presses during this time of year. When doing these exercises, I tend to use more weight and do fewer repetitions which is a good recipe for getting stronger.

During spring and summer, I gear my approach toward lighter weights with more reps and mobility/flexibility to improve tone and stamina. My seasonal training schedule also applies to my golf game: I’ve never been one for winter golf, so I like to use the colder months to work on strength and muscle.

Regardless of your focus, it’s hard to work out in the winter when all we really want is to be cozy. Here are some tips to help keep your fitness routine strong in the months ahead: SEEK OUT AN EXERCISE PARTNER OR GROUP When you’re working out by yourself, there’s only one person you have to convince to skip a session. When you exercise with a partner or group, there is some social pressure to help keep you on track.

MAKE IT A GOAL JUST TO GET TO THE GYM Just focus on getting dressed and showing up to the gym or your living room if you take classes through your smart TV or laptop. Once you’re there, you’re committed.

EXERCISE DURING YOUR LUNCH BREAK Winter is a tough season for many fitness enthusiasts because it’s dark in the morning and dark again by the time they get home from work in the evening. The solution is to squeeze in a workout in the middle of the day during peak light hours.

FOCUS ON THE MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS Many people who start exercising get frustrated when they don’t lose weight or feel fit right away. These benefits take awhile to show up, but the mental health benefits are almost

16 | November 2023

immediate. People feel better; they’re less stressed and more relaxed. These side effects of working out are especially helpful during the hectic holiday season and can help beat back the winter blues.

PLAN AHEAD & ANTICIPATE THE WEATHER Just because it’s getting colder doesn’t mean you have to keep your workouts inside. If you’re planning on an outdoor workout, make sure to check the weather forecast so you know what you’ll be up against. Be ready with weather-appropriate clothing by stocking up on layers now. Set out your workout gear the night before so it’s ready to go when you wake up… you’ll be surprised what a difference this small step makes!

PUT ON WORKOUT CLOTHES WHEN YOU GET HOME FROM WORK If you plan to exercise when you get home from work, change into your workout gear as soon as you get home. This will put you on the right path because once the workout is gear is on, you’ll have a more difficult time skipping your workout. Mental tricks like this are a way to up your commitment and help establish a routine.

SWIM IN A WARM POOL Indoor swimming is a great cardio option for the colder months.

Swimming is one of the best sports for a long, healthy life.

When the weather outside isn’t cooperating, head to the rec center and do some laps!

GIVE PERIODIZATION A TRY Ever heard of this technique? Periodization can help prevent plateaus which are common sources of frustration and can be discouraging for a lot of people. Change up your workout (reps, sets, rest times) every four-to-eight weeks. This approach promotes increased strength and overall fitness while also helping prevent plateaus, boredom, overtraining, and injury. 

November 2023 | 17

Couples Golf

BY SUSAN & DAVID WELLS Our final event was the Couples Shoot Out on Sunday, October 15. Despite the chilly weather and numerous rescheduled dates, six couples competed for the title: Susan and David Wells, Kathleen and John Tindal, Matthew and Heather Lougheed, Simone and Steve Beltz, Scott and Donna Flood, and Stacy Usher and John Casill. The alternate shot format proved to be a challenge. After the first hole, three couples were eliminated. The remaining three couples played until the winning putt was made on hole #3. Congratulations to Stacy Usher and John Casill!

We want to thank everyone that participated and made this another successful season for our Couples Golf. There was an average of 40 people that participated in each event. We had 27 different couples that were winners. We also want to say a big “Thank You” to Cameron Schwartz for keeping us organized and maintaining the games every week. We hope to see all of you next season! 

A wonderful season wrap-up at the annual Couples Golf Shoot Out on Sunday, October 15, 2023

Retirees Recap

BY RUSTY ROESCH The SGCC Retirees wrapped up the 2023 season with a oneand-one record in the annual single elimination playoff series with one win under our belt against Evergreen Country Club.

Next, we faced a very strong team from Heritage Hunt Country Club and unfortunately lost to them again in the playoffs 22 to 14. To close out a pretty successful season, our intrateam season ending bash was held on November 2.

George Alapas & Mike Cifrino

We ended our regular season on September 21 with nearperfect golf conditions (sunny and warm with a light breeze), dominating the team from Army Navy Arlington on our home turf 25 to 11. Three-point winning teams included Mike Saylor/ Tom Natoli, Tom Skrobala/Peter Lee, F.D. Rosenberger/Jordan Weinstein, and John Benda/Jon Danforth. Mike Saylor shot a low gross 74, and along with Peter Lee and John Benda, shared low net honors with 69s. In the end, we captured almost all of the sweeps. The team of John Benda and Jon Danforth took top honors with a net 64.

The Springfield Retirees overcame enormous odds to beat a very strong Evergreen team 22 to 14 in the quarter final playoff match on October 12. The playoffs are a split match format with half the match played at each club. Evergreen sent eight single-digit handicap players to Springfield only to lose 12½ to 5½ thanks to Mark Crook/Jack Mayer and Tom Skrobala/ Greg Gerlach who each won three points. Mark Crook had the lowest gross here at home by shooting a 77. Charles Rolen scored a gross 78 and the lowest net with a score of 70. With 12½ points in the bank at home, we needed just five points from our travel team to win the day.

We cemented the first playoff win over Evergreen Country Club by taking 9½ points on the road. Superhero status goes to Brad Westermann/Walter Burkhardt and John Benda/Jordan Weinstein who won three points each on the Evergreen course.

Low gross honors once again went to Mike Saylor by posting an 80 from the back tees at Evergreen. The low net score at Evergreen was turned in by Walter Burkhardt with a 72.

We fielded a strong team on October 19 against our archrival, Heritage Hunt Country Club, in the second round of the playoffs; however, they came out on top both at their home course and at Springfield to win the day. Highlights included Charles Rolen and Steve Thormahlen earning three points and

Bruce Nordstrom congratulates Ed Cook on Heritage CC’s win

Brad Westermann and Walter Burkhardt delivering 2½ points.

The low gross home team score of the day was scored by Rob Jacobs (76). Low net scores included Rob Jacobs (70), Charles Rolen (71), Steve Soules (71), Steve Barker (71), Don Bisenius (72), Steve Thormahlen (73), and George Alapas (73). Mike Cifrino and George Alapas captured fourth place in the sweeps playing at Heritage Hunt.

Even though the season is at a close, it’s never too late to join the Retirees (just be a 50+ male golfer available to play on Thursdays). For more information on joining, contact Bruce Nordstrom at bnorthstream@yahoo.com or 202.494.6558. 

November 2023 | 19

Spice Up Your Life Mulled Wine

with

BY JEN KEELER | DIRECTOR OF FOOD & BEVERAGE

It’s officially mulled wine weather! The invention of this beloved drink is attributed to the Roman Empire and has been traced back to 20 AD. Called “Conditum Paradoxum,” it was made by boiling red wine with honey, pepper, laurel, saffron, and dates. Despite the sweetness of the honey and dates, this resulted in a fairly bitter beverage, so it was often combined with a higher quality red wine to make it more palatable.

The Ancient Greek version of mulled wine was called “hippocras” after Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine.

Similar to modern iterations, it contained spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and peppercorns as well as sugar. Hippocrates advocated for the consumption of spiced wine due to its health properties, and lore says that he strained the wine through his voluminous sleeves. The linen bag used to strain spiced wine became known as a “hippocras bag,” thus the name.

Spiced wine was a common phenomenon in medieval and early Europe as the spices could disguise wine starting to turn while also making a dry wine sweet. The spices were also believed to have medicinal properties (and modern science tells us that is indeed true!) that could make people healthier and avoid illness.

Mulled wine isn’t exactly a cure-all, but its components do have health benefits. Cinnamon contains antioxidants, and has been known to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, fight bacteria, increase metabolism, and reduce inflammation.

Ginger is also full of antioxidants and is known to relieve nausea, improve digestion, and reduce bloating. Nutmeg, another rich source of antioxidants, is antibacterial and often used to fight oral pathogens; it is also thought to aid sleep and improve one’s mood.

A modern study on the link between wine and beauty recommends a glass of red wine per day for women and two for men to reap the benefits of its high concentration of polyphenols, including resveratrol, a type of antioxidant.

According to the study, regular [moderated] consumption of

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red wine leads to glowing skin, fewer precancerous skin lesions, and a lower risk of other ailments that go hand-in-hand with aging including Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and cancer. All things in moderation, though—too much wine can have the opposite effect on your complexion and health.

The first use of the word “mull” was as a verb, meaning “to heat, sweeten, and flavor (as wine or cider) with spices.” In Victorian England, mulled wine was a seasonal, holiday drink. In his 1843 novel A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens wrote about a version of mulled wine called Smoking Bishop which helped solidify the beverage’s association with the holidays.

Mulled wine was especially popular in Sweden. The Swedish monarchy made famous two variations: Claret (Rhen wine, sugar, honey, and spice) and Lutendrank (various spices, wine, and milk). By the late 1800s most of Europe started depicting mulled wine in a festive light and many variations of the beverage began to develop around the world: •

Glögg: A Scandinavian mulled wine with spices, raisins, and almonds

•

Glühwein: A German mulled wine with cinnamon, cloves, and citrus

•

Vin Chaud: A French mulled wine with orange, lemon, and honey

•

Bisschopswijn: A Dutch mulled wine with cardamon, ginger, and star anise

You can now find recipes with everything from red and white wines to sangria blends and vermouth to port. Most modernday versions of mulled wine have orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, dry red wine, and a bit of port or brandy. To this day, mulled wine continues to be a Christmas tradition alongside its sister drink, mulled cider.

Mulled wine is easy to make and a fun holiday tradition you can start at home. When choosing a wine to mull, opt for one with light fruit that is low in tannins and not too oaky. It should also be an affordable bottle—save the expensive stuff for regular consumption! You’ll want to make sure to heat the wine gently to avoid cooking out all the alcohol or rendering your wine overly spicy or syrupy. Most recipes suggest using a small Dutch oven, a heavy-bottom pot, or a slow cooker.

Choose whole spices over powders and go easy on the spices in general. Remember, the flavors will develop over time as your wine slowly heats. If the flavor is too harsh, try adding a tablespoon of maple syrup or honey.

If you’re serving up some mulled wine at a holiday party, keep in mind what foods pair best with its flavors: blue cheese; cheesy pasta; grilled marinated chicken in lemon, garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper, and olive oil; beef steak; seasonal fruits; dark chocolate; and roasted nuts. Anything that is creamy and salty, has a smoky flavor, or a bittersweet taste will go well with mulled wine. Amp up the atmosphere by turning on some music, building a fire, and lighting some candles. Plus, the scent of your mulled wine simmering will add a lovely festive aroma to your home!

Ingredients: •

2 small oranges or 1 large orange

•

1 bottle of Merlot, Zinfandel, or Grenache

•

¼ cup brandy

•

1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey, to taste

•

2 whole cinnamon sticks

•

3 star anise

•

4 whole cloves

•

Optional garnishes: Fresh whole cranberries (about ¼ cup), cinnamon sticks, additional orange rounds or half moons

middle, then slice one of the halves into rounds.

Place the rounds into the medium heavy-bottom pot or small Dutch oven. Squeeze the juice from the remaining oranges into the pot.

2.

Pour the wine into the pot, followed by the brandy.

Add 1 tablespoon of the sweetener for now. Add the cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves.

3.

Warm the mixture over medium heat until steaming (about 5 minutes) and keep an eye on it. When you start seeing the tiniest of bubbles at the surface, reduce the heat to the lowest of low.

4. Carefully taste and add another tablespoon of sweetener if it is not sweet enough for your liking.

If it’s not spicy enough to suit your preferences, continue cooking over very low heat for another 5 to 10 minutes.

5.

Serve in mugs with your desired garnishes!

6.

If you expect to polish off the mulled wine within 20 minutes, you can keep it on the stove over extra-low heat (it will become spicier over time). Otherwise, remove it from the heat, cover, and rewarm over low heat if necessary. Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for a couple of days, covered (pour it though a strainer if you don’t want it to become spicier than it already is).

Slow Cooker Option: Combine the mixture in your slow cooker, cover, and cook over low heat until steaming, about 30 minutes to 1 hour. 

Directions 1.

To prepare the oranges, if using two small, slice one orange into rounds and slice the other in half. If using one large orange, slice it in half through the round

November 2023 | 21

Perfect Pie Crust There are a bunch of things to consider when making pie, but like most things, you’ve got to have a solid foundation before you get into the more exciting details. SGCC’s Pastry Chef Lindsay Webb has shared her go-to pie crust recipe to help you with your at-home baking this holiday season. You’ll definitely want to save this one since it doubles as the pastry shell for her delicious homemade pop tarts! Remember, if baking isn’t your forte, you can pre-order Chef Lindsay’s pies for your holiday celebrations.

Ingredients •

3 ¾ Cups All Purpose Flour

•

1 ½ Cups Butter, Cold

•

2 Tbsp Sugar

•

1 Large Egg

•

½ Cup Cold Water

Directions 1.

Combine the flour and sugar in a bowl

2.

Cut butter into small cubes and add to dry ingredients

3.

Cut the butter into the dry ingredients using two forks and mashing the pieces until the butter lumps are the size of small peas. Alternatively, use an electric mixer on slow speed with the paddle attachment

4. Chill the dries and butter for 20 minutes

Pastry Chef Lindsay Webb’s pastries are to “pie” for!

5.

Add the egg and cold water and mix until it comes together

6.

Chill the dough for at least an hour before rolling

7.

Roll dough out on a well-floured surface to an 1/8” thick

8.

Lightly grease your pie dish before transferring crust

9.

For best crust flakiness, refrigerate or freeze again for about an hour

10. Follow pie recipe directions regarding par baking, etc.

22 | November 2023