Springfield Golf & Country Club
the SPRINGFIELD STORY
2025 Board of Directors
John Astorino
President john.astorino@longandfoster.com
Bob Sampson Vice President bsampson71@gmail.com
Tom Stribling Secretary tjstribling@gmail.com
Dan McCarthy Treasurer danm5691@gmail.com
David DeLorenzo david.delorenzo@gmail.com
Joe English jenglish@bsbllc.com
David Kelly davidnkelly@verizon.net
Charles Rolen rolencw@gmail.com
Harrison Smith hharrisonsmith@gmail.com
2025 Committees
Audit
Dave Nachison dnachison@yahoo.com
Communications
Katie Kissal katiekissal@gmail.com
Facilities & Maintenance
Peter Vogt gmte1e6@verizon.net
Finance
Dan McCarthy danm5691@gmail.com
Fitness
Gayle Burgoyne gayleburgoyne@aol.com
Food & Beverage
John Palladino jape199@aol.com
Golf
Matt Lougheed matthew.lougheed@gmail.com
Golf Rules
Bruce Nordstrom bnorthstream@yahoo.com
Charles Rolen rolencw@gmail.com
Greens Tom Stribling tjstribling@gmail.com
Dan Derisio dderisio@yahoo.com
House John Palladino jape199@aol.com
Membership Johnny Garstka johnnygarstka2024@gmail.com
Charles Rolen rolencw@gmail.com
Personnel
Bob Sampson bsampson71@gmail.com
Racquets
Harrison Smith hharrisonsmith@gmail.com
Social
Natalee Siveroni nataleesiveroni@gmail.com
Marie Denslow a93aggie@gmail.com
Strategic Planning
David DeLorenzo david.delorenzo@gmail.com
Swim/Pool
Mike Goede goedes@me.com
Board Report
BY JOHN ASTORINO | BOARD PRESIDENT
What a summer it’s been at SGCC! July brought some incredible Club-wide events including our Independence Day Picnic, the Bobby Bowers Tournament, and our Wimbledon Grass Court Exhibition. The picnic seems to get better each year, and it was the best firework display I’ve seen at the Club. Those who played golf the next day couldn’t tell a giant party was held the previous evening thanks to the fantastic work of the Grounds Crew who cleaned up in the early morning hours and made the golf course look pristine. The Bobby Bowers Tournament also celebrated its 50th anniversary. I’d like to thank the Members for providing local juniors with the opportunity to play a high-caliber golf course and supporting their aspirations of pursuing golf. Heartfelt appreciation is also in order for all the volunteers who served as rules officials and spotters. Lastly, the Wimbledon Exhibition brought London to Springfield for the evening! Participants donned their whites while enjoying strawberries and cream and competing in fun challenges. This signature event is unlike anything else in the area and featured live ball, ghost in the graveyard, chip and volley, and fastest serve competitions.
Our Staff poured countless hours of planning, coordination, and hard work into ensuring these events were truly exceptional for all Members, families, and guests. Their purpose and dedication to making every detail just right is unmatched. It is quite extraordinary watching them give and share their talents and expertise. It’s the smallest of details that speak the loudest, and the Staff takes the time to do the little things which matter most. They truly are the magic behind our memories, and I’d like to celebrate them and their exemplary efforts.
I also would like to congratulate our Sea Lions swim team. They successfully defended their title of Dominion Country Club League Champions and won the Relay Carnival for the fourth year in a row! Well done to all our swimmers.
Over the next few weeks, several new improvements will
begin. First, the capital lighting project at the Racquets Department. All fixtures will be enhanced to a competitive grade which will provide balanced, consistent, and high-level lighting to the entire court surface. The energy-efficient lights will also result in improved visibility during play. Additionally, the Club is partnering with Concierge Physical Therapists, a mobile PT service providing personalized, one-on-one care for the privacy and comfortability of their clients. Convenient access to quality care is the primary mission of Concierge PT, who specialize in post-injury rehabilitation, pain management, maintenance, and preventative needs. Therapists will be available for appointments onsite at Springfield and offer a member-preferred appointment rate as well as in-network insurance benefits.
Together with the Committees and Staff, the Board has continued the process of prioritizing future capital improvements. At recent Strategic Planning Committee meetings, our Department Heads shared the key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in reference to managing their departments. Each department presented insights on how their operations and facilities were reflected in the Membership Satisfaction Survey as well as relevant industry trends in their respective areas. While the ultimate goal is to define direction and develop a plan that will break ground on future construction, advancement, and growth, the need for continued patience is especially important. This research is a critical part of the process, and I commend everyone involved for their many hours of long-range planning. I look forward to what this commitment will bring to the future SGCC.
In the coming weeks, the Nominating Committee will be seeking candidates to serve on the Board of Directors. Qualified candidates must be Active Members in good standing and be passionate about working to improve the Club in the best interest of all Members. Furthermore, it is important that Board members understand the Club’s
Articles, By-Laws, and Rules and Policies, and possess skills in strategic planning, fiscal management, and critical thinking. All candidates who wish to be nominated are required to submit an application and interview with the Nominating Committee, who will provide their recommendations in late September before the election window opens on October 18. A detailed email with all important nomination and election information will be shared by the end of the month, so please be on the lookout for further correspondence.
There is also an opportunity to serve the Springfield community on one of our several committees. Committees play an essential role in the governance structure of the Club through advising the Board and helping articulate strategic vision. Committees are appointed on an annual basis. Each year, a Committee Chair is appointed by our By-Laws or the Club President to serve a one-year term. The Chair then appoints their respective committee members who also serve for one year. An interest form will be distributed to the Membership in November for those interested in serving on a committee. Members will submit their preference for the one
or more committees they are passionate about. While there is a limited number of individuals on each committee and some may not get the chance to serve immediately, I am hopeful this new process will allow the Board to gain an understanding of who is interested in contributing their passions and skills to our wonderful Club.
This year’s Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 28, so please mark your calendars. This meeting is a celebration of our Club, and the Board and Management will report on the past year’s performance, share successes, and announce election results. A quorum is required for the meeting, so you are not only invited but encouraged to attend.
While August brings the dog days of summer and the return of a new school year, there is still plenty going on around the Club. The Outdoor Pickleball Club Championship, Senior Club Championship, and more, including the Labor Day Picnic at the Pool, are coming soon, so check the Club Calendar. You don’t want to miss what’s happening at Springfield!
Pro's Pointers
BY ROBERT SIMPSON, PGA | DIRECTOR OF GOLF INSTRUCTION
Mid-Season Tune-Up: Own the Fundamentals, Own Your Game
We’re deep into the season now. You’ve likely been playing a ton—between A-Team and B-Team matches, Career Women’s, Retirees, ARFAX, the Friday game, and the BofAs Crane Game, your calendar has probably been full. Add in the occasional range session, and you’ve had both hands on the wheel of your golf game, grinding to post a score for whatever event is next on the list.
But here’s the thing—when you’re in that much of a rhythm, you often fall into “react mode.” Your swing starts making small compensations just to keep the ball in play. Maybe the grip shifts a bit. Maybe you start chasing a shape that works “for now.” You stop checking your setup because you’re just trying to get through the round. This is completely normal— but it’s also why mid-season is the ideal time to hit a soft reset and check in with your fundamentals.
One of the biggest misconceptions in golf is that great players can hit every shot in the book. And while that’s technically true, what most people miss is that the best in the world don’t spend their time practicing every shape—they focus on the one shot they can rely on under pressure. Whether it’s a stock fade or a baby draw, they groove it over and over until they trust it completely. That trust gives them freedom. It allows them to aim safely, attack intelligently, and stay aggressive to smart targets without second-guessing their swing midround.
And how do they build that trust? By mastering the boring stuff. The fundamentals. The details most players skip over because they aren’t flashy or exciting. But ironically, skipping those details is exactly how things start to unravel halfway through the season.
So, what should you focus on right now?
First, take a look at your glove. The wear patterns will tell you a lot about your grip. Has your left hand moved into a stronger or weaker position than where you started the season? Are you still holding the club in a way that matches your intended ball
flight—whether it’s a draw, fade, or something in between? Your grip directly influences your clubface and path, which in turn controls your shape. A small shift you didn’t even notice can change everything about your ball flight.
Next, check your clubs. The faces will show you exactly where you’ve been making contact. Are your shots hitting the center, or are you living out on the toe or creeping into the heel? Center strikes are what reduce variability and build confidence. Off-center hits—even slight ones—can make the same swing feel inconsistent day to day. Get back to hitting the sweet spot, and your ball flight will stabilize fast.
Finally, if you’re able to record your swing, pause it halfway back and halfway through. These are key checkpoints where the clubface tells the truth. Is it square to your arc, or is it creeping open or closed? Is your follow-through matching your intended shape? Closed through impact tends to promote draw spin, open encourages fade spin, and square is neutral—but also the hardest position to time perfectly. Understanding where your clubface is, even without changing anything, helps you start playing your shot shape with purpose instead of guessing or reacting on the fly.
This type of check-in isn’t meant to overhaul your swing—it’s meant to quiet the noise. If you’ve spent any nights scrolling TikTok or YouTube at 2:00 AM, looking for “the tip” that will finally make it all click, this is your sign to stop chasing and start owning what you already have. Great golf doesn’t come from constantly tweaking. It comes from building trust in the things that work and refining them just enough to stay sharp.
So as we head into the second half of the season—into Club Championships, Member-Guests, and all the events that really matter—take a breath, step back, and embrace the boring. Master your grip. Strike the center. Understand your clubface. Own your shot. It’s not flashy. It’s not exciting. But it’s how the best players in the world get better—and it’s how you can too.
Coach's Corner: Put Yourself Out There
BY BRANDEN BEETS | DIRECTOR OF RACQUET SPORTS
Summer at SGCC is buzzing—and there’s no better time than now to put yourself out there
Between our weekly Junior Racquets Camps, junior tournaments, year-round adult team practices, matches, and a full slate of elevated events, the Racquets Department has been alive with energy, effort, and enthusiasm. This July was packed with opportunities to step up and get involved.
One of those moments was the WTEF Citi Open Tournament, where SGCC proudly fielded three amazing doubles teams: Ken Anderson and Garrett Engeset (Men’s), Jon Japha and Stacy Usher (Mixed), and Sara Dobkin and Caitlin Clark (Women’s). They faced fierce competition that included former college players and top-level club talent from across the area. While we didn’t bring home the trophy this time, what truly stood out was our players’ willingness to put themselves out there. They showed up, battled hard, and walked away inspired and excited for what’s next.
The very next day, we hosted one of our signature events: the Grass Court Tennis Exhibition. Our own Racquets Pro, Slade Dumas, led a lineup of elite players—Division 1 AllAmericans, former world #1 juniors, top-tier coaches, and seasoned teaching pros—all competing on our one-of-a-kind grass court. Despite a weather curveball, the event came together beautifully. The shot-making? Incredible. From drop shots and tweeners, to trick shots, every point was a highlight! It was a celebration of talent, passion, and the courage it takes to perform in front of a crowd. Every player on that court made the choice to put themselves out there, and it reminded us just how powerful that decision can be.
Later that week, we took our annual trip to the Citi Open to watch the world’s top pros face off in the quarterfinals. These players are on the biggest stages in tennis, and one player in particular left a lasting impression: Venus Williams.
At 45 years old, and after a 16-month break from the game, she walked onto that court with nothing left to prove—and still, she went out and put herself out there, beating world No. 32 Peyton Stearns, who’s half her age. That’s what true love for the game looks like. Venus didn’t play because she needed a win—she played because she still has that fire, that hunger to challenge herself, and to see what’s possible. She made history again as the second-oldest woman ever to win a pro match. What an incredible reminder: the fear of failure is real, but it should never be the thing that stops us.
In last month’s article, “Safe Rarely Wins,” I talked about the importance of embracing mistakes and stepping into discomfort. July proved that point time and again. Whether it was our Members competing in high-stakes tournaments, exhibition pros putting on a show, or witnessing legends like
Venus redefine what’s possible, the message is clear: if you want to grow, you’ve got to put yourself out there
And now, it’s your turn.
Coming up, we have our Men’s and Women’s Doubles Outdoor Pickleball Championships, our Junior Tennis Championships, and our Men’s and Women’s Doubles Tennis Club Championships. Multiple divisions mean there’s a place for everyone. Whether you’re aiming to see your name on our Walk of Fame, challenge your limits, or simply measure your progress since last year—this is your chance.
So go for it. Sign up. Show up. Play hard. Be proud.
You’ve got a whole community here cheering you on, and there’s never been a better time to put yourself out there.
See you on the courts!
Notes from the Cutting Board: Back-to-School Meal Prep
BY TRAVIS SIMMONS | EXECUTIVE CHEF
It’s hard to believe, but school starts in just a few weeks! New backpacks, notebooks, and clothes always dominate the to-do list, but do yourself a favor and don’t forget the food. Putting off packing a school lunch until the last minute or thinking you’ve got what you need for breakfast then finding out you don’t are sure-fire ways to derail your day.
Summer goes by fast, and getting into the school routine can be chaotic for the first couple of weeks. Meal prep may seem like a chore, but it will help you transition out of vacation mode. Here are a few tips that have helped save my family school-day headaches over the past few years. These tips can be applied to batch cooking and freezing or daily fresh asyou-go prep.
1. Get organized for the upcoming week. This includes refrigerator, freezer, and pantry. Knowing where your meal prep is and which meal you are having that day will shave precious time off the morning routine.
2. Make a plan/menu and stick to it. Don’t second guess yourself; keep marching toward the end of the week.
3. Practice the 5-4-3-2-1 method: five vegetables, four fruits, three proteins, two sauces, and one carbohydrate. This will allow you to mix-and-match as the week goes along. Five vegetables might seem like a lot, but don’t over-complicate it—I like to count romaine or iceberg lettuce as one of our vegetables. You can turn it into a salad, wrap, or taco night depending on the rest of your weekly meal prep. Asparagus, broccoli, peppers and onions (that combo counts as one), and squash or zucchini are all great options this time of year, are easy to work with, and give you a lot of versatility when it comes to menu planning. When it comes to picking your four fruits, keep in mind these aren’t meant
to be the main attraction but rather enhancements to your meal planning. Think snacks, add-ons to that awesome salad bar night, or a fresh and simple dessert. I like apples, bananas, grapes, and a berry. Our three proteins would normally be beef, chicken, and fish, but you could substitute pork for the beef or even tofu if you’re feeling adventurous. It really comes down to your weekly menu and what your family leans toward. It’s barbeque season, so a good BBQ sauce could be one of your two sauces and I’m always in favor basil pesto. Use your judgment on when to switch up the sauces, but generally you BBQ sauce for your grilled items and the pesto for oven goods and pan-seared items. When it comes to picking your carbohydrate, with as hot as it’s been rice has been the go-to, but a bag of potatoes is just as versatile. Consider a baked potato and salad bar one night, herb-roasted potatoes the next night, and maybe make a loaded potato hash with the leftovers to finish off. Play around a little with the 5-4-3-2-1 method and have fun with it! This approach is meant to make things easier, not boring.
4. Don’t cook everything all at once. I like to get halfway through the week and see what’s moving. When I cook at home, the most common compliant is I cook way too much for the week…this is also why my grocery shopping privileges have been revoked! I tell my family it’s muscle memory and I can’t help it. To be honest, it’s hard for me to cook for four people.
5. Stick to the “Fan Favorites” for the first couple weeks of school. Things are stressful enough at the start of a new school year— there’s no need to test that new recipe just yet, leave it for later.
6. Label, Date, Rotate. This is a big one for me not only professionally but also at home. This helps keep things fresh and being consumed. I like to label and date what’s going into the freezer and refrigerator. Looking back at our first step, this will help you stay organized and efficient. When it comes to rotating this applies more to when you are pulling from the freezer. Let’s say from week-to-week chicken is on the menu. Make sure to pull the oldest one out first. This will keep your prep as fresh and tasty as possible.
7. Shoot for a quick, high-protein breakfast. I like muffin tin frittatas, breakfast burritos, protein smoothies, and tofu scramble. I really like the muffin tin frittata because you can put whatever you like in them, they freeze well, and after a quick minute in the microwave, you can eat them on the go! The same applies to breakfast burritos. Try to use protein wraps for an extra punch. Protein smoothies are a good standby, and you can get as elaborate or as simple as you like with these. There are a whole host of protein powders out there to choose from, but if that’s not your preference try building a smoothie using plain Greek yogurt, honey, banana, and a touch peanut butter. This is another power packed breakfast on the go. Smoothies are a main stay at my house. Quick, easy, and I know we are getting the day started off right. For the tofu scramble, once again, you can make these with almost anything, but don’t be afraid to add some of those leftover grilled vegetables to the mix. When I grill my vegetables at home, I use Italian salad dressing as a marinade; the char and tangy flavor work well with tofu scramble. Chopped asparagus, peppers, onions, and grilled zucchini are great with tofu. You can use that same mix for your breakfast burritos, too.
8. Don’t forget the snacks! Go for one of the four fruits we talked about before and try including a protein like nuts to give the snack more staying power.
9. Maybe the most important thing to remember on a random Tuesday when your whole house goes sideways is that it is $10 pizza night at the Club. We’re here to help and can even be integrated into you weekly meal prep!
I hope these tips help give you and your family a smooth start to the school year!
Bridge Banter
BY DON FREDERICK
It's August, the sun is glaring and the heat outside is turned way up. Now is a good time to come inside, make new friends, and enjoy fine dining and fun card games. Do you play bridge? If yes, come join the SGCC Friday Evening Bridge Group at one of our upcoming sessions.
Here are the results of our recent sessions:
JUNE 20
First: Mary and Ed Kringer
Second: Robin Alapas and Kit Weyers
Third: Karen and Bob McNamara
JULY 18
First: Kit Weyers and John Korfonta
Second: Mary and Ed Kringer
Third: Diane Stevens and Elaine Voss
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
Turf Talk
BY SHAWN GILL | GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT
Whew! Is it September yet?? It’s been quite a summer so far, with another month still to go. It is always interesting to look back and compare current conditions with previous years. It is easy to lament how difficult things are in the present and forget harsh weather you’ve successfully dealt with in the past.
Last year, right around this time, we were dealing with some scorching heat and half the crew was spending their days dragging hoses around on the greens, tees, and fairways trying to ensure adequate moisture without wasting water. You’ll remember that we were buying water and only able to get enough to water the essential areas of the course. A lot of the rough got pretty burned up. That made for pretty good conditions as long as you hit it down the middle. It is always better to have control of the moisture when it comes to plant health.
It’s a bit of a different scenario this season. We’ve had a few short dry spells but it has definitely rained more than any Superintendent would like. The result is shallow rooting going into the summer and an inability for the turf to withstand the stresses of summer heat and humidity. Talk about humidity; my glasses were fogged up for most of July! While the stickiness keeps water from evaporating out of the soil, it has many downsides when it comes to growing healthy grass on a golf course. Areas that were dry last year but had nice deep roots to pull moisture from well under the ground, this year have readily available soil moisture but roots that are compromised and unable to effectively move the water through the plant. The result: soft, weak turf that is not as good to play from and tears easily, allowing your feet to slip. It is also much less tolerant of traffic as is evidenced by the brown cart tracks in some spots that were highly stressed.
While talking with Jose (my Assistant Superintendent), we both came to the realization that greenkeepers are never happy with the weather for more than a day or two. It’s too hot. It’s too cold. It’s too dry. It’s too wet. The rain lasted too long and everything is too soft. The rain came too fast and all ran off. I think the consensus is that I need to open a golf course somewhere that has nighttime lows around 55 degrees,
daytime highs of 75-83, with bright sun, a light breeze, and a nice soaking rain on Thursday and Sunday nights beginning at dusk and ending by 2:00 AM so things can drain. Fantasy, maybe, but one has to dream big!
One complaint we often have is that when things get really dry in the summer, we only seem to get thunderstorms that dump water quickly and does not soak into the ground. While that is correct, I’ll tell you that I am okay with that as long as
Cart traffic on stressed turf
we get them just frequently enough to fill up the pond before we run out of water. That way, I’ve always got control over the moisture and a good supply of water to place just where I need it.
That is definitely not what we’ve been going though this year. Recently, we had a period where rain saturated the ground and, because of the continuous, super high humidity, we weren’t watering much of anything for many days even though temps were in the mid-90s. As areas began to dry and we had to water, we found that the water in the irrigation pond had heated up. Now we were putting down 84+ degree water onto turf that was already overheating. Just to put things in context, the roots of bentgrass begin to die back at soil temperatures of around 84 degrees and there we were with no choice but to put down lukewarm water. Now, if we were getting a nice quick thunderstorm each week, the temperature of the water would stay cool, and the excess water would run off the course. Voila, I have the ability to manage moisture and lower soil temperatures.
Okay everyone, WAKE UP! Sorry about that. I get excited when talking about grass growing and begin to ramble on about the science of it. The one area of the course that has not suffered from all of the moisture is the rough. It certainly meets the definition of rough when trying to hit out of it. Thick and lush for sure, and unfortunately, with regular rain, we find ourselves not able to keep up with mowing it down. In fact, as I sit here writing, yet another thunderstorm is rumbling through which will probably keep us from being able to mow tomorrow morning. Looks like another weekend of tough playing conditions for those who can’t keep it in the fairway.
The rain has also made for wonderful growing conditions for summer weeds. Things were looking fairly clean around most of the course, but finally the nutsedge reared its ugly head. It loves the extra moisture and the heat. It’s more of a nuisance than anything else and is present in a lot of the rough but mixed in with the other grasses. The problem is that it grows at about three times the rate of the regular rough grass and looks
Not looking too bad for mid-July
Hand-watering the fairways
Aftermath of a thunderstorm
very unsightly. There are some good chemical controls and we will begin spraying them now that the temperatures are going to become a little more moderate. Herbicides applied to stressed turf can do far more harm than good.
While summer is far from over, I think we are on the downhill side of the worst of it. Days are getting a little shorter, nights a little cooler, and aeration season is nearing. All in all, I think we have fared pretty well other than things playing soft and slow over the last couple of months. We’ve kept most of our turf alive and it is much easier to get things back into tiptop condition by improving existing grass than to find yourself planting new grass. Here’s to the firm and fast future and great fall conditions!
Full pond
August 2025
CLUBHOUSE
HAPPY HOUR THURSDAYS, 5:30-7:30
FRIDAY BUFFET, 5:00-9:00 PM
BREAKFAST,
Learn More About Our August Events... Labor Day
LADIES GOLF CLINIC 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Perfect for Women Golfers of All Skill Levels. Designed to Provide a Relaxed, Social Learning Experience While You Improve Your Golf Fundamentals. Registration Required.
11–17 MINI TRIATHLON
Brought to You by the Fitness Center! The Competition Will Take Place During the Week of August 11–17. You May Choose Any Single Day Within that Week to Complete the Challenge. Challenge Must Be Completed in Order, Timed, and Logged with Staff. See the Weekly Fitness News Email for More Details!
COUPLES GOLF CLINIC 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Why Take Golf Advice from Your Spouse when You Can Leave it to the Professionals? Join Us for a Lighthearted Couples Golf Clinic—Our Version of Golf Marriage Counseling! Whether You're Looking to Improve Your Game or Just Have Some Fun Together, Our Instructors will Guide You Through an Enjoyable Session Filled with Laughs, Teamwork, and SkillBuilding. Registration Required.
7:00–11:00
11:00 AM –3:00 PM Kitchen Closes at 3:00 PM
Clubhouse Closes at 5:00 PM
Labor Day Picnic at the Pool
12:00–8:00 PM
Food service until 7:00 PM (picnic food only, no lunch service at the Sea Lion Café) / Wristband Registration Required for Food
Drink service until 7:30 PM 1:00–8:00 PM Live Music
Racquets & Fitness
Close at 4:00 PM No Classes or Clinics
2–Day Member/Guest
Greenside Grille: Dinner on the Golf Course Men's & Women's Doubles Tennis Club Championships
Learn More About Our September Events...
1
1
LABOR DAY PICNIC AT THE POOL
12:00–8:00 PM
Featuring Food (12:00-7:00 PM), Live Music (1:00-8:00 PM), Bounce Houses, and Tons of Fun, Make a Splash at Our Annual Labor Day Picnic at the Pool! Registration Only Required for Food Wristbands.
HOLIDAY HOURS
Breakfast, 7:00-11:00 AM
Lunch, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Racquets & Fitness Center Close at 4:00 PM
Clubhouse & Golf Shop Close at 5:00 PM Pool Closes at 8:00 PM
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DOG SWIM 6:00–7:00 PM
The Pool is Closed for the Season, but Man's Best Friend is Invited to Take a Dip! Open to Members Pups Only, No Guests. Dogs Must Arrive on a Leash and Be Supervised by their Family. We're Pawsitively Excited for the Return of this Event!
5 REIKI + SOUND 6:00–8:00 PM
Experience the Transformative and Healing Power of Sound and Reiki. Includes Guided Meditation, Sound Bath, Group Reiki, and Brief Individual Reiki. Registration Required.
2-DAY GOLF SCHOOL 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
6–7
Elevate Your Game with a Focused, High-Performance Training Experience Including: Full Swing, Iron Precision, Chipping, Putting, Pitching, Bunkers, Ball Flight Control, and a 9-Hole Playing Lesson Covering Course Strategy, Decision Making, and Scoring. 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Both Days. $365/person Includes Lunch. Registration Required, Space is Limited.
Information
Information to Come.
MUSIC ON THE PATIO 6:00-10:00 PM
Dining Reservations Encouraged.
Membership Corner
BY SHELLY GOOREVICH MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR
Please join me in welcoming some of our newest Member families:
Andrew, Tracy, and Lexi Argandoña live in Kingstowne. Andrew, originally from Western New York, is an avid golfer who enjoys skiing, hiking, and watching his beloved Buffalo Bills. He is an active board member of the Friars Golf Club, a golf society devoted to golf travel with a charitable foundation aimed at growing the game. Tracy has lived in the DMV for almost her entire life, and enjoys cooking, traveling, and live music—and she is ready to add golf to the list! Andrew works in Commercial Real Estate for Capital One and Tracy works in Business Development for Guidehouse. Lexi is 13 and attends Hayfield Secondary. She enjoys playing softball, skiing, and running, and is excited to learn golf and racquets at SGCC. As a family, the Argandoñas look forward to contributing to the SGCC community, participating in events, and making lasting friendships, and believe that golf is about with whom you play.
Amanda Charney is a native Texan but has called Virginia home for the past 22 years, residing in the Springfield/Burke area since 2011. She has a communications and journalism background and currently works in higher education consulting for Deloitte. Daniel (14) is a rising freshman at Lake Braddock Secondary School and counts basketball, piano, art, and listening to records as his main interests. Amanda is looking forward to making new friends, taking golf lessons, and enjoying the many social activities SGCC has to offer. Daniel can’t wait to hang out at the pool and enjoy smoothies and burgers with his friends.
Rory Fedorochko is excited to be joining SGCC as a Member. He has a long history of association with the Club as the eldest child of long-time member Gary Fedorochko. Rory was a Sea Lion at the pool some two decades ago, a regular at Sunday brunches through high school, and today is a regular gymgoer and mediocre visitor to the driving range (working on it!). Rory attended Bishop Ireton High School and the College of
Amanda and Daniel Charney
Andrew, Tracy, and Lexi Argandoña
Rory Fedorochko
William & Mary and enjoys guitar, birds, basketball, and the fine delights of conversation. He is excited to join as an Active Legacy Member and experience the Club through a new lens.
Matt and Danielle Jennings have been pillars in the DC community for over 25 years. Matt, a Georgetown graduate, and Marine veteran is an established consultant at Deloitte. Danielle, a Mercyhurst University alumna, celebrates 20 years of service with the Department of Defense. Their eldest daughter, Bailey, a West Springfield High School graduate, served in the Navy and is now building a life in central Texas with her young daughter, Alice. Their younger children, Holden, Rowan, and Matheson are students at Irving Middle School and Orange Hunt Elementary, respectfully. Holden (13) is a Civil Air Patrol cadet and plays lacrosse. Rowan (12) is very active in golf and currently plays with the PGA Junior League. Matheson (8) is active in swimming and basketball. The Jennings family looks forward to building relationships and enjoying the Club’s amenities, while contributing to the vibrant community.
Mac Leightner grew up in Springfield playing several sports: baseball, golf, and bowling. Now, Mac likes watching and attending sporting events. He also enjoys friendly competition, whether it's on the golf course or a casual game amongst friends. Mac is looking forward to both practicing and socializing with friends and other golfers at Springfield Golf & Country Club.
Scott, Erin, JJ, and Michael Sawicki moved to West Springfield 10 years ago. Erin and Scott met at the George Washington University as undergraduates and just celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in June! JJ attends West Springfield High School where he is going into his sophomore year, and Michael is going into 6th grade and his last year at Keene Mill Elementary. Both boys play recreational soccer through SYC and BRYC. Erin and Scott work in downtown Washington D.C. where Scott is the Executive Director of a national not-for-profit system of senior living communities including Greenspring and Woodleigh Chase, and Erin is Senior Director of Operations for Savills, a London-based commercial real estate company. In 2020, they welcomed their rescue pup, Ben, a treeing walker coonhound, into their family.
Mac Leightner
Jennings Family
Scott, Erin, JJ, and Michael Sawicki
R E C A P
Grass Court Tennis Exhibition
The 4th annual Grass Court Exhibition on Sunday, July 13 turned out to be one of the best we’ve ever hosted! Superintendent Shawn Gill did an outstanding job preparing a pristine grass court surface, creating the perfect setting for a truly memorable day. Our Food & Beverage team kept everyone fueled with a fantastic spread—the fresh strawberries and cream were an absolute standout, capturing the spirit of classic grass court tradition.
The Pro Exhibition matches drew a big crowd and delivered plenty of thrilling rallies and impressive points, but what made the day truly special was the incredible involvement from our Members across all ages. There was something for everyone to enjoy. Junior Live Ball games kept our younger players moving, while Ghost in the Graveyard was a huge hit—congratulations to Henry Perucci for outlasting the field! Off the courts, activities like ping pong, a bracelet-making station, a tennis-themed art exhibit from our Art & Movement summer campers, and our ever-popular fastest serve competition kept the energy high and spirits even higher. Not to be forgotten, the cornhole boards saw plenty of action all afternoon as well.
A big thank you goes out to our amazing ball kids — your hustle, energy, and professionalism made the matches run smoothly and the day feel truly special.
We can't forget a huge shout-out to the winners of our contests:
• Men's Serve Speed - Jason Bernardo
• Women's Serve Speed - Lindsay Frazier
• 12U Serve Speed Boys - Luke Wazorko
• 12U Serve Speed Girls - Kara Clemans
• Chip/Volley - Alex and Bryan Hoynak
Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate a fantastic day of tennis, food, and fun on the grass — we can’t wait to do it again next year!
GO SGCC SEA LIONS!
BACK-TO-BACK DCCL
DIVISION CHAMPIONS
It was another spectacular season with SGCC’s junior swim team, the Sea Lions! We welcomed 16 new Sea Lions to our ranks, putting our total athlete count at an impressive 98 swimmers.
The 2025 season boasted an array of team and individual successes. The Sea Lions won the division-wide Relay Carnival for the fourth year in a row and placed first in the division for the second consecutive season! We were represented by 34 swimmers at the All-Star Qualification meet and sent 16 competitors and one alternate to finals. This is the largest representation that Springfield has had at All-Star Finals in over a decade.
Five team records broken this season: the Boys 9-10 25m
Butterfly, standing since 2012, was broken by Andrew Clemans; the Girls 11-12 50m Freestyle, standing since 2021, was broken by Kara Clemans; the Boys 15-18 50m Freestyle, standing since 2011, was broken by Ian Schaper; the Boys 1518 50m Breaststroke, standing since 2024, was broken by Ian Schaper; and Boys 15-18 200m Medley Relay, was broken multiple times this season by various lineups of Noah Goede, Ian Schaper, Chase Jones, Sam Rhye, Matthew Fisher, and Joey Griscavage.
Retirees' Corner
BY RUSTY ROESCH
As we move into the second half of the season, the Springfield Retirees are building momentum by winning convincingly on the road. Our latest road wins have made a substantial difference in our standing as we continue to maintain a secondplace position in our division. We are in good position to make a strong showing during the second half to earn a spot in the October playoffs. Looking ahead, we have challenging away matches during August against the league leader, Army Navy Arlington Country Club, as well as the Country Club of Fairfax. Early in the month we meet Hidden Creek Country Club on our home course. To wrap up the month, our annual Guys & Gals event will be held on August 21.
Our annual friendly match at home against Washington Golf and Country Club on June 26 was great fun. We started playing early to beat some of the heat. Cart path only restrictions did not start until 1:00 PM and almost everyone had finished
playing by then. One foursome came out on top for the day: Dan Cohen, Mark Hite, and Robert Wooding (with Harry Sarner as a blind). Second place was won by Steve Bartlett, Steve Thormahlen, and Jordan Weinstein. Ron Devine and Peter Lee (with Mike Cifrino as their blind) captured third place. Two Springfield players captured closest to the hole honors after making very accurate drives on two of the three par holes: Mark Hite (four feet away on number 6) and Don Bisenius (two feet away on number 11).
July 3 proved to be a nice day for golf after considerable rain before the match and Springfield’s Gladiators turned in a convincing win on the road at Mount Vernon Country Club: 22 to 14. While we had only one 3-point winner, Tom Skrobala/ Peter Lee, we had five 2½ point winners to carry the day: Mike Saylor/Steve Bartlett, Charles Rolen/Jim Wilson, Walter Burkhardt/John Benda, Don Bisenius/Bruce Sheaffer, and Neil
Gallagher/Jesus Medrano. Once again Mike Saylor had the low gross score for the day with a 73 and low net score honors went to Mark Morganfield after turning in a remarkable 69. Springfield had only one sweeps winner, and it was a first place win by Don Bisenius and Bruce Sheaffer.
On July 10, we faced a strong team on Regency Country Club’s executive length course. They had a valuable home course advantage, but we managed to deliver an impressive win: 26 to 10. Nine Springfield Teams helped carry the day: four teams won 3 points, two teams won 2½ points, and three teams delivered 2 points. Springfield also managed to take all four places in the sweeps competition: Steve Bartlett/Ron Devine captured first place, Jim Yates/Hank Webb brought home second place, and Brad Westermann/John Benda ended up in third place while Harry Kline/Tom Natoli won fourth place. The low gross score of the day was turned in by Harry
Kline (63) with Jim Yates and Ron Devine close behind with 65s. Ron Devine scored the best low net score of the day with an impressive 48 with Hank Webb very close behind with a net 52. Other strong net scores included: Dan Rose (54), Greg Gerlach (55), Brad Westermann (55), Jim Yates (55), Albie Lau (55), and Bob Brien (55).
To support highly competitive home and away matches, our Retiree Team needs fresh players every year. Note that it is never too late to join the Retirees (just be 50+ and dream about retirement). For more information on joining, please contact Bruce Nordstrom at bnorthstream@yahoo.com or call 202.494.6558.
