12 members participated in a trip to Lahinch, Ireland, the
Second from left to right: Alan Livadas, Christine Livadas, Paula Janssen, Anthony Malizia
Jason Rager, Danielle Lunger
Dear Fellow Members,
Iwould like to start this month’s letter by extending a special thank you to the Development Ad Hoc Committee for their unwavering commitment to enhancing our Club. They have been diligently working through the conceptual design process, keeping you informed through emails, articles (see page 4), and even a recent questionnaire that remains open for your responses until August 10th. Your feedback is invaluable, and I encourage you to take this opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas. Feel free to reach out to the committee at strategicplan@vicmead.com or connect directly with me; we are here to listen and act upon your input. The intention is to continue to work through the iterative process and share more detail with the Membership on the later in the fall season. It is an exciting time for the Club and behalf of the committee and the Board of Governors we are excited to be able to share more in the coming months.
As we reflect on a very humid July, I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying the final stretch of summer here at the Club. Our dedicated staff has been hard at work ensuring that your Club experience remains exceptional despite the heat. From a thrilling Club Championship weekend to relaxing poolside moments and delightful dining experiences the Club has been buzzing. I was thrilled to see the introduction of new offerings such as the Mixed Interclub Tennis event against Greenville C.C. and the entertaining Quizzo night at The Meet. This past month also included the conclusion of the Jr. PGA team’s
season, congratulations to our Juniors on another great year. These events not only showcase our Club's vibrant community but also provide opportunities for members to connect and enjoy each other's company.
Special congratulations to Ryan Goodwin, from our Golf Outside Operations team, for being selected as a recipient of the 2024-25 J. Wood Platt Scholarship Trust. We are immensely proud that a deserving member of the Vicmead team has been honored in this way, and we hope this scholarship will greatly support your time at Villanova.
Looking ahead, I encourage all of us to make the most of the remaining summer days at the Club. Our newsletter contains a plethora of opportunities and I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Warm regards,
David Solacoff, M.D. President
Ryan Goodwin
Golf Outside Operations Attendant
Development Ad-Hoc Committee
Wells, Tanks, and Lines – Oh My!
exploration of a new pool house & fitness area...these are the “visible” aspects of the concept designs which we can see, touch, and experience. Over the past 30 years, Jules Paoli, Facilities Director, and the dedicated maintenance team have added to, modified, and patched the systems that run our club. Jules’ deep knowledge and understanding of our facilities is guiding our long-term of needed improvements. To better understand the “invisible” challenges we face, we had a conversation with Jules about Vicmead’s water supply.
Water Management and Usage at Vicmead: An Interview with Jules Paoli
Jules, can you provide an overview of the current water conditions on the Vicmead Campus?
Jules:
"Well, the first thing important to understand is that Vicmead is not connected to the Wilmington city grid, so Vicmead depends entirely on pumps and wells for water. We’ve got a mix of five wells serving everything from the clubhouse to the fitness facility to the stables. They range in output from gushing 65 gallons/minute down to a more modest 9 gallons/minute, which accommodate different needs across the Vicmead campus (i.e. large events, pool filling, grounds keeping). One might think, “Well, just pump more water!” However, over-pumping our wells not only depletes the groundwater aquifer (or source), but also rapidly increases the rate of corrosion, iron crustacean, and biofouling related problems with the well pipes. This can result in premature pump and well failures, which we’ve experienced twice already when we had to abandon wells in 2000 and 2019."
What is our biggest challenge when it comes to water on the Vicmead Campus?
Jules:
"The biggest challenge is keeping everyone hydrated and happy during those busy summer stretches. We have to be careful because too much strain on the wells will shorten their life. To plan appropriately, we’ve stashed about 13,540 gallons in separate tanks around the property for use when our wells need a breather. In addition, the pool serves as the primary water source for the Clubhouse’s fire suppression system should it ever be needed."
Jules Paoli Facilities Director
The balance between meeting ongoing water needs and contingency planning is delicate. How do we ensure the water is safe for consumption and Campus use?
Jules:
"Ah, first and foremost is chlorine! We need it to keep the water clean and safe, but chemicals are a double-edged sword. All our well water gets dosed with chlorine for sanitation (the alternative to UV light), and a second treatment to make it potable, but this is also rough on pipes and pump gear. Because the Clubhouse’s fire suppression system depends on the pool water, it’s caused us some pricey repairs during cold snaps. Using the pool is great for the quantity of water needed for the sprinkler systems, but it also reduces the life of equipment. For example, the current pump installed in 2007 would normally have a 13year lifespan. However, due to the effects of chlorine use, it was rebuilt in 2012 and then fully replaced in 2023. We anticipate another capital expense in approximately 4 years due to the current configuration."
Why do the water need and other vital utilities on the Vicmead Campus need to be considered at this critical point in the proposed renovation designs?
Jules:
"Looking ahead, we know these systems need some TLC. We are starting to experience the impacts and failures of systems which were not designed to meet the Club’s current needs. With the proposed renovations, it’s an opportunity to address these challenges with the goal of ensuring we have the proper number and size of wells needed, any additional water storage needs, and equipment. It’s about keeping Vicmead’s underground systems in the best possible condition so that our Club can continue to seamlessly serve our Members above ground."
Propose a New Member
Do you have a Friend, Relative, or Colleague who has genuine interest in a membership?
Contact Paige Hitchens, Membership & Catering Coordinator to find out how to propose them for Membership! (302) 655 –3333 ext. 117 • phitchens@vicmead.com
Alex Giacco, Jr. , Committee Chair agiacco3@comcast.net Paige Draper fdraper1@mac.com
Meghan Mackenzie meghangmackenzie@gmail.com
John Matson johnmatson44@gmail.com
Mark Morton mmorton@potteranderson.com
Anthony Lunger alunger@wilmingtontrust.com
REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED
Visit www.vicmead.com for information and to register.
TENNIS: Mens’ Clinic 5:30 – 7 p.m. (No clinic on 8/8)
FRIDAY
TENNIS: Ladies’ 105 9 – 10:00 a.m.
TENNIS: Mixed 101 Clinic 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
TENNIS: Ladies Intermediate Clinic 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. (No clinic on 8/17)
Interested in lessons? Prefer one–on–one practice? Simon Peppiatt
Wednesday, August 28th • 5:30 p.m.
Watch some of the area’s best Tennis Pros and Players compete for RodneyStreet Tennis. Complimentary Food & Drink for all Members & Guests (reservation required). Proceeds from the Pro-Am, Raffle & General Donations will be donated in full to RodneyStreet Tennis.
REGISTER AT WWW.VICMEAD.COM
JOE GREG
MEN’S MEMBER/MEMBER TEAM EVENT
THURSDAY, AUGUST 8TH • 5:30 P.M.
Complimentary Event
Sign up as an individual & you will be drafted into a team!
After the event, join fellow participants at the BBQ. Dinner & Drinks by signature.
REGISTER AT WWW.VICMEAD.COM
Contact the Racquets Professional Staff about private instruction
Greg Eger Paddle Professional geger@vicmead.com (302) 655 –3333 ext. 122
Ray Chan–A–Sue Squash Professional rchanasue@vicmead.com (302) 655 –3333 ext.
SQUASH 2024–2025 Program
ADULTS
WEEKLY CLINICS
Weekly Men’s Clinic
Tuesdays Beginning September 26th
6 p.m.–7:30 p.m. • $30 per clinic
Weekly Ladies’ Clinic
Wednesdays Beginning September 27th
6 p.m.–7:30 p.m. • $30 per clinic
Weekly Double’s Clinic
Thursdays Beginning October 5th
6 p.m.–7 p.m. • $30 per player
10-Week Wilmington House League
Sunday, October 8th–December 10th
2 p.m.–4 p.m. • $50 per session
SPECIAL EVENTS
Women’s Bootcamp Kickstarter
Sunday, September 15th
1:30 –3:30 p.m. • $50 per player
Men’s Kickstarter
Saturday, September 21ST
1:30 –3:30 p.m. • $50 per player
JUNIORS
WEEKLY CLINICS
Kits 1.0
Saturdays Beginning September 28th
10–10:45 a.m. • $25 per clinic
Kits 2.0
Saturdays Beginning September 28th
10:45–11:45a.m. • $30 per clinic
Battle of the Clubs
Wednesday, October 16th
5 p.m.–9 p.m.
Squash Season Opener
Thursday, September 26th
6 p.m.–7 p.m.
Battle of the Clubs
Wednesday, October 16th
5 p.m.–9 p.m.
Parent/Child Challenge
Friday, November 29th
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Squash Member/Guest
Friday, January 17th –
Saturday, January 18th
5 p.m.–8 p.m. / 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
SPECIAL EVENTS
US Junior Bronze Event*
Sunday, January 25th
9 a.m.–7 p.m. • $75 per player
*Pending approval from US Squash
TUESDAY, AUGUST 13TH • 5:30 P.M.–7 P.M.
COMPLIMENTARY + A FEATURED COCKTAIL
Wednesday, August 21st • 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. All levels welcome to this fun round robin!
The always –popular bootcamp is now a series! Simon, Joe & Greg are ready to serve up a vigorous Drill Session followed by Doubles Strategy Play! Maximum of 20 players. Ladies
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17th 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. • $45 per player
$40 per player
Grounds
June and July Turfgrass Update
Managing the Summer Heat with Strategic Turf Care
June and July have brought exceptionally hot, humid, and dry conditions, creating significant stress on our turfgrass. We’ve experienced numerous days with 90ᵒ temperatures, warm night-time temperatures, and sporadic rainfall.
Weather Impact
- Numerous days with 90ᵒ temperatures.
- Warm night-time temperatures.
- Sporadic rainfall.
Turf Team Strategy
+ Mowing Heights: Raised to protect the turfgrass.
+ Mower Setup: Equipped with tools to reduce mechanical damage.
+ Fungicide Applications: Continued as a preventative measure.
+ Watering/Irrigation: Essential to support the turf during these conditions.
Irrigation System Performance
Our new irrigation system is performing admirably in its inaugural season. This system enables us to efficiently monitor every drop of water used on the property. Additionally, we can make data-driven decisions on irrigation programming using our on-site weather station and moisture meters. We are also pleased to report that yardage markers on irrigation heads are now in place, with each number geopositioned to the center of the green.
Yardage markers indicate distance to the center of the green.
The irrigation system has been working hard this season! Night time water is supplemented with day time cooling.
The green surround on the left of the 10th hole prior to irrigation and cart protection
The green surround on the left of the 10th hole as it is today. Examples of improved turf conditions due to irrigation are present throughout the golf course.
This member favorite returns to Vicmead once a month through next March. Be sure to make a reservation!
October 1st • November 5th • December 3rd
Farm
Table
DINNER at Vicmead Saturday, September 7th
6:30 p.m. Cocktails 7:30 p.m. Dinner
Join us for an evening celebrating our community’s enviable local produce. A dinner of local & seasonal dishes will be served family style with wine pairings while the sun sets over the Vicmead terrace.
$95.00 includes Dinner & Wine Reservations are required
Wednesdays
Order by noon for pick up until 7 p.m. Weekly hot & ready –to –reheat meals
Visit www.vicmead.com for information and to register.
LADIES’
Wednesdays
• LGA Ladies’ Day Start Times Vary (9 or 18 holes)
*See website for times & formats. Wednesday mornings are reserved for LGA events & female golf members. The course is closed until 11 a.m.
MEN’S
Tuesdays
• Men’s Tuesday Night Golf League 5:30 p.m.
Register by 1 p.m.
Saturdays
• Men’s Skins 8:30 a.m.
Sign up individually or with a group by 5:30 p.m. Friday. Pairings & Starting Times will be emailed each Friday evening. Starting times beginning at 8:30 a.m.
AUGUST
Wednesday, August 7th
Mystery Format 9 a.m.
Thursday, August 8th
Twilight Golf 5 p.m.
Thursday August 22nd
Mixed 30&3 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 29th
Men’s August Member–Guest Tournament 1 p.m
Saturday, August 31st
PING Fitting Day 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Anthony Malizia Head Golf Professional
We hope you’re enjoying the great golf course conditions and long summer days.
The August heat and humidity can create the unexpected pop–up thunderstorm. A lightning strike within 10 miles of the Club will automatically trigger the lightning alarm indicating “cease play and seek shelter immediately”. A 30 minute timer to the “all clear” starts, but subsequent lightning strikes reset the timer to 30 minutes. Once the timer expires, the all clear alarm will sound reopening the golf facilities. Also, during the lightning delay two strobe lights will flash; one on top of the Golf Shop building and the other at the Halfway House. The strobe helps alert those entering the property that we are experiencing a lightning delay.
Additionally, to help assist with hydration need we’ve provided complimentary bottled water behind the #2/#10 teeing area. This will be offered through Labor Day weekend.
Regards,
Adult-Junior Golf Tournament
Sunday, September 8th
Rain date: Sunday, September 29th
18-Hole Competition: 8:30 a.m. shotgun
9-Hole Competition: 9:30 a.m. shotgun
5-Hole Competition: 10:30 a.m. shotgun
Two Player Teams – Mixed/Men/Ladies (Teams may be made up of any combination of Adult and Junior)
$40 Per Player (Includes Lunch & Cart Fee)
For Member convenience, the full Club tournaments/events and course closure schedule can be found on the Club
Club Championship Weekend 2024
Saturday, July 13th & Sunday, July 14th
35th LADIES’ DEAN PLATE
Championship Division
Pictured left to right: Paula Janssen, Dawn Schieffer, Karen Graham Low Net Winner, Mary Harding Cist Low
Gross Champion, Carolyn Brown Gross Runner Up, Anne Warner
Senior Division
Christine Livadas Low Gross Champion
Mary Patterson Gross Runner-Up Kim Haupt Low Net Winner
Not pictured
Hagley Flight Alex Rohr Winner Chris Viceconte Runner Up
Men's Senior Club Championship
Chris Patterson
Champion
Greg Williams Runner-Up
11th MEN’S CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
Championship Flight
Bill Jeremiah Champion Colin Smith Runner-Up
Winterthur Flight
Eli Sharp Winner Tyler Luft Runner-Up
Longwood Flight
Colin Baker Winner
August Sharp Runner-Up
30&3 Mixed
A monthly program for male & female players of all skill levels
Through 30 minutes of instruction and three holes on the golf course accompanied by the instructors, you are sure to improve your game!
August 22nd
September 5th • October 3rd
5 – 7 p.m.
$75 & includes a specialty cocktail Limited to 12 players
Fitness
Golf School
August 17th • September 29th Junior date • September 21st 9 a.m. – Noon
The golf school will cover short game, full swing, and putting in a fun, friendly, and safe environment. All skill levels welcome!
$250/Session
AQUA FITNESS
Wednesdays through August 21 st 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
$20 per class
Come join us for a cool way to exercise this summer! Using aqua therapy techniques as our foundation, we implement a wide range of exercises to increase your fitness level in a safe & effective way. These workouts are low impact & full –body strengthening to increase mobility & overall health. Come beat the heat & get a great workout in at the same time!
Final Days of Summer
Final the Meet: Sunday, August 25th
Final Monday Lunch: Monday, September 2nd Final BBQ: Thursday, September 5th
SEPTEMBER
POOL SCHEDULE
Monday, 4th 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Tuesday, 5th 5 p.m.–8p.m.
Thursday, 7th 5 p.m.–8 p.m.
Saturday, 9th 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Sunday, 10th 10 a.m.–4 p.m. *Closed on the 6th & 8th
Sunday, September 8th • 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Join us for everyone’s favorite annual event and don’t forget your furry friend! No entry fee, complimentary hot dogs & beverages by chit. Contests for Best Dressed, Fastest Swimmer, & Best Dive Return. PLEASE REGISTER AT WWW.VICMEAD.COM
DINING
Vicmead
Lunch Monday–Sunday 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
The Meet
Sunday
4 p.m.–7 p.m.
Bidermann
Lunch
Tuesday–Friday 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
Weekends & Holidays 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Bunker Fridays 4 p.m.–Dusk
Dinner Fridays & Saturdays 5:30 p.m.–8 p.m.
RACQUETS
Indoor Tennis Monday-Sunday 5 a.m.–9 p.m.
Squash Monday-Sunday 5 a.m.–9 p.m.
Paddle Courts Monday-Sunday 8 a.m.–10 p.m.
POOL
Daily
10:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
Extended to 8 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday
August 2024
FITNESS
Indoor Fitness Center Monday-Sunday 5 a.m.–9 p.m.
Mo-bility
Mondays 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays 6 a.m.
Aquafitness
Wednesday 6:30 p.m.
HITT & Mo-bility
Fridays 6 a.m.
TRX + Mo-bility
Saturdays 9 a.m.
Personal Training
Email Morgan Ross at mross@mo-mentumcoaching.com
Align Fitness Programs
Email Joe Chaitkin at joe@align-fitness.com
GOLF
Please note that all morning play will start on Hole #1, unless approved by the Professional Staff.
*Golf Carts must be returned to Cart Barn by 8 p.m. Aug. 6th – Sept. 15th by 7:30 p.m.
** Driving Range Schedule of Early Closure: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday Closes at 6 p.m.
June–August: Sunday & Wednesday Closes at 7 p.m.
Halfway House
Tuesday–Sunday 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
Club Personnel Contact List
Vicmead
Rachel
Amanda DeBright
David Glenn
Paige Hitchens
Jules Paoli
Bidermann
GAUDY CUP
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST • 8:30 – 11:30 A.M.
The Mystery Mixed Partner format always makes for Tournament fun! Outfits to match the theme encouraged! Prizes, light breakfast, & snacks included. All levels welcome. $40 per player. Registration required.
