COMMON THREADS
MESSAGE FROM OUR GM
Our Club is more than a place. It’s an experience, a community, and a tradition built over the past 35 years of dedication and care As employees, team members, and professionals, you are the living embodiment of that tradition Every interaction you have with a member or guest, every event you help us bring to life, and every challenge you overcome behind the scenes contribute to the story we tell as a Club
It’s important that, individually and collectively, we hold ourselves accountable and strive to create the best possible experience for our membership. I’ve always found that the best way to hold myself accountable and continue striving to present the version of myself and our desired hospitality and service is to put myself in the shoes of our members and guests For example, if I am at a restaurant, what is the impression I get if the bartenders and servers start closing their stations while I’m still present? Not a good feeling, right? Instead, we should remain engaged and attentive to our members, who are here to support us and pay our salaries with their dues and patronage. Let’s make an extra effort throughout our day/shift to make our members feel comfortable and encourage them to stay as long as they want. I know that’s how I want to feel when I spend my money at a restaurant, a golf club, or anywhere I choose to go for recreation and relaxation I think you feel the same, right?
Your passion, teamwork, and attention to detail create moments our members will remember for years to come You are not just employees You are ambassadors of our values, hospitality, excellence, and community As we look ahead, let’s continue to lead with excellence, innovate with confidence, and serve with pride and thoughtfulness. Remember, every detail we handle, every extra step we take, and every smile we share make our Club shine brighter than ever You are all the reasons our members will either feel at home or take their recreation dollars elsewhere Our professionalism, teamwork, and positive energy ARE noticed And, conversely, negative energy and the appearance of closing and shutting down early ARE noticed as well
Thanks for your hard work, your adaptability, and your commitment to excellence. Let’s keep building on our successes, eliminating negative and off-putting actions, celebrating our wins, and making our place, this place, our Club, the one our members love the most
Together, we are not just maintaining a standard; we are setting it Let’s set it high!
Dave Craig, CMAA, PGA General Manager
Commonwealth National Golf Club
WHY COMMON THREADS?
Commonwealth National Golf Club is made up of many roles, many talents, and many moving parts but what makes us successful is how those parts connect. Common Threads exists to highlight that connection. It’s a place to share stories, recognize effort, celebrate progress, and better understand how each department contributes to the overall experience our members enjoy every day.
From the front lines to behind the scenes, every role matters, and when we see how our work weaves together, we build pride, trust, and a stronger sense of team. This newsletter is one small way to keep us connected, informed, and moving forward together.
TEAM SPOTLIGHTS
At Commonwealth, excellence shows up in many ways through leadership, teamwork, consistency, and care for others. Our Staff Spotlights and recognition features are meant to celebrate those moments and the people behind them.
Employee of the Month - April 2026
Gianna Vallorani - Clubhouse Server
Darnell Hammond - Steward and Prep Cook
TEAM SPOTLIGHTS
At Commonwealth, excellence shows up in many ways through leadership, teamwork, consistency, and care for others. Our Staff Spotlights and recognition features are meant to celebrate those moments and the people behind them.
Employee of the Month - May 2026
Tom Mara - Golf Shop Assistant
SAY HELLO
Dana Winiarz
I have been married to Ross for 9 years and we also have 2 dogs - Karl and Lulu who we adore! I enjoy going to Zumba as well as traveling with Ross. I also enjoy cooking especially in our new kitchen! Ross is an avid bowler who has had 29 perfect games!
David Carey
David Carey is a passionate golf professional currently working toward earning his PGA Membership. He is dedicated to growing the game by helping junior golfers develop their skills, build confidence, and discover a lifelong love for golf. When he's not on the course, David enjoys snowboarding, watching hockey, and playing golf himself. Above all, he values spending quality time with his family, who inspire him both on and off the course. His enthusiasm for teaching, commitment to learning, and love for the game make him a positive influence on golfers of all ages.
ABOVE & BEYOND
Each month, we’re proud to recognize team members who go above and beyond in ways that make a real difference for our members and for one another These moments often come from small, thoughtful actions: stepping in to help a teammate, solving a problem before it becomes one, or creating an unexpected moment of care that leaves a lasting impression. This page is dedicated to celebrating those efforts and the people behind them Your commitment to going the extra mile strengthens our culture, supports our team, and helps make Commonwealth National Golf Club a place we’re all proud to be part of
Ryan Jaskowiak & Elfego Conteras Cholula - F&B executed a much busier than usual Saturday night while upholding the high standards imposed on them
Gianna Vallorani - F&B
Showing up for additional shifts, helping with additional shifts when other servers want time off, and growing in her role as a server, learning new POS with efficiency.
Ryan
Guinaldo - Golf
Volunteered to stay late to install all fairway iq sensors
Aiden Green- Golf
Short staffed and he proactively reached out to see if we needed any help.
Hailey Jain - F&B
Excellent high quality service provided to the group of 13 ladies for Ladies Book Club. Attentive service with warm hospitality!
Alyssa Callahan - F&B
Outstanding job supporting multiple areas throughout the day. Alyssa handled cocktails in Cattail, stepped in to take a tables on the terrace, cleaned up Cattail and helped complete a club reset for a golf outing. Her flexibility, teamwork, and willingness to step in wherever needed makes a big difference
ABOVE & BEYOND MANOR HOUSE
Alydia Emig - Banquet Server
Pam and Gail,
I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude to your whole team for truly giving us the weddingof our dreams. Our guests could not stop raving about the venue, the food, and the staff. Alydia, was INCREDIBLE and even pulled her sewing kit when I had a dress malfunction! She made us feel so taken care of that day and I cannot thank her (and you two) enough. I will be recommending the Manor House to anyone getting married and plan to write a review on the Knot saying how awesome you guys are.
Melissa and Josh
PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
Commonwealth National Golf Club was proudly represented at this year's PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club by two of our own Class A PGA Professionals, Grant Griffiths, PGA and Dan Mrozinski, PGA. Throughout championship week, both volunteered their time in golf operations and club management, representing not only Commonwealth National Golf Club but also the Philadelphia Section PGA.
It was an outstanding week for golf, with the Philadelphia region and Aronimink Golf Club serving as exceptional hosts for one of the game's premier championships. We are proud of Grant and Dan for contributing behind the scenes to the success of such a prestigious event and for representing our club with professionalism and pride. Congratulations to Aaron Rai on capturing his first major championship victory. We wish him continued success throughout the remainder of the season
PHILADELPHIA CELEBRATES 250 YEARS OF AMERICA
As we approach Independence Day, our region is preparing for something truly historic Philadelphia, the birthplace of our nation, is at the center of America's 250th Anniversary celebration, marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. This once-in-a-generation milestone is expected to bring visitors from across the country and around the world to our area
The celebration extends far beyond a single day. Through the Wawa Welcome America Festival, Philadelphia is hosting 16 days of events from June 19 through July 4, featuring concerts, fireworks, parades, community celebrations, free museum admissions, historic programs, and family-friendly activities throughout the city Organizers have described this year's festival as the largest Independence Day celebration in the nation.
Some of the highlights include:
• The Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade on July 3, expected to be one of the largest patriotic parades ever held in Philadelphia.
• The Celebration of Freedom Ceremony on Independence Mall on the morning of July 4, taking place just steps from where the Declaration of Independence was debated and adopted 250 years ago.
• Free admission days at dozens of museums and historic attractions across the city, allowing residents and visitors to experience Philadelphia's remarkable role in American history.
• The One Philly: Unity Concert for America on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, featuring nationally recognized performers, followed by a spectacular fireworks display over the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Philadelphia will also serve as the permanent resting place of the official America250 Time Capsule, which will be buried in Independence National Historical Park on July 4 and reopened in the year 2276, giving future generations a glimpse into life in America today
As members of the Commonwealth National Golf Club team, we are fortunate to be located just outside one of the most historic cities in the world. Whether you're planning to attend an event, watch the fireworks, visit a museum, or simply enjoy the patriotic atmosphere, this summer offers a unique opportunity to witness history being made.
Two hundred and fifty years ago, the ideas that shaped our nation were born in Philadelphia Today, we have the chance to celebrate that legacy together.
Happy Independence Day, and enjoy this historic celebration!
PHILADELPHIA CELEBRATES 250 YEARS OF AMERICA
The country’s best baseball players head to Philadelphia this summer for the 2026 Major League Baseball AllStar Game on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, alongside a week of all-star sporting events.
The MLB All-Star Game AKA the Midsummer Classic coincides with the Semiquincentennial, with Citizens Bank Park hosting the All-Star Game for the first time since the stadium opened in 2004. The 42,901-person capacity ballpark is set to be packed with fans angling to catch their favorite players from both the National League and American League on the field.
In the days surrounding the game, fans can expect a jam-packed All-Star Week, featuring pro and youth games, the first rounds of the MLB Draft, a new three-on-three series, and the All-Star Village. MLB All-Star Week kicks off on Friday, July 10, 2026.
SUMMER PICS 2026
TEAM MEALS
We’ve listened to your feedback, and we’re excited to share an improved and more consistent employee meal program designed to make your workday easier, more enjoyable, and a little more delicious
�� Meal Times
Beginning immediately, employee meals will be served at: 11:00 AM 4:15 PM
These consistent times will help our kitchen team plan, prepare, and deliver quality meals you can count on each day. Each meal service will include a fresh green salad, prepared daily.
�� Structured Menu with Variety
We are working toward a regular rotation that includes: 2–3 standard entrée options you can rely on Chef’s Choice feature, bringing creativity and variety into the mix This balance allows us to improve quality, reduce waste, and create a more consistent experience for everyone.
�� New Break Room Snack Station
To complement the meal program, we’ve implemented a Snack Station in the clubhouse breakroom, grounds breakroom and Manor House kitchen. This will include:
Fresh daily bread
Peanut butter & jelly options
Additional rotating snacks
Quick items for late-night shifts or mid-day fuel
This space is designed to support you during your workday whether you need a quick boost before service or something later in the evening
We do ask that snacks be enjoyed at the club during your shift, rather than packed to take home This allows us to maintain fairness, manage costs responsibly, and continue improving the program for everyone.
Good food. Better energy. Stronger team.
Let’s enjoy it together.
OUR GARDEN
From Garden to Table at Commonwealth National
One of the hidden gems at Commonwealth National Golf Club is our beautiful on-site garden, where fresh, seasonal ingredients are grown just steps from our kitchen. Throughout the season, Chef Mike, Steve Humphreys and the culinary team dedicate countless hours to cultivating herbs, peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, mint, and other fresh vegetables that find their way into many of our daily features and special menus. This garden reflects our commitment to quality, sustainability, and providing members and staff with the freshest possible ingredients. Whether its herbs picked that morning for a handcrafted cocktail, peppers fresh from the vine, or vegetables harvested for the evening's specials, our culinary team takes great pride in bringing the flavors of the garden directly to your table.
CLUB SAFETY
At Commonwealth National Golf Club, the safety of our members, guests, and team is always a top priority and that starts with awareness. Throughout the clubhouse and surrounding areas, we have strategically placed AED (Automated External Defibrillator) units to ensure a rapid response in the event of an emergency. We encourage every team member to take a moment to familiarize themselves with the exact locations of these units, as shown in the reference images provided. In a critical situation, knowing where to go—without hesitation—can make all the difference. Preparedness is part of our standard of care, and by staying informed and aware, we reinforce a culture where safety is second nature and everyone plays a role in protecting one another
PLEASE
TEAM PARKING
Note: On rainy days and Monday golf outings, it’s permissible and important to use the paved lot.
