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COMMODORE'S MESSAGE
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My heartfelt congratulations go to the Entertainment Committee, Steward Nina Gompels and our outstanding SYC team for creating such a wonderful SYC and SGC party. I know how much pride, planning, and friendly competition surround this annual event, and this year's celebration truly impressed everyone. Our Savannah Golf Club colleagues shared such kind compliments, and our team represented SYC perfectly making us all very proud. As I mentioned in last month's letter, we will soon host brief information sessions for members about our capital-funding project recommendations. I hope these sessions will give everyone an opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and feel connected to the important decisions ahead. They will take place in mid-September, with dates and registration details coming soon. I am also thrilled to share some wonderful news from our sailing program. Four of our youth sailors traveled to New Jersey in July to compete among 350 sailors in the 2026 Optimist US National Championship-an accomplishment that speaks volumes about their dedication to sailing. Please join me in congratulating Robert Kastick, Elizabeth Savage, Cole Longley, and Millie Longley. A very special shout out goes to Millie, who qualified for the USA Team Trials in 2027. We are equally proud that three of our members-Payton Brown, Shane McCarthy, and Eric Oetgen-along with our Sailing Director, Martin Borallo, have been invited to the 2026 Sunfish World Championship in St. Croix this November. Watch for more information on how to follow and cheer them on. We are very fortunate to have Martin's incredible instruction, Assistant Sailing Director Emily's support, and a Sailing Committee that continues to grow this program with such enthusiasm under Steward David Guiggenheim's guidance. Their work is earning national recognition, and we should all be proud of the program they are building. This next topic is especially close to my heart. Many of you know about the annual Commodore's Charity Cup, a November tennis and pickleball tournament that began in 2022 under Commodore Sheffield's leadership. It was created as a meaningful way for our club to continue giving back after a long-standing fundraising event SYC supported came to an end. Each year, the Commodore selects a charity beneficiary, giving the event a renewed purpose and a fresh opportunity to make a difference. Although the tournament centers on tennis and pickleball, my hope is that our entire membership will feel moved to support this year's charity through sponsorships or donations. This year's beneficiary is the Savannah Speech & Hearing Center, a local nonprofit that provides free public programs, including Sound Start. My bright, energetic, and yes, handsome four-year-old grandson was born in 2022 with profound hearing loss and required bilateral cochlear implants. For our family, it was an unexpected and sometimes frightening journey, and at first we did not know how to navigate this new reality. Sound Start helped my grandson find his voice. While he is still on his journey, he can now yell for his Grandmama ( or for a bomb pop at the pool!) like any other four-year-old-and I cannot begin to describe the joy and gratitude I feel every time I hear that beautiful sound. Without this funding, many children and adults in our region may not have access to the same life-changing support. All proceeds stay local. If you are able to support the Commodore's Charity Cup in any way, it would mean more to me than words can say. Information on how to get involved is in the Burgee. That's it for this month. I hope to see you all around the Club or on the water! Fair winds, Melissa Allen Foster Commodore
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EVENTS
DIVE IN MOVIE DAY
SCAD BEE SHARPS
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER5
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 6PM
Two movies - one awesome day at the pool! 2pm - Zootopia I 6pm - The Sandlot Floats will be provided, and popcorn and treats will be available!
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Get ready to be dazzled by the SCAD Bee Sharps, SCAD's premier student vocal ensemble! Bring the whole family and enjoy an unforgettable performance filled with incredible singing and choreography. Price TBA
SAVE THE DATE SATURDAY, OCTOBER31
LABOR DAY BBQ MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 I nAM-3PM
What's Labor Day Weekend without a BBQ? Head to the Club to get your fill! Featuring: Smoked Beef Brisket, Spareribs, Pulled Pork, Peach & Arugula Salad, Grilled Burgers, Hot Dogs, Marinated Grilled Chicken Breast & more! $37++ Adults I $16++ Kids (Ages5-n)
BBQ COOi< OFF & FALL FESTIVAL
CALLING ALL PITMASTERS!
Think your BBQ deserves the crown? Whether you're a seasoned pitmaster or just getting started behind the grill, this is your chance to fire up the smoker and compete! Click here for the BBQ Registration Form. FALL FESTIVAL Fun for the whole family! Mark your calendars for a day of competition with the BBQ Cook Off, Shopping Spree, face painting, games, and a petting zoo! More to come!
SIGN UP FOR EVENTS ON THE SYC WEBSITE OR CALL (912) 644-4100
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On June 26, John McIntosh, Savannah Yacht Club's 1987 Commodore and Member of 53 years, left Savannah aboard Thin Line, his 1973, 20-foot Seacraft, to take on America's Great Loop. Thirty-one days later, on July 26, he returned to SYC and crossed his wake, completing approximately 4,500 miles through 18 states and 62 locks. America's Great Loop is a roughly 6,000-mile boating route that connects the waterways of the eastern United States and Canada, allowing boaters to circumnavigate the eastern half of thecountry bywater. From Savannah, McIntosh traveled counterclockwise along the Intracoastal Waterway and through the Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, as well as the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. His approach to the Loop was different from most. While many people take a year or more to complete the trip and spend considerable time exploring the towns and cities along the way, McIntosh was primarily interested in the boating. � "Most people do this trip, and the boat part of it is just something that has to happen so they can get from place to place," he said. "It's all about being at the place. I had no interest in the place. I was doing just the boat parts." His days typically started at dawn with a granola bar or a package of cheese and peanut butter crackers before getting underway. His goal was to cover about 200 miles a day, although weather and locks often determined how far he could go. McIntosh typically ran around 30 mph, which he found was the most fuel-efficient speed for his boat. "I tested that theory before I went," he said. Thin Line carried a 60-gallon fuel tank, so he brought along two additional 15-gallon tanks and an electric pump to transfer fuel into the main tank. Locks were another variable. Locks allow boats to move between waterways at different elevations, and some of the 62 McIntosh encountered took as little as 15 minutes, while others took up to six hours. Once he reached the inland rivers south of Chicago, he encountered heavy commercial traffic. "The commercial tows have precedence at locks. So if you got there and the commercial guys were all stacked up, you just had to wait - I did a lot of waiting." The trip was physically demanding as well. "I'm standing when I'm on the water, hitting 15 or 20,000 waves a day, so essentially doing 15,000 mini squats. My legs were Jello a lot of the time;' McIntosh recalled. By the third day, he was exhausted, and his smartwatch's training-readiness score stayed at one for three and a half weeks. He slept aboard the boat 22 of the 31 nights, with only 9 nights spent in motels. Many of his stops for the night were remote, making getting off the boat for a hot meal or finding transportation difficult, so he often relied on what he had brought with him. He carried freeze-dried meals that could be prepared with boiling water, but most days were simpler: granola bars, cheese and crackers. He also lost 16 pounds during the trip. The weather presented another challenge. McIntosh encountered more bad weather than he expected, particularly on Lake Erie, where thunderstorms and heavy rain forced him to change plans. During one major storm, he took shelter behind Canada's southernmost island for about an hour. "I went into Canadian waters twice, once by accident, once on purpose," McIntosh said. While destinations were not his goal, there were plenty of memorable sights along the way. He traveled directly past the Statue of Liberty, went through downtown Chicago on the Chicago River with skyscrapers on both sides, and passed the Gateway Arch in St. Louis from the Mississippi River. He also met friends in the Great Lakes at Mackinac Island. A Great Loop is officially completed by "crossing your wake"-returning to the point where you started. After 31 days, approximately 4,500 miles, 62 locks and 18 states, McIntosh made his way back to Savannah Yacht Club and crossed his wake, welcomed home by a crowd of SYC Members, completing one very long month on the water.
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COURT SPORTS LABOR DAY COURT SPORTS SOCIAL SEPTEMBER 7 I 9AM-11:30AM
Sign up for the last holiday social, a great way to start your day! Fruit, pastry and beverages (Gatorade-beer) will be available. To sign up, email - eric@savannahyachtclub.org or call us at 644-4130. Space is limited, hope to see you on the courts!
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SYC SINGLES CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP OCTOBER 17-18
Tennis Divisions Men's/Women's 3.0, 3.5, & Open Men's 60 & over Pickleball Divisions Men's/Women's 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 Men's 60 & over $30 per entry includes: lunch on Saturday, beverages, balls, and awards. Deadline to sign up: Wednesday, October 14 at 7pm Contact Eric Maust for tennis eric@savannahyachtclub.org or Jarrett Karnibad for pickleball jkarnibad@savannahyachtclub.org
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UPCOMING EVENTS September7 Labor Day Social September10 Savannah Tennis League First Match October17-18 SYC Singles Club Championship November7-8 Commodore's Charity Cup
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SAVANNAH YACHT CLUB
MMODORE CHARITY CUP November 7-8 BENEFITING SAVANNAH
CENTER Join us in bringing members and guests together for two exciting days of tennis and pickle ball-all in support of giving back to the Savannah community. Cost Per Player: $75 Per Day, $150 Per Team To sign up, scan the QR Code below.
Saturday 9am - Men's/Women's Doubles Tennis Divisions: 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 Pickleball Divisions: 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, Open
Sunday9am - Mixed Doubles Tennis Divisions: 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 Pickleball Divisions: 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, Open II\ II �
SYC PLAYER REGISTRATION
LOOK ING TO SPON SOR?
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MAKEA DONATION
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HOURS OF OPERATION Q1JARTERDECK • MONDAY-TUESDAY CLOSED • WEDNESDAY LUNCH 11:3oam-3:3opm • DINNER 5:3opm-9pm BAR 11:3oam-10pm (last call at 10pm) THURSDAY LUNCH 11:3oam-3:3opm • DINNER 5pm-9pm BAR 11:3oam-10pm (last call at 10pm) FRIDAY-SATURDAY LUNCH 11:3oam-3:3opm • DINNER 5pm-9pm BAR 11:3oam-10pm (last call at 10pm) SUNDAY BRUNCH 10am-3pm • DINNER 5pm-8pm BAR 10am-9pm (last call at 9pm) ------♦------
SUNSET BAR & GRILL MONDAY-THURSDAY CLOSED FRIDAY-SATURDAY GRILL: nam-9pm BAR: nam-1opm (last call at 10pm) SUNDAY GRILL: nam-8pm I BAR: 11am-9pm (last call at 9pm) I
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COMMODORE SHOP MONDAY-9am-5pm TUESDAY - THURSDAY-9am - 7pm FRIDAY - SATURDAY-9am - 5pm SUNDAY-1pm - 5pm
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DOCK HOURS MONDAY-WEDNESDAY: 8am-6pm THURSDAY: 8am-7pm FRIDAY-SUNDAY: 7am-8pm