Springfield Golf & Country Club
the
SPRINGFIELD STORY
July 2026
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
GRASS COURT PROWESS
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
3-DAY RECAP
2026 Board of Directors
2026 Committees
Bob Sampson President bsampson71@gmail.com Tom Stribling Vice President tjstribling@gmail.com
Audit Dave Nachison dnachison@yahoo.com
Handicap Jordan Weinstein ideaguard@gmail.com
Communications Katie Kissal katiekissal@gmail.com
House Joe English jenglish@bsbllc.com
Facilities& Maintenance Court Bateman courtney@bateman.law
John Astorino Secretary john.astorino@longandfoster.com
Finance Dan McCarthy danm5691@gmail.com
Dan McCarthy Treasurer danm5691@gmail.com
Fitness & Pool Gayle Burgoyne gayleburgoyne@aol.com
Joe English jenglish@bsbllc.com David Kelly davidnkelly@verizon.net
Golf Harrison Smith hharrisonsmith@gmail.com
Charles Rolen rolencw@gmail.com
Membership Charles Rolen rolencw@gmail.com Johnny Garstka johnnygarstka2024@gmail.com Racquets Brandon Streicher brandon.streicher@gmail.com Strategic Planning John Astorino john.astorino@longandfoster.com
Golf Rules Bruce Nordstrom bnorthstream@yahoo.com
Harrison Smith hharrisonsmith@gmail.com
Greens Tom Stribling tjstribling@gmail.com
Brandon Streicher brandon.streicher@gmail.com
Club Connections
Find Us On sgcc_springfieldcountryclub
Main Office
| 703.451.8600
Dining Reservations | 703.712.8510
Accounting
| 703.451.8602
Fitness Desk
| 703.451.1485
Golf Pro Shop
| 703.451.8338
Pool Office
| 703.866.0045
Racquets Pro Shop | 703.451.8988
John Palladino jape199@aol.com
Golf Course Superintendent | 703.451.6619
sgcc_racquets sgccvagolfshop sgcc_weddings
www.sgccva.org
Letter from the
President My Fellow Members,
It’s hard to believe it is July already! Summer is flying by, but there is still so much more fun to be had at SGCC this season. I would like to congratulate and commend the efforts of the Golf, Greens, and Food & Beverage teams on another excellent 3-Day Member/Guest Tournament. This muchanticipated event is a massive undertaking that requires months of planning and coordination. Even with unpredictable weather in the mix, our incredible Staff pulled off three days of fantastic golf, delicious food, and fabulous entertainment all tying into this year’s theme: America 250. Our annual Independence Day Picnic and Fireworks is another beloved Club tradition which brings together the whole family for an evening of laughter, friendship, and wonder. This year’s celebration was extra special as we raised a resounding cheers to 250 years of freedom and liberty. It was a wonderful time to gather with one another and enjoy carnival rides, classic picnic fare, live music, and a stunning fireworks display.
Summer is truly magical at SGCC. The longer days mean more hours to spend with one another, whether it is at the pool, enjoying a meal on the patio, catching up over a round of golf, playing a match on the courts, or hanging out at the gym. It is wonderful to see so many faces and families enjoying their membership and making memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you for being part of our community and for making Springfield a special place to belong. I look forward to seeing you around the Club.
Sincerely Bob Sampson Board President
If you’ve been around the Club during the day, you’ve seen groups of summer campers enjoying themselves. These camps are an incredibly special experience, establishing friendships, creating community, and letting children immerse themselves in the Club while trying new things and honing skills they already possess. It has been wonderful to watch our camp programs grow over the years! Camps are another undertaking which require significant planning, coordination, and cooperation between our Staff across all departments. I’m incredibly thankful to them for putting these together and to all children who attend and make the programs come alive.
July 2026 | 3
Coach’s Corner BY BRANDEN BEETS | DIRECTOR OF RACQUET SPORTS
from an idea to a In the spring of 2022, the Springfield Grass Court Tennis Exhibition was nothing more than an idea. The inspiration came from a friend in the racquets industry in Florida whose club built a grass tennis court once each year for members to experience. Having played on grass only once myself, I was fascinated by how different it felt from hard or clay courts. The surface was unpredictable, the ball stayed low, and every point felt unique. I thought, “Why not bring that experience to Virginia?” At the time, nothing like it existed in the DMV. Just 30 days into my tenure at Springfield, I pitched the idea. The challenge was obvious: golfers generally do not like giving
4 | July 2026
up access to their driving range, and transforming part of the golf operation into a tennis venue seemed like a long shot. The proposal was initially met with skepticism, but I believed the combination of Wimbledon, the most historic venue in tennis, and a one-of-a-kind member experience was worth pursuing. The first year involved plenty of uncertainty. We did not know how the ball would bounce. We experimented with mowing heights and rollers. We searched for portable net systems and came up empty. After contacting dozens of clubs and industry friends, we finally located an old net system at a racquet club several miles away. A rented U-Haul, a lot of determination, and a few sandbags later, we had a court. What I remember most, however, was not the tennis. It was
springfield tradition seeing every department come together to make it happen. Grounds, Golf, Food & Beverage, and Racquets all worked toward a common goal. Once the court was built and Members began arriving, I realized we had created something much bigger than an exhibition match. We had created a Springfield tradition. Today, that tradition enters its fifth season. What began with roughly 100 spectators has grown into one of the most anticipated events of the summer, attracting more than 200 Members and guests. On Sunday, July 12, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, eight professionals will showcase men’s doubles and mixed doubles exhibitions featuring elite shot-making, athleticism, strategy, and a little showmanship. We have also
added a One Point Tournament, giving Members of all ages the chance to compete and be part of the action. Perhaps the greatest compliment is that other clubs throughout the region have begun adopting similar events. While imitation is flattering, Springfield will always be the place where this idea first took root. Whether you are a tennis enthusiast or simply looking for a unique evening of entertainment with family and friends, I encourage you to join us. The grass court only exists for one day each year, and that is exactly what makes it special.
July 2026 | 5
Turf Talk
BY SHAWN GILL | GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT
As I began gathering my thoughts about what to write for this installment of “Turf Talk,” the longest tenured employee (Dick Purple, with 44 years here at SGCC) on the Greens Team happened by my office. He loves to contemplate and often research the meaning and origin of words and phrases that we find ourselves using frequently without truly understanding them. This time, he casually mentioned my title, “Superintendent,” and remarked how “Super Intentional” we are as leaders and caretakers of the course. The ensuing conversation really got me thinking. Interestingly (or maybe not), the word superintendent comes from the Medieval Latin superintendens, meaning “one who oversees or has charge of.” You’d think someone who has had the title bestowed for 30 years would have known this already, but I am not someone who gets overly caught up in titles. You can call me “head grass grower” for all I care! I do think the definition is fitting for what I do, simple and to the point. Now back the “super intentional” aspect of my job. This may be an even more accurate and definitely a more important attribute
Can certainly generate some spin hitting off these fairways!
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of a good Superintendent. I often tell people that everything we do is for a specific and well thought out reason. Mowing schedules, watering frequency and amounts, topdressing rates, greens mowing heights, and bunker grooming, just to name a few, are all planned with the intention of keeping the turf healthy and providing the best and most consistent playing conditions possible now and throughout the year. Many times we have to make spur-of-the-moment decisions and changes to our plans because we are at the mercy of the weather, golf schedules, and time resources. Even then, we must take a moment to consider all of the repercussions that actions will have, both in the immediate future and long term. Does a chemical application need to dry on the plant or be watered in the morning after we’ve had a rain storm or if rain is expected after the spray? Questions like these come up on a nearly daily basis. As a matter of fact, I had to spray a plant protectant application the day prior to the Member/Guest Thursday practice round that had to be watered into the soil overnight. We had received some rain the day before, and the last thing I wanted to do was soften things up prior to the big
event. However, a predatory insect was at a stage where it needed to be controlled and applying a pesticide a little early or late could have detrimental effects. I performed the spray and based on my knowledge and experience, ran just enough water to move the chemical to where the insects were located, without irrigating more than absolutely necessary. The greens were a bit softer than I would have preferred, but a potential problem was eliminated and the course still played well. Occasionally, we have to intentionally compromise. The next term that jumped into my head during the conversation with Mr. Purple was “Super Intense.” This is most definitely a term which describes me and most of my Superintendent brethren. Those of us who have survived this career path for a long time tend to be quite driven. We have learned to project calmness when inside we are completely turbulent because we are working within conditions that we have no control over. Some of us have even developed the ability to take things a bit less seriously, but only after bouts of frustration that caused wrenches to fly uncontrollably across the shop. We demand near perfection from ourselves and our teams because we love seeing the results when we get it right and being able to say to the crew, “You should all be incredibly proud of what you have achieved here.” Superintendents may also be considered “Super Insane.” Who in their right mind would cut grass so short, in the middle of a Mid-Atlantic summer, that a change in cutting height of only 1/100th of an inch would represent a 10% difference and
Lovely tree pruning by longest tenured Greens employee, Dick Purple.
possibly the death of the green if mowed when it is a little softer than anticipated? We crazily get out there before first light to walk on, feel, measure the temperature, and check the moisture content of the greens before sending out the mowers. In the 38 years I have been at this, I have seen some very bad things happen because a piece of equipment was not functioning perfectly or conditions were not quite what I thought they were. Is it not completely nuts to put yourself through that on a daily basis? Maybe, but I’ll tell you this: there is nothing like the feeling of looking at the course at the end of one of those crazy hot and humid summer days and seeing it still looks perfect. You smile, knowing it is due to the Intense, Intentional, and Crazy effort you and your crew have invested. I know the course technically belongs to the Membership, but I can’t help but feel like it is mine too. As the “one who oversees or has charge of” the course, you will never find someone who cares more than I do about being a good steward of it. Okay, enough of that. So, how is the course fairing and what can you expect this summer? Well, here we are once again, having entered into the “No Man’s Land” of golf course maintenance. For the next 60+ days it is all about keeping what we’ve got. In earlier installments, I said we were in a great position going into the stressful time of the season. Looking at the present course conditions, this thought still holds true. I thought we had a pretty good showing during Member/Guest and while water was getting scarce, a timely rain did two great things. It filled up the irrigation pond and has moistened and lowered the temperature of the soil just as we
New tee on Hole #15 just about ready to open to play!
image courtesy of July area2farms.com 2026 | 7
are about to head into a dangerously hot spell. Although 104 degrees is just plain HOT, we are in about the best position I can think of to get through it relatively unscathed. Of course, by the time you read this, you’ll be able to judge for yourself how correct I am. With the heart of summer arriving, there will be times when we need to restrict carts to paths. There will also be days, and even series of days, we don’t perform any maintenance to greens so they can rest during the worst conditions and live to shine another day. I have learned that sometimes we must put up with less than perfectly groomed surfaces for a short period so that we can maintain as close to perfection as possible during the rest of the time. We will use the Mondays that you have so generously given us to complete crucial tasks, such as venting greens and solid tine aeration of fairways, with the plan of providing superior conditions for you the other six days of the week.
Crew hard at work at Zero-Dark-Thirty to prepare for 3-Day!
In closing, here’s to hoping we continue to get the timely rains that we’ve been fortunate to receive somewhat regularly this year and short bursts of intense heat rather than any prolonged yucky weather patterns. I want to stay mad for the entire year, if possible!! That is, angry that the course is in great shape and I am not out playing it.
Turning the Driving Range into a Grass Tennis Court is a team effort! 8 | July 2026
Membership
Corner BY SHELLY GOOREVICH
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR Jason, Ashley, Logan, and Aubrey Houghton Jason and Ashley Houghton have been married for eight years and have lived in West Springfield since 2020. After close to a decade in the Navy, Jason now works in government consulting. Ashley is an acquisition manager for the Navy. Their son, Logan (6), just finished kindergarten at Cardinal Forest Elementary and enjoys playing soccer and football. Aubrey (3) loves to dance and is excited to join her big brother at school one day soon. They both love to swim and can be found at the pool any chance they get! The Houghtons are excited to join SGCC and look forward to making many new friends and memories. Andy and Jaclyn Newton met and got married while they were both working in DC on Capitol Hill. Last fall, they departed the city in search of suburbs and strip malls. They, along with William (3) and Darcy (5 months), now live in South Run. Jaclyn stays at home with the kids while Andy works in government relations for Auburn University, his alma mater. They are active at their church and in indulging William’s endless capacity for his favorite pastime: “play.” Andy is originally from Alabama, and Jaclyn grew up in Fort Worth, TX. Andy is the golfer in the family; Jaclyn is joining for the dining; William loves a good pool; and Darcy stays happy wherever she goes. Doug Roach grew up in Springfield and has been connected to the Club since 4th grade. Some of his best childhood memories were made here. Doug attended Clemson University, where he earned his B.S. in Management in 2023 and his MBA in Entrepreneurship in 2024. During his time at Clemson, he stayed involved with the alumni community and currently serves on the Baltimore-Washington Clemson Young Alumni Board. Doug works for Amazon Web Services as the Partner Account Manager for Leidos and Booz Allen Hamilton. SGCC has always been a place where his family gathered, relaxed, and created traditions, and now returning as an adult member, Doug is excited to continue the family tradition, enjoy our facilities, reconnect with the community, and create new memories— especially on the course with his family.
Andy, Jaclyn, William, and Darcy Newton
Douglas Roach July 2026 | 9
Words of Wellness BY JACKIE O’SHEA | FITNESS COORDINATOR
Every accomplishment begins long before the finish line. It starts in a quiet moment when you ask yourself a simple question: “Can I do this?” For many of us, that question is almost immediately followed by doubt. What if I’m not ready? What if I can’t keep up? What if I fail? The beautiful thing about fitness is no one begins at the finish line. Every swimmer who glides effortlessly through the water once struggled through a first lap. Every runner who confidently completed a race once wondered if they could make it around the block. Every strong cyclist began with a single ride. This summer, we invite you to discover that strength through two exciting opportunities designed to help you move, grow, and challenge yourself. These events aren’t about competing against the person next to you. They’re about discovering what you’re capable of when you commit to yourself. Our Log Your Laps Challenge is the perfect place to begin. Throughout the month of July, you’ll track the number of laps you complete in the pool. It isn’t about racing the person in the next lane or finishing with the highest total. It’s about showing up consistently and watching your progress unfold one lap at a time. Before long, you’ll notice that the laps that once felt difficult begin to feel routine. At the end of the summer, you’ll have the opportunity to compete in our Mini Triathlon Challenge. Participants will complete six laps in the pool (300 meters), bike five miles, and finish with a 1.5-mile run on a 1% incline. At first glance, that may sound intimidating. But remember: no one prepares for a challenge like this in a single day. You prepare one workout at a time, one lap at a time, and one decision at a time. There will be days when you feel energized and motivated, and there will be days when simply getting to the gym feels like the challenge itself. Those are the moments that shape us. Progress isn’t built through one perfect workout. It’s built by choosing to come back again and again.
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Before you begin any challenge, remember that every successful workout starts before the workout itself. Think of your warm-up as a conversation with your body. It’s your way of saying, “We’re about to do something great together.” A few minutes of dynamic movement wakes up your muscles, lubricates your joints, increases blood flow, and prepares your body to move safely and efficiently. Arm circles, leg swings, bodyweight squats, walking lunges, and gentle torso twists may seem simple, but they create the foundation for everything that follows. When your workout is over, don’t rush into the next part of your day. Cooling down gives your body the opportunity to recover. A slow walk, easy cycling, and gentle stretching help reduce muscle tightness, improve flexibility, and prepare you for tomorrow’s workout. Recovery isn’t a reward for working hard, it’s an essential part of becoming stronger. Celebrate the small victories along the way. Swim one more lap than you did last week. Add five minutes to your bike ride. Walk a little farther than you thought you could. Those accomplishments may seem small in the moment, but over time they become the foundation of something much greater. Every early morning workout. Every lap logged in the pool. Every warm-up. Every stretch. Every mile. Every moment you chose to believe you were capable of more. That’s what this summer is really about. Not simply completing two fitness challenges, but discovering what happens when you commit to yourself. The finish line isn’t where your journey ends, it’s where you get to look back and see just how far you’ve come. So, take the first step. Dive into the pool. Clip into the bike. Lace up your shoes. Challenge yourself this summer, and let every workout remind you that you’re capable of more than you ever imagined.
July 2026 | 11
MONDAY
July 2026
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
1
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July Lap Challenge Begins
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
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Holiday Hours
Holiday Hours
SUNDAY 5
Independence Day Picnic
Float & Float 6:00–9:00PM
5:00 PM
Red, White, & Rally Tennis Live Ball 6:30–8:00 PM
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Shark Night 6:00–9:00 PM
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Swim Meet–Pool Opens Late
5th Annual Grass Court Exhibition 4:30–8:00 PM
Golf Junior Club Championship
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President’s Cup
President’s Cup
Hold Your Breath! 6:00–9:00 PM
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22 All Member Swim Meet 6:00–9:00 PM
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29
Board of Directors Meeting
Music at the Pool
6:00 PM
6:00–9:00 PM
30
31 Citi Open Adult Bus Trip
Learn More About Our July Events... 1
SGCC JULY FITNESS CHALLENGE: LOG YOUR LAPS
Prizes for those who log the most laps between July 1 and July 21! All laps must be swum at SGCC. To participate, check in with the lifeguard before you swim and record your laps after you swim. We’ll have winners for each age category!
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HOLIDAY HOURS
8
SHARK NIGHT 6:00–9:00 PM
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THE
POOL
6:00–9:00
PM
CITI OPEN BUS TRIP
Join the SGCC Racquets Pros on a Trip to See Many of the World’s Best Players Battle for the DC Title! Includes Transportation To and From the Events, Ticket, and Snacks on the Bus. Registration Required, Space is Limited.
June 17: Summer Kickoff Carnival
AT
THE
POOL
Get in on the excitement of Shark Week with music from Spike Burton and shark-themed games.
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AT
WEDNESDAYS AT THE POOL 31
4
MUSIC
Featuring Evan Ross
SWIM MEET
Pool opens late due to a swim meet. Will open to the Membership at approximately 1:00 PM.
GOLF JUNIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
Join us to celebrate of the beginning of summer with a carnival at the pool (1-5pm) and music featuring David Thong (6-9pm)!
June 24: Mermaids, Pirates and Pancakes Dress up in your favorite pirate and mermaid outfits and enjoy games and a pancake bar! 6-9pm
July 1: Float & Float WEDNESDAYS Bring your own pool float and enjoy ice cream with your friends! AT floats THE POOL 6-9pm June 17: Summer Kickoff Carnival
July 8: Shark Night
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5TH ANNUAL GRASS COURT EXHIBITION 4:30–8:00 PM
Break Out Your Wimbledon Whites! We’re Transforming the Driving Range into a Grass Tennis Court for a Unique Member Experience. With Exhibition Matches from Juniors, Men, and Women; Games; Food; and More, You Don’t Want to Miss this Signature Event! Registration is Required.
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HOLD YOUR BREATH! NIGHT AT THE POOL 6:00–9:00 PM
Mark your calendars and save the date for our undecided event!
ALL-MEMBER SWIM MEET 6:00–9:00 PM
Grab your cap and goggles and join us for an all-member swim meet!
Join us to celebrate of the beginning of summer with a carnival at the pool (1-5pm) and music Join the excitement of Shark Week with music from featuring David Thong (6-9pm)!
Spike Burton and shark-themed games! June 24: Mermaids, 6-9pm Pirates and Pancakes
Dress up in your favorite pirate and mermaid July 15: Hold Your Breath outfits and enjoy games and a pancake bar! 6-9pm
Mark your calendars and save the date July 1: undecided Float & Float for our event! Bring your own pool float and enjoy ice cream
floats with your friends! July 22: All-Member Swim Meet 6-9pm
Grab your cap and and join us in our July 8: goggles Shark Night all-member swim meet! Join the excitement of Shark Week with music from Spike Burton and shark-themed games! 6-9pm
July 29: Music at the Pool Hold Your Breath BringJuly your15: friends to the pool and enjoy music by and Evan Ross! Mark your calendars save the date for our6-9pm undecided event! July 22: All-Member Swim Meet
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PRESIDENT’S
CUP
GOLF
TOURNAMENT
36-hole stroke play. Pairings are made by the Golf Shop; day two is based on day one score. The champion earns #3 seed in the Club Championship.
Grab your cap and goggles and join us in our all-member swim meet!
July 29: Music at the Pool Bring your friends to the pool and enjoy music by Evan Ross! 6-9pm
August 2026
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY 1
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CLUBHOUSE CLOSED MONDAYS 2 FOR $35 TUESDAYS, 5:00–9:00 PM SIGNATURE SHAKE & BURGER SPECIAL WEDNESDAYS HAPPY HOUR THURSDAYS, 5:30-7:30 PM FRIDAY BUFFET, 5:00-9:00 PM BREAKFAST, SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS 7:00-10:00 AM SUNDAY BRUNCH, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
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Mini Triathalon Begins
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Mini Triathalon Ends
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22 Senior Club Championship
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25 Board of Directors Meeting
31 Fall Aerification
6:00 PM
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23 Senior Club Championship
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Golf Pro’s Pointers BY ALESSANDRA MAURTUA, PGA | DIRECTOR OF GOLF
Our 2026 3-Day Member Guest was one for the history books! With this year’s theme celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary (Semiquincentennial), participants enjoyed three unforgettable days filled with outstanding golf, exceptional camaraderie, and memories that will last a lifetime. From the opening practice round to the final putt of the Championship Shootout, the event showcased everything that makes the Springfield Member Guest our most anticipated tradition. The festivities began with a practice round that gave players an opportunity to reconnect with friends, welcome new guests, and prepare for the competition ahead. Throughout the week, participants enjoyed first-class hospitality, including breakfast
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each morning, on-course food stations, and evening social events. Competition officially began Friday morning as teams battled through five round-robin matches within their respective flights. Despite a weather delay that tested everyone’s patience, players embraced the challenge and competition. As exciting as the round-robin matches were, nothing could compare to Saturday afternoon’s Championship Shootout. In a finish worthy of this year’s patriotic theme, the Shootout delivered fireworks rarely seen on Springfield’s golf course.
With 12 teams starting on Hole #10, and impressive nine teams advanced by posting a net par or better, immediately setting the stage for one of the most dramatic finishes in tournament history. One of the defining moments came on Hole #11. Chris Leach and Randy McCray appeared destined for elimination after a penalty stroke left Leach with an almost impossible chip from behind the green to a back hole location—one of Springfield’s most demanding shots. What followed instantly became part of Member Guest lore as Leach holed the chip for a miraculous net par, extending his team’s run and bringing spectators to their feet. The drama continued as the Gerlachs advanced with a steady net par, while Joe English and Joe Humphries matched the brilliance of David Kelly and Will Taliaferro with net birdies of their own.
Hole #17 further narrowed the field, combining spectacular shot-making with heartbreaking near misses before leaving just two teams standing: David Kelly and Will Taliaferro and Joe English and Joe Humphries. Even then, the championship was anything but decided. On the final hole, Kelly and Taliaferro faced a daunting 30-foot putt for five while English and Humphries stood over a fourfoot putt that appeared destined to secure the title. When neither team could close the door, the championship required one final trip down the hole. In the end, David Kelly and Will Taliaferro rose to the occasion, capturing the 2026 Springfield 3-Day Member Guest Championship in unforgettable fashion. Their celebration perfectly summed up the competitive spirit and fun that define this event, punctuated by the now-famous declaration from Mr. Kelly: “ANY QUESTIONS??”
July 2026 | 17
The excitement carried well into Saturday evening as participants and their guests gathered for the closing celebration. The awards dinner was one of the highlights of the week, bringing everyone together to celebrate an incredible three days of golf and friendship. A special appearance by the Washington Nationals’ mascots had everyone smiling and added an extra level of fun to the festivities. As night fell, the celebration concluded with a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the Springfield sky—a fitting finale to an event celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable Member Guest.
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While champions are crowned each year, the true success of the Springfield 3-Day Member Guest lies in the friendships renewed, memories created, and sportsmanship displayed by every participant. On behalf of the Golf Professional Staff, we extend our sincere thanks to all of our Members, guests, the 3-Day Committee, the Golf Course Maintenance Staff, the Food & Beverage Team, and every Club employee whose hard work made this event possible. Thank you to everyone who participated and embraced the spirit of the event. We look forward to welcoming you back next year!
July 2026 | 19
Bridge
Banter BY DON FREDERICK
It’s July, so the rockets are glaring and so is the sun. Had enough of the heat? 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, join the SGCC Friday Evening Bridge Group at one of our upcoming events. Here are the results of our recent sessions: JUNE 5 First: Letty and Ken Silverberg Second: Robin Alapas and Kit Weyers Third: Betsy and Roy Carter
Pool Hours P H A S E T W O: June 17 – July 31* MONDAY & TUESDAY 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sea Lion Café 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM The Pavilion Closed WEDNESDAY 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Sea Lion Café 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM The Pavilion 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM THURSDAY 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sea Lion Café 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM The Pavilion 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM FRIDAY 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Sea Lion Café 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM The Pavilion 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM SATURDAY 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Sea Lion Café 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM The Pavilion 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM SUNDAY 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sea Lion Café 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM The Pavilion 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
JUNE 19 First: Robin Alapas and Kit Weyers Second: Jane and Gerry Gawalt Third: Cindy and Don Frederick 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 at 703.425.9722. Our next scheduled evenings July 17 and August 7.
*The Pool will close at 4:00 PM on Thursday, June 25 for 3 Day Member/Guest. **On Friday, July 3, Food Service will end at 4:00 PM and the Pool will stay open until 10:00 PM. The Pool, Sea Lion Café, and Pavilion will close one hour earlier than normal on Saturday, July 4. Full season hours can be found online.
P H A S E THREE: August 1 – September 6 MONDAY–WEDNESDAY 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sea Lion Café 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM The Pavilion Closed THURSDAY 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sea Lion Café 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM The Pavilion 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM FRIDAY–SUNDAY 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sea Lion Café 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM The Pavilion 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM *Please note, hours and food service will be altered on Labor Day, Monday, September 7 due to the annual Labor Day Picnic at the Pool.
Notes from the
Cutting Board BY TRAVIS SIMMONS | EXECUTIVE CHEF
It’s the middle of the summer and the thermometer is looking at triple digits. Let’s talk soup! Chilled soup to be more specific. When temperatures get to the upper 90s, we like to run tomato gazpacho, vichyssoise, watermelon gazpacho, and other chilled soups. At the beginning of July, watermelons are perfect for making gazpacho. Sweet, slightly savory, and refreshing on a hot summer day, what a great way to start you lunch or dinner! You can find all sorts of opinions and recipes online, but we have a secret ingredient that makes our watermelon gazpacho stand apart from the rest of the pack. This was a secret handed down by Chef Francesco Ughetto. Most of you know how much I enjoy honoring past traditions and this one ingredient I feel adds to the recipe. I also enjoy that it came from one of my predecessors here at Springfield. It’s unique to our club and one of those small touches that makes us who we are as a team and membership. What is this magic ingredient that has been passed down over time you may ask? It’s a touch of Old Bay. It gives our gazpacho a flavor that is familiar, but you can’t quite put your finger on what it is. The Old Bay helps balance the flavors and gives the soup a fun twist. I hope you have enjoyed some of our chilled soups and look forward to more as the season rolls on.
Ingredients •
4 heaping cups cubed seedless watermelon
•
1 tablespoon chopped ginger
•
2 tablespoons honey
•
2 tablespoons chopped mint
•
3 to 4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
•
3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
•
2 teaspoons Old Bay or season to taste
•
1 to 2 teaspoons sea salt, or to taste
•
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
•
½ jalapeño pepper, optional
•
diced avocado, optional
•
micro greens, optional for garnish
Instructions 1.
In a blender, add all ingredients and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings.
2.
Chill for 3 to 4 hours or overnight.
3.
Drizzle with olive oil and garnish with diced avocado and/or micro greens, if desired, before serving.
If you like you gazpacho a little chunky, you can also add fine chopped watermelon at service.
July 2026 | 21
Retirees Recap BY RUSTY ROESCH
We are quickly approaching the halfway point in our 2026 season and the Springfield Retirees are beginning to pull ahead in our division. As of press time, we have played four matches on our home course and five matches away. We maintained our first-place position in our division after nine matches including five wins, three losses on the road, and one tie. July promises to be an unusually busy month as we will host Evergreen Country Club on July 2nd and Belle Haven Country Club on July 9th, then travel to Country Club of Fairfax on July 16th. On July 23rd we travel to Belle Haven Country Club before wrapping up the month at home against Chantilly National Golf and Country Club on July 30th. There are many more matches to come to take us to the finish line in October. May 28th proved to be a great day on the road as SGCC Retirees rolled into Mount Vernon Country Club and won a very important away match 19½ to 16 ½. 3-point winners
22 | July 2026
included Brad Westermann/Mark Morganfield, Rex Simmons/ Johnny Harper, and Robert Wooding/Bob Brien. Eric Walker/ Derrick Smith delivered 2½ points and Steve Thormahlen/Al Kuhns finished with 2 points. Sweeps winners included Brad Westermann/Mark Morganfield in second place (net 65) and Mike Saylor/Jack Mayer in third place with a net 66. Mike Saylor turned in both the lowest gross score (74) and lowest net score (67). Other low gross scorers included Eric Walker (76), Charles Rolen (78), Richard Lion (79), Harry Kline (81), and Matt Jordan (81). Additional low net scores were turned in by Bob Brien (67), Mark Morganfield (69), and Charles Rolen (70). The skies were clear and June 4th turned out to be a great day for golf as well. Despite giving 50 more strokes overall than we were getting, the Springfield Retirees won big on our home course against Country Club of Fairfax 22 to 14. The team
really stepped up and overcame those strokes for an important victory that kept us in first place in our division. 3-point winners included Richard Lion/Walter Burkhardt, Brad Westermann/ Johnny Harper, and Greg Gerlach/Pak Fong. Robert Wooding/ Bob Brien and George Alapas/Albie Lau each delivered 2½ points while Derrick Smith/Steve McArdle delivered 2 points. Springfield also took all four sweeps positions: first place, Greg Gerlach/Pak Fong (net 62); second place, Derrick Smith/Steve McArdle (net 64); third place, Rob Monick/Rusty Roesch (net 65); and fourth place, Richard Lion/Walter Burkhardt (65). Notable gross scores for the day included Richard Lion (75), Mike Saylor (75), and Derrick Smith (77). Outstanding net scores were turned in by Rob Monick (67), Mike Saylor (69), Pak Fong (69), Richard Lion (70), Steve McArdle (70), and Derrick Smith (71). 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.
July 2026 | 23