The Springfield Story, October 2025

Springfield Golf & Country Club

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

Fall is here! October is a full month at Springfield, beginning with the golf Club Championship and concluding with the Family Halloween Festival. Despite mornings getting crisper, leaves changing color, and sunsets arriving earlier and earlier, there are still several more weeks to enjoy our outdoor events and gatherings. Whether you’re taking in music on the patio, joining us for Pickleball Oktoberfest or Halloween Social Live Ball, donning your best costume at the Adult Howl-o-ween Bash, or taking advantage of our quickly growing physical therapy offering, there are so many ways to get involved and make memories at SGCC. In addition to our social and sport programming, October is also when we host our Board Election and Annual Meeting of the Members.

This time of year, I’m reminded of what makes Springfield so special. Service is a core virtue of our Club, and there are many ways to give back to the community that means so much to each of us. From serving on the Board, in Committees, or leading our numerous associations and groups to participating in Club social life and providing feedback on your Member experience, no contribution is too small or insignificant. I would like to especially thank those Members who currently serve on the Board and lead Committees, as well as those who have made the decision to run for the Board. Your dedication to SGCC is seen, valued, and sincerely appreciated.

We each nurture the spirit of Springfield in our own unique way by showing up, engaging those around us, and being ourselves. We all have the same goal—to make Springfield the best it can be. Thank you to every one of you for being part of this incredible community. We each bring our time, talents, and gifts to give and share, cultivating the Club culture we collectively celebrate. I look forward to honoring the successes of the past year and looking ahead at the exciting future that is to come at the Annual Meeting on Tuesday, October 28 at 7:00 PM in the Ballroom. Please mark your calendars and plan on joining myself, the Board, and our Staff. 

ANNUAL

MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Tuesday, October 28 7:00 PM

2025 Board Election Updates & Timeline

Each year we hold an election to fill three vacancies on the Board of Directors. The 2025 Nominating Committee is pleased to put forth a slate of four candidates to fill the three upcoming vacancies on the Board of Directors: Joe English, John French, Charles Rolen, and Brandon Streicher

We encourage all Members to take the opportunity to meet the candidates. Voting Members especially should take the time to read each candidate’s biography as well.

If you are an Active golf Member interested in running for the Board of Directors, you may still do so by filing a petition. Petition candidates must be Members with voting rights, and must obtain signatures of support from forty (40) other voting Members. Forms for petition candidacy can be found on the Governance page of the website or picked up in the front office. They must be returned for verification no later than Monday, October 13, 2025. All petition candidates must also submit a biography and a photo of themselves to Emily Kauffman at

emily@sgccva.org by Monday, October 13, 2025.

The Board Election will be conducted digitally by a third-party vendor, EzVote. Voting will open at 7:00 AM on October 18 and will close at 7:00 PM on October 28. All voting Members will receive instructions and personalized ballot links via email.

Members experiencing trouble casting their vote should contact Emily Kauffman at emily@sgccva.org for assistance. Additionally, those wishing to cast their ballot at the Club on the day of the Annual Meeting may do so; there will be an electronic voting station available in the lobby from 5:00 PM on Tuesday, October 28 until the voting window closes at 7:00 PM.

Voting results will be visible to the Judges of Election once the voting period ends, and will be announced at the Annual Meeting. An email containing the results will be sent to the entire Membership. 

Meet the Candidates

JOE ENGLISH , his wife, Lisa, and their three children joined Springfield Golf and Country Club in 2002. Having grown up in a country club environment, Joe knew he wanted to provide the same experience for his family. “As a graduate of Robinson High School, I have many classmates who are members of other clubs,” says Joe. “I considered other clubs to join, but I have never looked back with anything but pride on my decisions to join SGCC.” The English family has enjoyed all aspects of Membership over the last 20+ years. They regularly play golf, enjoy the pool, and dine as a family.

In addition to being an active user of the Club, Joe has been involved with SGCC’s governance structure since joining the Finance Committee approximately ten years ago. He also served on the Audit Committee for many years and is currently on the Board of Directors and running for re-election. “I’ve seen both the highs and lows of our club financial conditions and I am committed to maintaining our current strong financial

standing and am looking forward executing our strategic plans to make SGCC one of the best country clubs in our area,” says Joe. “I’m proud of the governance we’ve brought to our Club and I’m looking for your support to allow me to continue to serve you as a Board Member.”

Professionally, Joe has almost 30 years of experience as a Certified Public Accountant. He is a partner with PBAMares, LLP, one of the largest CPA firms in Virginia. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Freedom Bank of Virginia where his is the Chairman of the Risk and Audit Committee.

JOHN FRENCH and his wife, Nancy, joined Springfield Golf and Country Club in 2022 after the Club was recommended to them by former Member Carmel King. “We relocated from New Hampshire after the birth of our grandson, and our experience with SGCC has been fantastic from day one,” says John. “I love the camaraderie of the Membership. SGCC has given us the opportunity to make new friends and settle into the community. It’s a special place.”

The Frenches joined as full Active Members so they can enjoy all the Club has to offer. The couple love dinners in the Grill Room and mingling with fellow Members on the Patio. They frequent the Fitness Center, taking advantage of the new state-of-art equipment as well as workouts with Reggie and massages from Angelica.

“One of the things that sets Springfield apart is the size,” says John. “We’re big enough to have an excellent golf course and tennis facilities while maintaining a small-club, familyfriendly atmosphere.”

During the summer months, the Frenches spend the days by the pool with their young grandson: “Our grandson takes swim lessons at the Club and loves the summer camps. He is very active with the Future 36ers golf program and has shown an interest in tennis, too.”

John and Nancy are also golfers, thoroughly enjoying the golf course and participating in golf programming such as the Golf Academy and the annual Member/Guest Tournament. John says golf is another wonderful way to meet Members and helped him get more involved in the Club: “It was while I was playing golf that I met some very active Members who afforded me the opportunity to become involved in the Finance and Strategic Planning Committees.”

putting aside personal agendas,” says John. “Over the past 65 years, previous Boards have worked hard to get us where we are today. I would be honored to be part of that tradition and to help ensure SGCC thrives for current Members, our children, and our children’s children.”

John believes an effective Board member is one who is actively involved in all major decisions affecting the success of the Club and who always tries to make the right decision even if it is not the popular one. “It is important to understand both Member interests and Club governance—Board members represent and answer to the Membership at large,” says John. “Other than confidential information, the Board should always be open and available to the Membership. If elected, I would be an active Board member with a strong desire to listen and distill all information into a reasonable recommendation. I would take great pride in serving the Membership and Staff of our very special Club.”

In addition to his professional background, John is confident his experience with SGCC’s finances will serve him well. He has served on the Finance Committee since 2023 and served on the Strategic Planning Committee in 2023 and 2024. “Any business, including SGCC, has to have future goals and establish plans to monitor and achieve those goals,” says John. “After several years of noninvestment due to previous financial conditions, the Club has a lot of catching up to do. However, with a growing Membership, strong balance sheet, and superior Management and Staff, I believe our Club is at a pivotal point where we can take Member services and experiences to a higher level and figure out who we want to be.”

As the founder and owner of a media advisory firm specializing in mentoring CEOs and Executive Management in both topand bottom-line growth, John believes he can use his expertise to help ensure the continued success of the Club. “Having been on several Boards in my business career—as well as serving as Special Advisor to the President at my former golf club—I recognize the importance of fiscal health and vitality. All Board members have a fiduciary responsibility to make decisions that will contribute to the future of the Club while

CHARLES ROLEN his wife, Ellen, and their now-adult children, Joseph and Elizabeth, joined Springfield Golf and Country Club in the summer of 2017. Charles is a Washington DC native, and he and Ellen currently live in Annandale. In fact, the first time Charles played the SGCC golf course was in 1977 as a member of the Thomas Jefferson High School golf team!

The Rolens joined as full Active Members and immediately began enjoying SGCC’s diverse offerings and amenities. Charles is a regular fixture on the golf course as both a member of the Springfield Retirees and Senior B teams and as a Rules official. “The Club has become a central part of our everyday life,” says Charles. “After working as Rules official for numerous tournaments at SGCC, I quickly realized the Club was the perfect post-retirement plan.” Beyond the golf course, Ellen is an active and dedicated participant in the Club’s summer Aqua Fit program, and the couple enjoys using the Fitness Center and playing bridge with their fellow Members.

“As I golfer, I enjoy all the tournaments— the President’s Cup, Senior Club Championship, Club Championship—as well as informal friendly games,” says Charles. “Socially, we especially enjoy Trivia Night and hope to actually win it one of these times after several secondplace finishes. Another of our favorite events is Halloween with all its family activities; we love seeing how creative both Members and Staff can be.”

Even though their children are grown, the Club’s family-oriented environment is one of Charles’ favorite things about SGCC: “We are not a resort club or a corporate business club. We are situated in the middle of neighborhoods and our Membership reflects that. As a retiree, it brings joy to my heart to see all the family activities and young families enjoying the Club.”

schedule and recently added in-house physical therapy. “We are blessed to have a championship quality golf course as well as top-notch Staff across all departments,” says Charles.

His extensive experience and expertise in the world of golf, both as a player and as an expert level USGA Golf Rules Official, gives Charles insight into what works and what does not work for golf organizations and clubs. “Family first is clearly a difference maker between us and other clubs throughout the Mid-Atlantic area,” he says.

Charles currently serves as a Board member for the VSGA’s Competition Committee, and supports the MAPGA, VSGA, and USGA as a Rules official. He routinely officiates USGA events, US Open Qualifiers, State High School Championships, VA Open and Amateur Championships, as well as VA Women’s Championships. He also hosts Golf Rules Workshops for country clubs, including Farmington, Mt. Vernon, Dominion Valley, Westwood, and, of course, Springfield. Charles’ first published Rules article can be found in the November/December 2024 issue of Virginia Golfer Magazine—a must-read for all SGCC golfers.

Charles also has 35 years of federal government experience and ten years of private sector Senior Advisory experience which he is confident will serve him well in a second term on the SGCC Board of Directors. He joined the Defense Intelligence Agency in 1986 as an Intelligence Officer and held increasingly responsible leadership positions focused on military operational support including budgetary and oversight responsibility for all geographic related technology and analysis. Throughout his career, he had extensive training in project management, intelligence analysis, senior decision making, and leadership. While he is mostly retired, Charles still sits on the Defense Intelligence Executive Board for a major government contractor.

Charles sees the future of SGCC in the Club’s strong, familyfocused environment and ongoing upgrades to facilities and programming. He considers the golf course and the SGCC Staff to be the Club’s greatest assets while calling attention to the Fitness Center as an underrated amenity which he believes has shown tremendous development over the last few years. The Rolens value the Fitness Center highly, praising both the Staff and the department’s ever-growing offerings from upgraded and enhanced equipment to the robust class

Charles has served on the SGCC Board of Directors since January 2023. He is also currently the Co-Chair of both the Membership and Golf Rules Committees, and regularly attends Greens, Golf, Strategic Planning, and Fitness Committee meetings. He worked with the Search Committee and helped coordinate efforts with the executive search firm when SGCC was seeking a new General Manager.

“Re-election would allow me to bring my extensive management and leadership skills to support growing and improving the daily Club experience,” says Charles. “During my first term, I pushed for improved strategic planning and a clearer path forward for SGCC. While the current Board has accomplished a great deal under very trying circumstances, there is still much that can be done to enhance the Membership experience for all

SGCC Members. My goals would be to maintain Membership numbers and modernize our country club experience for all Member classes while continuing the fiscal responsibilities of past Boards. I believe the SGCC Board should be focused on leadership, governance, and maintaining sound financial goals. Thank you for your consideration; I respectfully ask for your vote of confidence.”

BRANDON STREICHER joined Springfield Golf and Country Club in 2019 as a Young Professional Member but aged into a full Active golf Membership last summer. He was raised in a suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin before relocating to Northern Virginia 15 years ago. He grew up playing golf and baseball, and fondly recalls his time working on the Washington Nationals Grounds Crew. In his free time, Brandon enjoys running, writing and recording music, and visiting local wineries.

Since becoming a Member, Brandon has enjoyed the variety of amenities and programming SGCC has to offer, making regular use of both the fitness center and pool as well as the golf course. “I started playing in the Tuesday night golf league and on the interclub B-team several years ago and built connections that have turned into lasting friendships,” says Brandon. It is those connections and friendships that make Springfield so special to him.

“The Membership at Springfield is amazing,” he says. “I have been fortunate to grow and develop close relationships, and my fellow Members have truly become a second family. This is my second home; I can walk in—at any time, on any day—and feel comfort in knowing this is my safe space and I will always be around people who support me and make me feel at home.”

For Brandon, the social aspect of the Club and the ability to form meaningful relationships is the most important part of belonging to SGCC. He is a frequent participant in Club social life, attending events like the Independence Day Picnic and the annual Holiday Open House, and most recently joining SGCC’s Wine Society. “I have spent a lot of time at other clubs both locally and around the country, and while I may be biased, Springfield is special,” says Brandon. “I find our club to be more social than other clubs. Our management team has worked diligently to bring the best team together to provide top-quality service to our Members.”

“Our Membership is our lifeline,” says Brandon. “All of us contribute to the Club in some fashion, making it truly one-ofa-kind. I would like to see SGCC maintain a full membership with fiscal responsibility while continuing to invest in future projects such as updates to practice facilities, the kitchen, and other clubhouse necessities.”

Brandon believes that being both comfortable with and receptive to evolving Member needs while also identifying market demands is crucial. He adds that the 2023 Member Satisfaction Survey is an especially important tool for navigating the Club’s future: “If elected, my hope is to listen to and identify our Members’ concerns and ideas, advocate for the Membership, and be a steward of ongoing improvements in and around the Club.”

Communication plays a central role in Brandon’s vision for SGCC’s continued success, and he points to the importance of The Springfield Story, social media, and the weekly emails for sharing timely happenings, announcements, vital information, and Club events: “Maximizing these tools moving forward will only help Members feel more connected to our community.”

Brandon is no stranger to serving his community. His father is a retired police officer and his mother is retired EMT; Brandon himself is a 15-year veteran with the Washington DC Fire Department and a newly promoted Captain serving as a liaison for the metro transit system. “My career and life experiences have given me leadership skills, a strong dedication, and the ability to build a sense of community,” he says. “A Board member should always be approachable and receptive to the concerns of Members. These are traits I’ve been fortunate to develop over the years working in extreme environments.”

Brandon’s involvement in the Club’s governance structure began with the Food & Beverage Committee on which he served as Chair from 2020–2023. He also recently joined the Greens Committee. His participation in these committees has given him valuable and critical insight into the Club’s internal processes.

“Springfield is a special place with a Memberships spanning all walk of life,” adds Brandon. “The Club has provided me with lifelong friendships and continual personal growth. I am running for the Board because I hope to do my part to make Springfield the ultimate place to be.” 

Coach's Corner: Introducing Pickleball Oktoberfest

BY BRANDEN BEETS | DIRECTOR OF RACQUET SPORTS

The country club lifestyle is why we’re all here. It’s about more than just access to top-notch amenities. It’s about friendship, connection, and enjoying a culture of community in an elevated way. Our Club is a place where Members who share a passion for fitness, dining, social events, golf, and racquet sports come together to create something special.

One of the most rewarding parts of being a Member is sharing these experiences with friends. Member/guest events are among the most anticipated on our calendar. They highlight everything that makes country clubs unique—spirited competition, warm hospitality, and memories made both on and off the courts and course.

At SGCC, we host popular fall and spring golf member/guest tournaments, and just three years ago, we added our Women’s Tennis Member/Guest to the racquets calendar. Last year, we launched our first Men’s Pickleball Member/Guest—and it was an instant hit.

The inaugural pickleball event had it all: Members and their guests enjoyed appetizers, dinner, and drinks, all included. Matches were competitive and fun. Off the courts, we had ping pong, cornhole, college football on the big screen, and even a beer pong tournament. A live guitarist set the tone, and a Buffalo Trail rep guided us through a bourbon tasting experience.

After seeing how much everyone enjoyed it, we knew we had to take it to the next level.

This year’s event promises to be even bigger, even better, and open to everyone. Whether you're a competitive player or someone who just enjoys the social side of the game, Pickleball Oktoberfest is for you. Men and women are both encouraged to participate. Members can play with fellow Members or invite a guest to join the fun.

We’re bringing back many of last year’s favorite features, including the bourbon tasting, while adding new elements like a cider tasting to make things even more fun and festive. Popup shops will offer a fun and unique shopping experience, and we’ll have multiple divisions of play to accommodate all skill levels.

Being part of a club means more than having access to courts and courses. It means having access to experiences that bring people together. Pickleball Oktoberfest is the perfect reminder that our Club isn’t just a place to play—it’s a place to belong. 

Concierge Physical Therapy Takes Off at SGCC

Improvement is a journey, not a destination. At SGCC, we embrace the idea that we can always do better and constantly seek ways to push ourselves forward. Over the last year or so, we’ve worked to bring the Membership a more holistic approach to health and wellness by offering new events, such as Sound Baths and Reiki, and bringing in guest speakers to address everything from menopause to how to respond to medical emergencies.

Our Membership is a vibrant collection people of all ages and abilities, each experiencing our community in their own way and bringing their own set of physical histories to the table. Whether your shoulder is bothering you from overdoing it working on your serve or you are recovering from hip surgery and eager to get back to your regular routine, you are Springfield and we want to help you.

Last month, we launched a partnership with Concierge Physical Therapists (CPT), a mobile physical therapy company with a stellar reputation that has been serving clients in private clubs for over 15 years. CPT specializes in sportsrelated and orthopedic physical therapy services, as well as post-op, preventative, and maintenance care. They work with Members on-site at the Club in personalized sessions tailored to your needs, adding even more value to your club experience. Our personal trainers and massage therapists are excited to collaborate with CPT to craft training and wellness regimens designed to keep Members moving forward once their physical therapy sessions are finished.

There’s no shortage of physical therapists in our area, but how many of them will meet you at your Club? By shifting your care to CPT, fitting physical therapy appointments into your daily life suddenly becomes a lot easier; all you have to do is schedule the appointment and meet your physical therapist at the SGCC Fitness Center for an hour-long, one-on-one session in a place you already feel comfortable.

We are beyond thrilled at the enthusiastic response to this new program. Less than two weeks after its launch, we added a second physical therapist to our team and expanded appointment availability to meet Member demand.

All CPT sessions will be by appointment during designated days and times. Members may book appointments through the website or by contacting the Fitness Desk. CPT is innetwork with Medicare and CareFirst BCBS. They also offer a preferred member rate of $120 per appointment with the ability to utilize HSA/FSA.

From golf and racquets to swim and dedicated gym-goers, we see a lot of sports-related and repetitive use injuries plague our Membership. We understand that physical therapy plays an important role in your health journey, so we wanted to find a way to make it more accessible within our community. Thank you for your support and participation in this new program. We look forward to seeing it continue to grow and bolster our wonderful wellness community! 

Turf Talk

BY SHAWN GILL | GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT

For all you Barry Manilow fans, it “looks like we made it!”

It’s funny how things go. After a summer that tested the sanity of Superintendents throughout the Mid-Atlantic, the golf gods must have known we were at our breaking point because they have truly smiled upon us for the last six weeks. Sure, we could have used a bit more rain during the second half of August and first half of September, but heck, with nighttime temps dipping into the low 50’s and daytime highs averaging somewhere in the mid to upper 70’s, you won’t get any complaints from me! It has been absolutely beautiful grass growing weather and the course has recovered nicely from the stress of summer.

On second thought, after taking a short break from writing this to take a spin around the course, I do have one complaint:

the grass is growing too much! We haven’t even done any fall fertilization yet and we’re out bailing hay all day. A good problem to have, I guess, but I’ll have to start adding dollars into my turf growth regulator budget if it keeps up. The microbes must be working overtime chewing up the compost and releasing nutrients. In the end, it will provide better conditions, so it is worth the headache.

And what perfect timing for the turf to be so healthy, the final and most intense event of the season, the Club Championship, is about to be played. Looks like cool, dry weather during preparation week, so conditions should be at a premium to test the skills of SGCC’s best players! Thankfully, the Golf Professional Staff will be marking the pin positions, otherwise it would fall to me, and I might just want to make it too stern of a test. For me, this is the event that means

the most because it is all about golf—the greatest game ever invented—and playing with integrity against your opponents, yourself, the course, and whatever Mother Nature throws at you. No excuses. Let the cream rise to the top.

After that, the pressure begins to wind down here in the Greens Department and we can begin making plans for course improvement projects, when we are not busy blowing and mulching leaves, of course. It’s funny, I love trees and being out in the forest hiking and camping, but right about this time every year, I start to curse the existence of every tree on the course, except for the evergreens. The course is at its best, condition-wise, but we struggle every day to keep the place clean and prevent too many balls from being lost. A great example of “you have to take the bad with the good” or “patience is a virtue.” And let me tell you, it takes a lot of patience to meticulously blow off an entire green just to have a gust of wind blow them all back so you can repeat the process. Just another challenge to meet!

We recently had a visit from the USGA’s regional agronomist for our yearly consultation. It is very helpful to have an expert who has inspected many courses all around the area take a look at our course and offer advice and a critique of what we are doing well and what we might try to help make us better. I am happy to say that he was rather impressed with how well we fared this season. He offered some useful suggestions on what we can do to mitigate the effects of tree roots, as well as shade issues, without removing trees that are an integral part of a hole’s design and playing strategy.

His full report will be sent to us in the coming weeks, but most of his ideas were for things we can do to continue improving conditions at Springfield and can be achieved using the skills and expertise of the personnel we have on staff. His suggestions include installation of hose connections along fairways so we can isolate watering to the areas that need it, without wasting water or saturating areas that do not require additional irrigation, and sodding around our bunkers with zoysia to improve the consistency of those turf areas that tend to suffer during the summer.

As we move closer to the “off-season”, (I put this in quotes because it may be a slow down for the golfers but definitely not for our department) it is exciting to begin focusing on the things we can achieve this coming winter that will not only improve course conditions but add new elements of fun and challenge. Along with the Greens Committee and Club Management, we are looking at projects ranging from teeing area expansion to additional short grass areas around greens and bunker edge modifications. The list is always long and we

are much more at the mercy of the weather, but rest assured, we are always searching for new ways to add enjoyment to the Member experience.

Lastly, when it comes to improvements that add to the Member experience, we are not just about the grass. We have employees with many varied skills. Among them, landscaping construction. Robert Simpson had brought it to my attention that the gravel used to fill in between landscape timbers at the range was being inadvertently spread onto the hitting mats and grass and was potentially damaging to the clubfaces of the people practicing. The gravel was replaced with stone pavers in what I can only describe as a highly professional manner. With such a finished look, it would be easy to think that we contract this type of work out, but it is really a testament to the care and attention that your employees bring to the work they perform. 

Golf Course Open

Petition Candidate Deadline

Club Championship Mixology Lab 6:00–8:00 PM

Music on the Patio 6:00–10:00 PM

Club Championship Club Championship

Dueling Pianos Adult HOWLoween Bash 7:00 PM

Flying Ace Distillery Trip 10:30 AM–5:30 PM Ladies Golf Clinic 2:00–3:00 PM

Annual Meeting of the Membership 7:00 PM Pickleball Oktoberfest 2:00–9:00 PM

Halloween Social Live Ball 6:30–8:00 PM

Family Halloween Festival 6:00–10:00 PM Parent/Child Golf Clinic 4:00–5:30 PM

Learn More About Our October Events...

MIXOLOGY LAB WITH TARA 6:00–8:00 PM

Try Your Hand at Making Four Holiday Cocktails! Learn About the Benefit of Using Fresh Ingredients, How to Make Your Own Syrups and Mixers, and How to Build a Balanced Cocktail. Registration Required, $20++

Featuring Spike Burton. Dining Reservations Encouraged.

Themed Cocktails, Heavy Hors d'Oeuvres, Dueling Pianos by Howl at the Moon. Costumes Encouraged, Registration Required. $45++ Adults 21+ Only 18 PICKLEBALL OKTOBERFEST 2:00–9:00 PM

Open to Men and Women of All Experience Levels; Both Competitive and Social Divisions Available. Pickleball Games, Corn Hole, Beer Pong, and More! Includes Food and Drink with Bourbon and Cider Tastings by Chit. Sign Up with Another Member or a Guest. Registration Required, $120++.

10:30 AM–5:30 PM

Includes Bus Ride, Snacks and Drinks on the Bus, and Reserved Area at Flying Ace. Registration Required, $60++

18 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.

24 FAMILY HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL

6:00–10:00 PM

Registration Required, Costumes Encouraged. $32++ Adults and Children, Children Under 4 Are Complimentary.

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PARENT-CHILD GOLF CLINIC 4:00–5:30 PM

Fun Family Clinic Featuring Stations and Games Designed for Shared Learning and Bonding. Registration Required, $50 per family.

28 ANNUAL MEETING 7:00 PM

Annual Meeting of the Membership in the Ballroom. Hear from the Board about the State of the Club. 2025 Board Election Results will be Announced. A Quorum is Required, Please Plan to Attend.

29 HALLOWEEN SOCIAL LIVE BALL 6:30–8:00 PM

Costumes are Encouraged for this Spooky Twist on Our Popular Live Ball Clinic, so Don't Hesitate to Get Creative and Dress to Theme! Prize for Best Look. Registration Required, $35.

CLUBHOUSE

HAPPY HOUR THURSDAYS, 5:30-7:30

FRIDAY BUFFET, 5:00-9:00 PM

Men's & Women's Doubles Tennis Club Championships

Kids Night Out 6:30–9:30 PM Comedy Night 6:30 PM Thanksgiving To Go Order Deadline

Run Your Turkey Off Live Ball 10:00AM – 12:00PM

Men's & Women's Doubles Tennis Club Championships

Learn More About Our November Events...

30 GINGERBREAD HOUSE DECORATING PARTY 2:00–4:00 PM

7

COMEDY NIGHT & DINNER 6:30 PM

We've Leveled Up Your Comedy Night Experience with a Delicious Plated Dinner. 6:30 PM Dinner Service, 8:00 PM Comedy Show. Registration Required, $60++. Bar Available by Chit.

7 KIDS NIGHT OUT 6:30–9:30 PM

For Children Ages 6–13. Play Fun Tennis and Pickleball Games Led by SGCC Pro Staff. Wind Down with a Movie in the Members Room. Includes Popcorn and Juice Boxes. Registration Required, $35.

15 PACIFIC NORTHWEST WINE DINNER

6:30 PM

Spend an Evening in the Pacific Northwest with Five Wines from Seven Hills Vineyards Perfectly Paired with Each Course. Registration Required, $135++.

21–22 MEN'S & WOMEN'S TENNIS DOUBLES CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

Two Divisions: Championship and Social. Register with Your Partner. PLAYERS PARTY on Friday Night.

THANKSGIVING TO GO ORDER DEADLINE

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27

Feeds 6–8 People. Traditional Thanksgiving Meal Ready to Heat and Serve. Pick Up on Wednesday, November 26 Between 5:00 and 8:00 PM. Email jennifer@sgccva.org to Order.

THANKSGIVING DINNER IN THE GRILL

12:00–3:00 PM

Reservations by Table. 1 ½ Hour Time Limit. Email jennifer@ sgccva.org to Make Your Reservation.

28 RUN YOUR TURKEY OFF LIVE BALL 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

A Holiday Spin on Our Popular Clinic! Get Back on Your Feet and Run Off Your Thanksgiving Feast with this High-Energy Clinic Featuring Non-Stop Gameplay and Drills Designed to Boost Your Heart Rate and Improve Endurance. Registration Required, $40.

This Popular Holiday Tradition Returns! Register Online and Let Us Know (1) How Many People are Coming and (2) How Many Gingerbread Houses You Need. Charge is Per House ($40++). We Will Provide Icing and Candies for Decorating Plus Complimentary Sweets and Treats. Registration Required.

Membership Corner

BY SHELLY GOOREVICH MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR

Please join me in welcoming some of our newest Member families:

Andrew Hernandez, originally from Miami, works as a Federal Capture Manager at Dell. He is passionate about golf, boating, tennis, pickleball, and gaming. Sarah Wickizer, a Springfield, VA native, works as a Field Marketing Manager at Wiz. She enjoys reading, traveling, crocheting, gaming, listening to live music, discovering new restaurants, and cheering on her favorite baseball team, the Washington Nationals. Together, they share their home with two tuxedo cats, Domino and Tux, who bring lots of personality to the household. Andrew and Sarah are excited to be part of a vibrant environment where they can build lasting friendships and enjoy everything the area has to offer.

Dylan Hunt lives in Washington, DC and has been obsessed with golf since he was old enough to swing a club. Growing up in a 100% Irish family, there wasn’t much of a choice! He is currently an attorney working for Thermo Fisher Scientific. Having attended both college and law school in DC, Dylan is excited to join the SGCC community and to meet new friends in the area, both on and off the course.

Kendrick and Susan Partain, along with their children, Rachel (17), Chloe (14), and Christian (12), are excited to officially join the SGCC community! Kendrick, Susan, and Christian have actively participated in tennis and pickleball classes at the Club over the past few years, while Rachel can be spotted manning the Racquets Desk at the Tennis and Fitness Center. They are all looking forward to dining and becoming involved in social

activities at the Club. Christian is a competitive tennis player and is happy to be able to play on the clay courts regularly. Rachel and Chloe are competitive dancers and are members of the Lake Braddock Varsity Dance Team. They are looking forward to working out and relaxing by the pool. Susan is excited to hone her pickleball and tennis skills while Kendrick has dreams of competing in the Men’s Tennis Club Championship and getting his daughters to play tennis as well! When not dreaming of world tennis domination, Kendrick stays busy as an executive at NCR Atleos. He is also a native Spanish speaker, having spent most of his childhood in South America and Spain. Susan is an interior designer and is in the process of restarting her design business after a taking a hiatus to raise the kids. She grew

Bridge Banter

The sun is setting earlier and a nip is in the air. Looking for a new way to step inside and enjoy our beautiful club? 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:

SEPTEMBER 5

First: Robin Alapas and Kit Weyers

Second: Mary and Ed Kringer

Third: Cindy and Don Frederick

up in Northern Virginia and attended Bishop O’Connell High School. The Partains love to travel and torture their children with educational walking tours. They enjoy visiting and hosting family and friends and being outdoors with their dog, Rosebud. They are all very excited to meet new families and enjoy all that SGCC has to offer! 

BY DON FREDERICK

SEPTEMBER

19

First: Cindy and Don Frederick

Second: Betsy Carter and Kit Weyers

Third: Ellen and Charles Rolen

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 are October 3, October 17, and November 7. 

Folk Music Folks

BY MERYL WEINER

Calling all folk music enthusiasts! If you’re interested in starting a new group at SGCC that brings people together who enjoy playing instruments and singing folk music, please contact Meryl Weiner at merylweiner1@gmail.com. This group would

meet monthly either on Tuesday or Sunday evenings. Let’s make meaningful and beautiful music together, and let’s have fun doing it! 

Black Magic Martini

BY CHRIS HUGHES | ASSISTANT FOOD & BEVERAGE DIRECTOR

Spooky season has so many colors, flavors, and fun garnishes to work with, the options for crafting signature drinks are endless. Sometimes, adding simple flair to a staple cocktail is all you need, and that's exactly what we've done with the Black Magic Martini. With a few drops of black food dye, edible glitter, and a dark and juicy garnish, it is easy to put a Halloween spin on this classic.

Ingredients

• Vodka

• Black Food Dye

• Chambord

• Red Edible Glitter

• Golf Edible Glitter

• Cranberry Juice

• Ice

Instructions

1. Blavod is a readily available black vodka, but it can still be difficult to get your hands on. No worries, though! Simply add a few drops of black food dye to whatever vodka you have on hand. We added it directly to the bottle so we could make multiple cocktails.

2. Fill your shaker with ice.

3. Add 2 1/2 ounces of black vodka and 1/2 an ounce of Chambord, and shake well.

4. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

5. Add a splash of cranberry juice (or other dark berry juice like pomegranate) to taste. You can skip this step all together if you want a more classic martini.

6. Add a dash of red edible glitter and gold edible glitter (or your colors of choice—silver, purple, green, and orange are all good options) and stir.

7. Garnish with Luxardo cherries and enjoy!

Note: Make sure to give the cocktail a stir before you serve as the glitter settles quickly. A quick stir will create a mysterious lava effect.

Note: To make a batch of Black Magic Martinis, premix a liter of black vodka with 12 ounces of Chambord. Again, don't forget to remix the glitter before serving! 

Retirees' Corner

BY RUSTY ROESCH

Our home team is positioned to make a strong showing in the upcoming playoffs. As of press time, we only have two games left in the regular season as we continue building momentum with several convincing wins in a row. Our latest wins on the road have made a substantial difference in our standing as we continue to maintain a strong second-place position in our division. The season playoffs begin on October 9 and will feature half our team playing on our competitor’s course while the other half of the team plays at home.

The Springfield Retirees concluded August with a disappointing loss to Country Club of Fairfax on August 28. They fielded an extraordinarily competitive team on their home course and highlights on our side were few. George Alapas and Mark Spooner led our team as the only 3-point winners. Steve Barker/John Benda and Mark Morganfield/Jim Burke help our score by winning 2½ points each. 2-point winners included Charles Rolen/Ron Devine and Jim Yates/Steve Thormahlen. George Alapas was the leader with a remarkable net 61 and Mark Spooner was right behind with a net 67. They also won first place in the sweeps. Other low net scores included Al Kuhns (67), Tom Natoli (69), Bob Brien (70), and John Benda (70).

We played at home on September 4, and it turned out to be a different story. The weather was great, and we overcame Belmont Country Club 28 to 8. Seven of our twelve teams scored 3 points each: Mike Saylor/Tom Skrobala, Tom Natoli/ Don Bisenius, Steve Barker/F. D. Rosenberger, George Cave/ Hank Webb, John Benda/Jordan Weinstein, Mark Waters/ George Alapas, and Peter Lee/Chuck Carlton. Other winners included Jim Wilson/Mark Hite and Travis Farris/Bob McNamara by recording 2½ points each. Notable gross score leaders for the day included Mike Saylor (77), Derrick Smith (78), and Jim Yates (79). F.D. Rosenberger and Mark Waters turned in 66’s to earn the lowest net scores for the day, followed by Mark Hite (68) and Tom Natoli (69). Shooting net 70’s or one under net par were Steve Barker, Jim Wilson, and George Alapas. Eighteen of our twenty-four players shot net 73 or better. To round out a successful day, the Springfield Retirees took three of the four sweeps. Mark Waters/Geore Alapas shot twelve under par for first place. Jim Wilson/Mark Hite shot ten

under for second place, and Peter Lee/Chuck Carlton shot six under for third place.

September 11 was another beautiful day for a Springfield Retiree win on our home course. We finished with a decisive score over Fort Belvoir Country Club 24½ to 11½. Winning twosomes were plentiful. 3-point winners included Derrick Smith/Tom Natoli, Charles Rolen/George Cave, and Jim Workman/Steve Thormahlen. Our 2½ point winners included Jim Yates/John Benda, Scott Kidd/Hank Webb, Brad Westerman/Johnny Harper, and Stan Quick/Rusty Roesch. Mike Saylor/Steve Barker and Pat Cavanagh/Bill Schneider delivered 2 points each. Five players carded the best gross scores for the day: Derrick Smith (72), Mike Saylor (77), Scott Kidd (77), Jim Workman (78), and Charles Rolen (79). The lowest net scores for turned in by Derrick Smith (67), Scott Kidd (68), Jim Workman (70), and Hank Webb (70). Springfield captured three of the sweeps: first place went to Derrick Smith and Tom Natoli (62 net); Scott Kidd/Hank Webb (62 net) won second place; and fourth place went to Charles Rolen/George Cave (65 net).

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. 