Happy New Year from The Federal Club!  And wow, what a year we just had!  2011 was our first full year of club operation under new ownership.  The year started with the January Insanity Tournament and the installation of the new pro shop reception desk.  We completed a small addition to the clubhouse (primarily for food storage) and replaced the irrigation pump at the South Anna River.  Our membership grew through the spring and enjoyed numerous events including Member-Guest and Member-Member tournaments, Third Thursday socials, and couples Nine and Dines.  The Federal Club hosted its 4^th annual Signature Tournament in May and crowned Michael Shrader as champion.  The pools re-opened with a new slide, water basketball and volleyball.  Several functions were held on the deck including the popular Federal Fridays with poolside grilling.

The Federal Club was honored to host numerous outings and tournaments through the summer and fall.  We would like to thank ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors), Richmond Lacrosse Club, Aflac, Hope Church Charities, St. Christopher’s, Virginia Economic Developers Association, RGA Nelson Broach (Richmond Golf Association), Golf Styles, VACO (Virginia Association of Counties), Principle Financial Group, Comcast Spotlight, Elanco, the Harmon Memorial, TGAA (Tournament Golf Association of America), HCA Healthcare, RAMCA (Richmond Area Municipal Contractors Association), Boy Scouts of America, EWGA (Executive Woman’s Golf Association), American Heart Association, University of Richmond Pi Kappa Alpha, Deep Run Athletic Boosters,  Richmond International Forest Products, Tollie Quinn, VCU Business School, Hanover County Circuit Court, Davenport & Company, the Donahoe Foundation, Rutherford Janitor Supply, and Carpool Fetch a Cure.  The Donahoe Foundation celebrity/amateur event drew many former Redskins and NFL greats including Gary Clark, Charley Taylor, Ravin Caldwell, Rich Milot, Larry Centers, and Lawrence Taylor and NBA alums Spud Webb and Gerald Henderson to our bentgrass links.  In July, TFC hosted its first ever junior golf clinic.

We survived an earthquake during construction of our new picnic and event pavilion and Hurricane Irene briefly knocked out power and littered the course.  The mild fall and even early winter weather were great for play and the 7,073 yard course.  We appreciate the hard work of Trevor Hedgepeth, Mike May, Mike Richards, Steven Ball, Tim Dale, new assistant pro Mark Wilkins, and the entire staff.  Our excellent course conditioning and outing production are great testament to their efforts.

In October we hosted our annual Club Championship won by Ryan Taylor for the second time!  We enjoyed several events under the new pavilion including post outing cocktail receptions, the Oyster Roast, and Breakfast with Santa.  We held our inaugural Mullian Cup event which pitted our best 12 golfers against Spring Creek’s best.  After 18 holes at each course, Spring Creek edged out TFC for the victory.  Member Glenn Mullian was on site to crown the victor.

The Federal Club welcomed 63 new members in 2011 and our Winter Membership Initiative ($4,899) is still available through February.  We cleared the site for the future golf clubhouse and anxiously look forward to the completion of the tennis courts.  The new short game practice facility will open in April.  2012 promises to be the best year yet at TFC.  We invite you to be part of the fun and continued growth at Glen Allen’s premier bentgrass golf course.

Chris Gilman & Anne Gail Jennings