Soldiers’ Home Golf Course Seeks Community Members

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golf

Members of the DC Soldier Home’s golf course are seeking more members, and FOSH is happy to pass along this message from them:

MEMBERS WANTED AT THE OLD SOLDIERS HOME GOLF COURSE LOCATED AT THE ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME IN PETWORTH. For many of you who may be unaware, the Old Soldier’s Home Golf Course, located on the same property as President Lincoln’s Cottage, is open for membership and current members are interested in recruiting new members to help keep the golf course running optimally. This nine-hole golf course and driving range is currently one of the best kept secrets in Washington, D.C. and current members are looking to change that. In the past, the approximately 200 active members of the course may have been inclined to keep the course a secret because it had enough money to operate, so this may be one of the reasons why so few people even know the course exists and that joining is very easy!

Due to a recent drop-off in funding, the plan for the 2017 season is for the members to volunteer a few hours each week to maintain and run the course, mainly, physically maintaining the course by cutting the grass, etc. Those members will still be paying a $700 annual membership for the privilege to play the course and participate in the maintenance, which we believe is a strong testament to how much this golf course is valued by its current members. With an increase in membership, this will not be necessary and members will be free to enjoy as much golf as their schedules can handle.

The Old Soldiers Home Golf Course is attractive to DC residents for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, unlimited golf within city limits, the course’s convenient location, low projected annual cost for membership and a great atmosphere with phenomenal views of DC. Currently, with 200 active members, any one member can essentially play the entire course at any time without seeing another soul. Therefore, we believe that we could double the current membership and the course would still maintain a very private/intimate atmosphere while the increased funding would benefit the course for the enjoyment of all members. An additional benefit to increasing the membership base would be to alleviate the financial burden on the AFRH itself, which currently provides the course some funding, albeit not enough to keep it running the right way. In the future, we would love for the course to operate solely on membership fees so that the money the AFRH currently diverts to the course could serve our retired veterans living at the AFRH in other ways.

Anyone who is interested in becoming a member is encouraged to send an e-mail to afrhwgolfcourse(at)afrh(dot)gov.

Resident testimonial:

“Playing a course in the middle of DC, steps from Lincoln’s cottage, is fantastic. I’m incredibly grateful to the residents of the Old Soldiers Home for sharing their back yard with us and am committed to helping them keep their much-loved facility open. It needs community support to survive. I encourage everyone, even those who have never played, to try this incredibly accessible and enjoyable course.” Catherine Mellor, Petworth Resident

Tee It Up! 2016 Golf Memberships Available at Soldiers Home-D.C.

Tags

golf, Sports and Recreation

Friends of the Soldiers Home for the fourth consecutive year is pleased to announce that through our organization, members of the community have an opportunity to become associate members of the Armed Forces Retirement Home Golf Course.

This is an exciting opportunity to use a nine-hole golf course located on the Home’s beautiful, historic campus in the heart of Washington, D.C.

This opportunity shows continued growth in the Friends-Home partnership that will includes more than 50 activities this year, including the upcoming Spring Fling festival on Saturday, May 7.

Below is everything you need to know about getting a membership.

What is the membership fee?
People may pay $514.26 for a six-month membership from April 1 to September 30th. People who begin memberships later than April can pay a pro-rated amount of $85.71 per month. Fees beyond September will not be collected.

Are there any fees per round?
Your membership includes unlimited rounds walking. Carts are extra.

Can my spouse be included in my membership?
Yes.

What are the guest fees?
During the week, fees are $12 for nine holes, $20 for 18 holes (play the same nine holes twice). On the weekend and holidays, the fees are $15 for nine holes and $25 for 18 holes.

How much for a cart?
Riding carts are $12 for nine holes, $20 for 18 holes. Pull carts are $3.

How much to hit balls on the driving range?
Full service range and three sizes of buckets of balls available $3, $5, $7

Are there clubs available to rent?
Yes, $5.

Can I get lessons?
No.

Are there other amenities/restaurants on site?
No, at this time there is only a small starter house with vending machines.

Are there tournaments?
Yes there are monthly tournaments that are followed by cookouts on site.

What is the condition of the course?
The condition is comparable to local D.C. public courses.

How many current associate golf members are there?
Right now there are over 100 associate members. The course hardly ever gets backed up.

Where can I get more information about supporting Friends of the Soldiers Home?
In order to continue to build this wonderful partnership between the community and the Home, Friends of the Soldiers Home requests a $30 donation from each person who purchases a golf membership by clicking the “donate” button on our website http://friendsofsoldiers.org/ or sending a check to Friends of the Soldiers Home, P.O. Box 3170, Washington, D.C., 20010. We also ask that you be willing to volunteer at some of our activities.

What is the next step to get a golf membership?
There is a membership form that can be picked up at the golf course that needs to be filled out (or click here to get the membership form electronically https://friendsofsoldiers.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/afrh_member_app_only21.pdf). Once approved you will receive a golf membership card and car decal that will allow you onto the AFRH grounds.  Once you have the form filled out take it by the golf course or email it to aaron.franklin (at) afrh (dot) gov

What is the contact information for the golf manager?
Aaron Franklin
(202) 541-7773
aaron.franklin (at) afrh (dot) gov

Fall Fun Fest Oct. 5 Includes Two Golf Tournaments

Tags

Community events, golf

We will post details of Sunday Oct. 5 Fall Fun Fest activities through the month so watch this space. The number of different activities at the all-day event is almost staggering! We begin with golf. There will be two golf tournaments that day — one for community participation at 9 a.m. and one for active military, retirees and Wounded Warriors at 1:30 p.m. See details on flyers below. Both events will raise money for the Armed Forces Retirement Home Resident Fund. This is a fund that supports activities for residents who live at the Home. Remember that besides golf, the day will feature many other activities, including a community walk, Oktoberfest band and dancers, food, drink, military displays, Lincoln’s Cottage activities, car show, and so on. This is the most extensive event open to the public at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in D.C. that I can recall. Mark your calendars and get ready to have fun! Stay tuned for more information.

— John Hughes, president, Friends of the Soldiers Home

Flyer for community participation:

Flyer for active military, retirees and Wounded Warriors:

Soldiers Home Golf Memberships Again Offered Through Friends of the Soldiers Home

Tags

golf

Golf Course at the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Photo by Matt McClain of the Washington Post.

Friends of the Soldiers Home for the second consecutive year is pleased to announce that through our organization, members of the community have an opportunity to become associate members of the Armed Forces Retirement Home Golf Course.

This is an exciting opportunity to use a nine-hole golf course located on the Home’s beautiful, historic campus in the heart of Washington, D.C.
T
his opportunity shows continued growth in the Friends-Home partnership that includes 40 events each year, including the upcoming Spring Fling festival on Saturday, May 3.

Below is everything you need to know about getting a membership, courtesy of the Friends’ golf program coordinator, Craig Isakow.

What is the membership fee and for how long does the fee cover membership:  The annual membership fee covers membership from Oct 1 to September 30th.  The annual fee is $750.  Starting June 1 each year new members can pay a prorated fee of $62.50 per month for the remainder of the year (e.g. if you join June 1st the fee will be $250 through September 30th.)

What is the contact information for the golf pro?
Matt Kayson, PGA
AFRH Golf Course
(202) 541-7773
mkaysonpga (at) icloud (dot) com

What are the guest fees: During the week, fees are $12 for nine holes, $18 for 18 holes (play the same nine holes twice). On the weekend and holidays, the fees are $15 for nine holes and $25 for 18 holes.

How much for a cart: Riding carts are $12 for nine holes, $20 for 18 holes.  Pull carts are $3.When is the course open: 364 days a year (closed on Dec. 25)

How much to hit balls on the driving range: Full service range and three sizes of buckets of balls available $3, $5, $7

Are there any fees per round: Your membership includes unlimited rounds walking. Carts are extra.

Can my wife/son/husband/roomate be included in my membership: The membership allows two members per household, meaning immediate family members residing in the household.  This does not include roomates. If there are additional members of the household who would also like to play, they can play for the guest fee.

Are there clubs available to rent: Yes, $5.

Can I get lessons: Yes, the golf pro on site provides lessons.

Are there other amenities/restaurants on site: No, at this time there is only a small starter house with vending machines.

Are there tournaments: Yes there are monthly tournaments that are followed by cookouts on site.

What is the condition of the course: The course recently hired a news groundskeeper. The current condition is comparable to local D.C. public courses.

How many current associate golf members: Right now there are over 300 associate members, but the course hardly ever gets backed up.

Where can I get more information about supporting Friends of the Soldiers Home: Learn more about Friends of Soldier Home and donate here: http://friendsofsoldiers.org/  In order to continue to build this wonderful partnership between the community and the Home, Friends of the Soldiers Home requests a $30 donation from each person who purchases a golf membership. We also ask that you be willing to volunteer at some of our activities.

What is the next step to join: There is a membership form that can be picked up at the golf course that needs to be filled out (or click here to get the membership form electronically).  Once approved then you will receive a golf membership card and car decal that will allow you onto the AFRH grounds.  Once you have the form filled out take it by the golf course or email it to mkaysonpga (at) icloud (dot) com

Additional Questions: Submit your interest and questions through this form or contact Matt at the golf shack directly by calling 202-541-7773.

Friends Gets Great Response to Golf Membership Offer

Tags

AFRH, golf

Thanks everyone to the great response to our announcement last week that, through Friends of the Soldiers Home, community residents may become associate members of the Armed Forces Retirement Home golf course.

We received many questions, and thanks to Craig Isakow, the coordinator of this program on behalf of Friends of the Soldiers Home, we have supplied some answers below:

What is the membership fee and how for long does the fee cover membership:  The annual membership fee covers membership from Oct 1 to September 30th.  The annual fee is $550.  Starting June 1 each year new members can pay a prorated fee of $45 per month for the remainder of the year (e.g. if you join June 1st the fee will be $180 through September 30th.)

What are the guest fees: During the week, fees are $12 for nine holes, $18 for 18 holes (play the same nine holes twice). On the weekend and holidays, the fees are $15 for nine holes and $25 for 18 holes.

How much for a cart: Riding carts are $12 for nine holes, $20 for 18 holes.  Pull carts are $3.When is the course open: 364 days a year (closed on Dec. 25)

How much to hit balls on the driving range: Full service range and three sizes of buckets of balls available $3, $5, $7

Are there any fees per round: Your membership includes unlimited rounds walking. Carts are extra.

Can my wife/son/husband/cousin/roommate be included in my membership: The membership allows two members per household, meaning living at the same address.  If there are additional members of the household who would also like to play, they can play for the guest fee.

Are there clubs available to rent: Yes, $5.

Can I get lessons: Yes, the golf pro on site provides lessons.

Are there other amenities/restaurants on site: No, at this time there is only a small starter house with vending machines.

Are there tournaments: Yes there are monthly tournaments that are followed by cookouts on site.

What is the condition of the course: The course recently hired a news groundskeeper. The current condition is comparable to local D.C. public courses.

How many current associate golf members: Right now there are over 300 associate members, but the course hardly ever gets backed up.

Where can I get more information about supporting Friends of the Soldiers Home: Learn more about Friends of Soldier Home and donate here: http://friendsofsoldiers.org/  In order to continue to build this wonderful partnership between the community and the Home, Friends of the Soldiers Home requests a $25 donation from each person who purchases a golf membership. We also ask that you volunteer at some of our activities.

What is the next step to join: There is a membership form that can be picked up at the golf course that needs to be filled out (or click here to get the membership form electronically).  Once approved then you will receive a golf membership card and car decal that will allow you onto the AFRH grounds. You can also check with Craig at afrhgolfmembership(at)gmail.com to see if he can e-mail you a copy of the form to speed up the sign-up process.

Additional Questions: Submit your interest and questions through this form or email Craig at afrhgolfmembership(at)gmail.com

Soldiers Home Golf Memberships Offered Through Friends Group

Tags

golf

Golf Course at the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Photo by Matt McClain of the Washington Post.

Friends of the Soldiers Home is pleased to announce that through our organization, members of the community have an opportunity to become associate members of the Armed Forces Retirement Home Golf Course.

This is an exciting opportunity to use a nine-hole golf course located on the Home’s campus in the heart of Washington, D.C.

Membership amenities include no tee times, easy access to the course, a driving range and putting/chipping green, and an ability to bring in three guests at a time (more with advanced notice). There are also monthly tournaments and an opportunity to connect with veterans and other members.

The annual membership dues are $550. Friends of the Soldiers Home requests a $25 donation and willingness to occasionally volunteer for our activities at the Home.

This opportunity is another step forward in a Friends-Home partnership that has spawned friendships and included more than 25 volunteer events, three community festivals and two annual community-veteran garden projects.

To sign up for golf memberships, go here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Dchtv5IoktOfhuZwfqnonVYAtJ6dFS1pIEmkSzUvCbo/viewform or contact Craig Isakow, who is administering this program on behalf of Friends of the Soldiers Home, at afrhgolfmembership(at)gmail.com