August 2019 Newsletter
LETTER FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER JIM BULTEMA
Looking Ahead
Letter from the General Manager
Dear Friends,
August is here and it is crazy to think that summer is almost coming to a close. We hope you enjoy the last few weeks of summer with great golf and pool days!
A quick overview of things to come at Railside:
Operation Golf with Heroes Golf Outing
We’re looking for sponsors for our Annual Operation Golf with Heroes! If you would like to honor first responders and military service men and women by supporting this great event, please contact us. Please go to the website – operationgolfwithheroes.com for more information.
Fall Membership Referrals
Do you know someone who is interested in becoming a member here at Railside? If you refer someone now until the end of this year they receive the rest of 2019 for free and you get 25% off of next year’s dues. For more information about this Membership Matters Program, please contact Kari.
The Union Pavilion
Holiday parties and weddings are booking up fast! Thinking you might need a second bar at your next event? Meet the Black Barrel Bar further down in the newsletter.
As always thank you all for your continued support of the club.
Best,
Jim Bultema
General Manager
FROM THE PRO MATT KOETS
August Updates
I hope this finds each of you well and enjoying a very nice summer so far. We’ve avoided the extreme heat and humidity and the course is in great condition, and not to mention fun to play! Thanks to Jeff Smith and his staff for providing our members with outstanding playing conditions this summer. Railside has been witness to some exciting tournament results over the last month and we would like to congratulate the following players on their great play.
2019 Men’s Member-Guest Champions – Ryan Wolthuis and Matt DeVries
2019 Ladies’ Member-Guest Champions – Traci Simon and Tatum Berger
Scholarship Tournament Results
1st Place- 122
– Matt and Larissa Bishop
– Matt and Celeste Hoekema
2nd Place- 125
– Glenn and Jean Eckelkamp
– Nancy Kitchen
– Casey Young
– Bill De Boer
– Keith Harris
– Bob Pike
– Marty Williams
Thank you all for participating! This event allows the club to award three scholarships each year to a deserving college student from the Grounds Department, the Food and Beverage Department, and the Golf Operation.
President’s Cup, Ringer Rounds, and Compadre Cup
The President’s Cup Matches for Men, Ladies’, and Couples’ are winding down and we wish all the players who are still alive in each bracket the best of luck as the events come to a conclusion in a few short weeks. Our Ladies’ Ringer event has just one month remaining, so please continue to schedule your rounds and notify the Golf Shop so that we can have the proper scorecard ready for you. The Men’s Compadre Cup is also nearing completion as we enter the month of August. We look forward to an exciting finish!
Upcoming August Events
Men’s and Ladies’ Senior Club Championship: August 9 & 10
Junior Club Championship: August 13
Men’s and Ladies’ Club Championship: August 16 & 17
Ladies’ League Closing Night: August 20
Men’s League Closing Night: August 22
Family Golf Event: August 24
Ladies’ Purple Community Golf Event: August 27
Couples’ Twilight Texas BBQ: August 30
Upcoming September Events
Couples’ Labor Day Shamble: September 2
Ladies’ Fall League Opening Night: September 3
Men’s Fall League Opening Night: September 5
Ladies’ Junior/Senior: September 6 & 7
Men’s Junior/Senior: September 13 & 14
Couples’ Glow Ball Twilight: September 20
Ladies’ Thistle Cup & Men’s Gallagher Cup: September 28
Course Reminders
Please keep all golf carts and single rider carts on the cart paths next to the greens, tees, and on the paths at all times on the par 3 holes. We are noticing many carts driving very close to the greens especially. Also, please repair your divots and ball marks to ensure good playing conditions for all players. Thank you!
Thank You
Once again, thank you for supporting the club through your participation in our golf events and in our Golf Shop. We are here to make your experience outstanding and we look forward to busy and exciting remainder of the summer and fall.
Matt Koets, PGA
Head Golf Professional
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT JEFF SMITH
Around the Course
The 2019 season has been very odd to say the least. Battling a wet and cold summer then July being hot and humid. It seems to be one extreme to another. In all, we’ve done pretty well managing it all.
Looking forward to slightly cooler temperatures in the month of August, we’ll be concentrating on cultural practices that really improve the way the golf course will play.
- Needletining Greens: bringing oxygen to the roots, promoting root growth.
- Granular Fertilizing the Rough: looking for more color and lush turf.
- Top Dressing Greens: increases the speed and a smooth roll of the ball.
- Verticutting Greens: thatch removal, helps fertilizer get into the soil, and also benefits us with moisture control.
Overall, the course has been through a lot but has held up nicely. I believe the course is in great shape and will only get better with the favorable fall season coming.
Enjoy these last few weeks of summer, I’m ready for some football! GO Spartans!!!
Jeff Smith,
Golf Course Superintendent
Welcome New Members
Join us in welcoming our newest members!
Kevin Patterson
Rob Robbins