January & February Newsletter
LETTER FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER JIM BULTEMA
Looking Ahead
Letter from the General Manager
The Railside team has been hard at work during the off season to prepare for the upcoming golf season. And we’re having fun living vicariously through YOU as you travel this winter! Be sure to check us out on Instagram @railside_golf_club to enter to win $50 the pro shop through our #ReptheRail competition.
The Railside golf staff has returned from the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida feeling excited for the upcoming golf season. Keep a lookout for some fun finds we will be bringing to the club from the show. As much fun as Florida is, however, there’s truly no place like home! We’re glad to be back at Railside.
A quick overview of things to come:
Win $50 to the Pro Shop
Follow us on Instagram @railside_golf_club and check out the #ReptheRail competition. We’re picking a winner each month through April… it could be you!
Membership Matters
This program gives existing members the opportunity to earn 25 percent off 2020 dues by referring new members to the Club. This is for golf memberships only.
Job Openings
Know of someone looking for a job in events or food service? We are currently hiring for positions. You can apply here.
2021 Weddings
The Union Pavilion is beautiful and BUSY! Spots are already filling up for 2021 weddings at Railside, so if you know a bride or bride-to-be who has her eye on the Union Pavilion, encourage her to reach out to Donna soon.
As always, thank you for your continued support of the club,
Jim Bultema
General Manager
FROM THE PRO MATT KOETS
Upcoming Golf Season
Dear friends,
The upcoming golf season is around the corner and will be here before we know it! We have some great golf events for this season and can’t wait to make more memories. Attached here is the 2020 Golf Events Schedule. Please reach out should you need hard copies. Over the next few weeks, we will be finalizing golf event details and prepping the Golf Shop for new merchandise.
Off-Season Travel
Your golf staff is eager to help you plan your next golf trip this winter. We are a valuable resource to recommend locations and courses throughout the country and we offer golf club shipping services through Shipsticks. Shipsticks truly is an all-inclusive golf shipping company that makes your travel easy and convenient. Many Railside members have used this service offered by Shipsticks and they’ve raved about this wonderful service. Please contact me via email for more information – matt@railsidegolf.com.
Matt Koets
PGA Head Professional
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT JEFF SMITH
Around the Course
The winter season is now in full affect. With the bizarre weather, we took full advantage and got a lot of spring stick pick up done. We also completed a much needed rebuild of #9 bridge. We all hope we can finish winter without any real damage to the course and be able to give our full attention to playing areas, rather than fallen trees, etc.
Meanwhile in the shop we are achieving all of our goals and then some.
● Equipment Maintenance – Daily, we’re moving equipment in and out of the shop to be inspected, from oil to tire pressure and everything in between. We have completed the rotary mowers and will be moving on to utility carts next.
● Accessories – They seem to be moving along nicely. Flag Sticks were sanded and painted. Currently, we’re working on ball washers. We will polish, paint, and repair them as needed. Cleaning and replacing pin location cups will follow, once the ball washers are complete.
Something you may notice in the upcoming golf season are brown Bat Houses elevated on #15 pond. We’ve learned through our recent turf management education, that bats can be beneficial for our course. Bats can help control the populations of beetles, moths, leafhoppers, and most importantly, mosquitoes. Even the very presence of bats in an area can reduce insect populations. Insects can hear bats up to 100 feet away and will keep their distance from areas occupied by bats. Bats are an extremely important part of our environment and will play a positive role in our future.
Stay warm and enjoy this Michigan Winter. Wishing everyone safe travels!
Jeff Smith
Golf Course Superintendent
Welcome New Members
Join us in welcoming our newest members!
Steve & Michele Chachulski
Jeff & Sue Helder
Dana Nicholson
Bill & Melissa Wadsworth
Charlie & Joyce Wiles