July 2020 Newsletter
LETTER FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER JIM BULTEMA
Looking Ahead
Letter from the General Manager
Dear Friends,
Somehow we are already halfway through the year. Hopefully you’ve safely taken advantage of the beautiful weather we’ve been having. And we’re expecting July to bring more great golf days!
A quick overview of things to come at Railside:
Member-Guest Tournaments
Our annual Member-Guest tournaments wrapped up last week! A big thank you to our committees for their hard work on these events.
Golf Outings
Please be aware that we will be holding golf outings most Mondays for now until the end of summer. Keep this in mind as it may affect members’ play.
The Union Pavilion
We are still booking the Union for 2021 events, and spots are filling up fast. We encourage you to get your event on the calendar!
Pool
A few pool reminders: please do not bring your own pool toys into the pool area. They can carry different bacteria from the lake or other areas that we’d like to try to eliminate. Also parents or a guardian need to accompany all children that are under the age of 14 to the pool at all times.
As always, thank you all for your continued support of the club.
Best,
Jim Bultema
General Manager
FROM THE PRO MATT KOETS
Summer Updates
I hope this finds each of you well and enjoying a very warm summer so far. Railside has been witness to some outstanding tournament results over the last month and we would like to congratulate the following players on their great play.
2020 Men’s Member-Member Champions
Ben Gillis and Ryan Wolthuis
2020 Ladies’ Member-Member Champions
Allyson Baumgard and Michele Chachulski
2020 Men’s Member-Guest Invitational Champions
Mark Stein and his guest, Lee Keselowski
2020 Ladies’ Member-Guest Invitational Champions
Jenn DeBoer and her guest, Maddie Dailey
Golf Course Etiquette Reminders
The golf course remains extremely busy on a day-to-day basis and it is important to remember the following important golf course etiquette reminders. By following these, you will ensure great playing conditions and golf experience for the entire membership.
- Please keep golf carts on the paths around the tees and the greens
- Do not drive golf carts up or down steep slopes
- Please repair your divots by replacing the turf or using the sand bottles provided on the golf carts
- Please repair your ball marks on the greens. Try to fix one more while you are at it☺
- Between Memorial Day and Labor Day no playing groups of more than four allowed
- Please do not walk, jog, ride bikes, fish, etc. on the course
- Please follow the Club’s dress code on the course and practice areas
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- Proper golf attire is required
- No denim
- Collared shirts are required- please no tank tops
Here’s to more fairways, greens, and one putts,
Matt Koets, PGA
Head Golf Professional
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT JEFF SMITH
Around the Course
July! We made it! This month marks the halfway point of a crazy year. Perhaps the only normal thing we have right now, is golf and this beautiful weather. Most of us on the grounds department have been enjoying all the activities that West Michigan has to offer. We hope you are doing the same. Before we know it, the sunshine on our faces will be replaced with snow and wind. Yuck!
So far, this summer has been hot, but that’s okay. Our course has been holding up and we will get through it. The grounds department has been hard at work, striving to make sure everyone enjoys their time playing golf this season. To help the course along, we have been applying wetting agents that assist the irrigation water to penetrate into the ground more efficiently. Unfortunately, we have been having to water more frequently and, at times, during play. We want to thank you for your understanding and patience with us as we get past this heat wave. Our intentions are to provide you with the best product and golf experience that we can.
I hope everyone is having a fantastic summer!
Jeff Smith
Golf Course Superintendent
Pool Updates
Swim lessons are still available! Summer Swim Lessons are currently being taught by High School and Collegiate swimmers. The lessons occur before the pool opens from 9-11 am Monday, Wednesday, Friday (Saturday morning by request). There are still openings and if you are interested please contact Karla Fikse.