June 2020 Newsletter

LETTER FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER JIM BULTEMA
Looking Ahead
Letter from the General Manager
It finally feels like summer as everything is getting in full swing. Our restaurant is now open for dine-in seating at 50% capacity, our pool is open, and golf leagues are well underway. I am really proud of our staff and how they have adapted to these changing circumstances. And I am very grateful for our members who have seamlessly adopted to our new normal. We are thankful for all your support during the past few months.
Donna is still booking the Union for 2021 events, and spots are filling up fast. We encourage you to get your event on the calendar! Our magnificent venue is not only versatile, but the ability to open our bay doors and increase air flow will help keep everyone comfortable from a safety standpoint. Be on the lookout for our golf outing events to resume soon.
We also had a lot of fun at the Virtual Couples’ Twilight last month. Thanks to all who participated! The Railside team is looking forward to another great summer. A few things looking ahead:
Railside Bar & Grill
Enjoy our new summer menu at the Railside Bar & Grill. Our executive chef Nathan has created delicious dishes and we are excited to serve you all again.
Pool
Our pool is now open! The pool’s hours are Monday-Saturday from 11AM – 8PM and Sunday from 12PM – 8PM. We also have snacks and drinks available at the pool.
Summer Gear
If you’re looking for short-sleeved polos, a new Railside hat, or a fresh pair of gloves, Matt has you covered at the Pro Shop! Now is the time to update your summer gear.

FROM THE PRO MATT KOETS
We are off and running! Despite the inconsistent weather over the last month, the June golf event schedule is flying by! Believe it or not, both the Men’s and Ladies’ leagues are more than a third of the way through their schedules. We are on to round two of the Men’s and Ladies’ President’s Cup, along with the Men’s Compadre Cup Matches. The Couples’ President’s Cup Matches and the Ladies’ Ringer events are both underway too. Whew!
Member-Member Recognition
Please join me in congratulating the following champions from the 2020 Member-Member Championships
Ladies’ Member-Member Champions
Allyson Baumgard and Michele Chachulski
Men’s Member-Member Champions
Ben Gillis and Ryan Wolthuis
Handicap Score Posting
With the new World Handicap System (WHS) in place, it is vital to turn your scorecards into the Golf Shop for daily score posting. Please indicate the tees you played along with legible handwriting so that we can enter the scores promptly. Our Professional Staff is spot-checking the GHIN System daily and referencing our daily tee sheets to make sure scores are being posted in a timely manner. If you are posting your scores through the GHIN App, please do not turn in scorecards. The scores will be incorrectly entered twice. A reminder that all league and tournament scores are posted by the Golf Shop Staff immediately following completion of the event’s play.
Course Reminders
Please continue to repair and replace your ball marks and divots. Also, please use proper golf cart etiquette around the tees and the greens by keeping the carts on the path in these areas. The carts are to remain on the cart paths only on all par 3 holes as well. Bunker rakes have been placed back on the course, however, their use remains optional. If you are not comfortable handling a rake, please fix your foot traffic and divot as best as possible. Mark, lift, clean, and place will be used in disturbed areas only such as foot prints, divots, or any other marks made by a golfer. Golfers are not entitled to relief from the entire bunker.
Summer Apparel is Arriving
Most of our Golf Shop partners are back open and we are receiving new summer golf merchandise almost daily. Please continue to stop in and check out the selection in the Golf Shop!
Here’s to more fairways, greens, and one putts!
Matt Koets
PGA Head Golf Professional
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT JEFF SMITH

Around the Course
Our long awaited Michigan summer has finally arrived. It has been a roller coaster of events to get us here, but again, we all continue to be strong and push forward.
The morale of the club has been exceptional and this carries over to our crew. I have never been more proud to be your superintendent.
Things to look out for from our grounds department in the month of June will be traditionally standard for this time of the year.
- Continue to proactively spray for turf diseases: summer patch, dollar spot, waited patch, pest control (ants/grubs), and feeding the turf with nutrients.
- Top dress our greens with sand for a smooth and fast putting surface.
- Needletine for air movement and root stimulation.
We hope everyone is enjoying the golf course and are looking forward to another great summer. Stay safe and stay healthy.
Jeff Smith
Golf Course Superintendent
Welcome New Members
Join us in welcoming our newest members!
Joe Byker
Jennie Carlson
Edward Dublis
Tracy Naklizki
Kristin Ponstein
Felix Scholz
Daniel Sorscher
Amber Swift
Jim Zuidema

Pool Updates
We are excited to have another great summer at our pool! A few reminders and updates for the season:
We’d like to ask members not to bring their 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.
Reminder that parents or a guardian need to accompany all children that are under the age of 14 to the pool at all times.
Swim lessons are also available at this time! 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.