May 2019 Newsletter
LETTER FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER JIM BULTEMA
Summer is Right Around the Corner
Letter from the General Manager
Dear Friends,
Spring is in full swing here at Railside; it has been great seeing all the familiar faces around the club. It won’t be long before summer is here and we will be in our regular summer routine.
A quick overview of things to come at Railside:
New Members
If you know of someone interested in a membership at Railside there is still an opportunity for new members to join. Feel free to reach out Kari or myself with anyone you think would be interested.
Golf Course
The golf course is now fully open and we will be starting our regular summer hours starting May 1st! Jeff and his team have the golf course in great condition – so come on out.
The Union Pavilion
The Pavilion will be opening this month; come take a look! We are so excited to show you the finished product. There are still a few available dates for weddings this summer/fall. Contact Donna for more information.
Pool
Karla, our new pool manager, has been hard at work getting the pool ready for summer. We are so excited to open up Memorial Weekend! Fingers crossed for great weather.
Thank you for your continued support of the club and we look forward to the summer ahead.
Best,
Jim Bultema
General Manager
FROM THE PRO MATT KOETS
May Has Arrived
We are off and running! Despite the inconsistent weather over the last month, the May golf event schedule is upon us.
Both Ladies’ and Men’s League are underway along with President’s Cup Matches. Other events highlighted in May include our couples’ Kentucky Derby event on May 4, the Men’s Team Skins event on May 18, and our first holiday event of the season – the Couple’s Red Poppy Best Ball on May 27.
The month of May also brings opportunities for you to experience the newest technology in golf equipment as we will have several demo days this month.
– Ping Golf, Thursday, May 16, 2:00pm-6:00pm
– Titleist Golf, Thursday, May 23, 2:00pm-6:00pm
Spring Scramble Results
Congratulations to the following 2019 Spring Scramble champions!
Ladies’ Spring Scramble – Heather Humphrey, Sharon Vanden Berg, Kate Bruinsma, and Wendy Cors.
Men’s Spring Scramble – Mike Garner, Marty Williams, Gordy Bruinsma, and John Miller.
Railside GC PGA Junior League Team
PGA Junior League Golf is:
– Fun – a popular scramble format creates a nurturing environment to learn the game
– Social – play on teams with friends, wearing numbered jerseys
– Inclusive – open to girls and boys, ages 13 and under
To register, search for our team at PGAJLG.com/register or use this direct link to the Railside Team Page. You will need the team password to register, which is Railsidegolf19. The deadline to register is May 31, and this program is limited to the first 12 participants, so don’t miss it!
The entry fee is $225 per child and is due upon registration. It includes practices, matches, team jersey, hat, golf balls, and one ½ hour private lesson with one of our PGA Professionals.
Practices, Competitions, and Format: Practices will be held at here at the club prior to each scheduled match. Our league will consist of four-seven other teams from Cascade Hills CC, Blythefield CC, Egypt Valley CC, and Kent CC. The match schedule is TBD.
Have questions? Contact me.
Summer Junior Golf Program
See more about our Summer Junior Golf Program here.
Spring Apparel is Arriving
Please stop in the Golf Shop to shop the newest in golf fashion. Brands such as Under Armour, Adidas, FootJoy, Peter Millar, Vineyard Vines, Tail, and many more are in stock. We also have the latest in footwear from Footjoy and ECCO. Special orders are always available too!
Fairways, greens, and more one putts!
Matt Koets, PGA
Head Golf Professional
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT JEFF SMITH
Around the Course
Much like our winter this past year, Mother Nature has not been too kind to us. On the bright side, April showers will bring May flowers! All of us here are ready to trade in the grays for a bit more color.
In the next few weeks, you’ll notice crews and workers hustling around the course working on an assortment of projects. While we are wrapping up irrigation projects and equipment upgrades, we will also be starting on some new projects, that includes extending parking for the new events facility, landscaping and needle tining.
Spring is the perfect time of year for needle tining. Tining promotes root growth and thatch control. In roots, there is a growth hormone that needs to be stimulated. One way to do that, is to split the root, which is the similar to pruning a red bud tree. The more you prune, the more you stimulate branching. If you stimulate the roots early in the season during good growing weather, once the weather heats up, you’ll have more underneath to protect yourself. This process will take place the last week of the month.
Jeff Smith
Golf Course Superintendent
Welcome New Members
Join us in welcoming our newest members!
Kyle Blackport
Shadd Clausen
Jeff Hoeksema
Dennis Logan
John Miller
Lindsey Osterhaven
Adam Piotrowski
Kirk Randall Scharphorn
Brad Velding
Mark Zichterman
Railside Golf Club provides our members a place to gather and celebrate golf and friendships. Learn more about the benefits of Railside Golf Memberships below.
Mother's Day Brunch
Please join us for our annual Mother’s Day Brunch. We are excited to celebrate this special day with you!
Sunday, May 12 from 10am-2pm
Reservations are still available; please call 616.878.1140.
Adults – $28.99, children – $15.99, and kids 5 and under are FREE.
Railside Pool Opening Soon
Enjoy the summer with poolside WIFI! Also check out our new pool menu with snack options for the whole family.
Individual swim lessons will be available at the pool. Collegiate and High School Swimmers teach 30 minute lessons for $25.00. Monday, Wednesday and Fridays (Saturdays on request) between 9:00-11:00am.
Come and build your cardiovascular fitness and strength at our Water Aerobics classes held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10:00-10:45am. $20.00 per class.
To sign up contact Karla Fikse.