Happy New Year
A Charlotte Tradition
January 2020 |Member Newsletter
Dear Members, A sincere thank you from all the Staff at Raintree for a fun and successful year. Your patience during a busy year of renovations is greatly appreciated. We are continuing with projects moving into the Spring with the largest being the Bunker renovation which began in December. We will continue to update everyone on progress as it certainly is an exciting time for everyone. This month each Member will receive an online ballot for the Raintree Board of Directors election. Please look for that email in early January. Thank you to all our Membership and it will be our pleasure to continue the long tradition of excellence at Raintree in 2020. Sincerely,
Jim Troutman, General Manager
Due to the advanced time frame in which the Newsletter is compiled and printed, all dates, times, events, hours of operations and other information are subject to change. If changes occur, Members will be notified via email & Club postings. Visit www.raintreecountryclub.org for monthly Newsletter information and the Event’s Calendar.
Club Happenings Friday, January 10th Dinner $9.50 | 6:00PM BINGO $8.50/3 Cards | 7:00PM
Mixed Greens Salad with Ranch, Buttered Noodles, Meatballs Marinara, Chicken Alfredo, Garlic Bread, Chocolate Chip Cookies
Janua
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Head out to the Club to enjoy a movie, breakfast for dinner and drinks with your fellow Members. Adults | $14 Children (6-12) | $9 Children (4&Under) | $5 *Price includes admission and buffet* *Reservations Required/24 Hour Cancellation*
Featured Movie: Abominable Buffet: Scrambled Eggs, Bacon & Sausage, Buttermilk Pancakes with Maple Syrup, Fruit Salad, Cereal Bar
Jo in us e ve r y S u n d ay f o r Br u n ch
Sundays | 10:00am-2:00pm Outdoor Terrace Seating, Bottomless Mimosas, Scratch Made Weekly Specials Reservations Available $18 Adults | $9 Children | $14 Bottomless Mimosas
Lakeside Grille Specials
January Specials Stir Fry Night
Saturdays in the Lakeside Grille 6-8PM | $15
Enjoy a made-to-order Stir Fry dinner from Chef's selection of Proteins, Vegetables, and Starches. Each order includes a Vegetable Egg Roll.
Curbside Dinner
Tuesdays in January | $34
Don’t feel like cooking tonight? Raintree has it covered. Pre-order by 2PM the day of with a designated pickup time and we’ll have your dinner waiting out front for you. January 7th: Sliced Pork Loin, Bourbon Apple Glaze, Mashed Potatoes, Southern Style Green Beans January 14th: Chicken Pot Pie, Mixed Green Salad with Ranch, Rolls January 21st: Baked Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce, Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread Sticks January 28th: BBQ Chicken, Baked Beans, Coleslaw, Cornbread
Call the Front Desk to place your order @ 704.542.8150
Burger Night
Wednesdays | $13
Come out to the Lakeside Grille every Wednesday for Burger Night. 8 oz. Char Broiled All Beef Burger, French Fries or Sweet Potato Fries, Chef’s Dessert Selection, Soft Drink
Board of Directors Candidates Running for RHOA Dale Yaged
Member of Raintree Country Club for more than 40 years - Retired Teacher- Nationally Board Certified - Raintree Women’s Golf Association- Past President, Vice-President, Secretary, Chaired Special Events, Member Guest, Playday - Serve on Golf and Greens, Served on Membership - Raintree Board of Directors (6 years) presently Chair of Rules and Grievance - Member of Carolina Women’s Club - Hobbies- Bridge, cooking, and golf. - Married to David, have twins.
Bill Gray
Member of Raintree Country Club since 2010. - Active golfer and participant with the RSMGA - Served on the Membership Committee the previous two years - Founding partner of Blue Lake Associates (2003-2018), a marketing and business research consulting firm based in Rochester, NY. - Previous experience as VP and Manager of Corporate Branding for Kodak. - Career included several Marketing committees in the USA and Europe - Past Board Member of the Jason Project - Marketing Board for Nazareth College of Rochester - Miami University Alumni in Marketing/Accounting
Running for RSHOA (At Large) Kevin Thompson
Member of Raintree Country Club since 2003 - Kevin is a member of the Tennis Athletic and Pool (TAP) committee - Very active in the RMGA, regularly supporting events, tournaments and weekly dog-fights. - Family are members at St. Matthew Catholic Church and Kevin has been a faith formation instructor /catechist for 11 years. - Supported RCC during the yearly Symetra Classic by housing players and caddying. - Past volunteer coordinators of the RCC Stingray Swim Team; they continue to support the team by serving on the Stingray parent board. Riley and Kelly continue to compete for the team and also serve as assistant coaches. - Kevin has 20+ years in federal law enforcement and has been posted in multiple foreign countries.
Running At-Large Mike Fresina
Raintree Country Club Member for more than 20 years - 15 years serving on Raintree’s Board of Directors, 2000-2015 - Tournament Director when Raintree hosted Symetra Tour - Swim Team dad and starter for meets - Sunday Funday DJ at the pool - Tennis, Athletic and Pool Committee member - USTA League Participant - Davidson College alum - Former Charlotte Country Day teacher - Author and Publisher; Entrepreneur; Radio host; - Currently Director of Communications at UNC Charlotte
David Savage
Raintree Country Club Member for 30 years - Over 30 years have been both Full and Social Members - Have been active with Golf, Tennis, and Pool activities over that time - Served on the Raintree Tennis, Athletic, and Pool Committee (TAP) for 3 years - Captained multiple USTA and Queen City teams - Served 2 terms as Williamsburg HOA President and represented Williamsburg on the VOR Board - 40+ years in Sales with HarbisonWalker International - Graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill - Born and raised in Gaston County - Married to wife Donna for 30 years with 3 children: Matt, Luke, and Kimberly
Board of Directors Candidates Running At Large Larry Witham
Member of Raintree Country Club since 1986 - Married to Lois – 55 years – three children, six grand children - Work experience – 47 years in the Automobile Business – retired in 2009 - Currently serving on the Board of Directors - Serve as Chair of the By-Laws Committee - Past President and an active member of the RSMGA - Participate in Monthly Mixers, Men’s Bridge, and Couple’s Bridge - Currently serve as President of OMEGA - Past Committees served on at RCC - Golf & Greens, Property, Long Range Planning, Executive
Running for Non-Resident Zach Hall
Proud member of Raintree since 2005, where I currently lead the Men’s Member Guest committee. I am an active participant on the Golf and Greens committee and the committee overseeing the construction of the new pavilion. - I am employed as the Director of Environmental Sciences at Duke Energy, where I oversee the Geochemistry, Groundwater Science, Natural Resources and Water Resources organizations. - My family and I are members at Providence Baptist Church where I serve on the music and stewardship committees. - Member of the Board of Visitors for the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Georgia. - Married to June Elizabeth Hall. We have three great kids: - Hannah – 19 years old and a sophomore at the UGA working toward her biology degree, Pre-Med Program. - Ty – 11 years old and loves to swim, play basketball, and play golf at Raintree - Maddie – 7 years old and loves swimming, dance and gymnastics
Jim Skibbens
As a Raintree Country Club (RTCC) member for almost 25 years, I am proud and honored to be running for the RTCC Non-Resident Board position again. I will continue to ensure that we (as a Board) have transparency, high integrity, improved and more timely communications with the membership, as well as ensure Club projects are prioritized and managed for the membership as a whole. - Served on RTCC Board, Finance Committee, and Long Range Planning Committee for last 3 years. - Served on Rules & Grievance Committee in 2015 - 2017. - Participate actively in golf, tennis and in Fitness Center. - Currently semi-retired. - Site Director for the First Tee of Greater Charlotte (FTGC) from 2012 – Present. - CEO/Owner of JSR Consulting LLP, 2011 – 2013 - Bank of America Corporate Audit/Risk Management Senior Vice President, 2010 – 2011 - Deloitte & Touche LLP Partner/Principal in Audit & Enterprise Risk Services practice, 1998 – 2010. - Price Waterhouse LLP Senior Manager in Information Systems Risk Management practice, 1993 – 1998. - Various management and executive management positions in retail & banking from 1979 – 1993. - Active member and Altar Guild Volunteer of Christ Lutheran Church. - Served on the Board of Directors for Goodwill of the Southern Piedmont, Hospitality House of Charlotte, United Way of Central Carolinas, and the Mint Museum of Charlotte.
Golf News Pro Shop News New Golf Shop Merchandise from Travis Matthew! Stop by the golf shop to check out new merchandise from Travis Matthew, including Shirts and Pullovers. This is the first time that we will be carrying the brand and we look forward adding a new look in the golf shop. Start the year in style and upgrade your golf wardrobe! Starting the New Year the Golf Shop will be running the rates below: • January – February ($42 weekdays and $67 weekends) • Tee Times will begin at 9:00 and Shotguns will start at 10:00. REMINDER: With the Bermuda the grass going dormant we will be cart paths only until Spring. By adhering to this rule this will allow for our fairways to grow back nice and healthy. Please be sure to play each hole with the carts entirely on the cart paths. Passing fellow players and going off the path causes large ruts to occur. On average it takes 2-3 months to have these areas return to a normal, playable condition. In keeping with the golf courses, please make sure we are filling divots and fixing ball marks. This really allows for the courses to stay in great shape throughout the year. Operation 36 Closes the season in style: This year the golf operation added Operation 36 to its teaching program for both juniors and adults. It was an overwhelming success and we look forward to it's continued growth in the coming season. Assistant Golf Professional Bobby Stroup hosted an end of season party in appreciation of all the participants.
Handicap Committee To expand on the changes for the new World Handicap System discussed in last month’s article, the following includes additional provisions and puts emphasis on the most critical changes in addition to the need to post every score as soon as possible after completing the round: 1)There will be a new term: Playing Handicap. This will be used in competitions when called for by the application of Allowances to the Course Handicap. For example, in certain forms of play an allowance is applied to course handicaps in order to have fair competitions. 2)The new formula for Course Handicaps is: Course Handicap=Handicap Index X (Slope Rating/113) + (Course Rating –Par) This means that course handicaps will be designed to achieve Par, not the course rating, and a golfer’s target score is their Course Handicap + Par. This also eliminates the need for adjustments when players are competing from different tees because they both play to the same Par. 3)The new maximum hole score for all players is Net Double Bogey so players need to know where they get strokes with their Course Handicap on that day (remember: handicaps will be revised daily). The USGA suggests that gross scores be posted hole by hole because the system will limit bad holes automatically (the stroke allocations for our courses will be in the system).
We will discuss other important changes in future articles. Two things to keep in mind as the new system takes effect: A) The posting system will be down during the conversion until about 1/6/2020 and you should save any scorecards for posting when the new system is up and running; B) Do not panic when you see your new handicap after the new system is in place…your handicap may go down several strokes BUT so is everyone else’s.
Golf News RWGA Happy New Year to all our RWGA members and all prospective Raintree ladies who might be interested in joining our 18-hole Golf Association. RWGA is open to all Raintree lady golfers with an established handicap. If you need help getting started on your handicap, please stop in the Pro Shop, and they will be happy to assist you. Our season is full of fun play days, exciting tournaments, and opportunities to compete at other golf courses with their ladies groups. RWGA’s regular season begins March 12 with an opening brunch and meeting. We play every Thursday from March through the beginning of November. Before our official season begins in March, we have tee times set aside for us on Thursday mornings. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board in the ladies locker room. If you are thinking of joining RWGA, just sign up to play and meet some of our members. To Join Raintree Women's Golf Association To join please fill out the form below and send it along with a check for $60.00 to: Barbara Dickie, 5332 Hillingdon Road, Charlotte, NC 28226.
2020 RWGA Sign-Up Name:
Birthday(Month/Day):
Address: Home Phone:
Cell Phone:
Email:
Spouse:
Current RWGA members will see the $60.00 charge automatically reflected on their January statement. Any current members with contact information changes, please fill out the form and notify Barbara Dickie or Wenona Van Winkle of the changes. If you have questions or need further information, please contact any of our board members listed below. 2020 Executive Board President: Nancy Rembowski, rembo085@carolina.rr.com, 704-517-9562 Vice President: Anne Traxler, annetrax@carolina.rr.com, 980-230-3229 Secretary: Wenona VanWinkle, wenona@aerotage.com, 704-618-6428 Treasurer: Barbara Dickie, barbdickie@aol.com, 336-575-4668
Golf News Raintree Nine Holers
Bonnie Thyer | bonniebthyer@carolina.rr.com | 704.953.9969
R9H YEAR OF 2019 REVISITED
The Raintree 9H Women’s Golf Association had another great year. The Opening Luncheon kicked off the year with an overview of the golf rules, provided by Kris Cappuzzo, PGA Professional and Director of Golf. We worked hard to play “Be Ready” golf and speed up the pace of play. Then a series of 6 weekly clinics occurred, taught by Raintree’s PGA Golf Professionals. These instructional practice sessions were included in our 9H Association dues! New ladies, this is a good reason to join us. Check us out! You can meet some of the ladies and learn golf skills too. Since RCC has two courses, we had the opportunity to play four different 9 hole groupings. Exchange Days offered the opportunity to play other Country Clubs in Charlotte. Captain’s Choice was always played at these Exchanges. We also had charitable fund raising as a goal. Hosting the Cookie Open, which is supported by the Senior Men’s Golf Association, we raised thousands of dollars for Youth Villages’ LifeSet program, which is specific to the children who have turned 18 and thus have aged out of foster care but are not equipped with the support they need to truly gain independence. In November , our Closing Luncheon took place and New Officers were selected: Charlie Reilly President; Marguerite Davis Vice President; Susanne Winquist Treasurer; Stacie McGinn Secretary. Committee Leads: Newsletter Bonnie Thyer; Handbook Sheri Straub; Weekly Evite Ellie Savage; Social Planner Barbara Hansbury; Bulletin Board Mary Hills Powell; Scorer Betty Blackwell/Jackie Pillsbury ; Past Pres Advisor Carol Fletcher. The Most Improved Player was Susanne Winquist and the Championship Winner was Ellie Savage. We concluded the year with a special holiday dinner cocktail party at our President’s home.
Golf News
RMGA
2019 RMGA Player of the Year
It was a tight year-long race between Stefan Brewer and 2018 Player of the Year Matt Kilgo. In the end Stefan prevailed. Congratulations to our 2019 Player of the Year Stefan Brewer! Stefan’s golf career is noteworthy and filled with outstanding achievements. He is one of three Raintree members who played on the 2007 & 2008 Providence High School Golf teams that were State Championship runners-up. (Dave Boyce, Jr and Ryan Vince are the other two. Starter Bob Estock was the Coach). Stefan attended UNCW where he was a two-time Cleveland/Srixon AllAmerica Scholar. He was Colonial Athletic Association Rookie Golfer of the Year and was All-Conference for three years. Stefan played in the 2012 US Amateur at Cherry Hills, getting there by shooting 65 - 64 in the Qualifier! Interestingly, Stefan competed in the 2010 Dixie Amateur Championship finishing at 9 under par. What’s noteworthy is the list of players he beat: Morgan Hoffmann, Patrick Reed, Bud Cauley, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas and Blayne Barber are in that list. Late in day after the second round he found himself side-by-side on the range with just two other players: Morgan Hoffmann and Peter Uliein (then the #1 amateur player in the world). In Stefan’s words “That showed me quite clearly what it takes to become one of the best players in the world.” Stefan’s golf career was derailed by injury just before heading to the European Tour. After a lengthy recovery he decided to return to Amateur golf. It’s easy to see that the sport occupies an important part of Stefan’s life, but there is much more that he is involved with. He serves on the Advisory Board of Best Buddies NC, part of the world’s largest organization dedicated to helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Stefan owns and operates a real estate brokerage firm named Charlotte Real Estate; he is president of his own CBD company – Nurv CBD. Their primary product is Nurve Gum. He has a company named CorporateID, specializing in promotional items such as embroidered shirts, branded pens and coffee mugs. And, if that’s not enough, he’s VP/CFO of Kure Corporation – a CBD and vape retail company. Clearly, Stefan is an enterprising and very busy young man! Please join us in extending congratulations to Stefan Brewer. RMGA Player of the Year!
RSMGA News As we do each year, the RSMGA will take a break from official events for the first six weeks of the winter season. We will begin our 2019 season on February 19, 2020. Until then sign-up sheets for you to create your own foursomes will be posted in the locker room each Thursday for the following Wednesday morning. We extend out best wishes to everyone for a successful and enjoyable 2020!
Tennis & Fitness News The holiday rush is through and now it’s time to start thinking about spring tennis to work off the holiday pounds. Before you know it, leagues will be here. USTA signups usually start the first of the year. If you are interested in playing USTA in the spring, please send an email to the Tennis shop at tennisshop@raintreecc.net and provide the following information: your name, your USTA rating, the age group you would like to play in and whether you can play in the daytime or at night. We will do our best to find a team, if there is space available. If you would like to play weekday (Wednesday or Thursday) or weekend (Saturday or Sunday) Queen City, please send an email to the Tennis Shop as soon as possible. Sunday Queen City is mixed doubles. We will be having the Mixed Doubles Club Championship on February 21st and 22nd. This is open to all Club Members, married or unmarried. Playing with your spouse is optional, but not required. Remember that win or lose, you have to go home with your spouse after the tournament. :) If you have any children, ages 8-16 interested in playing junior USTA team tennis in the spring, please send an email to the Tennis Shop. The level of play can range from beginner to advanced. The season generally starts the middle of March and matches will be on Sunday afternoons. Please feel free to contact the tennis shop with any questions.
Pickleball Start the new year off right by getting outside of your comfort zone. Pickleball at Raintree offers a chance to keep your brain and body sharp while learning a new sport or perfecting your skills in one you already know. It's hard not to like playing with a court full of laughing people trying to perfect their skills in this fast paced sport. Play times are typically Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday around 5 , but times change with the season. As always we have extra equipment and balls and are happy to get you started with lessons. Contact Roger Littell to get on the email list for weekly times and sign up. 8littrll@gmail.com | 704.737.2573
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday 1
Thursday 2 Future Aces/ Mighty Mites
Friday 3
Saturday 4
Lounge Open 6-10 Winter 10:00SG North
Raintree Calendar of Events | January 2020
Stir Fry Night
5 Sunday Brunch Main Clubhouse 10AM-2pm
6
7 Future Aces/ Mighty Mites Clinic
8
Curbside Dinner Sliced Pork Loin
Burger Night
13
14
15
ACES Clinic
Future Aces/ Mighty Mites Clinic
ACES Clinic
ACES Clinic
Winter 10:00SG South
12 Sunday Brunch Main Clubhouse 10AM-2pm Winter 10:00SG South
19 Sunday Brunch Main Clubhouse 10AM-2pm
Winter 10:00SG South
10 Bingo & Dinner Couples Bridge Lounge Open 6-10
11 Winter 10:00SG North Stir Fry Night
16 Future Aces/ Mighty Mites
17 18 Lounge Open 6-10 Winter 10:00SG North Family Movie Night Stir Fry Night
23 Future Aces/ Mighty Mites
24
Burger Night
Curbside Dinner Chicken Pot Pie
20 ACES Clinic
Winter 10:00SG South
26 Sunday Brunch Main Clubhouse 10AM-2pm
ACES Clinic
9 Future Aces/ Mighty Mites
27 ACES Clinic
21 Future Aces/ Mighty Mites Clinic
22
Curbside Dinner Baked Pasta
Burger Night
28 Future Aces/ Mighty Mites Clinic
29
Curbside Dinner BBQ Chicken
ACES Clinic
ACES Clinic
25 Winter 10:00SG Lounge Open 6-10 North Stir Fry Night
30 Future Aces/ Mighty Mites
31 Lounge Open 6-10
Burger Night
All events & specials are subject to change or cancellation
Golf Events Tennis Events Clubhouse Events Pool Events
January 2020 |Member Newsletter
A Charlotte Tradition Club Telephone Numbers: Clubhouse
704.542.8150
Club Hours Monday
Lakeside Grille
704.542.7239
Main Clubhouse and Fitness Center
Golf Shop
704.541.8880
Lakeside Grille
Tennis Shop
704.542.8095
Golf Pro Shop
Pool
704.542.9040
Tennis Shop
Golf Maintenance
704.543.9467
Pool
Fax Number
704.542.4756
Club Staff Members Jim Troutman, General Manager jim.troutman@raintreecc.net Kris Cappuzzo, Director of Golf kris.cappuzzo@raintreecc.net Luis DeJesus, Head Professional luis.dejesus@raintreecc.net Brian Talley, Director of Communications brian.talley@raintreecc.net Danielle Landers, Director of Membership membership@raintreecc.net Justin Ahmed, Director of Food & Beverage justin.ahmed@raintreecc.net Matthew Bauwin, Executive Chef chef@raintreecc.net Brittany Horenstein, F & B Manager brittanyh@raintreecc.net Robbie Winstead, F & B Manager robbie.winstead@raintreecc.net Tracy Nazaruk, Director of Catering catering@raintreecc.net Marc Kantor, Athletics Director marc.kantor@raintreecc.net Brad Fellrath, Course Superintendent bfellrath@yahoo.com Tom Kennedy, Facilities Manager tom.kennedy@raintreecc.net Melissa Rodgers, Controller m.rodgers@raintreecc.net
Club Association Contacts 5:30AM - 5:00PM Closed
RMGA
Stan Becton
704.905.7968
RWGA
Nancy Rembowski
704.517.9562
RSMGA
Roger Littell
704.737.2573
R9H
Charlotte Reilly
704.544.8080
8:00AM-5:00PM Open for USTA Closed Tuesday - Friday
Main Clubhouse and Fitness Center
Jay Herring: President Laura Sullivan: Vice President
5:30AM - 9:00PM
Lakeside Grille
11:00AM - 9:00PM
Golf Pro Shop*
8:00AM-5:00PM
Tennis Shop
Board of Directors
Thom Goeken: Treasurer Sandy Koury: Secretary Al Andrews Matt Arnold
8:30AM - 4:00PM
Pool
David Boyce Stuart Hogge
Closed
Charles Jones
*Driving Range Closed Tuesdays 12-3PM
Charles Powell
Saturday Main Clubhouse and Fitness Center
Jim Skibbens
5:30AM - 9:00PM
Kevin Thompson
Lakeside Grille
11:00AM - 9:00PM
Stephen Winters
Breakfast (Lakeside)
7:30AM - 11:00AM
Golf Pro Shop
8:00AM-5:00PM
Tennis Shop
9:00AM - 2:00PM
Pool
Closed Sunday:
Main Clubhouse and Fitness Center Golf Pro Shop
5:30AM - 5:00PM 8:00AM-5:00PM
Lakeside Grille*
11:00AM - 6:00PM
Breakfast (Main Clubhouse)
7:30AM - 10:00AM
Brunch (Main Clubhouse) Tennis Shop
10:00AM-2:00PM 11:00AM - 3:00PM
Pool
Closed
*Cocktails Served in the 37th Hole until 7:00PM (Dinner Menu not available on Sundays) Halfway House Hours Open Daily
9:00AM - 4:00PM
Larry Witham Dale Yaged Monthly Board Meeting Minutes are on Raintree's Website under the "Club Information" link.
Card Group Contacts Ladies Wednesday Afternoon Bridge: Jeannie Larson
704.847.6548
Men's Thursday Afternoon Bridge: Frank Gardner
704.575.5153
Couples Dinner & Bridge: Second Friday of each Month Bob Warren
704.533.7569
Hours of Operation are posted in advance and are subject to change due to weather or some other unforeseen reason. All changes in hours will be posted on Clubster and on the Website.