Country Club Member Newsletter

Dear Members,
Cooler weather has brought the beautiful colors all around the Club. We had a wonderful October and November looks to be lots of fun for everyone with events happening all month.
The Cart Path renovation project is beginning November 1st on the South holes 1,2 and 12-18. We will be updating everyone throughout the construction so please keep a look out for those communications or visit the capital improvements page on the website.
jim.troutman@raintreecc.net
I hope you all have a wonderful month and a great Thanksgiving and enjoy time with family and friends wherever the holiday finds you. Thank you for continuing to be such a fabulous Membership and I look forward to seeing you at the Club.
Warm Regards,
Jim Troutman, General ManagerAs the holiday season approaches, your Board of Directors is again endorsing the custom utilized by many Private Clubs of thanking those staff “behind-the-scenes” as well as those who have personally served you throughout the year. Contributing to the Raintree Country Club Employee Holiday Fund enables you to express your appreciation for those services. All of these contributions are fairly distributed to the employees in time for the Holidays.
On the statements distributed during the first week of November, you will notice a contribution of $35.00 charged to your account as your gift. However, this does not mean you are obligated to contribute. Should you decide not to participate or to give an amount other than $35.00 just indicate your wish when you make your November payment.
Your thoughtful contribution is deeply appreciated, and the entire Staff of Raintree Country Club thank you and wish every Member Happy Holidays and best wishes for a wonderful New Year.
General Manager Jim TroutmanEvery year our Members show incredible generosity in the community through our Angel Tree donations. This year’s tree will be up before Thanksgiving so you can take your ornament and get shopping early! Our Charities we are working with this year Bright Blessings, Thompson Child & Family Focus, CMPD Animal Care and the Jimmy Core Foundation.
Each of these charities brings joy to families in our community along with helping those who are most in need. Below is information to how you can give this holiday season. Thank you for being such a thoughtful and generous Membership. All the best this holiday season.
We have several ways to give this year. Please read each description to choose what is best for you and we thank you for being such a generous Membership to the community.
Bright Blessings is a 501c3 non-profit organization serving the greater Charlotte region. Thanks to the helping hands and hearts of our volunteers and supporters, the programs of Bright Blessings brought the gifts of joy, care, and hope to more than 17,000 homeless and impoverished children in 2019 alone.
The Angel Tree in the lobby of the Main Clubhouse will have the Bright Blessings Angels on it. It will be up before Thanksgiving, so your family may choose an angel to donate to. The collection box will be in the lobby for gifts or you may click this link to donate through crowdfunding!
The Jimmy CORE Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in the spirit of its namesake. Jimmy Core was committed to helping homeless people eat a full meal in the communities in which he lived and worked.
There are more than 500,000 homeless people in the United States and most are searching for essential life comforts of food, clothing and shelter. This number continues to grow and foundation believes it is our responsibility to help as many of these individuals possible. The foundation will focus on providing essential life comforts so that this group can focus energy on returning to their place in society.
All of the focus will be in Charlotte, NC. This is Jimmy Core’s hometown.
The Jimmy CORE Foundation will have three clear missions:
• Provide food, clothing and shelter for homeless people in Charlotte
• Educate and inspire others to lift this group up to achieve higher levels of living.
• Preserve and maintain the spirit of Jimmy Core.
Did you know that last fiscal year, Thompson provided services to over 3,700 clients in the NC, SC, and Florida communities.
Thompson is a leading provider of clinical and prevention services for children and families across the Carolinas. The Charlotte, NC-based, nationally accredited nonprofit agency empowers children and families through therapy, education and prevention-based care. Thompson has four locations specializing in clinical and behavioral treatment, developmental education and proactive care.
Click link below to go to Raintree’s Page for Thompson Child & Family Focus
https://thompsoncff.salsalabs.org/raintreecountryclub/index.html
Animal Care & Control (AC&C) is part of the Support Services Group of the CharlotteMecklenburg Police Department and currently consists of five units including: Field Operations, Animal Sheltering & Medical Services, Customer Service & Community Outreach, Communications, and Administrative Services. In addition to providing regulatory services that contribute to community public health and safety, AC&C has many programs that focus on education, intake mitigation, pet management, adoption and animal health concerns.
AC&C is dedicated to helping the people and pets of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County by providing a variety of medical and support services. AC&C is also here to help educate the public about how to best care for animals and work to keep pets and people safe and together.
AC&C is proud to be a Tier 1 level shelter under the Human Animal Support Services national organization model.
Click link to donate: https://charlottenc.gov/AnimalsCMPD/Donate/Pages/default.aspx
Additionally, CMPD Animal Care is in need of Purina Sensitive Skin & Stomach kitten/cat and puppy/dog food. We will have a collection box in the lobby.
This year marked the largest field in the history of the Men’s Member Guest with 114 teams competing in 19 flights over 3 days! Thank you to everyone for playing and congratulations to all of our Flight Winners!
On Friday, December 2nd please join us in the Golf Shop for Holiday Night! The Golf Shop will be open from 5:30-8:00 for Holiday shopping. This is great time to knock out your holiday shopping list with all the great brands we have in the Golf Shop.
The Driving Range will be mats only for the remainder of the season. This allows for the grass to regenerate and have a solid root system as we go into the dormant season for Bermuda grass. Please do not hit off the grass at any point until it is re-opened next year. Additionally, please use extreme caution hitting balls with driver on the Driving Range. Many golfers tee it up on the grass which puts member and guest safety in jeopardy. If the range is full, please hit on the mats only.
The Golf Shop will be closing at 5:00PM beginning on November 1st and will remain at that time throughout the winter. Additionally, tee times will begin at 9:00AM November 1st as well.
The Men’s and Ladies Club Championships took place October 28-30 and was seen with exciting play in both tournaments. On the Ladies side, Joliana Hodges rode an eagle and a hole in one in the 1st round to lead her to her 2nd Club Championship at Raintree. While on the Men’s side, Matt Kilgo continued his championship form, capturing the Club Championship title once again.
Congratulations to these two champions along with all of the flight winners!
The RMGA just completed its annual election for Committee Members. The following people were elected for 2-year terms beginning with the monthly meeting to be held November 1. Dave Foley, Robbie Bigley, Charlie Michaels, Chris Hamilton, and John Shaw
They will join the following Committee Members who have 1 year left on their terms: Peter Fowler - President | Olle Bengtsson - Vice President Pete Marco - Secretary | Tom Cavanaugh - Treasurer Shane McKiernan
Two At-Large members will be selected at the November 1 meeting.
All of the season-long competitions have been completed, congratulations to the winners!
November 12 Annual Meeting 8:30 Breakfast 8:45 Meeting
November 12 Tough Day – 4-Man Scramble 10:00 Shotgun South Course
1 Team Still in It! Congratulations to Robbie Bigley’s team! They’ve made it to the Final 8 and will play Highland Creek 3 in their next match.
With 1 tournament remaining and the Match Play results still to be added, here are the Top 3 players: Player Points Frank Caruso 842.50 Matt Kilgo 805.00
Jim Knepp 782.00
Check Your RMGA Status, Get Tournament Information, and Much More
Simply go to your Golf Genius app and type in cmaqep for the event code. For the most recent tournament results click on Leaderboard. For a variety of information including the 2022 Tournament Schedule, Tournament sign-up, Player of the Year status, and a multitude of additional information simply click on the Member Portal. If you want to see additional information, just click on a button.
Congratulations to Ross Zachary for winning the 2022 RSMGA Derby Shoot Out. Ross defeated runner-up Ken Rice on the second playoff hole. Jim Rembowski took third place while Bob Lawson finished fourth.
Final results also included the following: 5th – Larry Witham, 6th – Burt Lohoff-Gaida, 7th – Mark Nelson, 8th – Tom Mcain 9th – Tom Flaherty, 10th – Glenn Daniels, 11th – Lance Deutsch, 12th – Bob Kirby
The 2022 RSMGA Annual Meeting will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 9 a.m. followed by the Always Open tournament. Please be sure to attend the annual meeting.
After several years absence because of the pandemic, the RSMGA will host its popular Holiday Party on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. Spouses are invited. Stay tuned for details.
Even as the season is ending, the excitement, fun and competition continues on with the ladies of the RWGA!
The CCWGA played at TPC Piper Glen on October 4th. Congratulations to the following winners:
Flight 1:Young Seo - 1st Net | Flight 2:Lisa Miller - 1st Net
Flight 3: Incha Kim 1st Gross | Grace Choe 2nd Net
Flight 7: Wenona Van Winkle 2nd Gross
Even with the cancellation of the final match due to Hurricane Ian, the Raintree ladies could not be caught and took home first place with a commanding lead over Cowan’s Ford. We are so proud of these incredibly talented women! Stay tuned for a photo of the team with their winning trophy in the December Newsletter.
There have been a wide variety of games played on RWGA Thursday Play Days throughout the season. Whether it’s been ‘Sucker in a Bucket’, ‘My Favorite Nine’, or ‘Beat the Pro’, one thing for sure is that there is never a dull moment!
Closing Brunch: To celebrate the RWGA’s fantastic season we will hold our Closing Brunch on November 10th at 9:00AM. Brunch will be served promptly at 9:30 with the Clos ing Meeting to follow afterwards. An email was sent out by Tyler Lucas to sign up for the brunch. The deadline for indicating your attendance is Friday, November 4th.
Final Play Day will be Thursday, November 3rd!
A Weekly Sign-up sheet for informal Thursday play during the off season will be posted on the Locker Room Bulletin Board.
October has brought in much excitement for the Niners.
Donations in the amount of $800 were given to each charity- Safe Alliance and On Eagles Wings/Field of Hope.
Well done to all who participated.
October 11th | Congratulations to all golfers.
Wendy Mccampbell, overall Champion!!
Flight 1: 1st Gross | Leslie Mucha
1st Net | Marguerite Davis
Flight 2: 1st Gross | Barbara Hansbury 1st Net | Nancy Kipnis
Flight 3: 1st Gross | Jane Fisher
1st Net | Laurann Robertson
November 1st: Putting Contest & Last Niners Fun Day
November 8th: Niners Closing Luncheon
SAVE THE DATE: December 2nd, Holiday Party with DJ, Spirits, and an amazing menu!
More details to follow. You don’t want to miss this fun evening!
Wendi Reichard
Everyone should be aware of the need to post scores for 9 holes played. We have advised in previous articles that each 9 holes on both our (and all) courses are rated separately. When two 9 holes scores are posted the system combines them into an 18 holes differential. They can be any two 9 holes rounds on either of our or any courses.
When playing the same 9 twice your score should be posted as separate rounds. For example, when playing the North front 9 twice, post the first 9 played and then the second 9 played. The system will ask which 9 you played. The reason for this is the difference in course ratings for each 9, front and back. The differences are particularly significant on the South course.
This reminder is also offered in view of the plan to install new cart paths at Raintree and that will require closing 9 holes at a time. The plan is to have players play the open nine holes twice. However, it is likely that some players may elect to just play 9 and skip the replay of that 9. The expected increase of players only playing 9 holes suggests that we remind players of the need to post that 9 holes score.
Please contact the Handicap Committee with any questions.
Have you seen Pickleball on TV? Tournaments are showing up on various channels and are a good way to see how the Big Kids play...
Pickleball at Raintree continues to grow! Check out some of the offerings below to help you get involved in a fun fast-paced game.
For intermediate to advanced play contact Deb Forbis (dforbis2299@yahoo.com or 704400-5518) Their play is typically Tuesday, Friday and Sunday evenings. See emails for specifics.
The Queen City pickleball team won 4 matches in October and is currently tied for second place. The contact person for the team is Bob Tokarczyk (bob474747@ hotmail.com)
Saturday morning play is intended for beginners to intermediate players and is managed by Roger Littell (8littrll@gmail. com or 704-737-2573). If you just want to come and see what the excitement is about we have paddles and teachers available to give you a chance to see if this sport is for you or just to hone your skills and have a good time while doing it.
As always you are encouraged to set up your own court times. Court 9 is fully lined and court 8 is premarked, but needs to chalked in WHITE only!!
The hard courts received a much needed face lift this fall. In addition to the resurfacing, one of the courts is now permanently lined for pickleball. If you are interested in learning how to play pickleball, come out on Saturday mornings from 9:00-11:00 for free lessons with our pickleball instructors.
October was Breast Cancer Month and Raintree celebrated with a “Pink Out” tennis and pickleball social on October 22nd. Members came out to support the great cause with a night of tennis and pickleball on a great October evening. Donations for the week of October 17-22 totaled $8500.00.
Thanks for everyone for their support and generosity!
Our junior clinics will continue throughout the fall, weather permitting. Clinic for children ages 4-11 is on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 5:00-6:00 PM. Clinic for children ages 12-18 is on Mondays/Wednesdays from 5:00-6:30 PM.
Golf Tennis Events Pool
1 Cardio Tennis Niners 10:00SG Curbside Chicken Parm
2 ACES Clinic RSMGA 10:00SG North
3 Cardio Tennis RWGA 10:00SG North
4 Steaks & Cigars
7 ACES Clinic 8 Cardio Tennis Niners Closing Lunch Curbside Beef Bourguignon
9 ACES Clinic RSMGA 10:00SG South Active Shooter Class
10 Cardio Tennis RWGA Closing Brunch
11 12 Beginner Clinic RMGA Tough Day
5 Beginner Clinic 10SG North Live Music Hayden Lee 6 10SG South Sunday Brunch North Halfway Closes 6PM South Halfway Closes Dusk Daylight Savings Time
13 10SG North Sunday Brunch
14 ACES Clinic 15 Cardio Tennis Curbside Turkey Meatloaf
16 ACES Clinic RSMGA 10:00SG North Wine Tasting
17 Cardio Tennis RWGA 10:06TT
18 Live Music Smashing Briefcases
19 Beginner Clinic 10SG North Couples Club Champ Owl Prowl 20 Sunday Brunch 10SG South Couples Club Champ
21 ACES Clinic 22 Cardio Tennis Niners 9:30SG N Curbside Taco Feast
23 ACES Clinic RSMGA 10:00SG South
24 10SG South Happy Thanksgiving Club Closes at 3pm
25 10SG North 26 Beginner Clinic 10SG South Oysterfest 27 Sunday Brunch 10SG North
28 ACES Clinic 29 Cardio Tennis Niners 9:30 SG S Curbside Spaghetti & Meatballs
30 ACES Clinic RSMGA 10:00SG North
All events & specials are subject to change or cancellation
• Tee Shirts of any kind are not permitted for men, women, and children over the age of 10.
• Men and boys ten and older must wear collared or mock-collared shirts.
• Blue Jeans are permitted as long as they do not have any rips, tears, or holes.
• Hats must be worn forward facing at all times
• Hats are not allowed during Sunday Brunch.
• Hats also may not be worn in the Lakeside Grille or in the Main Clubhouse after 5:00PM.
• Performance Shirts without a collar are permitted in the 37th Hole and Middle Bar.
• Swimsuits are not permitted anywhere in the Lakeside Grille or Main Clubhouse.
• All persons swimming must have proper swim attire.
• No denim allowed at any time.
• Full length shirt required.
• Athletic pants or shorts.
• Athletic, non-marking shoes.
• No denim, tank tops, t-shirts allowed at any time.
• Traditional golf attire is considered collared shirts, slacks or bermuda length shorts & skorts.
• Men’s shirts must be tucked in at all times and hat bills must be worn forward facing.
• No denim allowed at any time.
• Traditional tennis attire is required of all Members and Guests.
• No tank tops or sleeveless shirts for Men.
• Appropriate athletic shoes with non-marking soles are required.
Luis DeJesus
Head Golf Professional luis.dejesus@raintreecc.net
Steve Bogdanoff
Director of Instruction sbogdanoff@pga.com
Brad Fellrath
Course Superintendent bfellrath@yahoo.com
Tom Kennedy Facilities Manager tom.kennedy@raintreecc.net
Brian Talley
Director of Communications brian.talley@raintreecc.net
Melissa Rodgers Controller m.rodgers@raintreecc.net
Michael Koshivas Assistant F & B Director michael.koshivas@raintreecc.net
Sherief Shawky Executive Chef chef@raintreecc.net
Jennifer Sullivan Catering Director catering@raintreecc.net
Arielle Lobrano
F & B Manager arielle.lobrano@raintreecc.net
Isabelle Josey F & B Manager isabelle.josey@raintreecc.net
RMGA Peter Fowler 704.516.0495
RWGA Barb Dickie 336.575.4668
RSMGA Pete Marco pmarcop49@gmail.com
R9H Marguerite Davis 704.618.2128
Sunday 5AM - 6PM 11AM - 6PM 7:30AM - 6PM 12PM - 4PM
Monday 5AM - 6PM Closed 7:30AM - 6PM 8:30AM - 4PM
TuesdaySaturday 5AM - 9PM 11AM - 9PM 7:30AM - 6PM 8:30AM - 4PM (Saturday 9-3PM)
Driving Range 7:30AM - 7PM Daily (Closed Tuesdays 12PM-3PM)
Beginning November 6th
North Halfway House Open Daily 8AM - 6PM South Halfway House Open Daily 8AM - Dusk
Hours of Operation are posted in advance and are subject to change due to weather or some other unforeseen reason.