A NOTE FROM YOUR

EXECUTIVE TEAM

October Executive Update

Fall is a wonderful time at RiverBend, and this October brings plenty to look forward to. Our clubhouse continues to take shape, we are introducing our fall and winter menu, and we have several great events ahead. Thank you for your continued patience, encouragement, and support as we work toward welcoming everyone back into our beautiful clubhouse.

Clubhouse Update

The renovation is progressing well as we finalize decisions and bring the finishing touches together. In the ballroom, the white oak woodwork is nearing completion, all interior columns are finished, and the booths are being built. Work has also begun in the upstairs bar, bringing another much-anticipated gathering space closer to completion.

Outside, we have selected brick for the exterior columns. That work is scheduled to begin the first week of October and is expected to finish around mid-month. Once the brickwork is complete, concrete will be poured around the building to finish those exterior areas.

The kitchen equipment has been installed, and we are preparing our final order of smaller equipment and supplies for the kitchen and bar areas. All bathroom tile work is now complete, marking another milestone in the project.

It is exciting to see the details we have spent so much time planning become part of the finished clubhouse. I look forward to the day we can welcome everyone back and enjoy these spaces together. If you would like a closer look at the progress, please reach out. I would be happy to arrange a walkthrough.

Club Operations

Our fall and winter menu is coming this month, featuring a soup-and-salad combo, a soup, salad, and sandwich combo, and several new dishes. We look forward to sharing these seasonal additions with you as cooler weather arrives.

October will also be a busy month for golf and fellowship. Our Fall Member-Guest will provide a great opportunity to welcome guests and showcase RiverBend. We will close out the month with our Couples Scramble Championship on Halloween, along with our annual Halloween celebration. Keep an eye on Club communications for event details and registration information.

With beautiful fall weather around the corner, I hope you will make time to enjoy a round of golf, join us for a meal, and spend time with friends around the Club.

Thank You for Your Support

As we move through the final stages of the renovation, I want to thank our Board, staff, and entire membership for the support that has brought us this far. Your patience and enthusiasm mean a great deal to our team.

The most rewarding part of this project will be seeing our members and families filling the clubhouse again—sharing meals, celebrating milestones, and making new memories at RiverBend.

I am excited for what lies ahead and honored to serve as your General Manager. I look forward to seeing you around the Club this month!

As we move into the fall season, the maintenance team will be focusing on several important practices to prepare the golf course for the cooler months ahead.

We will be applying our fall fertilizer to the fairways to promote turf health, improve color, and help strengthen the plant going into winter dormancy.

On the greens, we will begin gradually raising our height of cut (HOC). This is an important part of our fall management program as we shift our focus toward improving plant health and building carbohydrate reserves. Allowing the turf to produce and store additional energy now will help improve winter hardiness and provide a stronger foundation heading into next spring.

We will also be reseed­ing our existing fine fescue areas throughout the course. In addition, a new fine fescue area will be established behind No. 12 green. These areas are intended to add definition and character to the course while providing a natural, low-maintenance look.

Finally, we will continue making cold-patch repairs to the cart paths throughout the winter. These repairs will be completed as conditions and schedules allow, with the goal of steadily improving the condition and appearance of our cart-path system.

As always, we appreciate the membership’s patience and support as we continue working to improve the golf course and prepare it for the months ahead.

October Golf Update

September was a busy and memorable month for golf at RiverBend. We hosted five member events—the RiverBend Cup, Club Championships, MGA Fall Open, Codger Cup, and Senior Member-Guest—and our members brought plenty of enthusiasm despite the lingering summer heat. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make these events a success.

September Tournament Highlights

We celebrated outstanding golf during our Club Championships. Congratulations to Sterling Smith on capturing his sixth Club Championship, including back-to-back victories in 2025 and 2026. We may need to create a Sterling Flight soon! Bree Smith also played excellent golf to earn her first RiverBend Ladies Club Championship.

Congratulations to all of our 2026 Club Champions:

Men’s Club Champion: Sterling Smith

Ladies Club Champion: Bree Smith

Men’s Net Champion: Justin Taute

Ladies Net Champion: Sarah Insell, competing in her first championship

Senior Club Champion: Jimmy McElhaney, following an impressive turnaround from Round 1 to Round 2

Senior Net Champion: David Ledbetter

Super Senior Champion: Ed Neese

Senior Ladies Champion: Linda Wells

Junior Club Champion: Oliver Taute

The MGA Fall Open brought together 56 teams for our traditional RiverBend Shamble, with five RiverBend teams taking home flight victories. Jude Lenahan and Jason Millard finished at an impressive 22-under par to edge Keith Canter and Tyler Huff for the Championship Flight title. Additional flight winners included Mike Rittenberry and Blake Rittenberry in the Second Flight, Al Bellenfant and Mark Lamb in the Third Flight, Chris Simmons and Ben Adams in the Fourth Flight, and Josh Woods and Lucas Dunnavant in the Fifth Flight.

The tournament also raised funds for the MGA that go directly back into the Club. Thank you to everyone who contributed to a successful weekend.

We wrapped up the month with the Senior Member-Guest, featuring 20 players in a 36-hole, two-man scramble. Pat Neese and Robert Connelly won the Jack Nicklaus Flight at 10-under par, while Rick Beasley and Mike Ducey captured the Gary Player Flight. Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to everyone who joined us for two enjoyable days of golf.

Upcoming Golf Events

October offers more opportunities to enjoy the course and spend time with fellow members and guests.

Adult Night Golf is October 9. If you registered for the original date, please sign up again, as teams do not automatically carry over. Bring your glow sticks and a sense of humor—we look forward to a fun evening on the course!

The Whiskey & Woods Invitational Fall Member-Guest is October 24–25. This is a wonderful opportunity to invite a guest, show off RiverBend, and enjoy a weekend of fall golf.

We will finish the month with our Couples Scramble Championship on Halloween, October 31. Grab your better—or at least more patient—half and join us for some friendly competition.

Please contact the Golf Shop for event details and registration.

Golf Shop Update

Fall apparel is beginning to arrive, just in time for the cooler days we have been waiting for. Stop by the Golf Shop to browse the new arrivals and get ready for the season.

While you are here, take a look at the new Doc Murphy RiverBend belts. These sharp, reversible belts offer a versatile way to show your Club pride and look good on and off the course.

We look forward to seeing you on the course this October!