Vashon Golf and Swim Club

As we look toward longer, sunnier days, the pace has quickened noticeably at Vashon Golf and Swim Club. The pool is now open, weekly golf events available to members and non-members alike have begun, and plans are underway for an all-island open house, as well as karaoke, movie and trivia nights.
 
For the first time in eight years, the club has hired a full-time golf professional/general manager to give lessons, organize tournaments and oversee the Maury-based course, swimming pool, tennis courts and restaurant.
 
Craig Wilcox, a 25-year pro with Puget Sound roots who most recently was in Hillsboro, Ore., began his new job at VGSC on May 20. That was two days after the opening of the island’s largest pool for its five-month season, ending Oct. 19.
 
Meanwhile, the club is continuing its drive for new members, offering one-year introductory passes for $99 a month and a special prime summer pass at $399 a month for three months. The latter, with no initiation fee, is for residents who want to try all aspects of the club without necessarily committing beyond fall.
 
VGSC’s "Mixed Couples Twilight Drop-In Golf" is now open to non-members as well as members. Play starts at 5 p.m. each Wednesday until Sept. 25. Those who are not members or pass holders pay $25 a couple for nine holes. All levels of skill are welcome. These fun evenings are topped off by dinner and drinks that can be purchased at the end of the round.
 
The Business League was so popular when it debuted last year that it has been expanded to two evenings a week this year. Seventeen teams representing a variety of island businesses are competing on Monday and Tuesday evenings until July 23.
 
Though the nine-hole course, with two sets of tees bringing the layout to 18 holes, may be the club’s most visible feature, its outdoor pool and outsized deck are the center for summer socializing. Nothing can compete with the views from the deck overlooking the course to Quartermaster Harbor and the Olympic Mountains. Mileta Creek Restaurant, opened to the public last year, features fine dining indoors and out.
 
Swim-only memberships are available. Call the office at 463-9410 for details, or email us at vgscmembership@gmail.com. Tennis-only memberships also are available. The club’s two tennis courts have been resurfaced and repainted.
 
With its eye on drawing young families to VGSC, the club is offering one-time introductory annual passes at deep discounts this year. (The special pass program was recently expanded to all age groups.) The club also is developing a series of events that will appeal to islanders across the board.
 
On June 22, the club will host an island-wide open house -- a school’s-out "Community Play Day" -- from 12 noon until 5 p.m., followed by bingo and, if you choose, dinner at the restaurant. During the day, the pool will be open for free swimming. There’ll be games for the kids and chipping and putting contests. The course will be open to the public with all green fees waived. Five-minute tennis tune ups will be offered and a free luncheon will be served.
 
Down the road, the clubhouse will be the scene of regular karaoke nights for members and the general public. The evenings will attract all age groups, from young children to young-at-heart seniors, from families to singles to the most music-savvy teens. Dates and times will be announced shortly.
 
Finally, the club will be putting on trivia contests, poker nights and movie-nights-at-the-pool for our members and guests. Bingo nights already are a fixture.
 
2013 is shaping up to be a busy year. If you’re looking for the best place to meet for a lifetime of health and good company, please join us. You’ll be glad you did.
 
Mike Kimmel is president of the Vashon Golf and Swim Club’s board of directors.