Annual customer appreciation golf outing in Minnesota makes its return after 2020 cancellation

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“Having fun in 2021” is the unofficial mantra of Road Machinery & Supplies Co. after the Covid-19 pandemic cancelled nearly every activity on the calendar in 2020. Events like the annual Minnesota customer appreciation golf event at Cragun’s Legacy Courses in Brainerd, Minn., carry a new level of excitement for everyone involved.

 

“I cannot believe how many customers thanked us for having the event, they were excited for it,” said Vice President Product Support and Southern Operations Joe Schmidtlein. “We talk to our customers every day but being able to set work aside and hang out with them in a relaxed setting like this is incredible.”

 

“We are very appreciative of our customers, and holding the outing is a great way for us to show that,” said Vice President Sales and Marketing Andy Schwandt. “Cancelling last year was a big loss, and we are grateful to be able to do this again and thank our customers.” 

 

“I always struggle being out of the office in the busy summer, but this was definitely worth it. I also really enjoyed meeting more of the RMS team it’s a' terrific group of people. Every year it seems like companies cut things like this out of the budget and it’s very cool that you continue to put this on.”

- Luke Masica, Kevitt Companies

Anticipation had never been higher for the event, and all the elements cooperated for a triumphant return to normalcy. Blue skies, plenty of sun, and temperatures in the upper-70s welcomed nearly 75 RMS customers, manufacturer reps, and employees back to Cragun’s Legacy Courses and Resort on Gull Lake for two days of camaraderie and relaxation.

“The hospitality was impeccable as it always is.”

- Mike Knopik, Knopik Crushing

 

“This is this fifth time I’ve been lucky enough to come up here,” said Jeff Fye of Ames Construction. “It’s great to meet the people from RMS and other customers. It’s always cool to build those relationships.”

 

“This is event is so much fun,” said second-time attendee Nick Oster of Fisher Mining. “This is the best event of the year for me. I do other customer events around the Cities, but it’s nice to get out of town and come up here.”

 

“It was great to meet up with Karen, Jeff, Tom, Phil and the whole gang at RMS in person again. As usual, RMS was on top of it and pulled off a great event. It was fun and I definitely appreciate the hospitality.” 

 

- Jeff Fye, Ames Construction

 

The two-day schedule featured 36 holes of golf, a chipping and putting contest, and a dinner cruise aboard the North Star yacht in addition to prizes and other amenities. One new feature for 2021 was an optional mountain bike trail ride in the Cuyuna Lakes area.

 

“Events like this are important in the customer-distributor relationship,” said Rick Lessard of Terra Technologies. “This is my first time coming to this event, and I am impressed. All the people here with RMS are quality people, and this is a first-class event.”

 

“The RMS golf outing was fantastic. It was nice to spend some time together on Friday getting to know each other better. Jeff S. does an OUTSTANDING job representing RMS.”

 

- Scott Schreiber, Origination

“Cragun’s is a beautiful course,” said Ames Construction’s Ethan Nauman. “Overall, it’s been a great event.

 

With a renewed level of appreciation for gatherings of any kind, the return of the golf outing delivered on all accounts – especially fun.

 

 

Thursday Golf Winners

 

1^st Place

Joe Schmidtlein, RMS

Norm Everson, Carl Bolander and Sons

Niall McNeilus, McNeilus Steel

Rick Lessard, Terra Technologies

 

 

 

 

 

2^nd Place

Jake Kessanen, RMS

Paul Schratz, Astec Industries

Anthony Koop, FPI Paving Contractors, Inc.

John Olsen, Hugo Tree

 

 

 

 

 

9^th Place

Joe Harvieux, Waste Management, Inc.

Chris Kotzer, Kotzer Excavating, Inc.

Tom Burrows, RMS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Longest Putt, Hole 2 – Jeff Fye, Ames Construction

Longest Drive, Hole 3 – Jake Busho, Olmsted Aggregate

Longest Drive, Hole 9 – Jake Busho, Olmsted Aggregate

Closest to Pin Hole 8 – Joe Velasquez, NPK Construction

Chipping Contest Winner – Gary Disch, Magney Construction, Inc.

Putting Contest Winner – Jeff Habisch, Kevitt Excavating LLC

 

Friday Golf Winners

1^st Place

Ryan Miller, RMS

Joe Knopik, Knopik Construction

Jeff Dirkes, RMS

Nick Oster, Fisher Mining

 

2^nd Place

Jeff Bistodeau, RMS

Jake Busho, Olsmsted Aggregate

Corey Gruber, Astec Industries

Mike Reiter, Olmsted Aggregate