Page 46 - GBC Summer ENG 2021

While we are all glad that 2020 and the challenges that it brought are behind us, at the same time we can be thankful for the increased participation in golf and generally good results the year produced.
Hopefully, lessons learned last year will better position us for the ongoing and new challenges we may face in 2021.
I am very proud of the actions our NGCOA Canada staff have taken to pivot and find new ways to continue to provide support and benefits for our members. Their creativity and willingness to find solutions to challenges, sustaining and strengthening the work of your association, has been outstanding.
This year, the GOLFEXPOs continued to be held with 5 out of 7 being converted to virtual events. Participation was strong at the GOLFEXPOs ONLINE and sales exceeded $3 million in pre-season business. The Spring Warm Ups were also converted into virtual events and contained a variety of networking opportunities, educa- tional guest speakers and mini trade shows as well as association and industry updates.
Thank you to all the owners who participated in the GOLFEXPOs ONLINE and Spring Warm Ups. Your support made them a success. The 2021 season was off to an early
The Parting Shot
Onwards and Upwards
46 Golf Business Canada
start with exceptionally warm weather in many parts of the country. However, the heightened concerns over COVID-19 trends in most provinces has been cause for concern. As I write this article, Ontario golf has just been shut down and the NGCOA Canada is doing all that we can to allow courses to re-open.
Generally, we have achieved ongoing success with government and health authorities recognizing the benefits of golf as an activity that is good for both the physical health and the mental well-being of the population. The challenge increases as any provincial govern- ment tightens up its “stay at home” restrictions, risking golf being included.
These ongoing meetings with government will continue, along- side our allied golf association partners. The COVID-19 situation is a fluid one. In addition to Ontario, recent examples include Manitoba regulations prohibiting the sale of alcohol on courses that we successfully got removed. In Saskatchewan, tee times intervals
were reduced from 10 minutes to 8 minutes, and in Quebec, the requirement to wear masks during all outdoor activities was clarified to exempt golf courses once players tee off and if they are able to maintain a distance of 2 meters from others.
I am confident that the NGCOA Canada will continue to monitor these changing protocols and provide the necessary leadership, keeping all members informed through our continuing COVID-19 bulletin updates.
In closing, my message to all owners is to be extremely careful and diligent and to follow all of the Health Authorities and government issued protocols while we promote and support the growth of golf.
Please stay safe. Best wishes for another successful season.
Sincerely,
Harry Brotchie, Owner
Lakeland Golf Management Inc., MB brotchie@lakelandgolfmanagement.com
Message From The NGCOA Canada President – Harry Brotchie