Page 44 - GBC Summer 2019 Eng

The Parting Shot
This Is Your Association, USE IT!
The golf season is of cially underway! Like me, I’m sure you have spent the last few months planning how to grow your business and seize new opportunities. What’s next for your operation?
If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to review your usage of the NGCOA Canada programs. It’s easy to get into the trenches once the busy season starts, so now is as good a time as any to make the most of your NGCOA Canada membership.
Around 1996, I met Jeff Calderwood and Mark Seabrook at the PGA buying show in Edmonton. They had a small table with brochures. I was waiting to see what the booth next to them was offering and started a conversation with them. They had me at “cheaper credit card rates”. Our facility was amid researching rates and the NGCOA Canada’s were better than anything we had seen. That alone was enough to make the membership fee worthwhile.
As I listened to what Jeff and Mark had to say, I liked the other areas of group purchasing and rebates, but what appealed to me the most was the opportunity to network with other course operators. This is something that was lacking in our area and as issues had arisen for the golf industry, we had no common voice.
The idea of local meetings and an industry conference became the biggest selling features and are still the most valuable reward from the NGCOA Canada membership. The opportunity to network with owners and operators both locally and across the country is an amazing asset of the NGCOA Canada and one that is not available through other associations.
So, make sure you are using your NGCOA Canada membership to its fullest potential. If you are unsure of any of the programs or would like to suggest areas the NGCOA Canada could help with, contact your chapter regional director.
If you think a supplier program is not being properly applied to your business, your regional director can perform a program
audit to make sure. Ask questions, attend the events, especially the spring warm ups, golf events, and conference. You will make priceless connections with other owners and operators that you can safely share ideas with. This is your association, USE IT!
I also encourage you to invite your neighbouring courses to join the NGCOA Canada. You understand the value of the programs and networking, SHARE IT! The best ambassadors are happy customers. The more courses that we have using our programs, the stronger our programs will be.
As you jump into another busy season, remember that the NGCOA Canada is here to help you with your business. All the best for the 2019 season!
Sincerely,
Lesley McMahon
Owner, Balmoral Golf Course, AB President, NGCOA Canada lesley@balmoralgolf.ca
44 Golf Business Canada
Message From The NGCOA Canada President – Lesley McMahon