Page 46 - GBC Spring 2023 Eng

When I was first recruited to become a director on the NGCOA Canada Quebec Chapter Advisory Board, I was far from thinking that I would some day become the pres- ident of this great, influencing as- sociation.
The NGCOA Canada represents more than 1400 members through- out 8 chapters across the country. It also has 20 full time staff and more than 60 Chapter advisory board di- rectors that the board and I will gladly represent over the next two years.
Before you continue reading; grab yourself a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and raise a toast to our past president, Harry Brotchie, who expertly captained the ship during the past two difficult years. He was a great mentor for me over the past two years and will contin- ue to be in the future.
For those of you who don’t know me, I’m a third-generation golf course owner. My grandfather started in 1954 with nine holes that was, back then, the longest course in the country at over 3551 yards. It was quite a feat at 7100 yards when you played it as an 18 hole course when considering they played with wooden clubs, let alone the quality of the golf ball back then.
Allow me to introduce myself...
46 Golf Business Canada
Like every family-owned busi- ness, I started to work at the age of 12. From dishwasher, cart boy to bar- man, I did everything there is to do on a golf course. I also worked for 2 years at a competing golf course in the area. That was the greatest expe- rience to gain maturity and to prove yourself away from your fami- ly-owned business.
I graduated from Seneca Col- lege in 2000 as a golf course super- intendent and also became share- holder of the family business at the same time. I managed the ground crew at our facilities (3 golf cours- es) for about 7 years before I worked my way to the General Manager position in the fall of 2007. In December 2008, my uncle retired by selling me his shares and I became 50% owner of the busi- ness until my dad passed away 2 weeks later.
When you are 29 and manag- ing 3 courses by yourself when that wasn’t the plan, you hit a wall. I always say that a cat can’t swim until you throw him in the pool and then he will save his life and make it to dry land. It was rough and at some point, pure des- per-ation. Then 2014 happened.
You are probably asking yourself; why 2014? Well, it was when I attended my first confer- ence as an NGCOA Canada dele- gate in my beautiful Montreal. I always say that this conference changed my life forever. Prior to that conference, I was ready to sell everything and do something else with my life. But I left the confer- ence with a totally different mind- set. I was ready to conquer the golfing world with my book full of notes and I was part of the cult now, the NGCOA Canada cult.
So that’s my story so far. I will write a new chapter over the next 2 years and hopefully, I will ex- ceed your expectations. See you soon on a golf course or at the 19th hole!
Sincerely,
Daniel Pilon, Owner
Club de Golf St-Zotique, QC
The Parting Shot
Message From The NGCOA Canada President • Daniel Pilon