Page 46 - GBC Spring 2026 ENG

As we turn the page on a new year,
I want to extend my warmest wishes
to you, your teams, and your families.
January and February are always a
unique moment for our industry: the
golf season may still feel a little way
off for some, but the work of preparing
for a successful year is already well
underway. From staffing and training
plans to budgets, agronomy strategies,
capital projects, and member or guest
experience initiatives, this is the time
when strong seasons are built—long
before the first tee shot.
This year also marks an exciting
new chapter for NGCOA Canada
with the appointment of our new
CEO, Nathalie Lavallée. Many of you
already know Nathalie well, and I am
pleased to share that this is a truly
seamless transition. Nathalie has been
with the organization for 25 years,
serving in key management roles and
helping to shape countless programs,
partnerships, and services that
support our members coast to coast.
Her deep understanding of our sector
will serve NGCOA Canada extremely
well as we continue to evolve and
advocate for Canadian golf.
At the same time, we extend our
heartfelt thanks to Jeff Calderwood,
our outgoing CEO, for an extraordinary
34 years of dedication. Jeff’s
contribution to NGCOA Canada—and
to the strength and professionalism
46
Golf Business Canada
The
Parting Shot
Message From The NGCOA Canada President • Richard Edmonds
A New Season,
A New Chapter
of our industry—cannot be overstated. We are grateful for his commitment,
vision, and unwavering support of golf course owners and operators across
the country.
With the golf season approaching, I encourage every member to take
advantage of the Spring Warm Up events being held from coast-to-coast. These
gatherings are a terrific resource: an opportunity to connect with operators
in your area, share ideas, and learn about new programs and tools that can
set you up for a strong year. To find an event near you, see page 45 or visit
www.ngcoa.ca/events/spring-warm-up.
I also want to reflect on a milestone moment for our association: our
conference that took place in November. We were proud to celebrate the
25th anniversary of the event—and we did so in a big way. It was the largest
conference since its inception, with record attendance, an outstanding trade
show, our highest-rated keynote speaker to date, and an impressive 94% of
delegates rating the overall event as exceptional or above average. That’s a
testament to the strength of our membership and the quality of the community
we continue to build together.
Looking ahead, the 2026 conference will take place in beautiful Victoria,
BC, and registrations are already at an all-time high for this early in the year.
I encourage you to register early to secure your spot and take advantage of
early bird rates. Visit https://conference.ngcoa.ca/ to register today.
Here’s to a safe, successful, and rewarding season ahead. If you have
questions, ideas, or would like to connect, please don’t hesitate to reach out—
my door is always open. Wishing you a great start to the year and an even
better golf season.
Richard Edmonds
Owner/Operator, Tangle Creek Golf & Country Club