Page 8 - GBC Spring 2022 ENG

Message From The CEO, NGCOA Canada • Jeff Calderwood
On behalf of Golf Business Canada and the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada (NGCOA Canada), Happy New Year to you and yours!
Of course, that happiness theme is muted again this year with the impact of COVID-19 still disrupting our lives. Just when it appeared as though the end was in sight, along comes Omicron. Hopefully, 2022 will finally kick the virus to the curb once and for all.
At the NGCOA Canada, we are assembling our annual Pulse Report that combines the “2021 Year-in-Review” with the “2022 Business Outlook”. With all the exceptional pandemic circumstances, the data provides a lot to contemplate for both years. We look forward to presenting that Report shortly.
In the meantime, there is a more human “Year-in-Review” business story that we are featuring in this issue of Golf Business Canada. Namely, the disastrous November flooding of some BC golf courses and the subsequent generosity and resilience of our industry.
You will read about record setting rainfall and the severity of the flood damage to Fraserglen Golf Course and
The First Tee
The True Meaning of Community Spirit
Hope Golf Club, among others. More importantly, this is a cover story about the very personal impact on these small businesses and the men and women from other golf courses and suppliers who rallied to bail out, literally, their fellow golf course operators.
I don’t think I knew what an atmospheric river was until this mid- November crisis. But, the mudslides, washed out roads, submerged fairways and flooded clubhouses, soon demonstrated the severity of that much water.
From sandbagging to removing silt, equipment repair to food delivery, plus lots of moral support, neighbouring golf industry colleagues stepped up without hesitation. And, they are to be commended for such exceptional support.
On November 20, 2021, I received an email reply from Corrine Allan, owner of Fraserglen Golf Course. “Thank you for your kind thoughts, they are very much appreciated! We have no plan yet. We are unable to safely get to the golf course. But the golf industry is amazing! I have had every golf course reach out to me. I love our community!”
It makes me proud to be associated with that kind of an industry and to know that the NGCOA Canada has played a part in fostering that community network and sharing. Thank you to all those who came to the rescue in this case.
Both Fraserglen Golf Course and Hope Golf Club are now on the very long road to recovery but do expect to re-open in the spring. Hopefully, it then becomes a truly Happy 2022 for all those involved.
Jeff Calderwood, CEO NGCOA Canada jcalderwood@ngcoa.ca
8 Golf Business Canada