Page 6 - GBC summer 2016

by Jeff Calderwood, CEO, NGCOA Canada
On March 27, 2016, the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada lost a great leader, with the unexpected passing of Past- President, Larry Ungerman.
Pre-deceased a few short months previous by his beautiful wife of 46 years, Nina Budman, our heartfelt sympathies go out to their daughter Alexis, son Zak, and their 5 grandchildren. Larry spoke often and proudly of each of them.
Tribute To Larry Ungerman • 1944-2016
I had the opportunity to work very closely with Larry over many years. We became good friends and I now reflect on all those times together with great memories, and sadness that he is gone far too soon.
I met Larry in 1993, at Parkview Golf Club during the first Toronto meeting of the NGCOA Canada. We had a vision to develop a strong national association to represent the best interests of golf course owners and operators. Larry shared that vision and immediately stepped up to play a leadership role. Of his many attributes, being a visionary and a true leader are two of his greatest.
Larry was Co-Owner of Royal Woodbine Golf Club in Toronto. For those
in the rest of Canada, this is the golf course that you nearly land on as your plane arrives at Pearson Airport. It is a high-end semi-private course designed by Dr. Michael J. Hurdzan and Larry was instrumental in its success. He managed the operation directly until the business matured.
His golf course ownership career would go on to include co-ownership of Maples of Ballantrae Golf Club and several consulting projects, including the fabulous Doug Carrick designed Muskoka Bay Golf Club. He hosted our NGCOA Canada Board Of Directors at Muskoka Bay during the week that it opened, which was a very generous and impressive day.
Larry always made an impression. As Zak stated during the memorial service, “Dad was also a bit of a peacock. Since I was a little kid, I remember him always having at least one flashy convertible sports car.”
I would describe Larry as a very modest “peacock.” Always well dressed and enjoying the finer things in life that his business success had provided, Larry did so with a calm, understated confidence that was always respectful to those around him. He was definitely a people person, with a wide circle of family, friends, and business associates. He was always leading with that friendly smile of his and an optimistic outlook on life.
Larry’s leadership within the NGCOA Canada was exceptional, and entirely volunteer. He first served on our Central Ontario Chapter Advisory Board, becoming Chapter President within a few years. He was instrumental in the early growth in membership and benefits in our GTA market.
6 Golf Business Canada
Larry Ungerman, NGCOA Canada President 2008-2010