Page 13 - GBC summer 2015

November 18-20, 2015 • Hilton Meadowvale Conference Centre, Mississauga
HANDS-ON DAY At LiONHeAD
• supplier showcase • educational sessions
• on-course activities and more....
Can you give us an update on Caledon, your newest property? Ten years ago we purchased 340 acres of land and wanted to build something nice. We didn’t anticipate that it would take this long to come to fruition. There has been some delay but we are continuing to work on our plans for a golf course there. We also have plans to include a resort component where guests can come and stay. It will be a beautiful property once it is completed.
What is the secret to success in managing a portfolio of six, soon to be seven, golf courses?
A lot of it has to do with having the right people on your team. First of all, Boris Uvakov, my General Manager, has worked with me for a very long time. I am the godfather to his children. We are family. He is running a good team. When Boris is here I don’t worry at all.
Kevin Pauley is another employee who has worked for us for practically 20 years and I know I can count on him. We treat each other with respect and work together to manage our courses successfully.
Is your family also involved with your business?
Yes. My wife, Didi is a very smart woman and is the President of the Kaneff Group of Companies. My daughters, Anna-Maria and Kristina also work with the Company. Kristina is a lawyer and Anna-Maria has an MBA.
They are both very smart girls and when you have a businesswoman and lawyer in your company, they don’t miss too much! My daughters started working when they were twelve and eleven years old. They are better than me, love the golf business and love being a part of the Kaneff Group.
Will the business pass through to your family in the next generation?
No question about it. This golf course will still be here in 50 years. I am very happy about it.
“At noon, I have
lunch with someone different each day and at 1:00pm, I golf. I play 18 holes of golf almost every day, but never with the same people. “
Is it true that at 89 years old you come in to the office and play golf every day?
Yes. Every morning at 7:00am I am at a construction site and then at 10:00am I go to my office, which is at the golf course. At noon, I have lunch with someone different each day and at 1:00pm, I golf. I play 18 holes of golf almost every day, but never with the same people. I play with bankers, lawyers, insurance people, but I don’t play with people I don’t like.
I love what I do and am motivated to do more for my family, my company, and my community. My grandfather lived until 107, and I expect to live until 110! The only problem with my golf game at this age is that the golf course seems to be getting longer each year ... or maybe I just don’t hit the ball quite as far as I used to.
Golf Business Canada 13