Page 19 - english winter 2017

Jay Karen, NGCOA US CEO, shows his defeat in the annual, CAN-AM cup. The trophy for this fun, association rivalry, presently resides in Jeff’s office.
Catherine Zeta-Jones shares a photo opportunity at a charity event in Beverly Hills.
Jeff receives a surprise gift from the staff for the NGCOA Canada’s 10th anniversary, at Larry’s cottage in Muskoka, June 2003.
GBC: What are your plans for the future?
Jeff Calderwood:
Several more years of NGCOA Canada success. A rewarding new challenge is my added role as the Executive Director of the CGSA (see pg 61 for more details). Probably some part time consult- ing in semi-retirement, and maybe serve on a couple of boards to give back.
GBC: That addition of the CGSA is another innovative move. You seem to have the knack for taking on unique new challenges...
Jeff Calderwood:
It does keep me motivated. I have always had my own motivational saying, which is a slight edit on the original “Don’t bite off more than you can chew.” My version has always been “Bite off more than you can chew, and chew like hell!!” It’s amazing what can be accom- plished when you just go for it.
GBC: That attitude has certainly served you well, and the golf industry is better for it. Congratulations on 25 years of NGCOA Canada leadership.
Golf Business Canada
Similarly, our GolfExPOS, now in eight cities across Canada, have come such a long way from the small, first year show in Ottawa. Again, that success represents an initiative that only a high performance associa- tion would attempt. Take A Kid To The Course, Golf Business Canada Conference & Trade Show, Rounds Played/Weather Impact/Revenue Tracker Reports, and our Advocacy wins also deserve a lot of credit.
GBC: Judging by the photos on your wall, it looks like you have met some interesting people along the way?
Jeff Calderwood:
I guess that comes with the role, and it’s a fun perk. Having dinner with Gary Player in Vancouver was certainly a memorable evening. Bringing Mike Weir to meet our staff team a few weeks after he won the Masters certainly made an impression. Inviting Clint Eastwood to an NGCOA Canada party became a night that people will never forget. I have met two American presidents, and it’s cool to meet a few movie stars and mu- sicians along the way. That photo with Catherine Zeta-Jones is a keeper!
GBC: You participate in numerous golf industry conferences around the world, and you have your eye on the trends in golf as much as anyone. What do you see for the future of golf in Canada?
Jeff Calderwood:
I’m optimistic, despite the media’s best efforts to drag us down. We have been going through some challenges lately, but keep in mind that the supply/demand correction coincided with the worst recession and slowest recovery since the Depression.
It’s a testament to golf that the declines were not greater, and golf has remained the most played participation sport in Canada each year. That being said, we need to continue refining our business acumen, including leveraging technology and shifting the “tradition vs progress” balance further forward.
Golf Business Canada 19