Page 6 - english winter 2017

Message From The President • Steve Spratt
In The Fairway
This year, the NGCOA Canada is celebrating its 25th Anniversary. This special Anniversary edition of Golf Business Canada is a retrospective of the past 25 years and looking forward to what the next 25 years might look like. After all these years, the NGCOA Canada continues to reach for innovative solutions, such as our recent exciting announcement on the various CGSA partnerships.
It’s hard to believe that the first meetings of the NGCOA Canada happened 25 years ago. I continue to admire the amount of creativity, drive and the endless hours that have gone into the creation and development of what is now the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada.
Steve & Linda Spratt with keynote speaker, Gary Player at the 2009 Golf Business Canada Conference & Trade Show in Vancouver.
25 Years Of Memories
My journey with the NGCOA Canada started just over 20 years ago after my partner and I opened Raceview and were in the early development years of our next course, Falcon Ridge Golf Course. We were immediately engulfed with amazing support and guidance from our local chapter colleagues. I am convinced that we would not have had the growth and success over the years had it not been for the incredible support from our NGCOA Canada community.
I have such respect for all the volunteer board members that have donated their time throughout the years. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all of them who have helped shape the NGCOA Canada. This association would not be the success that it is if it weren’t for their dedication and passion.
Our early meetings in the Ottawa area were some of the most memorable. With many of the founding members around the table like Mark Seabrook, Frank Chiarelli, Tom Welsh, Ernie Ferne and Bill Brown, there certainly wasn’t a shortage of intense discussion. For those
who know these fellows, you also know that a few shenanigans and good hardy laughs accompanied all that hard work.
There are so many great memories over the years, especially the epic experiences and stories that come out of our annual conference! My favourites include the amazing speakers from the 2009 Vancouver conference. Being in the presence of golf legend, Gary Player, was truly inspirational. That same year, the closing speaker was Vince Poscente who had us all sitting on the edge of our seats as he re-enacted his Olympic gold medal speed skiing run. That motivational speech will forever stay with me!
The 2016 conference in Mississauga is another special one for me, as I was fortunate enough to have my son join us. He has started his own golf industry journey and I am so proud of him and all the next generation of golf course operators who are following in the footsteps of their parents. With host locations such as Whistler and Lake Louise, I continue to look forward to the announcement of where our next adventurous conference will be.
This year’s conference in Ottawa will be one of the best! We will be celebrating 25 years of the NGCOA Canada, along with the people that have been part of this incredible journey. Jeff Calderwood, our CEO, and his team will once again create a memorable and exciting conference, filled with incredible education, inspiring stories, and memories.
I have enjoyed and truly cherish the comradery and friendships that we have built these past 25 years. I’m extremely proud of what the NGCOA Canada has become and its continued support and sense of community. I look forward to the next 25 years and to passing on some of the knowledge I have acquired to the next generation of owners and operators!
See you all in Ottawa!
Sincerely,
Steve Spratt
Co-owner, Falcon Ridge Golf Club, ON steve@falconridgegolf.ca
6 Golf Business Canada