The Leaderboard

Hendrick van der Geld CCM
General Manager
The Club at North Halton

The concept of “safe spaces,” evokes different imagery for different folks.  Some immediately think of physical spaces and physical danger.  Some may think of safety in numbers and that may be physical or perhaps, the ability to build a consensus.  Still others may think of a safe place to share ideas without the threat of being judged. Well, in the land of Private Clubs, there is another concept of safety, and it is in the context of the actual business structure and the governance model. 

Brynn Labbett
Clubhouse Manager
Toronto Golf Club

After some challenges, self reflection, and eagerness to learn, Brynn Labbett, Clubhouse Manager at Toronto Golf Club recounts her reason for pursuing her WSET diploma. Brynn talks about the time commitment and career opportunities that allowed her to pursue a new knowledge base and what it has done for her.

Chris Barron, CCM
Chief Executive Officer
Club Benchmarking

In September of 2024, Club Benchmarking sent out a brief survey to General Managers at clubs across North America soliciting information on their 2025 budget plans for operating and capital dues. In addition to this information, we also sought the status of the club’s current initiation fee and waiting lists. As a subset of that report, the information below is exclusively represented by the 49 clubs in Ontario that participated in the survey. 

Joseph Cuan
Communications Coordinator
Scarboro Golf & Country Club

In today's visually driven world, graphics design can be a game-changer for anyone. Whether in marketing, human resources, or administration, a good grasp of graphics design can help you create compelling presentations, reports, and social media content. Graphic design is not just about making your documents look fancy; it is about communication and delivering your message clearly.

Emily Anderson
Marketing Manager
St. Catharines Golf and Country Club

In the evolving landscape of membership engagement, finding innovative solutions to fulfill all of your membership’s wishes can be a challenge. When we face obstacles in our business, it is always good to look at how others have fixed similar issues, however, we can also include these businesses in our own solutions. Community partnerships can help by bridging the gap in your membership offerings or providing personal fulfillment to your membership through volunteer opportunities. Through this article, you will find how one Club in the Niagara Region connects with the community to offer more to their membership and help grow the game of golf through community partnerships.

Marcel Bregstein CCM/Sommelier 
Assistant General Manager
The Toronto Hunt

On the right-bank of the Rhône is Cornas, located on the right bank of the Rhône River and perched on the eastern slopes of the Massif Central, is a distinguished appellation celebrated for its exceptional red wines made exclusively from Syrah grapes. The name "Cornas," derived from ancient Celtic, means "burnt earth," aptly reflecting the region’s rugged, sun-drenched terroir.

Nicholas D’Ovidio
Assistant General Manager
The Club at North Halton

When it comes to workplace safety, our Club learned that a little effort goes a long way and when that work is guided by the WSIB Excellence program, the results can be astounding. The management team, with some initial energy and intention and later some determination, teamed up with the Joint Health and Safety Committee, to turn The Club at North Halton into a workplace with enhanced safety, efficiency, and productivity, with a touch of fun along the way.

Marcel Bregstein CCM/Sommelier 
Assistant General Manager
The Toronto Hunt

The Rapeneau family has been established in Champagne for over a hundred years. One of the richest stories of the Champagne. Over the generations the family has developed and handed down a heritage and know-how dominated by the conquest spirit and quest for excellence.

Cecilia Gibbons

“We are deeply embedded in a web of relationships.”— David Suzuki

Conferences are about building relationships and the annual CMAC Conference in October 2024 held in Kelowna set out with the theme “A Sustainable Future Through Natural Connections.” That said, it is not easy as a new participant to attend a conference and enter an existing network of relationships. 

Kevin Spicknell
Clubhouse Manager
Certified Sommelier
Mississaugua Golf and Country Club

This month we will continue to look at some wines from some lesser-known regions or from a varietal that you may not be as familiar with.  The wine we will be looking at this month is available in the Vintages section of the LCBO and is a go-to choice when you are looking for something that is crisp and refreshing and you are feeling a little adventurous.  This month’s wine is a white wine from a country that is known for producing incredible red wine.