For club management professionals, experience is essential — but recognized professional credibility is what sets leaders apart.

Earning your CCM is more than completing courses. It’s a structured professional journey that validates your knowledge, leadership ability, and commitment to excellence in club management.

Paul Cadieux, CCM
CMAC Ontario Branch – President
General Manager & Chief Operating Officer, Bayview Golf & Country Club

Paul Cadieux is a highly experienced club management leader whose strategic vision and operational expertise help elevate member experiences and strengthen club communities across Ontario. With a distinguished career spanning more than 25 years at some of Canada’s most respected private clubs, Paul’s influence in the industry continues to make a meaningful impact.

Bill Stepec
CMAC Ontario Branch – Membership, Marketing & Communications Chair
Director of Marketing & Communications, Ontario Racquet Club

Bill Stepec is an experienced club marketing professional with deep roots in the club industry and a strong commitment to advancing both club-level member engagement and broader industry development through volunteer leadership.

At the 2026 Annual Meeting held April 8, 2026 at the Oakdale Golf & Country Club we showcased our 4th Annual Idea Fair. Check out the entries!

By: Clayton Elliot and Brad Milligan
Co-Founder and CEO
AceCall.ai

Private club leadership has always been about stewardship.

Stewardship of culture.
Stewardship of reputation.
Stewardship of capital.
Stewardship of people.

General Managers and COOs operate at the intersection of governance, operations, and member expectations. You are expected to see around corners, not just manage what is directly in front of you.

In 2026, one of those corners is artificial intelligence.

Martin Piché, CCM, BSc.
CMAC Ontario Branch – Secretary Treasurer
Chief Operating Officer, Scarboro Golf & Country Club

Martin Piché is a seasoned club management professional whose leadership and deep industry experience contribute to operational and strategic financial stewardship across the Ontario club sector.

Andrew Vento
Program Coordinator
Humber College’s Professional Golf Management (PGM) program

If you’re passionate about golf and envision a future in the industry—whether as a head professional, club manager, tournament organizer, instructor, or entrepreneur—then you already know that success in this field takes more than a good swing. It requires a deep understanding of the business of golf, leadership skills, and strong industry connections. That’s exactly where a Professional Golf Management (PGM) Program comes in.

Kathleen Howard
Vice-Chair, Professional Development Committee & Chair, Member Engagement Committee — CMAC Ontario Branch
Director of Food & Beverage, Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club

Kathleen Howard is a passionate club professional whose career has been shaped by a deep commitment to hospitality, mentorship, and building meaningful member experiences. With a strong foundation in food and beverage leadership and a genuine love for the club environment, Kathleen brings both operational expertise and heart to everything she does.

Applications are open until March 15, 2026 at 5:00pm

Recognition is powerful. It motivates teams, strengthens community, and shines a spotlight on the people who make our industry — and our association — thrive. New this year, the CMAC Ontario Branch Awards Program is proud to recognize branch members who demonstrate leadership, creativity, support, and dedication to our community and the private club industry.

Kathleen Howard
Director of Food and Beverage 
The Cricket Club

The Ontario Branch of CMAC is excited to introduce a new committee focused on one thing we all value: connection.

Shaun Tyler
MBA, BComm, PGA of Canada Class "A"
Professor, Sport Management Program

Social media has revolutionized the way employers connect with potential hires and how job seekers find opportunities. With over 32 million active social media users in Canada—82% of the population—platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram have become critical tools in the recruitment landscape. This blog delves into some of the current trends, platform-specific strategies, and actionable tips for leveraging social media effectively for recruitment at your club.

Rob Matheson
Membership and Curling Manager
Dundas Valley Golf and Curling Club

At Dundas Valley, we’ve really shifted how we think about curling. Sure, it’s still a sport — but more than that, it’s a great excuse to bring people together. Around here, it’s just as much about who you’re playing with as what kind of shot you make.

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

Working in the kitchen gave me an invaluable 'insider's view' of the club. You're at the heart of the action, privy to the daily rhythms and the nuances of member preferences. I heard their feedback, understood their routines, and learned what truly mattered to them. This knowledge, gained from the ground up, provided a unique advantage when I transitioned to a more member-facing role. 

At the 2025 Annual Meeting held April 2, 2025 at The Boulevard Club we showcased our 3^rd Annual Idea Fair. Check out the entries!

Jennifer Kennedy
Fitness and Wellness Clinic Director
The Boulevard Club

As a club management professional, I understand how quickly the demands of the job can stack up—whether it's organizing events, managing staff, or ensuring that members have an exceptional experience. Your days are often filled with meetings, coordinating teams, and problem-solving on the fly. Amid this whirlwind of responsibilities, your own health and wellness can easily be sidelined. But maintaining your physical and mental well-being is not just important for your personal satisfaction—it is also essential to your professional success.

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. 

Leslie Byers
Director of Membership & Communications
PGA of Canada Associate Professional
Mississaugua Golf and Country Club

The Club Management industry boasts a rich history, with many Clubs in Ontario and across Canada proudly celebrating or approaching their centenary milestones. This long-standing tradition highlights the industry's enduring relevance and its significant role in community and social life. However, for the industry to remain vibrant and continue its growth trajectory, Club Professionals must commit to ongoing development and continuous improvement.

Marcel Bregstein CCM/Sommelier 
Assistant General Manager
The Toronto Hunt

On Thursday, June 6, 2024, my wife Elayne and I embarked on our journey to Napa to produce the Pilot episode of "The Wandering Somm with Marcel Bregstein". It was an unforgettable experience.

Bill Stepec
Director of Marketing & Communications
Ontario Racquet Club

What keeps our Clubs afloat? Depending on who you ask, you'll get a different answer. Quality facilities, cashflow, member sentiment and an engaged staff are all important - but if you're in Marketing & Communications, you'd say that information is the resource you need to take things to the next level.

Kevin Spicknell
Clubhouse Manager
Certified Sommelier
Mississaugua Golf and Country Club

Welcome to the Chronicles of Cork where we will be looking at wines that might not be on everyone’s everyday shopping but are available in the Vintages section of the LCBO and are worth checking out. 

Trevor Noonan, CCM, CCE, ECM
Chief Operating Officer
Toronto Club

Assuming you don’t want a deep cellar but do appreciate fine wine and also value your hard-earned money, finding quality wines at reasonable prices can be a rewarding pursuit. With a bit of imagination and an open mind, you can enjoy brilliant wines without breaking the bank.

Jennifer Kennedy
Fitness and Wellness Clinic Director
The Boulevard Club

In today's fast-paced world, where the demands of work often tether us to our desks for hours on end, it's easy to neglect our physical well-being. Prolonged sitting not only takes a toll on our bodies but also on our productivity and overall health. But what if I told you that you can break free from the sedentary shackles of your desk with simple and effective exercises that you can do right at your workstation? 

John Caven
General Manager/COO
St. George’s Golf and Country Club

John Caven, General Manager/COO of St. George's Golf & Country Club discusses what it was like hosting the RBC Canadian Open and how members were informed of what was happening.

Paul Morrell, CCM, CCE
General Manager
Ontario Racquet Club

With so many options out there regarding gyms why is a private club the better option?