4/3/2019
It’s been a long winter and while weather reports indicate its officially spring, as I look out the office window it certainly doesn’t look like it yet.
Your management team have been busy this winter and have implemented a number of new programs and initiatives we feel you will enjoy. Included in this first Mad Post, I’ll provide highlights of some of those programs and outline our areas of particular focus this summer.
Membership
Our highest priority item this year actually began at the end of last season and has carried over the winter months. The Drive for 35 membership program has been a terrific success, particularly through the typically quiet winter months. Our internal marketing program has been embraced by the membership and Sandy has been steadily receiving leads throughout the winter. Thank you to all the members that have taken ownership of this program and have been presenting the benefits of joining Mad River to your colleagues and friends.
Our external marketing campaign is now underway and will feature targeted mail drops, call to action advertisements in local magazines and a new roadside sign outside the front gate, all will work together with three key objectives;
1. Expand our connection with the surrounding communities.
2. Overcome some existing market misconceptions with respect to the price of joining.
3. Emphasize that we are the highest ranked golf course in the Georgian Triangle.
We’ve also joined the Collingwood Chamber of Commerce and in time I believe this relationship will create both immediate and long-term leads by developing stronger connections within the Collingwood business community.
Thus far the Drive for 35 has created 22 new equity members and 40 associates.
There will more new members than usual at the Club this summer and it will be important to ensure they receive a warm Mad River welcome.
Food and Beverage
Another important area of focus this summer will be continuing to improve our f&b operations. Last year was a significant transition year for us, Marcel now has a stronger sense of the operation and I expect we will make significant improvements.
The menu will offer more healthy options, including more vegetarian and gluten free options. The opening menu will carry us to the middle of July and then we’ll see a refreshed menu on July 15th
Marcel also plans to offer fresh “customers choice” sandwiches so you can select the ingredients of your choice when you’re making the turn or need sustenance in a hurry.
Welcome Back Reception
The members “Welcome Back” opening cocktail reception will be on Saturday April 27th. We hope you can join us as Chef will feature a variety of items and it will be a terrific opportunity to catch up with friends, meet some of our new members and welcome them to Mad River.
Golf Operations
Brian has updated you on the staff changes in the golf shop this summer, in particular it’s disappointing to see Daniel Tomei leave, however an opportunity for year-round employment that’s closer to home for him makes his decision understandable. Daniel wanted to ensure we passed on a huge thank you to Mad River and all the members on his behalf.
There are some exciting new additions to mens and ladies night and more information will be included in upcoming Posts from Brian. The new App is ready for launch, we see this as an essential communication platform where additional features, added annually, will improve your experience at the Club.
Director of Instruction
Ryan Rinneard is now our Director of Instruction, over the next couple of seasons we see him taking a more prominent role in enhancing our coaching programs. We will continue to invest in technology and training to ensure we can offer the most useful technology in assisting you to achieve your improvement objectives.
Ryan has a world class coaching announcement in his post, please be sure to read through it.
Reciprocals
I began the process to expand our reciprocal relationships this winter with a plan to enhance member value proposition by developing relationships with similar high-profile private clubs. I’ve begun with a focus on major cities across Canada and also plan to add a couple more clubs in the GTA. I have a number of agreements in place and will update you further prior to the start of the season.
The final stage of the plan will be to make connections with other private clubs in the United States. A natural step will be connecting with other private clubs designed by Bob Cupp, I will keep you appraised as further agreements are finalized.
Annual General Meeting
The AGM will be held on Saturday May 4th at 3:30 pm in the main dining room of the clubhouse. The AGM package and accompanying material will be sent out next week.
See you at the Club,
Gary Ward, General Manager/COO