Many golf operations across the country are smaller family run businesses that have multiple generations involved on a day-to-day basis. Working with your spouse, children, siblings, and in-laws can be very rewarding but does come with its’ own unique set of circumstances! Golf Business Canada has reached out to one specific multi-generational golf course operation to hear first-hand about the enjoyment and challenges of working with your family in this industry.

Whisky Run Golf ClubWhisky Run is just a short drive from Niagara Falls and

the Peace Bridge in Port Colborne, ON. Whisky Run offers three entirely different 9-hole golf experiences:

the woodland, the parkland and the watery links style. Contact us at www.whiskyrun.com.

Golf Business Canada 38 Golf Business Canada 39

GBC - What is each family member’s role operationally day to day in the business?

Lou & Maribeth Nieuwland are the Parents and Co-Owners of Whisky Run Golf Club:• Lou oversees all finances, payroll,

and collaborates with Luke for all marketing decisions/designs. Lou is the all- around “idea guy” and is the Senior League & Monday Night League Coordinator.

• Maribeth operates the Bootlegger Bed & Breakfast (next door), oversees Clubhouse operations, supplies & pick-ups; cares for the gardens on the golf course - she keeps everything going and is the overall consultant on all things!

Hendrik, Kevin, Jessica & Luke Nieuwland are the 2nd generation:• Hendrik is a Lawyer and helps out as a consultant• Kevin is the Superintendent; he looks after the course maintenance

department and works closely with the head mechanic in supervising staff and operations

• Jessica is the HR & Events Manager; she manages the clubhouse & Pro Shop staff as well as the family and is the main event contact for all tournaments, special events and outings; operates website with Luke

• Luke is the Pro Shop Manager; he orders all merchandise, Ladies League Coordinator, operates website with Jessica, collaborates with Lou in all marketing decisions and is the self-appointed director of Social Media & Email Marketing

Whisky Run Golf Club: Multi-Generational Golf Course Operation

Two generations of the Nieuwland Family

own and operate the golf course

Six family members are involved: Lou & Maribeth

(parents), and Hendrik, Kevin, Jessica & Luke

(siblings)

Course was established by the Nieuwland Family

in June 1989

27 hole golf course with an 18 hole disc golf

course and adjoining Bed & Breakfast with

stay n’ play option

34 employees

Average number of rounds per year: 32,000

Keep Calm

and Carry

On Kevin (left to right), Lou, Maribeth, Luke, Jessica & Hendrik Nieuwland of Whisky Run Golf Course in fall 2014.

GBC - When the Whisky Run Golf Club was built, was it because you wanted to create a family business for your kids to work in and eventually take over?

Whisky Run Golf Club (WRGC) - It was an unplanned bonus as the years went on.

GBC - At what age did the “next generation” start working at the course and in what capacity?

WRGC - Each of the children had summer jobs at the golf course when in grades 7 thru OAC, including washing & picking range balls, cutting grass, helping in the kitchen, etc...

GBC - Do any of the 2nd generation have work experience at another golf course? Or did they learn the ropes directly from their parents?

WRGC – Even though Luke worked at Bondi Beach Golf Club in Australia, and Jessica worked at Banff Springs Golf Club in Banff, AB; the majority of what we (the kids) have learned from the pro shop and clubhouse side has been from watching our parents while growing up working at the course and then later taking on more prominent roles. For operating the maintenance side, Kevin learned a lot from our Uncle Hank, Lou’s brother, and from doing things hands on through trial and error.

GBC - Did the 2nd generation earn a post-secondary education?

WRGC - All the kids have post-secondary educations: Hendrik (Queens Law Degree), Kevin (University of Guelph, Bachelor of Commerce Major in Marketing & later the Turf Management Short Course at the Turf Grass Institute), Jessica (University of Guelph, Bachelor of Commerce Major in Hospitality & Tourism and did a post graduate certificate in Event Management at Niagara College) and Luke (Wilfred Laurier, Accounting Degree).

Golf Business Canada 40

FroM THe 1ST geNerATioN’S STANdpoiNT:GBC - What is the best aspect of your children continuing in the family business?

Lou & Maribeth - It makes more of a team approach. We all have the same goals and want the business to succeed.

GBC - What is the biggest challenge to eventually releasing control over the facility to your children?

Lou & Maribeth - Hoping that they stay excited about the business and that it remains profitable.

GBC - When did you start seriously thinking about Succession Planning? Did you work through this on your own, or did you engage a professional Succession Planner to walk you through the steps?

Lou & Maribeth - A few years after our three kids took full-time jobs with the golf course, so about 5 years ago. Our accountant and lawyer were very helpful in setting it up.

GBC - How active are you currently in the day to day operation?

Lou & Maribeth - Still very active. There’s always something to do even if it is different than before.

COURSES INCLUDEGCOOL 101 Financial Controls for Golf ClubsGCOOL 102 Overview of Golf OperationsGCOOL 103 Food & Beverage ControlsGCOOL 104 Financial Tools for Golf Managers GCOOL 105 Golf Shop OperationsGCOOL 106 Golf Club MarketingGCOOL 107 Turfgrass ManagementGCOOL 108 Human Resources for Golf ClubsGCOOL 109 Leadership for Golf ClubsGCOOL 110 Tournament & Special Event Planning

100% Online Golf Management courses from

Selkirk College improve career advancement

potential and boost staff performance in critical

areas. More than 300 club managers have

completed courses over the past eight semesters.

I have completed all 10 online courses in the Golf

Course Operations Online program. The information has not only reinforced existing practices at our Club but has also introduced new ideas and helped us move forward in a positive direction.” - Julie Knobloch, General Manager, Vernon Golf & Country Club, Vernon, BC

GOLF CLUB OPERATIONS Online (GCOOL) Certificate Program

For more information visit selkirk.ca/program/golf

* Courses run Nov. 1, 2014 – Jan. 24, 2015 and repeat Feb. 1 – April 25, 2015**NGCOA clubs qualify for a 10% tuition discount $560.16/course

Golf Business Canada 41

GBC - How have you dealt with the inevitable change in responsibility and decision making through the years with the kids?

Lou & Maribeth - We had to realize that it is a team approach and that the younger generation has something to offer and are better at certain things than we are (e.g. technology, social media).

FroM eACH oF THe 2Nd geNerATioN’S STANdpoiNT:GBC - What is the best aspect of continuing in the family business?

Jessica - Definitely the pride I feel in our successes, knowing we created something together. And the opportunities to learn – I am constantly being taught lessons in life! The golf industry nowadays is risky – and yet operating a family business feels very safe in a lot of ways. You can bounce ideas off of your coworkers (i.e. brothers) and debate over best practices with your boss (i.e. parents) but you remain a united front; no matter what, you back each other up, learn from each other’s mistakes, and move forward trusting that everyone is invested in the business. Luke - Working with your family to build a great business.Kevin - We don’t have to answer to a board! You get more of a feeling of being a part of the business as opposed to working for a larger company.

Left photo: Lou takes a well-deserved break for a moment during an addition being put on the clubhouse in 1992.

Right Photo: Maribeth having some fun hiding out, on the golf course in 1996.

The Nieuwland family has always been active in local sports - especially youth basketball, circa late 1980’s.

Golf Business Canada 42

Golf Business Canada

GBC - What is the biggest challenge to eventually taking over the facility from your parents?

Jessica – Bridging the gap between the success of our parents and the future of the business in today’s industry. The challenge of discovering where we fit in all of it.Luke – Learning ALL the aspects of the business and hiring the right people. Kevin – Finding the right personnel to replace our roles once we take on our parents’ roles.

GBC - How are the dynamics between the siblings at work and at home? Jessica – We actually get along really well professionally! The responsibilities are balanced between us and suit our personalities. We empathize with each other over challenging days and it is always reassuring to have family in your corner. As siblings, away from work we’re very close. We get together often in the off season and try to get away on golf trips and always celebrate holidays and special occasions together. Don’t get me wrong – we get mad at each other ... but we always can find common ground. Luke – Ditto with JessKevin – Ditto with Jess (we always agree with Jess... or else... just kidding!)

GBC - How are the dynamics between you and your parents at work and at home?Jessica – It’s definitely challenging for us not to talk about the business even when we’re away from it. We’ll get together to celebrate birthdays or holidays and conversations always trickle back to the golf course. We have to actively change the subject over and over! Kevin – Agreed. You always hear “No Shop Talk.”

GBC - How are major decisions made within your specific family dynamics? Is it a family based Board of Directors with equal weight across the board or does one member have final decision making authority?WRGC - Major financial decisions include everyone in the family.

GBC - In your opinion, what makes your family business unique to other golf operations in your region?WRGC - We try to keep it fun for leagues and tournaments while emphasizing a friendly atmosphere. Our USP was coined for us by our customers – Niagara’s Friendliest Golf Course – and we hear it often (that we have the friendliest staff around!). We host a fun themed tournament every month, like our Dutch Open in May, the Bootlegger Bash on our birthday in June and The Beat the Nieuwlands Member Guest in August – the majority of these events sell out every year. We also host a fun charity Snow Golf tournament as part of Port Colborne’s Winterfest in February and a Challenge the Canal event during Canal Days in August. We run a “Kids Golf Free” program on our executive nine hole course all summer long to help grow the game. We are the only 18-hole disc golf course in the region and we operate a B&B onsite at the golf course.

Family friend Shawn Schertzing (left to right), Hendrik, Jessica,

Olivia (Hendrik’s wife), Lou and Luke during the Netherlands

run of the 2014 World Cup. Every May, Whisky Run

Golf Course runs a “Dutch Open” where almost all of

the participants wear orange clothing (even though most are

not Dutch) with over 120 players this year.

For more information visit:

www.golfsupers.com/calgary2015

CANADIAN G

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ASSOCIATION • CANADIENNE DES SURINTENDANT DE GOLF •

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TO BOOK EXHIBIT SPACE:Bill Garrett 1-800-387-1056 x 224bgarrett@golfsupers.com

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REGISTRATION & EDUCATION INFO:Kathryn Wood 1-800-387-1056 x 223kwood@golfsupers.com

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