T2G: October 2024 by GraniteGC

OCTOBER 2024 OCTOBER 2024

HONOURING OUR PAST

PHIL SCULLY GENERAL MANAGER

With the closing of the 2024 season in sight, we are already preparing to celebrate Granite Golf Club’s quarter century anniversary in 2025. It is a milestone to celebrate and one that inspires us to reflect and pay homage to the visionaries that started us on this journey.

Our beginnings were born in the minds of a small group of dreamers, who envisioned a member-owned Club that would honor the tradition of golf, center around a meticulously maintained and lovingly preserved course, and create a community of people brought together by a single passion for the world’s greatest game.

Our founding members were undeterred by the fact that our location was considered the hinterlands of the GTA or that without the trappings of so many other clubs – corporate backing, home sales, promises of future expansion – ours was a shoestring budget. They were

When the first tee shot was struck on July 15, 2000, Granite Golf Club looked very different than it does today. Our first members ate packaged sandwiches at picnic tables outside a dusty trailer that served as our clubhouse. And yet, they made the drive week after week to play our first nine holes and dream of the day when they had a true clubhouse to enjoy following a full 18-hole round. It was their patience, perseverance, and pursuit of awesomeness that became woven into the DNA of our Club.

A Greek Proverb says, “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they will never sit”. This captures the vision of our founding members and will continue to guide and center us as we embark on our journey into the next 25 years.

Looking forward

The Board of Directors and Management have spent the last year planning ways to celebrate our twenty-fifth anniversary and set the stage for our next quarter century of excellence, and there seemed no better way to honor the past and usher in a bright future than with a reimagined logo.

A logo is meant to capture our brand identity, which is much more than just a symbol of Granite Golf Club as a golf course. For the community it represents, our logo should evoke a sense of belonging, of unwinding amidst nature, enjoying the thrill, and sting of competition and the endless memories made with friends and loved ones. It is all this and more that we hoped to embed in our new logo, which showcases our iconic red barn as a symbol that welcomes, both as the first physical structure you see when you enter our gates and as a representation of our unpretentious charm as a Club. The red barn is supported by soft, flowing lines that pay homage to our sacred and protected land with its gently winding creeks, ancient wetlands, and boreal forests. Finally, the circle signifies the strength of our community and the ties that bind us with our strong history.

We by no means cast away our original logo, as it tells the story of our humble beginnings, where a group of changemakers sketched ideas and dreams, quite literally, on the back of napkins. It remains an indelible part of the history we hold dear, and we proudly present our new logo as a symbol of who we have become and a beacon of our continued growth and success as a Club.

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GREAT PLAY ON BIG STAGES

BRYAN ROURKE MEMBERSHIP MANAGER

As the golf season comes to a close it is always nice to reflect on a wonderful season. In 2024 the trend continued and another successful season was had in gaining new members and our new member survey showed great results. This has a lot to do with how welcoming our current members are. Joining a new club can be intimidating for some andIthankallofyouforbeingsowelcoming.

There have been several highlights looking back on this season. One is the growth we have seen in our Ladies’ memberships. Ladies now make up 25% of our membership which is the highest it has ever been. It has been especially wonderful to see the growth in the ladies TAG group on Tuesdays. To put that in perspective the average private club in the GTA ladies’membershipisabout17%.

Another highlight is the excitement some of our competitive golfers have brought us. We have seen some great play this year on some big stages from our members. With several professional golfers, collegiate players, top men’s and ladies’ amateurs, and even a World Golf Hall of Famer as part of our membership. We have made an effort to follow them along on Instagram and provide lots of updates so please follow along if you’re not already!

Member Referrals continue to be the #1 driver for new members here at Granite Golf Club. If you have someone thinking about joining Granite please don’t hesitate in having them reach out to me at brourke@granitegolfclub.ca

YOU’RE ALL ACES THIS SEASON!

STEVE HALSE HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL

As the season winds down we are about to see brilliant fall colours on the golf course. With a little luck the weatherwillstaywarmandhopefullyyoucanallenjoya few more games before the course closes on November 3. This year our events were very well attended. The committees are in the process of wrapping up the seasonandintheearlystagesofplanningfor2025. Thank you to all those who participated and congratulationstothe2024trophywinners(seebelow).

The golf shop will be open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4 pm once the season closes. Please feel free to contact us for any Holiday gifting needs. We can also source many corporate items. Golf balls, apparel and headwear are just a few items we can brand with your logo. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions. Thanks again for a great season!

Congratulations also to our members who recorded ACES this season! There is still time formore!

MEMBER

Richard Warburton

Corbett Alister Henry Eaton Gary

2024 EVENT WINNERS

Men's Ryder Cup

Gentlemen's Invitational

Intermediate Club Championship

Mid Am Club Championship

Senior Men's Club Championship

Super Senior Men's Club Championship

Member/Member

Member Guest

Men's Club Champ - Championship Flight

Men's Club Champ- A Flight

Men's Club Champ - B Flight

Men's Club Champ - C Flight

Men's Club Champ - D Flight

Two Man Scramble

Trillium Cup

Men's Match Play Net A

Men's Match Play Net B

Men's Match Play Gross

Men's Match Play Four Ball Net

Men's Match Play Four Ball Gross

Young Gunz

Brian Wu and Steve Wasylyszn

Nick Ingoglia

Tony D’Alessandro

Adam Parsons

Dave Devine

Stuart Pulkinen and John Ludwig

Dave Clifford and Gerry Smith

Dylan MacDonald

Alistair Corbett

Dave Devine

Anthony Tiberio

Steve Turvey

Jeff Ellet and Kevin Cooper

Team Granite

Mike Parsons

Alistair Corbett

Dave MacLauglin

Rino Dambrosio/ Michael Przybylowski

Chris McGrath & Sean Gibson MEN’S

Reesor Cup A Flight Stableford

Reesor Cup B Flight Stableford

Men's Day Net Ringerboard

Men's Day Gross Ringerboard

Senior Club Championship

Super Senior Club Champion

Club Champion

Club Champion - B Flight

Club Champion - C Flight

Member Member

Match Play A Flight

Match Play B Flight

Match Play Four Ball

Invitational

BCGS Trophy

Tee Cup

Steve De Souza

Art Siksna

Mike Kyrinis

Ivy Steinberg N/A N/A

Natalia Dukszta

Carolyn Nemeth

Christie Acker/Cathie Weaver

Diane Belanger

Elaine Walsh

Mary Frances Sheehan/Jennifer Camelford

Claire Holloway/Sandra Curtis Granite Golf White Team

Match Play Four Ball

Invitational

Generations Cup

Les Wallace & Ellen Wallace

Stephanie Oates

Jennifer Devine Deveny & Joseph Deveny

John Binnington, Pam Binnington ,Steve Roche,

A GRACEFUL SEASON

JASMINE ANGELINI CLUBHOUSE MANAGER

This year felt graceful. Looking back on the six seasons that I have been with Granite Golf Club, I truly could not be more proud of the quality of service my team was able to provide. When you hire new seasonal staff each year, you never fully know how well they will accomplish and execute after training. Nevertheless, there was a sense of ease and efficiency on all fronts, almost as though the season went by too quickly. In my last Tee 2 Green submission I thanked the seasonal staff. Usually, only Chef and I get the many “thank yous” from our members. However, our operation was able to run as efficiently as it did with the huge help of Assistant Clubhouse Manager Avery Crozier, Sous Chef Brendan, Senior Chef De Partie Jordan Ireland and Dining Room Supervisor Taylor Burns. We had some amazing events this year alongside all the golf events.

From Good Friday Fish n’ Chips, to Hawaiian Luau, to Thanksgiving Brunch, it is always great to see everyone come out with friends and family. As always, we will plan for another fun filled social calendar during the off season. On the topic of off season plans, make sure to keep us in mind when planning your next private event. The clubhouse can transform into many different styles and setups. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any private event inquiries. I wish you all a wonderful winter!

A GRACEFUL SEASON

GREIG KING EXECUTIVE CHEF

Tomorrow marks my three-year anniversary as the Chef at Granite Golf Club. Time truly flies when you're having fun! I hope you've enjoyed my culinary creations as much as I've enjoyed serving them. Driving up the driveway each morning always brings a smile to my face, and as the saying goes, 'If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life.'"

I want to express my gratitude to all of our members for entrusting us with your culinary needs. This is also an excellent opportunity to thank our dedicated kitchen team.

Brendan Davis has been a valuable member of my team for the past six years, working with me at both Whitevale Golf Club and Granite Golf Club. He has served as our Sous Chef for the past two and a half seasons, and his expertise gives me great peace of mind when I'm away from the club.

Jordan Ireland was promoted to Senior Chef de Partie last season and continues to excel in this role; he has been with us for three golfing seasons.

Ruba, our early-morning opener, ensures that our morning golfers are well taken care of. While I won't reveal his age, let's just say he's the equivalent of three of our other line cooks! If any of my staff are looking for a role model, Ruba is the perfect example of hard work and dedication. Now, if only everyone could understand the unique blend of Scottish and Sri Lankan English we speak!

Jenn, our longest-serving kitchen staff member, has been with the club for six years. While she may not be the most talkative, her actions speak volumes.

VJ, Matt, Conner, and Steve complete our line cook team and have contributed valuable ideas, particularly through our fortnightly features.

No kitchen can function without its stewards. I prefer not to call them dishwashers, as they bring so much more to the table. Michael and Josh have been invaluable members of our team for the past two seasons."

Now that season 2024 has concluded, it's time to turn our attention to planning for next year. We'll begin by analyzing member surveys, reviewing sales reports, and examining industry trends. Our goal is to create a menu that includes popular club favorites while also appealing to the more adventurous members.

As always, I welcome your feedback at any time. Bon appétit!"

PASSION, PRIDE, AND RESPECT

YANIK MAYER SUPERINTENDENT

The maintenance department would like to take this last opportunity to thank you for your passion, pride, and respect for your golf course. I know that this season has been the most successful in terms of member maintenance. Divots have been filled, bunkers have been raked, and ball marks are being repaired more frequently than ever. We are optimistic that next season will be even better!

Each year the maintenance department implements new strategies to better the member experience, generally learning from prior mistakes. I am under the mindset that a mistake is fine but making the same

Although our department management team is relatively new, with each year our experience grows stronger. We are constantly pushing the envelope for superior playing surfaces, innovation, and consistency.

I am sure that next season will bring new struggles, but I am optimistic that we will rise to the occasion, as usual, to deliver a product that is unmatched elsewhere! We will be working on the golf course this offseason and spending much needed time indoors brainstorming for ways to amplify the member experience for next season.

We hope that you have a great off season, and we looking forward to seeing you in the spring.

DEDICATION LIKE NO OTHER

DON BROWNRIDGE FACILITIES MANAGER

The best part of working in the golf business is without a doubt the friends you make along the way. As you can imagine running a 6-month operation is intense. Trying to jam 12-months of greatness into 7 months of highly volatile, weather dependent golf is the goal and the pressure to pull it off, with a small group of people, is what makes this place so amazing and as a result forges lifelong friendships.

Over the years we have seen thousands of employees pass through our proverbial doors. From high school kids to retirees and everything in between. Some stay for a season while others stick around for years, Granite Golf is an easy place to fall in love with and a tough place to leave. In early November 2024 we will have the honor of saying goodbye to one of our longest standing employees and world class human Don Brownridge. Don will be retiring in November after 17years with the Club. Don’s story at Granite began like so many others do, as a seasonal employee fulfilling a dream of working on a golf course after years of corporate politics and commuter traffic. Don cut his teeth here at Granite in the maintenance department and spent his first few years mowing turf, raking bunkers and filling divots.

In2012thepositionofFacilitiesManager came open and Don, with his past experienceinpropertymanagementand knowledge of Granite Golf Club, was the perfectfit.Donholdsabehindthescenes positionhoweverDonisnotbyanystretch a behind the scenes guy. Whether he is dealingwiththedailydemandsofkeeping our unique and finicky water treatment and processing plant operational, maintainingthefiresuppressionsystems intheclubhouseorchangingalightbulb, his infinite energy and unwavering positivity was contagious and impossible toignore.We’veknownthatthisdaywas comingforwelloverayearandalthough bittersweet,weareallhappytoseeDon moveonwiththisnextchapterofhislife wherehecanfocushistimeandenergy onwhatreallymatters;hisgolfgame,his kite flying, and being the best husband, dad&newgrandpahecanbe.Thankyou Don for your years of service, friendship, and for quite literally keeping the water runningandthelightsonsowecanalldo our jobs. Thank you for everything and enjoyretirement,youdeserveit.

-PhilScully