Beauty, grit & grace - December 2019 by ladiesgolfclub

Beauty, grit & grace December Newsletter 2019

Ada’s Legacy and Our Future Betty Chee PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Many of us have been holding our breath since October 26, 2017. Good lungs. On November 25, 2019, nearly two years and one month to the day, I heard a collective, albeit guarded, exhalation. The first date was the day we voted to sell the 2.6 acre 9th hole. The second was the recent Markham Development Services Committee meeting in which the committee voted in support of Tridel’s application for the development of the same 2.6 acre 9th hole. Yes, as Joan Anderton cautioned us, “There still are a few more steps before we’re done.” True, but I, for one, felt my shoulders lighten just a tad. We’re not out of the woods yet, but the future is looking brighter and in greater focus. On the heels of that, on November 28, the Markham Board of Trade held their 29th Annual Business Excellence Awards Gala. This year the founder of our club, Ada MacKenzie, was posthumously awarded the President’s Award by the Markham Board of Trade. Eight directors from the Ladies’ board were in attendance along with Jane Kirkpatrick who shared stories of her own experiences growing up playing with Ada competitively. We are reminded of her legacy each season as we walk the fairways and putt the greens. But the stories connecting one of our members directly to Ada are so precious, and give us a more personal glimpse of who she was. The federal Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion, the Hon. Mary Ng, flew in to present the award. I had the honour of accepting the award on Ada’s behalf. On stage next to Minister Ng, it occured to me that our society is changing quickly in ways we have yet to process with equal speed. As I looked out over the audience that night (it was actually impossible to see the audience with the 2 | BEAUTY, GRIT & GRACE

spot light in our eyes) there were young faces of all nationalities, including many of whom shared similar features to the minister and me. At one point the minister leaned in and whispered, “We are here to show them what is possible.” She is not the first to utter such words, and she is correct. For Ladies’, our future membership will be, by definition, a microcosm of the GTA and all the diversity that has reshaped our region since Ada’s day. And by diversity, I mean everyone, including those with ancestry from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. We are securing Ada’s legacy with the land sale. And we are investing in our future, including a future that has a greater pool of women enjoying golf and embracing the friendships around them. Acceptance of this future and believing we have the collective ability to be inclusive and respectful of the changing society around us is integral to our club’s survival.

For some other good news, the course project is on track. We are looking at new designs that will not only provide a replacement hole but will prepare our unique course with the flexibility to adapt to how golf might be played in the future. One thing I’m particularly happy about is that these new designs will entail only minimal disruption to the existing course, thus allowing the 2020 golf season to be played without interruption. We are looking at ways to allow member consultations to take place via video conferencing as well as in-person attendance in the new year. We hope wherever you are you will be able to find time to tune in.

my peers on the board and those on various committees. I’ve certainly been fortunate to be sandwiched between Monica McIntosh and Joan Anderton, past president and incoming president, respectively. Watching them and the rest of the board interact in such a supportive and collaborative way was a treat. Thank you for a wonderful time, and dare I say I have very fond memories of the board meetings.

In 2020, we will begin our planning for the clubhouse renovation. No building construction will take place in 2020, but it will be a year for careful planning. Your input and ideas will be needed. The challenge will be to figure out how to meet diverse ideas in the context of what is best for the club as a whole. To slightly rewrite the quote of that great philosopher of our era, Spiderman’s uncle: “With great change comes great responsibility.”

This month, I hope you will enjoy the Poinsettia Luncheons, Dickens Dinners and Brunch with Santa. Our stellar clubhouse staff, Romualdo, Chef Umesh, and their team will be pouring and serving, roasting and baking their way into your hearts (and stomachs) to help you have a most enjoyable holiday season.

Thank you to members, guest card holders, and staff for your support this year. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to be your president in 2019. I’ve learned so much from

I will look forward to seeing you all at the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, February 12, 2020. And don’t forget to take advantage of our Winter Golf Academy with our fine team of golf professionals.

Happy Holidays!

Betty

DECEMBER 2019 | 3

Thank You to Ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Volunteers Events and initiatives at Ladies' are successful because of the many Members who volunteer their time and experience. Whether participating on committees or sections; helping with events, tournaments, and draws; serving as buddies, ambassadors, greeters; our members do whatever is needed to make our club activities a success. A HUGE thank you to: Alanna Quinn

Debra Pizel

Katherine Keeler

Patti Ristich

Alicia Milner

Dee McKenzie

Kathy Constantinou

Patty Parker

Alison Lam

Donna LePan

Kathy Hill

Paul Striowski

Ann Davis

Donna Livingstone

Lauren Marshall

Pauline Fortier

Anna Kinastowski

Donna Wagg

Leslie Bowland

Peta Lomberg

Barbara Hooper

Eiko Aki

Leslie Wilson

Rosemary Thomson

Beth Medhurst

Erin McCafferty

LJ (Linda) Nagel

Saeeda Foss

Betty Chee

Evelyn Hurwitz

Lois Cormack

Sharon Anderson

Brenda Humphreys

Helen Folker

Marcie Anderson

Sharon Brubacher

Brenda Touzot

Jan Flott

Margaret Anderson

Shawna Kamien

Carol Brown

Jean Davy

Margaret Auld

Sue Benson

Carol Heller-Mepham

Jennifer Hall

Maria Speyer

Sue Winchell

Catherine Chan

Jessica Min

Marie Storto

Susan Alford

Cathie Moffat

Jessica Pastorek

Marlene Metzger

Susan Wickware

Cathy Striowski

Jill Lavine

Marsha Cox

Suzanne Firth

Catriona King

Joan Anderton

Martha Osler

Terri McKinnon

Christy DeMont

Joan Elliott

Mary Pat Frey

Theresa Tsiang

Claudia Egger

Joan Hulmston

Monica McIntosh

Timothy Steele

Daryl Watts

Jo-Anne Applebaum

Nadine Segal

Tricia Thomas

David Stock

Joanne Tofani

Nora Montgomery

Verna Lister

Deb Cross

John McIntosh

Pamela Symes

Wanda Ho

Deborah Doyle

Joy Bradford

Pat Ward

Wendy Girvan

Deborah Pankhurst

Karen Binions

Patti Moore

Winnie Kwok

Deborah Trepanier

4 | BEAUTY, GRIT & GRACE

Winter Dining at Reciprocal Clubs Enjoy dining privileges with other Toronto clubs. The opportunity to dine out at several other private clubs is available from January to April 2020. Each club may have special requirements and/or time periods for these dining privileges. Please phone for reservations. To reduce administration costs, please use credit cards where applicable. All clubs have similar Codes of Behaviour. The Rules and Regulations at Ladies’ are the guidelines to use as a guest to another club.

CLUB NAME Bayview Country Club - (905) 889 4833 - 25 Fairway Heights Drive, Thornhill Enquire about their curling activities. Credit cards are welcome. www.bayviewclub.com Donalda Club - (416) 446-5875 - 12 Bushbury Drive, Parkway West, Don Mills Reservations for formal dining must be made by calling 416-446-5876. Casual Dining is available daily in the Willow & Sun Rooms without reservations unless the party is over six people. www.donaldaclub.ca Lambton Golf & Country Club - (416) 767-2175 - 100 Scarlett Road, Toronto Please note the clubhouse opens January 2, 2019 from 11am daily and is closed on Mondays for the months of Jan. Feb. & Mar. Clubhouse is closed March 5 to 19 for annual maintenance. www.lambtongolf.com Rosedale Golf Club - (416) 485-9321 OR (416) 486-8827 - 1901 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto. Reservations are mandatory and are only accepted for the Rosedale Room. Seating is limited. The Rosedale Room is only open from Thursday to Sunday for dinner. Dress code is business casual. www.rosedalegolf.org Thornhill Country Club - (905) 881-3000 - 7994 Yonge Street, Thornhill Reservations required in the Sunflake Grill and Stanley Thompson Lounge. www.thornhillgcc.com Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club - (416) 487-4581 ext 3000 - 141 Wilson Ave, Toronto. Reservations are required. www.torontocricketclub.com Toronto Hunt Club - (416) 691-2174 - 1355 Kingston Road, Scarborough Dining rooms open Wednesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. Sunday lunch and dinner welcomes children. Reservations required. www.torontohunt.com Toronto Lawn Tennis Club - (416) 922 1105 - 44 Price Street, Toronto Jan 4 to April 16. Reservations are required. $4 parking is available. Dining access is granted to Ladies’ Golf Club members only at our 2nd floor Bistro. It does not apply to our main floor casual dining and bar areas. All reciprocal visitors must settle their account prior to departure by Visa. www.torontolawn.com Univeristy Club of Toronto - (416) 597 1336 - 380 University Avenue, Toronto Reservations required. www.universitycluboftoronto.com

Please identify yourselves as members of Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto. ENJOY! DECEMBER 2019 | 5

LADIESâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; WINTER GOLF ACADEMY Winter Golf Academy - In our Golf Shop November 18, 2019 to March 15, 2020

Closed between December 23, 2019- January 4, 2020 for the holidays

Hours of Operation

Member Perks

Monday 12pm-5pm Tuesday 9am-5pm Wednesday 9am-5pm Thursday 9am-5pm Friday 9am-3pm Saturday By appointment Sunday By appointment

Complimentary indoor practice available to Ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Members Tuesdays and Thursdays between 12pm-1pm.

Indoor Private Lessons For individual lesson pricing, please see our flex plan here.

Learn to Golf Package $275 This program offers newcomers to the game a warm, welcoming, fun and comprehensive introduction over 4 thirty minute sessions. Plus, enjoy 4 practice sessions to practice in between.

All Winter Maintenance Program $800

*Limited spots available* This winter-long program gives students access to the practice facility once a week, in addition to bi-weekly lessons totaling 6 hours of instruction (12 lessons total), TrackMan evaluation, and video analysis.

Indoor Practice Full Season Practice Membership $325

Practice sessions up to 45 minutes per day.

Single Practice Session $15 Forty five minutes of practice time. 6 | BEAUTY, GRIT & GRACE

December 2019

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Poinsettia Lunch

9H Dickens Dinner

Dickens Dinner

LGA Pajama Drive

Poinsettia Lunch

Dickens Dinner

Brunch with Santa

Club Closed for Staff Holiday Party

Poinsettia Lunch

Dickens Dinner

Club Closed

New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve Club Closed

DECEMBER 2019 | 7

Save The Date Poinsettia Lunches Every Tuesday to Friday December 3 - December 20

Dickens Dinners

Every Wednesday to Saturday December 4 - December 21

Brunch with Santa Sunday, December 15

7859 Yonge Street, Thornhill ON L3T 2C4 ladiesgolfclub.com