Driving Change

Left Top: Joel Siebert (bottom) and Wade Laurent (top) having fun at the 2020 Saskatoon Golf Tournament.

Left Bottom: Left to Right: Jonathan Middlestead, Mark Westrum, Tom Bell, and Liz Kovach bought the same trousers for the 2018 Kenosee Golf Tournament. Middle Top: Lotis Valias (left) and Cynita Periera (right) from The Delta Hotels sponsored a hole at the 2021 Winnipeg Memorial Golf Tournament. Centre Middle: Al Richter (left) and Edwin Mueller (right) teamed up at the 2021 Winnipeg Memorial Golf Tournament. Middle Bottom: Thank you All-Fab for providing bottled water for the 2021 Winnipeg Memorial Golf Tournament. Right Top: Toni Berger (second to the right) and Kayla McIsaac (right) from Sexton Group not only sponsored a hole in the 2021 Winnipeg Memorial Golf Tournament but also brought some refreshing drinks from One Great City Brewing.

GOLF TOURNAMENTS LIKE THE ONE HELD IN KENOSEE EACH YEAR HELP REVITALIZE OUR INDUSTRY THROUGH WRLA EDUCATIONAL GRANTS.

Chris Allinotte, WRLA

“If you think it’s difficult meeting people, just pick up the wrong ball.” —Jack Lemon

There is no other sport like golf for bringing people together. It’s an opportunity to spend time with friends and business partners alike, out in a beautiful setting while doing something enjoyable. For WRLA members, it’s a chance to get to know clients better and deepen connections with peers. At our events it’s also a chance to get together and realize that although everyone has their own business to run, with accompanying challenges, we’re all a part of the larger industry. These connections make us stronger as they let us tackle obstacles together for the mutual benefit of all.

WRLA tournaments, including our member-hosted event in Kenosee, SK, have a very specific purpose. The net proceeds from all golf registrations and sponsorships go toward WRLA educational grant program. These grants allow members and their families to receive funding toward post-secondary education.

Recipient Robbie Hames, from TimberTown Building Centre in Edmonton, explains, “Receiving the WRLA Education Grant in 2021 made a significant impact on my early career. Thanks to this, I was able to learn more, faster than I would have from work alone, and I strongly feel my production in the workplace benefited. I am deeply appreciative and would strongly encourage others to apply in the future.” Robbie is now furthering his skills in Operations Management at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.

Each grant recipient receives $900 towards their post-secondary education. This year, the number of applications is on pace to be the most received in a given year. For that reason, WRLA has set the 2022 fundraising goal to $35,000 to ensure that as many students as possible can benefit from this program, which may, in turn, benefit the businesses the recipients work for.

A KENOSEE TRADITION

For Don Horvath, who has been running the Kenosee tournament for 23 of its last 28 years, the tournaments are a way to give back to the industry, by helping the next generation get ahead.

“It’s a break from the rat race,” says Don. “A good chance to create some fellowship with customers.” Held at a course located in the heart of Moose Mountain Provincial Park, Don acknowledges that the trip out to Kenosee is not an insignificant ask, but it’s greatly appreciated. “Typically, we get 90 to 100 golfers out, but we can always take more—the more the merrier!” One particular point of pride for this tournament is that historically, over 50 per cent of the participants are from the retail side, with the rest being made up by vendors. For business owners, taking the day off to make the trip is a big deal, but it’s all for a good cause.

With 34 Education Grants awarded last year, at a combined value of $30,600, the program is a worthwhile investment in the people that can help make a business even more successful. “That’s how we promote the tournament.” Don notes. “And we’ve had really great vendor support for this cause.”

As sincere as the purpose for the tournaments might be, it’s important to remember that the events are also a lot of fun. “We focus on getting people out, making sure they have fun, and then getting them home at a reasonable time.” It’s one of the reasons that the Kenosee event has become so popular, and one of the reasons it will keep returning each year.

Left: A group photo of Don Horvath (middle) with his wife Brenda Horvath (left) and Lois Dixon of Chatterson Lumber (right) at the 2019 Kenosee Golf Tournament.

SPONSORSHIPS MAKE IT ALL HAPPEN

The WRLA tournaments seem to bring out the best in our membership. Myriah Martin, Events and Business Development Coordinator—and the driving force at WRLA for organizing these tournaments—expressed her gratitude and admiration for the outstanding participation we see from our membership. “It’s turning out to be one of the most successful years to-date,” said Myriah. “We’re sold out and have a waiting list for the Calgary and Winnipeg events, and sponsorships have never been better.”

In addition to supporting the tournaments through booking teams, the tournaments also offer many opportunities to directly sponsor the events. Sponsorships not only help ensure the tournaments are properly funded, but they can provide great brand recognition and awareness for members.

“Some WRLA members have booked sponsorships without booking players,” adds Myriah. “They just believe in the cause and want to get involved. It’s heart warming that so many companies want to support our commitment to education. More than that, it’s a way of giving back to the community, member and their families, which in turn will add to the longevity of their own companies as well.”

“The tournaments, and the educational grants that they support, have really become a way for members to invest in the workforce and help build employee retention,” says Liz Kovach, President of WRLA. “In recent years, there’s been an increased priority on making sure some of these grants get to recipients who are coming back to work in the industry. The labour pool is something that’s always in the back of our members’ minds, and this is a way to invest time and money to keep building that next generation of employees.”

This summer, as in years past, there are four tournaments planned.

The WRLA “tour” kicks off at the newest of the bunch in Saskatoon, SK on August 4 at The Willows Golf Course. From there, members in Manitoba get their chance on August 25 at the Winnipeg Memorial tournament at St. Boniface Golf Course. The fun moves to Alberta after that, with the Calgary Classic taking place on September 8, before the season wraps up back in Saskatchewan with the Kenosee Golf Tournament on September 14.

With the golf tournament program growing in popularity from year to year, everyone involved works hard to make sure the events well organized, well run, and provide great opportunities for mutually beneficial connections between vendors, buyers, and retailers.

MEETING OUR MEMBERS, HAVING FUN

“It’s so important that we get out to meet our members on the ground,” says Liz. “And we always have a great time catching up with everyone.”

“Support for our program has never been stronger, but we’re always going to be pushing, to get to that next level, to be able to help even more people.”

So, what’s the final word on WRLA golf tournaments?

In addition to all the good they do, and the educational aspirations they support, these events are a fantastic opportunity to spend the day with friends chasing a little white ball down a beautifully manicured landscape with a bag full of shiny bent sticks.

We can’t wait to see you at the next tournament!

BAD NEWS FOR THE SCORECARD, BUT WRLA MEMBERS ARE WAY ABOVE PAR… CHECK OUT SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM PAST TOURNAMENTS!

THANK YOU WRLA MEMBERS FOR SUPPORTING ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENTS. YOUR CONTRIBUTION MEANS ALOT.

“I was extremely overjoyed and emotional at the same time when I learnt that I am one of the recipients of WRLA Education Grant 2021 Program. The unexpected benefit of receiving the award was that I was able to pay my tuition fees without worrying about loans and interests. I was able to focus more on my learnings and academics rather than being stressed about the tuition fees. The WRLA Education Grant has helped me to transform my potentiality into reality. I want to express my sincere gratitude to members of WRLA for initiating this education grant program to support enthusiastic and passionate students like me towards achieving their dreams.” —Ishan Sharma, Dick’s Lumber and Building Supplies, Edmonton, AB

“The WRLA Education Grant has provided me with the opportunity to further my education in hopes of finishing my undergraduate degree in Social Work, and I now have hopes to obtain my master’s degree in Social Work. Resources such as the WRLA Education Grant gives me the ability to follow my passion for education and helping underprivileged and marginalized people. This past year, it has meant the world to me to receive assistance to improve my university experience and increase my chances of success post-graduation.” —Emily Wheatley, Kenroc Building Materials, Calgary, AB “The scholarship was a great help to receive. It took some financial stress off of me so I could focus more on my studies and I didn’t have to work as much during university since I did have the extra money. This allowed me to spend a little bit more time on taking care of myself and being with the people I love. Scholarships help students tremendously, do not underestimate how much your contribution can help. I want to say a big thank you to anyone who is able to donate, please know that you are making someone’s life just a little bit easier.” —Sarah Denoon, Home Hardware, Selkirk, MB

Top: Group photo of the Education Grant recipients in 2016.