Covid 19 through a wrench into so many aspects of our lives for the past two years. Closer to home for those of us in the golf industry is despite how the industry has thrived somewhat for the past two golf season, charity golf has been an area that has struggled because of all the restriction surrounding gatherings and clubhouse socialization. Charity and golf go hand in hand and without golf courses being able to host charity tournaments many charities have simply been unable to raise the same funds they have in the past.

Rob Howell, General Manager from the Metcalfe Golf Course has seen his fair share of events not happen over the past two seasons but one event that has gone on in some capacity has been the Metcalfe Charity Classic. Rob jumps in with us this Episode to talk about the event and how they have managed to adapt to ensure that their supporter Charity has continued to be supported by the community.

Of course, after a bit of time since our last 613 Golfer Podcast I am sure many are eager to learn a little game improvement and Kevin Haime is back to oblige...Have a watch or enjoy a listen.

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One of my absolute favourite golf events of the season is the Intersectionals. These club team events have so much history and involve such a large population of golfers throughout the region it is truly hard not to fall in love with the format. After having to take some time off because of COVID-19 limitations and safety measures, the Intersectionals are back back for 2021 across the board which means it is game on for the clubs of the region and bragging rights are reborn...Let's Go!

Scott MacLeod pops in for a visit this week to wrap up the first two Intersectional competitions and to offer insight into what this competition means to the players and the clubs throughout the region. Scott also sticks around to talk all things competitive golf as the golf tournament season continues to pick up momentum.

No episode of The 613 Golfer Podcast would be complete without a great golf tip from Kevin Haime and this episodes is a great one...I hope you ENJOY!

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Well it is in full force now...the golf tournament season that is! On this episode of the 613 Golfer I take a look back over the past 4-5 days at some of the event that have taken place, and there are some BIG ones, including our own Flagstick Open. Scott MacLeod took the time to interview each of our Division Champions as well as our Flagstick Open Champion...Brennan Smith and I cant wait for you to listen to what they had to say. Some BIG announcements were finally made about the OVGA Golf Hall Of Fame and I also had the opportunity to chat with Keenan Reynolds and William Brown, two amazing university student who decided to launch an intiative called "The Front 9 Project" which is aimed at giving kids without the means and opportunity the chance to take up golf. It is a great interview you do not want to miss.

As always we take you out to the Lesson Tee with Kevin Haime and touch on even more stuff I know you will like...well worth the listen!

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Not every episode of the 613 Golfer Podcast is filled from start to finish with happy news about golf throughout the region. From time to time some news has to be shared that is a bit on the sad side and the closer this news hits to home the worse it can be. In this episode I am joined by Scott MacLeod, my good friend and Associate Publisher of Flagstick Magazine to talk about a number of things but in particular the recent passing of a former Executive Director of Golf Ontario and a very close friend of ours...Dave Mills. Dave touched a lot of people in the golf community and this is our opportunity to share our feelings about him and a few of the stories from our time with Dave.

Obviously we touch on some of the things happening throughout the 613 Region, especially from the first couple tournments completed. I also have a BIG bit of news to share with all of you about a NEW Flagstick event coming to the region this fall. Certainly well worth tuning in, watching or listening.

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In this episode of 613 Golfer Podcast I switched gears a bit from memories of Flagstick, interviews with Golf Pros and Course Managers to in my opinion one the hidden heroes of competitive golf...the Rules Official or as they are called now "Referees". While you wont likely hear any stories of foursome brawls on the back nine, there certainly is some very interesting conversation about the people you like to see as little as possible in a round of golf but could very well be your best friend too.

My very good friend Rich McLean agreed to spend some time with me this week on the show to talk about his journey to becoming a Golf Canada Referee, his reasoning for making that decision, the role he plays and exactly what is involved in becoming a Golf Canada Referee. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by a lot of what Rich has to say.

As always we step out to the Lesson Tee with Kevin Haime and I try to bring you up to speed on a few things going on throughout the 613...because that is what I do.

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This episode of the 613 Golfer Podcast is not one to miss. In past episodes we have spoken to people about their journey, the path they have taken to get to this point in their lives or careers. As Flagstick celebrates its 25th Anniversary of publishing and serving as the voice of golf throughout this region...I thought maybe we could take a trip down the rabbit hole that is our journey and see where it leads us.

In this episode I am sitting down with the two people that have been with me every step of the way since before Flagstick was even an actual printed magazine. Scott MacLeod (Associate Publisher) and Joe McLean (Editorial Assistant) have seen the good side and the bad side of everything that has gone on in the world of Flagstick for 25 years and as we get together, fire up the microphones, turn on the video cameras and open up the memories the conversation could lead to almost anything.

It is a bit on the longer then normal length for this Podcast but the stories and insight are well worth the listen. I hope you enjoy it as much as the three of us did.

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My own journey started the way I envisioned it but I certainly didn't follow the path I thought I would, however, I ended up doing exactly what I wanted to do.

In the case of our guest on Episode 11 of the 613 Golfer Podcast, Steve Martineau, he couldnt have seen his path being what it ended up being but in the end he ended up right where he wanted to be from the beginning...back home at the Prescott Golf Club. How many of us get to say that we fulfilled our dream and got the job we always wanted?

Steve Martineau is one of those guys that you come across that works so hard, is passionate about his work and is just an all around great guy to know. We will find out exactly where his 36 year journey took him and even some stories and "BUMPS" that took place along the way.

As always we will take you to the Lesson Tee, but this week with Jake Haime and I may even be ranting on about something, who knows...checck it out!

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After being in the golf business for well over 30 years of my life I can guarantee one thing...it has not come without sacrifice, hard work and pure passion. No knid of success truly is achieved without putting in the work first and nobody puts in the kind of work that is required without a level of passion and commitment above others. My guest on this week's Episode of 613 Golfer is Royal Ottawa's Derek MacDonlald and I can tell you that although only a younger PGA of Canada Teaching Professional he is no stranger to any of those things.

During my chat with Derek we learn what really started it all for him. What incentified him to dive into the world of golf instruction and learn more. Derek is very well know for his knowledge and use of current technology but as you will find out his teaching method do not revolve soley on the use of this technology. Listen in this week and find out more.

Plus...our 613 Golfer Regional Golf Report returns with Flagstick's Scott MacLeod.

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One thing is certain about the golf industry, there are really is no script for how you can find your place in golf. Whether your goal is to become a playing professional, an course manager, a sales rep or a golf instructor, the path may seem obvious to some while others take a journey that they would never have expected to lead them to where the are but that was certainly the case for Ottawa Hunt's Head Teaching Professional, Dave Kalil.

My talk with Dave took us a journey that frankly I didn't expect to take but learning about how someone with no previous interest in golf as a junior or even as a young adult found his passion for the game later in life but ended up as one of the regions top Golf Instructor working at one of the region most prestigious Golf Clubs was an interview I won't soon forget.

I guarantee you will enjoy the journey too.

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I have had the opportunity to meet and become good friends with a lot of people in the golf industry over my 25 years publishing Flagstick Golf Magazine but we generally remember the earliest relationships and how they were built.

My guest on this episode of 613 Golfer Podcast is Kevin Haime. Not only has Kevin worked hard along side his wife Lisa to build a name for himself as one of the top golf instructors in the country, he has also built one of the most advanced and popular practice facilities in the region along the way. This great interview wasnt about his childhood, it wasnt a 50 minute biography about Kevin, it was simply a conversation with a respected and successful person whom I have a lot of respect for and the path he took towards building a businesses a reputation and a legacy in golf.

I really think you will enjoy the conversation.

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