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Good Teaching to All
By Gerry Connally
CGTF Member, New Brunswick, Canada

In 1995, I was very fortunate enough to have been the successful proponent in a protracted CFP (Call for Proposals) process to select a private operator for a municipal golf facility in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. The entire process, which began in January 1994, lasted more than a year and consumed much of my spare time, given that I was still working full time in Engineering Management at the local shipyard. I am an engineering technologist and was responsible for the development of programs and policies to track the reliability of equipment and systems on the frigates, which the Saint John shipyard was contracted to build for the Canadian Navy. I was employed at the shipyard for 13 years.

As a boy I began caddying at a local golf course in 1967, progressed to a back shop job in 1969, and subsequently became an assistant golf professional in 1976. This venture lasted three years and I do not look back on it as a great learning experience. I had success as a junior and amateur golfer at the local and provincial levels but my love for the game waned as an assistant professional. At this point, I left golf and attended college, graduating with high honors in 1983. Fortunately, my love for the game returned during my engineering years.

My company, Total Golf Management Inc., has now operated the Rockwood Park Golf Course in Saint John for almost seven full golf seasons. I am responsible for all aspects of the operation including golf course maintenance, food and beverage services, driving range and golf shop. After completing contract negotiations, the City of Saint John turned over the entire operation to TGMI. I report back to the city biyearly regarding progress and plans. The relationship between TGMI and the City of Saint John has been honest and amicable and as a result, we recently renegotiated the term of my original contract to extend through 2014. (The original tern ended in 2004.)

In 1996, I investigated my options with the local CPGA but it became readily apparent that they provided me with no options, acceptable to me, to join their organization. Thereafter, I discovered another organization of golf professionals, which appeared to suit my situation- The United States Golf Teachers Federation. As I investigated the USGTF, it seemed to be a perfect fit for my situation. I was confident in my ability to run the business, choose top performing employees, etc. but I wanted to teach the game to my customers as a member of a professional organization. Consequently, I made a trip to central Florida in December 1997, and became a certified member of the USGTF! This decision has greatly enhanced my business. In fact, my teaching business has grown to the point where one of my key employees Scott Robart also has become certified in the federation and his teaching business is flourishing.

Saint John is located in southern New Brunswick (New Brunswick is one of the Canadian Maritime Provinces) where the Saint John and Kennebecais Rivers meet and flow into the Bay of Fundy. It is an industrial city and home to the largest oil refinery in Canada. Some of the best whale watching in the world can be experienced nearby in the Bay. The Bay of Fundy also offers the highest ocean tides in the world. Saint John borders in the state of Maine to the West, Quebec to the north and Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia to the east. Bangor, Maine is approximately 150 miles west of Saint John.

The golf product of New Brunswick has improved in the recent years with the complete renovation of the Algonquin course in the resort town of St. Andrews by the Sea, a Thomas McBroom redesign about a 45 minute drive from Saint John to the west. Royal Oaks is a new course in Moncton, New Brunswick, about a 90 minute drive east of Saint John. Royal Oaks was the first Canadian venture for renowned architect Reese Jones. The northern portion of New Brunswick offers some great old designs including 1. Aroostook (the pro shop is in Maine and the course and clubhouse in Canada, 2. Gowan Brae in Bathurst and 3. Edmundston Golf Club- the site of the 2002 Canadian Amateur Championship. I’ve provided high praise for many of the more than 50 golf courses in New Brunswick but I must say that the Rockwood Park Golf Course is a great test and is always in top condition. It is ranked very highly and praised by Golf Digest’s “Places to Play” publication. We service many high end customers from cruise ship visits to Saint John and receive rave reviews from these clients.

It should also be noted that the resort island of Prince Edward Island (Chartlottetown, PEI is the home to LPGA star Lorie Kane) is easily accessed by the massive Confederation Bridge. PEI is about a two hour drive from Saint John and offers more than 20 high end golf courses; all within a few minutes drive from each other on this tiny island.

Saint John has a regional airport with easy access through Toronto, Montreal and Halifax. The golf season generally is mid April through October 31st and the summer climate is exceptional for golf. Saint John is a clean, friendly city with sufficient infrastructure to support a more national and international conventions and conferences.

I appeal to all other members of the USGTF to keep your eyes open to other opportunities either similar to mine at Rockwood Park or otherwise. I would be happy to liaise with any member should they feel that my experience could benefit them in any way.

I would finally like to thank Geoff Bryant and the USGTF for providing me the opportunity to grow the game through my association with the highly regarded federation. And lastly Geoff, I would like to get the message out to you and other federation members- Eastern Canada includes more than Ontario and Quebec. The real east coast is the Maritime Provinces, which include the beautiful province of New Brunswick.