Rideau View golf club member guest hits it out of the park with phenomenal two day event featuring Yvan Cournoyer!

Rideau View Golf Club member-guest hits it out of the park!!

What do you get when you host an event that has record setting attendance, record setting sponsorship, with a 10x Stanley Cup winning Hall of Fame player in attendance, five 9-hole matches played over two glorious days on one of the premier tracks of Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec? Welcome to the Rideau View Golf Club Member-Guest event of 2022.

Throw in a breakfast, lunch, two dinners including our famous multiple food stations first made popular during our very successful Pro-Am days, an 8000$ prize table, an alternate shot shootout on our 18th hole to determine our overall winner and you’ve got an event that lives up to one of the Rideau View mantra’s- as good as it gets.

This was the first year our club made the Thursday round part of the official competition. It upped the number of holes played to 45 over the two days. All two man teams were slotted according to handicap and you played the respective tee boxes of that number. Case in point our drama filled shootout held in front of the full house assembled on our spectacular patio was won by a pair of group 3’s, two great friends of mine, Phil Byrne and Jim Cooper, the latter of which rolled in a tricky downhill slider that broke several inches for a birdie on 18 to win it all! How about that!!

As spectacular as that was combined with the food, the weather, the ambiance and our pristine course conditions thanks to our superintendent Gord MacMillan and his staff there is no doubt there was a buzz over the event with the attendance of former Montreal Canadien great, Yvan Cournoyer. Mr. Cournoyer, long known as ‘the Road Runner’ played in the event on Thursday and then participated in a Q/A with myself more commonly known back in the day as a ‘hot stove’ an old Hockey Night in Canada term that describes the between period analysis that took place around a hot stove at Maple Leaf Gardens. In a word he was sensational.

Covering a wide range of topics from his early days at home shooting a heavier steel puck made by his machinist father, to his first years in Montreal playing for Toe Blake with teammates like Jean Beliveau and Henri Richard, the two men who preceded Mr. Cournoyer as captains on Montreal – to the Summit Series, New Year’s Eve 1975 vs the Red Army, playing at the Montreal Forum, hockey’s all-time winningest building and some very poignant and emotional commentary on several of his friends who have passed away notably Guy Lafleur but also a tremendous reflection and memory shared about his former teammate Gilles Lupien. It was an amazing night and beyond incredible two days.

Providing an infrastructure with which to work, set up and oversee this great event was our Manager Steve Ducat, our new head professional Roger Beale and his staff, assistant pro Tyler Ep, Chelsey Egan and Maddison Edwards, the back shop staff and our FB and clubhouse Manager Taylor Kohlman all of whom had a hand in our overall presentation, our unique gift to our guests which included Rideau View’s own distinct beer, #17, brewed by Big Rig brewery and a bottle of our Rideau View gin distilled locally and the fantastic food served over the two days. The latter of which thanks also has to go to our great kitchen and serving staff.

Our sponsors this year, many of whom return annually were joined by a number of first-time supporters. Their commitment and generosity contributed heavily to all of what was available for our members and their guests. I would like to acknowledge them here.

Scroll the list, if you know any of the names, take a quick look at what they do. Amazing group of people.

Dan Kelly of Kelly, Hubiers, McNeely, Ottawa’s premier accounting and taxation operation. You can see the back of the farm Dan grew up on the River Road if you stand on the upper portion of our tenth tee. It’s visible by the silo on the property that still bears the Kelly name. Dan has been a personal friend for fifty years. I know his whole family and he and his firm are thee best taxation accountants in the entire region.

Wayne Hall from Molson-Coors. This one is near and dear to my heart as they are the makers of Molson Export Ale, the longest selling brand of the Molson inventory that possesses the sweetest taste when served refrigerated in a nice glass on a hot day. It can accompany any food group at any time of the day. Thank you for your continued sponsorship Wayne.

Hugo Ortega. Hugo came to us a few years ago and has made a tremendous impact. One of the nicest guys you could meet, he is the CEO of Stega Networks Inc, a leader in the IT world with respect to managing your IT company, providing you with the best network solutions and if need be helping you with recovery issues if things have gone awry. They are top drawer as is he.

Adam Bracken, Fitness Lab. We jokingly refer to Adam as a ‘trainer for the stars’ given his ever growing stable of clients from pro hockey especially the NHL and beyond. He is a fantastic young man who is rocketing up the ladder in the very competitive fitness and gym world. Their location in the heart of Manotick is a beehive of activity and you should seek him and his staff out for any nutrition or workout advice. This was his first time sponsoring our Member-Guest.

David Skinner – Costco. Dave is a VP of Costco Wholesale and who among us is not familiar with their tremendous operation. They have four locations in Ottawa/Gatineau including their Canadian head office and they have doubled in size since 2001. The Rideau View ‘family’ is so deep, it truly is one of the strengths of our club. Dave is the uncle of Wayne Hall from Molson Coors mentioned above. He also is the brother of Rideau View members Grant and Larry Skinner, the latter of which played six years of pro hockey including 50 games in the NHL where he recorded the first goal ever in Colorado Rockies history. Grant Skinner, a tremendous athlete himself is the greatest second baseman in Canadian fastball history and is in several Hall of Fame’s including the former city of Nepean’s.

John MacDougall, co-owner of Uniform Urban Developments. John’s award winning company in operation for more than thirty years follows their motto, unique by design. From site selection, design and construction right through their fantastic customer service they deliver value and excellence. I know this to be true because I’ve known John for more than 35 years. Our friendship predates his company. With family now on board helping him steer the ship, Uniform Urban Development is one of the most sought after builders in our entire region.

Bruce Evans. Lifelong Financial Solutions Inc. Bruce is a co-founder and managing partner of this fantastic group that serves more than 4300 clients in the region of Ottawa-Carleton and beyond including yours’ truly. When it came time to set up my life insurance for my children they were my obvious call and it was the best move I ever made. Bruce and his wife are the parents of three great sons all of whom have a Rideau View connection. Austin is a member and an annual candidate or participant on our intersectional team; Riley is a former employee of the club and Taylor hit the most unreal shot in Rideau View history, a 253yd 3-wood for a deuce on #16 in our Pro-Am competition. It remains the only 2 ever recorded on hole 16, it came from our blue tees, it was more than just an incredible shot. It’s the greatest golf shot in the 65 year history of the club.

Donnie Gallant. Wendy’s. Donnie came to us more than twenty years ago from the beautiful area of North Rustico, PEI. As a Wendy’s owner and partner Donnie and his wife Dawn contribute greatly to Rideau View’s functions and events be it just socially or as a significant contributor such as sponsorship as they did here. Donnie espouses Wendy’s key attributes; long standing success; tradition; commitment to excellence. It should be noted, seeing as I’m the hockey guy, that their son Mitch was a national Junior A champion with the Pembroke Lumber Kings and their other son Jay is now a member of the Ottawa Police Force. They don’t come any better.

Steve Byrne. Former CEO of Thinkwrap Commerce. If you used the analogy of Rideau View as a top end motor vehicle part of its engine component would be Steve Byrne. He is a driving force at the club who no sooner did he relinquish his duties and two year reign as Club Captain did he then become our club president. He and his wife Barb, formerly a highly competitive squash player, are one of the many couples who are both members at the club and who give back and contribute in many, many ways. Although basically retired Steve contributed to the sponsorship and we thank him for that. In keeping with our Rideau View family way, Barb and Steve’s daughter Laura is a server at the club and is living with the aforementioned Jay Gallant. They are a great couple.

Russ Miall. Russell Plumbing. Russ is in his 3rd year at the club and is a fantastic addition. He owns and operates one of the top plumbing operations in the entire region. He specializes in residential and his motto is simple yet effective and he lives by it. Get it right the first time. He’s a 3rd generation tradesman who can handle everything from drain cleaning to well pumps and everything in between. He also crushes it off the tee and plays to a solid mid-single digit cap. This was his first time sponsoring the Member-Guest and we thank him for coming on board.

Rock Villeneuve. Rock Welding. Rock is at or near the top of the list of members who have given back to the club during their time as members. In his 27th year he is a multiple returnee as a sponsor of the Member-Guest among numerous other events. In any given week he can be found on the course getting his round in or on the course and helping the maintenance staff with some issues that may have come up and his expertise is an aid. Rock owns and operates Rock Welding, a 30 year operation that has seen him work all over the region of Ottawa-Carleton and all over the province of Ontario including being the only welder willing to go to the top of the CN Tower to take care of their repair needs. He has been referred to as the ‘Wayne Gretzky’ of welders –he is my partner on the course and my dear friend off of it. We go back to grade 2 at St. Leonard’s in Manotick, Ontario, Tuesday September 7th, 1966. That’s 56 years for those of you keeping track at home.

Larry Henderson. Innovative Insurance Agencies. Larry is a returnee sponsor and a very popular fixture around the club. Nobody has a colour coded outfit more in sync including the hat than Larry Henderson. His style is befitting of a man who golfs extremely well and loves to have a good time. As for his business there is nobody in the region who knows insurance and all aspects of it better than Larry. He has decades of direct selling experience. He has been a career agent, worked with brokerages, there isn’t anything in the insurance business he has not done. Realizing how the market has changed especially in respect to workman’s compensation, personal injury and sickness issues they founded Innovative Insurance Agencies and they are a driving force in the industry yet again.

Jim Cooper. Engel & Volkers. This is Jim’s first foray as a sponsor under the Engel and Volkers brand who are regarded as one of the top recognized names globally for residential and commercial sales. Operating on five continents and in thirty-two countries you can include Manotick as one of the offices and it’s there that Jim and his partner Amanda operate out of and do an outstanding job. At the core of this world wide operation are premium residential properties, commercial real estate, consultancy and leaseholds. They are a global service company. Jim has been a friend for decades and nobody belts out a song better at midnight than Jimmy Cooper.

Brad McAninch. Modern Niagara. Brad is the CEO and a continued presence of a great family of a business that started as a local plumbing service shop in 1959. Brad’s father John, a long time Rideau View member, came on board as a shareholder in 1973 and an owner in 1989 all the while overseeing tremendous growth and acquisitions. They are now known as a national contractor specializing in supporting the lifestyle of mechanical, electrical and integrated building technology. It should be noted that Brad’s brother Steve is also a part of their very successful operation and in keeping with the amazing family tradition that is such a part of Rideau View golf club, Brad and Steve’s late mother, the phenomenal Cynthia ‘Cinny’ McAninch is Adam Bracken’s late aunt and she too was a long time Rideau View member. Thank you to Modern Niagara for their continued support.

Michael Cotter. Cotter Wealth Management of RBC Dominion Securities. Mike is and has been a tremendous supporter of our club. He has previously been our club president and he has played an integral part in the infrastructure and organizing of our very successful Member-Guest event. In his professional life Mike and his group are the best at helping individuals or families in all areas of financial management and at any stage of their lives, early years to retirement. Mike is a designated financial planner, wealth advisor and has his Level 2 life insurance license. Nobody will tailor a financial strategy better for you or your family than our beloved, Mr. Cotter. As I say to him every spring, welcome back Mr. Cot-ter.

Derek Nzeribe. Haus Collection Realty. Derek is in his fourth year at the club. This is his first time sponsoring our Member-Guest and we thank him very much for coming on board. In case you’re wondering how to pronounce his last name phonetically, ‘in-zer-e-bay’. He is a super nice man, very friendly and it’s great to have had him a part of this year’s event. He is the founder of Haus Collection Realty which is a brokerage firm specializing in pre-construction sales and marketing and working with developers around Ottawa and the surrounding area. They specialize in custom homes, townhome developments, boutiques and condo developments. Haus Collection Realty is a detail oriented operation with a great eye on architecture, art and fashion. Simply put, the man knows what looks good! We were thrilled to have him as part of our group this year.

Anil Mital. Tim Horton’s. Representing the most recognizable brand name in Canada, Anil Mital is a returning sponsor and for that we are very thankful. He and his wife Monica own multiple Tim Horton’s, they and their children are all members at Rideau View and they are outstanding contributors to the club. Myles Gilbert ‘Tim’ Horton, the former standout Stanley Cup winning defenseman opened the first location bearing his name in Hamilton in 1964. This uniquely Canadian restaurant chain serves 5 million cups of its original brand of coffee every day including their trademark double-double, their great donuts and the ever popular timbits. Tim Horton’s employees over 100,000 people. Thank you Anil for being a part of our event this year.

Carmine Giamberardino. Giamberardino Construction. Gary Duck. Ventana Management Services. These last two sponsors, Carmine and Gary, made it possible for Yvan Cournoyer to attend our Member-Guest. An extra level of sponsorship was required and they both provided it. Carm and Gary are longtime members at the club and are as selfless and generous as you will meet. They both are huge contributors in many facets to Rideau View and numerous other entities in our great city and region. I love to speak about our Rideau View family. Giamberardino Construction is family owned and operated since 1950. They do among other things thee best mill work in the entire city.

Gary Duck was in a previous life on the cutting edge of some fantastic technology as he worked as a manufacturer of optical components and optical fiber telecommunications. He and his wife Connie have in recent years been a major contributor to the Ottawa Hospital. These two members are two of the best and I thank them very much for their help in getting Yvan Cournoyer to our event.

Also a shout out and thanks to long time Member-Guest participant and Hunt Club member, Les Bell who graciously donated a hole-in-one prize for the Thursday competition; 30,000$ toward a lease or purchase of a beautiful vehicle from Lincoln Heights Ford. Thank you Les!

The Member-Guest committee would also like to acknowledge the tireless work of Paul Sauve. Paul has been at our club for several years now, one of the additions who came over from Carleton Golf and Yacht Club along with our current club captain and former 30 year member of the Ottawa police John Radmore. Did we ever luck out having them join our club! John provided some sound guidance as our structure ebbed and flowed – but – the man who had to deal with all of it and the dozens upon dozens of changes that were required was Paul and for that we are eternally grateful. Thank you very much Paul.

Also thanks to my long time buddy Johnny Mott- a Manotick resident born and raised who now calls Brockville home who joined me as my guest on Friday. Thank you Jonnny baby!!

And one final note to Brad Boehme, a beloved Rideau View member who just prior to our event starting lost his beautiful mother Lynn to cancer. May she rest in eternal peace my friend. Condolences to you and all of your family.

That does it for our signature event of the summer at the club. I look forward to seeing you all at the ‘View! Thank you for making this edition of the Member-Guest the absolute best ever. Hit ‘em straight and long!

Liam Maguire

Member-Guest committee 2022