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View from the Cheap Seats... This place was different...When the phone rang back in June, I had no idea what was in store for me. "Peter, can you get away for a few days in August?" It was Gord Witteveen, and he had adventure on his mind. "John Gehman will pick you up in his plane, you'll fly up here to Toronto, we'll visit a few golf courses and then do some salmon fishing up in northern Ontario. I have it all planned." Sure, what the heck, I thought. Get out of the office for a few days, meet some new friends, smell the grass a bit. With a wife, two daughters and two female dogs, I don't get much of a chance for serious male bonding throughout the year, other than with Team TurfNet at the Golf Course Hockey Challenge each January. I have to admit, however, to being less than 100% comfortable at first with the small plane thing, never having flown in anything smaller than 17 seats. My wife was even less enthralled with the thought of me going. But, hey, that's part of the adventure, so let's go. I immediately felt like Harrison Ford in one of those jungle-runner movies...John had already landed when Daughter B dropped me off at Princeton Airport. "Climb in after me," he said. Up on the wing, butt first through the door into the co-pilot's seat. "Here, put this headset on if you want to listen to the conversation. It's the only way we can talk to each other." Although it had the latest electronics, the cockpit seemed a bit dated, with that early '70s retro look. I immediately felt like Harrison Ford in one of those jungle-runner movies. How old is this plane? I inquired calmly. "1973" came the reply. Oh good, I thought, just after I graduated from high school. My fears came quickly to rest, however, as the engines hummed and John skillfully guided us up to Toronto.  Myself, John Gehman and Gordon Witteveen with the "TurfNet Express". Upon landing the next day at Gore Bay airport (which, by comparison, made Princeton look like O'Hare) on Manitoulin Island, we walked over to the small office to inquire about a rental car. The affable fellow who ran the place told us there were no rental cars on the island, and unfortunately their courtesy car was out on loan. Otherwise, we could have used it for a few days. Used it for a few days? Then I noticed the tray of snacks on the counter, with a coffee can that said, "Please make your own change." I began to sense something was different about this place. Then I noticed the tray of snacks on the counter, with a coffee can that said, "Please make your own change." Hmmm... The airport manager called a local old timer who whisked us to our lodging in his private car. We soon met up with Art and Jane Pummell at Manitoulin Island Country Club, who loaned us their SUV for our stay on the island. Within an hour, Jane had received several calls to inform her there were three strange men driving around the island in her vehicle. This place was different. Gord played golf with Art's club president and green chairman the next morning, providing his own brand of complimentary Turf Advisory Visit. John and I relaxed on the clubhouse patio and watched the golfers teeing off and coming up #9. Several things struck me. The place was busy, but at a relaxed pace. Many — maybe even half — of the golfers that day were juniors, playing with parents or friends. That's a good thing to see. And just about everyone coming in off the course had a smile on their face. Nobody was grousing or complaining. That says it all. Just about everyone coming in off the course had a smile on their face. Nobody was grousing or complaining. That says it all.So here we have a very low budget club (the primary greensmower was a 16-year old Jake GKIV, but Art was awaiting delivery of a new one) with a short season, in a remote area. But it was a very nice facility, with that intangible good feeling about it. I couldn't help but note that if there were a course like that — 9 holes, $18 green fees, well groomed, relaxed and friendly — nearby, I would likely take up the game again. The visit also gave me cause to reflect on our usual gauge of success. Does it have to be the biggest budget or the highest salary around — or do creating a good life, doing a good job within the means at one's disposal, and being content and happy qualify as well? Reprinted from the September 2003 issue of TurfNet Monthly. Peter L. McCormick is the founder and maestro of TurfNet. He can be reached at maestro@turfnet.com. |
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