By Robert Thompson | May 21, 2013
I’m not the first to say it: Rod Spittle is the nicest man in Canadian golf. Sure he’s lived in Ohio for most of his adult live, but there’s something quintessentially Canadian about a man who constantly thanks interviewers for wanting to speak to him and who talks about “being blessed” for having a shot at playing professional golf.
The neat thing is that Spittle is coming home — quite literally — to play the PGA of Canada Seniors’ Championship at Lookout Point, and was at the club last week to discuss his involvement. He patiently did a clinic for those in attendance (and has a nice, smooth swing for a very tall man) and then talked to a handful of reporters.
I wrote my Global Golf Post column on his rare career in golf — one that started at the age of 50.
Tagged: Ohio,United States, Rod Spittle |
By Robert Thompson | May 15, 2013
I came to know David Main a few years ago when an industry friend suggested we were like-minded and might get along. I connected with him for a conversation about the game over lunch and we continued those conversations for the coming couple of years. At the time David was the GM at the prestigious ... read more »
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By Robert Thompson | May 14, 2013
RT’s Note: I’ve had several good chats with Colin McDougall while sitting at London’s Hunt Club or in a nearby Starbucks in recent months. Like most conversations I have people in the golf business, the situation inevitably leads to a discussion about the state of the industry. Colin, whose family ran the Accuform brand of ... read more »
Tagged: Colin McDougall, Georgian College, Golf Town, London's Hunt Club, Professor of Golf Management |
By Robert Thompson | May 13, 2013
Hard to go wrong talking to Brad Fritsch. He’s smart, thoughtful and quotable — and has a pretty honest twitter feed. I’ve written about the big hitter from Manotick a couple of times this year and if he keeps playing well I’ll be writing about him a lot more. This week’s Global Golf Post column ... read more »
Tagged: Brad Fritsch, Manotick |
By Robert Thompson | May 12, 2013
Yes, two more Canadian course ratings are out — one by Canadiangolfmagazine.com, an upstart publication, and a new Ontario list by Peter Mumford’s Fairways magazine. Add this to SCOREGolf’s established Top 100, Golfweek’s Top Canadian classic and modern list and Golf Digest’s recent Canadian list. That’s a lot of ink spilled when I truly think ... read more »
Tagged: Danny King, Frank Mastroianni, Golf Digest, peter mumford, ScoreGolf |
By Robert Thompson | May 8, 2013
Last week Thomas McBroom told me he thought the renovation market was heating up, with some well-healed clubs spending some cash to improve their facilities, including their golf course. He pointed to the work he was doing at Donalda, but Jeff Mingay, a Windsor architect (and a friend of mine) is also benefiting from this. ... read more »
Tagged: Cabot, Derrick Club, jeff mingay, Thomas McBroom |
By Robert Thompson | May 8, 2013
Interesting news to see Magna GM Rob Roxborough, who has spent the last 13 years with that club, announced as the new GM at Hamilton G&CC: Tuesday, May 7, 2013 New Chief Operating Officer The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that it has completed the search for the next Chief Operating Officer. After ... read more »
Tagged: Doug Lord, hamilton golf & country club, harry colt, Jacques Tittley, Magna Golf Club in Aurora, Mike Weir |
By Robert Thompson | May 7, 2013
New/old Coppinwood owner Paul McLean has confirmed the Uxbridge-based club is seeking the RBC Canadian Open and Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons and tournament director Bill Paul said they are eying the Tom Fazio course as a potential site for the Open. McLean and co-owner Gerard Waslen recently acquired the club (McLean, who runs financing ... read more »
Tagged: Canadian Open, Golf Canada, Ian Andrew, Laval, Mike Weir, paul mclean, Royal Bank of Canada, Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club |
By Robert Thompson | May 7, 2013
My latest Global Golf Post column came out yesterday and discusses the search for a sponsor for the soon to be formerly CN Canadian Women’s Open. You’ll find the column here. I think Golf Canada is going to have a tough time with this one. That said, it might be easier to sell than the ... read more »
Tagged: Canadian Women's Open, Golf Canada, PGA Tour, PGA Tour Canada, the Tour Championship |
By Robert Thompson | May 3, 2013
Danny Fritz, the sharp dressed co-managing director of IMG Canada, whose clients included Mike Weir, Matt Hill and Eugene Wong, is leaving his role. Reached on his cell phone, Fritz confirmed the move. He’s starting his own agency, though he says that’s early going and isn’t sure what form it will take. “I joined IMG ... read more »
Tagged: Chris Armstrong, Danny Fritz, IMG Canada, lorie kane, Matt Hill, Mike Weir, Skins Game, Stephen Ames, Telus World Skins Game |
I’m not the first to say it: Rod Spittle is the nicest man in Canadian golf. Sure he’s lived in Ohio for most of his adult live, but there’s something quintessentially Canadian about a man who constantly thanks interviewers for wanting to speak to him and who talks about “being blessed” for having a shot at playing professional golf.
A bestselling author and award-winning columnist, Robert Thompson has been writing about business and sports, and particularly golf, for almost two decades. His reporting and commentary on golf has appeared in 
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