Michael O’Byrne from CTV Ottawa tries the Golf Bike
LATEST NEWS FROM TMSI — HERE WE GROW AGAIN.
Thunderbird Management Services Inc. (TMSI) becomes the largest golf-course operator in Ottawa after entering into an agreement with the Club de Golf Outaouais
Thunderbird Management Services Inc. (TMSI) has entered into an agreement with the Club de Golf Outaouais to oversee its turf maintenance operation for the 2016 season.
With this agreement, TMSI becomes the largest golf-course operator in the Ottawa region.
An Ottawa-based management company, TMSI has 26 years of experience and provides a complete suite of management services under a variety of areas including finance, human resources, health and safety, facility management and construction, and strategic planning.
“TMSI couldn’t be more excited to be working with Outaouais to help exceed members and guests expectations in terms of conditioning at the club,” said TMSI President Darin McCorriston. “With the addition of Outaouais to our formidable lineup of golf courses, it’s another way TMSI is showing it is the leader in golf course management in the Ottawa area.”
The Club de Golf Outaouais, just 35 minutes from downtown Ottawa on the beautiful Ottawa River, joins eQuinelle Golf Club, Brockville Country Club, Thunderbird Sports Centre, Perth Golf Course, and Amberwood Village Golf and Country Club under the TMSI umbrella.
TMSI also is involved with the City View Curling Club, helping the storied club expand its presence in the Ottawa marketplace, and the Tennis Centre West Ottawa in Britannia Park.
TMSI manages the operations at the Superdome at Ben Franklin Park and the Superdome Sports Centre, where the indoor golf space at Ben Franklin Park is the largest in Ottawa. The five domes managed by TMSI serves over 1 million people each year.
As part of this new partnership, full golf members at other TMSI-managed clubs will have access to Outaouais at a reduced green fee, while full golf members at Outaouais will receive reduced green fee rates at all TMSI-managed clubs.
TMSI will also be working closely with General Manager Pierre Charette to help market the club.
‘’We are very pleased to join the TMSI family of golf courses. With our great 27-hole facility, Outaouais Golf Club is one of the finest semi-private clubs in the Ottawa area, and a place where the public golfer is always welcome,” said Charette. “We are excited about the upcoming season !’’
The Club de Golf Outaouais will be featured at the TMSI pavilion at the Ottawa-Gatineau Golf Expo on March 4th and 5th at the EY Centre.
Thunderbird Management Services Inc. to work with City View Curling Club in 2016
Thunderbird Management Services Inc. (TMSI) has expanded its portfolio again, as they have reached an agreement with City View Curling Club for 2016.
The 660-member club recently celebrated the opening of its brand new four-sheet curling facility only meters from its old building, and TMSI is excited to be working with the storied club to expand its presence in the Ottawa marketplace.
“City View Curling Club is the perfect addition to our portfolio of sports facilities, including award-winning golf courses and air-supported domes,” said President of TMSI Darin McCorriston. “We’re eager to bring our 26 years of experience to City View.”
TMSI will be working with City View to help market their facility for weddings and other special events, as well as discussing the potential for a summer day camp.
“There are so many reasons to be excited in 2016 at City View,” explained City View President Philip Mainville. “Between our new facility and our agreement with TMSI, I’m confident 2016 will be our best year yet.”
City View hosted a grand opening of its new facility in early January. It can accommodate wheelchair curlers, and is home to a Special Olympics curling league.
Thunderbird Management Services Inc. to Partner with the Brockville Country Club in 2016
Thunderbird Management Services Inc. (TMSI) has come to a mutual agreement with the Brockville Country Club, after a vote by its Board of Directors, to provide consultation and feedback on the day-to-day operations of the club along with supporting the implementation of key initiatives in 2016.
TMSI will be working with the club’s Board of Directors and staff to develop and implement a strategic business plan to rejuvenate the golf and curling operations at the more than century-old club, located just over an hour from the Nation’s Capital.
“We feel Brockville has so much to offer not only residents of the city, but also golfers from all across the capital region. It’s a great facility, and we’re eager to get started with them,” said Darin McCorriston, President of TMSI. “With its history, its allure, and all the amenities it has to offer, Brockville has tremendous potential.”
TMSI will strategically advise Brockville on revenue management, marketing, golf course operations, and maintenance. General Manager Glenn Singleton will remain in his role with the club, continuing to manage overall day-to-day operations at the same time building a strong partnership with TMSI.
“We’re very much looking forward to working with TMSI and seeing what they can bring to the table in terms of golf course operations and marketing,” said Brockville club president Tom O’Shaughnessy. “TMSI has a proven track record of successful golf course operations, and we’re positive their expertise will be an asset to Brockville as we move ahead.”
Although not overly long by today’s standards, Brockville is a deceptively challenging golf course with considerable elevation changes and narrow fairways. However, four sets of tee blocks ensure all levels of golfers can enjoy the course. As the club celebrated its 100th anniversary, the practice facility at Brockville was upgraded to one of the best in Eastern Ontario, featuring a large practice putting green, driving range, and short-game practice area.
In addition, the club has a 6-sheet curling facility during the winter months with some of the best ice conditions in the area. TMSI recently began working with City View Curling Club in Ottawa and will be implementing a plan to help Brockville attract more curling members and maximize the use of the facility.
The Brockville Country Club is also available for special events, weddings and tournaments. It will be open for play once again in the spring and will be featured at the Ottawa/Gatineau Golf Expo as part of the TMSI family.
TMSI is presently involved with the management of eQuinelle Golf Club, Perth Golf Course, Thunderbird Sports Centre, the Superdome at Ben Franklin Park, the Superdome Sports Centre, Amberwood Village Golf and Country Club, as well as the Tennis Centre West Ottawa.
Thunderbird Management Services Inc. to manage the affairs of Amberwood Village Golf and Country Club in 2016
Thunderbird Management Services Inc. (TMSI) is pleased to announce, effective immediately, it has partnered with the Amberwood Village Golf and Country Club (AVGCC) to manage the entire golf operations for the 2016 season.
TMSI will be working with the Amberwood Board of Directors to develop and implement a strategic business plan to rejuvenate the golf, pool and tennis programs by bringing TMSI’s experience, expertise and proven formula for success to the beautiful nine-hole golf course, situated in the heart of Stittsville.
“We feel Amberwood has so much potential and we’re committed to putting the course back on the map,” explained Rob Knights, Vice President of Operations and Business Development at TMSI. “Amberwood is a scenic and challenging course, open to the public and provides golfers of all skill levels a great place to get in a quick nine holes of golf.”
While the perception of the golf industry is that it is struggling, TMSI has increased its presence in golf in the Ottawa area by 100% over the past 18 months and has seen steady growth at each of its facilities. Amberwood is a perfect addition to TMSI’s portfolio of courses.
“Amberwood has something to offer to everyone from golf, tennis and the pool to a great dining experience,” said Knights. “We will be changing the story at Amberwood as we have done at all the golf facilities we are involved with and are excited about the opportunity.”
TMSI is presently involved with the management of eQuinelle Golf Club, Perth Golf Course, Thunderbird Sports Centre, the Superdome at Ben Franklin Park, the Superdome Sports Centre, as well as the Tennis Centre West Ottawa.
The focal point of Amberwood Village, the Amberwood Golf and Country Club features a challenging layout for all skill levels, with water hazards on every hole, three tennis courts and a full-sized, outdoor, recreational pool.
“The AVGCC Board of Directors is pleased to be partnering with TMSI Sports Management to administer and manage the affairs of Amberwood Golf and Country Club in 2016,” said Ralph Milligan, President of the Amberwood Village Recreation Association, the group that owns the golf club. “We feel TMSI’s experience and expertise is exactly what the club needs to continue to improve our operations.”
Katharine Usher-Vollett, a 25-year employee of TMSI, will take on the position of full time, on-site General Manager for the club. Mrs. Usher-Vollett was the leader for TMSI at eQuinelle Golf Club in Kemptville since the club’s opening in 2009 and will bring her experience and expertise to Amberwood starting immediately.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge that Amberwood brings and I’m excited to be part of a great facility,” explained Mrs. Usher-Vollett.
Meanwhile, PGA of Canada professional Phil Rankin will take over as Director of Golf at eQuinelle, bringing his 23 years of experience in the golf industry to Ottawa’s premier golf facility. Rankin is familiar to the members and public players at eQuinelle, having been the teaching professional and involved in supporting member events and leagues since 2013.
Amberwood Village Golf and Country Club will be open for play once again in the spring, and will be featured at the Ottawa/Gatineau Golf Expo as part of the TMSI family.
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Katharine Usher-Vollett moving on from eQuinelle Golf Club to become General Manager at Amberwood Village Golf and Country Club
After spending the last seven years at eQuinelle Golf Club as its General Manager, Katharine Usher-Vollett has been named the General Manager at Amberwood Golf and Country Club, effective immediately.
A 25-year employee of Thunderbird Management Services Inc. (TMSI), Mrs. Usher-Vollett has been the leader at eQuinelle since the club’s opening in 2009. Amberwood is the latest facility to partner with TMSI with respect to management of its golf operations.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge that Amberwood brings and I’m excited to be part of a great facility,” explained Mrs. Usher-Vollett.
Mrs. Usher-Vollett has worked at the Superdome at Ben Franklin Park, the West Ottawa Tennis Club, Thunderbird Sports Centre, and of course, eQuinelle.
“Katharine has been a tremendous asset at eQuinelle, turning the club into an award-winning facility, and we’re excited to have her on site, full time, at Amberwood this year,” said Darin McCorriston, President of TMSI. “Although she’ll be missed at eQuinelle, we’re positive she’ll make a great impact at Amberwood and help improve the day-to-day operations.”
Stepping into Mrs. Usher-Vollet’s shoes at eQuinelle will be Phil Rankin.
Mr. Rankin, a PGA of Canada Class ‘A’ professional with 23 years experience in the golf industry, has been the head teaching professional at eQuinelle since 2013 and has also been supporting Mrs. Usher-Vollett with events and member programs during that time.
His role as General Manager and Director of Golf is effective immediately.
Mr. Rankin has a long history of golf management experience, including the Director of Golf and Operations at two of Ottawa’s finest ClubLink facilities – Eagle Creek Golf Club and Kanata Golf and Country Club.
In addition, Mr. Rankin spent five years at Tournament Sports Marketing as a territory sales manager for Bridgestone Golf, Antigua Apparel and Nancy Lopez Apparel.
James Paterson will add the title of assistant manager to his portfolio, assisting Mr. Rankin with golf events and programs, along with being the lead for Food & Beverage at the club.
